Caroline on Crack | January 2009

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Monthly Archives: January 2009

January 13, 2009

Cocktail Review: Casa Cocina y Cantina’s Cocktails

New downtown Mexican restaurant Casa Cocina y Cantina had a press release boasting a menu “unlike any other Mexican restaurant menu in Los Angeles.” But I couldn’t help but wonder if that held true to its cocktail list as well. So my friends (Johnny the Fish and Tara) and I stopped by on a very chill Wednesday night and met with Billy Fanning, the restaurant’s mixologist.

His specialty cocktail menu is a mix of traditional Mexican staples, unique creations and seasonal concoctions and of course we had to try several.

Categories: Cocktails, Dining, Los Angeles, Nightlife

Kitchen Nightmares Wants Bad L.A. Restaurants

Photo courtesy of Fox

I usually don’t do this sort of thing on this blog but I just started watching Kitchen Nightmares, well the BBC version, recently and now it’s one of my many guilty pleasures. So I thought it was really cool that they asked me and other bloggers for nominations for bad restaurants to help out in the Fox show’s third season.

I really don’t have any ideas of my own (umm, Bourbon Street Shrimp Company?) so I thought I’d throw the question to you good people. And I’ll send your answers to the KN peeps; they said I could. If your nomination is chosen, Gordon Ramsay (the man behind that restaurant at the London) will show up at the unsuccessful establishment, troubleshoot them for a week and transform them into a Michelin-worthy dining destination. Now’s your chance to help your favorite diamond-in-the-rough eatery.

Kitchen Nightmares is currently on the hunt for down-and-out restaurants in Los Angeles (as well as Boston, Philadelphia, the Tri-State area and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale).

In the comments, include the name and location of the restaurant and a brief explanation of why you think it deserves to be considered for Kitchen Nightmares. Your sad little favorite will get a restaurant makeover, a menu redo and the know-how from Mr. Ramsay himself.

Categories: Los Angeles, Other

5 Comments

January 9, 2009

My Top 10 Favorite Cocktails From 2008

I had a lot of cocktails last year but only a few were memorable. Here are my top 10 cocktail faves from my bar adventures in 2008. They’re listed from most recent to so not recent.

1) No Named Bourbon Cocktail at Riva: This baby was off the menu and created by the bartender, a bourbon lover herself. It was an extremely tasty concoction of bourbon, dry Vermouth, apricot liqueur, St. Germain elderflower and some lemon juice.

2) Manhattan at Osteria Mozza: The Manhattan here was perfect, soo delicious and smooth. There was a little extra tang of something in the savoring of it that I couldn’t put my finger on. AND they used brandied cherries instead of the despicable maraschino cherries. I tell ya, there’s nothing like sipping on a Manhattan at a beautiful marble bar with your honey on a cold winter night.

Categories: Cocktails, Lists, Los Angeles, Nightlife

7 Comments

January 8, 2009

Caroline on Crack 2009 Calendar

I originally made this calendar for my cubicle because I couldn’t find anything with pictures that I liked enough to stare at for a whole month. So I compiled my favorite shots of my blogging adventures last year. Nope, not pictures of family, friends and other people you don’t know or care about. And no pics of me like in this 2007 calendar. Rather, detail shots of yummy cocktails, colorful images and L.A. nightlife scenes. The calendar starts off with a Manhattan at Father’s Office 2.0 and ends in December with stoned Santas from SantaCon.

I wish I could have added the title of each shot to the calendar as well as L.A. events. That would have been awesome. As it is, if you like L.A. detail shots, you might like this calendar which is $16.19. You can get a 20% discount through January 16 by entering the code “newshoes” at time of purchase in the coupon field.

BTW, it doesn’t take too long for Qoop to get these out. I had ordered my calendar on Saturday the 3rd and got it delivered today, the 8th. Anyway, enjoy!

Categories: Los Angeles, Shopping & Sales

2 Comments

January 8, 2009

This Weekend: Pervy Puppets, First Fridays and dineLA

Suffering from the post-holiday blues? I know I am. Hopefully the following will help cheer you up. You just have to get out there and keep busy.

Friday, January 9

Slumdog Millionaire and Q&A With Director Danny Boyle
OMG, I LOVED this movie! Compelling storyline. I laughed, I cried. If you haven’t seen it yet, you must! And a Q&A with director Danny Boyle paired with the movie is sure to be a treat for fans who’ve already seen the film and even those who are seeing it for the first time. Amazingly, as of this writing there are still a ton of tickets available for this event.

7:50pm. $12. Landmark Theatre, 10850 West Pico Boulevard, West L.A. (map). (310) 470-0492.

First Night of First Fridays at Natural History Museum
It’s baaack. First Fridays are back at the Natural History Museum and this year’s theme is “Darwin Year,” celebrating the 150th anniversary of On the Origin of the Species. Fittingly, bands named The Little Ones and Plants and Animals will be performing, kicking off the series.

7-10pm. $9 ($6.50 students). Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (213) 763-DINO.

photoLA 2009
If you love pretty pictures and/or are an aspiring shutterbug, you’ll need to swing by the 18th Annual L.A. International Photographic Art Expo at Barker Hangar. Peruse vintage and contemporary works furnished by exhibitors from all over the world. LACMA hosts a conversation series with the likes of Bruce Davidson, Diane Keaton and David Maisel across the street from the hangar at the Ruskin Group Theatre Co. Tickets are free and available at the photo l.a. box office an hour before each conversation.

Friday and Saturday 12-8pm, Sunday 12-6pm. $20 (1-day pass), $30 (3-day pass). Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica (map).

Saturday, January 10

Goorin Bros.’s Winter Clearance Sale
My, my isn’t it chilly out? Keep warm by treating yourself to some head coverings at hip hattery Goorin Bros.’s winter clearance sale where you can find fall/winter styles for 30% to 50% off.

Goorin Bros., 7627 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles (map). (323) 951-0393.

Puppet Up! Uncensored
Before you get the wrong idea about this puppet show at the Avalon, you should know that it’s NSFC (Not Safe for Children). They may be the puppets and puppeteers from the beloved Jim Henson Company but they are an uninhibited bunch stretching their comedic skills. And that’ll require more than “Earmuffs!” should you bring your little ones.

8pm. $30-$35. Avalon Hollywood, 1735 Vine Street, Hollywood (map). (323) 462-8900.

Sunday, January 11

dineLA Reservations Open to Public
Foodies on a budget rejoice! dineLA returns and now’s your chance to enjoy an affordable meal at that pricey restaurant you’ve always wanted to check out. Dinner at a fine dining restaurant is only $44. Deluxe dining dinner is $26, premier is $34. There is also lunching dining available. The restaurant weeks take place January 25 to 30 and February 1 to 6 but the reservation line opens to the public on Sunday the 11th. Check the dineLA site to make your ressie.

Categories: Art, Dining, Lists, Los Angeles, Movies, Shopping & Sales

2 Comments

January 7, 2009

Restaurant.com Deal: Pay $5 for a $25 Restaurant Certificate

Flickr Shot by dotsara (detail)

Thanks to TravelZoo for this.

Pay only $5 for a $25 meal at fancy restaurants like Parc Hollywood and Aqua Lounge. Restaurant.com, purveyor of restaurant gift certificates, is having an awesomely special deal through January 12 where you can buy an already discounted restaurant certificate at an additional 50% off AND you get a $10 certificate for FREE after you place an order!

That means that, say, you purchase a $25 certificate for Parc Hollywood for $10 (regular price) and apply the promo code “FLASH.” You get an additional 50% off and are charged only $5 for that $25 certificate! Plus they throw in that $10 certificate after you place your order.

And fyi, there are also $10 certificates available for $3 on some restaurants. That means $1.50 for a $10 gc! Right? Or is my math off?

Sure, you won’t find restaurants like Osteria Mozza on this gift certificate list but would you turn down a $15 dinner for two at Bread and Porridge or Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Italian Restaurant? BTW, some conditions may apply, i.e. you can only use the certificate for dinner or with a minimum food purchase of $35.

These make great gifts or, ferget your friends, just treat yourself!

Categories: Dining, Los Angeles, Shopping & Sales

6 Comments

January 7, 2009

Post-Holiday Sales: Fred Segal 50% Off and Polkadots & Moonbeams’ Winter Sale

Fred Segal Santa Monica 50% Off Sale

The department store of trendy folk is kicking off its 50% sale this Friday the 9th. Yes, half off EVERYthing. So if you didn’t get what you wanted this past holiday, you can get it now. That studded Sex and the City belt is now $103.50. Ooh.

But that’s not the best part. You, my dear Crackheads, can partake of the 50% discount earlier than the general public, on Thursday night 4 to 9pm, just for reading this post!

I checked with David at Fred Segal Eyes and he said that even though Thursday night has been billed as a “private presale,” my peeps can still get in. No, they won’t check names at the door and they won’t turn people away either. In this economy? Pshaw!

EVENT: PRESALE – THURSDAY 4-9pm; FRIDAY & SATURDAY 10-7pm; SUNDAY 12-6pm

Fred Segal Santa Monica, 420 & 500 Broadway, Santa Monica (map).
(310) 394-1875.

Polkadots & Moonbeams’ Annual Winter Sale

Charming Midcity clothing store Polkadots and Moonbeams has its annual winter sale this Thursday the 8th starting at 11am.

Score up to 75% off most items in the modern store and 25% off the ENTIRE vintage store.

Shop through designer labels such as as alice + olivia, Akiko, Bailey 44, Beth Bowley, Billy Blues, Black Halo, Corey Lynn Calter, Ella Moss, Hudson Jeans, Indah, Level 99, Michael Stars, Michelle Jonas, Milly, Nightcap Clothing, NU Collective, Plenty by Tracy Reese, Prairie Underground, Rachel Pally, Rebecca Taylor, Splendid, Steve Madden, Tano, twilltwentytwo, Velvet, Weston Wear, YF&B and many more!

I’m lovin’ this short wool jacket with its big collar. And oooh, check out this dress. Both on sale.

EVENT: THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 at 11am

Polkadots & Moonbeams, 8367 & 8381 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles (map). (323) 655-3880 or (323) 651-1746.

Categories: Beauty & Fashion, Los Angeles, Shopping & Sales