I recently sat down with Arnauld Briand, Owner and Chef at Ventano Italian Grill and Seafood Restaurant in Green Valley. I have been going to Ventano since it opened eight years ago.

Ventano has a breathtaking view of the Las Vegas Valley in addition to the delicious menu creations that come from Chef Arnauld’s kitchen.

I highly recommend starting your dinner Shrimp on the Stone appetizer as it was amazing. My favorite Veal Scalopini was incredible as well.

Chef Arnauld’s smile and non-stop high energy is contagious. He seems to know every person who comes in and enjoys speaking with every one of them.

If you text the word “Ventano” to 313131, you can receive special deals for their VIP guests.

What everyone loves is a very awake, agitated drunk. The combative mix of Red Bull and vodka has always helped in that arena. Who doesn’t love the incoherent thinking of a drunk mixed with the aggressive, paranoid behavior of someone who has had too much coffee?

According to the SF Gate: The legislation by Assemblyman Jim Beall, D-San Jose, is aimed specifically at curbing the production of malt beverages that include stimulants, which have become increasingly popular with college students and other young drinkers.

Budweiser is already planning to roll out out BE beer which contains caffeine, guarana and ginsing. Now, those who choose to get drunk on beer can now do it wide awake while experiencing caffeine-induced heart palpitations. Isn’t it our American right to get f-ed up and stay awake through the whole process. I’ve often gone home from a club long after being fully coherent, but now “The Man” wants to take away all my fun. Why can’t I be in the middle of a blackout and still enjoy the fun of babbling utter nonsense?

Michael Scippa, a spokesman with the Marin Institute, an alcohol industry watchdog group, said the drinks have only become more dangerous since companies began adding stimulants such as caffeine and guarana.

Scippa noted that many of these products come in 23-ounce cans that contain the equivalent of five to eight cups of coffee, are 12 percent alcohol and are sold for $1.99. A regular energy drink, by contrast, can cost $2.99, he said.

All I wonder is if they could add more addictive vices into one beverage can. If they could only include nicotine, heroin, and prostitutes then they would have the triple-crown of addiction beverages.

Join the movement.
On April 15th, bring a reusable travel mug into your local Starbucks and get a free brewed coffee.

One person can save trees, together we can save forests.
For the good of the planet, Starbucks is encouraging everyone to switch from paper cups to reusable travel mugs. One day in March thousands of New Yorkers made the switch. Join them now by taking a pledge to do the same.

This global movement is taking place in locations around the world including East China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Netherlands, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, UK, Ireland, Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico.

Offer varies by country, ask your barista for details.

These facts and figures were taken from the Environmental Defense Fund, Water Council Systems, and the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

I was excited to hear about the new Trenta 31oz size to replace my usual Venti, Iced, Quad, Sugar Free, Non-Fat, Latte which is being test marketing in what seems every where except where I am. Personally I find 31 oz size the perfect size for me.

As seen on Rueters, “Such large drink sizes are particularly popular in warm climates in the southern United States, where convenience stores do brisk business selling drinks in even larger containers.

Starbucks has dubbed the new 31-ounce size “Trenta” and sells iced coffee in that larger cup for $3.30. The “Trenta” iced tea sells for $2.60.

Starbucks’ current largest size is a 24-ounce “Venti” cup used for serving iced coffee and other cold drinks. The chain also uses 20-ounce “Venti” cups for brewed hot coffee and other beverages.”

Then according to Starbucks.com, they are supersizing the cup size even bigger….

Customers to order the Plenta™ and Micra™ in stores in the U.S. and Canada this Fall

SEATTLE, April 1, 2010 –Starbucks announced today the introduction of two new beverage sizes in stores in the U. S. and Canada this Fall. The announcement follows a year of research and direct customer feedback through MyStarbucksIdea.com requesting even more choice in beverage size.

“Whether customers are looking for a large or small size, the Plenta and the Micra satisfy all U.S. and Canada customers’ needs for more and less coffee,” said Hugh Mungis, Starbucks VP of Volume. “Our size selection is now plentiful.”

Plenta™ (128 fl oz) and Micra™ (2 fl oz) cups arrive in Starbucks stores this Fall. Derived from Italian word for plentiful or small, the Plenta™ delivers coffee lovers record amounts of the world’s finest coffee beverages while the Micra™ delivers a quick and satisfying morsel of goodness.

Recognizing the potential impact the Plenta™ presents for municipal waste collection, Starbucks is also suggesting several subsequent uses for the Plenta™ cup post coffee enjoyment. Suggested usage options include popcorn receptacle, rain hat, perennial planter, lampshade or yoga block. The Micra also serves as a convenient milk dish for kittens, soft boiled egg cup or paper clip holder.