Category Archives: Blog Bites

August 27, 2010

Blog Bite: Mix & Match Beer and Shot at Villains Tavern

Written by Caroline on Crack in Blog Bites, Cocktails, Los Angeles, Nightlife
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Villains Tavern's Mix & Match Beer and Shot by Caroline on Crack

Villains Tavern's Mix & Match Beer and Shot

At the new downtown LA Villains Tavern, which opened just last month, it’s not about the cocktails for me, rather it’s all about that groovy outdoor bar where they only serve beer and mix-and-match beer and shots! Yes, if you don’t feel like waiting in line at the indoor bar for a cocktail, just step outside to the bar on the side patio.

You can flashback to those college years of pounding shots or create your own premium version of a Boilmaker.

For $8 you have your choice of 20 beers and 20 shots. Hmm, PBR with Wild Turkey Rye? Racer 5 IPA with Fernet Branca? Tecate with Camarena Reposado? The possibilities are deliciously endless, unless, of course, you misjudge a match like I did with the Fernet and Woodchuck Apple Cider. Blech! What was I thinking? That herbaliness did not go well with the apple as I had thought it would. Oh well, you live, you learn.

Big spenders may want to opt for the “premium” beer like Maredsous 10, Chimay and Affligem. That’ll set you back $14.

I feel compelled to go back and see if I can come up with. What do you think would be a good mix?

Villains Tavern's outdoor bar by Caroline on Crack

Outdoor bar

Villains Tavern's front patio by Caroline on Crack

Front patio

Villains Tavern
1356 Palmetto
Los Angeles, California 91003 (map)
(213) 613-0766

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May 3, 2010

Blog Bite: Perfect Pairing of Hatfield’s Manhattan and Pork Belly Skewers

Written by Caroline on Crack in Blog Bites, Dining, Los Angeles
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Hatfield's Pork Skewers by Caroline on Crack

Pork Skewers

Hatfield's Manhattan by Caroline on Crack

Hatfield's Manhattan

So sinful but I LOVE this pairing and don’t care if it involves glaze and fat. John of Social Domain, a fellow appreciator of fine Manhattans, turned me onto it. He first enticed me to Hatfield’s by saying that they make one of the best Manhattans in L.A. and that I hadn’t officially started my fall off the wagon until I drank one there. They nickname it “The Real McCoy” and make it with Pikesville Rye, Sweet Vermouth and Peychaud’s bitters ($9).

John and I met at the bar for a little pre-Neve Ice party cocktailing. Since it was right after work and I was hungry, John suggested we get a plate of the pork belly skewers ($6) which comes with roasted pearl onions and a maple-vinegar glaze. It’s only a plate of two skewers with four chunks of pork belly so we ended up ordering a second plate. And oh, my lawd, the delectable pork complements the warmth of the rye nicely. Take a bite of meat, chew a bit and wash it down with a sip of booze. Le sigh!

It’s so decadent and you really feel like you’re pampering yourself while enjoying this little pairing at a beautiful marble bar. The perfect way to pick yourself up from a long, hard day.

Hatfield’s
6703 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90038 (map)
(323) 935-2977

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April 17, 2010

Blog Bite: Lamill’s Black & Black Coffee/Beer Drink

Written by Caroline on Crack in Blog Bites, Los Angeles
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Lamill's Black & Black

Lamill's Black & Black

I’ve been dying to try Lamill‘s unique coffee beer drink, the Black & Black ($9), since I first heard mention of it on LAist back in February when the boutique coffee shop first got its liquor license. But I have only just now had the chance to make my way over to its Silver Lake location. This inspired mixture of Old Rasputin Imperial Russian Stout and iced organic Lamill house coffee is a perfect balance of flavors. The richness of the coffee enhances that of the stout making it taste as deep and dark as an espresso but refreshing at the same time. Really hit the spot on a warm day after a hike.

What’s funny is that this isn’t the first time I’ve been exposed to such a concoction. I first experienced something similar when a friend had added a shot of espresso to his pint of Guinness for a brunch cocktail. I thought it was genius back then and this refined and measured variety is even better.

The Black & Black is a bit more sophisticated than my friend’s impromptu cocktail. Here, the coffee is iced but not poured over ice which would dilute the intense flavors. The server also shows up at the table with the glass already half filled with coffee and then pours the stout in as if measuring it. There is still some stout left over to be enjoyed later but regardless I still got a buzz, the intoxicated kind, from just half that serving of Rasputin. Strong stuff! It is 9% alcohol after all.

From UrbanDaddy:

What it is: their darkest coffee, the Black Onyx blend, mixed with an Old Rasputin ale, an equally dark, rich brew.

In any case, you could probably try to make this concoction at home. Just buy some organic coffee and Old Rasputin Stout. Brew the coffee and then refrigerate it; don’t add ice. When the coffee is chilled, fill a glass with half coffee and then fill it the rest of the way with the stout. Easy-peasy!

However you do it, just do it. If you’re a fan of strong coffee flavors and rich, dark beer, this drink is up your alley.

Lamill Coffee Boutique
1636 Silver Lake Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90026 (map)
(323) 663-4441
Twitter: @lamillcoffee

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March 15, 2010

Blog Bite: Virgin Taverine at the Tavern

Written by Caroline on Crack in Blog Bites, Cocktails
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The Tavern's Taverine mocktail

Bored and alone, I found myself having dinner at the bar in the Tavern in Brentwood. No biggie if I were able to drink cocktails but since I’m liquor free for Lent-ish this made keeping my own company a boring prospect.

Fortunately the Tavern has a nice cocktail menu comprised of fresh juices. Unfortunately, they don’t have ginger beer. I’d have to get creative.

Looking over their drink menu I tried to figure out which cocktail could easily be a born-again virgin.

The Taverine made with vodka, Grand Marnier, grapefruit juice and tangerine vanilla syrup seemed like a good candidate. I could just sub orange juice for the booze, right?

The resulting mocktail poured over ice in a tall glass simply tasted like tangerine juice with the grapefruit’s subtle tartness. It was ok. Makes me wonder if the booze version tastes like a tarty Screwdriver.

Anyway it was a nice change from the usual ginger beer.

Tavern
11648 West San Vicente Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90049 (map)
(310) 806-6464

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March 12, 2010

Blog Bite: Border Grill Truck’s Churro Tots

Written by Caroline on Crack in Blog Bites, Los Angeles, Sweets
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Border Grill's churro tots

First Nutella poundcake and then salted caramel bars and now churro tots! All nommy brilliance, I tell you! I was fortunate enough to stumble upon this at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica where the Border Grill Truck parks ever Friday at lunchtime.

I was just gonna get a couple of tacos to bring back to my desk but then the churro tot sign complete with food pornographic photo caught my eye. “Dulce de leche infused churros, cinnamon sugar, whipped cream.” Oh dear lord. Must. Have.

Funny enough, @HotPinkManolos — blogger, foodie and on-site manager for the truck — was on hand and comped my tots order. So nice! I would have blogged about this anyway because my peeps need to know about this cinnamony, fried bite of heaven.

I swear, I almost cried. And you know what that means: I was sooo happy.

Now these tots doesn’t really have the breadiness of a churro; more of a creamy center. But they do have that familiar fried crisp exterior and all that cinnamon.

I offered some to my boyfriend, thinking he wouldn’t want it, especially the tots covered in melted whipped cream. But after the first bite he was eager to take another and even dipped it in the whipped cream. Now, if he likes it — he’s a picky eater and not the sweet tooth that I am — then you now it’s some good stuff.

Such a nice treat for a Friday. And $3.50 for the six tots. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can carry these around in my pocket, though.

For an even better, food pornographic photo of the tots, check out LAist’s post.

Click here for the Border Grill Truck schedule.

Twitter: @bordergrill

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March 4, 2010

Blog Bite: Oysters, $1 Cocktail & Free Champagne at the Edison

Written by Caroline on Crack in Blog Bites
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Want to feel oh-so elegant? This Thursday night at the Edison, you can get a free glass of champagne when you purchase a half dozen oysters (or spend $5 or more) and bring in a copy of the email the Edison sent you when you subscribed to their emailing list. But don’t fret if you forget the email. Each guest can get one sample of the tasty oysters if you ask nicely. Maitre Ecailler/Chef Christophe Happillon, of Joe’s and Saint Amour, is a darling.

Cocktail lovers can enjoy the night’s featured cocktail for only “100 cents.” The Black Tea Collins is made of tea-infused gin, lemon, sugar and soda. Both specials are only one per person.

BTW, the special offer changes every week so be sure to sign up on their emailing list.

EVENT: THURSDAYS from 5 to 7pm

The Edison
108 W. 2nd Street #101
Los Angeles, California 90012 (map)
(213) 613-0000

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March 2, 2010

Blog Bite: BLT’s $3.03 Cocktails, $33.04 Steak

Written by Caroline on Crack in Blog Bites, Dining, Los Angeles
3 Comments
Braised Short Ribs

Braised Short Ribs

BLT Restaurants are celebrating the sixth anniversary of the original BLT Steak restaurant in Manhattan and, yay for us, we all benefit! Yup, for one day only — tomorrow, March 3 — patrons can enjoy lunch and dinner for cheap-for-BLT prices.

Executive Chef and Partner Laurent Tourondel says, “Thank you to all of our customers and friends who have supported BLT Restaurants over the last six years. We are grateful for a fantastic run and look forward to celebrating many future birthdays together.”

We’re talking main courses like New York strip steaks, Dover Sole and rib eye for $33.04. Representing BLT Steak’s birth date, March 3, 2004. Normally the strip steak is $37, Dover Sole is $50 and a bone-in rib eye is $36.

Sides like the jalapeno mashed potatoes and Hen of the Woods mushrooms will also be priced down from $8-$10 to only $3.03.

However, I’m most excited about the desserts and cocktails, which will also be priced at only $3.03! Desserts are usually 10 bucks while signature BLT cocktails run for $14-$15.

Cocktails include:

  • BLT Punch: Captain Morgan, Grand Marnier, lime juice and ginger beer
  • Agua Fresca: P.I.N.K vodka, agave nectar, lime cucumber and cilantro
  • Gin-ne Sais Quoi: Bombay gin, Domaine de Canton and lemon juice

True, cocktails sound m’OK but, hey, they’re only $3.03. That means five of those equal about one drink at most schmancy L.A. bars. Perfect if all you want to do is get buzzed.

BTW, this is the only fine print I could find on the press release about this deal:

Birthday specials are valid at lunch and dinner on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at all BLT Steak and BLT Prime locations in the U.S. Certain exclusions apply. Reservations recommended.

Apparently you don’t have to go here for a whole meal to enjoy the deal. Discounted drinks and desserts can be enjoyed a la carte.

BLT Steak
8720 West Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90069 (map)
(310) 360-1950

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