Over the last 10 years, restaurants and bars have placed a much bigger emphasis on their cocktail program. And one segment where this is most apparent is the world of fine dining. Until recently, these Meccas for haute cuisine have largely only served wine and offered wine pairings. But as bartenders got more savvy and chefs wanted to integrate some of the drinks that they personally enjoy, that area of the industry started to offer cocktail pairings, and in some cases, open whole cocktail lounges that operate as their own fine dining experience.

Today’s guest, Stevan Miller, is the Beverage Director at Esmé and Bar Esmé – Chef Jenner Tomaska’s homage to fine art as interpreted through his cuisine. This is a lofty goal in itself, but Chef Tomaska tapped Stevan Miller to work alongside him to bring that vision to reality with the beverage menu.

Miller also hosts the Balanced Hospitality podcast where he interviews people in the food and beverage industry that are offering up new ways of operating and innovating the world of hospitality to make positive and lasting changes for our community and beyond. So “smash” that like button and subscribe!