Spirited Sightings

When it comes to whiskeys, Maker’s Mark bourbon and Templeton rye are my nominal favorites. But, I was surprised recently when my friend Jorbie Clark served up a brand I’d never heard of or seen before: Collingwood, a blended Canadian whiskey. Super-smooth, and with a slight hint of maple, it’s become my go-to during cold-weather Manhattan season.

Valentine’s Day evening was celebrated at Germano’s in Little Italy in their intimate cabaret room upstairs with the stylings of performer Steve Ross. Dubbed by The New York Times as “the Crown Prince of New York Cabaret,” he didn’t disappoint. And co-owner/hostess Cyd Wolf made us feel perfectly at home, as always, in this cozy, stylish cabaret space. {Germano’s Piattini, 300 South High Street, Little Italy}

Hampden restaurateur Bernard Dehaene has a brand-new passion project. Known for his popular Corner restaurant and its companion, The Other Corner charcuterie bar, he’s now unveiled Chuck’s Trading Post. Located in an old neighborhood grocery/convenience store, the new venture is a combination grocery store and diner with a distinctly rustic-chic setting.

You’ll find fresh produce and a well-edited selection of canned and boxed goods.

Mark McLaughlin and Arch Watkins recently opened their new craft distillery in Baltimore, Old Line Spirits.

Currently they are distilling three small-batch spirits: a single-malt whiskey and two aged Caribbean dark rums.

I tried them all, and am putting them into my home bar repertoire. {Old Line Spirits, 200 South Janney Street, Highlandtown}

I was at a birthday party recently being held at Waverly Brewing Co. in Woodberry, and another guest came in bearing one of the most classically beautiful cakes I’d seen in a long time. “Where’s it from?” I asked. “Graul’s,” was the replay. Of course it was. Their reputation for cakes in these parts is well-earned. And the taste? Just as delicious as it was beautiful—yum! {Graul’s, various locations}