Monthly Archives: July 2009

Wednesday’s Food Events: Dine Out for a Cure, Culinary College, Best $3 Milkshakes

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Man, is this a busy week. Another post about a bunch of events happening in one day. But this is a very important day where you can dine out for a cure for cancer, an informative day where you can take a culinary class taught by renowned chefs and an indulgent day with specially priced ice cream treats.

1st Annual Dine Out for the Cure
For this one day, several Los Angeles restaurants will help you do a good deed. Have breakfast, lunch or dinner at any one and they will donate 10% of the day’s gross profits to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Los Angeles County Affiliate.

Culinary College Teaches Taste of Asia
Los Angeles Magazine‘s Culinary College is a three-part series where top L.A. chefs, mixologists, sommeliers and more teach folks how to cook as well as pair food and wine. Tonight’s class, the second in the series, features Wilshire’s Executive Chef Andrew Kirshner who will share his fine culinary techniques with aspiring cooks. Having just returned from Asia, he’s got a whole slew of Asian-inspired recipes to teach, like Steamed Carlsbad Mussels with red coconut curry broth and Vietnamese Summer Shrimp Rolls. Students will also be able to enjoy wine tastings from Ian Blackburn’s LearnAboutWine.

If you miss this class, the next one is on August 19 and will feature Chef Jason Travi of Fraiche and Riva.

  • 7-9pm. $50. Snyder Diamond, 1399 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica (map). Reservations: Call Estrellita Dacanay (323) 801-0034.

Rowdy Red Wine and Burger’s $3 Milkshakes
Downtown burger and wine joint Rowdy Red Wine and Burger is making a bold claim and boasting they make the best milkshakes in L.A. And they might have something there considering their skyscraper-tall milkshakes available in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, Oreo, chocolate peanut butter and Peet’ coffee are only $3. Might have to do some investigating right after my dairy fast is up.

  • Rowdy Red Wine and Burger, 505 S. Flower Street, Downtown (map).

Meh to la France: Around Town Non-Bastille Day Events

Flickr Shot by Miamabanta

Flickr Shot at the Viceroy by miamabanta

OK, so you actually hate the French. If you’d rather not celebrate Bastille Day today, there are plenty of other things to do!

New Belgium Brewery Dinner at Akasha
This one sounds quite fabulous: a farmer’s market fresh dinner with all things made with beer and paired with beer! For only $45 you get a four-course beery dinner created by chef Akasha Richmond and New Belgium Brewery’s Eric and Lauren Salazar.

Check out this menu:

  • Carlsbad Aquafarm Oysters and Lime Mignonette, Finley Farms Lemon Cucumber, Baja Sea Salt paired with Skinny Dip Summer Brew
  • Beer Battered Calamari & Okra, Garcia Farms Citrus Aioli, Local Frissee, Celery Leaves, Meyer Lemon paired with Mothership Wit Organic Wheat Beer
  • Mole Rojo Niman Ranch Beer Braised Pork Shoulder, Black Beans, Single Seed Pink Rice, Plantains paired with Fat Tire Amber Ale
  • Flourless Black Ale Chocolate Torte, New Belgium Ice Cream, Root Beer Granita, Chocolate Dipped Almond Toffee paired with 1554 Enlightened Black Ale

You have to make a reservation to partake and hopefully there’s still room! Call (310) 845-1700.

  • 7:30pm. $45. Akasha, 9543 Culver Boulevard, Culver City (map).

West 4th/Jane’s Inaugural First Tuesday
Get artsy and buzzed at new Santa Monica bar West 4th/Jane’s inaugural First Tuesday art event, which will feature a new artist every month. Tonight’s reception will showcase the eye-popping works of artist Chase, a Belgian transplant known for his colorful paintings that are actually hung all over the bar. So peruse his stuff and indulge in the complimentary wine, beer and live music. All the art is for sale and a portion of its proceeds go to benefit the Keep-A-Breast Foundation.

  • 8pm. West 4th/Jane’s, 432 4th Street, Santa Monica (map).

Viceroy Santa Monica’s Taste of Tuesday
Every Tuesday this summer, the Viceroy in Santa Monica will have $5 cocktails and food bites poolside, perfect for relaxing after work. And every week it’s a different featured cocktail. Tonight check out Kai Vodka’s Kai Vino Martini — Kai vodka, muddled green seedless grapes, white wine and simple syrup. I’m actually going to be at this one for a private media version hosted by renowned cocktail blogger/author and fellow blogger prom committee member, The Liquid Muse Natalie Bovis-Nelsen! So see you around the cabanas.

  • 6-9pm. Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica (map). (310) 260-7511.

Storming Bastille Day: Around Town Pro-Francais Events

Flickr Shot by irene

Flickr shot by irene.

OK, so you’re not French and you’re probably not even sure what Bastille Day is. But that shouldn’t stop you from celebrating it tomorrow especially when cocktail specials, free aperitifs and an actual French soiree are involved!

Pourtal’s French Wine Tour for the People
Santa Monica wine tasting bar Pourtal will be kicking off a Bastille Day tasting tour tomorrow. Sip classic French country wines, 18 varieties to choose from! And anyone who shows up at the bar on the 14th and can recite the serment du jeu de paume (the Tennis Court Oath) will get a free glass of Kir, a French aperitif made with crème de cassis and white wine. Don’t know the words? Hint: You can find it on the Pourtal page linked above. Just print it and read that.

  • Opens at 4pm. Pourtal Wine Bar, 104 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica (map).

Comme Ca’s Bastille Block Party
Yes, it’s literally a huuge block of ice (200 pounds to be exact) at Comme Ca’s Frenchy celebration. And they will chip away at it for their $5 cocktail specials like the yummy-sounding Mr. Rogers of Matusalem Platino rum, thyme, apricots, Angostura bitters and grapefruit peel and the AF 69 of Martin Miller’s gin, Cointreau, honey and lemon verbena. There will also be $7 bites you can mangez, like pork belly confit and snapper escabeche. If you’d rather dine, Comme Ca is offering a special Quartorze Juillet $40 three-course prix fixe now through July 18. 3-7pm.

  • Comme Ça, 8479 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood (map). (323) 782-1104.

Maison 140′s Bastille Day Soiree
Maison 140 in Beverly Hills is feteing it up with its Bastille Day celebration where revelers will knock back champagne and French wine and nosh on traditional cake piece montee, frommage et fruites. Later you can groove to French music a la dj. Oui, it is $85 a ticket but portions of the proceeds will go to Hope Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

  • 6-11pm. $85. Maison 140, 140 S. Lasky Drive, Beverly Hills (map). (310) 281-4000.

Pinot Bistro’s Bastille Day Prix Fixe
In Studio City Pinot Bistro presents a special four-course prix fixe for enfants de la Patrie. It’s $45 or $65 with wine pairings. Partake of roasted lamb loin or a pan roasted trout a la Meuniere. For dessert there’s Ile Flottant or Peach Melba.

  • Pinot Bistro, 12969 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City (map). (818) 990-0500.

And if you simply love all things French, these events are coming up apres the 14th.

Sabrina at the ArcLight Hollywood
OK, so it’s not a film that takes place in France but Audrey Hepburn’s character does learn how to be a sophisticated lady by going off to cooking school in Paris. And those fabulous dresses by costumer Edith Head are tres gorgeous.

  • July 15 at 8pm. $12 general. ArcLight Hollywood, 6360 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood (map).

Pasadena POPS Performs I Love Paris, the Music of Edith Piaf to An American In Paris
Imagine enjoying a summer, dancing with your amour to some of the most romantical music ever. The Pasadena POPS will be performing all things French, from Edith Piaf to Saints Saens to music from Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Order up a three-course picnic for $20 a person at Patina to complete the evening. They’ll be offering grilled jumbo shrimp skewers with Provencal vegetables au pistou

  • July 17-18 at 7:30pm, Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge (map).

Poketo Karaoke Dance Party at Royal/T

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Ugh, I feel so guilty. You know how I was supposed to judge that Karaoke Idol competition at Royal/T on Friday? Well, I was late to it. No excuses; let’s just say that Royal/T really needs a parking lot if they’re going to continue to have events like this. I even fell down in the street running to get there in heels. Blah.

In any case, by the time I had arrived there at 10:45 (my gig started at 10:30 and the party itself started at 8) it was in full swing and everyone looked like they were having such a great time. The bouncer at the door had told me to go to the back room for the karaoke contest but that I was late. I know, I know!

When I got back there, it looked like I had missed the whole thing. The judges were already on stage, loudly giving their scores by holding up little cards a la Dancing With the Stars. I went to the dj table anyway and checked with the little Asian girl that was standing there next to the dj.

“Hi, I’m Caroline? I’m one of the judges?” I don’t know why I was saying that like I was asking a question. I just felt bad and was steeling myself for the onslaught of guilttripping about to come my way. But it didn’t. Instead the girl was apologizing to me for missing it! “I’m so sorry. We had to pick someone else because we called your name twice and didn’t hear from you,” she said, pouting. Then she called over the guy who was MCing the event. And he apologized, too!

He then offered to say my name anyway by having me announce the winner but I was like, “Why?” I’m just a late blogger so it would just seem random for me to go up there to do that. So we didn’t do that.

But to make things worse, the little girl gave me two really cute Poketo t-shirts (Karaoke Dance Party and karaoking cat) and their “best-selling” wallet, which they had given to all the judges. I really shouldn’t have taken them but they’re so cute! …Ugh, now I feel guilty for taking them.

So I stood around afterward while they continued with the regular karaoking, clutching my swag and taking pictures. The singers hitting the stage were so into their performances. And even the audience was getting into it. Twas awesome. Of course I think the cocktails and beer had a lot to do with it but whatever, made for some great pictures.

No power ballads but definitely lots of party favorites…except that one dude singing Time After Time. Wtf?

Since things seemed to be winding down a bit in the karaoke room, I went to the front of Royal/T to see if I could find friend and fellow blogger prom committee member, Tara of When Tara Met Blogs. I found her immediately sitting in the cafe with a glass of champagne in her hand and chatting with a friend.

She filled me in on what I had missed by coming to the party late. Apparently earlier there was a long-ass line for drinks. And happy hour was still going on even though it was passed the happy hour end time of 10. But those prices weren’t especially cheap anyway: $5 Ichiban beer, $7 wine, $8 champagne.

Then we saw someone passing out a tray of food. “We’ve been here for hours and that’s the first time we’ve seen anyone giving out food,” Tara said. Unfortunately it was just green tea flan. Very…um, yeah. Didn’t finish it.

So it sounds like I missed quite a karaoke party. And if I wasn’t late and didn’t have a cold I totally would have hit that stage. My song? “Single Ladies.”

Hopefully this isn’t the last time we see karaoke at Royal/T and at least the Poketo pop-up shop is there through July 19 so if you like the swag I got, it’s there. BTW, that karaoking cat t-shirt is so cute. It’s “singing” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” which won “Favorite Karaoke Song” on the Poketo site.

More pics from Poketo Karaoke Dance Party.

Poketo Pop-Up Shop at Royal/T
8910 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, California 90232 (map)
(310) 559-6300

L.A. Beer Float Showdown: It’s On and It’s Yummy!

St. Bernardus ABT 12 Coffee Toffee Beer Float

Let’s face it, Food GPS’s Beer Float Showdown between BottleRock Downtown and Golden State is my idea. OK, not really, but I was one step away from making it happen I tell ya! OK, not really. I’m just kicking myself that I didn’t think of it sooner. It’s genius.

Fellow blogger Josh Lurie aka Food GPS, who apparently never sleeps, has organized a showdown between two L.A. restaurants that so far are the only ones in the city that feature beer floats on their menus (8 oz.’s is off the menu, at least it was the last time I checked) — The Golden State and Scoops gasp! vs. BottleRock Downtown and Milk eeee!. The event will take place at the Blue Palms Brewhouse in Hollywood on Sunday, July 26 and it’s only $23 if you want to participate in the drinking, er, judging.

For that $23 (advance, $28 at the door), judges get four 8-oz. beer floats — two from each contender. Yup, that’s a lot of drinking so bring a designated driver. BTW, the beer floats normally run $7 at BottleRock and $8 at Golden State.

And I don’t have to tell you why this competition is so heated, right? OK, it’s because it’s pitting foodie favorite Scoops ice cream against other foodie favorite Milk. True, both ice cream parlors are as different as night and day. Scoops only sells ice cream, and a vast selection of fun flavor combinations that you never thought you’d be into and yet it becomes your new favorite. Milk sells ice cream in every form, from sundaes to bon bons to those deliciously addictive ice cream sandwiches. But how will L.A.’s ice cream darlings taste dunked in beer?

Don’t fret, it’ll be gooood beer. Consider the restaurants. BottleRock boasts an actual beer guru and therefore they offer quite a selection of beer floats. The Golden State only uses Old Rasputin Stout for its floats but you can choose whatever flavor Scoops ice cream you want to go in it. I wonder if GS will use another beer for the contest? Apparently mum’s the word on the flavor combination contenders until the day of the event.

Food GPS on how it’s going to go down:

We’ll start at 3:30 and tally up all the scorecards by about 5:30. Each attendee will be provided with a punchcard and a score sheet. The score sheet factors in flavor, originality and presentation. It will probably be 1-6 points for flavor, 1-3 points for originality and 1-3 points for presentation.

In any case it sounds like a fabulously yummy time, plus all proceeds go to benefit 826LA, the non-profit writing and tutoring program for kids 6-18. So you shouldn’t feel too guilty about indulging.

I’m definitely going. If you want to go, RSVP with Josh at joshua [at] foodgps.com, that way you get on the RSVP list and only pay $23 the day of the event. Procrastinators will pay $28 at the door. Cash only.

EVENT: SUNDAY, JULY 26 at 3:30pm

Blue Palms Brewhouse
6124 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90028 (map)

This Weekend: Karaoke Idol, Getty Survives, Renegade Crafters

I can’t believe it’s already Thursday! So many fun, weird things to do, where to begin?

Friday, July 10

Poketo Karaoke Dance Party at Royal/T
The party at the Poketo pop-up store doesn’t seem to ever stop! This Friday it’s a dance floor and even a Karaoke Idol competition where wanna-be idols compete not for 15 minutes of fame but for Poketo prizes, yay! By the by, I might just be playing Paula Abdul and judge the karaoke contest. The happy hour drinks from 8-10pm will come in handy with my impersonation. Hey-oh! RSVP with rsvp [at] poketo.com.

  • 8pm-1am. Free. Royal/T, 8910 Washington Boulevard, Culver City (map).

Rock ‘N Roll Wine Event at House of Blues’ Foundation Room
Gain access to the exclusive members-only Foundation Room in the House of Blues Sunset Strip for a night of rocking with your cork out. The second in a series of wine events, this unique event pairs vino from around the world with music, which will be provided by Vegas guitarist Jeremy Cornwell. Light apps will also be provided.

  • 7-10pm. $35 advance/$40 at door. Foundation Room at House of Blues, 8430 W Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (map). (323) 848-5100.

Saturday, July 11

Tom’s Shoes Sample Sale
Honestly I don’t understand the appeal of these shoes but my roommate absolutely adores them so this is really a heads-up for her. Get 50% off never-before-seen styles, colors and patterns. Prices start at $15. There will also be live music from Vanilla Furs, Peachy Keene and more. Cash and credit cards only.

  • 10am-7pm. Tom’s HQ, 3025 Olympic Boulevard Studio C, Santa Monica (map).

Renegade Craft Fair
Love Etsy to death? You’ll love the Renegade Craft Fair, one of the biggest craft events, that features 200-plus independent vendors from all over the country. Find handmade jewelry, silk-screened posters, unique apparel, DIY knitting and more. The event takes place on the 13th floor of the CMC affording a gorgeous 360-degree view of downtown while you shop.

  • Saturday and Sunday, 11am-7pm. Free. California Market Center, 110 E 9th Street, Downtown (map).

Saturdays Off the 405: Mas Exitos
Yup, the Getty Center is still there. Wednesday’s fire near the museum was a close one! How about celebrating the Getty by dancing to Mas Exitos, a bi-weekly event normally at Verdugo Bar, in the Museum Courtyard? Enjoy this mix of cumbias, Afro beats and tropicalia along with your Getty-tinis at the cash bar. Latin quartet Domingo Siete will also be performing.

  • 6-9pm. The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles (map).

Sunday, July 12

Venice Vintage Motorcycle Ride and Rally
This event sounds like so much fun! Drool over some beautiful vintage bikes at this free Venice event. If you’ve got a vintage beauty of your own, you can join the vintage ride on a designated route through the Santa Monica Mountains. When you get back, enter your ride in vintage judging ($5) and enjoy a beer garden catered by Bigfoot Lodge as well as a raffle and barbecue from someone named Uncle Creepo. Proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club of Venice.

  • 11am-5pm. Free. epOxyGreen, 602 Venice Boulevard, Venice (map).

Service Industry Night at Malo
This Sunday kicks off a special drink night just for those in the food and beverage service industry. When you bring your most recent pay stub, you get to enjoy $4 Tecate, $5 sangria and $5 cocktails featuring 1800, Plymouth Gin, Tito’s Vodka, Cointreau and Ron Matusalem Rum. There’s even $2 happy hour tacos.

  • 9pm-2am. Malo, 4326 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (323) 644-1011.

This Just In: Press Releases in the CoC Mailbox

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OK, I got a slew of press releases sent my way. Too many to write about so I’m just going to drop it all in here cuz there’s no way I can do a dedicated post for each one. It’s my own fault for going out of town and falling behind.

Downtown

Downtown’s Rowdy Red Wine and Burger Bar is launching a daily “Get Your Wine On” happy hour where you can get $3 for selected wines by the glass and 30% off all bottles of their boutique California wines from 4pm til close. And their eats, like mini corndogs, spinach and artichoke dip with chips and beef burgers are already priced below $5. Rowdy Red Wine and Burger Bar, 505 Flower Street, Downtown (map).

Cafe Pinot is launching a Locals Night this Thursday, July 9 from 5:30-7:30pm when guests will be offered A Taste of the French Riviera on its outdoor olive tree-lined patio with complimentary assorted tapenade with homemade crackers and breads as well as $5 pomme frites with herbes de Provence and garlic aioli, tuna nicoise rillette, and grilled rosemary chicken open-faced sandwich. Assorted wine and beer, as well as valet parking (after 5:15pm) is also $5. And they’re gonna have “French cocktails” for $7. RSVP with lreilly@patinagroup.com. Cafe Pinot, 700 W 5th Street, Downtown (map). (213) 239-6500.

This Friday the 10th, wine and Latin food event, AltaMed Health Services’ East LA Meets Napa, at the Union Station downtown will give winos and foodies the chance to pair and enjoy Latin cuisine from L.A. restaurants with fine wine from Latino-owned or -operated Napa wineries. Ferget cervezas and margaritas for a change! Participating restaurants include Rivera, La Casita Mexicana and El Tepeyac Cafe to name a few. There will be 40 wine and food tasting stations and live music and a live auction. Tickets are $125 a person and can be purchased here or by calling (323) 889-7886. Union Station, 800 N.Alameda Street, Downtown (map).

Wanna take your wine knowledge to the next level and learn what it takes to be a certified sommelier? On Monday, July 13, from 4 to 7pm, downtown’s the Must Wine Bar, along with the Italian Sommelier Association (Associazione Italiana Sommelier or AIS), will be hosting a presentation about the Association’s upcoming 2009/2010 classes to become a certified sommelier. RSVP with events [at] aiscalifornia.com. The Must Wine Bar, 118 W 5th Street, Downtown (map).

Pasadena

Bar Celona in Pasadena is in the midst of celebrating Pamploma, Spain’s annual Running of the Bulls and the weeklong festival culminates this Thursday, July 9 with the restaurant’s five-year anniversary celebration. Hungry Hispanophiles will be able to enjoy all night happy hour with $5 sangria, select beer and cocktails as well as paella cooking demos and tasting events. If you’re feeling especially testosterone-y, there will even be a mechanical bull in the bar to give a go. And the official “Running of the Bulls” starts at 9:30pm. Bar Celona, 46 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena (map). (626) 405-1000.

Westside

On Friday, July 10, Sushi Nozawa launches its second location of SugarFish in Brentwood, its first is in Marina del rey. The new restaurant, which marries classic Japanese design with a modern aesthetic, was designed by Dex, the same folks behind the Rose Cafe’s new redo, Alibi Room and Hudson House. Sugarfish prides itself on being able to offer high-quality sushi for affordable prices in a “relaxed, California-style setting. Sugarfish Brentwood, 11640 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood (map). (310) 820-4477.

The Mondrian on Sunset has two specials going on for the summer. On Fridays from 1 to 4pm, Asia de Cuba becomes affordable for cheapskates like me. That’s right, for its “Out of Office Fridays” you get $5 food menu and cocktails. Even valet at this Sunset Strip hotspot is $5. Since the hours are so odd, I’m guessing only those in between gigs, those on furlough, or those who get summer hours will be able to take advantage. And chichi SkyBar is offering its summer drink menu with limited time price specials. And for each month this summer (through the end of September) SkyBar will debut an original cocktail and offer it for half price. July’s cocktail is the SkyBar Smash ($8) — Makers, strawberries and lemon with a hint of basil. Asia de Cuba and SkyBar at Mondrian, 8440 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (map). (323) 650-8999.

Every Tuesday in July from 6 to 9pm, Kai Vodka, Vietnamese premium rice-based vodka, will be featuring $5 signature cocktails paired with $5 Asian-inspired small plates at Viceroy Santa Monica outdoor patio. For July 14, look for the Kai Vino Martini — Kai vodka, muddled green seedless grapes, white wine and simple syrup. July 21′s cocktail is the Kai Pear Bellini with Kai vodka, Kai lychee, lime juice, simple syrup, pear puree and prosecco. And July 29 features the Sunflower cocktail with Kai vodka, sake, lemon juice, elderflower syrup and muddled cucumber slices. Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica (map). (310) 260-7511.

Nobu in West Hollywood has just launched a summer tapas menu that’s available seven nights a week. You’ll find hot and cold tapas like panko-encrusted scallops, fois gras on crispy soba and miso marinated grilled Pacific white shrimp for under $10 each. That’s m’ok but you gotta give them props for $6 mixed drinks! Wine by the glass is available for $7 and martinis for $10. Nobu West Hollywood, 903 N. La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood (map). (310) 657-5711.

Valley

Beginning July 12 and in anticipation of the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Arclight Sherman Oaks will be screening all five Potter movies leading up to the new movie’s midnight release on the 15th. Costumes from The Half-Blood Prince are on display at the ArcLight Sherman Oaks lobby. Sunday, July 12 through Tuesday, July 14. ArcLight Sherman Oaks, 15301 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks (map).

Tickets for the 27th Annual American Wine and Food Festival, on my L.A. bucket list, have gone on sale! Treat yourself to a foodie’s paradise with all you can consume from culinary delights created by famous chefs to fine wines and spirits. Tickets for this event on the Universal Studio Back Lot are $300 a person. If that’s too pretty a penny, for $150 you can get entrance to the Friday Evening Kickoff event with location still TBD but it’s a lot more chill offering chic eats and drinks in a lounge setting. And should I even bother mentioning the $750 ticket for the event’s Sunday Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner at Spago Beverly Hills? Ok, yeah, for that much you get to enjoy a six-course dinner created by celebrity chefs.

OMG! Sigh! Wow, I feel so much better now.

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