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 »Last week, Downtown’s Villains Tavern debuted its new fall cocktail menu to some media types. And since I couldn’t go I asked my friend John of Social Domain if he could check it out for me. As I told the PR peeps for Villains, I trust John’s tastebuds. But turned out they said I could…
Who doesn’t love Halloween? Whether it’s for the chills, costumes or parties, I look forward to it every year. And I’m happy to say there seems to be a decrease in douchy “1st Annual” parties this year and an increase in events I actually want to go to! By the way, catch me on Carson…
This past week I was lucky enough to get the chance to attend two popular events: the 2nd Annual Taste of Abbot Kinney this past Sunday and last night’s Black Tuesday release party at the Bruery in Placentia. Both events anticipated huge crowds but handled them very differently; one successfully and the other dismally. Oddly…
The other week I was lucky enough to not only score an exclusive interview for LA Weekly’s Squid Ink with Andrew Meieran, owner/designer of The Edison downtown, but a personal tour of all five levels of his newest conquest, the iconic downtown restaurant, Clifton’s Cafeteria. This legendary eatery has occupied that space on Broadway and…
What a fab weekend it’s going to be! Lots of eating and drinking to do. If you missed me on Carson Daly’s AMP Mornings radio show today, you can listen to it here. By the way, I think it’s going to be a weekly thing, so listen in! Here are some of the events I…
Last night, I, along with several bloggers and media types, converged on Magnolia Bakery in Mid-City for a cupcake and prosecco party which previewed the new fall flavors. It was the dessert party to end all diets as we were told that we could ask for whatever we wanted: cookie bars, mini cheesecakes, icebox cakes,…
***CONTEST CLOSED*** Nowadays, a ten-spot doesn’t really get you much. Barely pays for a cocktail let alone for parking off Hollywood Boulevard. But at next weekend’s Artisanal LA‘s inaugural fall show — a community shopping, tasting extravaganza — $10 will get you ALL of the following (via Artisanal LA’s Facebook event page): Hosted beverages like…
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Bradley Cooper from Between Two Ferns Oh my, lots going on this weekend. What to do? I?ve got some ideas, in case you missed my new weekly spot on Carson Daly?s AMP Mornings radio show this morning on 97.1 FM. Thursday, October 14 K&L?s $5 Argentinian Wine Tasting Get…
Ever since Albert Trummer left Fraiche Culver City back in 2008 to go and open up his own bar, Apotheke in New York City, Fraiche’s cocktail program has never been the same. But now there’s a new bartender behind the stick: Kiowa Bryan, formerly of the Soho House where she trained under The Varnish’s Chris…
I’m so happy that more well-renown Eastside establishments are opening up shops on my side of town. First, Intelligentsia made it over to Venice and now the restaurants listed below. At this rate, I won’t have to leave my hood, ever! Eh, a girl can dream… Bulgarini Gelato in Venice ( Summer 2011): This Altadena…
