Stephanie Danler’s debut novel Sweetbitter was a sexy tale of her time working at NYC’s renowned Union Square Cafe while earning an MFA at nearby university The New School. Selected as an NPR Best Book of 2016 and ranked on the New York Times’ Hardcover Fiction Best-Seller List, reaching #10 and the Los Angeles Times’ Best Seller List at #2, Sweetbitter was a must-read when it debuted thanks to its tales of sex, drugs and other adventures while working in the hospitality industy.
Thanks to a successful collaboration with the cable network STARZ and Plan B Entertainment, the best-selling author is now the creator and Executive Producer of the new and soon-to-premiere cable series, Sweetbitter, based on her book of the same name.
We met up with the charming Los Angeles-based writer for pre-dinner cocktails at the Soho Beach House on Miami Beach, where STARZ was hosting Stephanie Danler, Sweetbitter cast members, Ella Purnell and Caitlin Fitzgerald, Executive Producer Stu Zicherman, and Soho Beach House members for an intimate dinner in celebration of the forthcoming series.
Before sitting down for the four-course, wine-paired meal, we queried Stephanie on where and what she likes to drink, and with whom.
Drinking With Stephanie Danler
What is your current go-to drink order?
I drink Campari and soda. It’s like a religious ritual for me. I love wine, and, drinking, but I hate getting drunk. I find when drinking Campari and sodas, you can drink them for a long period of time, and they never put you over the edge.
Who is your favorite industry drinking buddy?
Jay McInerney, the author of Bright Lights, Big City; he’s also an incredible wine writer. He’s the author of A Hedonist in the Cellar: Adventures in Wine, which was really inspiring to me, when I was learning about wine. And, occasionally, we will see each other on the book tour circuit. Actually, I’m having a drink with him tomorrow night; he happens to winter down here [in Florida].
What other literary author – living or dead, would you most like to have a drink with? And, where and what would you drink?
I would to go with Joan Didion to the bar at the Chateau Marmont, in Los Angeles. If it was early, Campari and soda. And, if we were moving on into the evening, I would love to split a bottle of Chablis.
What’s your death row drink?
Billecart-Salmon Champagne
What’s your hangover remedy?
It’s called Berocca. I get it in Europe; it’s like a vitamin supplement tablet that you dissolve in water. I buy it in bulk, when I’m in Europe. Also, CBD really helps.
What are some of your favorite New York bars?
The wine bars, Wildair and Terroir [Tribeca]; they have a great list.
I spend a lot of time in Chinatown, because that’s where my sister lives. So, there’s a bar called Clandestino’s, on the Lower East Sider, bordering Chinatown, and it’s the perfect dive bar. I love dive bars, but, most of the time, when you go to them, there’s no wine. But, their wines are decent, and it’s the kind of place you can go in the afternoon, and stay all day. It’s one of my special places.
What are some of your favorite L.A. bars?
I used to live in Laurel Canyon, so, I would go to Chateau Marmont, a lot. But, now I live on the East Side, and there’s a bar in the Arts District, called Tony’s [Saloon], and it’s a real dive bar. You can get pizza delivered there, and all the bartenders are from New York.
LA doesn’t always have the best dive bars, but, Tony’s is a gem. The drinking scene in Los Angeles is so much different, it tends to be more refined. But, Tony’s is a dirty, dark bar.
What’s your favorite drink currently on Union Square Café’s beverage menu?
When I was working at Union Square Café, that’s when I learned about Negroni, and that’s my ‘Big Girl’ drink, when I’m feeling very sophisticated… I can’t drink more than one, though…that was learning to appreciate bitter taste. So, I always associated Negronis with Union Square Café.
When was the last time you were there?
Two months ago, I think it is one of New York’s best restaurants. We went there after our first day shooting the show to celebrate.
When is the premiere episode of “Sweetbitter” on STARZ? – and, what will you be drinking when you watch the premiere episode?
Sunday, May 6. Definitely, Billecart-Salmon Champagne. And, if I’m at home, which I probably will be, surrounded by family and friends, I think a light-bodied red wine that’s chilled, maybe from Loire Valley or a Shiraz.
You can follow Stephanie Danler on Instagram at: @smdanler
You can follow her show, Sweetbitter, on STARZ at:
Facebook: @SweetbitterSTARZ
Twitter: @sweetbitter_stz
Instagram: @sweetbitter_stz
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