Travels and Adventures

Sidecar-a-thon to benefit the Hospice for Orange and Sullivan Counties, NY: Passerby, NYC, September 22, 2005

Sponsored by Remy-Martin Cognac

Whew! What a night. It all started when Toby Cecchini, owner/bartender at Passerby (436 W. 15th St., between Ninth and Tenth Aves: 212 206-7321), and Gary conspired to tend bar together.

Let’s make it an event, they decided. Let’s raise some money for charity. Let’s con those guys at Remy-Martin into donating some great cognac. Let’s see if they’ll spring for a case of Cointreau, too. We’ll make Sidecars all night, donate the money to the hospice, and stuff our tip cup as full as we can. Should be fun . . .

Until he saw the invitation, just a couple of days before the event, Gary didn’t realize that that David Wondrich guy was going to be there, too. Should have known, though. There was free cognac to be had, after all . . .

Here’s a pic of Wondrich downing shots of Remy with Toby and his wife, Jessica

The joint was packed. And we mean packed. At various times during the evening Toby and Gary were joined behind the stick by Passerby bartenders Eric Sanchez, Brad Alter, and Ben Brunnemer. Bartender John Mobilio was there, too, but he spent most of the night snogging with a very pretty blonde woman in the corner and pulling beers for himself. He had the right idea . . .

The star of the night, though, was bar-back Roberto Grande who kept us supplied with ice, glasses, and whatever else we needed. Here’s a shot of Roberto.

Eben Klemm, cocktailian whiz from the B.R. Guest company, joined us for a Sidecar or three. Lots of old friends, and quite a few graduates from Cocktails in the Country, showed up (thanks Brook, Nancy, Amy, Yukie, et al). Here are some pics of various revelers that night.

From time to time, Gary took a break . . .

Wondrich did take a turn behind the bar that night. Lasted about, oh, say, three minutes or so. Okay, maybe it was ten minutes. Here’s a pic of him measuring his ingredients. Measuring? He doesn’t measure when he’s pouring himself free glasses of cognac . . .

DeeJays Mark Anthony Caterini and Jesse Knight provided some really great music to get us through the night. Wot? You thought the music was for the customers? Don’t kid yourself. Everything’s for the bartenders.

Mark is the guy at the end of the bar, and Jesses is the guy with that strange little halo thingie on top of his head.

They had the crowd dancing the night away.

And here we bring you some shots of Toby and Gary strutting their stuff.

There were a million stories in the naked city that night. Here are a couple of them:

1. We raised $800 for the Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties (www.HospiceOfOrange.com) Thanks to all you Sidecar drinkers who stopped by Passerby that night.

2. After the party was over a bunch of us went to Blue Ribbon (97 Sullivan Street, bet. Spring and Prince streets: 212 274 0404) (BlueRibbonRestaurants.com) for a bartender breakfast.

This joint is known for serving great food right up until 4:00 a.m., and they lived up to their reputation. There’s more, though.

Gary left his iPod at the restaurant. Dumb lad. The following day he called the place and spoke to Jared, the manager, who assured him that the iPod had been found and turned in. Toby picked it up and sent it home where it belongs.

Who found the iPod? Who turned it in? James the bartender, of course. You can always count on the bartender. Thanks James. Much appreciated.

And thanks also to the good folk at Remy-Cointreau for their generosity. Let’s do it again sometime, huh? Bet your life that Wondrich guy will show up . . .