Some bartenders always put their best foot foward, make everyone feel welcome and the crowds love them for it. When they also happen to be talented, generous and modest, they get a special little gold star in my personal book of favorites. I’ve been wanting to highlight Gina on The Liquid Muse since I launched the blog, in April 2006. I first marveled at Gina’s talent with libations and fabulous personality when she was a bartender at Poste. Her great attitude wooed the clients into regulars and many of her original drink recipes are still popular sellers on Poste’s menu, two years later. (Ahead of the trend, she and Chef Robert Weyland planted Poste’s herb garden more than two years ago, using them in food and drinks, and pairing cocktails with cuisine…)I was also excited when Gina moved to Rasika’s bar. Ashok Bajaj’s successful upscale Indian restaurant has all the ingredients for success: good locations, eye-pleasing décor, memorable food and a great team. While regaling in Chef Vikram Sunderam’s delectable lamb, Minced Chicken, Crispy Spinach and Ginger Scallops, I was really looking forward to trying a couple of Gina’s creations: The Spicy Queen and Coconutz. We met up in downtown DC for a quick interview - but more than anything we gossiped about the latest haps in the neighborhood. Gina asked if I’d visited the new drinking spots in the area, and when I said that I hadn’t - boom! - we were out the door.We popped into Proof, a wine bar to say hello, then passed Rocket Bar, which remains on my Must Do list next time I'm in town. (Gina clued me in to the fact that all the venues the group owns are underground. There’s a story in that somewhere…) Then we hit PS7. I’ve been dying to check this place out since I got the opening press release. Gina waltzed us up to the bar and introduced me to Tiffany, who was developing a few new drinks for the menu. Tiffany also showed me their wine room, where the chef has hung legs of ham, and sausages he stuffs himself. Yum.Gina has since moved out Northern Virginia way and been sprucing up the cocktail program at Eatbar, among others. Always in demand, and loved by all, she is the hostess with the mostess at any bar she graces, and her rabid fans (like me) are bound to follow her anywhere.