It has taken Monday publisher Ruby Della Siega and I some time to arrange a sitdown at Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar, but here we are finally, with bar manager Kyle Guilfoyle.
WeB次元官网网址檝e walked down the hallway of a heritage building on lower Fort Street where Little Jumbo sits, surrounded by brick and brass. Not only are we well aware of this trendy night spotB次元官网网址檚 reputation as one of the go-to places in Victoria for cocktails, we feel like weB次元官网网址檙e in the presence of local royalty, at least in the bartending business.
Not only is Kyle part of a six-member bar team that collaborates on the the beverage menu at Little Jumbo, heB次元官网网址檚 known as the co-founder of the , which helps bartenders and food and beverage managers locally and from far afield take their game to the next level.
Today, however, weB次元官网网址檙e talking about Little Jumbo.
From an eight-option specialty cocktail menu Kyle characterizes as focusing on B次元官网网址渢imeless principlesB次元官网网址� and the B次元官网网址淒NA of classic cocktails,B次元官网网址� I choose the Daisy Sombria. ItB次元官网网址檚 a complex Mezcal-based concoction that blends the fruity bitterness of Campari liqueur with fresh lime and agave B次元官网网址� and to get your senses working in high gear, a glass rimmed with salt and toasted rosemary.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like what would happen if Mezcal and Campari met, fell in love, then fell into a burning rosemary bush,B次元官网网址� our host jokes.
Ruby chooses the Fury Swipes, notable upon first inspection by the sweet red stripes running down the side of the glass. She finds this combination of Tiger Tail Gin, Lonely Lion Vermouth and Kuma Bitters a perfect way to warm up your insides on a cool evening.
A chalkboard on the side of the restaurant suggests to patrons that if they canB次元官网网址檛 decide on a particular bar specialty cocktail, why not try one of the classics: Negroni, Tom Collins, Sidecar, Whiskey Sour or an Old Fashioned.
In general, Kyle says, B次元官网网址淲e try to get rid of complexity wherever we can B次元官网网址� we keep it simple here.B次元官网网址�
A good example of that is the presence of a prep specialist who handles the little jobs bartenders often do between orders, cutting garnishes, stocking the supplies, etc. B次元官网网址淭hat allows the bartenders to focus on our customers,B次元官网网址� he says, which is a big part of what has made Little Jumbo the memorable place it is for the past six-plus years.
But letB次元官网网址檚 hear more from Kyle:
Your claim to fame/best up-the-sleeve trick or technique? I doubt that IB次元官网网址檓 famous, but I can tell you IB次元官网网址檓 most proud of co-founding the Nimble Bar School. We help bartenders from around the world learn how to level up their skills to a high-performance level, and help them and their establishments become more profitable. For a trick or technique, I use a suite of techniques that weB次元官网网址檝e dubbed B次元官网网址榝unctional flair.B次元官网网址� We teach these as individual movements that bartenders can incorporate into their own methodology to add panache and style, without losing speed.
WhatB次元官网网址檚 hot right now? I tend to be kind of oblivious to trends, and thatB次元官网网址檚 because IB次元官网网址檓 more interested in whatB次元官网网址檚 timeless. After doing this for a decade, I think whatB次元官网网址檚 hot is being able to make a classic cocktail that approaches perfection. Simple riffs on classics are fun, too.
What traits make a good bartender? A thirst (no pun intended) to continuously learn and grow, good energy, personable demeanor, level-headedness (which I admittedly struggle with from time to time), and they check their ego at the door.
WhatB次元官网网址檚 your signature drink? The Whole Spectrum B次元官网网址� Islay Scotch, Cynar, Campari, dash of lemon juice, pinch of salt, and stone fruit bitters.
What are you drinking these days? Mezcal negroni.
Best memory from behind the bar? Blindfolded cocktail competitions with my partner, Nate, during service on a weekend night. Everyone gets really into itB次元官网网址nd itB次元官网网址檚 hilarious.
Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar, 506 Fort St.
778-433-5535
B次元官网网址斺赌斺赌斺赌斺赌斺赌�
Previous Behind Bars instalments:
B次元官网网址� E:N茅 Raw Food and Sake Bar
B次元官网网址� CliveB次元官网网址檚 Classic Lounge
B次元官网网址� Lure Restaurant and Bar/Delta Ocean Pointe Resort by Marriott
B次元官网网址� The Churchill Pub
editor@mondaymag.com
Like us on and follow us on
