Today, I will tell you a little about where the team draws inspiration to create such unique menus within the walls of the bar. I'll open this window slightly, and you will learn about the inner workings of menu creation and how we choose a theme. From my perspective, I'll share a bit about where it all began.
Let's start with history. It all began in 2016 when I applied to every possible bar contest to make a mark in the bar industry and earn some recognition. Each competition had one common requirement: the cocktail must have a story. Bartenders often crafted stories inspired by their grandparents or gardens. At that point, I began focusing on creating cocktails based not on fictional or mundane stories, but on something real and exciting—connecting information with alcohol, its origins, and its associative properties, whether stereotypical or not.
So, in 2019, as we prepared for the opening of Talkies, I didn't think twice about the format of the menu for the bar. I saw it as the perfect opportunity to showcase my vision for the menu and its presentation. Now, let's talk a bit about finding inspiration. It's challenging to fully explain this process because sometimes we plan one menu, and during discussions, something entirely different emerges, sometimes dramatically. If you understand the stages, I can break it down into three processes.
1. This initial stage, which I whimsically call "nausea," follows the menu launch. We take a
breather after setting up everything, knowing that the thought of a new menu will soon arise. "Since we update the menu annually, the process has become easier." Periodically, whether during shifts or casual bar meetings, we bring up this topic to ensure the idea remains fresh.
2. Moving on to the second stage, we convene meetings specifically for brainstorming. Everyone pitches ideas aimed at making the menu engaging and sharing intriguing aspects with our guests. During these meetings, we exchange thoughts, explain our reasoning, and strive to captivate our colleagues. At times, we even merge multiple ideas (as seen with the Art Menu). This stage involves shaping the menu's concept, ensuring it's intriguing, relevant, clear, and effectively conveyed through our cocktails.
3. The most intriguing stage occurs when we grasp the direction we're heading. We delve into gathering and exchanging facts on the chosen topics. Discussions become lively as our interest intensifies, though it's not always smooth sailing—more on that later.
Once we finalize the direction and everyone approves, we delve deeper. This phase might involve attending a painting masterclass, akin to our approach with the Art Menu. With the poetic menu, we immersed ourselves in reading poems, sharing both included and uncollected ones with guests—a captivating dive into the world of poetry. A similar journey awaited us with the zodiac-themed menu.
Occasionally, topics don't make the cut despite initial interest. We might choose a compelling theme lacking enthusiasm. In such cases, we either start anew or revisit previous options, although this is infrequent. More often, we amalgamate several themes or discover an entirely new one during discussions.
As we progress through these stages and prepare for work, a new surge of inspiration envelops us. We analyze the menu in terms of alcohol, floral notes, fruits, vegetables, associations, and stereotypes, aiming to craft drinks that resonate with our guests. Beyond taste and appearance, much effort goes into enhancing our knowledge and understanding of each topic, shaping stories or brief narratives that engage and educate our guests while embodying our vision.
The highlight arrives on that special day when we begin preparing and presenting our cocktails, sharing stories and explaining the rationale behind our combinations. Words can't fully capture the joy of creating a flavorful, diverse, and conceptually rich menu after weeks of dedicated effort. This work fuels our passion, inspiring both us and our guests. Witnessing their reactions reaffirms our path and invigorates us, motivating us to innovate further and share our creations with the world.
