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[title]Beau du Bois of the Corner Door
What's your drink of choice?
Negroni, easily. It’s simple with three ingredients. You can’t hide with any variation of that recipe because of the simplicity. It’s bitter, balanced with a bit of that plush, sweet fragrance of juniper and pine from the gin. There’s a lot that you can do with it. It’s one of the more versatile cocktails.
What's your favorite bar tool?
Your traditional two-to-one jigger. No guessing, obviously, but just for speed.
What's the most underrated cocktail?
A Monte Carlo. It’s a great, spirituous cocktail that people who know about it remember how great it is saying, “It’s a fantastic drink.” People who’ve never had it want to try because it’s simple, but you just don’t see it that often. It’s delicious.
What trend would you like to see go away?
There are so many. [laughs] The pressure that a lot of bartenders feel to do these high-wire, experimental recipes, rather than focusing on these simple, delicious, well-executed and well-balanced cocktails. Now, it just feels like you’re just outdoing each other and trying to come up with the most off-the-wall stuff.
What's the drink to order when you're behind the bar?
I really like it when people tell me what they like and I ask a few questions like "Do you want it to be refreshing and light, with a lot of texture and spirituous, or aromatic and bitter?” and then we go from there. I like to see based on their reactions, how close to the mark I got it.
What's the best pick-up line you've heard?
This is not a pick-up line, but the worst thing I’ve ever heard is probably, "Wait, you’re married? I came here because I heard you were single. I’m leaving."
What's on your playlist?
Depending on the day and on my way into work especially, I listen to a lot of movie soundtracks. A lot of just instrumental by John Williams, Hans Zimmer and the other big composers. To get the energy going.
What are your favorite bars in LA?
It’s tough because a lot of things have changed now. A lot of people have left and gone to other places. But I still go to Pour Vous a lot. I still go to Harvard & Stone when they’re doing R&D nights. The guest bartenders series is getting really good.
What are your favorite places to eat late night?
I’m always trying to figure out late-night spots with food. [laughs] I usually stop at Leo’s Taco Truck on La Brea and Venice. It’s a dollar for a great taco. I usually see how close I can get to ten.
Where was your first kiss?
The back of my second grade teacher’s car with a girl named Melissa. God, that sounds really bad. Melissa and I lived in the same neighborhood and we were getting a ride home from the teacher. And Melissa gave me a kiss.