Spirits
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While Los Angeles, New York and Chicago are known for urbane bar experiences, the Inland Empire is proving it can hold its own. And San Manuel Casino is leading the charge.
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oey Gottesman and Chris Rosano have a lofty goal for San Manuel’s bar program – and the Inland Empire itself: to create awareness that there are craft cocktails, and cocktail artisans, right here. The two men are the driving force behind the mixology offerings at San Manuel Casino and have their sights set on transforming the cocktail scene – as well as the guest’s relationship with it. “We’re not only
creating fantastic cocktails and inspiring bartenders, we’re also a learning bar where guests can experience complex cocktails without feeling intimidated by a long list of esoteric ingredients,” Joey said. Guests can also venture out of their comfort zones, while keeping one foot planted in familiar territory. “People say they don’t like gin because they’ve only had London dry gin,” Chris explained. “So, if they like Lemon Drops, we’ll make them a Gimlet because it’s so similar, and we’ll use a botanical gin that finishes with a beautiful bouquet of floral notes. Suddenly they realize they like gin.” With a background in chemistry and biology (Chris) and culinary arts (Joey), creating new drinks is part R & D and part gastronomy. And it all happens in the lab, the bar at the upscale steakhouse, The Pines. BY JESSICA VILLANO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAIME BIONDO
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