Welcome back to another installment of boozings, where we try all of Philly’s Top 15 Drinks! Next up we go to El Vez, for their Frozen Blood Orange Margarita. This was the only drink on the list that I had actually had before. And I remember loving it the first time (thanks P!) so I was happy to try it again, even if this time, it was in the name of blogging! This drink is made with gold tequila, triple sec, fresh blood orange puree, ice (duh), and yes, it’s served in those corny margarita glasses, just like the ones you’d find at t.g.i. mcscratchy’s or something. Yes, it comes with a straw. But don’t let any of this dissuade you. This is not a girley “I’m at spring break and I want to get loaded at senor frog’s” type of frozen margarita. This drink is good, strong, and not just for ladies.

Although it’s a fruity drink, it’s not overly sweet and fruity. There’s a hint of the blood orange, but it’s quite booze tasting, but in a good way. Like I said, it’s quite strong, and there’s a lot of it. It’s blended well so that it’s completely smooth, there’s no icy lumps or anything. And you can even see some blood orange pulp. It’s well worth the price as you get quite the tequila bang for your buck. Although, this ended up being the most expensive drink I’ve ever had in my life, as I got a parking ticket (thanks PPA!).

Ok, 5 down, 10 more to go!

2009 new year’s eve was a lovely affair with a five course meal generously provided by M and E.  I have trouble making one course meals, but M always goes all out providing course after course of fanciness. Starting off, we had various appetizers, such as these adorable salmon and cream cheeses with caper eyes. These were brought by a guest and were quite adorable and delicious. The older daughter put these eyes on.

There were also cocktails, cheese logs topped with sunflower seeds, and a red pepper dip w/crudites. I loved these pretzel chips.

Next up was a red lentil soup with firey black pepper oil. The soup was delicious! The black pepper totally gets you in the throat in the first spoonful or two, but then lets up nicely.

The entree was dark meat chicken wrapped around chicken mousse and some more white meat chicken, topped with a heavy cream sauce and fennel, and served with leeks, carrots, and green beans. Everything was excellent! Chicken mousse? Too fancy for words! The cream sauce is lick-the-plate worthy!

Next up a was a super heavy cheese plate (roquefort, brie, gouda) along with candied walnuts with a port wine reduction. I couldn’t get enough of these nuts! So damn good! We had a couple of french natives dining with us. The proper way to cut brie is to cut it vertically. To cut it horizontally is sacrilegious. So take heed! When cutting brie, cut it lengthwise!

Remember the flambeed bananas? E made them again for this party. Here’s what they look like before we lit them on fire.

There’s something about cooked bananas that I just love. It brings out the sweetness even more and after the cognac burns off with the flames, it just leaves a nice caramel taste. The ice cream is the perfect contrast. And the bacon… well, who doesn’t love bacon?

We also got to nibble on some homemade cookies that M made. Yes, she actually made these. From scratch. With her bare hands. Unbelievable! They tasted like thin mints on crack and looked professionally made! Thanks again!

Welcome back to another installment of boozings, where we try all of Philly’s Top 15 Drinks! Next up we go to The Franklin, for the Silver Monk. The Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company (whew!) is a new speakeasy in what used to be Bar Noir. You remember Bar Noir. It was small and claustrophobic and in a basement. They have no windows here. In fact you can’t see inside the place. I guess it’s all part of the mystique. Once you’re in, it’s pretty nice. There is no standing, so you must have a seat here. Which means if the place is full, the place is full, and you have to wait until people leave. I love the way this place looks inside, especially the wood slats in the ceiling. It’s really dimly lit here. Prepare to use your cell phones for illumination.

They only serve drinks here. It is a drinking establishment only, it even says so on their website. All the recipes for their drinks are from the early 1900′s. The Silver Monk is not even on the menu, but since it was on the list, I asked for it, and happily received it. This drink is made with blanco tequila, muddled mint and cucumber (yes, there’s a proper vegetable in this!), simple syrup, salt, dash of yellow chartreuse (french liqueur flavored with 130 herbs), poured over a giant hand-chipped ice “rock”, and served in a double old-fashioned glass.

Ok, so this is my favorite now. I know, I know, it seems like every time I try a new one on the list, it becomes my favorite. But seriously, this drink is amazing! And it has a vegetable in it! First off, it’s just absolutely gorgeous. The giant piece of ice in it is just beautiful itself, and I love the strong and simple glass. It tastes great, is smooth, and is deceptively strong. It has a hint of mint and a hint of sweet, with a strange but tantalizing vegetable undertone which comes from the cucumber. I suppose if you do not like cucumbers, you would not like this drink! It has a hefty pricetag, but it’s more than worth it. If you drink too many, it will surely throw you on your ass.

Ok, 4 down, only 11 more to go!