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Tag Archive: The Edison

September 6, 2011

Tonight: Radio Room Returns to the Edison Downtown

While you're enjoying the drinks, don't forget to look up.

Back in the day, before Harvard & Stone‘s R&D room and B-Side’s now defunct Mixtape Wednesdays, the Edison’s Radio Room, a speakeasy night that was the brainchild of Aidan Demarest (Spare Room), was the only game in town where renowned bartenders — like Portland’s Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Brian Miller from New York’s PDT — flocked from all over to share their cocktail stylings with the LA crowd. Cocktail enthusiasts enjoyed the opportunity to partake of the concoctions created from some of the best bartenders in the world even for just this one night.

Tonight the Radio Room returns to the downtown basement bar and this time the special guests are renowned cocktail consultation team, the Bon Vivants – Josh Harris and Scott Baird – who are based out of San Francisco and have been joined by Hollywood’s own Alex Straus (Hemingway’s Lounge). Alex himself has said that tonight’s booze event is going to be a night not to be missed. And judging by the drink list (which the guys collectively created), that seems about right. That sound you hear is the squeal of cocktail geeks everywhere.

Yup, $15 a pop is a pretty penny but since this RR hasn’t been around…for awhile now and features these talented fellas, chalk it up to a very special occasion and treat yourself. You can catch the boys at Bar 1, the main bar right off the staircase. Vodka Red Bulls and the like should be ordered at the bar along the back wall. Also, heads-up Yamazaki brand ambassador Neyah White will also be there.

There’s also a guest chef taking over the kitchen: Chef Chris L’Hommedieu (Michael Mina‘s chef de cuisine and formerly of Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York). Check out his bites menu along with the cocktail menu below.

While you’re imbibing and noshing, don’t forget to look up. Aerial show, Alchemy & Absinthe, will be performing. “Flying people, amazing food, and the Bon Vivants triumverate making magic behind the bar… It will be a very busy night and will, most importantly, be a lot of fun!” Alex assures me. I’m so there!

Tickets: $10 online and at the door.

EVENT: TONIGHT at 8pm

The Edison
108 W. 2nd Street
Los Angeles, California 90012 (map)
(213) 613-0000
Twitter: @TheEdisonLA

Categories: Cocktails, Los Angeles, Nightlife

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February 8, 2011

Valentine’s Day on a Budget (aka Ideas for My Boyfriend)

Valentine’s Day sucks. Everything is suddenly pink and red. Singles are scrambling for something to do so they don’t feel pathetic and couples are overcompensating with expensive dinners, cheesy greeting cards and marriage proposals. Not to say that I don’t like celebrating it. But my boyfriend definitely doesn’t want anything to do with it. However, I came up with a list of fun ways couples (ahem, me and bf) and singles can enjoy the day without having to spend too much money. BTW, if you’re looking for Valentine dinner specials (yawn), you won’t find them here.

Big Bar’s Valentine’s Day Prom — Free
I don’t care what you say, even though we’re all adults, prom is still fun. Especially when the theme is “Enchantment Under the Sea” and it involves spiked punch ($9) and a dance floor. But just make sure you don’t get wasted as there will be a prom photographer, too. And I’ll be there…going stag and judging the contenders for the Prom King and Queen of Los Feliz 2011! If you feel that should be you, enter the running by emailing sevilla.jc [at] gmail.com your fave prom song, whether you’re coming as a couple (include your date’s name) or stag, and why you should be King or Queen. Whoever wins will be sent off to enjoy their kingdom of Los Feliz in a horsedrawn carriage. So dress up in your best nautical-inspired prom wear!

Cocktail menu ($11 each):
Sleepless in Los Feliz Punch: Landy Cognac, Apple Brandy, Peach Brandy, Lemon, Soda
Officer and a Gentleman: Luksusowa Vodka, Ginger Liquer, Lemon, Honey, Angostura Bitters
Romantical 75: Luksusowa Vodka, Hibiscus Syrup, Lemon, Sparkling Wine
The Bitter Break Up: Villa Massa Limoncello, Campari, Sparkling Wine
Carrie’s Prom Bucket: Moonshine Clear Corn Whiskey, Genever, Lemon, Creme de Mure

6pm-12am. Free admission. Big Bar, 1927 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Feliz (map).

Scoops Westside’s Valentine Flavors — $7 a pint; $13 for two (V Day special)
Matt Kang, proprietor of the Scoops Westside outpost, came up with special Valentine’s Day flavors so you can celebrate with your sweetie or break out the pints for your anti-Valentine party. Here are the flavors:

Raspberry white chocolate
Chocolate port wine
Strawberry balsamic
Blueberry pomegranate
Brown bread with strawberries

3400 Overland Avenue, Los Angeles (map). (323) 405-7055.

All You Can Eat at Mas Malo — $20
This would be a fun group date. Mas Malo’s “X+O Ladies+Bros” Valentine’s Day party features an all-you-can-eat special for just $20! Plus there will be a cash bar so you can indulge in the specialty cocktail menu and 260-tequila bar. Regarding where to grab a seat, upstairs in the mezzanine if you want to people watch the dining room below or in the basement bar if you want to actually hear each other speak.

$20. Mas Malo, 515 W 7th Street, Downtown (map).

The Edison’s Queen of Hearts Ball — $25
Downtown’s basement bar, The Edison, is throwing a Queen of Hearts Valentine’s Ball complete with a Queen of Hearts Band and dancers as well as DJ Daisy O’Dell. Lovers and singletons can toast to themselves over the Queen’s Punch, made with Perrier Jouet, Beefeater’s Gin, strawberry and a secret ingredient (aphrodisiac?). Tickets are $25 and include a cup of punch.

7pm. $25. The Edison, 108 W. 2nd Street, Downtown (map).

Compartes Chocolatier’s Macallan Scotch and Chocolate Truffles — $30
OK, this isn’t an event but if I had a box of these, I’d make it one. Gah! I’ve never wanted a box of chocolates as much as I want this! Dark chocolate ganache truffle infused with Macallan 18 and covered with single-origin dark chocolate. So luxurious. This, I wouldn’t share with ANYone, not even bf. There are only 10 pieces after all. Sorry. (Not really.)

912 South Barrington Avenue, Los Angeles (map). (310) 826-3380.

Not Cheap, but Fun Options

Viceroy Santa Monica: Tour of the Senses — $95
Indulge in a four-course menu (lobster with risotto, mmm) while lounging in a poolside cabana at Viceroy in Santa Monica. Swank. There will be Scent Tents where you can sample aromatherapy oils and create your own body scrub which will be packaged for you to take home. And finish off the night by toasting each other with a champagne and sparkling wine tasting.

6-10pm, February 14. $95. Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica (map). (310) 260-7511.

Malibu Cafe’s Picnic Lunch Basket — $100
Sure, this picnic lunch basket sounds pricey for $100 but not only does it contain an appetizer, a couple of entrees and dessert but a champagne split, wine from Saddlerock Vineyards and a large blanket to sit on. Guests can take the basket to enjoy anywhere on Calamigos Ranch and return the basket and blanket before the end of the evening. So romantical!

Malibu Cafe at Calamigos Ranch, 327 South Latigo Canyon Road, Malibu (map). (818) 540-2400.

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

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January 19, 2011

The Edison’s New Cocktail Menu Debuts Tonight

So pretty...the cocktails, I mean.

Don’t count Joseph Brooke, The Edison‘s director of spirits, out just yet, L.A. drinkers. After about a year, he’s come up with a new list of cocktails for the swanky downtown bar. What took so long? The current renovation of Clifton’s Cafeteria delayed any go-ahead for a new cocktail menu from the Edison’s powers that be. But tonight, Brooke debuts his brand-new menu which is “classically driven” and at the same time offers an entry-level option into the world of mixology for the usual Red Bull-vodka Edison clientele.

Copperpot cocktail.

The easy-on-the-eyes bartender, winner of the first season of On the Rocks: The Search for America’s Next Top Bartender and formerly of Santa Monica’s market-fresh Copa d’Oro bar, admits that the Edison will never be at the same level as mixology-serious bars like The Varnish and Spare Room because of its inherent size and party crowds which call for quick cocktail turnaround.

“It’s about speed,” Brooke explains. “I may not be able to muddle a jalapeno pepper but I can do two squirts of really good hot sauce and it achieves the same thing. Some purists would consider that cutting corners but I had to structure this list as what’s going to be as good as it is fast.”

And what he’s created are five new cocktails; each touted as an introduction to “fill in the blank.” Brooke says he’s “all for expanding people’s minds which is why we have drinks like…the Highland Breeze, sort of like an introduction to absinthe for people who are still sort of on the fence about it.” Made with Herradura Blanco, cucumber water, agave nectar, lime and Pernod absinthe, it’s a delicious, light and refreshing cocktail. Its anise flavor comes through midpalate, a trait sure to please those usually frightened by the strong flavor and history of the infamous spirit.

Cocktail menu:

Aperol Spritz: Aperol, soda, prosecco
Clay St. Cup: Buffalo Trace bourbon, apple juice, St. Germain, lemon, simple syrup, red wine float
Carnivale: Sagatiba Velha, Luxardo, orgeat, lime, hot sauce
Copperpot: Mezcal, white creme de cacao, sweet Vermouth, Angostura

But Brooke is especially excited about the Edison’s expanded non-alcoholic list which will cater to the bar’s huge influx of designated drivers, a common occurrence thanks to the LAPD headquarters located across the street. The mocktails also serve double duty of easing those who’ve had too much back into sobriety in a way that doesn’t scream “party pooper.” Teetotal on the Spiced Apple with apple juice, cinnamon syrup, lemon and ginger ale and served in a martini glass.

Mocktail menu:

Junior Jennings: apple juice, lemon, simple syrup, ginger, soda, served in flute, lemon garnish
La Palomita: grapefruit juice, agave, lime, soda, salt, served in Collins glass
Cucumber Tonic: cucumber water, lime, simple syrup, tonic, served in Collins, cucumber garnish

Cocktail fans who want to enjoy the drinks without too much of a crowd should swing by the Edison on Wednesday nights. Since the bar doesn’t currently have a regular show night, like the circus nights of the past, the hump day is perfect for serious drinkers who want to be able to chat up the bartenders and learn more about the cocktails.

Posted on LAist.

Categories: Cocktails, Featured, Los Angeles, Nightlife

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December 2, 2010

This Weekend: Bacon/Wine Tasting, Scavenger Hunt, Repeal Day Parties

Bummed that I’m going to be out of town this weekend because check out all the cool things going on around town. The asterisked events are the ones I’m gonna talk about on Carson Daly‘s “AMP Mornings” radio show today.

Thursday, December 2

*Tiny Bandit Pop-Up Sample Sale at Malo
This pop-up sample sale is made all the more special because in addition to offering discounts of 50-75% off fab men’s and women’s clothes like Molla Space, Tylie Malibu, Jessica Elliot, and Riviera Club, they’ve got $1 tacos, happy hour drink specials, and a dj. There’s also going to be a coat drive for the Los Angeles Mission so please donate a coat for the less fortunate. Cash only.

5-10pm. Malo, 4326 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). 323-664-1011.

American Rag’s The Great Abandoned Treasures Sale
Score 50%-80% of designer clothes, home furnishings, accessories, footwear and more at this awesome sale which starts today and runs through January 30. You can shop labels by the likes of Christian Lacroix, Rag & Bone, Helmut Lang, Comme des Garcons, Paul Smith and Raf Simons. Cash/CC.

December 2-January 30. Abandoned Treasures Pop Up Store, 159 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles (map).

Friday, December 3

Vintage Enoteca’s Bacon and Wine Tasting
Mmm bacon. So sinful and savory and it will be made even better when paired with wine, no? Vintage Enoteca’s unusual tasting will feature four bacon-focused dishes like bacon deviled eggs, sweet and spicy bacon candy, bacon mac & cheese and chocolate bacon. Each paired with wines from respected wine regions like the Loire Valley and Napa.

December 3-5. $30. Vintage Enoteca, 7554 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). Reservations: Online or call (323) 512-5278.

Saturday, December 4

Eat My Blog Bake Sale
Bouchon bakery nutter butter cookies, The Manila Machine‘s ube cupcakes, smoked salt toffee…so many goodies to choose from! What are you going to buy at this blogger bake sale? It’s all for a good cause: LA Regional Food Bank.

10am-4pm. Tender Greens, 8759 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood (map).

FYF’s Return of LA Scavenger Hunt
It’s going to be a gorgeous weekend and what better way to enjoy a sunny winter’s day than going on a scavenger hunt around L.A.? Teams of 2-5 people are charged with finding about 100 items. Last year’s items consisted of anything from a life-size cut-out of Freddy Mercury to a photo of a team member kissing a drive-thru employee of a fast food restaurant. Fun! And it’s for a good cause as it will also help gather material goods like dry food and shoes for downtown LA’s Union Rescue Mission and the LA Food Bank.

2-8pm. $10. Signup. Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave, Los Angeles (map).

*200 Years of Mexico’s Cuisine
Celebrate Mexico’s bicentennial by enjoying unlimited tastings from some of the best Mexican food in the city from restaurants like Guelaguetza and Frida Mexican Cuisine. Naturally there will be tequila and mezcal to fuel the festivities as well as Oaxacan dancing and mariachi bands.

5-10pm. $75-$100. Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, 214 S. Main Street, Downtown (map).

Sunday, December 5

Repeal Day at Comme Ca
To celebrate this important day in drink history, Comme Ca Bar will feature five cocktails ($8 each) which will be available at Comme Ca Las Vegas. The bar will be open from 11am to 10pm and the happy hour food menu will be available all night starting at 5:30pm.

11am-10pm. Comme Ca, 8479 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood (map). (323) 782-1104.

*The Edison Celebrates Repeal Day
For an old-timey celebration hit up The Edison’s Repeal Day Party for $6 punch cups all night. Featured guest bartender is San Francisco’s Erick Castro, formerly of the Rickhouse. Live music by blues/rock band Vintage Trouble will keep your feet moving.

8pm. The Edison, 108 W 2nd Street, Downtown (map). (213) 613-0000.

Categories: Beauty & Fashion, Dining, Lists, Los Angeles, Nightlife, Recreation, Shopping & Sales, Sweets

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October 28, 2010

This Weekend: $3 Brown Bag Beer, Mixology Costume Party, Spooky Pub Crawl

Who doesn’t love Halloween? Whether it’s for the chills, costumes or parties, I look forward to it every year. And I’m happy to say there seems to be a decrease in douchy “1st Annual” parties this year and an increase in events I actually want to go to! By the way, catch me on Carson Daly’s radio show “AMP Mornings” this morning for the audio version of this roundup.

Thursday, October 28

The Beer Chicks Toast Halloween Brews

Taste some scary-scrumptious brews with The Beer Chicks at West LA’s TLofts. They’ll be pouring Evil Dead Red, Unibroue Maudite, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale and more!

6-8pm. TLofts, 11500 Tennessee Avenue, West LA (map).

Friday, October 29

Villains Tavern Dark Carnival
This Halloween party downtown goes off for two days with tarot card readings, carnival food, a costume contest and even a freak show. There will also be Oktoberfest beers and handcrafted cocktails. But I’m lovin the beer in a bag option, which is $3 brown bags of Schlitz, Tecate and Bud Light.

Friday-Saturday, 7pm-2am. Free. Villains Tavern, 1356 Palmetto Street, Downtown (map). (213) 613-0766.

Saturday, October 30

Night of Rising Spirits at Les Deux in Hollywood
The party for cocktail aficionados. All-star mixologists from all over — including Simon Ford, Damian Windsor (Roger Room), Naomi Schimek (First & Hope), Erick Castro (SF) and more — will be hand crafting cocktails. And during the VIP hour from 8-9 they’ll have free appetizers and cocktail punch. But costumes and RSVP are required.

8pm. $10. Les Deux, 1638 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood (map).

Halloween Weekend at Outdoor Cinema
If you like watching scary movies, this outdoor cinema will screen Zombieland in the Cornfields near Chinatown. There will also be bands, food trucks and a full bar. And on Halloween night, they’ll screen The Shining at Exposition Park near USC where you can bring a cooler and outside drinks.

Halloween Pub Crawl in Hollywood
A 2-day pub crawl around Hollywood where you hit up 20 bars and score drink deals like 2-for-1 drinks and $2 draft beers. The crawl starts off at the Pig and Whistle where you check in and get your map and pub crawl paraphernalia. Target bars include The Well, Big Wangs and Citizen Smith.

Saturday-Sunday, Noon-11pm. $15-$20. Starts at: Pig N Whistle, 6714 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood (map).

Sunday, October 31

The Edison’s All Hallow’s Eve
For a really classy good time on the big night itself, this party in the swankiest basement bar ever will feature contortionists, dancers, live music and hand-crafted cocktails.

8pm. $25 with costume, $35 without. The Edison, 108 W. 2nd Street, Downtown (map).

Categories: Lists, Los Angeles, Movies, Music, Nightlife

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July 28, 2010

#FF@TheEdisonLA: Win Dinner & Drinks at the Edison Downtown

Cocktail at the Edison

***CONTEST CLOSED***

I’ve got another special Edison Downtown giveaway for you. More nights of cocktailing and dining! And this one is only for Twitter and Facebook users. Sorry, non social media types.

To kick off their #FF@TheEdisonLA summer contest, I’m giving away not just one but TWO prizes this time. The first prize is dinner and cocktails for two (worth $100) at the Edison and the second is the more casual Dog Days of Summer for two which includes two beers and two hotdogs with rings (available Wednesday-Friday; 5pm-8pm).

All you have to do is the following:

Tweet this today and/or tomorrow and most definitely Friday as much as you want: �LA cocktails #FF @TheEdisonLA @carolineoncrack http://bit.ly/bfumE1�
Become a fan of (aka �Like�) my Facebook page.

**You have to do both of the above for your contest submission to be valid.**

You have til Friday at noon PST to get all your Tweets up and like my FB. Then later at 4pm I’ll pull a couple of Tweets out of a hat (the Randomizer) and the first winner will get the dinner and drinks while the second one the Dog Days. I’ll notify you via Twitter and post your names on my Facebook page so keep an eye out! Good luck!

The Edison
108 W. 2nd Street
Los Angeles, California 90012 (map)
(213) 613-0000
Twitter: @TheEdisonLA
Facebook: The Edison

Categories: Cocktails, Featured, Los Angeles, Nightlife

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June 24, 2010

This Weekend: Grease Sing-a-Long, Return of the 35-Cent Cocktail, LA Street Food Fest Tickets

I have a good feeling about this weekend, especially when the weather is going to be in the 70s and sunny! Finally!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

The Edison’s 35-Cent Cocktail and the $1 Centennial Cocktail Return
They went away for a bit but are now back after the Edison won LA’s Downtown News award for Best Happy Hour! Every Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 7pm, you can score the 35-cent cocktail and every Wednesday through Friday the $1 cocktail (1 per customer). The Edison happy hour is gonna make you do math by giving you 40% off house cocktails, well and select beer and wine by the glass. At least they have nosh like vegetable panini and chicken wings for a straight-up $5. BTW, don’t forget to tip your bartender. Just because the drink is cheap doesn’t mean you should be.

The Edison, 108 W 2nd Street, Downtown (map). (213) 613-0000.

Friday, June 25

Grease Sing-a-Long in the Hollywood Bowl
OK, who doesn’t know all the words to “You’re the One That I Want”? Man, I LOVE this movie. John Travolta was so hot and Olivia Newton-John was rockin’ her extreme makeover. Grab your friends, a bottle of wine and a picnic basket and sing your heart out at this fun Bowl-tastic sing-a-long. Frenchy will be hosting the evening! BTW, I’ve always wanted pink hair thanks to her.

7pm. Tickets $21-$72. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 North Highland Avenue, Hollywood (map). (323) 850-2000.

Saturday, June 26

Buy Your Tickets to LA Street Food Fest Summer Tasting Event
Only one month away! The trucks have been replaced by booths, hopefully easing the lines situation. In addition to all the yummy street food and food truck fixins — Coolhaus, Manila Machine, Grilled Cheese Truck, World Fare — there will be two Singha beer gardens plus specialty cocktails created by LA’s own mixologists. Bring a picnic basket and a blanket and stake out a spot on the grass in the Rose Bowl. Live performances by The Deadly Syndrome and Warpaint.

July 24, 5-9pm. $45 general, $65 VIP. Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena (map).

Sunday, June 27

Foodie Fitness’ Urban Hike in Orange County
Join me and Foodie Fitness, aka H.C. of LA/OC Foodventures, for a trek through the OC. Actually H.C. will be walking the entire length of Beach Boulevard from La Habra to Huntington Beach (21 miles!). I’ll just join him for the last 6-10 miles before he reaches the final destination: Don the Beachcomber for a prix fixe menu with tiki drink flight! It’s free to join, you just pay for your own food and drink. Hope to see you there!

Starts at 7am at Whittier and Beach in La Habra (map). Look for the Asian dude with glasses and a big backpack.

Categories: Cocktails, Dining, Los Angeles, Movies, Nightlife, Recreation

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