Tag Archive: LA Weekly

March 16, 2010

St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Roundup

Written by Caroline on Crack in Cupcakes, Los Angeles, Sweets
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Crumbs Bake Shop's Lucky One cupcake.

Crumbs Bake Shop's Lucky One cupcake.

I found the perfect way to make it through St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow: go on a bakery hop! Fortunately a ton of L.A. bakeries have created Irish-inspired goodies for the holiday and I rounded them up in a post for LA Weekly’s Squid Ink. There’s Kiss My Bundt’s Bailey’s Irish Cream cake with Irish cream butter cream and Yummy Cupcakes‘ Guinness cupcakes. And you know Sprinkles‘ Irish chocolate cupcake with Belgian dark chocolate and Baileys Irish cream cheese frosting is not to be missed.

For foodies who’d rather bake than crowd the bars tomorrow, Kiss My Bundt is also teaching a baking class where you will learn to make baked treats from scratch as well as tipple a complimentary beverage of Baileys, Guinness or Irish whiskey.

See my Squid Ink post here.

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March 11, 2010

St. Patrick’s Day Cocktail Roundup: No Green Beer

Written by Caroline on Crack in Los Angeles
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Token Irishman

Drago Centro's Token Irishman cocktail.

Since I don’t celebrate alcoholidays and will most likely be hiding out at home during St. Patrick’s Day next Wednesday, I thought it would be interesting to find out if some of my fave L.A. mixologists/bars were planning any special cocktails to celebrate the Irish holiday. I emailed Damian, Joe, Steve, Pablo, Marcos and Vincenzo. And then? Crickets.

I had to email them again and even then only Steve and Vincenzo responded to say that they had nothing for me. Oh well. At least I could count on my PR friends to send me info on what L.A. restaurants are doing for the holiday in terms of green beer alternatives. Check out my LA Weekly Squid Ink post here. It also includes a couple of recipes if you opt for celebrating at home.

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March 1, 2010

A Q&A With Joseph Brooke of The Edison

Written by Caroline on Crack in Cocktails, Los Angeles
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Joseph Brooke, The Edison's new director of spirits

Joseph Brooke, The Edison's new director of spirits

I was bummed that I couldn’t get anywhere near the dreamy and very much in demand Joseph Brooke, the Edison’s new director of spirits, when he was mixing cocktails at the packed Radio Room last week. But was thrilled when I got the chance to interview him for LA Weekly’s Squid Ink. For that, Joe gave me 40 minutes of great stories, insights and even cocktail recipes.

I thought for sure my editor wouldn’t want to use the whole Q&A. Although damn interesting, it was pretty long for a Squid Ink blog post. But I figured I’d just take whatever questions she didn’t want to use and post them on my blog. Turns out she liked ‘em all. Yay!

It’s long but if you’re so inclined and have any interest about where the Edison is heading under Joe’s command, what’s going to be the next It cocktail and who’s his bartender idol, you might want to give it a look-see. He’s a pretty funny and interesting guy so you won’t get bored.

And I’m happy to say that Joe was also good enough to give me a couple of cocktail recipes that he’s going to add to the Edison’s menu. His Porco Rosso debuted at the Radio Room last week and his tentatively named Jack Doe is an aromatic that he created for a quick shake and dump. But I’m especially excited that he gave me a mocktail recipe, too, since I’m on my booze fast til April. Anyway, enjoy.

Although it’s pretty dark, here’s a video of Joe shaking up a cocktail.

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February 25, 2010

This Weekend: LA Weekly Tweetup, 24-Hour Oscars, Scotch Tasting

Written by Caroline on Crack in Cocktails, Lists, Los Angeles, Movies, Nightlife, Recreation
4 Comments

Such a jampacked weekend! And I’m just talking about the 5K/10K Firecracker Run on Sunday as well as the Gold Standard. But here’s what’s going on the other days of the week.

Thursday, February 25

LA Weekly Web Awards Tweetup: A Post-Party Get Together
As many of you know I was banned from 7G nearly two years ago so I was bummed when LA Weekly decided to do its web awards post-party tweetup there tonight. But then realized, hey, that’s kinda cool to celebrate my accolades at a place that actually gave my MySpace photo to the bouncers to keep me out. But tonight all are welcome as the Weekly is inviting not only the Web winners and friends but all those who want to come out and celebrate as well. The first round’s on them! Hope to see you there…cuz who’s got my back?

  • 7pm. 7G, 515 West 7th Street, Downtown (map). (213) 614-0737.

The Modern Mai Tai Experience
Jonesin’ for the summer? Immerse yourself in the Modern Mai Tai Experience at the W where you can sample the “World’s Best Mai Tai” created by The Royal Hawaiian’s mixologist Joey Gottesman as well as the next generation of classic cocktails from Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. The Hot Muffins fem DJ duo Lacy Matsumoto and Echo Aoki will be providing the hot tunes to go with your tasty drinks.

  • Thursday-Saturday, 9:30pm-2am. Whiskey Blue at the W Los Angeles, 930 Hilgard Avenue, Westwood (map).

Friday, February 26

Bid & Eat Part II
Just 20 days ago blogger Gourmet Pigs launched an online auction to help Haiti and ended up raising $765 for CHF International and Operation USA! After that she received tons of offers for donations to do another auction! This time with more Pasadena/East LA-centric goodies, i.e. Elements Kitchen, The Raymond, Pal Cabron and La Casita Mexicana. Bidding starts tomorrow!

Saturday, February 27

AMC Best Picture 24-Hour Showcase Marathon
Lots of cool movies nominated for Oscars this year…well, except Avatar. But how would you like to spend an entire Saturday watching all 10 nominees back to back? AMC is having a Best Picture 24-hour marathon for you cinephiles out there. The marathon, which costs $45, is showing on March 6th at the AMC in Orange where you’ll get a large popcorn and unlimited refills. Or if you’d rather not go as hard-core, you can see five of the 10 Best Picture nominees all in one day this Saturday instead for $30. You get the popcorn, refills and a pass on a lanyard to come and go as you please.

Monday, March 1

Morton’s The Steakhouse Hosts Scotch Tasting Events
Dammit! Of course this would happen during my liquor fast! At this special Scotch tasting, a Glenlivet ambassador will lead guests through four of The Glenlivet’s acclaimed single malts. The whiskies will be paired with selections from Morton’s classic hors d’oeuvres menu. If you can’t make this one there will also be an event at the downtown location on Friday the 5th from 5:30 to 7pm. Reservations are required. Argh! Temptation!

  • 6-7:30pm. $49. The Steakhouse Beverly Hills, 435 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (310) 246-1501.

Love Hurts — Ask the Experts
I used to love watching Greg Behrendt (He’s Just Not That Into You) do standup back in the day so I know this 826LA writer’s panel/mixer will be a fun, if not funny, one. Join Greg and other relationship writers Sascha Rothchild (How to Get Divorced by 30), and Lori Gottlieb (Marry Him) as they offer wisdom and snarkiness to the lovelorn. The first hour will be the Q&A and then afterward the drinking and mingling. All proceeds will go to 826LA.

  • 8-10pm. $25 (includes one drink ticket). Busby’s East, 5364 Wilshire, Los Angeles (map).
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February 17, 2010

Insider Info About Downtown’s New First & Hope Supper Club

Written by Caroline on Crack in Cocktails, Nightlife
3 Comments
Aidan's days overseeing the Edison.

Aidan's days overseeing the Edison.

It’s a mixology musical chairs in L.A. lately what with the shake-up of Audrey Saunders leaving as partner and head of the bar at The Tar Pit and barman Marcos Tello up in the air about taking her place behind the stick*, and Joseph Brooke leaving Copa d’Oro to take over as director of spirits at the Edison — a post previously held by Aidan Demarest, who is now serving as cocktail consultant…along with Marcos Tello at the soon-to-be-opened First & Hope Supper Club pfew!

But before that breaking news about the Tar Pit, I got the chance to chat with Aidan for LA Weekly’s Squid Ink as he excitedly told me about his and Marcos’ plans for the beverage program at the awesome-sounding Art Deco First & Hope Supper Club. The two, who have worked together since that one whiskey bar downtown first opened in 2007, had recently started a cocktail consultation firm called Tello/Demarest Liquid Assets and were promptly brought aboard the new downtown venue to create a cocktail program that would complement its sophisticated Southern cuisine. Get the deets on my Squid Ink blog post along with a cocktail recipe of one of their drinks from their not-yet-signed-off cocktail menu.

* UPDATE: Marcos resigned from The Tar Pit yesterday.

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February 9, 2010

LA Street Food Fest and Gold Standard 2010

Written by Caroline on Crack in Dining, Los Angeles
9 Comments

Two must-do food events are coming up, folks, so loosen up those belts. These are New Year’s resolution breakers for sure.

Everybody loves food trucks.

Everybody loves food trucks.

This Saturday is the inaugural LA Street Food Fest which will feature the hottest thing on the food scene since cupcakes: food trucks! Over 35 of LA’s most popular food trucks and street carts will be available in one spot at the same time, making it really easy to try a whole bunch of different cuisines in one sitting, er, standing. Each food truck will be offering up their special sampling menus at prices ranging from $1 to $5 (cash only). And look for foodie fave, Chef Ludo at his own pop-up truck serving up his famous boneless fried chicken. Mmm!

Some of the other participants:

There will also be a beer and cocktails cash bar whose proceeds will benefit the LA Regional Foodbank.

General admission is $5 (in addition to the food you purchase at the trucks) but you get a drink ticket as well as the chance at cool giveaways.

EVENT: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 from 11am to 5pm

LA Center Studios
1201 W 5th Street (enter on 500 S. Beaudry Avenue)
Los Angeles, California 90017 (map)
Twitter: @lafoodfest

Last year's packed Gold Standard event.

Last year's packed Gold Standard event.

Jonathan Gold’s 2nd Annual Gold Standard event is another much-anticipated foodie fest. Last year’s was a huge success. Too successful, as crowds tried to squish their way to each of J Gold’s personal picks for the top restaurants in L.A.

This year’s event will showcase about 40 of the LA Weekly’s Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic’s picks, but this time in the larger Petersen Automotive Museum Pavilion. Thank gawd!

Participating restaurants include:

And booze sponsors include Bulleit Bourbon and Singha Beer. Noice!

Tickets are only available online: They are selling VIP tickets ($80/person) for this event which entitles you to early entry as well as a VIP gift bag. General admission tickets are $60 a person. No word yet if Goldstar will be offering discounted tickets like it did last year. Believe me, I’ve been hounding them. Will keep you posted. BTW, a portion of the proceeds will go to Heal the Bay and Make a Wish Foundation.

EVENT: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 — VIP 12pm to 5pm; General 1pm-5pm

Petersen Auto Museum
6060 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90036 (map)
Parking: $8

http://www.lafightshunger.org/
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January 29, 2010

Medical Marijuana Edibles Photo Gallery

Written by Caroline on Crack in Los Angeles, Other
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Don’t be fooled by the name of my blog. I’m actually pretty straight-laced, apart from the occasional cocktail. So when I decided to write this story for LA Weekly’s Squid Ink about the types of edibles (food products containing marijuana) available in medical marijuana dispensaries, I knew zero about the subject. I figure I’d just take pictures of cookies, brownies, etc. and do a little roundup showcasing their funny names like “Peanut Budder Cups” and “Not Your Mama’s RCT.”

However, since I don’t have a doctor’s recommendation, naturally I wasn’t allowed in any pot shop. And no way would they let me take pictures of the products. But I did get to interview the manager of the Venice Beach Care Center, a medical marijuana dispensary which has been around since before the moratorium was placed on pot shops in 2007. He basically schooled me on edibles: how there are different strains of cannabis that provide different highs, there’s a wide range of edibles that spans beyond brownies, and even what’s the right temperature to cook with THC.

Suffice it to say, it’s a fascinating subject and one that will hopefully one day no longer be taboo. As it was, since I couldn’t get in the store to photograph the ganja goods, I had to ask someone I knew had a doctor’s recommendation if it was OK for me to take pictures of their purchases. Fortunately they said yes!

For my LA Weekly post, I even included the volunteer patient’s tasting notes on particular edibles.

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