LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2015

A R R I V I N G I N ­

BY JAMES CHATTO  •  PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB FIOCCA

SO YOUR MENU IS PLANNED — BUT WHAT TO SERVE WHEN THE GUESTS WALK THROUGH THE DOOR? CHOOSE FROM OUR EXPERT’S PICKS OF SPARKLING WINE, APERITIFS AND COCKTAILS TO MAKE A SPLASHY FIRST IMPRESSION.

Every gathering or party, large or small, has a be- ginning. It starts with a ring on the doorbell, with hugs and handshakes, the giving and receiving of a tribute bottle or hostess gift. Coats are gathered, boots removed, guests ushered in. We all know what happens next. People are offered a drink.     It’s a ritual as old as the notion of hospitality and it persists in just about every culture I’ve ever heard of. In Greece, the visit might well begin with

a coffee; mint tea in Morocco, apple tea in Turkey, iced tea in Texas… Round here, it’s more likely to be a drink drink, though increasingly guests at my house ask to start with a glass of water. Everyone seems to drink so much more water than they used to—which is a good and healthy thing, I dare say. Now, if friends are expected, we put a jug of iced water in the fridge with some slices of lemon or cu- cumber in it, but we are only deferring the inevitable.

FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY 2015 125