NOLADrinks Show – 6-15-17 – Collaboration Between Bar and Kitchen

On this edition of the NOLDrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we welcome Chris “C.B.” Brian of Coquette and Jesse Carr of Balise and La Petite Grocery. We discuss creative and practical ways for collaboration between bar and kitchen minimizing waste yet maximizing great food and drink!

Pictured above from left – Bryan Dias of NOLADrinks, Jesse Carr of Balise and La Petite Grocery, and Chris “C.B.” Brian of Coquette.

NOLADrinks Show – 6-15-17 – Collaboration Between Bar and Kitchen

We start off the show talking about some general stuff and things going on around town. We also talk about it’s important to remember to polite to those who provide us service and hospitality and how a coffee shop in Virginia has built that into their pricing!

We then welcome Chris “C.B.” Brian, Beverage Director of Coquette, along with Jesse Carr, Beverage Director of Balise and La Petite Grocery. Both are extremely talented and creative bartenders coordinating innovative bar programs at their respective locations.

C.B. and Jesse discuss a bit about their backgrounds and how the ended working where they do. We also talk about how it’s (almost) remarkable that they hadn’t met until the show! Jesse also touches on the new spot, a French Bistro, that the restaurant group is opening in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

The heart of our conversation is about innovative ways for collaboration between bar and kitchen. This includes sharing seasonal ingredients, utilizing as much of those ingredients as possible to mitigate waste, and how to still deliver great drinks and food.

We talk about how this is a good thing to do for business, the environment, and the result of what a restaurant presents. C.B. and Jesse talk about their approach in achieving this, how they specifically work their respective kitchen staffs, and what can come from these efforts.

Of course, we taste some great drinks and talk about the importance of still creating quality and balanced drinks. We touch on understanding flavor profiles and how they approach crafting great cocktails. We also taste a special barrel selection Bourbon from Elijah Craig!

Below the map that features some of the locations we discussed on the show, you can subscribe to, stream, and download the NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias podcast!

Cheers, You All!

~ Bryan