I had the pleasure of writing a series of haikus for the team at Alice Restaurant in New York City. Some on food, some on cocktails, all on love and life. The creative minds on all levels in this place provide ample amounts of inspiration, and it was an honor to collaborate with their graphic artist gentlemen – Matteo and Paololuca who make all the visual art happen – as well as with our Creative Director – Waél Deek – to help spread the magic of this place across social media.

visit their sites––virtual and in person––to experience everything your soul needs

  • Embrace us here, love.

    Sway to the Manila soul,

    The vongole twist.

    Inhale deep, now.

    You can hear the sea from here.

    Raise me to your lips.

  • Pricks and pinches greet--

    You're sweetest on the inside--

    but we make it work.

    Our language suits us.

    Roll with me to the low tide,

    Ripe fruit looms largely.

  • Let us share this dream

    and glide up to the heavens.

    See the bright expanse?

    One can know such joy

    small things are the best treasures

    I'll save you a seat.

    ———

    Have you heard this one?

    About the pillows of light?

    The crack and folding:

    A dream awakens

    and it floats to the heavens

    Always my favorite.

  • Mistress desire,

    Help me harvest Autumn bliss,

    Browned by Summer sun.

    Feed me and heal me,

    Your nourishment is endless--

    Truth within our cores.

    Again and again

    What we love the most returns.

    I will wait for you.

  • At the all-star joint

    you'll catch the star-crossed lovers--

    eves dropping is fine.

    Just mention my name

    and you can know their secrets.

    Recipes pass down.

  • Pheromones speak loud.

    We may talk in different tongues,

    Yet, I know you there.

    Forget the small talk.

    They said you never listened,

    But, they lacked my ears.

  • Capture and repeat.

    Frolic into the abyss.

    Our sight is endless.

  • You've always turned heads

    Entering and exiting

    You try to blend in.

    But few look past that.

    Past your parts of style and grace.

    They don't read between.

    Nothing's black and white.

    Your magic is in between.

    Grey Matter process.

  • You come here often?

    Never mind, I know you do.

    Regularity.

    It beats me, ya know?

    The beating around the bush.

    Words rarely escape.

    You must have caught on.

    Should have started with "hello,"

    But blushing silenced.

  • “Find someone," mom said.

    Never got around to it.

    Short attention span.

    "Turn and face the strange."

    Music is more familiar.

    I am not lost here.

    Self-love and cocktails:

    The changes I know I need.

    Follow if you can.

  • First dates become more

    Sometimes...one drink turns to two.

    Late nights and laughter.

    Elevated joy,

    The intellectual brain,

    Dazzles me with charm.

  • Language only skims.

    Fickle things, sense and feeling.

    Gaps and lack abound.

    Love, amore, hub,

    A rose by another name.

    Poets hint at this.

    What lies in shadow,

    Where it overtakes us most,

    There our hearts reside.

  • None waiting for me.

    Quality's everlasting.

    Enjoy what you can.

    This watch? Aesthetic.

    Divine timing, as they say,

    Complete in expanse.

    But yes, I know it.

    Thank you for saving my seat.

    Hospitality.

    My kind of story:

    Scattered, enchanting fragments:

    La Dolce Vita.

  • "Rising Star"

    Are we star gazers?

    Do they still twinkle or are they a steady light?

    I guess there's only one way to find out.

    It's the beginning of an exploration

    –––

    Desolas mezcal, lime, agave, absinthe, cinnamon, star anise

  • "Espresso Martini"

    Crystals singing in shadows

    Hard believers listen to the message.

    Charm us as we awaken.

    –––

    Crystal Head Vodka, Illy espresso, Montenegro, agave

  • "Viva Amor"

    Celebrating life is our philosophy.

    Working with and among friends,

    we want to share our energies with

    you.

    –––

    vodka, lemon, agave, pomegranate,

    orange blossom water

  • "Burning Flame"

    Northern lights in strawberry fields

    coax me back to your starship.

    This love is everlasting.

    –––

    Vi Aquavit, fresh strawberry purée, dried oregano, lime, agave

  • "Spirit Bird"

    Rise from the dust, ancestral spirit.

    The warrior lives strong in the Earth.

    In the stone, in the trees, in the air you breathe.

    –––

    basil infused Correlejo Blanco, fresh pineapple, lime, agave, hibiscus bitters, chili salt rim

  • "Perfect Darkness"

    Wander darkling through the eternal space and roll with it.

    You’ll find the beauty of life in all its colors. She was the universe.

    –––

    Thyme infused Framer's Gin, fresh lemon juice, Cassis, fresh thyme and blackberry

  • "Fig Old Fashioned"

    Clink of fresh ice

    from the old-world classics.

    Your nectar soothes my soul.

    –––

    Templeton 4yr Rye, fig syrup

  • "Cantarito"

    Smooth smoke billows down

    Bright green covers the earth

    Life reaffirming from ground to heaven.

    –––

    400 Conejos mezcal, fresh cucumber water, egg whites, lime, agave, sage

  • "Select Spritz"

    The bitter truth is never unbearable.

    Delicious drops of bursting bubbles

    quench thirsts day and night.

    –––

    Select Aperitivo, Prosecco, Club Soda

  • "Polpo"

    Your arms embrace me

    As the hold of love sustains

    All eight days a week.

    Splendor of gardens

    Dance across the ocean floor

    And join together.

  • "Vesuvio"

    Twisting and turning

    Among the rocks and the vines

    Waiting to ripen.

    Breathe salt and soil.

    Now is the time: wade and wait.

    Watching us open.

    Two halves make me whole.

    Vesuvio

    Maine mussels ,

    fava beans ,

    siciliana tomatoes “estratto”

  • "Black Seabass Crudo"

    Ancient beams fan out.

    Cliffs and gulfs from coast to coast

    Dancing in yellow.

    Afternoon delights,

    Frolics with our ray-finned friends,

    Cure body and soul.

  • "Tomino Cheese"

    The sacred symbol

    Circles down from the mountains.

    Lushness untethered.

    Melt into season

    With the fruits of good labor.

    Resting fields of green.

  • "Scallops"

    Teacher of the Saints,

    Freely living in the deep,

    Your symmetry shines.

    Join the dry-land fish!

    Our favorite honeycombed friend.

    Open hearts and minds.

  • "Vongole"

    "Divine love beckons!"

    Rhythms structuring

    Temptations of little tongues

    And allium alms

    Guiding us to light

    And wrapping us 'round the two:

    Trinity holy.

  • "Hamachi Crudo"

    The Jack of all trades -

    Hoisting high from sea to sea -

    Midnight marauder.

    Spoil me with spoils,

    The delicate flesh of gods.

    Poseidon: approved.

    Garden garnishes

    Brings round your ample delights.

    Seasons are at peace.

  • "Spagettone al Pomodoro" List Item

    The wolf peaches roam,

    Metamorphosis enriched,

    And find their way home.

    The royal brothers

    Cultivated warmer climes:

    Opening heaven.

    Gentle arms gather,

    Entwining the kingly pair.

    Perfection simple.

  • "Squid Ink Bucatini"

    Write me a poem.

    Reach into the darkest depths,

    Calamarius.

    Gladius extract -

    Perciato points like stars -

    Shinning as night skies.

    Peer through to treasure -

    Gleaming garnishes of light

    Let's swim into dreams.

  • "Sauvignon di Schiopetto"

    The hills are alive!

    With songs of the Pioneer

    On the tips of tongues.

    In perfect balance,

    Envelope complexity.

    Show me the new age!

  • "Franciacorta Annamaria Clementi"

    Age with me, darling -

    Metodo classico love -

    As Kings gift their Queens.

    Celebrate daily

    Inspiring adventures.

    Share fruits with the gods.

  • "Donnafugata: Mille e una Notte 2017"

    Soft and embracing,

    Dark velvets and silk caress.

    Bring me my bouquet!

    Generations old -

    Giacomo by any name

    Refines and sustains.

    Maturation sound -

    Sicily: the clue to all.

    Relish all levels.

  • "Brunello di Montalcino Pertimali Livio Sassetti"

    From their northern slopes,

    The familial star was born.

    Cradled heat of heart.

    Unblemished bottles

    Preserve centuries in hand.

    Dance on our palate!

  • "Alessio Morosin"

    A child of harvest,

    Skating through street and vineyard,

    Alessio rides.

    Acclaim deserving -

    Sabering like none other -

    Saunter smooth as wine.

    Knowledge vast and rare,

    Like best bottles hid downstairs,

    Watch him scale labyrinths.

    Dear friend and kind soul,

    Whose Riedel reads: "hi, welcome,"

    Gather best in show!

  • "Kreuth Terlan"

    Dance with us, Terlan,

    Your high fortress beckoning.

    Rugged slopes softened.

    Balanced on my tongue-

    Elegant play sustaining-

    Rich beauty abounds.

  • "Turriga: Argiolas, Giacomo Tachis"

    Local grapes narrate

    The island of memory.

    Translation in red.

    The mother goddess

    Kisses the land, sand, and sea.

    Standing strong and true.

    Connect taste and time,

    This was the "new melody,"

    Capturing the world.

  • "Petite Arvine, Ottin"

    Mountain waters rush.

    Remove me to the northwest.

    The hills are alive!

    Herbaceous landscapes

    Deliver sapid bouquets -

    Mind and mouth fulfilled.

    Pack in the flavor,

    Valdostan viticulture.

    Ripen late and bright.

  • "Barolo, Bussia Marco Parusso"

    Family of farmers

    Grow with the deepest of roots.

    Native nutrients.

    Raise glasses with style,

    The riches of tradition.

    Sempre Parusso.

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