Sanctuaria’s Matt Seiter up for national writing award

Matt Seiter, bar manager and chief liquor officer at Sanctuaria in the Grove, is one of 10 finalists in the Best New Book category at the Spirited Awards at the 2013 Tales of the Cocktail.

Tales of the Cocktail is a festival held annually in New Orleans. The Spirited Awards, given in 17 categories, provide recognition to bartenders, bars, writers and cocktail experts. Awards will be announced July 20 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel New Orleans.

Seiter is nominated for “The Dive Bar of Cocktails Bars,” a look at the recipes for and the stories behind the Sanctuaria’s cocktail menu. The book is on sale for $24.99 at Sanctuaria, 4198 Manchester Avenue, or online at sanctuariastl.com.

See the full article here:

Sanctuaria: The Dive Bar of Cocktail Bars by Matt Seiter

(Nectar Media Group) I have to tell you, that I love spiral bound cocktail recipe books. This one goes a step further by having all the pages in a custom ring binder. Kind of like those recipe of the month card sets you used to be able to subscribe to in the 1980′s. Lest you turn your attention elsewhere based on this fact, let me say here that this book is on a par with Jim Meehan’s PDT Cocktail Book and Dale DeGroff’s Craft of the Cocktail. Although it may seem like a novelty, the way this book is designed, is pure genius. Imagine if you will, that you want to try a new cocktail. Simply open this book and see what recipe you land on. No need to prop the book open, it lays there in all of its glory for you to see. A full color picture, the recipe details, and the story behind the drink. Oh, did I mention that all of the recipes hail from a single bar in St. Louis? What sets these drinks apart from the crowd is that most of them call for specific brands of spirits, many of which are micro-distilled and craft-made. That’s not to say that they are obscure, simply not owned by the major players in the spirits industry. A fun read, as well as a fantastic source of new recipes, this is a must have for cocktail enthusiasts! GSN Rating: A

Matt Seiter Lets It All Hang Out, At Sanctuaria and in His New Book, “The Dive Bar of Cocktail Bars”

BY JENNY AGNEW (ON TWITTER: @JENNY_AGNEW)

An otherwise “A” student, Matt Seiter earned in “F” in an Eighth Grade Religion class for writing that he’d like to serve Kool-Aid to thirsty African children after being prompted to reflect on a charitable act. While Seiter concocts drinks much stronger than Kool-Aid at Sanctuaria, where he’s the Bar Manager and creator of its Cocktail Club—the inspiration for the recently released book, The Dive Bar of Cocktail Bars—his propensity for quenching others’ thirsts apparently began early.

Before the Cocktail Club’s introduction, Seiter was already thinking about writing a book based on its 150 drinks. Between March and September of 2011, Seiter drafted The Dive Bar, leaving plenty of time for edits before turning it over to the publisher. Everyone involved with the book is local—something that Seiter is the “most proud” of. Anne Milford, AKA “The Book Nurse,” for example, edited the book, and Jacqui Krawczyk Segura, a club member, took most of the drinks’ pictures.

Also included in the tome are a history of the club, tips on making juices, liqueurs, syrups, and tinctures at home, and a glossary of spirits offered at the bar, none of which are mass-marketed brands, and a cross-listing of drinks using them. Throughout the introductory material and in the individual drink recipes, Seiter infuses the text with asides, questions, quotes, and tricks.
If you’ve spent any time at Sanctuaria’s bar, you probably know Seiter (right) for his signature mohawk, but you’ll remember him for his ability to make anyone feel comfortable . . . even as he’s disagreeing with you. “I’m not known for holding shit back,” Seiter admitted, noting that others are more receptive to those, like himself, who are honest.

That honest voice comes out strong and clear in The Dive Bar. Milford initially attempted to “clean up” Seiter’s writing, but the result “sounded like a professor in front of a classroom,” according to the author. When you read the book, it’s obvious that Seiter won that “creative difference,” as the voice is all his: conversational, accessible, irreverent, and informative—what you get when you’re parked in front of him at the bar.

Click here to read more.

Toques & ‘Tails was created to celebrate and promote the culinary and beverage talent of innovative restaurants in Denver and Boulder.  Toques & ‘Tails aims to feature the culinary team from the same restaurant.

Three chefs, three beverage professionals and one bon vivant from around the country will be the judges; Garrett Harker, Jackson Cannon, Elayne Duff, Jamie Bissonnette, Matt Seiter, are just a few of our judges. Additionally, food and beverage professionals from Colorado and around the country will be ambassadors who will mingle with and engage the attendees to share their culinary experience as well as the food scene in their respective cities.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE EVENT

Matt Seiter

Matt Seiter started in the world of cocktails by taking on the opening bar manager position at In Fine Spirits located in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood in February of 2008. From there, he was formally trained at the Academy of Spirits, created and led by Master Mixologist Bridget Albert. He joined the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) while living there and upon returning to St. Louis, he founded a USBG chapter.

From the moment he returned home, Matt has taken the cocktail scene in St. Louis to new level. In October of 2009, he was one of six people selected to compete at the Iron Bar Chef of America Competition at the Santé Restaurant Symposium in upstate New York. He was voted St. Louis’ Best Bartender in 2010 by the Riverfront Times and won the St. Louis Magazine’s A-List Mixologist! Award of the same year.

Along with creating house made liqueurs, bitters, tincures, tending to the on-site garden, and shaking cocktails like a madman, he founded the Sanctuaria Cocktail Club in December of 2010. The Club Menu of 150 cocktails was nominated for World’s Best Cocktail Menu at Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards in 2011 and World’s Best Drinks Selection in 2012. Matt also has been leading seminars around the country regarding the up & coming trend of Cocktails On Tap, most recently at Tales of the Cocktail in 2012 and VIBE conference in Las Vegas in early 2013.

Matt is on the board of the National USBG Master Accreditation Program, currently in charge of producing a study guide for all members for those exams and practicals. He is one of seven people in the nation to hold the title Advanced Bartender through the MA Program and is currently working on his thesis to be certified as a Master Mixologist. He writes a monthly column for Feast Magazine and is the recent author of the acclaimed cocktail book Sanctuaria: The Dive Bar of Cocktail Bars.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE JUDGES FOR TOQUES AND TAILS.

By Kaitlin Steinberg Wed., May 1 2013 at 7:00 AM

Photo by Jennifer Silverberg

Wednesday. Hump Day.

Congrats, you’ve made it halfway through the work week!
Unfortunately, you still have two days to go.

Dunno about you, but in order to survive the midweek blues, we’re going to need a drink. Which brings us to our Wednesday Gut Check feature:

“Gut Check’s Hump-Day Cocktail Suggestion”

Each week we take you to one of our favorite St. Louis bars (and, oh, the list is long) for a drink (or two) we — in consultation with the bartender — highly recommend.

With the Kentucky Derby happening this Saturday, we thought our readers could use a mint julep to help them ride out the rest of the week until the inevitable drinking and partying associated with both the Derby and Cinco de Mayo the following day.
We ventured to Sanctuaria (4198 Manchester Avenue; 314-535-9700), the tapas and cocktail bar headed by master mixologist Matt Seiter, in search of the perfect mint julep, and bartender Nate Kromat definitely delivered.

Click here to read more …

Mixologist Matt Seiter Serves Drinks From Sanctuaria Cocktail Book Tonight at Taste

Tuesday, 26 March 2013 13:56

By Caillin Murray

Mohawked mixologist and Sanctuaria (4198 Manchester Avenue; 314-535-9700) bar manager Matt Seiter will be mixing drinks from his recently released book Sanctuaria: The Dive Bar of Cocktails: How We Rewrote the Rules and Recipes One Cocktail at a Time at Taste tonight from 5 to 7 p.m.
Seiter has already visited cities such as New Orleans and New York to promote the book, but this is the first St. Louis-based event since its release party at Sanctuaria in December.

This evening Seiter will be mixing up a handful of the 150 drink recipes listed in his book, including the “Ping Pong,” with sloe gin, creme de violette and lemon ($6); “Diki Diki,” with Calvados, Swedish punsch and grapefruit ($6); and the “St. Louis Southside” with gin, ginger liqueur, lemon, absinthe, club soda and mint ($8).

He will also be selling copies of the book and tells Gut Check that he will autograph copies if people ask him to, but admits, “I don’t know how many people in town know that I even wrote a book.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE…

Special Request: Wicked Good Shrimp from Sanctuaria Wild Tapas

Tuesday, 04 December 2012 12:42

Wicked Good Shrimp from Sanctuaria Wild Tapas

Photographed on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, in St. Louis by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

By Alanna Kellogg Special to the Post-Dispatch

Q • I’m requesting the recipe for Wicked Good Shrimp from Sanctuaria Wild Tapas. It’s shrimp served in a delicious, flavorful sauce. — Lori Shifter, University City

A • Wil Pelly heads Sanctuaria’s three-year old pan-Latin kitchen at the corner of Manchester and Boyle in the Grove district.

“Caribbean. Cuban. Jamaican. Spanish. Cajun and Creole. A touch of Mexican. And a little bit of St. Louis on the side.”

During the growing season, much of the food is sourced from Sanctuaria’s back-door garden. Plus they use Foundations Farm in Belleville, says Pelly, which provides protein and produce for Sanctuaria and two sister restaurants, Diablitos Cantina and Café Ventana.

Sanctuaria is known for its Cocktail Club. With a $20 membership, members work their way through a 200-cocktail list, keeping track with personal notebooks lined up near the bar.

Click here to read more.

Click here for the recipe.

Seiter’s next stop on his National Book Tour for “The Dive Bar of Cocktail Bars” is The Silver Dollar

Sunday, 14 April 2013 07:56

Saint Louis, MO (April 5, 2013) – Saint Louis’ AWARD WINNING MIXOLOGIST, Matt Seiter, Bar Manager and Chief Liquor Officer at Sanctuaria, recently named BEST DRINK MENU in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times and BEST COCKTAIL MENU by Alive Magazine, will be leaving for the next stop on his national book tour for  “The Dive Bar of Cocktail Bars: How We Rewrote the Rules and Recipes One Cocktail at a Time” on April 8, 2013. After heading to Heaven Hill Distillery to pick up a barrel of Elijah Craig 12 year, he will be making a guest appearance at The Silver Dollar in Louisville, KY on Monday evening for a book signing and complimentary punch tasting, sponsored by Samogon.

In “The Dive Bar of Cocktail Bars”, Seiter, who was recently named BARTENDER OF THE YEAR by Sauce Magazine, divulges his secrets and stories behind the infamous Sanctuaria cocktail menu in this tell-all cocktail guide. This no-holds-barred bar manual provides step-by-step instructions, allowing you to re-create the cocktails you’ve grown to love (or waiting to devour) while tasting your way through the extensive Cocktail Club. Included in the book are tips and tricks of the trade for tinctures, bitters and other “secret” ingredients used to give your cocktails the mouth-watering goodness Sanctuaria delivers. Additionally, Seiter explains his choice not to use mass marketed brands in the inventory at Sanctuaria, providing full access to his tasting notes for every spirit he chose.

“The Dive Bar of Cocktail Bars” is on sale now at Sanctuaria or online here.

For additional information, contact Alison Hankins, Chief Marketing Officer, at cmo@nectarmediagroup.com or by phone at (314) 535-9700.

About Sanctuaria

Sanctuaria offers exclusive menu selections with a modern twist paired with fresh cocktails that are made-to-order. Recently dubbed as the “sanctuary in the city”, the space is warm and inviting with an alluring appeal. The tapas and cocktail menus incorporate the freshest, most locally produced ingredients possible with new and innovative ideas.

About In Good Company, LLC

In Good Company, LLC, bringing you Sanctuaria, Hendricks BBQ, Café Ventana and Diablitos Cantina, is owned by St. Louis’ well known and distinguished serial entrepreneurs Ami Hendricks-Grimes and Gurpreet Padda. Priding themselves as being the patron saints of lost real estate causes with emphasis on restaurant projects and revitalizing surrounding communities with a mission to provide a comfortable, inviting atmosphere where people gather over great food and amazing cocktails for a unforgettable culinary dining experience.

Sanctuaria Bar Manager Matt Seiter Talks New Cocktail Book Before Tonight’s Release Party

Last month, Gut Check spoke withSanctuaria (4198 Manchester Avenue; 314-535-9700) bar manager Matt Seiter about his upcoming cocktail book The Dive Bar of Cocktails: How We Rewrote the Rules and Recipes One Cocktail at a Time based the restaurant’s on drink menu. The book’s official release date is Tuesday, December 11, with a book-release party, “Cocktails by Candlelight,” scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. at Sanctuaria.

Curious to learn more about the cocktail book, recipes therein and book release party, we caught up with Seiter.

What inspired you to write a cocktail book based on Sancutaria’s drink menu?
I’ve always wanted to write a book. It wasn’t until I got the job at Sanctuaria and developed the Cocktail Club that I had content I was eager to write about.

Any challenges throughout the process?
Too many to mention all of them. Time and patience were the hardest to overcome, more so patience.

What can readers expect from the book? How many drink recipes are included?
There’s over 150 recipes in the book. Readers can expect all those recipes, how to make them, and more. I give away (well, sell away) a majority of our house-made ingredient recipes, tips/tricks we use behind our bar daily, stories and anecdotes for all of our own creations and a bibliography for every classic cocktail on the menu.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Three of In Good Company, LLC’s finest!

Kowalski, Duepner and Doyle have been selected as finalists in the Big O Classic Couples Cocktail Competition

Saint Louis, MO (April 8, 2013) – In Good Company, LLC, the company that brought you Café Ventana, Sanctuaria, Diablitos Cantina and Hendricks BBQ will be proudly represented by their talented bartenders at the Big O Classic Couples Cocktail Competition on April 14, 2013 at Salt Restaurant at 3pm. Three of the 10 finalists are from In Good Company restaurants. Mandi Kowalski and Joe Duepner will be competing from Sanctuaria, recently named Best Drink Menu in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times and Best Cocktail Menu by Alive Magazine; and Nathan Doyle will be competing from Hendrick’s BBQ, recently named Favorite New BBQ Joint by The St. Louis Post Dispatch and Best American Restaurant in the 2012 Best of Mid Rivers Poll.

The makers of The Big O ginger liqueur are looking for a classic cocktail to call their own – a stunningly delicious Signature Cocktail, highlighting the versatility and nuanced goodness of The Big O. The 10 finalists will present their Cocktails for the judges and guests. In addition, contestants will prepare batched cocktails for guests to taste and The Big O will present a Crowd Favorite Award!  A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Operation Food Search of St. Louis.  Tickets may be purchased at EventBrite.

For additional information, contact Alison Hankins, Chief Marketing Officer, at cmo@nectarmediagroup.com or by phone at (314) 535-9700.

About In Good Company, LLC

In Good Company, LLC is owned by St. Louis’ well known and distinguished serial entrepreneurs Ami Hendricks-Grimes and Gurpreet Padda. Priding themselves as being the patron saints of lost real estate causes with emphasis on restaurant projects and revitalizing surrounding communities with a mission to provide a comfortable, inviting atmosphere where people gather over great food and amazing cocktails for a unforgettable culinary dining experience.