My last Monday until January!

Come and see me tonight! This is my last Monday doing Black Orchid Sessions until January, and I'm featuring a brand new cocktail - Rapture - a basil gimlet with St. George Absinthe. It is rapturous indeed.

I'll see YOU, tonight, at the Island!

--Suzanne

Last week's sea of cards, and today's Voodoo

Adventurers who have heard the call of the Pearl were able to gather a sea of cards last week, and those who brought their twelve-sided die even more... and delicious cocktails accompanied them all! Here are some wonderful photos of some of those mysterious wild card cocktails, by the very talented Gabriel Hurley and Paul McMillan of Zero Coordinate, Inc.

Havana:


The Treasure Chest:



Tradewinds:



Harbor Lights:



Come in and try tonight's special, VOODOO:

This witch doctor’s potent potion of rich homemade pomegranate grenadine,
mind-erasing rums, tart citrus and unspeakable spices will haunt you
...like Robert Drasnin’s première exotica album.

I'll see YOU, TONIGHT, at the Island!

--Suzanne

Week Ten -double digit awesomeness

This will a brief post, as I have to go make it all happen, but I simply *must* tell all of you about tonight… off the hook doesn’t begin to describe the fun in store.  If you play your cards right (I’m not even going to apologize for the pun!), you’ll be able to head home tonight with five (yes I said it, FIVE) cards tonight.  Glorious cocktails are there to be had!  Fun with dice and cards!  Bring that useful garnish from a few weeks back!  You’ll be glad you did!

Peppercorns from last week?  Yes!

Cards from last week?  Yes!

A cocktail called Tradewinds?  Yes!

A cocktail called Harbor Lights?  Yes!

A taste of old Havana….  oh yes, baby, yes!

and MORE!

I’ll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Misirlou!

Printers be damned, you can’t stop this game!

For those of you who were unable to collect your cards yesterday evening, please accept my sincere apologies.  Below you will find the card for last night’s cocktail, Misirlou:

Note the web address:  SeeminglyUnrelatedToThePearl.blogspot.com

You may also be interested in the puzzle piece on the back side of the card:

And what’s a Black Orchid Club blog post without the sweet, lilting tunes of the cocktails we sip?  Take an audio taste of the glorious sounds of Arthur Lyman and his Misirlou:

Game cards for week 9 will be available for you to pick up next week.  In addition, the wild card and cocktail from the puzzle above will be available… take into consideration all of your small cards and how they may work together.  You will probably want to bring all of your cards and effects (including some of that special, non-edible garnish) into Forbidden Island on Wednesday evening.  Having all of your playing pieces will you on Wednesday, September 8th *may* earn you special privileges… and it will make the game more fun!

I’ll see YOU, Wednesday September 8th with all of your collected game pieces, at the Island!

Oh, and the peppercorn cocktail will be available too.  It will be worth the wait.  I promise.

--Suzanne

Awesome, tonight!

What an awesome few weeks it has been!  Tiki Oasis, some glorious Black Orchid Club cocktails, and me getting almost no sleep at all… you know that’s truly the heart of creativity.  :)

 

Tonight at Forbidden Island, for week 9 of the Black Orchid Club, come and taste the unparalleled Misirlou:  

The dark eyed beauty of Ancient Egypt beckons you! This cocktail of brandy, honey, plum nectar, brandied raisins and the intoxicating kiss of rose and anise will capture your heart, leaving you helpless to resist the magical Egyptian night.

Also, word has it that a very special Wild Card cocktail will be available this evening, featuring caramelized candied peppercorns as garnish…  you truly should join me.  All of this PLUS Otto’s Grotto, when Mr. Von Stroheim spins his excellent mix of jazz, lounge and exotica for your audio sipping soundtrack. 

In other fabulous news, this week’s JazzWeek World Music chart named the Waitiki 7 #1 for their newest release, New Sounds of Exotica.  Congratulations to an absolutely phenomenal group!

Tiki Oasis was a blast.  Two of the members of the Waitiki 7, Randy Wong and Tim Mayer, were kind enough to assist me in the Cocktail Presentation and Garnish Symposium I taught on Saturday.  I was also assisted by the illustrious cocktail aficionados and killer DJs Jack Fetterman and Gina of the Jungle from NYC.  I couldn’t have wished for a more fantastic team, and we had a blast carving up fruit and setting things on fire.  I also served up my Adventures in Paradise cocktail (featuring Zaya Rum) in the Taboo Island/Thor suite.  We made tons but it was gone in under an hour!  Thanks to all who attended, came by and said hello, and for everyone’s wonderful words of encouragement.  Kari Hendler, thanks for your photos and it was wonderful to see you in the symposium.  Thanks also to Otto Von Stroheim, for a fantastic event.  Here’s looking forward to another fabulous ten years!

Here’s a recap of the last few weeks of The Black Orchid Club:

Week 6:  Firecracker

 Explosive and delicious, this cocktail will rock you like the immaculate percussion of the Waitiki 7 in their performance of this fantastic exotica standard.  Canton Ginger liqueur explodes in flavor when paired with pickled ginger, vodka, our custom sesame syrup, fresh lemon and a fine dusting of toasted wasabi sesame seeds.

Those who solved the riddle of what all of these cocktails have in common also earned themselves the “12” cocktail, with it’s very unique garnish.

 

Week 7:  Adventures in Paradise

The ability to serve this cocktail at Tiki Oasis with a Zaya Rum sponsorship and the assistance of Randy and Tim of the Waitiki 7, after a cocktail that was named and created in honor of their fantastic record release of last year was an honest treat.  Thank you again, gentlemen, for all of your help and support last weekend.  Special thanks also to Zaya Rums, for sponsoring me and Forbidden Island! 

Real Madagascar vanilla, allspice, rich dark rum and pepper berries... a glorious cocktail, worthy of the stunning tune that is its namesake!

Week 8: American in Bali

American Bourbon in a soothing sea of coconut, cinnamon and rice milk will carry you to the shimmering lush Balinese jungle.  We won't fault you if you decide to never return from those lush bowers.

Perhaps you also asked about the “Party on Saturn?”

Wild Card:  Saturday Night On Saturn

Wild times await on the exotic shores of Saturn!  This sparkling flaming bowl for two features pomegranate, honey, cinnamon and cardamom with a medley of rums and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.

 

More fabulousness awaits, more wild cards, more fun with great vinyl spinning and one of the hottest September 1sts you’ve ever had… so come and see me tonight at Forbidden Island, 1304 Lincoln Avenue, Alameda, CA. 

You’ll be the thirsty one… I’ll be the redhead with the cocktail shaker behind the bar… it’ll be love at first sight, baby.

I’ll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

A Sparkling Monday Birthday Celebration

It’s Monday… and I’m celebrating my birthday at the Island tonight!  Come over and experience Black Orchid Sessions with two choices this evening.  I am featuring my Sesame Syrup for custom cocktails, and also on the menu is a flight of champagne cocktails.  Come by and taste these four sparkling delights:

Initiate in California:

Muddled Mint, Rose, and golden rum, with an orange flower bitters sugar cube and dried rose petals dropped into brut champagne.

Hollywood Hills Sparkler:

St Germain Elderflower Liqueur and Lemoncello with a gorgeous lemon twist and luscious bubbles.  Imagine yourself up in the hills sipping this and gazing down at the golden sparkling lights of Los Angeles.  It just might be the best part of LA you’ll ever taste.

The Primitive and the Passionate

A wonderful record by Les Baxter that tastes just like fresh berries, melon, tamarind and sparkling champagne.  Oh yes, we did.

St. George’s Northern Lights

St George’s glorious floral absinthe splashed on a Demerara sugar cube, then dropped into a sparkling mix of Plymouth Gin, fresh lemon, and a drop of real Luxardo Marasca cherry syrup.

Thirsty yet?  I am!

Have you recapped the last two cocktails of the Black Orchid Club?  Here they are, weeks 4 and 5:

Week Four:  Sophisticated Savage

He is dashing in white when called upon, but equally at home in the depths of the jungle.  He is handsome and tall, with his hat just so.  From the African bush to the wilds of Hong Kong streets, there is nothing he is not ready for - but the cocktail hour is never missed.  Lillet Rouge in the arms of our rich dark rum make a cocktail that the Sophisticated Savage will always pause to sip.

Did you get the clue?  The card read:  “Between the two doors of FI, you will find the Jungle Wild.”  Did you indeed find…  the Jungle Madness Wild Card?  If you didn’t, you’d better come in and ask for it!

Have a listen to Sophisticated Savage, from Les Baxter’s ground breaking album, Ritual of the Savage:

Week Five:  Limehouse Blues

 

Rings on your fingers and tears on your crown, that is the story of old Chinatown.  Our custom tonic syrup with fresh lime, English Dry Gin, hidden ancient spices and a sparkling finish will take to you to the edge of the Thames River and a shipside delivery of awaited treasures.

Listen!

Did you call the number?  641-715-3900 x 272082.

Do it.  Do it now. Come in to FI on Wednesday and tell me all about it!

Finally, have you NOTICED something linking all of these cocktails together?  Have you noticed a common theme?  If you have, and you can give me the correct answer on Wednesday Aug 11, there will be a VERY special WILD CARD Cocktail and Card…  put on your thinking caps, and let me know.  Here’s a hint:

You may have heard the answer while reading this blog.

I’ll see YOU, tonight for my birthday and Wednesday for wild cards and more delectable delights!

 

-- Suzanne

Week 5 - Come and taste the mystery... of history!

Tonight is week 5... more adventurous discoveries of hidden cocktails await you! Join us tonight for the Limehouse Blues Cocktail:

Rings on your fingers and tears on your crown, that is the story of old Chinatown. Our custom tonic syrup with fresh lime, English Dry Gin, hidden ancient spices and a sparkling finish will take to you to the edge of the Thames River and a shipside delivery of awaited treasures.

Also... a hidden cocktail will be rewarded to those who hear the call. Listen for your clue in a very special way tonight! Want to know more? Come in and collect your card to see.

All this happens to the luscious vinyl sounds of DJ Otto, with all the best Exotica, Surf, Lounge and Latin Jazz.

I'll see YOU at the Island, starting at 5pm!

--Suzanne

Sneak Peek for Week 4 and Recap Wks 1-3

Take a look at this gorgeous photo of tomorrow’s cocktail:

Have you been playing along online as well as in house?  Have you followed the links to collect your clues?  All of those links do lead to wild cards, so  you’ll want to be sure to check it all out!  Here is a little recap to help you with your adventuring:

The Scroll, and call to action:

Week One Card, the Sim Sim:

Note the web address:  http://ThePearloftheBlackOrchid.blogspot.com

Week Two Card, the Tiki:

Did you ask for the Riddle Book while you were at FI?  If you did not, here is the text of the riddle:

“In order to commence, or to finish, this second position character must exist.  This character may pity the fool, may be a way to get to Harvard Square, and may be enjoyed hot or cold.”

If you think you know the answer, be sure to tell me tomorrow and be rewarded.

Week Three Card, Enchanted Sea:

Again, note a new web address on the card: ttp://MixingAdventurer.blogspot.com

Here is a photo of the Enchanted Sea:

Finally, last but most certainly not least, listen to the enchanting sounds of Martin Denny as he plays the cocktail’s namesake tune, Enchanted Sea:

 

Tomorrow will be an exciting day in the Black Orchid Club – you don’t want to miss it... there just may be some WILD CARDS to be claimed...  See you then!

 

I’ll see YOU at the Island!

 

-- Suzanne

Week II Recap: Tiki

How can one resist the allure of glorious Portuguese coffee with cardamom, bitter chocolate, almond and lime zest, dark rum and a drizzling of sweetened condensed milk? One cannot!

(Photo by Zero Coordinate,Inc.)

"The rhythm of the savages, the music of the idols, the depths of mystery. Taste this combination of cardamom, almond, lime zest and bitter chocolate with rich Portuguese coffee, dark West Indian rum, and sweetened condensed milk, and be transported to a hidden jungle paradise."

Have you listened to those savage sounds? The deep jungle sounds of Tiki? Open your ears to the glorious sounds of the Waitiki 7 playing this exotica classic. As always, if you love it, show it, and buy it!



Tomorrow... join me and Will "The Thrill" Vilharo for Mermaid Movie Night at Forbidden Island, and the launch of his new pulp novel. Mermaid drink specials, and me in costume! Don't miss it.

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Week I Recap: Sim Sim

What a fantastic night. Wow. I had a killer time listening to the lazy exotica spinning at the fingertips of Jack, Gina, and Otto, and the Week 1 cocktail, the Sim Sim, was a hit. Thank you, all of you!

Thanks to Paul McMillan and Gabriel Hurley of Zero Coordinate, Inc, I have some stunning shots of the Sim Sim. For those of you not fortunate enough to have joined us on Wednesday evening, the Sim Sim is made from fresh muddled black cherries, a house made orange flower water syrup, gin, lemon and cherry bitters.



Will Anzeberger, a Season I Black Orchid Club VIP, also came in and shot a really nice photo of the cocktail and the flyer:



LISTEN to the sounds of the Sim Sim! This cocktail is named after a track on one of my favorite Arthur Lyman albums, Taboo. Exotic bird calls paired with glorious percussion and Lyman's fantastic vibraphone are the hallmarks of the famous Arthur Lyman sound. Enjoy the track, and remember to buy it if you love it.

Season II: Pearl of the Black Orchid

TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Adventurers and Cocktailians, Heed the Call! The Secret of the Orchid
Compels You!

Once, in the torchlit years of tiki's heyday, splendid cocktails
were the norm. Palaces of tiki abounded; alchemic mixologists brewed their potions for the layman to enjoy, and all was right with the world. But too soon the dark days came. One by one these palaces disappeared into the mist, and with them went the mixologists, taking their magical elixirs with them. Uncountable years passed in sobriety without these potent potions. Yet somehow, somewhere, shrouded in mystery, the secret recipes still remain. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to forge through webbed jungle, lush lanai, and forests of metal giants to rediscover these liquid treasures. The rewards are rich... and delicious! The Pearl of the Black Orchid is the most coveted treasure, and only the cleverest adventurers will discover it in the petals of mystery.

Join us tonight for the kickoff of the Black Orchid Club, Season II: The Pearl of the Black Orchid. Receive your parchment and taste your first hidden cocktail! Time is short and adventure calls!

Also, VERY special guests with Otto's Grotto tonight... Jack Fetterman and Gina of the Jungle (from the exotic isle of Manhattan) spin the very best exotica and lounge. Don't miss your chance to see these all-star exotica DJs in person in a very rare west coast appearance!

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Photos from Black Orchid Sessions, June 14, 2010

Just wanted to share some exquisite photos of Black Orchid Sessions this past Monday. All photos by Paul McMillan of Zero Coordinate, Inc.


Flambe of brown sugar and pineapple for a Sessions cocktail. This one was created for Sessions Bookholder Dave Hildebrandt:




The completed flambeed cocktail:


Me, preparing Pineapple Rhubarb Mojitos with the fresh rhubarb syrup and Cruzan rum:


Garnishing the mojitos:



Completed Pineapple Rhubarb Mojitos:



Thanks, Paul, for these lovely photos!

More photos and information about Monday nights and Black Orchid Sessions is available at http://www.facebook.com/forbiddenisland and http://www.forbiddenislandalameda.com/

More info about Zero Coordinate and all the awesome things they do at: http://zerocoordinate.com/


I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Rhubarb!!!

Summer is here, and summer to me means surf music, the top down on the car, trips to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to ride the Giant Dipper, Hukilau, Ohana, and Tiki Oasis... and RHUBARB. This summer veggie is one of my favorites for pies! Tonight I've made a glorious syrup from fresh rhubarb and pure cane sugar, and it's going into a killer cocktail... my Pineapple Rhubarb Mojito. Fresh mint, fresh pineapple, fresh lime all muddled with this beautiful red rhubarb syrup and rum... you won't be able to stop drinking them.

I hope I can. (hiccup!) So I can at least get to FI and make you one!

TONIGHT. 5pm. Remember, there's Happy Hour all night long too! And it's a gorgeous afternoon to sit on the patio. Come by!

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Sunny Sunday... Sunny MONDAY!

It's another stunning sunny day, and I'm gearing up for Pearl's Kitchen, the corned beef street vendor who brings Grandma's Jewish Kitchen to the Street. At 4pm we'll have hand made corned beef sandwiches and brunch cocktails... who could possibly ask for anything more?

... you can?

Ok, then, you've got me. I guess you'll just have to come by TOMORROW, on MONDAY, to experience the kickoff of Forbidden Island Mondays. That's right, starting tomorrow, May 24th, FI will officially be open 7 days a week. And Monday evenings are certainly not to be missed. Yours truly will be behind the stick, and we'll have HAPPY HOUR all night long, a SPECIAL MONDAY NIGHT ONLY MENU, and the continuation of BLACK ORCHID SESSIONS, all for your imbibing pleasure. Take a peek at the menu:


and tomorrow's special ingredient is my Gazpacho Water, with tomato, cucumber, basil and dill, and the cocktail with it will simply blow you away.

I'll see YOU, this afternoon and TOMORROW, at the Island!

--Suzanne

So much! Sessions! Mondays! Luau! Marie King!

Another full week here at Forbidden Island! Last Sunday was phenomenal, with Natalie from Bike Basket Pies and Jason and Ed from AdoboHobo, all here with fantastic street food for Mother's Day... thanks a million to all of you for coming out. Great folks like you make it all worthwhile. And great folks like you make me not hungry anymore. Stay tuned: In 2 weeks, Jon from Pearl's Kitchen will be at FI with great Jewish Deli Food.

Coming up on Sunday, May 16th - Our 3rd Annual Luau! Featuring:
- live hula dancing by THE WIGGLING WAHINES and live fire dancing by Fire Pixie (at dusk) http://www.firepixie.com/

-an authentic Hawaiian plate lunch from Alameda's HAWAIIAN DRIVE-INN BBQ http://www.alamedabbq.com/index.htm

-Vintage Hawaiian music by THE FAUX HAWAIIANS outdoors in the afternoon http://www.myspace.com/fauxhawaiians

-cool live surf music by DRIFTING SAND indoors in the evening http://www.driftingsand.com

-with Exotica and Hawaiiana music spun by DJ FITZ in between http://www.firetiki.com

PLUS...the debut of the limited edition Forbidden Island/ Crazy Al "LONO" mug. First 50 people through the door will receive a FREE mug (with drink purchase).


Rum not included.

More info at : http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=117250104970671&ref=ts

Also, TOMORROW (Thursday), please join us for a benefit for a very special member of the TC Ohana and a very dear friend, Marie King. Marie is the bar manager at the one and only Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach, CA, and was recently in a very severe auto accident that nearly cost her her life. We're getting everyone together to try and raise some money and make things a little bit easier for Marie as she heals. We'll have a raffle, silent auction with many excellent tiki collectibles, and the surf sounds of the TommorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party. No cover! Proceeds from raffle, auction and a special, that one night only Marie Cocktail will be donated to her. Please come by! More info at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=114165148615725&ref=ts

Last, but first, is TONIGHT in Sessions! We've got some gorgeous cocktails with our special ingredient, Blackberry Jam. Read all about 'em:



Come and explore what fun it is to create cocktails with jams and jellies... a whole new world of cocktail flavors that you probably hadn't even dreamed of. I'll custom create an amazing cocktail for you right on the spot. Tonight is also the last Wednesday night for Black Orchid Sessions, in preperation for the second coming of the Black Orchid Club Game (more details soon on that!) Starting May 24th, Sessions will find a new home on MONDAY nights here at Forbidden Island, along with all night happy hour, and a brand new, Monday only special menu. Mark your calendars... Monday, May 24th will be a night to remember. Join us!

I'll see YOU at the Island!

Otto's Grotto goes Latin and fresh strawberries for Cinco de Mayo

I am looking at a sea of gorgeous, fresh, fragrant, in-season strawberries that can't wait to jump into cocktails tonight for Cinco de Mayo, Black Orchid Sessions, and Otto's Grotto. Come by and try one of these delectable specials:



After you've tried them, sit down with me for a custom strawberry cocktail... and sway to the intoxicating sounds of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass as Otto spins the best 60s lounge latin... I can't wait.

... and I'll be looking the part. You'll see.

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Spider Monkey and Gitarzan

Yes, you’ve heard all about it, and you’ve been waiting for it…  tonight’s the night!  Flambeed Banana Coconut Curry.  It really WILL knock your socks off.

Here are tonight’s cocktails:

Spider Monkey

Deep rich coffee, dark rum, exotic spices and flambeed banana... it truly doesn't get better than this.  That is, until it is served to you in our 20oz goblet topped with curried whipped cream.

Gitarzan

"He makes A and E and he's workin' on B, he digs C&W and R&B, and me and the chimpanzee agree that someday soon he will be a a CE-LEB-RI-TY."  This delight of Lemon Hart Demerara Rum, fresh lime juice, and our flambeed banana coconut curry mix will make you a celebrity too... or at least sing like one.

If the title “Gitarzan” doesn’t already have you laughing, then have a taste of the cocktail’s namesake:  this novelty song from 1969 by Ray Stevens about the rock and roll dreams of Tarzan, Jane and their pet monkey.

 

They’re all you can stand!  Give ‘em a hand!  Gitarzan!

 

I’ll see YOU, TONIGHT, at the Island! 

--Suzanne

What a recap! PDX Cocktail Camp! Sessions XII and more!

Wow, has it been an AWESOME few weeks. Amazing things have been happening at Forbidden Island, with Black Orchid Sessions, and in my other adventures, and so much exciting stuff if coming up that it nearly warrants three or four blog posts. But, you're getting it all, right here, right now!

I recently returned from Portland, OR for the first ever CocktailCamp, an awesome all day event put on by Kenn Wilson (of Cocktailia.com), and Aaron Jorbin (http://twitter.com/aaronjorbin). The event took place at the New Deal Distillery, where seminars were programmed all day with break-out sessions available. This was a wonderful event! I spoke as part of a panel of professional mixologists and bartenders (Jacob Grier, of Branch Whiskey Bar, Portland; Ricky Gomez, of Teardrop Lounge, Portland; Mindy Cook, of Toro Bravo, Portland; Elizabeth Markham, of Beaker & Flask, Portland, and myself, of Forbidden Island, natch) fielding questions from the audience. It was a treat to meet some of these clearly very talented and innovative folks, and I was really pleased to be there. There was also a just phenomenal triple presentation on tiki topics (Rum, Gum, and Lime) by the illustrious tiki trio Craig “Colonel Tiki” Hermann, Blair “Trader Tiki” Reynolds and Matt “Rumdood” Robold. I highly recommend setting your sights on this for next year, if you want to plan a trip to the City of Roses.

My trip was further highlighted by a visit (actually two visits!) to Clyde Common (fabulous food and excellent cocktails), and Thatch. I was very impressed with the barrel aging they're experimenting with in cocktails at Clyde Common (Barrel-Aged Negroni - what a brilliant idea - not too dissimilar to the aged rum barrels available by request at the Mai Kai), and I really enjoyed the One-Trick Pony made with a house-made tonic water. Good stuff. And Thatch.... WOW. Let's just say that some top secret, top shelf, amazing things appeared. While we weren't paying attention. And we don't remember any of it. At all.

The Oregonian ran a nice story about CocktailCamp and quoted me. Check it out:
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/04/thanks_to_a_growing_interest_i.html

In homefront news, on April 22nd we celebrated Forbidden Island's 4th anniversary... by rolling out a brand new, 20 cocktail addition to our menu! This addition focuses on Savoy-style classic cocktails, and innovations in the style. Let me tell you, there are some out-of-this-world cocktails to be had. You're going to love 'em. Take a peek at all the new potables at: http://www.forbiddenislandalameda.com/fi/menu/

What about Black Orchid SESSIONS, you are wondering? (It was loud. I could hear it. I know you're thirsty, and I know you want to know what this week's secret ingredient is, so here it comes...)

Flambeed Banana Coconut Curry.



Yep.

It is as amazing as it sounds! I am so excited about this mix, I can't begin to tell you. It is decadent, delicious, dangerous, and very, very, very drinkable. Just wait til you get your monkey hands on the cocktails for tomorrow evening. Fantastic! Gitarzan!

Also, stay tuned for Street Food Carts at Forbidden Island - this Sunday, May 2, we've got wood-fired pizza from the portable ovens of The Pizza Hacker.


...and very soon, Forbidden Island will be OPENING on MONDAY EVENINGS, with custom cocktails from yours truly, all night long.

You've heard the whispers. Start saving those Monday nights!

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Photos of Sessions

What a joy in this world is a happy tipsy imbiber with a camera!  This is a collection of great photos of Black Orchid Sessions.  Enjoy!

Otto Von Stroheim DJs monthly at Forbidden Island on the first Wednesday of each month.  Cocktails pictured are the Exotica Cocktail (front, in honor of Martin Denny), and Strawberry-A-Go-Go.  Photo by Bill “Mai Tai” Graff.

The Aztec Stargazer – Blanco Tequila, Coconut, Lime and Pineapple.  Out of this world, truly.  Photo by Bill “Mai Tai” Graff.

One of me, in Sessions.  Cocktail was created for Dave Hildebrandt and is called Uranus, “The Magician.”  It features St. George Absinthe, gin, lemon juice and my house made Exotica Syrup (bitter chocolate orange).  Photo taken 3/3/2010 by Devora Z.

I’ll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Something AWESOME at Forbidden Island… Street Food Carts and Island Time Cocktails

Starting tomorrow (that’s right, on Easter), I’m really excited to announce that something new and totally awesome is beginning at Forbidden Island.  Tomorrow is the debut of the partnership of many awesome street food carts and Forbidden Island.  We’re giving a whole new meaning to Sunday Brunch!

For those of you who haven’t yet heard about Street Food, this is an awesome movement in San Francisco of gourmet food carts that bop around from place to place in the city serving hot amazing food on the spot.  There are dozens of awesome carts, including tomorrow’s featured guest, LumpiaCart.  LumpiaCart will be at FI starting at 5pm serving up hot, fresh Lumpia (fried Filipino style egg rolls) and other treats.  This is fresh, hot, and awesome, and you’re going to love it.  Pair that with a cocktail from our amazing Island Time menu, such as the Wrath of Pele (pictured), and you’re set!  Check out more about LumpiaCart by following them on Twitter at twitter.com/LumpiaCart and check out their Yelp page too: http://www.yelp.com/biz/lumpia-cart-san-francisco

Future carts we will be featuring include ThePizzaHacker (wood fired pizzas – yes really, right on the spot at FI, May 2nd, don’t miss it!) and La Marea of the Sea, will be shucking oysters and serving freshly prepared Cerviche and Shrimp Tostadas (during our Sea Shanty event on April 18th with the Shark Alley Hobos featuring Tippy Canoe).  Many, many more to come!  Watch this space and our twitter feed twitter.com/ForbiddenIsland for details about each week’s featured carts.

 

I’ll see YOU, on Sundays, at the Island!

 

--Suzanne

The One and Only Black Orchid Syrup, tonight in Sessions!

The fantastic Black Orchid Syrup makes her return tonight in Sessions. This stunning French black vanilla tea reduction with sour cherry is a taste sensation never paralleled - and not to be missed. These are tonight's specialty cocktails:



Come in, try these delectables, and then allow me to take you on a journey of International intrigue, mystery, and taste sensation. Make it one you'll never forget!

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Which one did you LOVE? Choose your syrup!

Sessions today is up for a fun new spin. Today I'm bringing back many of the syrups we've seen in the last few weeks, and in your Sessions, you can choose which syrup you'd like to use... or several, if you want! These are the specialty ingredients I have available today:

Exotica: A bitter chocolate orange delicacy.

Maple-Apple-Cinnamon Reduction (Bitch Syrup): in the one and only Black-Hearted Bitch.

Rose Syrup: Floral, delightful, springtime in a glass!

Black Orchid Orgeat: My special recipe orgeat with almond milk, almond extract, and pure cane sugar.

and, the amazing Black Orchid Syrup, a french black tea, vanilla and sour cherry reduction.

Choose any (or several!) for your sessions tonight... come and taste them all! Custom create several totally different cocktails! And we're reprising that fantastic grog, the Black-Hearted Bitch!

Only with Black Orchid Sessions, and only at Forbidden Island!

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Photo Credit: Bill Mai Tai Graff. The cocktail is a Sessions cocktail created for him with Prickly Pear called "Zazz... in the Desert."