A Bitter (and Sweet) Birthday Reckoning
"When I say that I'm okay, well they look at me kinda strange."
The “Brad Corner” Wednesday Residency at Caffe Dante’s “Aperitivo Hour”
Today will mark my second scheduled appearance at Caffe Dante’s “Brad Corner” Wednesday Residency, sponsored by Campari. If you’re in the NYC area I invite you to stop by from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. to celebrate Dante’s “Aperitivo Hour” (and my birthday).
All of my books (Bitters, Amaro, Last Call, and Distillery Cats) will all be available to purchase and have signed by yours truly, and when you buy a book you’ll also receive a free bambino-sized Bicicletta.
You’ll also have a chance to hang out in the “Brad Corner” where I can walk you through the “Aperitivo Hour” menu and all the terrific low-ABV and NA cocktails, talk about some of the featured Italian bars, discuss bitters and amari, and my love of Italian drinking culture. Plus, each week I’ll be bringing in some favorite “suitcase bottles” and other special pours from my personal collection to sample with guests (there just might be a 2011 Braulio Riserva in the mix today). Today’s “Aperitvo Hour” should be an especially fun one. I hope to see you there!
I’ll be (officially) holding court in the the “Brad Corner” on the following Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 1/17/24(Caffe Dante’s “The Aperitivo Hour” kicks off and the “Brad Corner” Wednesday Residency is open for business Think of it like a Broadway preview. Be kind.)Wednesday, 1/24/24 (That “24/24” synchronicity must mean it’s my birthday. Stop by and raise a glass. I just might buy you a Negroni Sbagliato.)
Wednesday, 1/31/24 (January’s over already?)
Wednesday, 2/7/24 (Some low-ABV aperitivo action to prep for the upcoming Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.)
Wednesday, 2/14/24 (Whether your’e feeling bitter or sweet, we’ll have red-hued apertivo drinks for Valentine’s Day.)
My thanks to Campari for sponsoring the “Brad Corner” Wednesday Residency at Caffe Dante’s “The Aperitivo Hour.”
The Birthday Blues
Among the notable fellow Aquariuses who were born on January 24 are Warren Zevon, John Belushi, Neil Diamond, Ernest Borgnine, Sharon Tate, Edith Wharton, Yakov Smirnoff, Jools Holland, and, as my friend Mike never fails to remind me every year, Fiona the Hippo.
When it comes to celebrating birthdays, I’ve never been a Birthday Week, or worse, a Birthday Month kind of guy. There’s something about a late January birthday that comes overcast with a gray cloud of malaise, especially when you’re at an age (double nickels) you could never, as a young man, ever consider turning.
When I was particularly blue on a past birthday when I was living in Seattle my kind, loving, but always straight-shooting father, Herbert “Bert” Parsons, told me over the phone: “Everybody’s got a birthday, Brad. It’s just another day on the calendar.” He had a point, and I always remember his wisdom when January 24 comes around.
As for celebrating, I generally try to keep it low-key and, depending on workload and deadlines, generally practice a mostly solitary day wandering around the Big City, eventually winding up with some friends for dinner. But as each hour flies by and it gets later in the night, my mood turns even more introspective than usual. And when midnight approaches I feel like I’m being whisked off the stage to make room for all those January 25 birthday celebrants to get their turn in the spotlight. Just another day, indeed.