Before he was the big name that he is now, Anthony Schmidt moonlighted as a bouncer at a sampling of local nightlife joints. It was at this gig that he met Nathan Stanton, one of the masterminds behind popular San Diego hotspot, El Dorado Cocktail Lounge. A mutual enthusiasm for the cocktail scene was established, and Anthony spent the next ten years immersing himself in the culture and history of the classic American cocktail. Since then, Schmidt has brought his honed craft to the successful launch of four spaces in San Diego--Noble Experiment, Craft & Commerce, El Dorado and Polite Provisions--all of which are part of the Consortium Holdings Projects, and along the way has earned an impressive smattering of prestigious awards. Now we find him at his most recent venture: the launch of his dual-concept spot, Fairweather and Rare Form, a bar-meets-deli in which he is deeply involved in the cocktail program.
Fairweather, the bar aspect of the dual concept, is an extension of Rare Form, which boasts an impressive menu that far exceeds the flavor expectations of your average deli. The menu at Fairweather is equally impressive in its own right, focused around Mezcal, tequila and rum, featuring classics like margaritas and daiquiris alongside original concoctions such as the Hot Oaxacan (a mezcal drink said to cure anything) and the Painkiller (a multi-rum blended drink from the Virgin Islands). Each cocktail follows, to some extent, a tropical island theme, which is fitting for Fairweather’s rooftop location and vibrant beach vibe decor. If Schmidt’s magic touch in the past is any indication of how Fairweather will fare, it looks like this place will be another craft cocktail success. And we can’t thank Anthony enough for bringing yet another unique gem onto the scene.
Here, read what Schmidt has to say about his favorite local watering holes to frequent when he’s not behind the bar shaking and stirring up another great cocktail.
Consortium Holdings: A Social and Culinary Collective [Official Site]
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