Montrio Bistro Celebrates Firehouse Roots with a Historical Dinner. Fog's End Distillery Aqua Ardiente, "Cousin's Fire Water," Featured at the Event

Save the Date and join Montrio Bistro in Monterey for a great historical dinner on July 8th. End Quote

Salinas, CA (1888PressRelease) June 21, 2013 - The city's first organized firefighting force formed in 1884 to protect Old Monterey, and the equipment consisted of buckets, axes and a two-wheel hose cart pulled by hand.

Things improved dramatically from there, with Monterey building a grand brick firehouse in 1910 on the city's main street, called Calle Principal. Originally home to horse-drawn fire wagons, the building is a significant part of Monterey's historic past.

As the building's modern-day occupant, Montrio Bistro will honor that history with a special celebration on Monday, July 8. The four-course dinner, created by Executive Chef Tony Baker, includes beer and wine and the cost is $65 (inclusive) per person. World-renowned storyteller Terrence Gargiulo will talk about the lore of the firehouse and the stories of the firefighters!

After sheltering firefighters for many years, the building eventually became a J.C. Penny warehouse, and began its life as a place to eat and drink in the early 1970s. In 1995, after a couple of decades as the home of various purveyors of food and spirits, Montrio opened its doors.

Montrio's name pays homage to Monterey, its three original partners, and three culinary influences - American, French and Italian. At Montrio, its team holds dear the hearts and history that live on in an old building with plenty of stories to tell.

In addition to an evening of tantalizing cuisine, with a side of history, the Montrio Bistro team will feature a special menu item that night. Throughout the month of June, all Monterey County firefighters will have a chance to submit their favorite firehouse recipe to Chef Baker. One lucky firefighter will have his or her recipe selected to be cooked and prepared by Chef Baker and be featured during the event. The winner will receive tickets for two seats to attend the dinner and a Montrio culinary gift basket.

During the event, Montrio Bistro will also launch a Fireman's Cocktail created by mixologist Anthony Vitacca. The drink will be on the menu for 30 days, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Monterey County Fireman's Association.

In addition, Aqua Ardiente, "Cousin's Fire Water," hand-crafted in the heart of the beautiful Salinas Valley at Fog's End Distillery, will be sampled. Made from white corn, cane sugar, and infused with chili peppers, it was recently awarded the Silver Medal in the Taste 2012 MicroLiquor Spirit Awards. Primo Agua Ardiente is for those who are warm in spirit.

Fog's End Distillery (www.fogsenddistillery.com), the only moonshine distillery west of the Mississippi, offers 5 different products, including Primo Agua Ardiente, Monterey Rye, California Moonshine, "Handcraft Your Flavor" Whiskey, and White Dog. Fog's End Distillery is reminiscent of small family distilleries that flourished on America's farms, whose customers were family and friends. The batches were small with an emphasis on quality through the slow and gentle use of a copper pot still. This is the successful approach now used by the Monterey County-based Artisan Distillery founded by a retired Monterey County Deputy Sheriff, Craig Pakish, Owner/Operator, who established the company in mid -2008.

The Facts:
• Montrio Bistro Firehouse History Dinner
• Monday, July 8
• Appetizers at 6 p.m., followed by four-course dinner at 6:30 p.m.
• Cost is $65 (inclusive of tax and gratuity)
• Reservations required at (831) 648-8880
• Space is limited to 50 attendeesThe award-winning Primo Agua

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