Paper Whiskey

New Orleans Bar Blog

Can’t Stop Drinking About You

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A bi-weekly series of libations with Becca-approved design or flavor. Perhaps both.

Name:Honker’s Ale
From:Goose Island Beer Company of Chicago, Illinois
Type: english bitter
Pair it with: a broken heart
Emphasis on: flavor

Usually, it’s a walk down the grocery aisle, with no story about how I discovered a beer. But this time, I was in Chicago, with my pregnant aunt and three uncles, who were attending a conference, while I tagged along under the guise of researching graduate schools. Looking back, it was an odd traveling group.

I remember this story so clearly, because anything that happens when you’re 22 is Korean-drama dramatic. It was my first major breakup coupled with another brief relationship thereafter. Devastation (so it seemed at the time) had struck my heart.

During dinner one night, I followed my method of ordering something I can’t get back home and picked out a Chicago-brewed beer. That first sip of Honker’s Ale momentarily dissipated my sadness. I was so delighted to discover something new that I liked. I finished the beer and left the pity party.

A Side Salad, Next to My Water

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If I’m invited to a group dinner and the place has three dollar signs or more on Yelp, I’m busy that night. On a Valentine’s date, I was treated to a steak restaurant and wanted to order pasta. I wasn’t even paying. When we met up at N7, Ly and I ordered only one drink each and shared appetizers. Eating out at nice places reminded me of this Friends episode.

This is a great read on finance. I especially love the part:

A lot of people spend money they shouldn’t (on brunch, on a Louis Vuitton purse) because it signals to other human beings that you have value. But you don’t need to do this. If you can’t afford to go out to brunch, please pre-eat before you go. It’s okay. I do it.

Vibe: cozy, vibrant, secret garden
Drink menu: full bar, lots of wine, some beer
Food Favorites: escargot tempura, fries
Address: 1117 Montegut St.

Monday Meetings with Alice Gao

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Gina Rodriguez from Jane the Virgin started Movement Mondays on her Instagram to garner support for working Latino actors. She points out that studios feel more confident in hiring Latino actors for high-profile roles if the numbers back it up. TV shows and movies with Latino actors need to pull in higher ratings and more revenue.

This approach is the same for all minorities and extends beyond the acting community—into all aspects of creative professions. Inspired by Gina, I am starting the series Monday Meetings to highlight Asian movers, shakers, and makers. We should be seeing them and hearing from them more often—not just sporadically.

♦ ♦ ♦

Meet Alice Gao, an in-demand freelance photographer with an enviable wardrobe. She said peace out to her corporate job and arrived at her calling. And arrived, she did. It’s hard to keep quiet when your work is remarkable. Major brands like Cereal Magazine, Gap, and Skagen have commissioned her talent and almost a million followers have taken notice.

The most distinguishing feature of her photography is her use of light and shadows. Some people never have a bad hair day, she never has a bad light day. Scroll through her blog Lingered Upon and lust after her outfit and travel photos. Her life is everyone’s #goals.

Photos by Alice Gao.

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