Lexi Paterno (photo by Claudia Casbarian)
Paterno, a bartending alum of One Fifth and Georgia James, was inspired by Julep owner Alba Huerta to join the team. “Alba is why I chose to work at Julep, and why this bar is special to me. Alba is an inspiration to me because she is a female Latina successful business owner,” says the 30-year-old who is also trained in mixed martial arts, “She is such a great role model and mentor. It has truly been such a pleasure to work with her and absorb as much as I can from her.”
Julep is hosting a Christmas market on Sunday from 4-7pm with boozy giftables and accessories to liven up your home bar for the holidays.
You spend lots of time making drinks for other people — but what’s your favorite holiday cocktail? That would be the Coquito, which we have right now at Julep! It has rum, coconut milk, coconut cream and almond milk, with lots of vanilla and cinnamon. It's super tasty. I would love to drink it all the time.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? Christmas 2008: my puppy Sparkles. She was my little baby and my best friend for 15 years. She recently passed away this year and will always hold a special place in my heart.
And what’s the best gift you’ve ever given? The best gift I have ever given to someone would be when someone asks me to mentor them. It means a lot to me that I can inspire my fellow peers. It's such an awesome feeling!
Favorite holiday tradition? My favorite holiday tradition is making tamales with family and friends! It is such a long process, and everyone has a job to do. It's fun to see everyone drinking and having a good time working together. Making tamales is more about family bonding than actual work being done.
What are you most excited about in 2023?I am excited about growing in my career to really learn what it takes to run a successful business. Being at Julep has really put me in a great position to learn new avenues of the business.
Sasha Grumman and Lexi Paterno at CityBook's fifth anniversary bash in 2021. (photo by Jhane Hoang)
Menage a Trois cocktail
Feel lucky, because with only 20 seats, dim lighting and zero outdoor views, it could be any time of day and in any city, which makes it truly feel like an escape. Spiffy bartenders are extra attentive to each guest, carefully crafting high-end cocktails that are works of art served in specialty glassware and goblets. (With service like this, it's no surprise the Four Seasons was recently named No. 1 hotel in Houston and the No. 19 hotel in the world by Condé Nast Traveler.)
You’ll be greeted with a snack of fried mushroom chips with a horseradish cream dip, a tasty nosh complemented by one of Bandista’s classics like the beautiful Spirited Courage. This must-try is a fruity take on the French 75 made with house made raspberry purée and meticulously garnished with whole raspberries. If that sounds like a chick drink, The Dead Man Walking is stout with Sipsmityh V.J.O.P, lemon, Americano, Italicus, and Nouvelle-Orleans Absinthe (um, this one has a limit of two — whew!).
To make things even jollier, consider the roster of new holiday cocktails —some of which come with little treats! — created under the guidance of beverage manager Johnathan Jones. Rich in flavor, the cocktails are prepared with elements of surprise and glamour. Its Menage a Trois pushes the envelope by transforming a Brandy Alexander into a trio of experiences: Expect a fog of Krigler’s “Established Cognac 66" perfume, followed by made-to-order Brandy Alexander ice cream. Lastly, sip cognac with an added bouquet of chocolate and mouth feel of cream.
Crime of Passion is a tangy (and showy!) twist on a traditional tiki cocktail combining passion fruit, coconut and tequila, transporting you to another time and place. Served in a carved wooden goblet, the libation is briefly set aflame at presentation. For a refreshing rum libation, try Strawberry Fields for Now and dance through strawberry and cabernet fields with subtle hints of balsamic and Fernet-Branca. This cocktail is accompanied by a goat cheese biscuit snack. (Want a meal? Check out Bayou & Bottle or more upscale Toro Toro upstairs.)
Because of its intimate size, reservations are required to enter Bandista. The speakeasy, which just added service on Wednesdays, has also refined its extensive fine spirits list, as well as its curated menu of half bottles of wine and Champagne.
Speaking of bubbles, to celebrate the last night of 2022, Bandista is hosting a New Year’s Eve Party. Guests who reserve a 90-minute seating between 5pm and midnight will have the option of ordering a la carte or selecting a NYE menu ($125), which includes a half-bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne, a “bump” of caviar, and a cocktail from the Bandista menu (Menage a Trois not included). Guests of the 10:30pm seating will also receive a molecular Champagne “toast” at the turn of the year.
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