dineLA’s January 2012 Restaurant Week starts next week January 22. Have you made your reservations yet? In its 5th year, the annual food event has over 300 restaurants participating so lots of great places to choose from. And because of that it can be a bit overwhelming. But I figured I’d try and help by…
Sadie LA, the new Hollywood gastropub which opens its doors January 24, is taking over the spot previously known as Les Deux (or Les Douche in snarky circles). And, no, it’s not your imagination, just in 2010 Les Deux did go through a remodel, mellowing out from celebutard nightclub to a low-key neighborhoodie spot called…
A couple of years ago Esquire Magazine released a list of “Signs You’re in a Bad Bar.” On there were things like “Jager shot machine” and “kid-friendly.” But like most cocktail geeks and regular bar hoppers, I’ve got my own list in my back pocket. And when I walked into Bugatta on Melrose for the…
Thursday, January 12 Bushmills Irish Whiskey Tasting at Neat Dance a jig into your weekend with an Irish whiskey tasting followed by live Irish music. Whiskey Master Ed Adams will guide a tasting of the entire Bushmills line at Neat in Glendale. Afterward at 8:30p, the Irish band hits the stage. RSVP to info@theneatbar.com for…
Who isn’t on the hunt for the perfect Manhattan? Last night I attended the hosted cocktail tasting for the winter cocktail menu at Ray’s and Stark Bar in Miracle Mile. Since mixology consultant Michel Dozois is no longer in the picture sommelier/mixologist Paul Sanguinetti took over the cocktail program. For the season he created nine…
Nobody panic. The Tom Bergin’s shamrocks aren’t going anywhere. Mixologist Marcos Tello assures me that if anything they will only suffer a light dusting. And Marcos would know. He’s the one who has been brought on by Tom Bergin’s Tavern‘s new owners, Warner Ebbink and Executive Chef Brendan Boudet (Little Dom’s, Dominick’s), to do the…
Update 1/11/12: Blue Palms got a 2-3-week reprieve! Discussing long-term solution with landlord right now. L.A. beer lovers, Blue Palms Brewhouse in Hollywood needs your help. With the closing of Music Box and the venue’s landlord losing their lease, everyone’s favorite beer bar is in danger. On Blue Palms Brewhouse Facebook page: To all our…
The Roof on Wilshire atop the eighth floor of a Mid-Wilshire hotel seems an unlikely place to spend a winter evening, but thanks to a few well-placed heaters and a new hot cocktail program, it’s pretty cozy up there. The al fresco bar/restaurant’s new drink menu, created by the Foundry on Melrose’s Mark Blackhart and…
L.A.’s newest brewery, Golden Road Brewing in Atwater Village, has launched its very own brewpub for your drinking and eating convenience. Here you can enjoy GR brews the best way possible, paired with food. That’s right, The Pub at Golden Road features vegan and non-vegan bites, salads, sandwiches and entrees meant to be paired with…
2011 was a great year for drinking in L.A. with a slew of new insta-fave bars popping up, bartenders reconceptualizing bar programs and craft beer thankfully becoming even more accessible. I managed to narrow down my favorite drinking moments to the top 10. Here it is in descending order. Guess what No. 1 is? 10….
