Do you have a personal blog? Yes, I do. It's Movingatthespeedoflife.blogspot.com. Longest URL ever! I've been meaning to change it for a long time. I get carpal tunnel symptoms every time I type that thing in.

What is your day job, or rather, what do you do when you're not drink blogging? I bartend at Union restaurant in Seattle. Ethan Stowell, the chef and owner, has recently been nominated for a James Beard award (Best NW Chef) and was named among the ten best new chefs of 2008 by Food and Wine magazine. It's an exciting time to be at the restaurant, that's for sure. He gives me freedom behind the bar, so I'm doing my best to offer cocktails that can stand up to all the hard work the kitchen guys are doing. So many restaurants/bartenders just mail it in when it comes to cocktail programs. I want Union to be different.

How long have you been blogging with Slashfood and what is your favorite post? Been here since February, I think. Prior to that I blogged for AOL Drinks. My favorite post is the recent Mint Julep post, mostly because of all the beautiful quotes I pulled and that video link brings a tear to this old bartender's eye.

Do you have any non-food-related, non-blogging hobbies? Hobbies? Who has time for hobbies? Does reading count? Does going out on the town?


Not every foodie does, so we have to ask: Do you cook? Depends on the kitchen. In general, I only cook when I start to get hungry, and by then I don't have the patience to do a decent job of cooking. I'm kind of dumb that way.

What is your most prized utensil/gadget in the kitchen? My coffee-maker. And it's a POS. Shows you how much I value my cup o' Joe. On a side note, anyone know where the term "a cup of Joe" comes from?

List three things in your refrigerator right now: Tecate, Negro Modello, Dos Equis. Beer is the only thing I remember in my fridge, though I'm pretty sure there's some wholesome food in there. Hey, I'm a guy and a bartender!! I like my beer. It's been gloomy and rainy here in Seattle, and Mexican beer transports me a little bit.

You have to impress a date with a home-cooked meal. what are you going to make: I'm going to get her and I loaded, since my liquor cabinet is fairly impressive. Mint Juleps, Manhattans, Margarita if we're somewhere other than Seattle where the sun actually comes out. Food? It won't really matter at that point, but more than likely will lean in a Mexican direction. Thankfully, I'm getting married and don't have to worry about this.

What is the last thing you ate? Fettucine alfredo. Actually, Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. I might have accidentally swallowed a little bit of toothpaste as I was brushing my teeth.

Confession time: What do you eat that will get you kicked off Slashfood? Not sure if anyone cares what the bartender is eating, but I've been known to stab a bar olive or three. Oh, I'm lazy when it comes to food. I'm sure you all would bust me for my Chef Boyardee collection.

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Bone-in ribeye. With mashed potatoes and gravy.

Your Mom makes the best.... potato salad. Better serve that with the ribeye and mashers.

Which chef would you most like to have come into your kitchen and cook you dinner? Rick Bayless. I used to work for him. The man knows flavor.

Who would you most like to eat dinner with? My fiancé, Christine Nylin.

Your drink of choice? Ahhhh, now we're talking!!!! In the winter, Manhattans. Springtime? Mint Juleps. Summer? We apparently don't get summer in Seattle, but I'm whipping up obscure Tiki drinks or Margaritas. Fall? Scan the library and pick something I've never heard of, or scan the cocktail blogs and look for something. Not sure if there is a prototypical cocktail for fall.

Where was your best restaurant dining experience? Union and Lark in Seattle. Gramercy Tavern in NYC, Frontera Grill in Chicago.

The worst? Don't think I should say, I am in the restaurant biz y'know. The worst, I'll just say, was here in Seattle.

Do you want fries with that? Dang right I do!! And I'll take the rest of Julie Tilsner's as well.

What foods do you think should be banished from existence? Natto. Japanese dish. Fermented soybeans. Whooooooooeeeeeeee. Nasty.

What do you see as the biggest "thing" in food for the coming year? The return of salt. Chefs properly seasoning their food.