Behind The Bar

Moussa Salloukh Chief Operating Officer Photography by Jacqueline Andonegui

Moussa Salloukh
Chief Operating Officer
Cousino’s Restaurants
Toledo, OH
http://www.cousinos-restaurants.com/bistro/home.html

So what does a chief operating officer know about corporate beverage management? Well, a lot in this case. Moussa Salloukh not only oversees the operations of the Cousino’s Restaurants but also the purchase and selection of all beverages served at their many locations.

Moussa likes to involve the bartenders in developing their specialty drinks menu which is expansive. He adds, “The bartenders each have their own signature cocktails. Customers love it.”

When asked about working with the bartenders to recommend cocktail pairings with diner’s food selections, he responds “There’s a cocktail for every food type. For instance a dirty martini pairs perfectly with Mediterranean chicken and couscous. Other cocktails that pair well with spicy dishes are Mojitos – we like Bacardi Limón muddled with fresh raspberries for something more refreshing and flavorful – and it puts a great spin on an old classic Mojito. Another good Mojito base is 10 Cane rum. It makes a great classic Mojito; just add the sugar cane as a stirrer.”

What about the Ahi Tuna and Green Tea Peach martini Chef paired for BRS earlier? “That’s a great pairing of food and spirits. Another excellent choice for a dish with an Asian touch is Absolut Ruby Red vodka with pomegranate liqueur and a splash of soda. It has a light citrus flavor that enhances Asian dishes.”

“Something else we have begun to do a lot of in the restaurant is spirit tasting events for our customers. Chef Scott is very creative in pairing dishes with spirits and it opens a new chapter for many of our customers regarding spirits. It surprised me at first that we had such a large turnout of women for the Scotch and Whiskies of the World events. But these ladies were very interested in learning about the various dark spirits and developing a taste for them. We’ll definitely do more tastings. They’re immensely popular.”

How popular are after dinner drinks?

“We get a lot of requests for ports, cognac and coffee drinks. A lot of customers will opt for one of these over a dessert. Of course, there are many great after dinner drinks that are light and go well with dessert, too.”

Here’s to a man who knows his cocktails. Cheers!