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| - I was at the Mint's Grand Opening, to see Tommy Georges open his new spot. As a friend and former coworker of Tommy, I was proud he landed this new spot, and was excited that Valley Fave, Johnny Chu was named the chef featuring his brand of Pan Asian cuisine. The Grand Opening was an insane affair, so I just went back after the fire died down to finally try the Pan-Asian inspired menu. When I walked in the bright spot was full of members of the EO Forum members, which included some of the best entrepreneurs in the Valley. I saw lots of old friends and chatted up several people at the bar. I love a great long bar with lots of people and find it stimulating to spark up conversations over relaxing libations.
I enjoyed my menu selections, and love savory Asian cuisine. I tried the Sizzling Shrimp and rice. The plump shrimp were drizzled in a piquant glaze that had sweet and sour notes. I also tried a dish of delicious sugarcane pork skewered on ginger sticks. I love that dish! I have to get Johnny to show me how to make that dish and I cannot wait to go back and try it again. To accompany my tapas dishes I had a fantastic cocktail called the Jefferson, which featured Effen Cucumber vodka. I drank 2 of those summer-appropriate refreshing drinks. The highlight of my night was my pixie bartender, Kaitlyn Rieker. She was fantastic, and kept up the witty banter with a bar full of thirsty and demanding men. I met a fantastic character straight out of Central Casting named Arty. This gentleman was of the old school and he is a casino host currently working in Reno. He regaled me with stories of his time in Hollywood at Columbia Pictures, Charles Bronson, old-time Mobsters, Boxers and the tell habits of Asian Gamblers.
We were joined in the revelry at the bar by a giant of a man named David Richardson, an associate of Arty's, and my friend, Brian Boubek, from CEA Global Education drank a couple of bottles and wine and had a great time. We had good service from the cute and energetic Kaitlyn and her bar manger, Dolh Chompupong. I cannot wait to hang out here again!
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