Caroline on Crack | April 2010

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Monthly Archives: April 2010

April 13, 2010

Plonk Wine Merchants: Primo Vino for Under $30

Delicious vino

Wanna take your value wine-buying to the next level? I’m talking beyond Two Buck Chuck and Fresh & Easy wines. Maybe even more than $10 but still affordable, everyday vino. Fortunately for you a new online wine store just launched where you can score fabulous quality wines for under $30. Unlike most online wine stores Plonk Wine Merchants has that shopping-in-the-wine-aisle feel where not only do you get tasting notes with each wine but food pairing ideas, suggestions for similar wines you might like and even a little video telling you why this particular wine is so good.

Native Angeleno Etty Lewensztain — founder of Plonk and herself a fan of off-beat value wines — wanted to create a virtual wine store where the consumer would not only feel secure with the knowledge they were getting the best value for their money but get a chance to learn about the wines as well. “The goal of the videos on each wine detail page is to allow people to interact with an actual person who can help them make good purchasing decisions and give them a preview as to what’s in the bottle,” Etty said.

“I also wanted to tap into the young generation of wine consumers that is intrigued by new varieties, lesser known regions, excited by a secret discovery, and really cares about value,” she said. Cool! Right up my alley.

From Thrillist Washington DC:

Just launched by an American Sommelier Association-accredited grape slinger, Plonk provides everything lovable about your neighborhood shop (from pairing recs to tastings), all from the comfort of your home office/laundry room…

I was introduced to the adorable, curly-haired Etty by the Imbiber himself, Dan Dunn. You remember Dan. He’s the larger-than-life character whom I met at his special Playmate wine tour at Pourtal in Santa Monica. Anyway, Dan convinced us gals to meet him at the raucous one-year anniversary party of West Hollywood BBQ restaurant, Baby Blues BBQ. Over piles of delicious barbecue platters, comfort food sides and indulgent desserts, Etty conducted a wine tasting of quality wines she features on her site.

Dan was looking to add to Baby Blues’ 11-bottle wine list as well as interview Etty for his Imbiber column and I just happened to tag along. And mind you, this was when I was still in the throes of my booze fast. Dan convinced me that I could still do a wine tasting without drinking. “Just spit it in a cup,” he said, making it sound so easy. In any case, that’s exactly what I did. And nope, I didn’t cheat.

Anyway, here are the eight wines we tasted including my scribblings:

2008 Talai Berri, Spain, Getariako Txakolina ($21): Grapes grew near the ocean making for mineral and briny taste; vibrant, high acidity; natural pairing for seafood.
2008 Alta Sauvignon Blanc, Australia, Adelaide Hills ($12): People don’t usually look to Australia for a Sauvignon Blanc but this is a good one. 90-point wine for $12. It’s balanced, has high acidity and pairs well with salad and seafood.
2008 Szoke (Matyas & Zoltan) Pinot Gris, Hungary, Matra ($13): This one was my favorite white. Has peach and honey on the nose, smells really sweet. Pairs with goat cheese, ricotta, fried calamari.
2008 Daniel Bouland Cuvee Melanie, France, Beaujolais, Cotes de Brouilly ($20): Everyday wine, smells jammy. Pure, fresh, indulgent, smells of raspberries. We found out here, however, that it doesn’t go well with barbecue.
2007 Palama Albarossa, Italy, Puglia, Salice Salentino ($13): This was a Baby Blues favorite. It’s meaty, dense, perfect with ribs. Smells of cardamom and sandalwood.
2006 Vina Falernia Syrah Reserva, Chile, Elqui Valley ($11): This one is perfect with barbecue. Smokey and has a roasted, charred flavor but in a good way.
2007 Thimiopoulos Uranos, Greece, Macedonia ($29): Lots of tannins and leaves a drying vacuum feel in the mouth. Fruity.
2007 Charles Smith Wines Chateau Smith, Washington, Columbia Valley ($20): Cassis, cedar, earthy, balanced and nice acidity.

So if you like what you see here, join the club. Etty will be kicking off a wine club for her site next month. Its intention, said Etty, is to dispel “the snobbery that often surrounds wine, and give people access to the very winemakers who crafted the wines they drink.” Apparently club members will get invites to winemaker tasting parties as well as 10% off their purchases.

Facebook: Plonk Wine Merchants
Twitter: @PlonkOnline

Categories: Los Angeles, Shopping & Sales

2 Comments

April 12, 2010

Shady Lady Saloon: My Fave Watering Hole in Sacramento

Horse's Neck at Shady Lady Saloon

OMG, so happy that I found the Shady Lady Saloon in Sacramento. Ya see, my folks still live in Sacto so I have to visit on occasion but have resigned myself to breweries and dive bars for tippling. Not that there’s anything wrong with that; I just have to go without a good Manhattan during my visits is all. But just this past weekend, when I was hanging out with an ol’ high school chum at East Sacramento’s Club Raven, a really cool dive bar by the way, and lamented about the dearth of handcrafted cocktails in our capital, she mentioned the Shady Lady.

Manhattan

This speakeasy bar has only been opened for about a year and handcrafted cocktailing is its theme, making it the only one of its kind in Sacto. Sure, there’s Lounge ON20 and the L Wine Lounge but they don’t do the “forgotten” classics.

No, the Shady Lady boasts pages and pages of classic cocktails — Blood & Sand, French 75, Hemingway Daiquiri, Brandy Crusta, Zombie, the Last Word and SL fave, the Gin Daisy, to name but a few. Each spirit gets two pages dedicated to it, one side listing the different brands and the other the specialty cocktails which are only $8 each!

I was tempted to go with my beloved Mmmanhattan but figured I should order something different instead for starters. Hmm, never had a Horse’s Neck before, a popular Shady Lady cocktail. Bulleit Bourbon, housemade ginger syrup, bitters, topped with soda water and garnished with an entire lemon peel. The cocktail gets its name from the extra long lemon peel that is hung over the rim of the glass like� a horse’s neck.

Categories: Cocktails, Nightlife, Other

This Weekend: Sake Sommelier Seminar, Warehouse Sale, Vintage Yard Sale

Looks like it’s going to be a gorgeous weekend, all sunny and stuff. I have to go out of town for family business but enjoy!

Friday, April 9

Junior Drake Warehouse Sale
Score Junior Drake leather handbags, wallets, totes, shoulder bags and more at very steep discounts of 65-90% off. We’re talking what once was $500 is now $80. And signature logo canvas and leather bags are two for $50. For sustenance there will be free hot dog refreshments and a live DJ will keep you grooving while you browse. Those who spend $150 and up get to spin some wheel for prizes. Cash and credit cards only.

Friday-Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 10am-5pm. 740 East 60th Street, Los Angeles (map). (800) 813-1803.

Saturday, April 10

Master Sake Sommelier Leads Seminars at 2010 Cherry Blossom Festival
Celebrate the cherry blossom festival the best way, with hour-long sake sessions lead by Master Sake Sommelier Yuji Matsumoto of Kabuki Japanese Restaurant. This weekend Yuji-san will host educational sake-tasting seminars teaching you not only how to decode a sake menu but how to pair sake and food. Cost is $30 and includes three types of sake with food. It’s only 20 attendees per session and you can sign up at the event booth in front of the Japanese American National Museum.

Saturday 12pm and 3pm, Sunday 1:30pm. Entrance at: 1st and Central (in front of the Japanese American National Museum), 100 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles (map). Sake Garden: LA City Parking Lot #7 (in front of Geffen Contemporary MOCA).

Massive Stylesmith Vintage Sale
More shopping! Online Etsy store for Stylesmith is closing its virtual doors but you can shop its huuuge yard sale of hundreds of vintage garments, shoes and accessories starting at $5; jewelry starts at $1! Cash and cards only. RSVP: vintage@stylesmithonline.com.

11am-4pm. 137 S. Jackson Street, Glendale (map).

Devil’s Drive-In: A Clockwork Orange
My fave Stanley Kubrick movie, next to The Shining. Gather your droogs for a little bit of the old ultra-violence. And don’t forget to bring your own bottle of booze. Show up via bike, on foot or car. There’s an FM transmitter for your car or comfy astroturf for your bootie. Angel Derby Girls are your car hops bringing you food and popcorn.

6:30pm. $10. 240 W. 4th Street, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles (map).

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

Happy Hour and Cocktails at Dish Bistro & Bar in Pasadena

Cocktails at Dish Bistro

I’m rarely ever in Pasadena, especially if we’re talking during happy hour on a weekday but at the same time it’s always good to keep track of the happy hours and drink specials around town, right? So here’s this one from Pasadena’s Dish Bistro & Bar which is located off the beaten path in Old Town Pas.

From Tuesday to Friday 4 to 7pm (they’re not open on Monday), Dish has a special “3-4-5 Happy Hour” where you can get $3 bites and beer (Heineken, Amstel Light and Black Butte Porter), $4 well and $5 small plates.

The small plates HH menu:

Roasted Pistachios $3 (reg. $6): fleur de sel, espelette and pimenton
Chilled Grilled Pears $3 (reg. $7): mascarpone, blue cheese and aged balsamic vinegar
Fried Olives $3 (reg. $6): roasted shallots, veal pancetta and ricotta
Oysters Deanna $5 (reg. $11): grilled oyster with artichoke hearts, grana padano, basil and white wine
Charred Octopus Carpaccio $5 (reg. $11): fleur de sel, scallions, oro blanco, grapefruit, peppadew peppers and lemongrass vinaigrette
Dave’s Hummus and Grilled Pita $5 (reg. $9)
Onion and Madeira Soup Gratinee $5 (reg. $9): caramelized onion and Madeira wine reduction with crustinis and Gruyere cheese

FYI, for those curious about the cocktail situation here, there is a specialty cocktail menu which was created by owner Dave Johnson’s nephew, Matt Bergstrom, a bartender from up north. It consists of housemade infusions, syrups and extracts that are used in unusual concoctions.

I’ve only tried two of the nine cocktails, the Diplomatic Manhattan and the Spicy Mojito ($12 each). Both were touted as the most requested drinks on the list. I appreciated the former’s rummy take on the Manhattan and the use of vanilla extract which only provided a subtle aroma. The cocktail wasn’t sweet, which was fine. I wouldn’t go out of my way for it but it was definitely better than the mojito which was made with a Serrano chile-infused citrus rum that overwhelmed all the other flavors in the drink like the mint and coconut. The bartender thought I didn’t like it because it was too spicy, but truth was that I didn’t like it because I couldn’t taste anything else in this “mojito” other than that chile.

I think the next time I’m here, I’d stick to their bourbon or tequila neat, as they seem to have a pretty decent selection.

As for what owner Dave and Executive Chef Job Carder like to drink here? No specialty cocktails. Rather Dave is a Crown-Royal-on-the-rocks kind of guy while the chef enjoys a shot of the Hacienda Vieja Tequila, created by the originator of Cazadores tequila. I guess he loves it so much that they named the margarita, which uses the Hacienda, after him: Jobieone Margarita.

Dish Bistro & Bar
53 East Union Street
Pasadena, California 91103 (map)
(626) 795-5546

Categories: Los Angeles

4 Comments

April 6, 2010

Sneak Preview of Drago Centro’s Springtime Cocktails

Drago Centro's Spring Cocktails

So yesterday on Twitter, Drago Centro‘s sommelier/beverage director Michael Shearin mentioned how he’s going to debut the restaurant’s new springtime cocktail menu one special night very soon and only charge $6 for each one a la Rivera’s one-night cocktail debuts.

"Abito di Lino" cocktail

First it was going to be this Thursday but that had to be pushed back to next Wednesday due to filming. Anyhoo, I had happened to be downtown last night checking out J Lounge’s happy hour� (great food and service but horrible cocktails). But after a very disappointing tequila Manhattan I needed to get a good drink in me right quick. Michael responded to my Tweet for help, “I’ll make you a good tequila Manhattan if you want to stop by.” M’OK!

With estarLA in tow, we made our way over. And that’s when I realized, “Heyyy, maybe Michael can give us a sneaky peek of the spring cocktail menu.” But when we got there he was mum about it…

At first. He couldn’t give us the menu or the names of the cocktails because both are still works in progress. But he was able to make us three of the cocktails from the new menu. No names or fancy garnishes, just ingredients for now. I offered to name the drinks but Michael said they had to be in Italian. So with the help of an Italian/English dictionary I’ve included my own suggestions for names. Heh. To be clear, these aren’t the real names for the drinks, just ones I made up because I was bored. When you check them out at Drago for yourself, just look them up in the new menu by their ingredients.

New spring cocktails:

“Fiore de Melo” (Apple Blossom): Woodford Reserve, Pink Lady apples, Cointreau, simple syrup, rhubarb bitters. Taste impression: Very, very light whiskey cocktail. You could taste the hint of the apples and the bourbon but since this was on the rocks, the flavors were almost watered down. This is not a sipping drink but rather a guzzle-it-fast drink for that reason. Michael said that they might just serve the finished product with one big cube of ice which I think would help.
“Abito di Lino” (Linen Suit): El Jimador Blanco, White Vermouth, Amaro Mirto, Angostura orange bitters. Taste impression: I loved this one but then again I am a fan of aromatic cocktails. This one is served up in a cocktail glass and was basically the well-made tequila Manhattan I was looking for.
“Terre Lontane” (Distant Land): Dewar’s 12-year-old Scotch, cardamom, lemon juice, soda, lemon zest. Taste impression: Another really light whiskey cocktail with a lemony aroma and a hint of spice. But Michael said a lot of the cocktails are light like that to be enjoyed during the warmer weather.

As for the other cocktails on the menu, Michael said that each spirit will be represented so there’s something for everyone.

For sustenance, Chef de Cuisine Ian Gresik brought us out a a small cast-iron pan of gnocchi with sweetbread and English peas. OMG SO good! Buttery with fresh, tender gnocchi. And Pastry Chef Jashmine Corpuz fixed us up a beautiful plate of three arty samples from the dessert menu: Il Budino di Cioccolato and I Bomboloni, which will be transitioned out to make way for the new spring menu, and the brand-new La Torta di Primavera.

La Torta di Primavera

Naturally I gravitated to the creamy chocolate custard and caramel gelato of the budino as well as I Bomboloni’s small sugared doughnuts, brown butter ice cream and deconstructed apple pie-ness. However, if you’re not a big fan of grapefruit or tart flavors, then La Torta di Primavera isn’t for you. Sure, it had delicate puffs of olive oil cake and nommy avocado mousse but the grapefruit, although very juicy, was too tart for my tastes. Not to say this was a bad dessert. It’s just not my type.

You can look forward to the new spring dessert menu in about two to three weeks.

And if you’d like to sample the new spring cocktails, hit up Drago Centro next Wednesday, April 14 where the drinks will debut for a one-night only price of $6 each.

For a video of Michael making the Terre Lontane cocktail and estarLA’s taste impression of the drink, head for the jump.

Drago Centro
525 South Flower Street
Los Angeles, California 90071 (map)
(213) 228-8998
Twitter: @DragoCentro

Categories: Cocktails, Los Angeles, Sweets

11 Comments

April 5, 2010

World Fare: Fancy Dining To Go

World Fare lunch.

“You fools are missing out,” I wanted to say to my co-workers who basically ignored me when I excitedly emailed them about the World Fare bus restaurant docking in Food Truck Alley in Santa Monica for the first time. Later I stood atop the bus all alone waiting for my food order to be called out from below. Hmf.

Maybe my colleagues just didn’t like the idea of ordering food from another taco truck only to have to bring it back to their desks. It was a lovely, sunny day after all. But little did they know that unlike the usual occupants of the mobile food alley, this one actually has a place to enjoy your food: the top of the double decker bus which is shaded by umbrellas and offers a counter where you can set your meal while standing there and noshing. Max capacity is a cozy 25 people, although this day there was just me.

Strawberry basil lemonade

At first I thought it would be nice if they actually had seats but this way I was able to people watch the dumbfounded passers-by below; apparently not every day you see such a thing. And turned out it wouldn’t take me too long to finish my meal considering when I eat alone, I tend to eat faster.

So LAist had a special where if you order two bunnies and mention LAist you get a chocolate chip cookie and if you order three bunnies you get a red velvet cupcake. But I went with the combo ($10) with two bunnies, a side of truffle mac n’ cheese balls and a cookie. The “bunnies” aka little pockets/sandwiches stuffed with your choice of filling — short rib, chicken curry, BBQ braised pork, meatballs or vegetarian chili — were pretty messy, though, and I was grateful that the cashier had tucked a handy wipe in with my order. Their bready vessels were soft and didn’t really contain the mess all that well. After the first couple of bites I had to resort to using my fork. Not that I’m complaining. Both my veg bunny and the chicken curry were soo delicious. Very savory but not too spicy. I didn’t have a problem with that but those out there who like the hot stuff might.

From LAist:

As for the menu, it’s runs the mill from a hybrid of South African street food…to a high-end steakhouse. The core menu mainly consists of Bunny Chow, originally an Indian-influenced South African food where a loaf of bread is hollowed out and used as a container for curry chicken.

Truffle mac n' cheese

The truffle mac and cheese balls came in a group of three in a cup. Crisp on the outside and cheesy, creamy inside. Would have liked some seasoning or maybe some peppers in it but regardless I could have easily popped more in my mouth. Mmm, I want this with beer. The chocolate chunk cookie lived up to its name. I had originally wanted to save it for later so I could nuke it back at the office for extra melty goodness but I couldn’t wait.

As for the strawberry basil lemonade, it was just OK. Nothing really spectacular with only a really subtle note of basil. At least it wasn’t syrupy or too sugary. I was more disturbed by the red lemon slice which reminded me of the fruit punch bowls my mom used to make.

$14 is more than I usually spend for a lunch but then again I don’t usually get a drink or a cookie, plus I was stuffed afterward. The quality of food here was pretty impressive compared to what you usually find in most food trucks. They even have food presentation here. Check out how they take the slice of bread and make it stand atop the sandwich like a sail.

I’d definitely come back the next time World Fare drops by Food Truck Alley. Next time for dessert I want to try the butterscotch bread pudding or the “richest brownie you’ll ever eat,” the Forbes bunny brownie.

Twitter: @worldfare
Facebook: WorldFare

Categories: Dining, Los Angeles

4 Comments

April 2, 2010

This Weekend: Grilled Cheese Duo, Tweet Crawl, Weekend Happy Hour

It’s going to be a gor-jus spring weekend. What are you going to do? Hike? Biking? Road trip? In any case, I’ve got a few ideas.

Friday, April 2

Tillamook’s Loaf Tour and Grilled Cheese Truck Team Up
Tillamook’s Loaf Love Tour is partnering with the Grilled Cheese Truck to bring the masses grilled cheese goodness at the Beverly Hills Porsche dealership today from 11:30am to 2pm. They’ll be giving out samples of their cheddar cheese as well as handing out coupons. But if you miss them, check them out later at First Friday on Abbot Kinney — no samples there, though.

11:30am-2pm. At Beverly Hills Porsche Dealership, 8425 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills (map).

Saturday, April 3

Santa Anita Derby Day 5K
One of my favorite fun runs everrr as the course has you running through the beautiful, blooming L.A. Arboretum and finishing on a real horse track! If you don’t feel like running, it also makes for a wonderful stroll. At the end, you have a hoppin’ post-race party waiting for you with food, drinks and live music.

6:30am. $35. Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia (map).

Hungry Cat’s Weekend Happy Hour Debuts
Everyone’s favorite Hollywood Cat kicks off its weekend happy hour where you can enjoy half off all specialty cocktails which end up costing about $5-$6 and half off draft beer from the likes of Craftsman, Telegraph and North Coast brewing companies.

12-5pm, Saturdays and Sundays. Hungry Cat, 1535 N. Vine Street, Hollywood (map). (323) 462-2155.

Tweet Crawl 4: Eggstravaganza on the Strip
A Tweetup not to be missed where Tweeps will play beer pong at the Standard, go on a prize-filled Easter egg hunt, enjoy some comedy at the Comedy Store, and of course plenty of drink specials like $3 Easter egg cocktails and $1 bartender�s choice shots at the Viper Room. End point is the Roxy for egg decorating, more drink specials and music.

3pm. Starts at the Standard, 8300 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood (map). For information, email alf [at] thecomedystore.net.

Sunday, April 4

For Easter’s goings-on, click here.

Categories: Cocktails, Dining, Los Angeles, Recreation

2 Comments