Where to Drink in New Orleans

Sure, Tales of the Cocktail has already come and gone (though some of us are still feeling the effects.) If you're wondering where to drink, though, in the Big Easy, read this piece for The Daily Meal.

It's geared to the professional drinker, but that's you, right? Did we mention there's "handsome juice?"

http://www.thedailymeal.com/where-drink-during-tales-cocktail-1

Top 10 Bars to Watch the Super Bowl in New Orleans

Where, oh where to watch the big game? Where, oh where to cheer on teams (likely) not from your city? Where, oh where to actually focus on commercials for once?

If you're in New Orleans, the answer is easy: There are plenty of options.

From dog-friendly beer bars to upscale hotel lounges with a wall of TVs and custom, team-themed cocktails, we rounded up the top 10 bars in New Orleans to watch the Super Bowl for The Daily Meal. Score your seats here:

http://www.thedailymeal.com/where-watch-super-bowl-new-olreans

Super Bowl Survival Guide: The Daily Meal

Let the countdown to Super Bowl Sunday begin! Did you know it's America's #1 snacking day?? Even if you aren't planning on building a meatstadium complete with sandwich seating, you still may need a Super Bowl survival guide, especially if you're spending the big game day in New Orleans.

We've got insider tips from Mister Jerry, stadium announcer for the New Orleans Saints for more than 40 seasons in this article for The Daily Meal.

http://www.thedailymeal.com/super-bowl-survival-guide-new-orleans

New Orleans Airport Guide: Travel Channel

There sure are a whole lot of people in town this week in New Orleans...and most of them are here for Super Bowl!

Good thing the city invested some $300 million into revamping New Orleans's airport, MSY.

In connection with the Travel Channel's episode of "The Layover" in New Orleans, we wrote this guide to the reimagined airport, including where to eat, drink, shop...and even when to score free beads (please, no flashing necessary)!

http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/airports/articles/new-orleans-airport-guide

5 Reasons to Eat and Drink in St. Louis

Meet me in St. Louis!

Only if you want to eat and drink at really edgy, interesting and fascinating food spots!

Oh, you're too busy you say?

Read my top 5 Reasons to Eat and Drink in St. Louis story for Fodor's here instead, then. You already live vicariously through me anyway.

http://www.fodors.com/news/where-to-eat-and-drink-in-st-louis-6392.html

Memphis Made Easy: Two Days in Blues City

It's possible that you have no clue how cool Memphis is. Seriously. And while we're not suggesting you attempt to discover its brassy clubs, historical monuments, fascinating art scene, musical heritage and satisfying soul food in a dizzying, 48-hour spin, Fodor's had us do exactly that.

You'd be shocked what you can do in two days' time. And if you don't come back from Memphis slightly more soulful, you need more help than this blog can provide.

http://www.fodors.com/news/48-hours-in-memphis-6380.html

Aww Shucks! Best Oyster Bars in New Orleans

Everywhere you turn in New Orleans, someone's serving up briny bivalves. With so many killer seafood spots to explore, we thought it was time to round up New Orleans's best oyster bars for neworleans.com.

Read my story here...napkins not included.

http://www.neworleans.com/la/restaurants/articles/top-oyster-bars-in-new-orleans/

Bizarre Places to Find Booze

Drive-thru liquor stores? Gas stations filling up growlers? Yep..there certainly are some strange places to find the sauce in the lower 48 states.

Check out the Daily Meal for my article on the Top 5 Most Bizarre Places to Find Booze. I also outline some outrageous liquor laws.

Cheers!

http://www.thedailymeal.com/top-5-most-bizarre-places-find-booze

Best Hotel Bars in New Orleans

Happy July everyone! If you're in the cocktail and spirits industry, you know what that means...countdown to Tales of the Cocktail, the cocktail and spirits fest in NOLA each July.

I've spent a lot of time in New Orleans over the past few years, and know my way around some of the city's best bars (shocker). Many of them just so happen to be in hotels.

Here's a round up I did for the Crescent City's best hotel bars for neworleans.com. It's a great resource for all things New Orleans. And no, you won't find them on Bourbon Street (ok, some are close by).

Here's a link to the story:

http://dining.neworleans.com/2012/03/best-hotel-bars-in-new-orleans/

Best of all, you don't have to check in to check out these hotel bars.

Best Bar You'll Probably Get Kicked Out Of

Jennifer Aniston is always working out (compulsively, *shudder*) at the gym downstairs when she stays here. Rob Pattison and Kristen Stewart make out over spaghetti (Disney style) at Locanda Verde next door. And now you're trying to sip cocktails behind the glass door, through the lobby, to the left, at this unnamed bar with a killer fireplace that nobody wants you to know about.

If you're lucky, you're sitting on a plush couch in the chillest space possible, reserved for major, stadium-filling and slightly aging rockstars roasting before the flames like marshmallows, eyeing inappropriately their cohorts and miscellaneous, underdressed glitterati. So don't mess this one up, okay?

Order the fig cocktail and you won't be sorry.

Greenwich Hotel

377 Greenwich Street

The Superman of Sommeliers?

Anyone been to GILT lately in the New York Palace Hotel? I love this super-swanky spot (so do the producers of Gossip Girl...and TRUST there are a lot of Chuck Bass lookalikes).

I must admit part of the draw is the resto's somm, Patrick Cappiello. Is it just me, or does he resemble Clark Kent? No really, take a closer look.

A self-confessed wine "geek," Cappiello kills the wine list. Practically murders it.

Read the full Q&A session here.

Cinco de Mayo = Taco Time!

Wondering where to go on Cinco de Mayo? Wondering what to do? (...um...tacos and margaritas, duh)

amNY had me test some seriously tasty tacos, and rate them, using an un-scientific, but extremely cool "taco-meter"

Click on the image to see which taco took it to the top!

Jennifer Aniston & Bradley Cooper Dine at Il Cantorini

Many people rely on Gawker Stalker to discover celebrity hangouts in the Big Apple.

We're thinking it's as simple as lurking in front of Italian eatery, Il Cantorini (32 E 10th St NYC NY 10003) where Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Aniston were recently seen on a date. Curiously, E online reports that CoopIston prefers Pellegrino to vino.

Yes, we just made up CoopIston.

Photo by: Peter Kramer / AP; PA Photos / Landov

Known for feeding A-list couples (like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) tasty Tuscan dishes, Il Cantorini features Italian specialties like ossobucco (veal shank), risotto (changes daily), and tagliolini al funghi (homemade pasta with wild mushrooms).

Maybe this restaurant week, you should wine and dine with the stars--or just be a third wheel on a celebrity date you aren't supposed to be on. Check out Il Cantorini's restaurant week menu here.

Tsushima