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Manny Aguirre - Los Angeles' best bartender
Submitted by: Jonathan Foerstel
Manny has worked in many of Los Angeles' most famous bars and restaurants since 1956. Most notably he worked for many years in Scandia on the Sunset Strip serving drinks to countless stars and the rich and famous. He was called in to work the bar on the last night of the famous Hollywood restaurant "Chasens". He has been at Hollywood's most famous restaurant, the Musso and Frank Grill since the late '80's. Manny is strictly "old school" and at times won't serve you a drink if it insults the classic rules of Mixology. He is warm, gregarious and when he's serving you he makes you feel like the most important person in the world. Despite being in his 70s, he works with lightning speed and shows no signs of retiring. He has been recognized in numerous magazines and newspapers as making the Martini that all others must be judged by, yet as far as I know he has never won any "Best Bartender in Los Angeles" award (an error that will hopefully now be rectified). In knowledge of his trade, extraordinary service and sheer warmth, I cannot imagine that any other bartender could come close to his level of artistry.
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Francois Vera said:
This man makes the best Gin Gimlet in Town. Period. Great personality.
Miki Tapio Walsh said:
Manny is everything you want in a bartender! He is an expert at his craft, with half a century worth of experience.... The man was making cocktails a good 30 years before most of these other bartenders were even born! :-) He is a true gentleman, wise, funny and kind. I consider myself lucky than I have been served a drink by Manny, as he is a true legendary person in Hollywood. And he is credited with making the Best Martini in America!