Ask El Diablo

[octopi]

[censored]: How about Greyhounds? Vodka + grapefruit juice.

[kidcolin]

How about martinis?

[KJS]

El D:

I have worked at a startup company in Seattle for 2 years. We have gotten 2 rounds of VC. I would prefer not to name it.

We are doing well, IMO, but I am not in Finance or on the Mgt team. We have a stable of paying customers, cash in the bank, a great reputation in our sector, etc..

My question is: How would an employee at a statup know what the ultimate direction of a company is without asking? People ask me regularly if we are going to have an IPO, are we being groomed for acquisition, etc.. and I frankly do not know. And part of me doesn't really care either.

My position personally is that I enjoy my work tremendously, am compensated well and feel at ease about my work life in general. I am curious about the ultimate direction of this company so I could plan my future. But, I am a bit reluctant to ask anyone because I am not certain they would tell me and I don't want anyone to think that I might be thinking about an exit from here. I am not.

Are there any personnel moves, changes in the organization structure or other things that you would list as indicative of us moving in one direction or the other? Something that would make you say "you guys are for sure going the acquisition route", or "looks like you are getting ready for an IPO" for instance?

Thanks.

KJS

[ethan]

[ QUOTE ]
El Diablo,


Id really like to expand my drinking taste. I don't like beer at all and I've pretty much stuck to drinking Vodka with either OJ or Red Bull but I'd like to add something more adult and sophisticated. I don't like tonic water.

Ideas for a new vodka drink, and recommendations for a liquor I should try given my affinity for vodka

[/ QUOTE ]

You might try the Caipirosca.

1/2 lime, quartered
1 tsp fine sugar, or 1/2-3/4oz sugar syrup (brown sugar is a good variation)
2oz vodka

Muddle the lime and sugar/syrup together in a rocks glass, add cracked ice and the vodka, then stir.

The Caipirosca is a variation on a traditional Brazilian drink - the Caipirinha, which is essentially the same except that the liquor used is cachaca and not vodka. Good cachaca isn't the easiest thing to find cheaply here, and white rum is a perfectly good substitute.

Not too far from these drinks is the Mojito:
1 sprig mint
1oz simple syrup (again, fine sugar works but this requires less mixing)
3/4oz lime
1.5oz rum
dash of Angostura bitters (optional)
soda water

Muddle a mint sprig with the simple syrup and lime, add everything else (but the soda water) and shake over ice. Strain over cracked ice into a highball, top with the soda water. You can substitute champagne for the soda water and make this into an Old Cuban, which is one of my favorite drinks.

[AquaSwing]

El Diablo,

I'm involved with a small startup working with biometrics. We have been in business for many years, have working products that are unique in the industry, and only debt is shareholder debt. Downside is sales are nonexistent. We are out looking for some VC money. Where's a good place to start? We're looking in the $1-2 million range.

-AS

PS- My wife and I are wine lovers and drink a fair about of New Zealand wine with screwtops and we ran across our first "corked" bottle a few weeks ago. We found that interesting.

[Six_of_One]

[ QUOTE ]

Alas, French Laundry is one of the three places I haven't been to but desparately want to go...The other two are the Joel Robuchon restaurant in Vegas and Masa sushi restaurant in NYC

[/ QUOTE ]

If you go to Masa, be sure you're sitting at the bar and not at a table, because I've heard you get treated much better at the bar (and it costs the same either way).

Another place you should add to your list is Urasawa, in Los Angeles. He apprenticed under Masa for years before Masa moved to NY, and then opened his own place in the same location. The format is the same (a combination of cooked and raw starting courses, followed by sushi), but his style tends to be more traditional Japanese (i.e., less caviar, though he does serve foie gras shabu shabu that's just about the best thing I've ever eaten).

Of the 10 best restaurant experiences I've had in my life, approximately 10 were at Urasawa.

[nation]

El D,

I'm starting a website to fill a niche in my area. The target will be the local college and businesses; the idea revolves around one resource to order food online, and also a section for bar specials, bands, etc as my area has a HUGE bar community. I've already bought the domain, and my partner is working on marketing and business plans.

What kind of money am I looking at here to build the website to support this type of online purchasing? I realize you likely don't have experience in this exact area, but you might have some good advice.

Also, will my webdesigner tell me what I need to buy to support traffic and food orders? I'm computer illiterate, but I know you're an entrepreneur so I would imagine you have experience in these areas.

-nation

[mntbikr15]

A good developer will be able to work with you rather then just execute your idea.

I found on on namepros.com that charges 30 an hr and has been an invaluable resource to my project as I am also computer illiterate. You post your project and people can contact you with bids/requests for the job.

[Tron]

Diablo,

Are you coming to Los Angeles any time soon?

If YES, will you take me to Urasawa (see Six_of_One's post)?

[The X-Factor]

El D,

How come katyseagull isn't on your allowed to post list? I enjoy her posts and think she could add solid value here as she does at the lounge and OOT.

X