I went with some friends who live near this restaurant, it’s on 4th Avenue and 12th Street in Brooklyn, and was pleasantly surprised. It looks like a dive from the outside, but it’s attractive inside, and the owners...

Duggan McDonnell concocted this eerily strong pumpkin-hued punch.

What to do when relatives drink too much and say embarrassing things.

Margaritas? Of course. But try something new.

Brazil’s national drink meets Spain’s sangría for one outstanding tail.

Mexico’s classic apple soda makes an excellent mixer in this simple brandy tail.

A refreshing rice-and-almond drink.

A sainted way to drink tequila.

One bartender, one tail, and one fierce competition.

Hot ’n' sweaty? Try a Dark ’n' Stormy.

A report from Tales of the tail.

Created by CHOW columnist Jordan Mackay.

A Sardinian classic with littleneck clams and a touch of saffron.

Here’s what we’re looking for: charm, authenticity, local ingredients, moderate prices. And while most Roman restaurants look perfect from the outside, watch out for these telltale signs.

Perhaps the greatest whites in the world.