Hanging with Harris

The famous Swizzle Stick Bar in New Orleans is run by none other than the queen of southern hospitality, Lu Brow. Her technique and professionalism behind the bar is second to none. She was Hanging with Harris.

According to the Canlis website, "Nelson Daquip has been the most rapidly promoted employee in Canlis' history, rising from server assistant, to server, to assistant sommelier, to wine director in only four years." Deservedly so, Billy found out, while touring the Canlis wine cellar with Nelson. He helped Billy pick out a wine to sip with Canlis owners, Mark and Brian Canlis, while they laid down the history of this iconic Seattle restaurant.

Sometimes, only sometimes, even the greatest bartenders and spirits industry professionals need to take a break from fresh ingredients and high quality spirits. When they do, the pendulum swings hard the other way. In this case, Simon Ford and Billy Harris end up drinking anti-freeze slushies on Bourbon Street. As always, when your Hanging with Harris, you meet some colorful people along the way.

Mario Batali is much more than a chef. He is a brand that epitomizes quality. And his face is on a jar of spaghetti sauce. He was Hanging with Harris.

Inside the famous Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles resides the Public Kitchen and Bar. Bartender Vincent Madero let Billy behind the bar to mix up a twist on the classic Whiskey Sour, the Kentucky Brunch.

Meat Maven, Erika Nakamura and Shop Mama, Amelia Posada have helped usher in a new era of butchery in the United States. Their shop, Lindy & Grundy (the couples nicknames for each other) located on Fairfax in Los Angeles, only supports local farms and is focused on practicing sustainable butchery; scraps go to creating gourmet dog food for the neighborhood pups. Stop in for a chop and you will be hooked for life! Amelia and Erika were hanging with Harris.

A nominee for American Bartender of the Year at the 2012 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, Jeffrey Morgenthaler manages the bar at Clyde Common in Portland, Oregon. With strict adherence to quality cocktail creation using fresh and innovative yet accessible ingredients combined with a focus on great service, it is no wonder he and his bar receive great respect from his piers and customers alike. He was Hanging with Harris.

‎"We're not drinking. We're learning!" Such is the life of Francesco Lafranconi of Southern Wine and Spirits. He was Hanging with Harris.

There is no better place to enjoy a view of San Francisco than at the Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. With over 100 martinis on the menu and music every night, the place can really swing. General Manager Balal Hadj was Hanging with Harris in Weeper's Corner where many a soldier has said a tearful goodbye to loved ones before shipping out.

You can buy a suit anywhere. We all have them. Something that is just a little bit too long in the sleeve or too roomy in the middle. Gian DeCaro of DeCaro Sartoria Custom Tailors in Seattle wipes his nose with suits like these. A second generation tailor, Gian might seem abrasive or even dismissive to some. To his clients, some of the top executives at almost every major company you have ever heard of as well as elite athletes in baseball, football and basketball, don't mind. They just stand at the mirror and sip an espresso or a single-malt scotch and watch as Gian creates a bespoke work of art from fine silks, wools and cottons from Italy and Britain. These are suits and garments that make a statement. They are so fine, "you don't even need a woman," as Gian likes to say. Billy couldn't afford a suit, but he did get some advice from Gian on taking his own suit to the next level with a touch of color.

Shrimp Toast is not something frequently seen or eaten on the West coast of the United States; its an East coast thing. But Vinny Dotolo of Son of a Gun (also Animal) in Los Angeles is making one of the best Shrimp Toasts around. He was hanging with Harris.

Brisket? Roast Beef? Turkey? Buffalo Stew? Killer Horseradish and Housemade Pickles? If you want that and more plus a hundred import and domestic beers for less than it costs for a latté these days, Tommy's Joynt in San Francisco is the place to hang! Run by Susie Katzman and her sons Sam and Zach, this 64 year-old is showing no signs of slowing down.

If you don't like elevators, don't watch this video. If you do, and you love cocktails as well, this video is right up your elevator shaft. Charlotte Voisey was Hanging with Harris. Again.

Bryan Ranere creates cocktails at Foreign Cinema in San Francisco that are inspired by the classics; classic films that is. After a cocktail, guests can sit and enjoy a delicious meal created by Gayle Pirie and John Clark and watch a classic film. Experiencing a great film while dining on great food, what could be better?

Paul Kahan, of Publican in Chicago, shows Billy how to butterfly or "spatchcock" a chicken before throwing it on the grill for the famous Publican Chicken and Fries. Learn more about Paul Kahan's Publican Restaurant: thepublicanrestaurant.com/ Watch more episodes of Hanging with Harris: smallscreennetwork.com/hangingwithharris/

Charlotte Voisey, portfolio ambassador at William Grant and Sons USA, was Hanging with Harris at 11,000 ft during the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen. Have you ever had a margarita in a gondola? Billy has.

Showcasing the finest wines (and beers) from California, San Francisco's Press Club aims for the perfect pairing every time. Billy had the chance to sample these perfect pairings while chatting with Press Club owner and founder Andy Chun as well as wine director Jonnie Richardson.

Todd English shows Harris how to make beet risotto.

Absinthe Brasserie and Bar in San Francisco has stood out since opening thirteen years ago. Chef Adam Keough's menu based in simple and elegant French classics is supported by an incredible bar program. Their aim is to please whether you come in a party of six looking fir a dining experience or just drop by alone and pull up a stool for a quick bite.

Chef Jason Neroni of Osteria La Buca in Los Angeles has created a menu focused on seasonally available, local produce, meats and seafood. The restaurant makes their pastas by hand and features a very creative cocktail menu. Chef Neroni is no stickler when it comes to butter either. He was hanging with Harris.

Travis Bickle, we mean, Eric Alperin of Varnish Bar in Los Angeles, took time out from his busy schedule sitting by the pool to mix up a cocktail with Billy. He was Hanging with Harris.

Dining at Chef Christian Puglisi's Copenhagen restaurant, Relæ, can be marvelous and unique. Puglisi is a top chef on a global scale. His influence and renown is spreading and for good reason. Local and seasonal ingredients are magnified by using two or three ingredients, prepared or featured in more than one way, in a single dish and are never boring. As he says in the video, "If you are not seasonal, you shouldn't even be cooking anything." He was Hanging with Harris. Learn more about Chef Christian Puglisi & Relæ Restaurant: restaurant-relae.dk/ Watch more episodes of Hanging with Harris: http://www.smallscreennetwork.com/hangingwithharris/

Chef Kevin Sbraga, Top Chef Season 7 winner and owner of SBRAGA Restaurant in Philadelphia, puts Billy to work in the kitchen frying up some New Jersey Fried Lobster. Accompanied by some Jersey corn and tomatoes garnished with Wasabina, a mustard green with a wasabi-like spiciness, and cooled down with a touch of aioli, this chicken-fried style lobster is perfect no matter where you might be hanging. Watch more episodes of Hanging with Harris: smallscreennetwork.com/hangingwithharris/ Find out more about SBRAGA Restaurant: sbraga.com/about-us/

Soda (Pop) is soda is soda, right? Not when it comes to DRY Soda. With seven flavors born from natural ingredients and with much less sugar than normal soda, DRY is a drink for the discerning palate. When drinking DRY, think of pairings beyond a bag of potato chips.