What’s For Sipper, Dean Fisher?

What’s For Sipper? returns for its 2nd installment with my dear friend and fellow Kentuckian Dean Fisher! She left sunny LA last year for the arctic circle that is Chicago (I kid…sort of) and I’ve been missing her something awful. And her ability to throw a stunning party on the fly and redecorate my entire apartment. Without further ado…

Name: Dean Fisher of My Little Apartment

Hometown: Lexington, KY. Current City: Chicago, IL

Favorite summer beverage: My first instinct is to say a Pimm’s Cup (I prefer mine mixed with champagne or sparkling lemonade- or both- then filled with sliced strawberries, cucumber, and torn mint).  Then again, I’m also a big fan of shandies.  And summer is probably the best time for a good rosé– We’ve been drinking a lot of the Meinklang Prosa 2009 Rosé from Austria.  Oh, and have you had that sweet tea vodka?  Just sayin’…

Favorite cocktail or spirit: Lately I’ve really been enjoying a classic Manhattan.  My boyfriend makes them better than anyone and it’s the perfect nightcap.

Favorite place to grab a drink:  Living in Chicago, there are TONS of great bars…but I can probably narrow it down to a couple of favorites.  The number one spot goes to The Whistler, hands down.  Paul McGee is a bartending genius and his drinks are always perfect, the atmosphere is just right, and the bar is small inside with a patio out back.  I also like Big Star’s “La Paloma” (el jimador, grapefruit, lime, mexican fresca), and The Rainbo is an old standby for cheap beers.  When I’m in LA it’s El Prado or Footsies and in Lexington I like Sidecar or Jonathan’s.

Favorite toast:  Sourdough. (haha)

Favorite post-dinner quaff: This is really a better question for my boyfriend.  He loves port wines and digestifs….After dinner I generally just want more wine.  Or tequila shots.

Favorite food & beverage pairing:  This is a TOUGH ONE.  Seriously, I have to pick a favorite?  Oh man.  Um…I mean, an amazing cheese plate with unique accoutrements is kinda one of my most favorite things ever.  I’ve been really digging on rosés this summer (and last…and the summer before that), and find that a great rosé/stinky cheese paring can have very interesting results.  I also love weird meats with a super nose-y, spicy pinot noir or pinotage.  Like oxtail or rabbit pate or beef marrow.  Oh!  And thanks to Whitney, I love a good Lambrusco with a thin-crust pizza.  But really?  I just love food. And drinks. [editor's note: word.]

and last but not least…

What’s for Sipper? I’m actually planning on taking a night off from imbibing, but last night I tried out a couple of rando bottles I picked up at Jewel.  I went to my friends’ house to attempt pizza-grilling and brought along a prosecco (don’t remember the brand) and Frenchhouse 2008 Syrah.  The prosecco was okay- the bubbles were nice, but it tasted a little vitamin-y to me.  The Syrah was great and paired so nicely with the pizza!  I’d definitely buy  it again!  PS: grilled pizzas are awesome.

Tagged as: chicago, dean fisher, my little apartment, what's for sipper?