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….
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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…
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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…
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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….
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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…
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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)…
Every time Girl Scout Cookie season comes around, I like to look up dessert recipes because why not make those cookies even MORE delicious? Last year I made these Thin Mint cupcakes for St. Patty’s Day and they were a huge hit at the office. I still dream about those cupcakes. Turns out Trattoria Neapolis…
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…
My current obsession is brussels sprouts but not the steamed or boiled varieties. No, I specifically LOVE brussels sprout CHIPS. The crisp leaves baked/roasted in an oven are UH-mazing. In fact, the burned-looking ones are the best. Ever since I had a big ol’ bowl of them at Craft in Century City, I could not…
If you’re like me, Valentine’s Day usually drives you to drink. Singles are basically made to feel like pariahs thanks to its inescapable PDA-filled commercialism and couples are stressed out over the prospect of overpriced dinners and boxes of chocolates. Well, I say, KISS. Keep it simple, stupid (I don’t really think you’re stupid), and…
This past December, my LA Magazine Digest blog editor Randy Clemens threw down a gauntlet: Come up with 10 classic cocktails that every cocktail noob should know how to make at home and write a post for each one including the cocktail recipe and where to get a great example of one in L.A. So…
I don’t know if rich folk ever deign to go on barhops but if they do I have no doubt theirs would resemble Blogger Barhop 3 (BBH3): Stoli Elit High-Roller Edition aka “The Whale Tour” last Tuesday. Unlike the previous blogger barhops — 2011 and 2012 — this one wasn’t sponsored by Plymouth Gin but…
Nothing celebrates Friday like a Margarita recipe, right? For my latest “Essential Cocktails” post for Los Angeles Magazine‘s Digest blog, which went up this morning, I interviewed Las Perlas’ Raul Yrastorza on how to make and where to find the best margarita. Check it out and either make it for yourself today or make a…
