As one might guess, nachos originated in Mexico. It all started in a little restaurant located in Piedras Negras that went by the name of The Victory Club. Back in 1943, after a long grueling day of shopping, a dozen wives of US Soldiers stationed at Fort Duncan just outside of Eagle Pass, Texas stopped into the restaurant just across the border looking to recharge on some tasty tex mex. To their dismay the restaurant was Closed (seriously, what could be worse? I’d be pissed. Don’t mess with me when I’m hungry). Being the sweetheart that he was, the maitre’d, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya, did not want to disappoint the fine ladies. He scoured the kitchen hoping to find something, to find anything to fill their empty tanks. Tortillas! Perfect. He cut the tortillas into triangles. Cheese! Double perfect. He gingerly laid the sliced longhorn cheddar atop the modified geometric tortillas. Quickly, he heated the tortillas n’ cheese creation and tossed some diced jalapeno peppers on top. He served it to the ladies dubbing it nachos especiales aka “special nachos”.

Why am I talking about nachos? Number one, because I love nachos (or anything smothered in cheese for that matter). Number two, because when I knew I was going to order the Nachito Mojito from Johnny, Jen couldn’t resist the urge to keep requesting nachos. I’m pretty sure La Belle Vie doesn’t serve nachos, but perhaps they should. They already make lamb burgers and fries (which are amazing by the way). I actually think the Nachito Mojito would pair splendidly with nachos.

Back to the subject of matter here, my drink. What makes this cocktail stand out from the rest is the muddled fiery red fresno chiles. The Nachito Mojito is essentially an Old Cuban kicked up two notches. The peppers add an unique combination of sweet and spicy hot to the already fantastic mount gay, mint, lime and fee brothers base. This has been my go to drink for a couple months now and the only stiff competition it has is the slim possibility of real nachos being added to the lounge menu. In the meantime, while I wait for the unlikely to occur, I have fully incorporated los nachos de Johnny into my weekly liquid diet.

Lush Marie

The problem with brown liquor* is that in the summer it seems somehow too heavy and one feels compelled to drink the more summer-friendly alcohols like gin and vodka. Brown liquor is wide-wale corduroy trousers to gin’s breezy linen sundress. But there is little that can come between me and brown liquor; it certainly takes more than a little sunshine and humidity. So when scanning the menu on that very hot spring day, the 93 degree temperature mattered not at all in my selection of a drink. That I ended up with the Molly McNastly, a cocktail based on brown liquor, should surprise no one (at least no one who has read my bio.)

It’s brown liquor roots notwithstanding, the Molly McNasty is a summer drink. It was not wintery at all, but light and refreshing. The mint and lemon offset the potential heaviness of the Jameson and turned it into a silk voile blend. Despite the brown liquor that is the base of this cocktail, it could be sipped on a sweltering hot day in a 5th floor studio apartment on a day the air has gone out. But it is, of course, better sipped from the gorgeous bar at La Belle Vie with a good friend and a happy heart.

*This is a joke. There is no problem with brown liquor. Don’t let anyone tell you different.

Lush Jen

My eyes violently scan the pages of the expanded drink menu. I need something to drink, quick. I had pledged myself to no alcohol for 4 days now. My previous engagement with booze resulted in an UFC smackdown on the pavement somewhere in nordeast Minneapolis. Did she (and by she I obviously mean Jen) really think she could handle me?

“convoluted mix of flavors. slightly bitter salty sweet. not for everybody. hardly for anybody. may be unavailable during rushes.”

Perfect! I’m pretty sure I’m not everybody or anybody – I’m clearly a somebody… and seeing that there isn’t a significant rush this evening – this is exactly what I need. I put my order in. In the meantime, I confide in Jen about a recent stress in my life. I get so wrapped up in her twisted analogy that I totally forget about watching Johnny masterfully concoct my drink of choice. Ingredients? Yeah, I’m certain they are in there but I missed that entire boat. Ice, check. There definitely is ice in there.

I eagerly watch and wait with childlike anticipation as Johnny pours the remaining drops of my mysterious libation into a perfectly chilled martini glass. The background of my mind is still occupied with trying to decipher exactly what the hell Jen is talking about.

But doesn’t that deflate the ball so you have nothing to hit back?
- Jen, seriously (yes for real) trying to offer advice about relationships

What the hell does that mean? How is this going to help me mend my personal life Jen? Plus, I don’t even play tennis. Are we talking about tennis?

I take a sip.

A-mazing. I forget all about my recent dilemma and Jen’s complicated trying-to-be-helpful metaphor. Do I taste cherry? Is that rye? That definitely must be whiskey? In comparison to the Don’t Mind If I Do, it is sweeter although not too sweet. I could drink this all night (and I would if we didn’t have official “rules” in place which now seem like a really dumb idea).

Thinking back on the night, there is a part of me that is slightly disappointed I never saw what actually went into the drink. Or maybe, perhaps, things are just the way they are supposed to be. With each consecutive visit I know that Dr. Johnny Michaels will always provide an one of a kind cure-all that will not only satisfy and surprise my taste buds, but that will also wash away each worry I possess, sip by sip. As for therapist Jen, well there is a good reason she isn’t a therapist. Note to Jen: Tennis balls are not inflatable.

Lush Marie

“Hey, look what I got,” Johnny said mischievously setting a plastic bag on the bar. As he opened the bag I was unsure of what was going to be revealed. Part of me wanted to look over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching, just in case the bag contained contraband of some sort. Leaning over the bar to peer into the bag I couldn’t have been happier to see the season’s first cherries (aside: why aren’t cherries cherry red?)

“Do you like bourbon?” he asked, thinking of what would pair well with the cherries and unaware that brown liquor is like air to me. I nodded and listened intently as he described a drink called Don’t Mind If I Do – bourbon, cherries, bitters, love.

“Well,” I said, “Don’t mind if I do.” (It wasn’t any funnier in person.)

The combination of cherries and bourbon was so harmonious, the flavors danced together effortlessly, but not in a sweet fox trot a la Fred & Ginger. This dance was hot and sultry, this was Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing. The bitters kept the drink from being overly sweet and turning into a Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens HSM number. It was perfectly executed. Carrie Ann and Bruno would give it perfect 10′s. I give it an “omigod, this is so good, you totally have to try this.”

Lush Jen

After several false starts, the luscious lushes are pleased to announce that La Booze Vie is officially underway. On Wednesday, May 20th our journey of 150 cocktails began with one small sip. The sun was shining, it was 93 degrees out, the valet was reading a book written in Chinese; all good signs. We took seats at the bar and were escorted through the first stop on our tour which began with a Don’t Mind If I Do and a The Thief In The Night, and ended with a Molly McNasty and a Nachito Mojito (with stops in between at the roadside attractions of lamb burgers and truffle chips.)

One of the things we discovered on our inaugural night out, was the need for support staff. Thus, we have posted a number of positions we are hoping to fill in the near future. If you are interested in applying, please submit an application via the link to that’s not yet available. Please note that all positions are unpaid internships and that this communication does not constitute an offer of employment.

the Lushes