Insolence Ointment

If Bacardi is the shrieking wind in this fable, Trinidad's 10 Cane is the sun, earning fans slowly and gently by familiarizing imbibers with the buttery but light blend through sponsorship of events at galleries and lecture spots. Over the past year or so, 10 Cane has been the foundation liquor in the tasty traditional and mango-infused mojitos served during openings at ArtCenter South Florida on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.

• Courtesy of Robert Burr

  

  Who knew there were so many kinds of rum?

Details:

Canine Candids

Subject(s):

Katrine, Robert Burr, rum-tasting

Touch Catering's bar manager Javier Pastrana has greeted visitors with minted-to-order beverages, explaining the recipe to onlookers who are often as enthralled with the drinks as the art. "It's really about the crushing of the spearmint," the black-haired, blue-eyed Pastrana confided at one such party in August. "I'd actually have to have a spearmint farm in the parking lot outside to have a totally perfect setting, because I'd prefer to keep the leaves on the plant until the moment I make the drink."

All too soon, the tasting at Katrine ended. This past week, when The Bitch checked back with Chef Iglesias, she was saddened to learn he'd decided to close Katrine. "As you know, the Gables is highly competitive in the restaurant area," Iglesias said. "We don't think we'd be able to make a go of it, even during the season."

Burr was also discouraged, since he'd ended up losing money on the rum-tasting event. But he plans to organize another: "Premium rums are gaining awareness in South Florida. A number of experts recognize the trend and expect it to catch on in other markets. I am planning more events, mostly of a more informal nature."