Position: Operations manager, Charlie Chiang’s, 12200 U.S. 41 N., Naples, 593-6688

Hometown: Flushing, N.Y.

What is the hot drink? “Red Hot Monica. It is named after Mrs. Chiang’s close friend. It is also our signature drink.”

How did you become a bartender? “I started parking cars when I was in high school at the Hampton Beach Club and then, in the winter, I went to work at a club in Hunter Mountain. I really liked the industry and stayed with it. I met a beautiful woman on Long Island who became my wife. Her parents lived on Cape Coral so we came to Naples, and I settled at Charlie Chiang’s.”

Is there a drink a man shouldn’t order? “Personally, I don’t think men should drink gin because of the juniper berries. They are supposed to make you more aggressive.”

Is there a drink that is unusual for a woman to order? “We do sell more sake to men.”

Most unusual advice you’ve been asked? “Nothing I can report.”

What was your biggest tip? “I got $200 from a man on an expense account.”

Did you ever serve a celebrated guest? “Just Mrs. Chiang.”

Do people order differently during happy hour? “Yes. We have happy hour from 4 to 6 Mondays to Fridays with two-for-one well drinks and domestic beers. We also have a special on sushi. People do order what is on special.”

What was the last drink you had to look up? “Two nights ago. It was a Bloody Caesar. We didn’t realize it was a Bloody Mary with Clamato juice instead of tomato juice.”

What is your favorite bar? “Bice on Fifth Avenue South.”

Do you have a back of the bar law? “Keep yourself safe. Don’t pour too much liquor.”

What is first drink you ever had? “We called it Nyquil. We were young and mixed everything my parents had at home and drank it when they went out. It was horrible. Nyquil tastes better.”

What drink is on the rise? “People are still crazy about the martinis. We are introducing a new drink menu for the new year.”

What drink is on the way out? “Singapore Sling.”

Do people order by brand? “Yes, Dewar’s and Grey Goose.”

What is your favorite brand? “Belvedere.”

Last drink you had out? “A Bud light.”

Is there a new ingredient you’re using? “Wasabi. We muddle it with cucumber and Hendrick’s Gin. It really goes nicely with the sushi.”

Did you ever invent a drink? “I’ve reworked some. The newest is the Spicy Cucumber to complement our sushi.”

Did you ever have to refuse to serve a customer? “ Yes. They already had too much to drink and arrived in a cab. We called another cab for them and they went noisily.”

What is your favorite bar food? “The Connie Sue. It is sushi made with thinly sliced cucumber, caviar, avocado, crab meat and with served white rice wine vinegar.”

What is your favorite garnish? “It is olives. I drink martinis.”

What alcohol would you give for a present? To a man, I would give Labrot & Graham Woodford Reserve and to a woman, I would give a Peter Lehmann wine.”

Robert gave us two recipes.

Red Hot Monica

Ingredients

1 ounce Hot Dawn Dekuyper Liqueur (cinnamon schnapps)

Splash, cranberry juice

Splash, grenadine

1 1/2 ounces vodka

Ice

Orange slice and maraschino cherry

Preparation

Fill a shaker with ice.

Pour all ingredients over the ice.

Strain into a martini glass.

Garnish with the orange slice and maraschino cherry.

Spicy Cucumber

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Hendrick’s gin

Splash sour mix

Dash wasbi

3 slices peeled cucumber

Sprite to top off the glass

Ice

Fortune cookie

Preparation

Muddle the cucumber and wasbi.

Pour into a shaker and add ice.

Add the gin and sour mix.

Strain into a box glass with ice.

Top off with the Sprite.

Garnish with a fortune cookie.