Boca Raton's new restaurant and lounge, Stéphane's, won't be open until at least July, but we got the bartender, Melvin Negron, talking.
In a modern lounge with a French-American menu, this place needs an equally all-star cocktail list. Negron says he got the inspiration behind his drinks after meeting Stéphane's owner,
Stephane Lang-Willar. Together they created a drink menu that includes molecular martinis and nitrogen-based cocktails.
One such offering is the Brunette Molecular Martini, made from two ounces of Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka
, one ounce of Kahlua
, and an ounce of Frangelico. Combine, shake, strain, and add a teaspoon of Godiva White Chocolate Pearls to float on top.
"I would not necessarily pair an alcoholic
drink with food, but I would strongly recommend the Brunette as a before- or after-dinner drink," Negron says.
Negron took a foray into mixing drinks in 2001 at the South Beach Bartending School. He says his favorite drinks to make are Liquid Nitrogen Martinis, if only to see the expression on customers' faces when receiving a below-zero martini.
So what's the best thing a customer has ever said to him? "I used to work at a resort, and a guest once told me, 'Melvin, we can go anywhere in the world on vacation, but we choose this place because of you.' I'm sure Florida's weather had some influence in their decision also, but it was one of those comments that makes you love your job."
