The Standing Room Craft Cocktail

June 12, 2025

If you’re looking for a cocktail that balances tropical flavors with a rich espresso kick, look no further than the Standing Room. This drink is a refreshing escape, featuring rum and pineapple juice uplifted by hints of hazelnut and espresso, making it a standout choice for any occasion.

Ingredients

The cocktail combines light rum and sweet pineapple juice with a splash of lime, enriched by the chocolate notes of Crème de Cocoa, chilled espresso, and the nutty warmth of hazelnut syrup.

Presentation

The visual appearance begins with the swizzling, which creates and blends the flavors together. The vibrant yellow of the pineapple juice mingles beautifully with the cream-colored house made hazelnut syrup. Topping it off, a rich float of espresso contrasts strikingly against the lighter hues, adding depth to the drink. Finally, the dehydrated orange garnish adds an elegant touch and a pop of color.

Bartender's Special At-A-Glance

  • 1.5 oz. Cruzan Aged Light Rum
  • 1 oz. Pineapple juice
  • .5 oz. Crème de Cocoa
  • .5 oz. Lime Juice
  • .5 oz. Hazelnut syrup
  • .5 oz. Espresso (layered on top)

Glassware:

  • 15 oz. Tapered rocks glass

Garnish:

  • Dehydrated orange wheel
  • Small black straw

Softshell Crab Shines On New Day Northwest

June 28, 2024

The Pacific Northwest sees its fair share of crabs. This week, they saw a seasonal treat from the East.

Kaelon Sparks, Executive Chef, Water Grill Bellevue, appeared on Seattle's NBC affiliate, KING5, to share Wild Maryland Softshell Crab from the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. During the segment, Chef K showcased our product knowledge, relationships with watermen and fishermen, and our seasonal offerings, preparing Softshell Crab on air and sharing information about Wild Pacific Bluefin Tuna.

"When the water starts to get warm, the crabs will start to molt - moving into a larger shell and growing. The watermen (which is what the fishermen for crabs on the East Coast in Maryland are called) will watch the crabs for signs of molting and move them to a little pen for even closer monitoring before it happens. As soon as the blue crabs molt and they're soft, the watermen will pull the crabs from the water to stop a shell from hardening. They’ll then package them up for us."

Chef K also spoke about how great summertime is for seafood, with the waters providing new products with warmer weather and water.

"Summertime is a really tough time to choose one thing that's delicious and coming into season. Just this last week, we got our first batch of Wild Pacific Bluefin Tuna from California. It's just a really delicious, meaty bite. We really love seeing this Bluefin on [the menu].”

SOFTSHELL CRAB AND BLUEFIN TUNA AT WATER GRILL

Ready to explore what this summer has to offer for seafood lovers? Check out our menus where you can get Wild Maryland Softshell Crab and Wild Pacific Bluefin Tuna.

Wild Maryland Softshell Crab at Water Grill
Wild Pacific Bluefin Tuna at Water Grill

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