Jamie Oliver brings surprise ingredients, Food Network to Flatiron Lounge.

So there we were last night, catching up with our favorite sex columnist over drinks at Flatiron Lounge and while discussing tattoos and career changes, she was presented with the perfect opportunity to start writing about the world of food as she spotted Jamie Oliver at the other end of the bar. Alas she passed, and such a shame as she had such a good eye for detail; under a hat he was far less conspicuous than the camera crew making their way around the room.

It's amazing how we keep crossing paths with these shows. And even more amazing how every Food Network show is now based around the element of surprise. Iron Chef? Two chefs are surprised with a secret ingredient. Throwdown? A chef is surprised by another chef. The new and presumably real FN show, Chopped? Cooks are rounded up for a one day battle royale. And this new show? Jamie Oliver surprises bartenders with a secret ingredient. Although, to be fair, there was no competition element, just showcasing the bartender's potential. In this case it was with hibiscus tea which our bartender made into three different drinks including a bramble and a hibiscus Clover Club cocktail, (pictured above,) which the gin-lusting lush beside us ordered later in the night.

A few things we liked about the show: 1.) The element of surprise seemed pretty natural. The bar got a call that Oliver would be stopping in that night and nothing more. 2.) The shooting took place in a full bar during regular service, nothing canned, no one just there for a taping. Maybe that's harder to pull off but we bet it makes a difference when it finally airs. 3.) Because our bartender was so distracted with the production he made it up to us with a free round, although assuming that wasn't the real reason, we're only going to drink with overt sex professionals from now on.