Get ready to get inside the brain of one truly unique dude. Say hello to Mr. Maxwell Leer, everybody! Formerly of The Tasting Kitchen, he’s now popping bottles as Wine Director of The Bazaar. I must say that one of my favorite food and wine experiences of 2011 was a night I spent at Bazaar with Maxwell as the captain of my dining & drinking ship. The pairings were spot on. It was a delight of the senses!
So- let’s get to it, shall we?
Name: Maxwell Leer Hometown: Minneapolis, MN Location: Los Angeles
Favorite summertime beverage: GinPop (typically Squirt) Or WhiskeyPop (typically Limonata)
Favorite cocktail or spirit: Marolo’s vintaged ‘Dopo’ grappa, made of Zibibbo must from Pantelleria (thanks Lori!)
Favorite place to grab a drink: Pour Vous on Gower for whatever Dave sets in front of me.
Favorite toast: E cuyo es mio, mis brayas soun pagadas y cagarillou dins mis brayas si voulu (old pigeon saying of Cotes Catalan). “My ass is mine, my pants are paid for and I’ll shit in my pants if I want to.”
Favorite post-dinner quaff: Mauro Vergano Chinato or Cynar
Favorite food & beverage pairing: (No absolute “favorite” per se) I really like Mendall’s Macabeu ‘Abeurador’ with urchin or Hidalgo’s Manzanilla ‘La Gitana’ with apples and cheese.
If you could travel to one region of the world right now for its food and/or drink where would you go? Japan.
What’s for sipper? Tonight’s a lavish outing: Anfora Nosiola by the illustrious Elisabetta Foradori alongside the cookery of Nanbankan.
FYI- Check out the kind of list Maxwell puts together. That’s some cool *ish* right there.
And guess what? Maxwell and Domane LA‘s Jill Berneheimer are hosting a special night at the Bazaar with none other than Alice Feiring. If you want to eat “waves” of food and drink some glorious things of the natural variety AND pick Alice’s brain about her new book, making wine, men, whatever- be there: Monday 8/29, 7pm. Call the Bazaar for reservations.