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Dave Stolte at Big Bar

Let’s Get Drinkified with Dave Stolte

By thirstyinla On May 5, 2019 · 2 Comments · In Interviews, Stories
Read on for a deep dive into the prolific career of Dave Stolte, from his acclaimed "Home Bar Basics" cocktail book to his Drinkify Me cocktail portraits and numerous designs for bars, restaurants, spirits and special events.
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Coconut Club Cocktail

The Tiki Torch is Burning Bright at The Coconut Club

By thirstyinla On March 15, 2015 · Add Comment · In Events, Interviews, Reviews
The Coconut Club is a multimedia Tiki experience presented by chef Andy Windak, cocktailians Nathan Hazard and Elana Lepkowski, and emcee Darren Herczeg.
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Tiki Night at 320 Main: LA vs. OC Throwdown

By thirstyinla On August 11, 2013 · Add Comment · In Events
A Southern California cocktail tradition returns on Monday, August 19, when 320 Main presents Tiki Night: LA vs. OC Throwdown.
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Tiki Tuesdays at La Descarga

Tiki Nights Times Two in Los Angeles

By thirstyinla On April 21, 2013 · 1 Comment · In Events
La Descarga and The Spare Room are carrying the LA tiki torch by featuring a stellar lineup of guest bartenders throughout the Endless Summer.
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Matt Robold - 320 Main

Martin Cate’s Pampanito Wins the Tiki Throwdown at 320 Main

By thirstyinla On September 4, 2012 · Add Comment · In Reviews
One of the standout events of the summer of 2012 was the Tiki Throwdown at 320 Main, featuring an epic battle of five tiki icons.
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Tiki cocktails - The Spare Room

Summertime is Tiki Time in Los Angeles

By thirstyinla On August 14, 2012 · 7 Comments · In Events
As Los Angeles continues to endure a sweltering heat wave, the timing couldn’t be better for three stellar tiki events taking place over the next several days.
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William Grant & Sons Big Birthday Party - TOTC 2012

Tales of the Cocktail 2012: Willie Mae’s, Stephen Crane, William Grant & Sons

By thirstyinla On August 8, 2012 · 4 Comments · In Events, Tastings
Day One of Tales of the Cocktail 2012 included an epic lunch at Willie Mae's Scotch House, a forgotten tiki hero, and the William Grant & Sons Big Birthday Party.
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The Spare Room Evening of Tiki

An Evening of Tiki at The Spare Room

By thirstyinla On May 20, 2012 · 2 Comments · In Events
On Wednesday, May 23, The Spare Room launches An Evening of Tiki, a monthly series of “island-inspired cocktails and music,” featuring guest bartenders from LA and across the country.
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Mai Tai

Don vs. Vic at 320 Main: Everybody Wins!

By thirstyinla On July 15, 2011 · 3 Comments · In Events, Reviews
320 Main was the setting for a tiki showdown of epic proportions: Don vs. Vic, a head-to-head battle between the cocktails of Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic. The clash of tiki titans was the second edition of 320 Main’s Tiki Night series, taking place at the Seal Beach restaurant on the last Monday of every month.
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Bumbo

Tiki Nights at 320 Main Are Some Enchanted Evenings

By thirstyinla On June 20, 2011 · 7 Comments · In Events, Reviews
320 Main proprietor Jason Schiffer, Matt Robold (aka RumDood) and LA's Marcos Tello (1886) are teaming up to present a series of Tiki Nights at 320 Main on the last Monday of every month.
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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