Caroline on Crack | December 2010

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Monthly Archives: December 2010

December 29, 2010

2011 New Year’s Eve Parties With Open Bars

Champagne Tower by ori2uru/Flickr

Haven’t nailed down your New Year’s Eve plans yet? I can tell since everyone keeps asking me what’s going on. So I compiled this little list of events around Los Angeles which feature open bars, for a price of course. But you can do all your drinking in one place without worry of keeping track of your bar tab. Just remember to be safe after and that the Metro is free from 9pm to 2am on NYE.

Page 71 Lounge in Studio City: Happy Hour Specials 9pm-11pm
For only a $10 cover you get DJs and a free midnight champagne toast. OK, this isn’t technically an open bar but for budget boozing, from 9 to 11pm you can get $4 beer, $5 well and $2 off champagne and select cocktails (Hendricks Gin, Jack Daniels and Patron).

Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar in Santa Monica: $20.11 unlimited champagne 9pm to 12am
Have yourself a sparkling, little New Year’s Eve with bottomless bubbly, Blanc de Blanc Brut and Rose Brut. There will also be a regular winelist and food menu available and if you want to get the party started really early, happy hour from 4 to 7pm.

City Sip LA in Echo Park: $25 unlimited champagne
From 9pm to midnight, it’s bottomless bubbly! How many glasses can you drink? Bonus for designated drivers, all the non-alcoholic beverages you can consume. Reservations are recommended for parties of four or more.

Glendon Bar & Kitchen: $30 open bar after 10pm
Ring a ding ding this new year in at this swank Rat Pack-style party and toast 2011 with your favorite drinking buddies Harvey Wallbanger and Tom Collins. If you feel like dinner it’s $58 for the 6:30pm seating and $68 for 9:30pm. After 10pm, it’s $30 for an open bar of select wines, well drinks, domestic beers, and a champagne cocktail with $5 appetizers available.

Bar + Kitchen in Downtown: $35 unlimited booze and bites
This is a great bargain considering the unlimited booze of this deal includes cocktails created by Alex Day (Death & Co./NYC). We’re talking three specialty cocktails (rum, vodka or tequila)! You also can consume all the beer, artisanal wine and tasty� bar bites (Spanish chorizo skewers and a variety of flatbread) you want. Includes cava for the midnight toast.

Casa Concina y Cantina in Downtown: $50 open bar and midnight tequila toast
This downtown cantina will have two dinner seatings available (5 and 9pm) but it’s all about the party which starts at 10pm. For $50 you get a dj, open bar and the very unique midnight tequila toast. There will also be bar snacks available for purchase.

Joe’s Restaurant in Venice: $55 open bar
Joe’s will have two dinner options: $65 at 9pm or $110 for tasting menu plus open bar on the lounge. And if you just want to party, it’s $55 for all-you-can-drink specialty cocktails, beer and wine, plus bar bites and the champagne toast.

Wonderland in Hollywood: $60 9-11pm; $80-$100 open bar all night
For an extra clubby celebration, check out this Alice in Wonderland-themed party complete with chesspiece-shaped bushes, crazy clocks, psychedelic dance parties and a rose garden. For $80 (tickets available til 6pm tonight), you get access to the VIP lounge and the open bar all night.� For $60 you get open bar from 9pm to 11pm.

Tony’s Darts Away: $75 unlimited beer and food
Before I make you fall in love with this option, know that as of yesterday there are only 8 spots left. Doors open at 7pm when you can eat all the vegan/nonvegan food all you want. For your $75, in addition to the free beer and food, you get entry into a raffle, a special drinking glass and a seat. If you arrive after 10:30pm, it’s bar bites and no guaranteed seats.

The Abbey in West Hollywood: $100 premium open bar
For your $100 you get all the premium drinks you can get your greedy hands on at this Marie Antoinette-themed party, plus dancing, DJ, passed hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast and cupcakes at the stroke of midnight. Show up in royal attire and charm the masses.

The Roxy in West Hollywood: $100 (well, wine and beer); $200 (premium drinks)
Count down to the new year with Camp Freddy (Steve Stevens will be standing in for Dave Navarro) and Juke Cartel. If you just want the show it’s $50 for general admission. But if you want to drink it’s $100 for all you can drink (well, wine and beer), $200 for all you can drink (premium).

W Los Angeles Hotel’s Whiskey Blue in Westwood: $100 open bar from 9pm to 1am
If you’re more into sports, take in some ice skating at the W’s Chill rink before the party and then cruise over to Whiskey Blue for a fancy blowout featuring DJs, a midnight toast and of course the open bar.

La Descarga in East Hollywood: $150 premium open bar
Only 150 tickets have been released for this event but there are just a few left thanks to last-minute cancellations. So snap it up while you can. After all, if you want to ring in 2011 in style, this is the place. That $150 includes so much goodness like hand-rolled cigars, seven courses of passed apps and dessert, dancing, an eight-piece band and a midnight toast. Just make sure to bring on the fancy as this is strictly a black-tie affair. Email nye [at] ladescargala.com for reservations.

Mondrian Hotel�s SkyBar in West Hollywood: $155 open bar
Enjoy a gorgeous view of L.A. atop the Mondrian off the Sunset Strip at this NYE event. Live music by The Spazmatics and DJ Lindsay Luv. For $150 ($125 for hotel guests) you get an open bar.

Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood: $175 open bar
Go back in time, wayyy back in time at Cleopatra’s NYE Ball. The Egyptian Theatre will have a tented courtyard and rooms that will take you back to Ancient Egypt. For $175 you get an open bar, live DJs, a light show and at midnight a balloon/confetti drop.

Viceroy in Santa Monica: $200 premium open bar
Yeah, $200 seems pretty pricey for a NYE but in addition to the premium open bar, appetizers and a midnight toast, you get live DJs Jason Bentley, Mayer Hawthorne, Classixx and Raul Campos.

Categories: Los Angeles, Nightlife

1 Comment

December 28, 2010

Top 10 Favorite Cocktails of 2010

Musso & Frank's Manny by Caroline on Crack

Musso & Frank's Manny serving up a Gibson.

2010 was another good year for me and drinking. La Descarga and Hemingway’s opened, I gave up booze for a month and then was the judge for many cocktail competitions and even won an award for drinking a lot. But what really made this year awesome was the following cocktails, whether they introduced an innovative version of a classic or opened my eyes to something new and fabulous. Map: My 2010 L.A. Favorite Bars

Here they are, my top 10 cocktail faves from 2010, listed in alphabetical order.

1) The Drink That Shall Not Be Named from Providence: I was researching holiday cocktails when Zahra Bates of Providence hinted that she was working on this bruleed persimmons concoction. Naturally, I had to check it out so swung by the restaurant. Zahra was still tweaking the recipe but I was impressed by her thinking outside of the box with this one. The cocktail was originally supposed to be a champagne drink involving bruleed grapefruit but it evolved into this one with a mysterious, Harry Potter-esque name. Made with Leblon Cachaca, grapefruit juice, hachiya persimmon, Averna Amaro and cinnamon sugar, it’s a beautiful cool drink that possesses such warmth. It’s not on the cocktail menu but Zahra said she’ll gladly make it for anyone who asks for it.

320 Main's Earl Grey Martinez

2) Earl Grey Martinez from 320 Main: I had been dying to hit up 320 Main in Seal Beach ever since I first heard about its “Clubbed Baby Seal” cocktail which has since been renamed “George” as in Of Mice and Men. Plus I was assured that they love baby seals for hugging, not clubbing. Only problem with this place is that it’s in Seal Beach. Such a shame, at least to me, because otherwise I could see myself being a regular here. The staff is so friendly, the cocktails innovative tasty turns on classics and how could I not love owner/bartender Jason Schiffer? But his Martinez made with Beefeater Gin infused with Earl Grey Tea, Sweet Vermouth, Bitters and Maraschino Liqueur is simply gorgeous. With the flavor and complexity of a Manhattan.

3) Gen Eva from Eva Restaurant: Bartender Tricia Alley, who I first met at Providence where I enjoyed her Opium Den cocktail, took over the bar program at Eva back in August but I visited her there for the first time just last week. And even though I still love the Opium Den, which she brought over from Providence, where she still works, I couldn’t resist her Gen Eva, a flavorful mix of my favorite Bols Genever, clove Riesling reduction and lemon. She also does a warm version which should definitely replace mulled wine on your holiday drink list.

4) Gibson from Musso & Frank Grill: What makes this classic drink so special, you ask? Because 1) it was on my L.A. bucket list and 2) legendary bartender Manny — who’s served the likes of James Dean, Bette Davis, Keith Richards and Johnny Depp — made it for me. He’s been mixing at Musso since 1989 but has become a cocktail legend in this town. Just drinking that cocktail was like paying homage to booze history. The Gibson was served up in a vintage-size portion aka back when three-martini lunches were doable.

Hemingway's Lounge's Hemingway's Nog

5) Hemingway’s Nog from Hemingway’s Lounge: A nog that doesn’t make me feel bloated? I’m sold! Bartender Alex Straus uses creme fraiche instead of eggs for his creamy and frothy nog, along with Atlantico Rum, Licor 43, Bitterman�s Tiki bitters and fresh ground nutmeg. The result? Something so drinkable, light and not as rich as your traditional nog. I could easily put away three of these as opposed to the one that I usually have at Christmas. (Recipe from LA Times)

6) Golden Goose from Drago Centro: Not only was this a beautiful-looking cocktail with its tuft of a gooseberry garnish but its mix of Bulleit Bourbon, Fernet Branca, Fresh Cape Gooseberries and maple syrup was my instant favorite off Drago Centro’s fall menu. I couldn’t help but knock this one back and out of the 11 cocktails we sampled that night, this one the only one I almost finished. Cheers to Beverage Director Michael Shearin and head bartender Jaymee Mandeville for coming up with this beauty.

7) Mad Man from Hollywood Roosevelt’s Library Bar: Two classic cocktails in one glass. Library Bar’s Matt Biancaniello never fails to wow me but when he created this cocktail which is comprised of a Sazerac and an Old Fashioned in a Jager glass (separated by a brandied cherry) my head exploded. So simple and yet ingenious, plus, even though it’s $15, you feel like you get your money’s worth with this tasty 2-fer.

8) Staten Island from 1886: OK, Bols Genever is one of my favorite spirits. Gosh it’s so nommy! So it shouldn’t be a surprise that I count this drink as one of my top picks for 2010. The Raymond’s new bar, created by cocktail history buff Marcos Tello and Aidan Demarest, boasts an extensive list of drinks comprised of old and new classics. This one made with Bols, Galliano and Amaro Ramazzoti is a nod to Staten Island which was originally a Dutch colony but now has a large Italian community.

Tapping the Admiral by Caroline on Crack

La Descarga's Tapping the Admiral

9) Tapping the Admiral Redux from La Descarga: The new and improved Admiral is �now barrel aged for two weeks in whiskey barrels and served neat, exponentially better,� according to LD’s owner, Steve Livigni. And he wasn’t kidding. The cocktail is made in a style called Scaffa which was popular from the 1860s til the ’20s and it’s neither shaken nor stirred but rather simply built. It’s also meant to be sipped and savored and is best enjoyed with a nice cigar in LD’s back room.

10) White Manhattan from Vu Restaurant: Bartender Jolie Klein of Vu opened up my eyes to white whiskey via her White Manhattan. It’s made with Luxardo maraschino liqueur, bitter’s truth decanter and Death’s Door and possesses all the tastiness of a Manhattan with none of the color. Fortunately it actually tastes good, and won’t suffer the same fate as Crystal Pepsi. It’s no Whistlepig Manhattan (see Hemingway’s post) but I wouldn’t kick it out of bed.

By the way, if you love pictures of cocktails, I made a whole calendar of them, CoC Cocktail Hour Calendar, so you can stare at yummy drinks all year.

Related posts: Top 10 Favorite Cocktails of 2009

Categories: Cocktails, Featured, Los Angeles

7 Comments

December 27, 2010

Vu Restaurant: Calvin Klein Cocktails, Manhattans on Crack

Vu Restaurant's Jolie Klein

Jolie Klein, one of the four bartenders responsible for the cocktail menu at the new Vu Restaurant in Marina del Rey, seems to have the deck stacked against her: 1) Unlike a lot of L.A.’s renowned bartenders who can claim training under New York’s elite mixologists, she’s self taught; 2) she doesn’t have much on her resume, a couple of months at Tasting Kitchen where she helped with the bar menu, among the listings; and 3) the bar she works in is located in an MDR hotel with the not-great name, Jamaica Bay Inn.

And yet her cocktails, at least the ones I tasted during a hosted dinner last week, compel me to come back as they are unique. But maybe that could be attributed to the very things that stack that deck, in that she’s coming from somewhere new.

Usually, hotel bartenders (with the exception of Matt B. at Library Bar) tend to go for the tourist-pleasers — syrups, Schnapps and creams — but Jolie’s specialty is layering and balancing flavors so no overdone drinks here. And like classic cocktails, her drinks are spirit forward. “I want to taste the spirit,” she said. “I want clean and beautiful and I want it to last for a long time. That’s my philosophy. I want to taste everything.” She calls her cocktail philosophy “the Calvin Klein runway of spirits.”

She pooh-poohs 17-ingredient cocktails, the muddling of beets and the crutch of flavored vodkas. “I really believe if you just keep it simple, keep it clean and delicious, you can be as creative as you want. Just don’t take away from what you’re trying to balance.”

This is apparent in her cocktails, which are fun takes on old favorites. Here are some of my picks:

Guestacy

Guestacy: Asian pear with Hendrick’s Gin and Dimmi with honey powder. “Guestacy,” a combo of words “guest” and “ecstacy,” is Vu’s term for “Bartender’s Choice.” Yeah, kinda cheesy but this drink did make my eyelashes flutter. This cocktail was honeyed but not too sweet and its rim lightly dusted with an expensive honey powder which boosts this price to $20. It’s a perfect way to start off the evening — light, clean and luxurious. I could totally imagine a CK commercial about it. Cue Gabriel Aubry picking it up off a pedestal.

White Manhattan

White Manhattan: Death’s Door White Whiskey, Luxardo maraschino liqueur and The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas� Own Decanter Bitters. If anything epitomizes what Jolie is doing with cocktails it is this one. A classic possessing the same complexity and potency of my favorite cocktail but minus the familiar hue. For some reason she calls it a Manhattan on Crack, but I call it right up my alley, just as long as no one mistakes it for a ‘tini.

The Spicy Hunter

Spicy Hunter: Tapatio, jalapeno, agave nectar, fresh-squeezed lime juice, Cazadores Reposado. A margarita with a lot of kick that pairs nicely with basically anything. The spiciness of the cocktail makes you just want to drink more and soothe the burn.

Beer After Branca

Beer After Branca: Fernet Branca, Canton liqueur and Averna with a ginger beer back. Fans of Fernet will be familiar with this mix where you sip the Branca first and follow it with a ginger ale chaser. Here, Jolie adds a little sumthin-sumthin by swirling the glass first with Averna and then pouring an ounce of Fernet Branca with Canton. Personally, I think it would be fine without the Canton since you already have the ginger beer, but it doesn’t hurt it. This would be interesting to have with my instant Vu favorite, the pork belly with root beer jello over fried grits. Mmmmm! Tastes like chicken and waffles.

However, the only problem with Jolie’s cocktails, at least for now, is that apparently she’s the one who makes them the best at Vu Restaurant. Fortunately, she’s currently schooling the other bartenders, each who also have their own cocktails on the drink list. But if you don’t want to take any chances with anyone else, she’s at the bar Wednesday and Thursday during the day and Friday, Saturday and Sunday at night.

Happy Hour: Monday thru Friday, 4-7 pm; Reverse Happy Hour/Service Industry Night Sunday nites, 8 pm-close — $6 cocktails and wines, $4 tap and $5 small plates.

Vu Restaurant at Jamaica Bay Inn
14160 Palawan Way
Marina del Rey, California 90292 (map)
(310) 439-3032
Twitter: @VuRestaurant

Categories: Cocktails, Featured, Los Angeles, Nightlife

4 Comments

December 20, 2010

Magnum Dinner at Biergarten: Bad Boys, Banana Lovin and Good Times

If you didn’t know better, you’d think that Biergarten in Koreatown was misplaced there on Western Avenue. I know I did when I first heard about it. After all, it’s not really a beer garden, nor do they have karaoke. While there is a selection of sake and wine, its main focus is on fine craft beer (about 20 on tap) with a variety of Korean-influenced pub grub.

David Haskell and My Last Bite by Caroline on Crack

David and Jo sitting in a tree.

Suffice it to say, even in this day and age of the pop-up, color me surprised and delighted when Bastide’s former chef Joseph Mahon and bad boy sommelier David Haskell (Bin 8945) took over the unlikely location. At $56 a person for the six-course dinner, plus another $54 if you wanted to do the wine-beer-sake pairing, this was clearly not the meal for the usual clientele of Biergarten, home of the free pitcher of PBR (with any entree order).

But it definitely was the place to be for food fans and food bloggers the night I went; by the way I was comped for my meal and pairing. And since most of us were already friends, the last night of the Magnum dinner pop-up felt like a private party.

There was the world-famous Jo of My Last Bite trading naughty witticisms with Haskell. The always sunny Nguyen Tran of Starry Kitchen wearing his “LA Street Food Fest” banana costume just because. Test Kitchen regular Rydka not sporting his camera for a change. Sam Kim “expediting” behind the scenes in the kitchen. Mr. Brian Salt’s Hair making the rounds with his good buddy Brian Saltsburg and Test Kitchen’s GM, Stephane Bombet. I saw The Minty on the other side of the room and Rachel of Chicks With Knives. And EstarLA holding court with Savory Hunter and the Starry Kitchen gang.

As the night wore on and we moved through each course and each pairing, the scene got more boisterous. Friends visiting each other’s tables, peeps loving Nguyen’s banana costume a bit too much and a whole lot of hugging.

Duck leg confit

What can we say, good food and drink make us food geeks happy. (Menu with pairings)

And say what you want about David Haskell (I’m just glad to currently be on his good side), but the man is a brilliant sommelier. The standout pairing for me was the coconut soup with the sake. “It’s got some bitterness at the back of the palate. The coconut soup thickens it up and rounds it out a little bit more. There’s star anise in this and I’m going to bring out all the star anise using the tapioca,” said David. It seemed an unlikely combination and yet was so magical together, the sake enhancing the soup’s flavors and vice versa. David came out before each course to pour and explain the pairing. For a wine newb person like myself, I appreciated the schooling, plus David is a hoot.

One of the most anticipated dishes of the evening was the fried chicken with bacon, radish, arugula, celery and buttermilk dressing. Although it didn’t steal that special place in my heart reserved for Chef Ludo’s succulent fried chicken, it still managed to elicit a few mmms from the crowd, especially when paired with the 2007 G. Moulinier “Les Sigillaires”: St. Chinian, France: Syrah/Grenache/Mouvedre which David explained is meant to evoke Christmas dinner (?) as it possesses notes of blueberry which echo that in the sauce. He even broke out the good silverware. “You’ve gotta go with bling-bling with fried chicken,” he said.

The one dish I didn’t go for was the gingerbread waffle. Since I’m currently on dessert strike for December, this was a big no no. True, my dining companion, David’s publicist Eddie Allen somehow convinced me that despite that dollop of creme fraiche, this was not dessert. “It’s breakfast!” he insisted.

Chef Joseph Mahon

Yet after that first bite which tasted of sugared doughnuts I immediately stopped myself. OK, after the second bite I stopped myself. Very sweet and didn’t really taste of gingerbread. As for its pairing with soju, apparently this didn’t go over so well with some of the other diners. David said he chose the soju, which he realizes is an acquired taste, because he felt that the gingerbread waffle with its churro-like sponginess would cut down the alcohol in half. And to taste the waffle first and take a sip of the drink would be akin to sipping on ginger-infused soju.

In any case, I loved the daring and variety of the dinner. We went from carrot pudding to three types of meat and ended on a unique dessert, while the wine pairing strayed into beer and sake territory. I was definitely not bored and always delighted.

If you’re bummed about missing this Magnum dinner, not to fret, David says he’s working on coming up with another pop-up soonish. Currently he’s looking at Cube, The Foundary on Melrose and Eva Restaurant as potential locations.

Categories: Dining, Los Angeles

5 Comments

December 17, 2010

Giveaway: Free Five-Cocktail Tasting at Osteria La Buca

Photo courtesy of Osteria La Buca

***CONTEST CLOSED***

In celebration of Christmas, Osteria La Buca in Hollywood is hosting a “12 days of Christmas” promotion where it offers a new gift every day via Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. You can win things like a free lunch, dinner or holiday gathering and choose to enjoy it yourself or get it in the form of a gift certificate so it’s one less gift you have to buy.

Anyway, today is Day 5 aka “Five Golden Rings” of the contest and the restaurant is letting me give out five of today’s prize, which is for a tasting of five signature cocktails (value $60)! Yeah, I don’t know what cocktails have to do with rings but I’m not complaining either. Free cocktails! To win it, all you have to do is the following TWO steps.

“Like” Osteria La Buca on Facebook and follow their Twitter @OsteriaLaBucaLA.
“Like” me on Facebook and leave a comment on my wall saying which of the cocktails you’d like to try for your tasting. Remember to tag “Osteria La Buca” on FB. If you’re not following them, the tag won’t work so I’ll be able to tell.

You have til tonight at 8pm PST to get in your submissions. You can comment as much as you want on my wall but I will check to make sure both Steps 1 and 2 have been followed. I’ll pick the winners at random and contact them via Facebook. Should I contact you, you’ll have til tomorrow at 9am to respond. If you don’t then I’ll have to pick another winner.

Good luck and happy drinking!

Categories: Cocktails, Los Angeles

2 Comments

December 17, 2010

Hostaria del Piccolo: White Pizza & The 7 Dwarfs Cocktails

Hostaria del Piccolo's Dotto cocktail by Caroline on Crack

Dotto cocktail will cure what ails you, especially with all that ginger.

What is the big deal with Chef Roberto “Bobo” Ivan’s Hostaria del Piccolo, the Santa Monica sister to his Piccolo restaurant in Venice? Well, not only does the modern pizza joint offer gluten-free pie — made with naturally leavened dough comprised of kamut, soy and polenta flour — but they have a gorgeously stocked bar (specifically all the fixings for an awesome Manhattan, including the formerly scarce Rittenhouse 100) and a promising cocktail menu.

Hostaria del Piccolo dining room by Caroline on Crack

Wood everywhere.

Turns out cocktail godfather Vincenzo Marianella (Providence, The Doheny), who works just down the street at cocktail fan favorite Copa d’Oro, conducted a two-day cocktail seminar and offered some input for Hostaria’s bar program. But he doesn’t want his involvement to be the focus as he said that, like he did for downtown’s Drago Centro, he’s just setting things up while Hostaria’s bartenders will be tasked with taking it from there.

At the moment there’s a decent selection of classic cocktails ($11 each) like the Negroni, Dark & Stormy and Sazerac, which oddly enough the menu lists as having cognac, bourbon and Peychaud’s bitter. Cognac and no absinthe? And their “I Sette Nani” aka seven dwarfs signature cocktails ($12 each), which Marianella didn’t name, are:

Brontolo (Grumpy): Rum, jalapeno, lime, mix berries
Cucciolo (Dopey): Cucumber, Plymouth Gin, Plymouth Sloe Gin, lemon
Dotto (Doc): Bourbon, lemon, Yellow Chartreuse, ginger syrup, Angostura bitter
Eolo (Sneezy): Bourbon, Elisir Gambrinus, Campari, lavender bitter
Gongolo (Happy): Ketel One Citron, St. Germain, lime, ginger beer, mint sprig, strawberries
Mammalo (Bashful): Ketel One Citron, cr�me de Yvette, prosecco, white grapes, basil leaves
Pisolo (Sleepy): Dewar’s, Aperol, Amaro Averna, Jerry Thomas bitter

On their opening night last Wednesday, I dropped by to check out the new restaurant, lured by its cocktail menu but opted to enjoy a bit of dinner as well.

Asparagi pizza tastes as good as it looks. Drool!

The pizzas here range in price from the $12 Margherita to the $18 tuna pizza. Each are sized for either a satisfying meal per una persona or as one of many dishes to split with a date. My dinner companion and I shared the asparagi pizza ($16) — a no-sauce pie with mozzarella, asparagus, egg, Parmesan shavings and truffle salt — as well as the Verde salad made with arugula, spinach, avocado, oven-dried tomatoes, pine-nuts and Parmesan crisp. The pizza’s crust was so light and crisp; almost crackerlike. And for the first time ever, I actually finished the ends of the crust. The salad was lightly dressed, fresh and the perfect complement to the pizza.

For my dinner cocktail, I went with the Dotto. Unfortunately it wasn’t as potent as I would have liked and it was a bit heavy on the ginger syrup. But I’ll just chalk that up to the bar getting its bearings. That night bartender Roberto, who also works at Copa d’Oro, was manning the bar. He’ll be pulling double duty at both locations.

The restaurant, designed by architect Gregg Ginter, offers a variety of seating areas for its diners with a main dining room looking out at the street, a back room and a rear outdoor patio as well as the bar area. Grab a seat on the wood bench along the glass windows or cozy up to the TV fireplace.

Posted on LAist.

Categories: Cocktails, Dining, Featured, Los Angeles

1 Comment

December 16, 2010

This Weekend: Gigantic Warehouse Sale, Ugly Sweater Party, SaMo Pub Crawl

No one panic. Sure this is the last weekend before the holidays but check out all the fun events going on! Fortunately, most involve drinking.

Friday, December 17

Eagle Rock Brewery’s Ugly Sweater Party
You know you have one, everyone does: an ugly sweater that was either a well-intended gift handmade by crazy ol’ Aunt Franny or something you made in Home Ec. Now’s the time to dust it off and put it to good use. Bring it to Eagle Rock Brewery and if it’s voted The Ugliest you win a free Eagle Rock Brewery T-shirt and a pint glass! I just wanna see a room full of ugly sweater-wearing beer drinkers.

4-10pm. Eagle Rock Brewery, 3056 Roswell Street, Los Angeles (map). (323) 257-7866.

4th Street’s Annual Holiday “Mad Men” Style Open House
Love vintage, retro, Mad Men style? Retro Row in Long Beach is opening all its doors in celebration of the holidays. Peruse 36-plus shops for great deals on vintage fashions. There will specials and music as well as cocktails and mocktails.

6-9pm. 4th Street (from Junipero to Cherry), Long Beach (map).

Saturday, December 18

Holiday Giant Warehouse Sale
I know it’s a drag to have to shop for others for a change so discounts and deals during the holidays are always much appreciated. And you’ll find over 40,000 fashionable items marked down to 80% off at this weekend warehouse sale! Brands include BCBG Max Azria, C&C California, English Laundry and more. BONUS: I’ll be giving away five $50 gift cards for this sale. I’ll post the deets on my Facebook at noon today so stay tuned!

Saturday-Sunday. LA Convention Center, South Hall G, 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles (map).

2nd Annual Santa Monica Pub Crawl
It’s time to be merry and full of holiday cheer and this annual pub crawl will help you do just that. What’s awesome about it is that you have three routes to choose from. So you can hit up your favorite bars on Main Street, explore the ones around the pier or stay inland at the bars on Wilshire near Brentwood.

5pm. Various bars in Santa Monica (map).

Monday, December 20

Kickoff for Holiday Beer Fest at Library Alehouse
Speaking of drinking, one of my favorite beer pubs will be kicking off two weeks of holiday brew (10 rotating taps of seasonal and strong ales). For $10 you get a Library Alehouse tasting glass and a beer. I know, tasting glass is pretty small but you get to use it for $2.50-$5 refills throughout the fest. Holiday brews include St. Bernardus Noell and Avery Jubilation Ale, my faves! And if you want to fortify your stomach, the restaurant is offering 10% off their food for those two weeks.

Library Alehouse, 2911 Main Street, Santa Monica (map). (310) 314-4855.

Categories: Los Angeles, Nightlife, Shopping & Sales