Wendy Sadowski of Milliken’s Reef

By: Paddy McDrinskey

Article Category: Bartender of the Month

BARTENDER OF THE MONTH: Wendy Sadowski of Milliken’s Reef

Among the many hobbies I’ve taken up since moving to Florida, snorkeling has to be my favorite — and it’s a lovely way to spend a sunny day if there ever was one.

Unfortunately, I’ve never been much of a swimmer, so my recent expeditions have been confined to Port Canaveral’s Milliken’s Reef, a veritable paradise of tropical trappings and rare, brightly colored bottles.

Here, you can snorkel down schools of multi-hued liqueurs, yellow-tinted lagers, scarlet grenadines, blue Curaçaos, green Midoris, and too many species of amber rums and whiskies to mention.

Why, it’s enough to give a man the bends.

Thankfully, Wendy Sadowski, the Reef’s finest mixologiste, is always there to resuscitate me.

Give thanks, dear readers for the likes of Wendy. Without her, we’d all be waterlogged and barnacled.

How long have you been tending bar?

Eight years.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve witnessed whilst tending bar?

Oh boy, this could take hours… I guess that would have to be when I was exposed to what is really underneath a kilt.

What’s the oddest concoction you’ve ever been asked to make?

That would definitely have to be a “mat shot” — all the extra overflow that ends up on bar mats poured into a shot. Yuck!

Do you have a preferred hangover cure?

Take anything that contains alcohol. Start over; it’s five o’clock somewhere…

If you could have your own bar, what would you call it and what would it be like?

I’d call it “Limey’s Wet Spot” — it would be a total biker bar.

If you could be president for a day, what would you do?

Bring the troops home to their families. It’s been long enough!

If you could serve any celebrity, whom would you choose and what would you serve them?

My one and only favorite celebrity, Madonna. I’d probably join her with the best champagne available.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the winnings?

I would first buy my “Limey’s Wet Spot,” take my longtime dream vacation to Bermuda, and make a huge donation to the S.P.C.A.

Where else would you most like to travel?

Australia and New Zealand.

What would you order for your last meal?

I’d choose the best sushi in town.

Where do you like to sit on the other side of the bar?

By the good looking boys — duh!

Any parting words of wisdom?

Drink responsibly — don’t drink and drive!

Milliken’s Reef (683 Dave Nisbet Dr.; Port Canaveral) is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; their restaurant, which specializes in fresh seafood, surf and turf and Caribbean-inflected dishes, closes at 10 p.m. each night. Milliken’s boasts three fully-stocked bars — an indoor piano lounge, a tiki bar, and “the Hook-Up” bar on their outdoor patio — each of which celebrates Happy Hour daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Milliken’s is also a popular live music venue and Tuesdays see Ladies Night from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call 783-0100 to find out about more specials, or visit them online at www.millikensreef.com