Monthly Archives: December 2011

December 28, 2011

2012 New Year’s Eve Parties With Open Bars

Cheers by Caroline on Crack

Cheers, 2012!

Don’t want to worry about keeping track of your bar tab for New Year’s Eve? NYE celebrations featuring open bars is definitely the way to go. And then you won’t have to remember to close out your check at the end of the night! Fortunately there’s a nice selection of parties going off this Saturday, ranging from a casual wallet-friendly beer fest to casino night in Havana.

By the way, remember to be safe this NYE. You don’t want to start off 2012 with a DUI! Take the Metro (which is free) or call a cab. The LAPD will be out in full force.

The Eveleigh’s NYE Roaring ’20s Soiree — $30 Open bar 10-11pm
1920s seems to be the theme to many a NYE party this year. This one on Sunset features a ’20s-inspired cocktail menu created by the great Dave Kupchinsky. Open bar isn’t all night, just 10-11pm, but you get a complimentary midnight champagne toast and live jazz music. Dress code: ’20s cocktail attire.

Free-Flowing Taps: Blue Palms Brewhouse’s New Year’s Eve Celebration — $55 Open taps
The beer lover’s NYE party. Open taps til 2am, including specialty kegs for the event, an open “call” bar and a midnight champagne toast. There will be passed appetizers but the kitchen will be taking regular food orders as well. Lobster mac & cheese! Not bad for $55 ($65 at the door). Plus the bar will stay open til 3am after the 1:30am last call to give you time to sober up. Aww, so nice!

Los Angeles New Years Eve 2012 – White & Black(out) Ball — $75 Open bar
Party down in a historic Santa Monica landmark. You have to dress in black and white attire for it though. Here you get an open bar, champagne toast at midnight, two floors of live music AND they promise giveaways all night.

J Lounge’s Midnight in Paris — $80 VIP Open bar
At this 1,000-capacity 1920s-Parisian-themed blowout there will be four bars, three dance floors, a photobooth to commemorate the evening, a three-course dinner and gogo dancers. Your VIP ticket gets you the open bar, champagne toast and VIP lounge access.

Tony’s Darts Away’s New Year’s Eve Feast and Party — $95 Open bar and feasting
This party is a great deal considering it’s all the vegan/non-vegan food and California craft brew you can consume for $95. Not to mention the commemorative NYE TDA glass you get, reserved seating and potential raffle prices.

The It Pick: LACMA’s ’20s Soiree — $85 – $150 hosted pre-Prohibition cocktails
This sounds like THE party to hit up for New Year’s what with speakeasy shenanigans, pre-Prohibition-style cocktails, cigars, burlesque and an 18-piece orchestra. If you get your ticket through Thrillist Rewards you’ll also score LACMA’s annual MUSE membership in addition to VIP treatment. At midnight this party one-ups all others with its champagne toast which is accompanied with a fireworks display. Since tickets are limited you have to dress to impress. Diamonds and pearls, Betty Boop!

Caulfield’s Rooftop Party — $100 Open bar ($150 at the door)
This swank Beverly Hills restaurant has a special dinner for NYE but what’s been overlooked is its rooftop party atop the Thompson Beverly Hills where there’s an open bar from 9pm to midnight. RSVP with rsvpthompson2012 [at] gmail.com. If you want the whole she-bang of dinner and rooftop party access tickets are $175 a person. You can also upgrade to table service or, if you travel with an entourage, a large cabana for you and friends for $2,000.

More Quality Booze for Your Buck: Harvard & Stone New Year’s Eve Bash — $100 Open bar with craft cocktails
This bash at Harvard & Stone sounds like you’ll get more than your money’s worth what with the variety of booze at your disposal for just a Benjamin. Indulge in H&S’s well-crafted cocktails as well as cocktail punches, American craft beer and bottomless champagne. PLUS, live music and a DJ!

MyHouse NYE 2012 — $100 VIP Open bar
A Hollywood “house party” where you can sip on cocktails made straight from their “kitchen” and dance in the living room to DJ Orator. If you’re into SBE, paparazzi, Kim Kardashian gossip, then this is the fete for you.

W Hollywood NYE 2012 — $100 Open bar
Dance all over the W Hollywood. Each venue will feature different music: Living Room (Top 40), main room (hip hop/R&B) and Delphine (House).

Le Prestige New Year’s Eve 2012 — $120 VIP Open bar
At the El Rey, this strictly enforced dress-to-impress party has a premium open bar which specifically says “including but not limited to Grey Goose, Tanqueray, Bacardi, Patron, Johnny Walker Black, domestic and imported beers.” Dumbfoundead and his band will host and do a mini performance.

NYE at Wilshire — $125 Premium open bar
For those who skipped out celebrating NYE in Vegas this year, maybe this Santa Monica restaurant-turn-casino will do. The $125 admission includes a premium open bar and $200 in fake casino chips to play with. What’s your pleasure? Craps, Blackjack or Roulette? Dress code: suits and evening gowns, cuz it’s swank like that.

Las Palmas Avenue 2012 New Years Eve Block Party — $150 Premium open bar
Sceney Hollywood clubs join forces. For $150, it’s open bar all night for you and a midnight champagne toast as well as access to the VIP balcony which has its own separate bar. There you can rest your tootsies between dance stops at the three clubs which will be playing different music — Premiere (House), Las Palmas (Hip Hop) and Angels & Kings (Rock). Each one will feature their own countdown.

SkyBar’s Shaken Not Stirred — $175 Open bar
At this James Bond-inspired party, guests will sip on martinis while placing their bets at the casino tables. Dress code: Black tie optional.

La Descarga’s Havana Nocturna — $200 Open bar
You know this Havana-inspired rum bar will do up NYE in style. Space is limited so it won’t be too crazy. Enjoy the open bar and six courses of passed appetizers and desserts. For entertainment take in the nine-piece Latin orchestra and burlesque dancers or try your luck at blackjack, roulette and craps. The three biggest chip holders at the end of the night will receive prizes. Dress code: Formal 1920s gangsters and dames.

Official Maxim Black & White New Year’s Eve Affair — $225 VIP open bar
Ring in the new year in the recently renovated Chinese Theatre Grauman’s Ballroom. VIP access gets you an open bar and entry to all levels of the theatre which includes the VIP lounge and the red carpet photo op area. DJs Eric Cubeechee and Romy Ancona will be spinning some danceable mashups. And apparently there’s a “big surprise live act coming your way, too.”

Honorable mentions: These aren’t open bar events but they do offer some fine drinking.

Big Bar — Want to drink around the world without leaving your bar stool? This little Los Feliz drink hole will feature a new specialty cocktail ($10 each) to celebrate each timezone hitting 2012. Ring in the new year with Berlin by toasting a Husker Du (vodka, Aperol, lemon, bitters) and cheers L.A. in 2012 with a Historic Core (Rittenhouse bonded, Lairds bonded, Chartreuse, Dolin, Angostura).

Neat — For something more low-key, this Glendale bar will have champagne toasts at nine and 12 as well as a live band. And you can order Chinese take-out at the bar.

More NYE lists:

LA Magazine’s “New Year’s Eve Event Roundup” 
NBCLA’s “Celebrating 2011″
Thirsty in LA’s “So Long 2011…”

Categories: Beer, Cocktails, Lists, Los Angeles, Nightlife
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December 28, 2011

Blog Bite: Jacques Torres Wicked Hot Chocolate Mix at Madame Chocolat Beverly Hills

Hasty Torres by Caroline on Crack

Madame Chocolate Hasty Torres presenting her hot chocolate.

Renowned chocolatier Jacques Torres, aka Mr. Chocolate, makes one of the most amazing hot chocolate mixes I’ve ever had: Wicked Chocolate. The spiciness of ancho chili, allspice, cinnamon and chipotle chili peppers with that rich chocolate. The perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up when mixed with steamed vanilla soy. Um. Yum!

When I was visiting New York years ago I had set foot into his Brooklyn store for the first time and instantly fell in love. With the chocolate chip cookies, the cookie mix (yes, cookie mix which makes these amazing cookies with huge chocolate chips) and the Wicked Chocolate mix.

Wicked Chocolate by Caroline on Crack

Beverly Hills Wicked Chocolate stash.

Unfortunately, Jacques Torres isn’t on the West Coast so I had to restock by either ordering online and paying the $25 shipping or have my sister who lives in NY mail me a box.

But for the holidays, Mr. Chocolate is available in L.A.! His wife, chocolatress Hasty Torres, is selling some of his chocolates, chocolate boxes AND most importantly Wicked Chocolate mix at her store Madame Chocolat in Beverly Hills as well as at her pop-up store at the Americana and cart at the Grove. The Grove cart closes up shop tonight but you can always swing by her chocolate heaven on Canon Drive.

And if you’re dying for some hot chocolate on the spot, at the BH store Hasty has her own mix which she makes with steamed milk and serves with a chocolate spoon!

Yeah, at first I thought the addition of the spoon was just craziness — chocolate overload. (Yeah, I guess there is no such thing.) But Madame Chocolat’s hot cocoa was actually all creamy chocolate without the cloying sweetness. The chocolate spoon added just the right amount of sugar and even more chocolate. Win win!

Madame Chocolat’s mix and her husband’s go for $20 each. There are still tins available so snap ‘em up!

Hasty loaded me up with some of hers and her husband’s chocolates and a package each of both of their hot chocolate mixes while I visited her store. She literally is a sweet woman. I can’t wait to try making my own winter cocktails with these.

Heads-up: For Valentine’s Day look for Jacques’ chocolates to return to the store. You’ll be able to make a special package combining bon bons from each chocolatier.

Hit the jump for a video of Jacques Torres making hot chocolate.

Madame Chocolat
212 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, California 90210 (map)
(310) 247-9990

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Categories: Blog Bites, Gift Ideas, Los Angeles, Shopping & Sales
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December 27, 2011

Last Night at Spare Room’s Boxing Day Social: Bar Tab Winners, Photobooth Shenanigans, Punch Recipe

Cocktail punch by Caroline on Crack

Cocktail punch with Solerno blood orange liqueur

Last night’s boozy Boxing Day Social charity affair at the Hollywood Roosevelt’s Spare Room raised about $2,000 in addition to collecting blankets and clothes for downtown’s Hospitality Kitchen. For the $10 donation at the door, guests were treated to turkey-on-rye sandwiches, Wild Geese Irish whiskey tastings and a Jenga tournament as well as three free-flowing cocktail punches created by hostess and SR beverage director Naomi Schimek. (Hit the jump for the Boxing Day Punch recipe — and for more pictures.)

Naomi also came up with the idea of auctioning off L.A. bartenders and their respective bar tabs. Since it’s usually against policy for bartenders to drink at the bar where they work, the bar tabs were thrown in a hat and then each bartender had to draw one out. Luckily no one pulled out their own tab.

The mixmasters who drew the highest bids were Spare Room’s Lauran September who raised $200 for a date with her at Harvard & Stone and Naomi who was snapped up by both Aidan Demarest (Neat) and the event’s emcee Dan “The Imbiber” Dunn for $200. The trio will be enjoying beers and shots at La Cita. Someone should make a reality show about THAT date!

The significant others of some of the bartenders took the auction as an opportunity to score a budget-friendly date night. Hilary Straus, wife of Alex Straus of Hemingway’s Lounge, won her husband and a $175 bar tab at Baby Blues BBQ for a cool $100. While La Descarga’s Kenny Danger and the Hemingway’s bar tab was won by Kenny’s girlfriend.

The cocktail community turned out in full force to support the charity. It was fun hanging out with fellow cocktail enthusiasts like LA/OC Foodventures and Faux LA Hipster as well as mingling with Georgia of Alie & Georgia and The Savory Hunter. My fave moments of the night had to be tippling that intense cocktail punch made with Salerno blood orange liqueur and getting Dan Dunn, Aidan Demarest and Spare Room co-owner Marc Rose to jump in the photo booth for me. That photo strip is going up on my refrigerator.

If you missed out last night, not to fret. Naomi said that this will be a yearly event so start saving up your cash now. Who knows who will be up for bid next year?

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Categories: Cocktails, Los Angeles, Nightlife, Recipes
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December 26, 2011

Cold Comfort Cocktails: Roundup of Winter Cocktails in L.A.

Ponche en Nogado by Caroline on Crack

Ponche en Nogada from Playa

Nothing says cozy winter nights like a hot toddy or Irish coffee. But in L.A. thanks to our industrious and highly skilled bartenders, we’ve got so many new favorite winter cocktails to choose from. Will it be 1886′s spicy hot chocolate, Playa’s mescal nog, the Roof on Wilshire’s Earl Grey hot toddy? Here’s the roundup of some of the tastiest drinks off winter cocktail menus around town. Any one is perfect for enjoying on a balmy December afternoon or a chilly night.

Scot's Jasmine by Big Bar

Scot's Jasmine by Big Bar

1886: Con Abuelita — Described as a grown-up Mexican hot chocolate it’s made with Ancho-chile infused Reposado Tequila, 1886 hot chocolate mix and an ancho chile marshmallow.

Bar at Cliff’s Edge: Bitter Pill — This bitter pill will go down easy with its mixture of Zaya Rum, Fernet Branca, lime, brown sugar syrup and egg whites.

Big Bar: Scot’s Jasmine — An even cozier twist on a hot toddy which will make you want to curl up at the bar. Dewar’s, jasmine tea, honey, ginger, steamed milk.

Caulfield’s: 23 Yr Old Fashion — Ron Zacapa 23 yr., housemade chocolate tincture, sugar, Luxardo cherry.

Copa d’Oro: TT of Man — Famous Grouse Black Scotch, walnut liqueur, housemade maple-ginger syrup, fresh lemon & organic apple juices & pasteurized egg whites.

Dominick’s: Pixie Goldrush — Bulleit Bourbon, Pixi tangerines, clover honey and lemon juice

Drago Centro: Rode Duivel — Bols Genever, St. Maria Al Monte Amaro, Miracle Mile Sour Cherry Bitters. Try this and the rest of the new winter cocktail menu which debut this Wednesday. They’ll be specially priced at just $8 for the night.

Earl the Pearl by Caroline on Crack

Earl the Pearl from the Roof on Wilshire

Playa: Ponche en Nogada — This nog created by Julian Cox for an L.A. Times Magazine piece evokes the coziness of a fireplace thanks to the smokey Poblano infused mescal and add to that double cream, whole egg, amontillado sherry, holiday-spiced piloncillo, nocino, and garnish with pomegranate arils and nutmeg.

Ray’s and Stark Bar: Oaxacan Holiday — Cocoa infused dark rum, Crème de cacao, chocolate chili bitters, freshly whipped cream, grated nutmeg.

Soho House: Cider House Rules — apple jack, fresh pressed apple cider, lemon, honey syrup, hot water, cinnamon. An apple hot toddy that’s more effective than a Snuggie. But if you’re not a Soho House member, you can make this cocktail at home. Here’s the recipe.

Spare Room: Hot Buttered Bourbon — smoked salt caramel syrup, blood orange essence, bitters. “I like the idea of being able to get a hot buttered bourbon in February when its rainy and colder than it is now,” said Spare Room beverage director Naomi Schimek. Couldn’t agree more, but I suspect our 50-degree L.A. nights work just fine, too.

Tasting Kitchen: Duke of Hazzard — bourbon, dates, allspice.

Lady Percy by Caroline on Crack

Lady Percy at Villains Tavern

The Roof on Wilshire: Earl the Pearl — Gosling Dark Rum, Earl Grey Vanilla Cream Tea and lemon twist and cinnamon stick garnish. Something comforting about the vanilla and maple notes of this hot toddy. Enjoy it by the firepit on the roof while looking out at the city.

Villains Tavern: Lady Percy — Tullamore Dew, stewed pear cider, honey, dried apricots and bitters. One of my favorites off Villains winter list. Nicely balanced hot cider cocktail, not too much booze or too much sweet apple/pear-ness.

The Writers Room: Dead Man Oaxacan — mescal, mole-orange liqueur, Mexican oregano, Chapulin garnish.

Categories: Cocktails, Featured, Lists, Los Angeles
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December 21, 2011

The Gifts That Keep on Giving: Los Angeles Wine, Beer, Cupcake and Coffee Clubs

Xmas gifts by Caroline on Crack

If you haven

Still don’t know what to get that special foodist in your life? How about the gift that keeps on giving, like entree into one of the best beer clubs ever or a delicious cupcake a month, all delivered to their door?

Wine Clubs

Colorado Wine Company’s Wine Club — $50 – $80/month
This is the perfect gift for someone who is geographically challenged and is therefore missing out on this fab Eagle Rock wine store. Here, they have three types of memberships. The Yummiest Trio is two outstanding reds and a mind-blowing white. Me and CoWineCo – Best Friends Forever is CoWineCo’s favorite picks of red, white, bubbly and dessert. While the Seeing Red Club is their favorite reds.

Domaine LA’s Gastronomist Wine Club — $50/month
For $50 you get one to three bottles totaling the $50. And if you want to buy additional bottles you get 10% off as well as 2-for-1 bonus coupons for in-store tastings (one for every three months of the club you sign up for). The Gastronomist wine club wines are ones that you’ll find on the best restaurant lists in L.A. as well as Europe and the States. Occasionally there will be a recipe by a local chef for the ideal pairing.

Silverlake Wine’s Wine Club — $25 – $75/month
If your giftee is a fan of this Silver Lake wine shop’s Sunday tastings then this is the perfect gift for them. The wine clubs here ar available in three price tiers to suit any budget. For $25 to $75 a month (plus shipping), you get two hand-picked bottles. And you have the option to upgrade the selection where they have a higher-grade one bottle instead of the two.

Other Beverages

The Bruery Beer by Caroline on Crack

This gift will make any beer lover giddy.

The Bruery Reserve Society — $295
I can’t believe that there are still slots available for this club considering memberships usually sell out every year. Fortunately, the Bruery opened up some spots so you still have a chance to sign up, or get one for your friend, you generous so and so! This gift will make any beer geek weep tears of joy openly. It’s not a beer-of-the-month club but for $295 you get about 9 bottles of special edition Bruery beers including Chocolate Rain and Black Tuesday as well as special growler fills and access to that Reserve Society Initiation Celebration, among many other goodies.

Intelligentsia at Home — Depends
One of the best gifts for any coffee lover, the gift of not having to stand in a long, slow-moving line for a great cup of coffee. With this home subscription, your giftee will get a fresh bag of beans dropped off at their doorstep. You can customize the order to suit your wallet. Choose type of coffee, amount (12 ounces to 5 pounds!), grind and quantity. And when you order at least two 12-ounce bags you’ll get half off shipping.

Sunset Beer Company’s Beer Club — $30 to $60/month
The Echo Park beer store just kicked off this club today (12/22)! Take your pick of the $30/month or $60/month membership. The higher level gets twice the beer and one free pour at the bar each month. Beer club members will also get first dibs on special releases!

Treats

Magnolia cupcakes by Caroline on Crack

Imagine having these dropped off at your door once a month.

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills’ Cheese Club– $120+
One of the best cheese shops in town has a cheese club where you can get gourmet cheeses delivered once a month for three, six or 12 months! And none of the cheeses will repeat in the entire cycle.

Magnolia Bakery Cupcake Club– $220 (3 months to $880 (12 months)
For the ultimate cupcake fiend — yes, they still exist (raises hand). The membership includes a tin, tote, Magnolia cookbook and a $25 gift card. And we can’t forget the cupcake a month which includes favorites like the Hummingbird, caramel and truffle chocolate.

Mel & Rose Chocolate of the Month Club — $250 (6 months)
Give the gift of gourmet chocolate every month. This West Hollywood specialty food store’s chocolate selection spans from the Amedei Porcelana to Vosges Dark Bacon Bar. In other words, it’s allll good.

Categories: Beer, Cupcakes, Gift Ideas, Lists, Los Angeles
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December 20, 2011

Win a Bar Tab: Spare Room’s Inaugural Bartenders With Bar Tabs Auction and Boxing Day Social

Aidan Demarest by Caroline on Crack

Win a date with this guy!

Next Monday win a dream drink date with the L.A. brand ambassador/bartender (and their bar tab) of your choosing at Spare Room’s Boxing Day Social, a cocktail event whose proceeds will go to the Hospitality Kitchen, a Skid Row soup kitchen. About eight L.A.’s barsmiths will hit the auction block and Dan “The Imbiber” Dunn will auction them off and emcee what’s sure to be a hilarious and fun Inaugural Bartenders With Bar Tabs Auction.

Who’s up for grabs.

By the way, event hostess and Spare Room Director of Beverages Naomi Schimek hints that she might spontaneously get up on the auction block so keep your fingers crossed!

So, who are you going to bid on? I know, I know. With this list of awesome bars, it’s difficult to pick just one! Add to that these bartenders are a hoot, especially that mischievous Aidan (who must have TWO hollow legs) and it might just make sense to try and win them all, no?

The party is a mere $10 at the door and you get access to three bottomless cocktail punches, bar bites, a Jenga tournament, live music and a dj! Pfew! It’ll be the best 10 spot you’ve ever donated.

EVENT: MONDAY, DECEMBER 26 from 7 to 11pm

Spare Room at Hollywood Roosevelt
7000 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90028 (map)
(323) 769-7296
Facebook: Spare Room
Twitter: @SpareRoomHwood

 

 

Categories: Cocktails, Los Angeles, Nightlife
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December 15, 2011

Spare Room Hollywood’s $75 Tequila Cocktail Debuts Tonight

Coctel Unico by Spare Room Hollywood

Coctel Unico by Spare Room Hollywood

Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt is launching a $75 cocktail, Coctel Unico, tonight. Yup, a muy caro tequila drink.

This baby is made with Milagro Unico, a new “micro-distilled tequila with Milagro’s rarest and barrel-aged reserves” (from the press release) that isn’t available in stores or for distribution anywhere yet and once it is, the bottles, of which there are only 1,000, are projected to retail for $300 each. But Spare Room was lucky enough to score two bottles. 

The bowling alley/cocktail lounge’s Director of Beverages Naomi Schimek said that in creating this special drink, she wanted to make sure the delicate spirit was showcased so she didn’t add too many mixers. And when she did it was only eyedropper-size amounts. “Unico is earthy agave with grapefruit and black pepper, opening up top vanilla and caramel notes. Very delicate on the palate,” says Naomi. You can still appreciate the rare tequila in this cocktail but enhanced with dry vermouth, Pernod and Aperol essences to bring out its flavor notes.

Or if you’d rather taste the spirit unenhanced, you can order it neat for the same price.

Would be the perfect gift for your favorite cocktail geek (ahem), or yourself!

Spare Room at Hollywood Roosevelt
7000 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90028 (map)
(323) 769-7296
Facebook: Spare Room
Twitter: @SpareRoomHwood

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