SARAH CUNEO Bartender at ANVIL
KEHLEN SELPH General Manager , THE PASTRY WAR
FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE + LEISURE
SARAH CUNEO Bartender at ANVIL
Photography by Alex Negranza
Has anyone ever ordered a real off-the-wall drink ? My guests have always asked me to help them find the perfect cocktail for their mood and preference that day , and it ’ s a welcome challenge . Recently , I had a young woman approach me and ask for a very specific combination of ingredients that I had never thought to combine . The drink turned out exactly as she wanted it : Haitian rum , coconut , honey and lemon juice , shaken and served up . I even dusted a little fresh nutmeg on top !
Do customers really seek out bartenders to be their therapists ? Most bartenders have a deep , diverse well of experience with people . I ’ d say more often than not guests feel more comfortable sharing things with their bartender after one or two libations . Almost without exception it ’ s our responsibility to be objective in our support and to make people feel comfortable and happy while they ’ re sitting at our bar .
Is there a trend coming in the drink business we should be on the lookout for ? I ’ ve heard mentions of sherry and brandy being the next big thing . If this is the case , I ’ m ready because both are delicious and I could use to educate myself more on both !
What has this trade taught you that translates into your personal life every day ? Bartending has taught me to be patient . I have been bartending for nine years now , and this is a trade that takes a long time to become proficient at . Even when I was working for a small mom-andpop Italian restaurant in the suburbs , it was difficult for me to earn my position behind their bar , but I ’ ve got my stripes now !
KEHLEN SELPH General Manager , THE PASTRY WAR
Is it harder for a woman to succeed as a bartender than a man ? I have seen a lot of double standards imposed on female bartenders . Not being allowed to close because they will be alone at the bar at night , or someone immediately carrying a case of beer and not letting me do it . One of my favorite things is to break stereotypes . I think it is harder for a female to succeed in the world of craft bartending . I cannot speak of other facets of the bar industry , as I have only experienced higher-end restaurant bartending and bartending at a mezcaleria . As a woman , you have to make sacrifices to move up in this world . You have to hide your emotions and harden your resolve . Starting in the back of the house [ kitchen ] helped me form a very tough mental skin . I will work longer and harder than everyone else . I like to prove that I can work and bartend circles around my Y chromosome peers . It is sad that my biggest fear is what I am going to do when I want to start a family . Is that even possible with my job ?
Have you invented a signature cocktail ? I have created so many cocktails in my career . I get tickled pink when I go to a restaurant I used to work at and so many of my drinks are still on the menu . I like that I get to keep creating new things – out with the old , in with the “ OMG , this is crazy good !”
Has anyone ever ordered a real off-the-wall drink ? There are always weird ones , but the one that sticks out in my mind was a woman whose date ordered a bottle of Opus One ( obviously to impress ), and she asked for a glass of ice and some Splenda ®…… and then proceeded to ice and sweeten a glass of Opus . I can still remember the look on her date ’ s face .
What ’ s your most popular cocktail ? We sell 55,000 margaritas a year here at The Pastry War .
Photography by Julie Soefer august 16 | L O C A L 29