Caroline on Crack | December 2009

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Monthly Archives: December 2009

December 30, 2009

This Weekend: Champagne Cupcakes, Detox Cocktails, Penguin Swim

Here we are; the end of 2009! Yippee! And tear. Happy New Year, crackheads! May you have an awesome holiday and an even better 2010. You all be safe out there!

Wednesday, December 30

Champagne Cupcakes at SusieCakes
This cupcakery is so smart! It has created cupcakes with which to toast the New Year and to accompany a hangover brunch the following day. Real champagne spikes its pink champagne (brut rose pink cake with white frosting) and Morning-After Mimosa cupcakes. These holiday beauties are only available today and tomorrow so get ‘em while you can. $3 each.

All SusieCakes locations.

Friday, January 1

New Year’s Day Detox Cocktails at RH at the Andaz
Ow your pounding head? Why not grab some detox cocktails at the Sunset Strip’s airy hotel dining room? Don’t forget your sunglasses though cuz it’s bright in there with those huge windows looking out at Sunset Boulevard. There will be Bloody Marys as well as hangover relief in the form of fresh limonatta, organic multivitamin juice and green smoothie (avocado, pear, arugula lettuce, lemon and ginger). See Food GPS’s post for the brunch food details.

10am-5pm. RH at the Andaz, 8401 W. Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (map).

50th Annual Venice Penguin Swim
No doubt you’ve heard about the Polar Bear Plunge where crazy folk back east dive into icy waters during the winter donning nothing but skivvies and a swim cap. In L.A. our version is the Penguin Swim. OK, it’s not as cold here as it is, say, in Coney Island, but it’s still an insane, albeit invigorating ritual…so I imagine. This event has been going on for 50 years and last year 80 participants did it. Will this year bring more? Sidewalk Cafe will provide snacks and hot drinks to the shivering masses.

11am-1pm. Free. The breakwater at the end of Windward Boulevard in Venice Beach (map).

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day
For a change, a good deed goes rewarded! Starting January 1, when you sign up to volunteer for a day at a participating organization (and your service is completed and verified) you’ll get free one day admission to Disneyland! Get your family involved, too, as the offer allows for a maximum of eight members of your household to sign up.

Post-Parade Showcase of Tournament of Roses Parade Floats
I always found the Tournament of Roses Parade painful-boring-depressing to watch because it’s always right after that raucous NYE and who can stand people that cheery so early in the AM? But if you still want to see the beautiful flowery floats in person, you can as they will all be parked along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena for public perusal after the parade. You can even download a Tournament of Roses-produced audio tour of the floats off iTunes to listen to as you view them! Allow for two hours to enjoy the display and don’t forget comfortable walking shoes, bottled water and your camera.

1-5pm. $7. Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards, Pasadena (map).

Saturday, January 2

Get $10 Groupon Bucks When You Buy Two Deals
When you purchase two separate deals on Groupon, the daily deal Web site, before midnight of January 3 you get back $10 Groupon bucks to apply to your next deal! The site already offers deep discounts on events, shopping, and venues so it could mean that you get $40 worth of food at a place like Ciudad for $10 or a $188 spa treatment for $40!

Categories: Cocktails, Cupcakes, Dining, Lists, Los Angeles, Recreation, Shopping & Sales, Sweets

1 Comment

December 29, 2009

My Chillaxing New Year’s Eve Party Drink List

Christmas is done. Now on to the next hyped-up holiday: New Year’s Eve! Since crowds and huge bar tabs soo aren’t my thing, I decided to throw my own sweet, little shindig this year. But the twist here is that this one will be low-key. No fancy dress-up. No djs. No crazy house party crowds. Just a girl and 20 to 30 or so of her best pallies. In any case, I started thinking about what to serve my peeps, other than plain bubbly. Fortunately I was able to score a couple of liquor sponsors, get a recipe from a renowned mixologist and came up with an inspired, chill way to toast the new year.

Here’s my drink list for the last day of 2009. Wait, is this too much booze?

Pinky Vodka (Flickr Shot by handbook)

THE VODKA

So I’m doubly indebted to Pinky Vodka. Not only did they sponsor our blogger prom this year but they sent me a couple of huuuge bottles for my intimate New Year’s Eve shindig. So yes, I will gladly shill for them. But, I can also do that without fear of tarnishing my rep as an appreciator of fine cocktails. See, Pinky may be pink but it’s not going for any gimmicky, clubby angle. Their vodka is only pink because it’s blended with 12 botanicals, most notably strawberries, rose petals and violets. So it’s flavored naturally and not by sweeteners and such. PLUS, it’s hand-blended by master wine tasters.

They also hired one of my fave cocktail consultants, and friend, Natalie Bovis-Nelsen aka The Liquid Muse, to design cocktail recipes for their vodka so I know it’s class all the way. Her newest is a champagne cocktail that’s perfect for toasting the new year.

Sparkling Pear
Recipe by Natalie Bovis-Nelsen

1 part Pinky Vodka
1/2 part elderflower liqueur
1/2 part pear nectar
1/4 part fresh lemon juice
Pinch of nutmeg
Splash of sparkling wine

Shake all ingredients, except for sparkling wine, over ice. Strain into a champagne flute and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist.

THE PUNCH

Mixology maestro Vincenzo Marianella of Copa d’Oro was good enough to provide me with a whisky punch recipe that’s sure to please the crowd. Incidentally, it also just debuted at the Santa Monica bar.

2010 Punch
Recipe by Vincenzo Marianella

24 oz Sazerac Rye (1 bottle)
6 oz St Germain
6 oz Sweet Sherry
9 oz fresh lemon juice
12 oz organic pear juice
5-6 dashes grapefruit bitter
5-6 dashes orange bitter
24 oz Prosecco (1 bottle)

Add first six ingredients with full scoop of ice in the punch bowl. Stir gently while adding Prosecco, add more ice. Garnish with sliced pear and citrus.

THE WINE

Funny thing is that I was able to get a second booze sponsor! And all without any begging. Sandeman had originally approached me about checking out their Tawny Port (which would have been perfect during my dessert exchange earlier this month) but when I said I was interested in making cocktails, they shipped the Founders Reserve over along with a couple of recipes.

The Sandeman’s Sparkly is basically a Lady MacBeth, a blood-red champagne cocktail that was once served at the Edison. And the Diavlo with it’s use of tequila and my fave ginger beer sounds intriguing.

Sandeman’s Sparkler

1 part Founders Reserve Porto
3 parts Sparkling wine

Sandeman Diavlo

1 part Sandeman Founders Reserve Port
1 � parts Blanco Tequila
� part fresh lime juice
� part simple syrup
Ginger beer

Champie in a Can (Photo by LA-Story)

FOR THE MIDNIGHT TOAST: CHAMPAGNE IN A CAN

But the piece de resistance for my chillaxing New Year’s Eve party will be our clinking cans instead of schmancy champagne glass flutes come midnight. Niebaum-Coppola Winery, owned by director Francis Ford Coppola, makes Sofia blanc de blancs sparkling white in cute little pink cans complete with tiny sippy straws. Apparently it’s most popular in clubs and swanky pools, where glass is most def not allowed.

But I first encountered the champie in a can at some trailer-park themed barestaurant in New York and was surprised by how tasty it actually was. Made from Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat, it tastes of apple, melon and tangerine “with notes of bright lemon and honey evident on the refreshing, mouth-tingling finish.” (Winemaker’s notes)

You can get a four-pack (187ml a can) at the Wine House in West LA for $12.99 and $11.99 at BevMo. These are also really handy for picnics and celebrations on the go when you don’t want to deal with lugging glassware.

FOR THOSE BRAVING THE CROWDS

If you feel you really must get out to celebrate the new decade, you crazy bastards, here are some links of NYE event roundups, including dinners, bar events and clubs, for your consideration.

e*starLA: NYE Dinner-Party Roundup

LA Times: Ring in 2010: Los Angeles New Year’s Eve Parties

Los Angeles Magazine: Roundup: New Year’s Eve Planner

NBCLA: LA’s New Year’s Eve 2010 Hot List

Thirsty in LA: Cocktail NYE Celebrations

Categories: Cocktails, Los Angeles, Recipes

13 Comments

December 28, 2009

Top 10 Favorite Cocktails of 2009

As another year ends, I’m left to reflect on this year’s many cocktail adventures (see my map of Fave LA Bars of 2009). Much to my joy, many new cool bars opened up in 2009 and most were instant favorites like Copa d’Oro, Roger Room and the Tar Pit. And I’ve sampled many a cocktail but somehow managed to whittle down all the ones I loved to this manageable list for your perusal. It’s no coincidence that they’re all basically dark spirits — bourbon, rum, tequila. Oh but how I love aromatic cocktails!

Tar Pit's Jamaican Firefly

Here they are, my top 10 cocktail faves from Oh-Nine. They’re listed from most recent to not-so recent.

1) Jamaican Firefly at the Tar Pit: I love Dark & Stormys and this one off Audrey Saunders’ new La Brea bar menu is no exception. Dark rum, house-made ginger beer, lime juice, simple syrup. The house-made ginger beer is nice and spicy and I love the tasty candied ginger garnish which echoes the sweet and spiciness of the cocktail. I’d definitely make a habit of ordering this baby.

2) Superstizione at Drago Centro: Bourbon, Kahlua, Dry Vermouth, Peychaud’s Bitters, Orange Bitters. This tasty, aromatic cocktail created by mixologist/cocktail blogger Mark Blackhart is reminiscent of the Revolver, one of my most fave drinks ever, at Bourbon & Branch in San Francisco.

PDT's Benton's Old Fashioned

3) Benton’s Old Fashioned at PDT in NYC: Discovered during my trip to NYC last October, PDT’s yummy-sounding Benton’s Old Fashioned is made from bacon-infused Four Roses bourbon, Grade B maple syrup and Angostura bitters. The bacon flavor was so subtle but you could still taste it. And despite the maple syrup this wasn’t a sweet cocktail.

4) Last Tango in Modena at Hollywood Roosevelt’s Library Bar: Then hidden-gem-of-a-bartender, Matt Biancaniello, created this innovative cocktail comprised of Hendricks Gin, muddled strawberries, 3-year-old balsamic vinegar topped with St. Germain foam. I heart how he turned one of my favorite desserts into an impressive cocktail. It even looks like dessert in a glass. Yummy.

Bottega Louie's Manhattan

5) Manhattan at Bottega Louie: Knob Creek 9-year, Antica Carpano sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters and garnished with Morello cherries. Yes, it’s a Manhattan but you have to understand that I found this well-made cocktail after having been disappointed by the ones I had just hours before at the Gallery Bar in the Biltmore. And when I took that first sip, I had to wipe away a couple of tears. Relief, maybe. Happiness, definitely. The cocktail had the perfect measurements of everything. I wanted to swish it around in my mouth and gargle with it before letting it run down my throat. Dee-licious.

6) Tiger’s Milk No. II at Heaven’s Dog in SF: Tiger’s Milk No. II, mixologist Jacqueline Patterson’s creamy mix of Spanish brandy, rum, sugar, cream and nutmeg. OMG so tasty. I encountered the tiger at San Francisco’s Heaven’s Dog, a noodle shop/barestaurant with yummy cocktails. This one was dangerously drinkable in that I could down two of these one after the other. It wasn’t as sweet as its ingredients implied it would be but I think it would be an awesome way to finish off your dinner.

7) Thug at Roger Room: This is my favorite on the La Cienega Boulevard bar’s menu, created by Damian Windsor and Jared Meisler. With a combo of Maker’s and habanero pepper, how could you go wrong? Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Baronjager Honey Liqueur, lemon juice and spicy habanero bitters on the rocks. It’s spicy spicy, perfect for savoring.

Copa d'Oro's Diva

8) Diva at Copa d’Oro: Sazerac Rye, Sweet Vermouth, Mozart dark chocolate liqueur, orange bitters and rhubarb bitters. This cocktail, created by Vincenzo Marianella, appeared on the Santa Monica bar’s debut menu but frustratingly enough couldn’t be ordered for several months since its key ingredient, the Mozart dark chocolate liqueur, was difficult for the bar to get hold of. When it was finally available, its composition reminded me of a chocolate-tinged Manhattan. Its cocoa flavor was very subtle only showing up in the finish. It was tasty although missing some depth which was instantly corrected when made with Campari which provided it with a much-needed kick.

9) The Lullaby at the Malo Cocktail Contest: I was fortunate to have this during a cocktail competition held at Malo in Silver Lake which pitted a bunch of mixologists against one another. Matty Eggleston, formerly of The Hungry Cat and The Varnish, created this mother’s milk of a cocktail using Gran Centenario Rosangel, Nutella and steamed milk. His comforting concoction would make a lovely night cap. Despite the use of Nutella it’s not too sweet and the orange zest and grated cinnamon give it the spiciness it needs.

10) Donaji at Rivera: An unusual mix by Julian Cox of mezcal, citrus, pomegranate, agave nectar and Chapulin salt. So aromatic and smoky with a lot of kick. I’ve never tasted anything like it and it won’t be the last time as this will be my drink of choice here.

Related Post: My Top 10 Favorite Cocktails From 2008

Categories: Cocktails, Lists, Los Angeles

9 Comments

December 22, 2009

L.A. Christmas Gift Ideas: Book Edition

Can’t think of what to get for your favorite Angeleno who actually loves books? Yup, there are still some of us out there. Check out these L.A.-centric tomes ranging from cookbooks to sexy flipbooks. I’ve included where to buy them with an emphasis on independent bookstores.

Bubbly Bride ($16.95) by Natalie Bovis-Nelsen: Cocktail consultant and L.A. blogger Natalie aka The Liquid Muse has just come out with her second cocktails book which offers a cocktail for every moment a new bride has a reason to toast to, from engagement to the honeymoon. Bonus is that it includes some recipe contributions from top L.A. mixologists like Eric Alperin of The Varnish and Damian Windsor of Roger Room. Champagne cocktail recipes can also be used to toast the New Year. Available on The Liquid Muse site, The Bar Keeper and chain bookstores.

Crave: The Feast of 5 Senses ($49.95) by Chef Ludo Lefebvre: Foodie fans will follow wherever this tatted-up French chef goes, as proven by his sold-out dates at his too-brief pop-up LudoBites restaurants at Breadbar and, just this month, Royal-T Cafe. His 13-day stint at Royal/T ends tonight but if you’re lucky enough to be there, you can purchase an autographed copy of the book at the cafe. If he’s not too busy in the kitchen you might be able to ask him to inscribe it to you. Available at Royal/T Cafe and chain bookstores.

Dita: Stripteese ($30) by Dita Von Teese and Sheryl Nields: This fun and glamorous flipbook would be the perfect gift for burlesque fans and Dita groupies alike as it showcases L.A.’s celebrated performer, her gorgeous costumes and signature dances — the martini glass show, bird of paradise show and the classic striptease — in three separate flipbooks to be enjoyed anywhere. Ferget YouTube! Available at Hennessey+Ingalls in Hollywood and chain bookstores.

Eat 2010 Los Angeles: The Food Lover’s Guide to Los Angeles ($19.95): The second edition of this must-have foodie guide boasts over 1,200 listings that cover everything in our city from food trucks to ethnic markets to high-end restaurants. Pat Saperstein of blog Eating LA and Amelia Saltsman, author of Santa Monica Farmer’s Market Cookbook, are just a few of the top L.A. food writers behind this comprehensive guide. Available at Vroman’s in Pasadena and chain bookstores.

L.A.’s Original Farmer’s Market Cookbook ($22.95) by JoAnn Cianculli: Meet Me at 3rd and Fairfax: In celebration of the 75th anniversary of this Midcity’s foodie favorite, author JoAnn Cianculli compiled the recipes of the 48 restaurants, food stalls and bakeries on 3rd and Fairfax into this one handy-dandy book. L.A. history and a huge variety of recipes! Available at Taschen Bookstore in the Farmer’s Market and chain bookstores.

Los Angeles: Portrait of a City ($70): Who says our city doesn’t have history? This pictorial history coffee table book covers the humble beginnings of the City of Angels in the 1800s to the hey-day of Hollywood to present day with the help of 500 photographs taken from historical archives, museums, private collections and universities and shot by the likes of Julius Shulman and William Claxton. Available at Book Soup in West Hollywood and chain bookstores.

The Naked Pint: An Unadulterated Guide to Craft Beer ($19.95) by Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune: L.A.’s own beer chicks cover the whole gamut of craft beerdom in their new book, from beer and food pairings that include recipes to a bucket list of beers you really oughta consume before you die. A must-have for any beer geek. Available at Skylight Books in Los Feliz and chain bookstores.

Categories: Los Angeles, Shopping & Sales

4 Comments

December 21, 2009

L.A. Christmas Gift Ideas for Under $50

Time flies when you’re procrastinating! Christmas is just this Friday, my friend! And if you still haven’t gotten a gift for your fave Angeleno, here are some gift ideas that are all under $50!

Cocktail Coupes at The Bar Keeper ($6 each): Speakeasies were all the rage this past year, with the Varnish downtown being the must-do for cocktail enthusiasts. If your pal calls The Varnish their second home they’d probably love these cocktail coupes as they’re the same exact ones the DTLA bar uses. At $6 each, the industrial glasses which hold 4.5 ounces of drink, are perfect for adding that swanky feel to holiday parties without spending a fortune. Bar Keeper also carries a martini glass version.

Poketo Artist-Designed Wallets ($20) at Royal/T Cafe: This sturdy, limited-edition wallet would be the perfect gift for that artsy-fartsy hipster in your life. Made of durable vinyl, it folds compactly to fit in a pocket. The wallets come with a snazzy matching badge/pin. You can find these at Royal/T or purchase them online through Poketo, a Los Angeles-based designer of limited-edition art products, apparel and decor.

Cup of Excellence El Salvador: Finca Malacara ($20.50/half pound) at Intelligentsia: Coffee lovers know the Intelligentsia name well but would they ever splurge on awesome coffee for themselves? That’s why opening up a box with this Cup of Excellence award-winning coffee would make any coffee snob squeal with glee. Its flavors have been described as resembling “cherry pie filling and molasses…with a chewy mouthfeel that stays round through the finish of dark chocolate and baking spice notes.”

Categories: Lists, Los Angeles, Shopping & Sales

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December 18, 2009

The Tar Pit: Swanky Times Are Here Again

Jamaican Firefly

Deco Booths

We were going to crash the Tar Pit‘s press party no matter what. It was essentially a sneaky peek of the brand-new La Brea Avenue bar by famed mixologist Audrey Saunders (Pegu Club, NYC) and chef Mark Peel and Jay Perrin (Campanile). And this would be a hot ticket as press was swirling the Interwebs from the New York Times to L.A. blogs weeks before.

We don’t need no steenkin’ invite! Me and blogger friends H.C., Esther and Maya first heard hint of this elusive party on Eater LA and seriously considered just showing up at the door, velvet rope be damned. But then it turned out that 1) the anticipated party date moved and 2) H.C. ended up scoring an invite anyway and then forwarded it on to us. Woo hoo!

Still there was the little matter of rsvping and getting a confirmation. Fortunately we were all able to secure that. Turned out that wouldn’t have mattered anyway since they weren’t even checking names at the door!

Categories: Cocktails, Dining, Los Angeles, Nightlife

11 Comments

December 17, 2009

This Weekend: $4 Holiday Punch, SaMo Pub Crawl, Last Kooza

Aaah! It can’t be! The last weekend before Christmas. But nobody panic. Here are some events to keep your mind off it. It’s gonna be OK.

Thursday, December 17

Four at Checkers: Holiday Punches and Cocktails
In a very special holiday happy hour, Four at Checkers will feature favorite holiday punches, mulled wine and hot buttered rum, in addition to specialty cocktails like Hot Apple Pie made with apple cider, Tuaca liqueur and whipped cream. $4 apps like bay scallops, crab salad and Chef Todd’s take on pork loin will fill you up.

4-8pm. Hilton Checkers, 535 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown (map). (213) 624-0000

Friday, December 18

Epicure Imports’ Open Warehouse Sale
Thank goodness! Wholesale food warehouse Epicure Imports is having a sale that’s open to the public. Just in time for holiday parties and your New Year’s bash. Stock up on a huge selection of gourmet goods like champagne, French and Spanish cheeses, truffle oils and dried pasta. If you plan to do some serious shopping, don’t forget to bring coolers and canvas bags. BTW, sampling is highly encouraged. Yum.

Friday, 1:30-6pm and Saturday, 9:30am-2pm. Epicure Imports, 6900 Beck Avenue, North Hollywood (map). (818) 985-9800.

New Bar The Tar Pit Opens
Audrey Saunders from Pegu Club in New York and Campanile duo Mark Peel and Jay Perrin debut their brand new cocktail collaboration, a 1940s Hollywood-inspired watering hole with cocktails served on trolleys, housemade sodas and Marcos Tello, of The Varnish, as the head bartender. It’s gonna be gooood!

The Tar Pit, 609 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles (map).

Saturday, December 19

1st Annual Santa Monica Pub Crawl
The inaugural (I just hates it when people say “1st Annual” when it hasn’t been around a year, heh) Santa Monica pub crawl kicks off in what will hopefully be another fun holiday tradition, especially for Westsiders who can’t make it east for SantaCon. Santas, reindeers, carolers and elves will visit area bars all in the name of good cheer and to benefit the Westside Food Bank. Bars on the agenda include W 4th/Jane, Ye Olde King’s Head, Shangri La Hotel and Dakota Lounge, most of which will feature food and drink specials.

Starts at 5pm at Rusty’s, Wokcano or Enterprise Fish Co.

Sunday, December 20

Last Night of Cirque Du Soleil’s Kooza
If you haven’t yet seen Kooza, now’s your last chance before the Cirque packs up and heads down to Irvine. Ooh and ahh and feel like a little kid all over again as you marvel at all the stupendous human tricks these circus folk can do. Afterward, hold onto your tickets to score some discounts around Santa Monica.

1pm or 5pm. $60-$125. Santa Monica Pier, 100 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica (map).

Categories: Cocktails, Lists, Los Angeles, Nightlife, Shopping & Sales