Bartender Tony from McGrath's Fish House has officially made the "Steph DeRosa Top 10 Bartenders" list.  Yes, there is such a list; I would never lie about something like that.  Lie about my age?  Yes.  Lie about how many drinks I've had?  Of course.  But lie about my obscene amount of self-formulated Top 10 lists? No way.

Bartender Tony made my prestigious list not because he was cute, or because he brought me alcohol (two very important qualities in a man), but because he was one of the chillest MF'ing bartenders I've ever encountered.  This dude bent over backward to make me happy, and did so in a very non-up-my-ass kind of way.  Which is a good thing, because it's been a while since I've had that area waxed - ifyaknowwhatImean.

Drink One: Espresso Martini (bartender's choice) - Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Kahlua, Bailey's, and drip coffee gave this chilled concoction an extraordinary resemblance to one of my favorite drinks - the B52.  It was like Bartender Tony read my damn mind.  I loved this drink.  Three gulps in and I was finished.  That is, finished with the drink, not my quest for Three Drink Minimum bliss.

Drink Two: Bloody Mary (most popular drink within last hour) - Hal-le-loo-ya, and about damn time!  The Bloody Mary should be the most popular drink in almost every bar, but it's not.  What more could you ask for in a drink?  You get your antioxidants from the veggie juice, iodine from the salt, water from the ice cubes, and if you're lucky - a healthy pickled meal from the garnishes.  And have you ever looked up the benefits of vodka?  They're endless! 

I love justifying alcoholic beverage consumption.  I feel it's one of the few things I'm really good at.

Drink Three: Manny's Pale Ale (my choice) - McGrath's had an extensive specialty drink menu, all of which looked amazing and delicious.  I could have had a Mojito for only $5.95, or a fruity Cosmo-type drink for a swift nine bucks. 

Eventually I opted to give back some love to Bartender Tony, and refrain from ordering a labor-intensive beverage. Instead, I went with a beer. 

Remember this, my friends: When in doubt, beer it out. - Steph DeRosa

[McGrath's Fish House, 1911 S. 320th St., Federal Way, 253.839.5000]