Caroline on Crack

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Monthly Archives: May 2010

May 17, 2010

Domaine de Canton Cocktail Competition at First & Hope

Domaine de Canton's Silamith Weir with The Edison's Joseph Brooke

Last week I was fortunate enough to be invited to be one of the judges at the Domaine de Canton cocktail competition held at downtown’s First & Hope Supper Club. I know. Squeeee! Along with renowned mixologist Alex Day (formerly of Death & Co., now cocktail consultant with Proprietors, LLC), Dan “The Imbiber” Dunn and Domaine de Canton founder, John Cooper, I was charged with picking one winning Domaine de Canton cocktail out of the nine created by some of the best mixologists in L.A. Boy, what a tough gig. Heh.

Each cocktail was judged based on its appearance, aroma, creativity and taste. We also had to award points for whether the cocktail showcased the contest theme and the Canton flavor, as well as our overall impression of the drink.

The Contestants

Malo‘s Rachel Shaw brought forth a honeyed El Wood of Barenjager honey liqueur and Yellow Chartreuse. Gus, formerly of Copa d’Oro and now at the Edison, went with Ginger Pastis Sour while Palihouse‘s Grady Purdell had a Maison Sour of cognac. Patrick Kelly at Bar Keeper created an unusual drink he dubbed Rhythm or Rhyme which employed a chocolate chili bitters, tequila reposado and a unique garnish of grapefruit rind string wrapped around a bundle of sage. Juan Sevilla of Soho House made the French Oaxacan with crema and cru and Daniel Eun of The Varnish ended the night with a Triple Double using Laird’s Apple Jack and Antica.

The Runners-Up

Out of all the lovely drinks, the judges and I were able to narrow it down to the top three. The second and third runners-up cocktails were impressive showings but only missed the top slot by mere points. Still both were very deelish. I’ve included the recipes should you want to try them at home.

Tricia Alley of Providence and First & Hope created her Granny Smith & Wesson, a cocktail with Old Overholt Rye as its backbone and fennel seed and muddled Granny Smith apples. This one was a beautiful peachy color with a single baby basil leaf floating on its surface. The flavor combination of basil and apples was just gorgeous, and the rye and ginger with that was a natural fit.

Granny Smith and Wesson
By Tricia Alley of First & Hope

1.5 oz Domaine de Canton
1.5 oz Old Overholt Rye Whisky
.75 oz fresh squeezed lime
3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
1/2 Granny Smith apple
Barspoon fennel seed

Muddle Granny Smith Apple, Fennel Seed and Peychaud’s Bitters in mixing glass. Add the rest of the ingredients, shake, fine strain into cocktail glass. Float Basil leaf garnish on liquid.

Joseph Brooke of The Edison created a tasty and refreshing Appleseed Cooler. He wanted to focus on the Canton so used that as his main spirit. The cocktail was so simple and yet made a strong impression, successfully highlighting the ginger flavor. The drink was sweet but not overly so. I liked how, even though his apple garnish went missing, he was able to improvise by butterflying a grapefruit which ended up looking like jewelry.

The Appleseed Cooler
By Joseph Brooke of The Edison

2 oz Domaine de Canton
1 oz lemon juice
1 oz fresh-pressed Granny Smith apple juice
2 dashes celery bitters

Shake all and pour over rocks. Apple fan garnish.

But there could only be one winner of the title for best Domaine de Canton cocktail whose mixologist would also score $500. And that winner was…

Categories: Cocktails, Los Angeles, Recipes

9 Comments

May 14, 2010

Waterloo & City: Fresh Pub Fare & an Impressive Start

Waterloo & City's Lobster Risotto

I was so excited when I heard that gastropub Waterloo & City just opened up in my old crappy hood, down the street from my old favorite BBQ joint/car wash at Outdoor Grill. It’s only been in business for four days and yet has already received a ton of attention. Maybe this stretch of Washington Boulevard, a wasteland of tackle stores, liquor stores and hardware stores, is heading in the right foodie-friendly direction. They already have Alibi Room with Kogi BBQ and Pit Fire Pizza and now this gorgeous gastropub that has taken over the tired-looking Crest House, which closed back in 2006.

Waterloo dining room by Caroline on Crack

Giant chairs!

The new venue was designed by local designers Thoreen&Ritter and offers a variety of seating like the 30-foot-long copper top bar, the large communal table and ample banquettes with high-backed wooden chairs. Touches of antique mirrors and silver platters along with the recycled church pews provide a nod to British pubness while still classing up the joint.

Now, usually I prefer to check out a place without the help of the publicist or the special attentions of the venue and had come here with that intention. But just when we were about to get our food, the publicist, who apparently was having dinner here, too, spotted me. “Caroline, you just snuck in here,” she said smiling, and then went on to introduce me to Carolos Tomazos, formerly of New York’s Per Se and Le Bernardin and now general manager and co-owner of the restaurant with chef Brendan Collins (Anisette, Palihouse). D’oh!

Categories: Cocktails, Dining, Featured, Los Angeles, Nightlife

8 Comments

May 13, 2010

This Weekend: Vendys, Forever Oz, Grilled Cheese & Beer

Yay! I’m so happy I’m in town this weekend. And it’s a good thing, too, because there are LOTS going on.

Saturday, May 15

CitySip LA Home Brewing Class
Times are tough. Maybe you don’t have the money to go out for a night of drinking. So why not learn how to make your own booze at home? Beer guru Alex Macy will be taking you through the steps on how to brew your own beer starting with a basic extract brew. The event is $45 and gets you tastes of 6-8 commercial beers, Two Boots pizza and the know-how to make your own beer. But dress to get wet and dirty. Home brewing apparently gets messy.

1-4pm. $45. 2150 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles (map). Reservations: (213) 483-9463.

The Vendy Awards LA
The Vendys are here! And six of the best LA street vendors are up for the award of the bestest vendor in all SoCal. This Saturday they’ll be judged by a prestigious foodie panel consisting of the Glutster, those Animal guys, Street Gourmet LA and KCRW’s Evan Kleiman. Entry fee to witness this spectacle is $50 which gets you the cook-off food and an open bar of wine and beer. Proceeds from this event will go to protect vendors’ rights.

4-7pm. $50 online, $60 at the door. MacArthur Park, S. Park View and W. 7th Street, Los Angeles (map).

Connect 4 Tournament at West 4th/Jane
Spend an entire afternoon drinking beer and playing an intense round of Connect 4. Get a team of five friends together for West 4th/Jane’s second seasonal Connect 4 tournament where the top three winning teams will get prizes! If you’re not in it to win it, at least the $20 entry fee includes unlimited tap beer for all four hours of the event. Email steven [at] west4thjane.com to confirm your team.

4-8pm. West 4th/Jane, 1432 4th Street, Santa Monica (map). (310) 395-6765.

Cinespia’s First Movie of the Season: The Wizard of Oz
Summer’s here! That’s how we count the seasons in L.A., right? With the arrival of Cinespia’s cemetery screenings. Saturday night’s kickoff movie is none other than cinema classic, The Wizard of Oz. Whip up a thermos of Hurricane cocktails to enjoy on your picnic blanket and maybe play a WoO drinking game. Check out my cemetery screening do’s and don’ts on how to best enjoy the experience. No tall chairs, please!

Gates 7pm, movie 8pm. $10. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles (map).

Sunday, May 16

Santa Monica Classic 5K/10K
It’s going to be such a gorgeous weekend why not run a 5K or 10K through the streets of Santa Monica to best enjoy the weather? This annual fun run is a point-to-point course through SaMo that finishes at the Santa Monica Pier. Proceeds from the event go to benefit Heal the Bay. Online registration is closed but you can still register on race day.

7:30am 5K, 8am 10K. $40. 2600 Barnard Way, Santa Monica (map).

Margerum M5 + In-N-Out at Wallys Wine
Don’t be a wine snob. You know you want to check out this wine pairing of In N Out burgers and wine. In fact it’s already been done with great success. This event at Wally’s Wine is $20 per person and includes a glass of the Margerum M5, a burger and a full tasting. There will also be newly released vintages to taste.

1-4pm. $20. Wally�s Wines, 2107 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles (map).

Monday, May 17

Hudson House Hosts the Grilled Cheese Truck
Everyone’s favorite food truck, the Grilled Cheese Truck will be making an appearance at the Hudson House. The Redondo Beach gastropub will close its kitchen for the event but you can grab some cheesy melts and enjoy them in the bar along with libations from Hudson House’s beer, wine and cocktail menu. Newly revealed cocktails include the Imperia Pickled Blue ($10) with Imperia vodka, pickled vegetables and blue cheese stuffed olives and a cava cocktail available in blueberry, pear or blood orange ($8). New beer on tap is the chipotle-coffee stout, Black Phoenix.

5-10pm. Hudson House, 514 North Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach (map).

Categories: Dining, Los Angeles, Movies, Recreation

4 Comments

May 12, 2010

L.A. Happy Hour Series on LA Weekly’s Squid Ink

$5 Manhattans at Copa d'Oro

I’ve always wanted to do a consistent happy hour post on here but since I’m neither disciplined nor consistent, I never did. However, when LA Weekly‘s Squid Ink enlisted me to help out with their new weekly happy hour series, I was able to rally. So far I’ve covered three different happy hours: Tin Roof Bistro in Manhattan Beach, my fave Copa d’Oro in Santa Monica and West Hollywood’s Agura. These happy hour reviews will pop up every Tuesday on Squid Ink.

Suffice it to say I’m more diplomatic there than on my own blog so pay extra attention to the grades because that’s where you’ll see the real deal about each place. For instance, Agura’s happy hour really is a C+ if not for how dead it was there when I went, but the girly selection of drinks and the mediocre food. However, if you like to have a space all to yourself and LOVE girl drinks then it’s definitely the happy hour for you.

Anyhoo, if you have any suggestions for other happy hours I should check out, I’d love to hear them!

BTW, I did start a Google calendar, a bit hard on the eyes, dedicated to happy hours around town. So there’s that for what it’s worth. Heh.

Categories: Cocktails

Belgian Beer Fest Kicks Off Tonight at Library Alehouse

St. Bernardus Abt 12 by Caroline on Crack

No wonder he looks so happy.

If you’re a fan of good beer, you know and respect what the Belgians have done with it. And you won’t want to miss the Belgian Beer Fest which starts today and runs til May 25 at the Library Alehouse in Santa Monica today. Yes! Two weeks of delicious Belgian brew, revelry and then a beer pairing dinner. Oh! It’s just too good!

Purchase a Chimay glass at the bar for $15 and refill it with one of the eight rotating Belgian handles for only $5 during the festival. Only thing is, there’s only one keg for each beer so once it’s tapped out, that’s all she wrote. So if you see something you like on this partial list, better get thee to the Alehouse.

Affligem Blond
Allagash Four
Bacchus
Blanche de Bruxelles
Chimay
Duchess de Bourgogne
Goose Island Matilda
Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor
Gouden Carolus Tripel
Houblon Chouffe IPA
Kasteel Rouge
La Trappe Isidor
Malhuer 12
Maredsous 8
Ommegang Hennepin
Russian River Consecration
St. Bernardus Abt. 12
St. Feullien Blanche
Tripel Karmeliet
Unibroue Terrible
Urthel Hop-It

At tonight’s kickoff party 5:30pm to 11pm, Christina Roberts from Duvel-Moortgat USA will be on hand to discuss the beers on tap — Houblon Chouffe Belgian IPA, Ommegang Hennepin, and Maredsous 8 — as well as some specialties such as the Blond d�Ardenne and Duvel in bottle. If you get there early enough, you might just score a red La Chouffe cap!

To close the festival, Wine Warehouse‘s import specialist, Larry James, will host a beer dinner where five amazing beers are paired with five courses.

Spinach and strawberry salad paired with Oud Beersel Framboise Lambic
Mussels cooked in Belgian wit-bier Blanche de Bruxelles paired with Affligem Blond
Cheese Course with Chimay Tripel and Bacchus
Beef Carbonnade paired with St. Bernardus Abt 12
Sticky Toffee Pudding paired with Malhuer 12

Cost is $59 a person and you better make your reservations now as space is limited.

EVENT: TUESDAY, MAY 11 through TUESDAY, MAY 25

Library Alehouse
2911 Main Street
Santa Monica, California 90405 (map)
(310) 314-4855
Facebook: Library Alehouse
Twitter: @libraryalehouse

Categories: Los Angeles, Nightlife

This Weekend: Ditch Day Fridays, Sparkling Wine Tasting, Dessert Architect

I’ll be up north racing a Starship Lemon this weekend but look at all the fun events I’ll be missing out on. Boo. And yay for you.

Friday, May 7

The Dessert Architect’s Suite of Sweets at Porta Via in Beverly Hills
Treat your mama to one of the trio desserts created by renowned pastry chef Robert Wemischer who is…guest “pastry chef-ing” at Beverly Hills bistro, Porta Via, after a 25-year hiatus. Choose from pandan panna cotta, dark milk chocolate mousse with peanut croquantine and a tamarind sauce, and a rhubarb crumble in vanilla soup with strawberry ice cream (each dessert is $9).

May 7-13. Porta Via, 424 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills (map). Reservations: (310) 274-6534.

Ditch Day Fridays at Hotel Shangri-La
To coincide with the launch of its redone rooftop bar/lounge, Suite 700, Hotel Shangri-La has kicked off a new happy hour on Fridays from 1 to 7pm. Get your weekend started early with the $5 cocktails and poolside music. Food items include something called Fancy Dogs as well as small plates like the deviled eggs with curry, chipotle or black truffle.

1-7pm. Hotel Shangri-La, 1301 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica (map). (310) 394-2791.

Arclight Pasadena’s Grand Opening
Arclight’s newest grand cineplex opens up in Pasadena, giving those who want something not as fancy or as pricy as the Gold Class Cinemas, a pretty nice alternative. It’s not as big as the other two Arclights and only has a cafe bar and a separate bar/lounge area for the 21+ screenings, but there are plenty of restaurants and bars within stumbling distance, including Bodega Wine Bar and the Yard House. Break in the brand-new Arclight by check out Iron Man 2 here.

ArcLight Pasadena at Paseo Colorado, 336 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena (map). (626) 568.8888.

Saturday, May 8

2010 Santa Monica Festival
Looks like it’s going to be a lovely weekend so why not bike over to Santa Monica’s festival of music, dance, shopping and food at Clover Park? There are lots of food to choose from, including Mama’s Hot Tamales, Lindes Kettle Corn and King Kone ice cream. And Sustainable Works will be on hand to show how to make a vegan pizza in a solar oven. Admission and parking are free as well as bike valet where you’ll get a raffle ticket to win a brand-new bike should you two-wheel it in.

11am-6pm. Clover Park� 2600 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica (map).

Sunday, May 9

Sparkling Wines and Valerie Confections at Silverlake Wine
I wish my mom could eat chocolates and drink booze because this would have been an awesome way to spend Mother’s Day. This Silverlake Wine Sunday tasting will feature five sparking lines paired with Valerie Confections chocolates! So luxurious. Spotlighted vino include: Barcino Cava 2007 / Spain, Alice Prosecco 2008 / Italy, Gruet Blanc de Noir NV / New Mexico and Fourny et Fils Champagne NV / France.

3pm. $20 a person. 2395 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). Reservations: (323) 662-9024.

Categories: Dining, Lists, Los Angeles, Movies, Sweets

Cinco de Mayo 2010: Mustache Airbrushing, Mexican Beer Pong, Umami & a Movie

Pose (detail) by Philo Nordlund

Tired of the same old, same old for Cinco de Mayo? It doesn’t have to be about another margarita, another mariachi, another hangover. Here are five unusual ways to celebrate Mexico’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla, or as it’s commonly called, Cinco de Mayo.

25 Degrees’ Sonoran Hot Dog: 25 Degrees in Hollywood Roosevelt is not only offering free chips and salsa all day long and tequila and Mexican beer specials during 5-7pm happy hour but a special treat. The Sonoran hot dog seems like a random food not at all related to Mexico but it does have some chili and refried beans, as well as caramelized onions, tomatoes, queso fresco, mustard and garlic aioli AND it’s wrapped in bacon. A perfect way to fortify your stomach for the drinking ahead.

Mexico Restaurante y Barra All Day Specials: For the hard-core partyers there are lots of specials going on at this West Hollywood Mexican restaurant starting at noon and going til 2am; where to begin? For a fiver you get your choice of Dos Equis and Tecate Beer Drafts, tacos (pollo, carnitas or veggie) or appetizers like tamales or taquitos. Naturally margaritas are involved. Take your pick of traditional or strawberry for $8 a glass or $22 pitcher. Good thing designated driver service, Y Drive LA, will be on hand to take your drunk ass and your car home.

Rush Street Mexican Beer Pong and “Break the Pinata” Contest: This Culver City barestaurant is where you’ll want to go for some fun and games. Not only will they have Mexican beer pong, slurball and flip cup but a “Break the Pinata” contest. For sustenance, they’ll be rolling out their own dollar taco stand from 5-7pm. Mariachi band �Los Imperiales� will keep you on your feet while you imbibe from a selection of 20 tequilas and five Mexican beers. And then it’s a dj and dancing from 9pm to close.

Spanish Kitchen Drink Wheel and Mustache Airbrushing: This fiesta at Spanish Kitchen on La Cienega sounds like a blast, especially since they’ll be doing free mustache airbrushing (choose from six different styles). Will make for some fun pictures to look at the next day when you’re sober. And why just order off a menu when you can spin a drink wheel for your chance of winning one of 12 different top-shelf tequila shots and margaritas for five bucks? Masked luchadores from Lucha Va Voom as well as the Las Chicas Cazadores will be providing the entertainment and Tecate will be $3 all day and night.

Umami Burger presents… Dinner and a Movie: Three Amigos: The only sombreros you’ll see at this Cinco party are the ones on the screen. I never liked this movie with three formerly funny comedians but I do like Umami and beer. And this Cinco kicks off a Wednesday night movie series at Space 15Twenty where you can enjoy a free flick with a sample of craft beer and your order of Umami burger. The house ale of the evening will be Nakhon Lager, which is brewed with jasmine rice.

OK, I know I said only five ways but, come on, I had to include cupcakes. Sprinkles Cupcakes has a holiday Choco Loco cupcake made with Belgian dark chocolate cake with bittersweet chocolate and Mexican cinnamon frosting. Or check out Yummy Cupcakes’ unusual Chocolate Chili cupcake, a chocolate cupcake with a light blend of chilies frosted with a chocolate/chili buttercream. Yummy!

But whatever trouble you get in tomorrow, above all, be safe: 4 Ways To Be Safe on Alcoholidays.

Categories: Cocktails, Cupcakes, Dining, Lists, Los Angeles, Movies, Nightlife

2 Comments