YumSugar

Happy Hour: Rossellini

YumSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:00:30 -0700

Sunny weekends in San Francisco are hard to come by. When I awoke last Saturday to clear-blue skies, I headed over to Bar Bambino, an Italian nook in the city with a new back patio.

There, I enjoyed the perfect warm-weather drink: a spin on sangria that was refreshing and fruity without being overly cloying or too heavy on the alcohol. With one in hand, I imagined I was an effortlessly chic Italian woman. I snagged the recipe for the next real Summer day.

The cocktail calls for white wine (I'd recommend a Sauvignon Blanc, or any other dry white with mineral notes) as well as orange bitters, which can be found at large liquor stores. For the recipe, read more.

Rossellini
From Bar Bambino

Ingredients

5 ounces white wine
1 ounce white vermouth
2 ounces fresh-squeezed orange juice
Orange bitters, such as Fee Brothers, Regan's, or The Bitter Truth
orange wedge, optional for garnish

Directions

Combine first three ingredients in a large glass or pitcher. Stir to combine.
Serve in a highball glass filled with ice.
Top with 5 dashes of orange bitters.
Garnish with an orange wedge and enjoy.

Serves 1.

Print recipe with images | without images

Wine Bottle Chandelier: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:01:51 -0700

I love the idea of recycling old wine bottles to create something new and useful. While dining at Bar Bambino - where I was inspired by their leather napkin rings - I couldn't help but notice the industrial yet chic chandelier. Empty wine bottles have been filled with tiny lights before being geometrically attached to a large wooden plank and drilled in to the ceiling. It definitely added an artistic feel to the restaurant and dining experience. While it's not something I would want for my home, I think the idea could be interpreted to create a beautiful decoration or fun lighting scheme for a party. What do you think?

Easy and Affordable Leather Napkin Rings

partysugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:11:31 -0700

The other night, while dining at Bar Bambino, I was inspired by the restaurant's simple and rustic napkin rings. The napkin was elegantly rolled into a tight scroll and closed with an angled piece of worn leather. A hole was drilled into the leather, and the thinner part was pulled through to create a decorative artistic finish.

This would be wonderful at a country cabin dinner or Western-themed party. Instead of going to the craft store to purchase leather, look in your closet for an old belt! This technique can easily be applied to other types of durable material like suede or even denim. What do you think of this idea? Couldn't it be creatively tailored to suit your own entertaining needs?