by Sean Ludford | Nov 25, 2024 | Random, Sean’s Rant
On the 16th day of January 1919, the loudest and squeakiest wheel of all squeaky wheels of the day, the Temperance Union, achieved their ultimate desire with the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment. The Eighteenth Amendment prohibited the production, transport, and sale of intoxicating liquors in the United States. The proponents of the law believed that all of society’s ills would be magically washed...
by Sean Ludford | Jul 2, 2024 | News Feed, Random, Sean’s Rant
In a few short days many of us in the US will be celebrating the 247th anniversary of the founding of The United States of America. Many simply refer to the day as the Fourth of July but I opt for Independence Day. Every month in every year has a fourth but there was only one July 4, 1776 and what happened on and...
by Sean Ludford | Jan 30, 2024 | Sean’s Rant
Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most pampered rodent, will soon be pulled from his lair to determine if we will have a speedy onset of spring or more grey winter. Not so fast I say. This vermin has seen his shadow on 108 occasions (including 2023) and failed to see a shadow just 18 times. I smell a rat… Who is this Punxsutawney Phil anyway...
by Sean Ludford | Jun 1, 2017 | Cocktails, Sean’s Rant
Jigger me this; when is a shot not a shot? Answer: when it’s not measured. There is an ongoing debate in the bartender/mixology world concerning the practice of “free pouring” versus measuring. I won’t keep you in suspense regarding my opinion on the matter. I strongly and without doubt or reservation vote for measuring. Since I live in Chicago I reserve my civic right...
by Sean Ludford | Aug 2, 2016 | Food & Eating, Sean’s Rant, Wine
The subject of corkage fees in restaurants has been a topic of great debate, for both restaurateurs and patrons alike, for many, many years. In fact the circumstance of navigating the corkage topic has been the source of some of my most uncomfortable moments – from both sides of the negotiating table. In truth, I rarely bring wine to a restaurant other than those...
by Sean Ludford | Apr 5, 2016 | Sean’s Rant
Where has hospitality gone? When I started out working in the front of the house customer service was job one. I miss those days. Nowhere has hospitality taken such a steep decline than behind the bar. The bartender was the beating heart of the bar and restaurant. They most often earned their spot behind the bar for their ability to handle pressure with a...
