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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Italian amaro Fernet is an acquired taste with its bitter, pungent, aromatic nature. And yet, it’s Argentina’s liquor of choice (paired with Coke) and every bartender’s go-to. It’s for the hard-core. This summer, however, Fernet has lightened up and become more approachable with L.A. bartenders adding it to soda cocktails and desserty ones for your…
This week, dineLA threw a party in Beverly Hills introducing the upcoming 2013 dineLA restaurant week (July 15-July 26) to some media folks. And, damn, they sure know how to impress those who’ve already seen it all. At first I figured we’d sample some eats at the featured restaurants — Scarpetta, Bouchon Beverly Hills and…
For Los Angeles Magazine‘s Grilling Week, I was charged with coming up with a post that highlighted some of the best cocktails to make at your barbecue party, you know, drinks that paired well with all that smoked/grilled meats. Because sometimes you want more than beer with your ‘cue. Fortunately a few of the best…
For the 4th Annual LA Street Food Fest, which takes place this coming Saturday the 29th at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl, I’m proud to announce a new feature: “Caroline on Crack”-approved bars! What does that even mean? It means that you can be assured that you’re getting the best cocktails from some of the best bars…
This past Wednesday, Eater announced the winners of its annual Young Guns awards and for the first time ever the publication will celebrate them with a preview night of eating and drinking before the awards on Monday. The Eater Young Guns Eve party will take place at LACMA on Sunday, June 23 and you’re invited….
Zane Lamprey (“Drinking Made Easy”) and Dan Dunn (Playboy’s The Imbiber) working together on new podcast “Happy Hour with Zane and Dunn” is a match made in boozer heaven. I’m a huge fan of both; both ruggedly handsome, hilarious and, boy, can they throw ’em back. Truly men after my own heart. Amazingly the universe…
San Francisco’s Savoy Stomp blogger, Erik Ellestad, is a cocktail geek like no other. For six years he’s chronicled his adventures with 1930s drink tome, The Savoy Cocktail Book, painstakinly re-creating every recipe in there for a loyal audience. And he would probably hate the comparison, but think Erik & Harry (Craddock) versus Julie &…
Last night L.A.’s bar community converged on the rooftop of Andaz West Hollywood after a screening of new movie Hey Bartender, which premieres at the Sundance Sunset Cinemas this Friday the 14th. Still giddy from seeing all their friends on the big screen, there was a lot of bartender lovin’ going around as well as…
If you, like me, are absolutely stumped on what to get your dad for Father’s Day, check out the Father’s Day Collabrewtive brunch by Firestone Walker and Food GPS this Sunday. Yup, it’s a brunch that combines the best of both coffee and beer worlds with six brewers and six coffee roasters teaming up to…
Come party with me and Los Angeles Magazine Dining Editor Lesley Bargar Suter next Wednesday at Cliff’s Edge in Silver Lake for the first of many of the publication’s “Social Hour” parties. One of my favorite bartenders, Matthew Biancaniello, will not only be doing up his special and unique cocktails (including a Filipino one), but…
