The Bruery Tap Takeover

If you’re like, really, way into local beer but Orange County still seems like a schlep (yes, we’re lazy Angelenos), you’ll want to make it over to Steingarten on the Westside for some tap takeover action by one of our favorites, The Bruery.

Try all of these on for size:

Sounds too good to miss – see you hopheads there.

Coquettish Angel – Pierde Almas Mezcal, Boudier Parfait Amour, Meletti Amaro, lemon, egg white, Miracle Mile Chocolate Chili Bitters

It’s no secret that Drago Centro is one of my favorite places to drink and eat. And then drink, again. But it just wouldn’t be the same without Jaymee Mandeville at the helm of each seasonal cocktail menu. And the latest is a doozy. It’s inspirational with each cocktail proving their point of view and collectively, it’s her strongest menu yet. Though there’s diversity, each drink is well-balanced, with many even evolving through the end of each sip.

I’ve made some notes, with a pictorial at the bottom to aid you. So get thee to Drago Centro.

• March Hare – Oxley gin, Solerno, Schizandra tea foam, rose water, Prosecco

 

Zahra and Daniel

Daniel and I practically named this the Zahra Bates cocktail (the former bar manager of Providence was with us as we sipped through the menu). It had just the right amount of bubbles, yet was still festive, with the Oxley gin providing just the right amount of weight. The tea foam was made from a Chinese white tea, which made it extra elegant and lightweight.

• Winter Bushel – Karlsson’s Gold vodka, apple/dill shrub, St. Elizabeth Allspice dram, lemon juice, sea salt, Bar Keep Baked Apple bitters

This fantastic vodka cocktail was deceivingly tart, but was well-balanced with the allspice dram. Usually, the “holiday” in winter cocktails are relegated to whisky bases, but this was extra tasty and held its own.

• Black Leaf – Templeton Rye, Concord grape shrub, Pierre Ferand dry curacao

The rye shrub cocktail of the year. So good! A contender for my favorite. The shrub made with Concord grapes was just sweet enough to complement but not overpower the rye.

• Naked in the Woods – St. George Terroir Gin, kiwi/mint-infused Dolin Blanc, Fee Bros. lemon bitters, St. George Absinthe

It’s no secret that I love St. George everything Terroir Gin, and the such-infused kiwi cuts at the bottom of the glass are really the icing on the cake. The Dolin, lemon and Absinthe finish just made this the best aromatic choice on the menu.

• Sea Loch – Bank Note Scotch, Cynar, Miracle Mile Sour Cherry bitters, yuzu soda

Jaymee torching a cocktail (Fall menu)

Perhaps I lied, because this one could’ve been my favorite. Just don’t ask me to choose. This is basically a Cynar-lover’s dream. Loved that blended Scotch was used to really carry out that artichokiness (well, it’s a word, now).

• Growing Roots – Campo de Encanto Pisco, beet juice, Miracle Mile Pho bitters, lime juice, Fever Tree ginger beer, truffle salt

Love beets? Love savory? This is your drink. Jaymee loves to put an extra-savory rendition of the Bloody Mary on her menu – and this is done well with an unexpected spin on beet juice.

• Coquettish Angel – Pierde Almas Mezcal, Boudier Parvait Amour, Meletti Amaro, lemon, egg white, Miracle Mile Chocolate Chili bitters

If you have a bunch of friends who are still questionable – or even just downright hate – on mezcal (and we all do), you may just want to buy a round of these for them. Even the ladies, thanks to the elegant, wide bowled Marie Antoinette glass. This is the egg white cocktail on the menu, and it’s so delicious while still paying homage to its smoky properties.

• Bronzeado de Sol – Novo Fogo Aged Cachaça, Petite Canne syrup, Bitter Truth Creole bitters, cinnamon/espresso tincture

For those who love chocolate – or at least smelling chocolate – this is your snifter. Inhale before and as you sip – it’s an experience in itself. And who isn’t sipping cachaça, these days?

• Kissing Cousins – Nolet’s Silver Gin, housemade rose vermouth, Yellow Chartreuse, Fee Bros. Grapefruit bitters, Scrappy’s lime bitters

Okay, this is the other aromatic choice on the menu – but it’s also juicy with a ton of flavor. Love Nolet’s!

• Soul of Mayahuel – Casa Noble Reposado, sage/black peppercorn infused agave, orange blossom water, hot h20, brown butter foam

The best hot toddy! And with tequila. I love that Jaymee kept the brown butter in a foam on top, which made the spirits hold their weight in the cocktail.

All drinks were hosted.

LudoBites 4.0 Greatest Hits: White Asparagus Veloute, Mozzarella Mousse, Candied Olives, Fennel, Salmon Roe

Now would be a great time to finally and formally introduce you to my “Upcoming Events” column over on the right (–>). It’s but a few months old, but a great way to short-handedly let you know about the best things that are coming up as far as goings on in Los Angeles. It also means less pre-event write-ups, since you can get the skinny right in that column. (You’re welcome.)

For now, though, I’ve anticipated a slew of food events in our beloved city – especially while everyone’s trying to get everything wrapped up before the holidays. I believe the following, however, warrant special attention. Be sure to make your reservations & buy your tickets. Here they are, in order of date:

1. Now: LudoBites 10.0 Reservation Window Now Open (until 10:59 AM Thursday, November 29, 2012)

Right now we’re in the middle of a 24-hour window that first opened at 11 AM PST. So until 10:59 AM tomorrow (Thursday, November 29), you’ll get to enter the lottery for a reservation on one of 14 days (weekdays, December 4-21) of LudoBites 10.0 at Gram & Papa’s in Downtown LA. No guarantees that any of you will actually GET a reservation, but all we can do is try, try, try, right? (No seriously – don’t submit that form twice. It will make Krissy very mad. Just once, guys.) Protip: To increase your chances of getting a reservation, be sure to be as available as possible, since you have to fill out your available days and time slots. Or maybe that was obvious.

And if you don’t know what LudoBites is, by now, I’m afraid I can’t help you…or can I?

2. The Taste of Mexico (Friday, November 30, 2012)

Though a misleading title, The Taste of Mexico actually provides many tastes of the southland. Specifically, a plate each from Los Angeles outposts like like La Guelaguetza, Cacao Mexicatessen, Coni’ Seafood, Playa, Loteria Grill, Mexikosher, Casa Azul, La Casita Mexicana at The Vibiana in Downtown LA. What makes this worth it is that included in the ticket price is booze, like mezcal, tequila, Mexican beers and Baja wines. Score!

Use code “StreetFoodFan” for $5 off the normal $50 ticket price ($70 VIP for an additional, early hour of tasting). See you at The Vibiana!

3. James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour Dinner (Sunday, December 2, 2012)

Definitely the high-priced ticket of December, the James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour comes to Los Angeles by way of Michael Voltaggio’s ink. I can’t think of any other place you’ll get a sit-down dinner with regular reservations (unscheduled seatings) with food by Voltaggio, Nancy Silverton, Matt Molina, Vinny Dotolo & Jon Shook, Jeremy Fox and Jordan Kahn all under one roof. It’s a great way to enjoy your donation to the James Beard foundation. (Not to rub it in, but if you happen to have a fancy William Sonoma card, you get half off the $200 ticket.) Credit card required at time of reservation. Call 323.651.5866 to reserve at any time. Peep the just-released menu for this special night:

Snacks
Michael Voltaggio & Cole Dickinson, ink.

Burrata, Caviar, Egg, Chives
Nancy Silverton, Osteria Mozza

Fluke, Apple, Celery, Ginger
Vinny Dotolo & Jon Shook, Animal & Son of Gun

Ricotta, Egg Raviolo, Browned Butter
Matt Molina, Osteria Mozza

Cereal Grain Morcilla, Beet, Pistachio
Jeremy Fox, forthcoming Old Soul at Square One

Chicken Fried Sweetbread, Finger Lime Aioli, Cumin
Vinny Dotolo & Jon Shook, Animal & Son of Gun

Charcoal Beef Cheeks, Date Miso, Cauliflower, Charred Onion
Michael Voltaggio & Cole Dickinson, ink.

Redwood Ice, Sorrel Custard, Tofu Skin, Herb Stems
Jordan Kahn, Red Medicine

4. Jeremy Fox: Old Soul at Square One Dining (Thursdays – Sundays, December 6 – 9, 13 – 16, 2012)

Chef Jeremy Fox, accompanied by Helena Brown and Helen Springut, have recently left the Barnyard Venice project and – while figuring out what they ultimately want to do – will open Old Soul for dinner Square One Dining in Hollywood over a couple weekends before the holidays. The Thursday through Sunday installment will feature a four course, $50 per person set menu to change weekly (vegetarian options also available). Because if you can’t eat a menu by Food & Wine‘s Best New Chef 2008, Bon Appetit’s 2009 Best Chef, and twice-nominated James Beard Best Chef (Pacific) at his own brick & mortar, you may as well eat at his pop-up. Those who lean veggie won’t want to miss out…and those who don’t, still won’t want to.

Make reservations at this is not a popup (I know, confusing), by calling 323.451.1767 or emailing oldsoul [at] thisisnotapopup.com.

5. Paiche Preview Night with Food GPS (Sundays, December 9 & 16, 2012)

The founder of FoodGPS.com, Josh Lurie, has also become a thematic event guru as of late, and his latest obsession happens to be ceviche. There could be WAY worse things. Way. In collaboration with Ricardo Zarate and in anticipation of the upcoming Paiche in Manhattan Beach, he’ll be co-hosting two ceviche nights at Mo-Chica – while featuring three fellow top name guest chefs in the process.

• Sunday, December 9 (5:30, 6, 6:30, 7:30, 8, 8:30 PM): Uni Night featuring guest chef Josiah Citrin (Mélisse) helping to create four ceviches and one dessert — all starring sea urchin— with tasting flights from New Belgium Brewing. $85 pp, $12 for 5-beer flight
• Sunday, December 16 (5:30, 6, 6:30, 8, 8:30, 9 PM): Guest chefs Bryant Ng (The Spice Table) and Kris Yenbamroong (NIGHT + MARKET) prepare six ceviches and one dessert with Chef Zarate to pair with tasting flights from Firestone Walker Brewing Co. $76 pp, $16 for 6-beer flight

The best part is that 10% of proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, so you can rest assured you’re eating the best seafood and drinking the best beer for the best cause. Buy tickets on Eventbrite; walk-ins available if…well, available.

It’s a great time to eat in Los Angeles before the holidays. Unfortunately, those with limited funds (like myself) may just have to pick and choose.

So…how’s that schedule coming along?

The Great LA Walk: Washington Blvd (2009)

Mark your calendars, walkers, runners, bikers and proud Angelenos. You won’t want to miss the Great LA Walk this Saturday. It’s a 17-mile walk from Downtown LA to the Pacific Ocean. It’s a way to say, “People DO walk in LA.” It’s a day-long appreciation of this city, whether you’re stopping for lunch, walking through one of countless urban enclaves, learning little-known facts about a historical landmark or stopping in to see a shop you’ve never even heard of before. Let’s be honest: It’s also bragging rights.

And this year, it’s a way to really get to know Melrose Avenue.

Organized by Michael Schneider of popular city blog Franklin Avenue and TV Guide, this walk is one of LA Weekly’s top picks of 2012 – the Best Once a Year Walk, that is. They’re starting at the famous Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall and taking it to the ocean via Melrose. The best part of this? Exercise? Maybe. The education? Most possibly. Lunch options? Definitely.

Great LA Walk of 2012 Route

Michael Voltaggio has signed on his sublime sandwich spot, ink.sack, to be the official lunch spot of this year’s Great LA Walk. And even before you get there, don’t forget to stop in to the original Scoops Ice Cream shop right on Heliotrope (west of Vermont) off Melrose for some unique flavors that owner Tai has created just for the occasion.

Now, I’ve always made it a mission to make it for part of the Great LA Walk, every year. My friends and I caught Ethiopian food when it was Washington Blvd. I caught up when they were doing Hollywood Blvd at Blue Palms Brewhouse, Loteria Grill and Musso & Frank’s last year. This year, if you can’t make it for the full walk, definitely catch up at Scoops and Ink Sack (maybe even beat the crowd by a bit) but for options, you’re also passing the Valerie Confections store at Beverly and 1st (opens at 10AM) (UPDATED (11/15): Valerie will now be offering breakfast treats at 25% off for all walkers and “allegedly” free hot chocolate! So cool!), the awesome Sqirl Kitchen at Melrose and Virgil, Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese at Larchmont and Beverly (known for their sandwiches), Osteria/Pizzeria Mozza and Domaine LA (should you feel like carrying wine on your walk) at Melrose and Highland, Bierbeisl on Santa Monica Blvd in Beverly Hills… Maybe I should just stop right there, before I even get into Century City.

Once you get to the ocean, head on back into Santa Monica for the afterparty at Wokcano on 5th Street. You’ll have some drink specials waiting for your end-of-the-day nourishment.

How to get back? Whether you coordinate a carpool with your walking buddies or plan your bus route back home, be sure you coordinate that before Saturday! (Hopefully, we’ll be able to take the Metro train back one day. Like when Beverly Hills High School moms stop being a pain.) It’s also a great idea to check up on the FAQ, just to be prepared. See you on the sidewalk!!

Bicycling Los Angeles

People do walk in L.A., but – let’s be honest – they mostly still don’t. People drive alone, and they carpool. They vanpool and they shuttle. They ride their bikes. They Über or Taxi Magic all over town. And yes, we Metro railway. Do you ever get the feeling that just because we’re not New York, that’s the only thing they’re rubbing our noses in?

Which is not to say that I’m not envious of their subway access – and many other things. Yet having passed the 2-year mark living near a Hollywood Metro Red Line stop, I’ve learned a lot in the process about our own public transportation options. The Expo Line has opened during that time. And we’re looking forward to more.  Just experiencing the drastic transformation in how people choose to get around – myself included, and not only on the rail – have provided so many eye-opening revelations. So when Slate says that L.A. is being turned into “America’s next great mass-transit city,” we’ll take that little bit of validation. 

Vermont and Wilshire with my bike!

The traffic-numbed Angeleno has been my favorite stereotype to thwart since my own transplantation. Recently, I re-encountered some college acquaintances who have since settled down in Orange County and for whom it was unfathomable that I would choose to live in filthy Hollywood. “Because I can walk or bike around my own neighborhood and get downtown on the subway.” The response? “What’s downtown?” What they didn’t also ask was, “What’s in Hollywood besides the tacky stuff?”

I hope I’ve covered both of those, to date, on this blog.

While I’ve only just had the bike for a few months (a ’60s, single-speed, vintage bike acquired in Joshua Tree, mind you), here are a few tips I’ve gathered to getting around without that encasing hunk of metal – if your plans can at all call for it.

• Plan your day(s). Especially if you have an iPhone with iOS6 and Apple Maps, which does not have transit directions. (If you do have an iPhone, try download the FoodGPS app and Caroline on Crack app for things to eat and drink in your vicinity, wherever you may be in the city.)

Did you promise to visit your west-of-405 friend sometime during the weekend, but also have plans to catch spots in Culver City, Pasadena and/or Downtown? Divvy up the latter three into one day and any west-of-405 plans into another so you can save one day for transit riding and another for your car. By the way, Androids rule.

• Driving to and parking at a Metro stop is always better than parking downtown.

View from Hollywood & Vine Metro Station

Driving towards Downtown L.A. is one of the most unpredictible traffic anomalies thanks to the many venues and thus events. Street parking is potentially scarce and lot parking most definitely expensive.

I’ve had same-day plans downtown and in Glendale, before, and it was worth it just to drive to a Silver Lake Metro Red Line stop, park the car on the street, so I’d be ready to hope in the car and drive towards Glendale after riding back on the rail from Downtown LA. Whilst avoiding horrendous simultaneous triathalon and Carmageddon II traffic during LA Beer Week Festival, Caroline parked at a Culver City Expo station and rode in to Union Station – in an air-conditioned car. More than worth it!

• Ride your bike to a Metro stop with bike racks if you don’t take it with you on the subway. If you take your bike with you, it may help to learn which stops have elevators. (Or just hike it onto the escalator, which is what I do sometimes. There are also bike racks on the front of the cars and buses.)

If I feel like riding to the station instead of walking, I’ll ride to the Metro stop with bike racks (Hollywood/Vine) and lock it up there while avoiding the one with SpongeBob SquarePants, Spiderman and Pirate Johnny Depp (Hollywood/Highland) – even if it is a little closer. Usually I’ll be OK getting around downtown on foot. Read up on biking on the Metro and even follow @bikemetro on Twitter so you’re always in-the-know.

• If you’re meeting up with people, carpool somewhere along your route.

Catching Critical Mass for 2 blocks on my ride home from the subway last week.

Hitching a one-way ride off a friend still lessens your carbon footprint (and $1.50) than hitching no rides. There have been lots of times where I’ll meet up with someone downtown and get dropped off at home or the nearest stop for an easy jaunt home.

• LAX Flyaway is $7.00. One Metro ride is $1.50. If you can get to Union Station via Metro, that’s a $8.50 ride to LAX and no charge to park your car. 

This is how I get to LAX if I have just one carry-on, despite that it makes my route a triangle. Plus, I don’t have to bother anybody for a ride.

• Milk last call on Fridays and Saturdays because the Metro rail lines now stop at 2:30 AM. Just be sure to check schedules and get on the last train on time – usually 2:10 AM from Downtown.

• Follow @metrolosangeles for service updates on construction and delays.

• Download the Taxi Magic app and signal a cab. Or if you’re rollin’ in style, Über it for a Lincoln Town Car-ish ride.

• Advanced “users” only: Get social with other bicycle-riders and catch a group night ride (usually police escorted) with Critical Mass (the largest community bicycle ride in the U.S.) or Midnight Ridazz. Participate in CicLAvia (next: Sunday, October 7) and learn about different LA communities while supporting car-alternative ways of getting around.

Past our carbon footprints and going green, sometimes going Metro and/or riding a bike is just plain smart, cost-effective and healthy. I can’t wait for more rails to break ground and get running. We’ll have this sprawling landscape of a city that we call home that much easier to navigate.

Mia Sarazen

I think a gal can be considered lucky when she has top-notch bartenders within walking distance from her separately located home and work. I’ve just reached those ranks thanks to Mia’s new position at The Churchill inside The Orlando Hotel. Now, I’ve realized it can be a dangerous thing when, after a hard day at the office, she’s a mere 3 blocks away and on my way home. And this bar is also inside a hotel, so even when I get off early every Monday through Friday, it’s open!

Grand Alliance

I’ve picked out a few favorites on the menu, ultimately narrowing it down to five. Believe it or not, it was really hard to narrow it down, because this post was actually supposed to feature my favorite three! That probably would’ve meant only amaros and browns, but I’ve decided I wanted to give a veneer of diversity on my palate. *wink*

I tried the The Grand Alliance before my full tasting and after making a beeline straight from the office. It was a perfect after-work, stirred drink, with Plymouth, Carpano, Campari and Maraschino. Negroni lovers will love this variation.

Speaking of the classics, The Churchill Old Fashioned is not to be underestimated. This is because Mia’s ultra-secret mixture of bitters is the magic ingredient. As her (former) coworker and beau Rich mentioned, The Churchill is indeed lucky to have this one on their menu, as Mia has had her secret blend in the works for awhile and The Churchill is perfect for this Old Fashioned’s debut.

The Churchill Old Fashioned

The Grapes of Wrath is an outstanding pisco cocktail, made with Kappa, lime, pineapple, egg whites, bitters and cinnamon. With L.A. seeing more and more pisco on its cocktail menus, it’s nice to see a really well balanced drink made with the grape spirit. I appreciated the floral notes in this, which balanced out the slight sweetness. Enough with Pisco Sours!

I didn’t expect to favor a tall rye drink, but there it is, the Rye 2 Ways. It’s available up (otherwise known as a Scofflaw) or with the all-favorite Allagash White beer, which is how we had it. I was surprised but realized how well the Belgian white, with its lemon and coriander, complemented the rye, which made for a well-balanced and refreshing beer cocktail overall.

Thirsty in LA

Taking the cake of the menu, though, was the Thirsty in LA – named after fellow cocktail blogger cohort Daniel. It is a delicious drink. An amaro-reposado tequila combination, the cocktail’s finishing touch was a mezcal rinse, which made for the perfect, slightly smoky touch. This fantastic, stirred cocktail had this savory-ness to its bitterness. So, so tasty, that Daniel need not worry he’s biased simply because it’s named after him – indeed it is a fantastic cocktail!

Be sure to look at the entire menu for your other selections. Also recommended is Norman’s Cable Car, which is more to my liking than the original Sidecar – in part because maybe I’m more of a rum gal – and the cinnamon mixed in with the very small sugar rim was a nice touch.

Some other notes: Baby’s First Bourbon is always a hit with Mia fans (still available at Harvard & Stone) and will be sure not to disappoint. Have at it

The full cocktail menu:

Rye 2 Ways: Tall & Fizzy

The Grand Alliance: Plymouth Gin, Carpano, Campari, Maraschino
Hyde Park Fizz: Nolet’s gin, Bonal Quina, honey, lime, cucumber, basil, soda
Thirsty in LA: Correlejo Reposado, Aperol, Ciociaro Amaro, mezcal rinse
The Iron Mule: Russian Standard, ginger, lime, soda, bitters
Norman’s Cable Car: Sailor Jerry Rum, housemade curacao, lemon, cinnamon & sugar rim
The Churchill Old Fashioned: Old Fitzgerald bourbon, house bitters, sugar
The Statesman: Famous Grouse, apricot, lemon, baked apple bitters, sparkling
Baby’s First Bourbon: Bulleit Bourbon, orgeat, lemon, dashes house bitters
The Bulldog: Milagro blanco, passion, pineapple, lime, jalepeno
Rye 2 Ways: Bulleit Rye, dry vermouth, grenadine, lemon, up. Or add Allagash White for Fizzy & Tall.
The Grapes of Wrath: Kappa Pisco, lime, pineapple, whites, bitters, cinnamon
Amelia: Ketel One, lemon, St.Germaine,violet, blackberries

The Churchill, with this menu, ends up being the cocktail place on 3rd Street. Previously meant for brunch, lunch, tequila and shopping enthusiasts, 3rd Street now is holding its own for imbibers as well. I’ll see you at The Churchill, early and often!

All cocktails were hosted.

Fried Chicken, Grilled Peaches, Tomatoes & Currant Vinaigrette

My 2-day crash course in all restaurants Casey Lane was a bit of an accident. I scheduled a business brunch at Tasting Kitchen on Venice’s Abbott Kinney while not realizing that a media lunch at his new, cross-town joint, The Parish, was to take place the next day. But I found no coincidence in the fact that both places serve stellar food – Downtown Los Angeles should be so lucky to receive such an addition by Casey, who brought the concept of farm-to-table to fruition before the term got hackneyed. (Soon, Melrose will get their own dosage in Itri, a pasta shop.)

Scotch Lace with Glenrothes Select Reserve

While I missed the one-month-ago opening since it was during Tales of the Cocktail, I was lucky to have gotten my first taste at a Glenrothes Scotch Whisky lunch. (As this was a special event, The Parish isn’t open for lunch – but it seems as though they are aiming for breakfast service in the near future.) What a treat it was to have tasted The Parish’s stellar food alongside one of the top three Single Speyside Malts in different vintages: 1998, 1988 and, ultimately, the 1978.

We started out with a Scotch Lace, John Coltharp’s variation on a whisky sour, but utilizing Glenrothes Select Reserve with a splash of Rose. It was super refreshing (especially since I had Metro’ed and biked there) without much tartness at all.

Clams, Salumi Picante, Sherry, Leeks & Peas

As we sat down for lunch, we tried the Glenrothes 1998, which imparted vanilla and creamy notes. We were encouraged to open it up a bit with water, as “complex whiskys have no fear of water.” As for food, it was paired with Beets, Mache Herbs & a deliciously but subtly sweet Molasses Yogurt (you’ll find a horseradish yogurt instead in the regular menu), Grilled Corn with honeycomb butter, Butter Lettuce salad and Wood-grilled Bone Marrow. While it took all of my self-control to refrain pouring the Glenrothes 98 down the center of my hollow bone for some boneluge action, it was a beautiful study in whetting the palate to the Glenrothes vintages and pairing that to the sweet and savory food.

Next was the Glenrothes 1988, a 43% ABV vintage bottled in 2011. This more mature vintage tasted a bit richer, like candied orange peel. The Clams with salumi picante, sherry, leeks & peas was definitely a stand-out dish. I found myself directly spooning the sherry broth as if a soup; the grilled, buttered bread couldn’t sop that flavor up fast enough. The salumi gave it good girth, and the leeks and peas were nice spice and sweet touches.

Glenrothes Vintage 1978

But nothing could’ve prepared us for the Glenrothes 1978, a vintage that is, indeed, older than I. Amazingly complex, with notes of dried citrus fruits yet almost even jam and creme brulee, the 1978 was nothing short of fantastic. It was good that the Fried Chicken held up to snuff with the Scotch Whisky. Though you’ll find it on the menu currently with heirloom tomatoes and arugula, there was an art to the addition (in this lunch) of grilled peaches, tomatoes and currant vinaigrette. The slightly sweet additions brought out the citrus and even pudding notes in the 1978. Of course, the true art was in the batter and frying – and at The Parish, you can be sure the fried chicken – in whatever rendition - is a go-to. By the way, the MSRP on a bottle of 1978? $700 USD.

As for desserts by pastry chef Brooke Mosley, there was a super buttery shortbread to be topped with a Dulce de Leche cream and Fig compote. It was the simplest but tastiest dessert, which just melted in your mouth when complemented by the 1978.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience led by a first rate Scotch Whisky at an overall stellar restaurant – from what I could tell at lunch, anyway. I can’t wait to visit The Parish on a regular night and enjoy the wood-adorned space. Its peninsula-like corner spot in Downtown Los Angeles brings a unique urban feel to the English-influenced dining experience. I can tell great things are in store here…including the cocktails.

Dark & Stormy, Thompson Beverly Hills

Who doesn’t love a good rooftop in the summer? Fortunately, there are a few hotels around Los Angeles that are holding special events designed especially for the high peaks from which we can enjoy our Southern California sun … or sundown. At night, the city lights make for a beautiful view. Why not watch a movie against the outdoor backdrop, high in the sky?

Blues & BBQ (Photo credit: Mi & Mo Photography)

The ION at JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE is hosting Blues & BBQ event every Sunday through September 2, 2012 from 12  – 4 PM at the outdoor poolside deck. Blues and soul musical guests like George Dez Blues Band and Gregg Wright “King of the Rockin’ Blues will be performing. For $18, you get one main entrée with side dish accompaniments

• BBQ Chicken brined in fresh herbs
• Grilled Skirt Steak with brown sugar spice rub
• boneless Baby Back Ribs with pineapple-bbq sauce wash
• slow-cooked baked beans, corn cobettes

If you’re more into Taco Tuesdays, they’re also offering $3 tacos, $3 tortilla chips and salsa with specially priced margaritas and Mexican beer from 5 – 8 PM.

***

Salmon Ceviche at Thompson BH Rooftop

Thompson Beverly Hills Rooftop Summer Film Festival – Tuesday nights

If a Beverly Hills rooftop is more your speed, check out the Thompson Beverly Hills’ on Tuesday nights for some contemporary classic films during their Summer Film Festival, serving eats and drinks from Caulfield’s. You can also purchase one of several packages with food and drink available at many price points in advance on the website – and they’re all set for two.

Doors open at 7 PM while the movie starts at 9, so get cozy during sunset and watch the lights gradually appear around you with this 360 degree view. The admission is $20 and includes a small popcorn & soda.

Check out the Summer Film Festival Menu. You can even buy tickets and preorder some packages for your pleasure.

***

Ribs on the Roof, Peninsula Hotel

The Peninsula Beverly Hills Weekend BBQ – Saturdays and Sundays, 5 – 9 PM

The Peninsula Beverly Hills is doing a rooftop BBQ on the weekends, and the eats are pretty succulent. Choose from 16 oz Bone-in Prime Dry Aged Harvey Guss Rib Eye Steak, Giant Tiger Char Siu Shrimp, Swordfish, and more. The Ribs on the Roof are made with a 24-spice rub and confited in pork fat.

They’ve also got summery cocktails to accompany your BBQ, which I’ve tried, and was pleasantly surprised to find a couple very good ones that didn’t prove too sweet like you might assume. The jalapeno margarita is always a go-to, but I also found a good raspberry-gin substitute for a Cosmopolitan – made with real juice and none of that annoying tartness.

See the Rooftop BBQ menu here.

So enjoy the view, the breeze, the food and the menu. We’ve still a couple months left of whatever we call “summer” here in L.A., and these events are all the more reasons to enjoy them from on high.

The Varnish, Downtown Los Angeles – Photo courtesy of 213 Nightlife

“Five years ago at Tales [of the Cocktail], it was just a small group of us from L.A. The guys from Portland, New York, OH MAN SAN FRANCISCO … would ask, ‘Where are you from?’ … ‘L.A.? Oh, that’s nice. How’s the bottle service?’” – Aidan Demarest, Tello Demarest Liquid Assets

“The Varnish didn’t just win. All of us, all of L.A. won.” – Cedd Moses, 213 Nightlife

I’ll never forget my first time in New Orleans this past weekend at the 10th Anniversary of Tales of the Cocktail. There’s something about getting to witness your favorite bartenders in your home city come together to celebrate their craft with their big shot counterparts from other cities. Going from seminar to tasting room to industry party to Spirited Dinner (while catching some not-to-miss eats of the city in between) in the humid, 90° swelt of The French Quarter was a new junket to me, but the presence of Los Angeles was unmistakeable, making Tales all the less intimidating and more familiar, much faster.

Post-Spirited Awards Celebration at One Eyed Jack’s

We are all bartenders, brand ambassadors, educators, writers, photographers and more – with many wearing more than one hat – and as with every year at The Spirited Awards on the last night of Tales, the best of the best are officially recognized. A winner in each category is announced after an initial top ten finalists are narrowed down to four. Though Eric Alperin and The Varnish have been our bastions of Los Angeles in these awards for the past couple years, it was the 2012 Spirited Awards when the L.A. bar community finally felt taken seriously.

There was a plethora of Top 10 finalists representing Los Angeles, announced back in May. Their mentions are below, with the Top 4 denoted by an asterisk: Eric Alperin(*) and Vincenzo Marianella of Copa d’Oro were recognized in the American Bartender of the Year category. The Huston Brothers and Steve Livigni’s and of course Pablo Moix’s Harvard & Stone and 213 Nightlife’s The Varnish(*) were both nominated for Best American Cocktail Bar(*) and World’s Best New Cocktail Bar.

La Descarga(*), also by The Huston Brothers and Steve Livigni, made World’s Best Cocktail Bar, Best American Cocktail Bar and Best High Volume Cocktail Bar(*) nods, with Seven Grand joining them in the latter column (best intro video at the awards, by the way). Julian Cox’s bar at Rivera(*) made the finals for Best Restaurant Bar. My neighborhood bar, The Spare Room with of course bar program by Naomi Schimek in The Roosevelt Hotel was a finalist for Best Hotel Bar. L.A.-based Dave Stolte’s Home Bar Basics also made the Top 10 for Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book and Dan Dunn, “The Imbiber,” made a nod for Best Cocktail Writing.

Also recognized at The Spirited Awards were Jaymee Mandeville of Drago Centro and Cari Hah of Neat as apprentices of Tales. Jaymee walked away with a huge WIN as one of the Top 10 Trend-Setting Mixologists!! She is doing incredible things over at Drago, so be sure to head on over there for a taste of one of her summer cocktails.

As Los Angeles had never had a win in previous years, I was elated to find so many of our bars nominated in so many categories. After it was narrowed down to the final four, I knew I had to make The Spirited Awards just so I could be there for a potential L.A. win. The Varnish was it, and all of the Los Angeles bar community jumped and shouted in the room. There were cartwheels on-stage. Chris Bostick, now relocated to Austin, returned to accept the award along with Eric Alperin and Cedd Moses – as well as the entire team. And then we retired to the upstairs of One Eyed Jack’s to celebrate the win. Camaraderie was felt by all. We’ve come a long way, baby…

“We’ve just broken the seal for L.A. to win many more awards.” – David Kaplan, Proprietors LLC

Wood Grilled Octopus, Tomato Puree, Artichokes, Squid Ink

When it comes to the new food and beverage choices that accompany the gentrification of Downtown Los Angeles, there’s a constant balancing act that goes on between lunch-friendly business spots and places with offerings hip enough to entertain night life. (What kind of nightlife? A whole other question.) But the 3-weeks-old Towne might just be the spot to fulfill both those needs, thanks to their manageable menu and stellar food by chefs Eric Hara & Ryan Morrison as well as outstanding cocktail menu by Jason Bran.

Lobster “Mac” ‘n Cheese

Located in South Park’s upscale Watermarke Tower (you’ll be dining beneath a many Dodgers’ quarters, to be sure), Towne offers an enticing menu with something for everyone. Looking for original yet un-fussy bites? A delicious Clover Club? Or maybe just the $18 per person pork shank that is braised for 10 hours before being deep fried, enabling a super tasty, tender-yet-crispy feast of texturized, steaming and rich meat.

Towne is just the place to wean Los Angeles off its addiction to run-of-the-mill gastropubs – and with it being this early in the game, it seems they’re doing it with plenty of ease. Favorites included their unique rendition of Lobster “Mac” ‘n Cheese, with house-made pasta casings filled with mushrooms and Fontina cheese and whole chunks of lobster topping the array. Other favorites utilize their wood burning oven, which give much of Towne’s dishes a distinctive flavor – such as the delicious Grilled Octopus with tomato puree and apricots but also artichokes and squid ink to match its savory profile. The Lobster Smokey “Pig” in a Blanket also benefits, and the result is an anything-in-a-blanket you’ve never had before.

Beef Marrow Matzoh Ball Soup

And while many might consider kale salad old and overdone, Towne’s rendition is a refreshingly unique take. The Tuscan Kale Chop Salad is a visual treat as well, with enoki mushrooms, white beans, cabbage and breaths of shaved Monterey Jack all so finely sliced and tossed together so beautifully. The touch of chili & garlic vinaigrette is just enough to enhance this delicious mosaic of vegetables and protein.

The Bone Marrow Matzoh Ball Soup is such a savory treat it may have you re-thinking the chicken stock the original usually comes prepared with. With shiitakes and beef marrow consommé, this bowl of deep colored soup is full of flavor. White beans jump kale and reappear in the ravioli, but not without wood-smoked ham hock broth and swiss chard. The ham was the delight, here, and recollecting it now reminds me of the day-after text exchange with Maya: “Hey, do your clothes smell like wood smoke?” They didn’t, but I guess hers – plus her hair – all did. This “issue” had only thus far been discussed in the context of Korean BBQ! I call it: Scent of Woodfire.

And the cocktails!! I’m not sure when there was ever a shortage of great cocktails in the area before 5 years ago, but with Jason Bran now on this side of town (while he also heads up Roger Room on La Cienega) it looks like there are plenty more to go around – and who’s here to argue?

CoCo Punch

Running off Towne’s “New American” vibe, Jason gets ever creative with more than a handful of newly-created, original drinks – accompanied by some well executed, if tweaked, classics like a Clover Club with Plymouth, lemon and egg white but also clove and house-made grenadine (vanilla, hibiscus, pomegranate), as well as a Spiced Apple Julep with Maker’s, apple and cinnamon.

Jason ups the fun factor with a couple of his creations, such as the official “Towne Kool-Aid,” a vodka limeade of sorts which comes complete with a stash of red Towne Kool-Aid powder for each guest to add and stir into his or her cup.

Spiced Apple Julep

The playful CoCo Punch is one of those cocktails that are beyond elementary, because when it hits your lips, you’re surprised by how good it is. Jim Beam, Cocoa Pebbles cereal milk and nutmeg with actual cocoa pebbles takes David Chang’s cereal milk concept (you may be most familiar with the Momofuku soft serve), turns it on its head and makes it into a delicious cocktail.

Looking for a refreshing cocktail? Order the Genesis Collins with Beefeater 24, grapefruit, honey & soda or the Eastern Mule, made with Russian Standard Vodka, lime and house 5-spice ginger beer. If you’re into vodka martinis, go with the “Clean” vodka martini, made with Chopin and blanc vermouth and garnished with cucumber, carrot and dill. But if you’re not messing around and desire a serious drink, go straight for the South Park (DTLA), made with Zaya Rum, Punt e Mes, Vermouth and Chuncho Bitters. This strong cocktail has all sorts of destiny on it, with Towne’s resident, burgeoning neighborhood being its namesake.

So go ahead and head to Towne, to go to town. There really is something for everyone whose mission is to taste and drink beautiful, delicious things.

All food and cocktails were hosted.