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Tag Archive: Napa Valley Grille

August 18, 2011

This Weekend: Bacon Brunch, Bay Cities Wine Tasting, Food Truck Flea Market Music Fest

Look out weekend cuz here I come…

Thursday, August 18

Napa Valley Grille’s Taste Foursquare Happy Hour
Get a delicious (and wallet-friendly) sneaky peek of Executive Chef Joseph Gillard’s Heritage Pork Belly he created for September 4th’s “Fashion Bites Brunch” during the Westwood restaurant’s happy hour (Monday-Saturday 3-7pm and 9pm-12am, Sunday 3-11pm). This is part of a promotion, which kicks off today, for the LA Times’ Taste event which features happy hours around town. Foursquare users who check-in at five or more participating venues—including Napa Valley Grille—during regular happy hours and post “I’m at THE TASTE Foursquare Happy Hour” in the optional “Shout” message box will receive a 20% discount on TASTE event tickets. NVG’s happy hour offers specials off beer, wine and cocktails ($4-$8) and small plates ($4-$7).

August 18-25. Napa Valley Grille, 1100 Glendon Avenue, Los Angeles (map). (310) 824-3322.

Friday, August 19

Rachel Palley Warehouse Sale
It’s almost autumn. You know what that means: Sales off spring and summer fashion! Fortunately, LA weather is so temperate that we can usually wear those seasons’ styles way into October. At Rachel Pally’s warehouse sale, you can save 55%-85% on her Spring and Summer Collections in women’s dresses, tops and bottoms. Cash and credit cards only.

August 19-21, Friday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-4pm. 2301 E. 7th Street, Suite C100, Los Angeles (map).

Sunday, August 21

Bacon Brunch at Royal/T Cafe
Bacon is definitely a foodie buzz word so no doubt they’ll flock to this bacon-focused brunch which will feature bacon and Nutella panini and a special Bacon High Tea. While you’re indulging in everyone’s favorite meat product, check out the bacon-inspired jewelry in OnchMovement’s Meat-cessories line in the OnchMovement’s “Perfectasy” pop-up shop, which is around through August 31. Wonder if that bacon bracelet smells as good as it looks. There will also be drink specials: $12 bottomless mimosas and $28 bottles of Veuve du Vernay Champagne to quench your bacon-induced thirst.

10am-1pm. Royal/T Cafe, 8910 Washington Boulevard, Culver City (map).

Gourmet Music Carnival
I know, “Another food truck fest?” you’re probably saying. But this inaugural event is a cross between a food truck fest, flea market and concert series. That’s right, indulge in 40-60 food trucks, browse 200 local vendors and rock out to 9 bands. Currently there’s a Thrillist Rewards special where, for $36, you get an open vodka and moonshine bar tended by Joel Black (formerly of Cana), VIP tent for the concerts and food from 25 food trucks.

11am-7pm. $12-$50. LA Historic Park, 1245 N Spring Street, Los Angeles (map).

Bay Cities and Italian Wine With Silverlake Wine
West meets East as the beloved Santa Monica deli treks to Silverlake for a very special wine tasting. Enjoy wines like Caravaglio Salina Vino Da Tavola Bianco 2010, Macarico Macari Aglianico Del Vulture 2007 and Germano Angelo Nebbiolo Langhe 2007…yeah, I’m not sure what these are either but you know they probably go well with the meatballs, charcuterie and, yes, godmothers that the deli will be bringing.

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

Categories: Dining, Lists, Los Angeles, Music, Nightlife, Shopping & Sales

5 Comments

May 24, 2010

Sex & the City 2 Cocktails & 21+ Screenings

Sure, we can blame Sex and the City for the popularity of syrupy, flavored vodka cocktails back in the ’90s and even its lingering presence in clubs and hotel bars now, but with the new movie, Sex and the City 2, coming out, how else can a bunch of best girlfriends toast to the adventures of their favorite foursome, now on the big screen? Yes, I may be a cocktail snob but I’m also a huuge SATC fan. And fortunately with the opening of the sequel there are many venues celebrating with a variety of libations from the standard Cosmo to beer flights to even martinis and Manhattans in honor of Mr. Big.

Lola’s, Los Angeles: This bar, aka “Home of the Apple Martini,” has a slew of Skyy Vodka cocktails ($12 each) inspired by the fab New Yorkers. With every SATC cocktail you get an entry form for a chance to win two tickets to the L.A. premiere of the movie as well as dinner for two at Lola’s. BTW, my fave of the cocktails, the Red Over Heels, was created by none other than my buddy, Natalie Bovis aka The Liquid Muse!

Glamour Gal (Carrie): Skyy Vodka, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup & cr�me de cassis
Blonde Ambition (Samantha): Skyy Vodka, pineapple juice, lime juice, triple sec & cr�me de cacao
Red over Heels (Miranda): Skyy Vodka, Canton ginger liquor, splash of honey, squeeze of lemon
Park Avenue Princess (Charlotte): Skyy Vodka, splash of organic grape juice, splash of lime soda, lemon juice
Mr. Manhattan (Mr. Big): Skyy Vodka, organic black cherry juice, splash of Wild Turkey, splash of coke

Napa Valley Grille, Westwood: From May 27-30, you can get a free Cosmo (reg. $12) — Skyy vodka, cranberry juice and triple sec — when you come in with your SATC 2 ticket stub. The movie will be playing at the Regency Village Theatre near this Westwood restaurant.

The London, West Hollywood: From now through June, �The Gordon Ramsay Bar�s �London After Five� happy hour (Monday-Friday, 5-7pm) is all about the movie with $5 appetizers like mini lobster burgers and spicy lamb kebabs and $5 Skyy SATC-themed cocktails, as well as the following:

The Fashionista: Veuve Clicquot, Pomegranate Juice. Pink Rose Petal Garnish
The Bombshell: Tangerine Juice, Maraschino Liqueur, Veuve Clicquot, Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Townhouse Kitchen & Bar, Sherman Oaks: Through the rest of the month of May, after seeing the movie at the Arclight Sherman Oaks, SATC fans can enjoy cocktails like the Carrie — Svedka Vodka, Parma Liquor, Pineapple Juice, and a splash of Pomegranate ($10) — and The Mr. Big, made with Chopin Vodka, olive juice and blue cheese stuffed olives at this nearby barestaurant. There’s even something for beer drinkers: The Fierce Foursome beer flight ($7.50), consisting of blondes, a red head and a brunette — four-ounce pours of Shocktop, Blue Moon, Fat Tire, and Lost Coast Downtown Brown.

21+ Screenings of Sex and the City movies

ArcLight Hollywood: Get food, cocktails and a movie all under the same roof thanks to the theater’s special SATC 2 party package for opening weekend. For $70 a person you get a movie ticket, two drink coupons for the same movie-inspired Skyy cocktails featured at Lola’s and unlimited apps like sliders, brie and apple crustini and mini cupcakes.

Gold Class Cinemas: Wow, what a drag. Most of the showtimes at this fancy-schmancy Pasadena theater during opening weekend are already sold out. But if you want to see the movie by yourself at 3pm on a Tuesday, you’re golden. Anyhoo I just wanted to call out their specialty SATC 2 cocktail menu which not only features cocktails made famous by the show — like the Cosmo, Flirtini and Tartini — but they feature a Manhattan.

Yamashiro, Hollywood: As part of its weekly movie nights, the restaurant will be doing a complimentary screening of the first Sex and the City movie in its Garden Theater on Wednesday the 26th to get you in the mood for the sequel. Cocktails and a full service menu will be available, but they’ll also have $5 mixed fruit cosmos for the occasion.

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

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March 31, 2010

Easter Roundup: Brunch, Sweets and Cocktails

Chocolate-dipped Peeps from Compartes Chocolatier

Seems like everyone is eggcited (sorry) about Easter this year what with all the Easter brunches around town. But I thought I’d narrow things down to Easter brunches with a twist, with something other than the usual holiday fare. And I’ve also included cocktail and sweet treat options.

Big Deal: Henry’s Hat in Studio City — Give your server the password “bunny hop” and you will score half off your food order! Also, it’s bottomless mimosas and sangrias and 2-for-1 Bloody Marys and mojitos every weekend brunch.

Henry’s Hat, 3413 Cahuenga Boulevard, Studio City (map). (323) 512-2500.

High Tea and Easter Activities: Royal/T Cafe in Culver City — A la carte menu or $25 high tea. A la carte menu with $9 Sunday scramble, $7 brioche French toast and $8 breakfast sandwiches and more. Plus a special Easter high tea set for $25 that includes Easter-themed treats and a carrot cupcake. Kiddies can be busied with three free different workshops: bunny ears-making, yarn flowers and egg-decorating. LA artist Lyman Sebastian Tillinger will also be on hand from 12 to 3pm to create Ukrainian-inspired Easter egg art.

10am-5pm. Royal/T Cafe, 8910 Washington Boulevard, Culver City (map). (310) 559-6300.

South of the Border: Fuego at the Maya in Long Beach — $26.95/person; $12/child. Enjoy a caliente brunch on the sunny patio of this Long Beach hotel restaurant. Fill up your plates from the salad bar, taquito station, ceviche bar and dessert tables. And choose from entrees like the Chilaquiles Divorciados, Cerveza-Braised Pork Carnitas and Baja Lobster Platter. Menu.

10am-2pm. Fuego at the Maya, 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach (map). Reservations: (562) 481-3910.

Old Hollywood: Hollywood Roosevelt’s Dakota Chop House — $39/person. An elegant buffet brunch at Marilyn Monroe’s old haunt. Here, you get access to an all-you-can-eat continental buffet as well as an entree like Eggs Benedict, Huevos Rancheros, lemon ricotta pancakes or Colorado lamb rack. For an additional $12, it’s bottomless Bloody Marys and bubbly cocktails, including the “Some Like It Hot” Mary with poblano-infused tequila and Marilyn’s Favorite Mimosa of champagne, peach puree and sauternes. Free parking and Sunday papers.

11am-3pm. Dakota Chop House, 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood (map). Reservations: Click here or call (323) 785-3037.

Poolside: The Backyard at W Los Angeles in Westwood — $42/person; $19/Child. So LA, Easter brunch by the pool. Executive Chef Monique King crafted a fresh menu of watermelon and pink grapefruit salad, brioche French toast and a basket of scones. There will also be an Easter egg hunt at noon.

10am-4pm. The Backyard at W Los Angeles � Westwood, 930 Hilgard Avenue, Westwood (map). Reservations: (310) 443-8211.

En Italiano: Locando del Lago in Santa Monica — 3-course menu $49-$55; 4-course menu $69; or a la carte.� The Italian wine pairing is an additional $24/person. This Santa Monica restaurant features an Easter menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Northern Italian dishes include lamb sirloin, Alaskan halibut and vegetable roulades. For dessert, you can order Easter chocolate chunk sweet bread with bitter almond sauce.

Locando del Lago, 231 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica (map).�Reservations: (310) 451-3525.

In the Garden: Descanso Gardens in La Canada — $50/person; $20/child. Brunch in the gardens, make sure to take your Claritin first. Here, you get seasonal Ratatouille, a build-your-own waffle bar and for dessert a chocolate croissant bread pudding.�Menu.

Seatings at 9am, 10:30am, noon, and 1:30pm. 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada Flintridge (map). Reservations: (818) 790-3663.

LA View: Gordon Ramsay at The�London�West Hollywood — $85/person. Take in the views of Sunset Strip while visiting the sushi bar, risotto station, omelette station and a carving station with wild salmon and beef tenderloin. Best part has gotta be the free-flowing champagne, mimosas and Bloody Marys. Menu.

11:30am-3pm. Gordon Ramsay at The London, 1020 N. San Vicente, West Hollywood (map). Reservations: (310) 358-7788.

Organic: Akasha in Culver City. No prix-fixe here but lots of yummy specials like goat cheese gnocchi with fava beans ($12), herb-crusted leg of lamb with creamy polenta ($25) or sea bass with English pea and green garlic puree ($25). For booze there’s no corkage for wine or you can toast the holiday with a local sour orange mojito or blood orange and tangelo margarita.

4-9pm. Akasha, 9543 Culver Boulevard, Culver City (map). Reservations: (310) 845-1700.

COCKTAILS:

Cabo Cantina on Sunset Boulevard has bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys for $9.95 til 3pm.

Hungry Cat in Hollywood boasts half-priced specialty cocktails, draft beer and bottles of wine all day on Easter Sunday. Reservations: (323) 462-2155

Napa Valley Grille in Westwood may have a fab Easter brunch buffet ($49/person; $19/child) but I’m liking its tableside, made-to-order Mojitos or Bloody Mary cocktails ($12) with a choice of Grey Goose or Ketel One vodka, fresh juices, savory ingredients, and garnish options. Reservations: (310) 824-3322.

SWEETS:

Buttercake Bakery has a selection of holiday desserts, like flower cupcakes and daisy petit fours for Easter and Matzah toffee brownies and flourless chocolate cake for Passover.

Compartes Chocolatier offers special treats to make your Easter basket extra chic: chocolate dipped peeps and hand-painted chocolate bunnies.

Crumbs Bake Shop has pretty pastel Easter chocolate and vanilla cupcakes decorated with sprinkles, bunny sugar cookies or jelly beans. Or for Passover enjoy the Raspberry Red Sea nut cupcake, Holy Moses chocolate cupcake or Chocolate and Vanilla Commandments. (FYI, none are kosher for Passover.)

Simon LA in West Hollywood has a brunch that stands out because of its dedicated dessert buffet, under a tree no less, which features chocolate eggs, carrot cupcakes, coconut macaroons, house made marshmallows, assortment of cookies and more.

Sprinkles is featuring brown sugar praline and carrot cake cupcakes through April 4 as well as Passover chocolate cupcake through April 6. Or you can impress the hostess of your Easter brunch with a HOP box of the spring selection of dark chocolate, red velvet, brown sugar praline and carrot cupcakes decorated with pink and green bunnies.

Categories: Cocktails, Cupcakes, Dining, Lists, Los Angeles, Sweets

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