Rob Roy's Anu Apte Tapped as Safeco's Cocktail Maven

Here's some pretty exciting news for Mariners fans who also happen to love well-made cocktails: Anu Apte, the lovely owner and operator of Rob Roy — a darling among national press, including Bourdain — will be creating the cocktail menu for Edgar Martinez's new bar at Safeco Field this season.

One morning I received a voicemail from Ethan Stowell saying that he wanted to talk to me about "something involving cocktails".

Stowell, of course, is responsible for the gussied up stadium cuisine at Safeco. But when it came time to find the right mixologist for Edgar's Cantina (just off left field), Apte was a natural fit. She says:

So I'll be using his mezcal, El Zacatecano, as the based spirit in refreshing, baseball watching, mood swaying, home team cheering, let's get louder sorts of drinks. There will be a couple of classics such as the Margarita, an original or two, and a great twist on a Michelada for the beer and spirit lovers.

You can stand in the bar, have a drink, and be right in the action. Here's a shameless plug: you can also get these drinks at Rob Roy anytime.

Apte says one of the reasons she wanted to make sure to put a delicious Michelada on the menu is because when she's sat in the stands, it's been all beer.

It was such an honor to be asked to develop a menu in the Mariner's home by Centerplate (Safeco's hospitality partner) and Chef Stowell. This is a multi-faceted opportunity. I love cocktails and drinking culture in every aspect. I like to add to people's enjoyment through cocktails by bringing fun to whatever atmosphere/location/ambiance I'm invited into. I want people to realize that there is no reason they can't get a quality cocktail at a baseball game; sporting events and good drinks are not mutually exclusive.

While not necessarily a baseball fan, Apte says she's had some of the best moments inside Safeco Field and that "it's impossible to have a bad time while watching baseball with friends."

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