The iconic Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard always feels as if it’s out of my league. Just like Ryan Gosling, the beautiful Chateau could never be my regular hang. And last year when word got out that the hotel had a new bar that only those in the know could get into, it made sense…
If you missed last night’s Food & Wine/Food GPS Best New Chefs dinner at hot, new Marina Del Rey restaurant Paiche, not to worry. There’s another one tonight. And where cocktail geeks went crazy over last night‘s crafty cocktails by mixmasters Steve Livigni and Pablo Moix (La Descarga, Pour Vous), tonight they’ll be thrilled by…
With regards to Miracle Mile Bitters Co. Clusterfuck Bitters, there IS such a thing as a happy accident. Miracle Mile Bitters owner Louis Anderman was doing up batches of his Toasted Pecan Bitters and his Orange Bitters when he accidentally poured half a finished batch of the orange bitters into the just strained Toasted Pecan…
If you’re like me and detest green-tinged beer or frat drinks named after a terrorist act (yeah, I’m old), then perhaps you’ll appreciate this roundup of where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day for some quality boozing. I’m talking craft cocktails, craft beer and beer floats. Just because it’s an alcoholiday doesn’t mean you gotta drink…
In celebration of the 15th anniversary of The Big Lebowski today (I feel so old), I thought I’d share some of my favorite White Russians available in L.A. Now, I was never a hard-core fan of the movie featuring everyone’s favorite bathrobed anti-hero but count me the number-one fan of this creamy, coffee concoction. In…
You probably heard by now that after two years restaurant Playa in Mid-City will be hosting its last service tomorrow. Tomorrow! Bill Chait and Chef John Sedlar will close the restaurant and then retool it in the hopes of reopening it all refreshed and new in a few weeks. But tomorrow night, they’re inviting everyone…
After having taken two of Bar Centro lead bartender Rob Floyd‘s monthly “Cocktail Fundamentals” classes* at SLS Hotel’s SAAM, I’m convinced he’s the John Keating of cocktail schooling. For those who don’t remember that 1989 movie Dead Poets Society, John Keating, played brilliantly by Robin Williams, was the professor whose infectious love of poetry inspired…
Leave it to Venice to have a bar/restaurant with an organic cocktail program. But not only are the drinks organic but they don’t have any refined sugars. Those healthnutty Venice Beachians! It’s true, new restaurant Feed Body + Soul won the liquor license lottery so had to find a way to create a liquor program…
When one thinks of Hawaii, craft cocktails don’t come to mind. Nope, you think quickly thrown-together “tiki” cocktails with all kinds of pineapple wedges and tiny umbrellas cocktail-blocking your way to a diabetic coma. When you don’t explore outside of the resorts and touristy areas, that’s what you’ll get. But Hawaii Cocktail Week* (February 16-23)…
It’s been about 10 years since I’ve been to Oahu, Hawaii, so I still think of it as the land of tourist-grade cocktails. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had my share of Lava Flows and Mai Tais and I enjoyed every sip. They are just awesome while taking in a view of Diamond Head. But…
