Hermes Cafe Bon Temps~Good Times Cafe

[Cordeliere]

Well since one of the topics is now vodka (for gracekelly to mourn her shoes), I have a recipe to share.

I did not find this recipe in a book. I acquired it through diligent research. I smoozed and quizzed bartenders in multiple restaurants. It is my secret recipe for chocolate martinis (more commonly referred to as chocolatinis.) Should you decide to try this at home, be advised that this drink is alcohol with alcohol.

1. Chill the martini glasses in advance. (There is a reason )
2. Pour 2 shots of vanilla vodka into a martini shaker. Veil brand is recommended.
3. Add one shot of Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur).
4. Add 1/2 shot of Godiva (milk or dark) chocolate liqueur.
5. Add 1/2 shot of Godiva white chocolate liqueur.
6. Add 1/2 shot of Bailey's Irish Cream. (Half and half can be substituted for the faint of heart).
7. Shake the shaker if you are feeling energetic and wish to tone your arms. If not, hand it to DH.
8. Make chocolate swirls on the sides of the chilled glass with chilled Hershey's chocolate sauce.
9. Pour contents of shaker in martini glass.
10. Enjoy.

My chocolate swirl technique is not quite there. I need to do more research on swirling technique. I will retrace my steps in an effort to finish my training.

Many of the bartenders have commented on the amazing chocolatinis at the Ritz and how they are $20 instead of $10 as other restaurants charge. And the consensus is that the Ritz chocolatini is soooo worth it. I think they have sticks of chocolate coming out the top. The Ritz is all of 5 minutes away so DH and I should make it there over the next month. I will report back and post a pic.

 

[gracekelly]

Letting go of appealing pristine shoes is tragic. So sorry you had to do that. Congrats on linen closet.

It is and the only thing more tragic than letting go was that I couldn't get my feet into them!

 

[gracekelly]

Well since one of the topics is now vodka (for gracekelly to mourn her shoes), I have a recipe to share.

I did not find this recipe in a book. I acquired it through diligent research. I smoozed and quizzed bartenders in multiple restaurants. It is my secret recipe for chocolate martinis (more commonly referred to as chocolatinis.) Should you decide to try this at home, be advised that this drink is alcohol with alcohol.

1. Chill the martini glasses in advance. (There is a reason )
2. Pour 2 shots of vanilla vodka into a martini shaker. Veil brand is recommended.
3. Add one shot of Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur).
4. Add 1/2 shot of Godiva (milk or dark) chocolate liqueur.
5. Add 1/2 shot of Godiva white chocolate liqueur.
6. Add 1/2 shot of Bailey's Irish Cream. (Half and half can be substituted for the faint of heart).
7. Shake the shaker if you are feeling energetic and wish to tone your arms. If not, hand it to DH.
8. Make chocolate swirls on the sides of the chilled glass with chilled Hershey's chocolate sauce.
9. Pour contents of shaker in martini glass.
10. Enjoy.

My chocolate swirl technique is not quite there. I need to do more research on swirling technique. I will retrace my steps in an effort to finish my training.

Many of the bartenders have commented on the amazing chocolatinis at the Ritz and how they are $20 instead of $10 as other restaurants charge. And the consensus is that the Ritz chocolatini is soooo worth it. I think they have sticks of chocolate coming out the top. The Ritz is all of 5 minutes away so DH and I should make it there over the next month. I will report back and post a pic.

I think this drink could turn me into a chocoalcoholic! If my SIL ever hears about this drink, she will never be sober again!

 

[eagle1002us]

I enjoyed this article on Marie Kondo from the economic perspective and thought I'd share: https://www.theatlantic.com/busines...st-reads-marie-kondo/392921/?utm_source=atlfb

I think I have too much stuff but during our recent move our movers told us we don't have much! Erm, we have way too many things that we don't use that we shouldn't be keeping but DH is sentimental with photos, videos to be digitized, etc that there's all these extra stuff.

I'm happy with my clothes, shoes, bags but other things which I don't care for like household supplies, etc all could really use some serious decluttering. We got rid of quite a few dishes and tableware before our move because I didn't like them nor find them useful since we have nicer things. That said, I'm nowhere near being a minimalist like I'd like to be in my head.

Good article by Kondo, thx for reference!

 

[eagle1002us]

I completely understand this feeling, gk. My DH is also kind about this. He's a finance guy, so he says prior purchases (1) are "sunk costs" (don't cry over sunk costs); and (2) should be viewed as past entertainment expenses--the finding, purchasing, and receiving was itself an experience, now over.
These perspectives help somewhat. Also, vodka.

Or chocolate anything. BTW, Mindi, what a great perspective your DH has!
I never thought about the entertainment angle of shopping -- finding, purchasing and receiving (I'd add a step before finding -- imagining [the perfect scarf, bag, book, etc.]). I once heard an H manager say that the important thing about shopping at H was the experience. And a lot of me agrees with that: H can be a very soothing experience, it can distract you from the workaday world, and you get to look at beautiful things you never imagined, and the satisfaction of anticipating one or more purchases.

 

[Hat Trick]

Or chocolate anything. BTW, Mindi, what a great perspective your DH has!
I never thought about the entertainment angle of shopping -- finding, purchasing and receiving (I'd add a step before finding -- imagining [the perfect scarf, bag, book, etc.]). I once heard an H manager say that the important thing about shopping at H was the experience. And a lot of me agrees with that: H can be a very soothing experience, it can distract you from the workaday world, and you get to look at beautiful things you never imagined, and the satisfaction of anticipating one or more purchases.

Absolutely! Many is the time that I wander into my local H store after work or during lunch (it is only 3 bulidings from my office!) to chill. I always leave the store happier, even on those very few occassions that I am also empty-handed.

 

[Hat Trick]

Well since one of the topics is now vodka (for gracekelly to mourn her shoes), I have a recipe to share.

I did not find this recipe in a book. I acquired it through diligent research. I smoozed and quizzed bartenders in multiple restaurants. It is my secret recipe for chocolate martinis (more commonly referred to as chocolatinis.) Should you decide to try this at home, be advised that this drink is alcohol with alcohol.

1. Chill the martini glasses in advance. (There is a reason )
2. Pour 2 shots of vanilla vodka into a martini shaker. Veil brand is recommended.
3. Add one shot of Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur).
4. Add 1/2 shot of Godiva (milk or dark) chocolate liqueur.
5. Add 1/2 shot of Godiva white chocolate liqueur.
6. Add 1/2 shot of Bailey's Irish Cream. (Half and half can be substituted for the faint of heart).
7. Shake the shaker if you are feeling energetic and wish to tone your arms. If not, hand it to DH.
8. Make chocolate swirls on the sides of the chilled glass with chilled Hershey's chocolate sauce.
9. Pour contents of shaker in martini glass.
10. Enjoy.

My chocolate swirl technique is not quite there. I need to do more research on swirling technique. I will retrace my steps in an effort to finish my training.

Many of the bartenders have commented on the amazing chocolatinis at the Ritz and how they are $20 instead of $10 as other restaurants charge. And the consensus is that the Ritz chocolatini is soooo worth it. I think they have sticks of chocolate coming out the top. The Ritz is all of 5 minutes away so DH and I should make it there over the next month. I will report back and post a pic.

Ohh, this sounds good.
That reminds me I also have a recipe for Margarita ice cream that I must try out.
Let us know how the Ritz (in London?) goes.

 

[Cordeliere]

Ohh, this sounds good.
That reminds me I also have a recipe for Margarita ice cream that I must try out.
Let us know how the Ritz (in London?) goes.

Margarita ice cream would be awesome in August.
Florida

 

[chaneljewel]

Well since one of the topics is now vodka (for gracekelly to mourn her shoes), I have a recipe to share.

I did not find this recipe in a book. I acquired it through diligent research. I smoozed and quizzed bartenders in multiple restaurants. It is my secret recipe for chocolate martinis (more commonly referred to as chocolatinis.) Should you decide to try this at home, be advised that this drink is alcohol with alcohol.

1. Chill the martini glasses in advance. (There is a reason )
2. Pour 2 shots of vanilla vodka into a martini shaker. Veil brand is recommended.
3. Add one shot of Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur).
4. Add 1/2 shot of Godiva (milk or dark) chocolate liqueur.
5. Add 1/2 shot of Godiva white chocolate liqueur.
6. Add 1/2 shot of Bailey's Irish Cream. (Half and half can be substituted for the faint of heart).
7. Shake the shaker if you are feeling energetic and wish to tone your arms. If not, hand it to DH.
8. Make chocolate swirls on the sides of the chilled glass with chilled Hershey's chocolate sauce.
9. Pour contents of shaker in martini glass.
10. Enjoy.

My chocolate swirl technique is not quite there. I need to do more research on swirling technique. I will retrace my steps in an effort to finish my training.

Many of the bartenders have commented on the amazing chocolatinis at the Ritz and how they are $20 instead of $10 as other restaurants charge. And the consensus is that the Ritz chocolatini is soooo worth it. I think they have sticks of chocolate coming out the top. The Ritz is all of 5 minutes away so DH and I should make it there over the next month. I will report back and post a pic.

This sounds divine! Yum!

 

[Cordeliere]

I completely understand this feeling, gk. My DH is also kind about this. He's a finance guy, so he says prior purchases (1) are "sunk costs" (don't cry over sunk costs); and (2) should be viewed as past entertainment expenses--the finding, purchasing, and receiving was itself an experience, now over.
These perspectives help somewhat. Also, vodka.

You know. This is profound in its own way. I think it would be good for me to appreciate the entertainment value of the finding, purchasing, receiving part. It really is entertaining. I need to appreciate the current entertainment experience more for what it is--entertainment. I am sure I have spent a zillion hours looking a scarves and that is ok--even good.

 

[gracekelly]

The Japanese shopping site Rakuten has as their tag line "shopping as entertainment." That's fine as long as the essentials are paid for first, but if all a person thinks about is their credit card debt then there is a problem. The habitual bag and clothing flippers seen on tPF have fallen into that trap. I don't mean to be a downer, but debt is a huge problem in society

 

[chicinthecity777]

Wow this thread really do move fast, I am away for 2 days and I can't keep up with everything.
@Madam Bijoux , your ring is breathtaking!
@lulilu What kind of books do you like? I don't use electronic book reader but I read paper books. I am a easy reader I must admit I only read popular crime or thriller, nothing too deep. My recent favourite is Down Winslow's Cartel. It's a follow up on his The Power of Dog. Both are about war on drugs and both are epic scale! A bit violent I must warn if you have a weak stomach. But very good stories if you can tolerant it.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Was sent this and I thought some of our cat-lovers may appreciate it! It's a little long so bear with it to the end please.

 

[Mindi B]

The Japanese shopping site Rakuten has as their tag line "shopping as entertainment." That's fine as long as the essentials are paid for first, but if all a person thinks about is their credit card debt then there is a problem. The habitual bag and clothing flippers seen on tPF have fallen into that trap. I don't mean to be a downer, but debt is a huge problem in society

Of course this is true, gk. Pretty much anything is okay in moderation and dangerous in excess, and shopping is definitely one of those things. Also, vodka.

 

[chicinthecity777]

We have also watched a few series lately and 2 of them worth a calling out for.
One is Fargo series 3. We are half way through it. I have never watched the first 2 series nor the movie. But I really liked this 3rd series. Very true to the Coen brother's style based on their other movies.
The other one is Show me a Hero. An HBO mini series about politics. It's based on ture life events set in 1987-1991 Yonkers in NY. Very well made and the story is very moving. Oscar Isaac won a Golden Globe for his leading role.