INDULGENCES mixology
How long have you been in San Diego, and what is the best thing about living here? Well, I’ve been in San Diego for 2 ½ years, I moved down here from L.A. actually for school (he’s finishing up his degree in chemistry and will graduate in June). Obviously the best part for me is the amazing weather – you can’t beat it. I grew up in the Midwest, born in Chicago and grew up in Missouri, so I wear shorts
year-round here. Currently, what is your signature cocktail to make for customers? Typically, I’ll make either a pomegranate martini – because we can make a really good one on the nightclub side – or I’ll make white gummy bears, people like those a lot. On the restaurant side, we have a lot of fruit purees, and I make one drink that’s kind of nameless that uses a passion fruit and mango vodka – a passion fruit puree; it’s delicious. Working at Eden, if I work the nightclub side or the restaurant side, it depends on which side you work. So you have to be flexible. For the nightclub, if somebody orders a drink, I don’t have all the fruits and different things. I thought you were saying “Passion Fruit Parade,” which would be appropriate because we all love a parade! (For the record, we chatted at 7 a.m. - thus discovering that he’s a morning person - and I hadn’t reached my caffeine quota for the day) But we should call it that; “Passion Fruit Parade,” I’ve never had a name for it, so there
you go! (Laughs) When can people find you tending bar at Eden? I am there on Friday and Saturday nights typically, and sometimes for Sunday Brady Brunch. Speaking of The Brady Brunch on Sundays - do you have a favorite event that you enjoy working? I really like the Sunday brunch. I don’t always work it, but that’s probably my favorite,
the crowd is a lot of fun. And I’m sure they are working on something for Mardi Gras. What artist or music do you find most motivating to have on in the background during your shift? Personally, because of the theme of the club, I like the more dance/electronica stuff; especially on the restaurant side with the world electronic music, I like the kind of stuff with tribal beats. Since Eden is both a bar/restaurant/nightclub – is there a particular area of the establishment that you prefer working in? I think the patio would be my first choice. The patio’s fun, you can talk to people more,
and you usually get the fun crowd out there. They rotate us all, so I work a lot of times at the main bar, which is fun, too! But, outside is a smaller bar; so you don’t run around as much, and you spend a little more time in one spot and still get a ton of customers. What is the best way to handle a large crowd at the bar? That really depends; if they’re a big group all together, the best way is to try and take as much of the order as you can. If there are several other people, just try to make sure you talk to everyone, and tell them that you’ll be with them as soon as you can, and take people two-at-a-time and knock ’em out. And just make sure that everyone’s happy. What is your favorite appetizer menu item? It would have to be “Off The Feather” Chipotle-flamed. We have three different fla-
vors, and I think they are stunning and very diet friendly. Seeing as Eden’s motto is: “Drink. Eat. Dance.” - Which out of the three is your favorite to do? Definitely eat.
What is your idea of a perfect temptation? For me, it’s going to be, of course, dinner. I’m kind of a foodie, so it’s kind of hard for
me to narrow it down on one. But, I absolutely love seafood, so anything with seafood or sushi. When you aren’t working, what is something that you enjoy doing in your free time? Probably the one thing that I do the most is go to the gym. And since I’m in school, I don’t get to go. So, when I get a break, that’s usually where I go.
Eden is located at 1202 University Avenue in Hillcrest.
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RAGE monthly | MARCH 2011
BRIAN PAGE EDEN’S
IS A MORNING AND NIGHT PERSON
by brad shaw
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