Yasutaka Nakamori of Bar Doras, Asakusa, Tokyo Guest Shift Tour to 4 Italian cities!

From March 16 to 27, 2024, Yasutaka Nakamori of Bar Doras in Asakusa, Tokyo, traveled to four Italian cities (Venice, Florence, Rome, and Palermo) and did a guest shift in each city.A local Italian journalist accompanied him on his trip and reported on the guest shifts!

writer：Giovanni Continanza（イタリア在住）

at The Aman Venice.

Venice: A beautiful start

Yasutaka Nakamori embarked on his Italian adventure on March 16th, sailing through the mystical waters of the Venetian lagoon under the cover of night. Arriving at the Aman Venice hotel, nestled within the Palazzo Papadopuli, a 16th-century marvel, anticipation mounted as he stepped into the bar overlooking the legendary Grand Canal. Waiting for him is a world-class team and the opulent frescoed attic, adorned with an ancient chandelier.
For the guest shifts in Venice, Florence and Palermo, Mr. Nakamori unveiled a selection of four timeless classics. From the Carrol Cocktail, echoing the Manhattan, featured in the 1923 book “Harry's of Ciro's ABC of Mixing Cocktails”, to the contemporary Alexander, and culminating in the modern classic, the Via Veneto—a cognac-based sour infused with the aromatic essence of Sambuca, an Italian liqueur similar to the french Pastis.
However, in Venice, it was Nakamori's innovative twist on the legendary Sidecar that stole the spotlight. Opting for a pre-mix left to decant for a month, he intrigued and amazed the Italian bartenders, surprised by the choice to let Cognac, Grand Marnier, and Triple Sec meld in a decanter, for such a duration. Antonio Ferrara, head bartender at Aman Venice, marveled at Mr. Nakamori's inventive approach, acknowledging, "Decanting a Sidecar for a month is unprecedented. Mr. Nakamori introduced us to a new realm of cognac enhancement, pairing it with sambuca and lemon—an unexpected delight for the Italian palate."