The Good Ones: Elderflower Hour Part 2 at Grill 23 - A Little Bit About a Lot of Things A Little Bit About a Lot of Things

August 23, 2014 The Good Ones: Elderflower Hour Part 2 at Grill 23

The Good Ones held their 2nd power hour of the month at the newly renovated bar at Grill 23.

The new space has a very spacious feel to it. The windows on the far side open up to the street to let in the summer breeze. A perfect place to grab a drink after work with co-workers or perhaps have a drink at before you sit down to dinner.

Grill 23 is owned by the Himmel Hospitality Group that also owns Post 390 and Harvest. For the last 30 years, Grill 23 has provided the highest quality steak and seafood and their service is top notch.

The event was a great success with such a great crowd. While at the bar, I ran into an old colleague, Kevin, who is one of the best bartenders I know. Kevin is not only charming (and humble on top of that) but he is a master of his craft. He has a following of regulars who have followed him over the years from bar to bar. As we were chatting, Kevin mentioned to me that some other former co-workers also work at Grill 23. So if Kevin isn’t manning the bar, ask for Chris!

Servers were walking the floor with some delicious light bites.

Mini crab cakes were lightly breaded and fried, delicious.

I was pleasantly surprised at the fresh rolls served with peanut sauce.

Dan Mazursky is the founder of SoCo Creamery – an ultra premium, small (micro) batch ice cream, gelato and sorbet company. After college, Dan moved back to the Berkshires to take over the family ice cream business (formerly Bev’s). As the founder of SoCo, he is on the road helping with sales and has his hands in new flavor creation. Dan was a featured guest at the event and was sampling a handful of flavors that weren’t even in stores yet!

SoCo comes in a variety of flavors like: banana brownie, vanilla cherry chip, dirty chocolate, ginger, Mexicali chocolate, and mission fig.

Co-founder of the Good Ones, Jennifer Brooke enjoying some raspberry sorbet.

Jennifer never ceases to amaze me. I already knew that she is talented at so many things, and then tonight I found out that she is also an artist. She was giving one of the featured guests a piece of original artwork.

Marco Ferrara, one of the featured guests for the evening, is an inventor and entrepreneur focusing on technologies and business models to enable the transition to a renewable and sustainable future for our society. Marco holds a PhD in nuclear science and engineering from MIT and a PhD in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of L’Aquila, in Italy.

Always dressed to impress, tonight being no exception (in his blue tux), is James Michael Sama (center), founder of the New Chivalry Movement. Sama is a writer, a public speaker, and he is now adding relationship coach to his resume. Sama is pictured with featured guest Cyndal “Cici” Maria Todd (left). Not only is Cici the current Ms. Massachusetts but she is also an accomplished actor (The Proposal, Surrogates, The Fighter, Grown Ups 1&2, Ted and Black Mass) and model. In addition to being a beauty queen, Todd spends her days as a paralegal and is in her second year of law school. Pictured on the right is Nina Murray, current Miss Teen Massachusetts.

Never been to a Good Ones event? For the power hours, a hand picked group of founders, executives, journalists, students, creatives and mentors come together for an evening of networking. The people are dynamic and the conversations are always interesting. Heloisa Fitzgerald (center) is a talented jewelry designer – her pieces will be showcased at Sunday’s final chef battle at Tico.

Good Ones? Who are they? Members are curious, original, and charismatic influencers from all walks of life who are committed to driving positive growth. Events are invite only, so head to the website to request a membership.

Jose Carlos Ribera (AIA), another featured guest, is an Architect focused on a global practice of architecture and urban design, with built projects in countries across Asia, the Middle East, and domestically within the US, spanning over eleven years of creative and professional journey in Boston. His portfolio of work includes national and international award winning design projects for Cultural, Civic, Educational, Public, and Urban Development clients, within leading and renowned creative firms like NBBJ, Machado and Silvetti Associates, and Marlon Blackwell Architects.

Guests had the option of two signature Good Ones drinks: The “Tuesday Afternoon” with Sapphire east gin, St. Elder, grapefruit and prosecco float ($11) and the “Your Wildest Dreams” made with tequila, Stones ginger and St. Elder with a spicy rim ($10).

Boston based fashion bloggers Christine Watson (left) of Rules for the Modern Girl and Noelle Barbosa (right) of Rue Le Chat.

Life Sciences Chief Strategist at IDEO, Rodrigo Martinez.

Featured guest Kristina Makris is a talented makeup artist. Makris has her own business, Flawless Face and Body, Inc. providing both makeup and airbrush tanning services.