Vintage Elegance

The Vintage Lounge at Daniel's Broiler - Bellevue is a plush setting, with great views, enhanced with comfortable, contemporary furniture, and high definition televisions (click on the picture to see a larger image). The Vintage Lounge is the showplace for some of the world's top-rated wine varietals from our 900-bottle wine list (which has been honored with the Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator for the last 5 years).

At the heart of Vintage Lounge is our state-of-the-art, custom-built Cruvinet. This system has been recognized around the world as the best preservation and dispensing system for wine ever made. It allows us the rare opportunity to serve a selection of wines by the glass not found anywhere in the greater Puget Sound area. The 30 "Cruvinet Selections" are all wines that have been rated 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator, Robert Parker and Wine Enthusiast. These wines are appropriately served in Reidel stemware.

In addition to the Cruvinet wines, we also offer a selection of rare and aged spirits from around the world. A sampling of these spirits include: Remy Martin "Louis XIII" Cognac, Jose Cuervo 250th Anniversario (one of only 600 bottles ever made), Balvenie 25 yr old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and the "Antique Collection" of Buffalo Trace Bourbon.

The Vintage Lounge was once our Havana Dan's Cigar Bar, and it still has that classy, warm feeling, with leather couches and a fireplace. It is a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. And when you relax in the Vintage Lounge, you are not limited to wine or cognac. It is an extension of our bar, so you can order anything — including a steak dinner if you like.

Come on in and enjoy the Old World elegance of the Vintage Lounge, a one-of-kind experience in the modern city of Bellevue.

New Craft Distiller and New Friend

I had the chance today to meet Orlin Sorensen and his partner, Brett Carlile and tour their distillery, Woodinville Whiskey Co. (shown here with mentor David Pickerell). This is an impressive facility located in Woodinville, producing one of the tastiest vodkas and White Dog Whiskeys that have hit my lips in a long time.

Opening a few months ago, this state-of-the-art distillery has a 265-gallon pot still with a pear-shaped whiskey helmet and 31-foot column stills. They use organic Washington State grains in both of the spirits they produce. Both the owners keep close eye on the product as it goes through the distillation and comes off the still, at over 150 proof.

Dave Pickerell, their Master Distiller, formerly from Maker’s Mark, has been mentoring the owners through the distillery and production process.

Their Peabody Jones Vodka is 100% organic and has a great flavor you can drink by itself, or used as the main ingredient in a cocktail. This premium vodka has a delightfully smooth taste, with a creamy mouth feel and hints of butterscotch, vanilla and almond on the nose. It seems that apple and orange would bring out the best in a cocktail without overriding the flavors of the vodka.

The White Dog Whiskey, (a non-aged whiskey) is made on a true whiskey mash bill that incorporates corn as the base. Bottled at 80 proof this creates a lot of room for mixability in a drink. Sometime in 2011 Woodinville Whiskey Co. will release a barrel-aged whiskey, which is resting in the rafters of the facility right now.

I'm looking forward to incorporating these spirits in the new Daniel's Broiler cocktails this spring. In the meantime, I get the pleasure of experimenting with these spirits and find the perfect cocktail to showcase them.

Visit their website or better yet, visit the distillery, which is open to the public.

Brad Miller
Daniel's Broiler Spirits Director

Luxury Drop Tasting

Brad Miller, the Spirits Director for Daniel's Broiler, had the opportunity to host a special evening at Daniel's Broiler - Lake Union. The event was the first stop on the "Luxury Drop" promotional tour of the U.S.

A luxury drop is another word for a shot — but more than a shot. It's a strong mixed drink using premium tequilla, served without ice as a shot, and each is accompanied by its own ritual, such as a karate chop, an enthusiastic "cheers," or some other social ice-breaker.

So this was a contest to see who could come up with the best "luxury drop" made with Don Julio Tequila ("the first ultra-premium tequila"). Don Julio is one of the most popular premium tequilas in Mexico.


The contestants were given 50 fresh ingredients to make the perfect shot (ingredients such as fresh fruits, herbs, juices and a variety of sugars).


The Master Distiller of Don Julio Tequila, Enrique de Colsa, was the Master of Ceremonies. Some fantastic drops were created, some of which may end up on the Don Julio Tequila website.


Enrique de Colsa worked with Don Julio Gonzalez himself for a few years. Says de Colsa, "He's still alive, and at 84 he's still a great agave lover."

The winners of the local contest are shown here with Enrique de Colsa.