When Ronnie Higgins (Bangers & Lace, Bar DeVille) challenged Manny Sofios (Gilt Bar, Au Cheval) with natto, fermented soybeans, Sofios wasn’t sure what to expect. The Japanese foodstuff is known for its slimy texture, but it also has an arresting aroma—”I was getting yelled at about the smell,” he says. He opted to pair it with a roughly filtered sake, reasoning that “if you’re going to do something gnarly like this, you might as well fight fire with fire.” The drink, an otherwise traditional fizz, is named after the Spanish word for “butt.”
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
Who’s Next:
Calling his own ingredient “pretty vile,” Sofios laughed and warned that he has “something far worse for the next person.” He’s challenged Nahm Kim of Sunda with shrimp paste.
Gilt Bar’s Manny Sofios makes the Culo Fizz
Challenged with natto, fermented soybeans, Manny Sofios (Gilt Bar, Au Cheval) makes the Culo Fizz
Fill a well-chilled collins glass with club soda to about a third full. In a shaker combine the other ingredients and vigorously dry-shake to emulsify the egg. Add three ice cubes and shake some more, using a forward-and-back motion in addition to moving up and down. Double-strain, then let the mixture rest a minute or so. Slowly add it to the soda, and serve gingerly.
