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LA in NY: The City of Angels at the 2011 Manhattan Cocktail Classic

By thirstyinla On May 13, 2011 · Add Comment · In Events
It's May 13th, and on this day last year I was in New York on the eve of the inaugural Manhattan Cocktail Classic to toast World Cocktail Day and celebrate my First Blogiversary with my blogger twin, The Dizzy Fizz. And even though I’ll be in L.A. this year and have to settle for vicariously drinking through everyone’s tweets and posts, I’ll be content in knowing that Los Angeles will be well-represented at MCC.
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Stories from Behind the Bar: PDT

By thirstyinla On May 30, 2010 · 2 Comments · In Events, Reviews
With a limit of just nine attendees, Stories from Behind the Bar: PDT was one of the first seminars to sell out almost immediately after online tickets went on sale. Since its opening in 2007, Please Don’t Tell (PDT) has garnered acclaim for its classically-inspired seasonal cocktails: at the Tales of the Cocktail 2009 Spirited Awards, PDT was named World’s Best Cocktail Bar and Managing Partner Jim Meehan was named American Bartender of the Year.
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The Three Hour Tour: Around the World in Five Cocktails

By thirstyinla On May 29, 2010 · 4 Comments · In Events, Reviews
Of the dozens of events that took place during the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, the Three Hour Tour was arguably the most eagerly anticipated. All 242 tickets for the booze cruise quickly sold out, and no matter how desperate your plea or generous your bribe, if you didn't have a ticket, you were up the Hudson without a paddle.
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Copita of Del Maguey Mezcal

The Magic of Mezcal: Tasting Del Maguey with Ron Cooper at Mayahuel

By thirstyinla On May 29, 2010 · 2 Comments · In Events, Reviews, Tastings
Most people would be content to be recognized as an internationally renowned artist, with pieces housed in the permanent collections of LACMA and the Guggenheim. But Ron Cooper, Founder and President of Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, isn't most people.
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Stories from Behind the Bar: Clover Club

By thirstyinla On May 28, 2010 · 2 Comments · In Events, Reviews
Third in a series recapping the 2010 Manhattan Cocktail Classic. After the overindulgence of the Manhattan Cocktail Classic Gala on Friday night, it was time get a little more serious on Day Two of the MCC with…well, more drinking. Fortunately, the day’s seminars were toned down from the Gala’s massive scale; many of them were [...]
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An Epic Night at the 2010 Manhattan Cocktail Classic Gala

By thirstyinla On May 23, 2010 · 1 Comment · In Events, Reviews
On Friday, May 14, the center of the cocktail universe was at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, site of the 2010 Manhattan Cocktail Classic Gala. From 9pm to 1am, 2500 sharply-dressed imbibers roamed the Beaux-Arts splendor of the New York Public Library, sampling cocktails from 150 mixologists and 137 liquor brands from around the world.
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Death and Pain on World Cocktail Day 2010

By thirstyinla On May 22, 2010 · 3 Comments · In Reviews
First in a series recapping the 2010 Manhattan Cocktail Classic. Fear not, dear reader. Despite the grim title of this post, I had a great night out with friends old and new on the eve of the Manhattan Cocktail Classic. I had flown to New York a day early to celebrate World Cocktail Day as [...]
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Thirsty in LA First Blogiversary & World Cocktail Day 2010

By thirstyinla On May 13, 2010 · 5 Comments · In Events
Today is May 13th, which means Thirsty in LA is celebrating its One-Year Blogiversary! It seems like so much has happened with the L.A. cocktail scene since I launched this blog, it’s hard to believe that it’s only been a year. Just look at some of the bars and restaurants that have opened in that [...]
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2010: So Far, So Good

By thirstyinla On January 1, 2010 · 1 Comment · In Events, Openings
So far, 2010 is off to a great start: got up early this morning, made brunch with my brother, had a nice Chinese seafood dinner with the family, then topped off the evening with a Manhattan at home on a quiet Friday night. Day One may be winding down, but a look at the calendar [...]
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    Since last week’s @discoverla Global Team Meetin Since last week’s @discoverla Global Team Meeting was at @moxy_ac_losangeles I booked myself a Staycation - thanks @chase! 🏨
The Moxy is conveniently located off the @metrolosangeles E Line Pico Station, kitty-corner from @conventioncenterla, and a 10-minute walk to @thenovodtla, site of the 2023 Market Outlook Forum 👟

📍@damafashiondistrict
After checking in - DJ Alien D loved the hotel’s Area 51 theme 👽🛸 - headed to DAMA for a couple of faves:
🥃 Dama Old Fashioned - @santateresarum, bitters, sugar
🍸 Presidente - @havanaclub rum, vermouth, orange liqueur, grenadine
DAMA happened to be launching their brand new Happy Hour 😀
🍢 Potato croquettes and chicken skewers
Cheers @okrv 🙌

📍@baarbaarlosangeles
Meaning “again and again” in Hindi, Baar Baar is located in the former Faith & Flower space and it’s flat-out gorgeous 🤩
Paraphrasing @willmelgar, who described the menu from @chefsujans as traditional Indian cuisine with modern, locally-sourced flair
The cocktails are Bollywood-inspired riffs on classics:
🤡 Mera Naam Joker - ghee-washed bourbon, Angostura bitters, saffron syrup
🍹 Slumdog Millionaire - raw turmeric-infused gin, passion fruit, Green Chartreuse, tonic
Baar Baar is participating in the Fall edition of @dinela Restaurant Week, which starts on October 6!
🥑 The veg-friendly prix fixe dinner options include Avocado Bhel with edamame & green chickpea hummus, radish and puffed black rice

#thirstyinla #discoverla #dinela #staycation #dtla
    The 2023 Market Outlook Forum + Global Team Meetin The 2023 Market Outlook Forum + Global Team Meeting was amazing, much love to everyone at @discoverla 👏
The highlight of the week was not on the official agenda - it was an impromptu tour of @level8.dtla, the spectacular new dining and nightlife destination at @moxy_ac_losangeles from @houstonbrothershospitality 🤩
Moxy/AC GM Steve Choe took a few of us on a walkthrough of the sprawling 30,000 square-foot venue, which is centered on the global travels of the eccentric Mr. Wanderlust 🌎

🎠 @goldenhour.dtla is a Carnival-inspired poolside carousel bar with capoeira dancers and tropical drinks by @devdiggytheillest

Chef Hisae Stuck helms @luckymizu.dtla, a stunning shabu-shabu and seiro mushi experience with a wall of maneki-neko 🐱 cherry blossoms 🌸 Infinity Mirrors ♾ and a 40-foot Earth Harp that turns the entire dining room into an immersive musical instrument 🎶

Two acclaimed LA chefs have dining spaces at Level 8:
@chefraygarcia with live-fire South American cuisine at @quebarbaro.dtla 🔥 and @followthebrownsheep “authentically inauthentic” street food 🌮
@motherofpearl.dtla raw bar 🦪 and the French-Teppanyaki @maisonkasai.dtla from @niceyabjeff 🔥

It wouldn't be @houston_bros if there weren't secret entrances - there are several at Level 8, including the Sinners y Santos confessional and a bookcase that opens into @mrwanderlust.dtla, a piano and jazz lounge with a hidden stage 🎹
Loved seeing drinks from @carisunnie @schimekstudios @kingstonchanla on the menu 😍
Shout out to @everfgreen for the Old Fashioned riff with @rhums_neisson Organic and @distilleriasibona Grappa Riserva Botti di Rovere 🥃
Great to bump into Mark Houston @kenbaranda @juan_martiiinez 🙌

#thirstyinla #level8 #discoverla #dinela #dtla
    🙏 #repost @canonseattle You know someone’s ma 🙏
#repost @canonseattle You know someone’s made an impression when a decade later people still ask “when’s Murray working?”.

Murray Stenson was a legend. And a friend. Raise a glass in his honor tonight.
    Nothing better than comfort food at @kouraku_littl Nothing better than comfort food at @kouraku_littletokyo after an afternoon/evening of imbibing with @davestolte & @baotruong21 🍜
#thirstyinla #kouraku #dinela #discoverla #littletokyo #dtla #staycation
    [2/2] Edo-style omakase dinner at @qdtla continued [2/2] Edo-style omakase dinner at @qdtla continued 🍣

*📸 @bar_nish

Longtooth Grouper 
Striped Jack
Golden Eye Snapper
Blackthroat Seaperch 🤯
Toro
Spot Prawn
*Wild Salmon
Salmon Eggs
Sea Eel
*Tamagoyaki (60/40 🍤🥚 per Chef Hiroyuki Naruke)

#omakase #michelin #dinela #discoverla #dtla
    [1/2] When @bar_nish asks if you want to go @qdtla [1/2] When @bar_nish asks if you want to go @qdtla for a Michelin-starred omakase dinner, you… say… YES! So great to hang with Nish, @jayne_wilcox and @carisunnie 😍
Even though Nish was the birthday boy, *he* treated *us* to a sublime evening that started in @bar_jackalope, where we sipped the good stuff from his whisk(e)y locker 🥃
I’ve been to @sevengrandla countless times and had no idea Q Sushi was next door 🤯
@michelinguide notes in its one ⭐️ review: “From the moment you walk in to the rapid succession of courses that follow, everything in this dining room seems steeped in a sense of calm.” 🙏

*📸 by Nish because I was too busy chatting with Cari 😅
7G
*Kusshi Oyster
*Flounder
*Bluefin Tuna with miso vinaigrette
Hairy Crab
*Sashimi Set
*Hokkaido Uni
*Seared Toro with shishito paste
Chef Hiroyuki Naruke

#thirstyinla #sevengrand  #omakase #michelin #dinela #discoverla #dtla
    Love this activation for Season 2 of @officialloki Love this activation for Season 2 of @officialloki! 🤩

🍩 ⏰ Miss Minutes has taken over @randysdonuts in Inglewood - the iconic 32-foot donut sign is now a giant Miss Minutes, and special Miss Minutes donuts are available for a limited time at the OG 24-hour shop on Manchester.

⏱ The clock is ticking - Miss Minutes and her donuts will only be at Randy’s through next Sunday, September 17!
📺 Can’t wait for October 6 💥

📸 courtesy of 🐕 and a 🦆 
#discoverla #dinela #loki #randysdonuts #inglewood
    “Are you SURE you saw a flying saucer, Evans?” “Are you SURE you saw a flying saucer, Evans?” 😂
🛸👽
🎞️ “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” (1956)
🙏 @ray.harryhausen
    Follow @thirstyinla