Caroline on Crack | March 2010

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Monthly Archives: March 2010

March 31, 2010

Easter Roundup: Brunch, Sweets and Cocktails

Chocolate-dipped Peeps from Compartes Chocolatier

Seems like everyone is eggcited (sorry) about Easter this year what with all the Easter brunches around town. But I thought I’d narrow things down to Easter brunches with a twist, with something other than the usual holiday fare. And I’ve also included cocktail and sweet treat options.

Big Deal: Henry’s Hat in Studio City — Give your server the password “bunny hop” and you will score half off your food order! Also, it’s bottomless mimosas and sangrias and 2-for-1 Bloody Marys and mojitos every weekend brunch.

Henry’s Hat, 3413 Cahuenga Boulevard, Studio City (map). (323) 512-2500.

High Tea and Easter Activities: Royal/T Cafe in Culver City — A la carte menu or $25 high tea. A la carte menu with $9 Sunday scramble, $7 brioche French toast and $8 breakfast sandwiches and more. Plus a special Easter high tea set for $25 that includes Easter-themed treats and a carrot cupcake. Kiddies can be busied with three free different workshops: bunny ears-making, yarn flowers and egg-decorating. LA artist Lyman Sebastian Tillinger will also be on hand from 12 to 3pm to create Ukrainian-inspired Easter egg art.

10am-5pm. Royal/T Cafe, 8910 Washington Boulevard, Culver City (map). (310) 559-6300.

South of the Border: Fuego at the Maya in Long Beach — $26.95/person; $12/child. Enjoy a caliente brunch on the sunny patio of this Long Beach hotel restaurant. Fill up your plates from the salad bar, taquito station, ceviche bar and dessert tables. And choose from entrees like the Chilaquiles Divorciados, Cerveza-Braised Pork Carnitas and Baja Lobster Platter. Menu.

10am-2pm. Fuego at the Maya, 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach (map). Reservations: (562) 481-3910.

Old Hollywood: Hollywood Roosevelt’s Dakota Chop House — $39/person. An elegant buffet brunch at Marilyn Monroe’s old haunt. Here, you get access to an all-you-can-eat continental buffet as well as an entree like Eggs Benedict, Huevos Rancheros, lemon ricotta pancakes or Colorado lamb rack. For an additional $12, it’s bottomless Bloody Marys and bubbly cocktails, including the “Some Like It Hot” Mary with poblano-infused tequila and Marilyn’s Favorite Mimosa of champagne, peach puree and sauternes. Free parking and Sunday papers.

11am-3pm. Dakota Chop House, 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood (map). Reservations: Click here or call (323) 785-3037.

Poolside: The Backyard at W Los Angeles in Westwood — $42/person; $19/Child. So LA, Easter brunch by the pool. Executive Chef Monique King crafted a fresh menu of watermelon and pink grapefruit salad, brioche French toast and a basket of scones. There will also be an Easter egg hunt at noon.

10am-4pm. The Backyard at W Los Angeles � Westwood, 930 Hilgard Avenue, Westwood (map). Reservations: (310) 443-8211.

En Italiano: Locando del Lago in Santa Monica — 3-course menu $49-$55; 4-course menu $69; or a la carte.� The Italian wine pairing is an additional $24/person. This Santa Monica restaurant features an Easter menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Northern Italian dishes include lamb sirloin, Alaskan halibut and vegetable roulades. For dessert, you can order Easter chocolate chunk sweet bread with bitter almond sauce.

Locando del Lago, 231 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica (map).�Reservations: (310) 451-3525.

In the Garden: Descanso Gardens in La Canada — $50/person; $20/child. Brunch in the gardens, make sure to take your Claritin first. Here, you get seasonal Ratatouille, a build-your-own waffle bar and for dessert a chocolate croissant bread pudding.�Menu.

Seatings at 9am, 10:30am, noon, and 1:30pm. 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada Flintridge (map). Reservations: (818) 790-3663.

LA View: Gordon Ramsay at The�London�West Hollywood — $85/person. Take in the views of Sunset Strip while visiting the sushi bar, risotto station, omelette station and a carving station with wild salmon and beef tenderloin. Best part has gotta be the free-flowing champagne, mimosas and Bloody Marys. Menu.

11:30am-3pm. Gordon Ramsay at The London, 1020 N. San Vicente, West Hollywood (map). Reservations: (310) 358-7788.

Organic: Akasha in Culver City. No prix-fixe here but lots of yummy specials like goat cheese gnocchi with fava beans ($12), herb-crusted leg of lamb with creamy polenta ($25) or sea bass with English pea and green garlic puree ($25). For booze there’s no corkage for wine or you can toast the holiday with a local sour orange mojito or blood orange and tangelo margarita.

4-9pm. Akasha, 9543 Culver Boulevard, Culver City (map). Reservations: (310) 845-1700.

COCKTAILS:

Cabo Cantina on Sunset Boulevard has bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys for $9.95 til 3pm.

Hungry Cat in Hollywood boasts half-priced specialty cocktails, draft beer and bottles of wine all day on Easter Sunday. Reservations: (323) 462-2155

Napa Valley Grille in Westwood may have a fab Easter brunch buffet ($49/person; $19/child) but I’m liking its tableside, made-to-order Mojitos or Bloody Mary cocktails ($12) with a choice of Grey Goose or Ketel One vodka, fresh juices, savory ingredients, and garnish options. Reservations: (310) 824-3322.

SWEETS:

Buttercake Bakery has a selection of holiday desserts, like flower cupcakes and daisy petit fours for Easter and Matzah toffee brownies and flourless chocolate cake for Passover.

Compartes Chocolatier offers special treats to make your Easter basket extra chic: chocolate dipped peeps and hand-painted chocolate bunnies.

Crumbs Bake Shop has pretty pastel Easter chocolate and vanilla cupcakes decorated with sprinkles, bunny sugar cookies or jelly beans. Or for Passover enjoy the Raspberry Red Sea nut cupcake, Holy Moses chocolate cupcake or Chocolate and Vanilla Commandments. (FYI, none are kosher for Passover.)

Simon LA in West Hollywood has a brunch that stands out because of its dedicated dessert buffet, under a tree no less, which features chocolate eggs, carrot cupcakes, coconut macaroons, house made marshmallows, assortment of cookies and more.

Sprinkles is featuring brown sugar praline and carrot cake cupcakes through April 4 as well as Passover chocolate cupcake through April 6. Or you can impress the hostess of your Easter brunch with a HOP box of the spring selection of dark chocolate, red velvet, brown sugar praline and carrot cupcakes decorated with pink and green bunnies.

Categories: Cocktails, Cupcakes, Dining, Lists, Los Angeles, Sweets

2 Comments

March 30, 2010

Oww/Ahh Fitness: Yoga and Spinning Center in Venice

Now that I’ve gained all this weight during my booze fast I need to try and lose it again. Argh! Fortunately my friend Natalie, aka The Liquid Muse, told me about Kimberly Fowler’s YAS (Yoga and Spinning Center) in Venice, a hybrid class that has you spinning for a half hour followed by another half hour of yoga, a fitness sampler if you will. Apparently Self Magazine called it “Zen on wheels.” I tried it out for the first time ever on Sunday and LOVED it. Who knew that I’d still have energy to do anything after an intense spinning class but it works. And it’s a perfect complement to my running as it’s low impact and will increase my flexibility.

The first half hour on the bike was so grueling and I even thought I was going to faint because I couldn’t seem to take in enough air. (Next time I’m going to sit on a bike next to the open garage door.) �To help me get through the class Natalie told me that it’s usually about eight songs long so I could countdown since there isn’t a clock in the classroom. Our instructor kept offering up whoops of encouragement and some people in the class were woo-hooing and hollering like, “Oh yeah, baby, hurts so good!” Not me. When I felt like I hit my limit, I just got back in the saddle, eased off the resistance on the bike and guzzled some water. I figured I had to save some energy for the yoga class. But I was wrong.

Turns out the yoga class was a nice, relaxing way to stretch and come down from the spinning. We did plank pushups, warrior poses, downward dog, etc. Nothing too strenuous or difficult. But it was perfect because afterward I wasn’t in any pain at all, even the next day. I wish I knew that about the yoga class beforehand because then I would have pushed myself harder during the spinning class.

Anyway, the great thing about these classes, besides how nice everyone is, is that you have to reserve your spot beforehand and that prevents it from getting overly packed. No having to fight for a spot here. If you buy a package of tickets, you can make your reservations 24 hours before the class.

Since there is currently a special running until the end of March (tomorrow!) I bought a package of 20 classes for $210, which comes out to only $10.25 a class. A single class usually goes for $17! I highly recommend you score that special while you can. Don’t worry about your package expiring either as there is no expiration date. Natalie said she still had a package saved from six years ago and was still able to use it. That’s more than incentive enough for me, Queen of Expired Coupons.

The YAS classes are offered Monday through Friday at 5:30am and every day at 11:15am. And you don’t need to bring a yoga mat or special spinning shoes since they provide mats and straps for your sneaks. Just bring a bottle of water and a towel. Woo hoo! Here’s to fun weight loss.

YAS Venice
1101 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice, California 90291 (map)
(310) 396-6993

Categories: Los Angeles, Recreation

5 Comments

March 29, 2010

Cocktail Menu for Tonight’s First & Hope Red Rover Bar Night

At First & Hope Supper Club's bar.

I know I already wrote about First & Hope Supper Club’s Red Rover, Red Rover event but this time I was able to get the cocktail menu!

Yup, as a reminder: Red Rover, Red Rover is First & Hope’s new bar night tonight. Yes, nearly a month before the supper club’s official opening on April 23. Like the Edison’s monthly bar night, the Radio Room, which goes off tomorrow night, Red Rover will bring in the best mixologists from all over the country who will create unique concoctions for cocktail enthusiasts to enjoy.

Tonight’s guest bartenders include Erick Castro of The Rickhouse in SF, Misty Kalkofen of Drink in Boston and Juan Sevilla of LA’s Soho House. Author of The Modern Mixologist, Tony Abou-Ganim, will also be in attendance signing copies of his book.

Here’s the menu for your drink strategizing pleasure, along with their creators in parens. Each cocktail is $12 and the bar will only accept cash tonight, no cards.

The Baby Daisy (Erick Castro): Martin Miller’s Gin, Clement VSOP Rum, lemon juice, housemade grenadine and sparkling water
Easy Living (Tony Abu-Ganim): Rhum Clement VSOP, ginger liqueur, pineapple and lime juices
La Revelacion (Misty Kalkofen): Spanish brandy, Dry Sack sherry, Rhum Clement, Creole shrub and absinthe
Little Monster’s Exotic Punch (Erick Castro): Rhum Clement VSOP, Dry Sack Oloroso 15-year sherry, allspice dram, lime juice, organic cane sugar, fresh grated nutmeg and sparkling water
Smokin’ Redcoat (Juan Sevilla): Martin Miller’s Gin, Carpan Antica Formula and mezcal
St. Pierre (Misty Kalkofen): Clement Premier Canne Rum, Green Chartreuse, lemon and grapefruit juices
The Statesman (Erick Castro): Martin Miller’s London Dry Gin, Rothman & Winter Pear, Green Chartreuse and Orange Bitters
Summer in Martinique (Juan Sevilla): Rhum Clement, housemade habanero-infused agave nectar, Aperol and lemon

Hmm, alas no whiskey drinks for this one but La Revelacion and Little Monster’s Exotic Punch sound mighty tasty!

For sustenance, guests can enjoy their fill of appetizers and First & Hope’s signature pimento cheese balls and housemade crackers, along with mini sandwiches, twice-baked potato bites, Swedish meatballs and desserts.

And if you’ve had too much to drink, designated driver service Y Drive LA will be on hand to drive you and your car home for a fee.

Hope to see you there!

EVENT: TONIGHT at 7pm

First & Hope Supper Club
710 W. 1st Street
Los Angeles, California 90012 (map)
(213) 617-8555

Categories: Cocktails, Los Angeles, Nightlife

4 Comments

March 29, 2010

5 Things I Learned From My Booze Fast

My first cocktail post Booze Fast: Penicillin

After 39 lonnnng days I finally broke my booze fast with a Dalmore Scotch lunch at the Varnish yesterday. Contrary to popular belief, most days this fast — inspired by Lent but by no means religious — was easy to pull off. I never got the shakes or spontaneously salivated, although in the second week I did have nightmares about drinking and then felt incredibly guilty.

But it was during St. Patrick’s Day, a Radio Room, a wine tasting and a weekend in Mammoth with my boozing blogger friends where my resolve was tested to the nth degree. And yet somehow I managed to power through without consuming a drop of booze. Well, not counting that time that Ortega 120 mistakenly gave me a regular margarita instead of the virgin coconut one I ordered. But even then I wasn’t tempted to “accidentally” take more than that first shocking sip. I think it helped that I made a list of things I wanted to drink as soon as the fast was over. Gave me something to look forward to.

Anyway, I wanted to share some revelations I experienced during my liquor-free Lent-ish for the curious who have been toying with the idea of doing one themselves. Although your experience will probably be different from mine:

I didn’t feel different. Not healthier, not more energetic. But I did feel bored. I had to say no to lots of things since it didn’t make sense for me to do happy hour or go to a lot of events where there was booze paired with food. Suffice it to say, I stayed home a lot.
Oddly enough, I didn’t lose weight but rather gained weight. Five pounds to be exact. Seems that depriving myself of cocktails aggravated my sweet tooth so I never passed on dessert and was always snacking. I think this was also due to my wanting to replace one vice for another. “Well since I’m not having a cocktail, I can order that creme brulee.”
I learned to appreciate cocktails on a whole other level. When out with friends at bars, I’d always ask to smell the cocktails that they ordered. They thought I was just torturing myself but I saw it as appreciating that aspect of drinking most of us usually skip which is to take in its aroma like one would with wine before a sip. “Mmm, I can smell that hint of ginger, the warmth of the Scotch and a whiff of lemon.” This is something I’ll continue to practice as it really creates a well-rounded drinking experience and makes the cocktail all the more satisfying to consume.
I don’t have to finish every drink. Because of this practice of mindful drinking I found yesterday during the Scotch lunch that I didn’t feel compelled to dry out every glass of booze set in front of me. When I had my fill, I stopped. No biggie.
There are plenty of great alternatives to cocktails, especially at bars that have fresh produce like at Rivera and Copa d’Oro where they can fix you up a delicious mocktail with a cocktail-worthy presentation. Mmm, blackberry with ginger beer. But at regular bars, I made do with ginger beer with orange juice or just ginger ale. When that got too sweet, club soda with lime for a refreshing sip.

Although I didn’t feel any different and I didn’t lose the weight I hoped I would, I’d do this again. It was really nice to take a break from drinking because for awhile there I felt like I was drinking every night. Not good.

Plus it really made me learn to practice mindful drinking where I actually slow down and savor the cocktail by enjoying its presentation, aroma and taste. Some things that I probably took for granted before.

Anyway, it feels great to be off the wagon again. FYI, if you feel like celebrating with me, I’ll be at First & Hope tonight for their new bar night, Red Rover, Red Rover for some drinks, jazz and appetizers. Hope to see you there. BTW, although there’s no cover to get in, it’s cash only at the bar so make a quick stop at the ATM first.

Categories: Lists, Los Angeles, Other

11 Comments

March 26, 2010

Pitfire Artisan Pizza and Its New Spring Menu

Pitfire Pizza's Big Sur

When I lived in Mar Vista for 10 years, I hated the fact that there weren’t any cool eateries or bars within walking distance of my hovel near Venice and Centinela. Cut to four years later and now there’s a fancified Alibi Room, Rockenwagner Bakery, the Curious Palate and, most recently, Pitfire Artisan Pizza, which opened last month. Hmm, maybe it’s time for me to move back.

I first became familiar with the gourmet pizza restaurant on my many trips to the Edison downtown as it’s located just around the corner from the bar. And what was impressive about it is that everything is of such high-quality and so fresh, what with its farmer’s market ingredients, artisanal beers and even homemade cookies.

Wood-burning oven

So, yeah, I was so de-lighted to find out that this good pizza joint took over the space of bad pizza joint, Shakey’s, on Washington Boulevard. The new space — designed by Barbara Bestor, the same architect who designed Intelligentsia and wine bar Lou — is spacious and modern. No cushy couches here. Several booths take up the wall of windows looking out at Washington Boulevard and there are a couple of communal tables, a marble counter and plenty of banquettes. Outside, off the parking lot, there’s an outdoor patio that seats 30 diners and features an olive grove and edible garden, featuring tomatoes and herbs.

Seems like all my old neighbors love the restaurant as it’s filled with families in the early evening hours, giving it a real community feel. Kids running around, standing on chairs…staring at me while I eat. That’s why I think I’ll go in the later hours after 8pm when the restaurant is filled with couples on dates and booths of friends drinking wine and beer. And on Thursday and Friday nights there’s a DJ from Venice’s Walnut Avenue Radio spinning some “atmospheric music.”

As for the drinking situation, currently the restaurant sells wine as well as bottled beer, but is looking to install a wall of 6 to 8 kegs where that cute picture of the welcoming alien is currently located.*

I’ve only been a couple of times since this location opened but so far my favorite eats are the farmer’s market plate which always features, you guessed it, fresh produce from the farmer’s market. And I love the spicy Big Sur pizza with wild Gulf shrimp, marinated tomato, lemon zest, roasted garlic and red chile flakes. For dessert, I recommend the off-the-menu pizookie but you should request that they heat up that delicious chocolate chip cookie in their bright red Mugnaini wood-burning oven first. YUMMY!

And the good news is that Pitfire Pizza (all locations) is debuting its new spring specials today!

Seasonal Spring Specials

Grilled Pineapple & Appalachian Country Ham Pizza ($10.25) grilled pineapple, charred poblano chile, Benton’s country ham, red onion, mozzarella
Roasted Artichoke Pizza ($9.95) roasted artichoke slices, blistered cherry tomatoes, wilted spinach, black olives
Sausage and Spring Greens Pizza ($9.95) rennel sausage, arugula, charred scallion, roasted fennel, fresh mozzarella, fresh garlic
Spring� Salad ($9.00) grilled asparagus, roasted pee-wee potatoes, radish, goat cheese, pine nuts, lemon champagne vinaigrette
Broccoli Rapini Pasta ($8.95) gemelli pasta, pepperonata, rapini �pesto,” parmesan
Farmer’s Market Plate ($9.95) chili roasted fennel, roasted rainbow carrots with rosemary and garlic, grilled treviso raddichio with balsamic, grilled asparagus with parmesan
BBQ Chicken Panini ($8.95) avocado, gouda, colesla with housemade bbq sauce

Pitfire Artisan Pizza
12924 Washington Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90066 (map)
(424) 835-4088
Twitter: @pitfirepizza

* There is now a huge refrigerator covering the alien. That’s where the kegs will be stored.

Categories: Dining, Los Angeles

3 Comments

March 25, 2010

Check Out Rivera’s New Spring Cocktail Menu Tonight

Julian Cox of Rivera

Rivera Restaurant‘s mixologist, Julian Cox, will be debut his brand-spanking-new spring cocktail menu featuring fresh seasonal herbs and fruits tonight for only $6 each. Cocktails normally range in price here from $10 to $14.

The cocktail sneak preview starts at 9:30 and goes til close. From the looks of Twitter, there will lots of bloggers in attendance. As you know we love our booze.

But here’s the entire menu hot off the presses, so to speak, so you can start planning your drinking strategy now. You might recognize some ol’ favorites.

1050 Special: Acai Liqueur, lemon, crushed ice, raspberry float
Free Bird: Bourbon, housemade grenadine, basil, seltzer
Guns n’ Lavender: Reposado tequila, honey, lime, seltzer
Jugo de Pina: Blanco tequila, Thai basil, pineapple, cava float
Paper Plane: Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, lemon
Purple Rain: Vodka, housemade violette, ginger, Thai basil, soda
Red Pilot: Gin, Aperol, mezcal, maraschino
Sexy Thyme: Gin, Aperol, Orgeat, golden raspberries, thyme
Smoked Manhattan: Rye, Amaro Cio Ciaro, smoked rosemary, Angostura
Smoke on the Water: Scotch, ginger, raspberries, smoked salt
Spring Fashion: Reposado tequila, amaretto, orange essence
Strawberry Fields: Blanco tequila, Velvet Falernum, strawberries, mint
Widow’s Kiss: Rye whiskey, Calvados, yellow chartreuse

Rivera Restaurant
1050 S. Flower Street
Los Angeles, California (map)
(213) 749-1460
Twitter: @Rivera_la

Categories: Los Angeles

4 Comments

March 25, 2010

This Weekend: Happy Hour Italiano, Rivera’s $5 Cocktails, $20 Unlimited Sushi

Woo hoo! My last weekend of not drinking has finally arrived! And I plan to celebrate big come Monday at First & Hope’s Red Rover, Red Rover bar night. But til then check out all the fun things going on.

Thursday, March 25

Oliverio’s Italian-Inspired Happy Hour
Remember Blue on Blue? The Avalon Beverly Hills’ happy hour? Well, it has since been replaced by that of the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Oliverio, but this time en Italiano. New Salute cocktails are $14 and the aperitivi ranges from $8 to $22 with oysters at $2.50 each but it’s all half off during happy hour every Tuesday and Thursday. True, $7 cocktails is pricey compared to the usual $4 well drink fare of a typical happy hour. But this fancy, poolside one features Italian delicacies like grilled octopus ($4), pizzetta truffle with goat cheese and black summer truffles ($11).

Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-9pm. Oliverio at The Avalon, 9400 West Olympic Boulevard, Beverly Hills (map). (310) 407-7791.

Rivera’s Spring Cocktail Menu Debuts Tonight With $5* Drinks
Tonight, master mixologist of Rivera, Julian Cox, will debut his new spring cocktail menu for the downtown restaurant. Liquid Muse Natalie Bovis and I got a sneaky peek of the prototype of a beet cocktail with Combier orange, Spanish brandy, beet juice, plum wine and lemon that may or may not be on the new menu. Whatever the lineup is going to be, though, I know it’s gonna be good. If you stop by tonight after 9pm, you’ll be able to try out the new drinks for only $5* each.

9pm to close. Rivera, 1050 S. Flower Street, Downtown (map). (213) 749-1460.

Friday, March 26

Early 1900s Extravaganza at the Los Angeles Athletic Club
Party like it’s 19-0-0! At the Los Angeles Athletic Club’s wine soiree, guests will get to sip wine paired with historic cheeses as well as the lux Valrhona Grand Cru chocolates all while taking in the views from the athletic club’s rooftop patio. Folk-blues orchestra, The Dustbowl Revival, will keep your toes a-tapping. Tickets are $66 a person or you can score the ticket package of $88 for two people (as of this writing there are 4 left).

7-9pm. $66 a person, $88 for two. Los Angeles Athletic Club, 431 W 7th Street, Downtown (map). (213) 625-2211.

Saturday, March 27

Chaya Go Pop-Up Restaurant’s All-You-Can-Eat Sushi and Bar for $20 a Person
While Chaya Venice is getting a makeover, Chaya Go, a pop-up restaurant, will open steps away to offer diners all-you-can-eat sushi and beer, wine and sake for only $20 a person! Executive Chef Shigefumi Tachibe’s menu will include spicy tuna, salmon sushi and veggie sushi rolls. Nice part is that all proceeds will benefit C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program).

March 27 to 31. Chaya Go, 245 Main Street, Venice (map).

Sunday, March 28

Pamper Me Fabulous
It’s that time of year again: Get scrubbed down, trimmed and polished to reemerge as a beautiful renewed butterfly for spring. Pamper Me Fabulous is the spa day you’ve been waiting for with an offering of mini beauty and spa services from the best spas and salons as well as lots of gourmet eats for you to luxuriate over in the Vibiana cathedral. Tickets range in price from $25 general admission (a swag bag, health and wellness expert sessions and access to beauty product samples, boutique shopping and drinks and desserts) to $100 VIP (two mini treatments from top spas and salons and access to lounges, bubbly and appetizers as well as a VIP swag bag). Get 10% off when you use discount code: oohlala.

11am-5pm. Vibiana, 210 S. Main Street, Downtown (map).

* Not sure if the cocktails are $5 or $6. On Tuesday, Julian told me they are going to be $5 but then he tweeted that they’re $6. Either way, great deal.

Categories: Beauty & Fashion, Cupcakes, Dining, Los Angeles, Nightlife