• by Kelly Samardak , August 4, 2008

Sobieski Spread The Truth Party, Penthouse 15, New York
July 31, 2008

I found myself waiting for the L again. And while I waited I thought, "why are all these parties on the West Side?" I mean, is the space cheaper? Just once during the week I want to walk to a party on the East instead of taking the L to the ACE. This time, I was heading to Penthouse 15 for the Sobieski "Spread the Truth" party. Where's the media tie-in with that!? Does it count that I was invited via email? Probably not. Does it count that I met two endearing foodie/drinkies outside the "truth booth" who are helping you pair cocktails with foods through social media? I vote yes!

Lotame threw a really fun party the night before and I may have had more wine and less burgers than I usually allow myself to keep everything kopasetic. Also, kids... drink lots of water. End of PSA. You can imagine, I just wanted this night to go smoothly. About an hour before shutting down the computer, I got an email stating that I'm very special, I'm VIP. Oh that's right, and as VIP I would be getting into the important people's room for the important people's vodka tasting with the very important Junior Merino, "our master mixologist" at the very important hour and minute combination of 9:15 p.m. And then of course, after all that, at midnight, with some Polish supermodel, we'd all be toasting with a shot of voddy.

Sounds like I'll have to start the "party dry!" challenge next week. I printed off my special VIP email and invitation. While I care about the environment, I really hate having the "yes, I'm on the list" argument with clipboard Chris and his merry band of tanktop-wearing minions. Honestly, I cringe visibly every time the phrase "I'm on the list" ekes over my bicuspids.

"Hi there! I'm on the VIP list" I cringed at a red-lipsticked, big-swinging-curls-coiffed gal. She hurried past me with a sheet, which she gave to the 8-foot-tall gentleman at the door, swished past me gesturing at the man and said "He has the list." I was ignored for a bit while other suited dudes were given priority and finally, the velvet rope parted for my very important self. Please. I punched the 11th floor button, still wondering how eyelids are able to sweat. Why would I go to the 11th floor? The invitation said so! The doors opened to a huge, silent, unfurnished, open space.

I dramatized my woeful kidnapping followed by an even more woeful ransom. Call me cooties, but floor accuracy is a must with any party. My +1 and I hopped on what appeared to be a freight elevator and made our way to the 15th floor, where the doors opened to eardrum-busting beats and the undercurrent of vodka fans and people who want to be close to fashion peppered with a few financial-looking fellows.

"We can't let people in who come from the freight elevator," said one of the bouncers. Well, duh. We got on the closest elevator after walking around the wrong floor. He backed off, but unfortunately didn't even know there was supposed to be a VIP room.

Huh. I investigated each room, went upstairs and stood outside, and watched everyone watching the bar and each other. Mr. Truth Serum stood, sweatily shaking a shaker, and 9:15 p.m. came and went. Thankfully, directly outside the truth booth I met Paul Zablocki and Steve Schul from cocktailbuzz.com. They rock. Why? They feature wonderful recipes and how-tos on their site, pairing cocktails with sustenance. If you're a wino like myself, wine pairings are great and all, but what about the hard stuff? So of course, I had to ask - what would you pair with Campari. To which Paul said after some brain digging "hmm, a Roman meal." They both agreed and I should point out, love Campari.

And if we're being truthful, it might actually be growing on me.

I washed down my cabbage roll, latke, and pierogi with a delightful blueberry concoction and the infamous Truth Serum, which was slightly bitter and quirky but overall delicious. Sobieski is proud of being just darn good vodka without watering it down with exorbitant pricing -- and since I didn't honk it back up into my mouth, I'd say they're right on the money.

Feel like sending me to the right floor and you want it covered in Just An Online Minute? Send invitations to kelly@mediapost.com!

See if you can find the model in the Flickr pics!

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