Did you know you can go blind making moonshine? Ever wonder why it’s called a Hemingway Daiquiri? What’s the best condiment and why is it mustard?
Meet Benjamin and Raymond, a sommelier and restauranteur who have spent their careers serving up some of the best food and drink in the world. Both veterans of the elite Manhattan food scene, the two have known each other so long they can’t quite remember how they met. But when it comes to cuisine—whether it’s Raymond’s first Chartreuse in Tucson, a flipped Citroën in the Rhone Valley, or working dinner service in a 3-Michelin star kitchen—their memories are razor sharp. Folks, it’s episode 33, and we’re kicking it at the chefs’ table.
Raymond Trinh is the co-owner of Sixty Three Clinton, a Michelin-star restaurant serving elevated, seasonal American fare with global influences on the Lower East Side. Born to Vietnamese refugees, Raymond grew up in Santa Barbara before moving to Lake Havasu, Arizona at the age of seven. The family’s convenience store provided Raymond with the beginnings of a career in hospitality and after graduating high school, Raymond was accepted to his local culinary school and began to formally explore a career in food. In February 2012, Ray moved to New York City to work alongside his friend Sam Clonts in the kitchen of three Michelin-starred restaurant, Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare.
Benjamin de Hoog is a Beverage Professional. He is currently sales manager at Massanois, an NYC-based wine and spirits distributor. Previously, he served as Chef Sommelier at the Jean-Georges flagship restaurant on Central Park West, and Lead Bartender at 2-Star Michelin Aquavit.
Follow Raymond @raymondetrinh @63_clinton
Follow Benjamin @benjamin.dehoagie
Instagram & TikTok: @bartalkseries
00:00 Teaser
00:28 Intro
00:43 “You, Get in There”
05:03 Hidden Valley Ranch Ice Cream
06:13 Hello, Chartreuse
09:14 To the House of Moussé
11:19 Pigs, Blankets, and Cool Ranch
15:26 My Vermouth Years
16:50 Playing Pétanque in Cote d’Azur
18:25 $35,000 of Wine
22:12 Are You a Lifer?
28:04 Hemingway’s Daiquiri
33:13 The Malört in My Bathroom
34:46 Appalachian Fernet … Fire Emojis Across the Board
36:42 Drinking Coffee After You Brush Your Teeth
41:11 Shout-Outs
Intro Song: “Brooklyn” by Glass Vaults