For those who absolutely cannot wait til Christmas — eff Thanksgiving, you say — Melrose Umbrella Co. is already all decked out for the holidays. And I mean, ALL. DECKED. OUT. The Miracle on Melrose Avenue bar is only one of about 100 of the Miracle Pop-Up Bars around the world: 94 in the U.S….
Continue Reading »
I refuse to put up Christmas decorations when Thanksgiving hasn’t even come and gone yet. But one thing I will allow in anticipation of the holidays are the cocktails. Beautiful, rich, cozy, festive-inspired holiday cocktails. And Big Bar in Los Feliz just kicked off their new holiday menu, which includes three hot cocktails and a…
Continue Reading »
Quick, what’s your favorite L.A. movie and which cocktail would you pair with it? If it’s Amy Heckerling’s Clueless then you’re in luck! On August 19, as part of its summer pop-up series, ArcLight Hollywood is hosting swank West Hollywood cocktail bar, Bibo Ergo Sum, in its Balcony Bar. And the talented bar crew crafted…
Continue Reading »
Nowadays, a cocktail bar has to do more than simply follow a classic cocktail template to turn heads. Housemade ingredients and a strong garnish game aren’t going to cut it anymore. Besides, there are so many great bars with new ones practically opening every day, not to mention the breadth of talented bartenders in L.A….
Continue Reading »
Looking for something fun and different — with a touch of nerdiness — to serve at your holiday party? Lucky for you barman Christopher Day (Bar Tribute, Redbird) created this recipe for a boozy butterbeer. Your Harry Potter-loving guests will squeal. It’s no coincidence that this recipe uses a butter-washed Black Cow Vodka as Chris…
Continue Reading »Are you so over cupcakes? Too sweet for you? You may want to give bundt cakes a try. Stop laughing. I tried them at the newish bakery, Kiss My Bundt, in Midcity and was pleasantly surprised because 1) they are available in teeny tiny cupcake-size bundts rather than not-so-cute bundt cake slices, 2) they aren’t…
Yes, these are such trying times and maybe you can’t afford the fancy cheeses, gourmet meats or rich desserts you used to be able to to go with your fine wines. Colorado Wine Company feels ya and will be hosting its 2nd annual white trash tasting ($20 a person) next Saturday where they will pair…
I’ve been dying to see Oliver Stone’s George W. Bush biopic, W., ever since I first saw the hilarious trailers. Come on, Josh Brolin in the title role, Elizabeth Banks as his wife Laura, James Cromwell as dear ol’ constantly disappointed dad, Thandie Newton as Condi and Richard Dreyfus as Cheney. Brilliant casting! RottenTomatoes.com only…
Busy weekend! Since my Halloween costume is all ready to go, I’ll be spending my days buying new home decor at the Domino Bazaar at HD Buttercup and then doing the AIDS Walk. What have you got going on? If nothing yet, you might want to look into the following. Friday, October 17 Leda’s Bake…
More prom party shots by promparty Drink Eat Play’s ’80s Prom last year was so much fun. Just when I thought I was over prom-themed parties, this one showed me that I was in fact not. Had a blast dancing to the very talented U2 cover band as well as to all my ’80s fave…
When I first heard about Royal/T Cafe in Culver City I was instantly creeped out. The focal point of all the publications that covered this cosplay teahouse was the servers dressed up in maid costumes. Was this a place for guys to have their French maid fantasies realized (minus the sex)? Ehh, I’ll pass. But…
When I first heard about the home and design shopping event, the 3rd Annual Domino Bazaar, taking place at HD Buttercup in Culver City this coming weekend, I pooh-poohed the $20 admission fee. There isn’t even going to be any cocktails like there usually is at some of those cool fashion sample sales! But then…
It seemed like everyone of my newsletters I subscribed to and blog I read made a mention about the debut of Laurel Tavern, the gastropub in Studio City, this week. Daily Candy: “Industrial and rustic, with brick and wood detail, Butcher block tables and blackboard menus we hail. Laurel Tavern has filled the Valley with…
Yay! My first free weekend in a lonnng while. But rather than staying home and polishing furniture, which I’ve been looking forward to since I moved in, I may do some or all of the following. Friday, October 10 Pasadena ArtWeekend Not so cultured? Now’s your chance to bone up on art, music, museums and…
Me and a bunch of bloggers were invited to the Ritz-Carlton Residences sales room downtown earlier this week to check out the new, impending L.A. Live, the huge downtown entertainment project which was kicked off by the debut of the Nokia Theatre last year. We (i.e. LAist, Blog Downtown, Experience LA, 5th and Spring and…
