November 11 at Caña: Mount Gay Rum Tasting with Chesterfield Browne

November 8, 2010

On Thursday, November 11th, Caña Rum Bar welcomes Chesterfield Browne, the International Brand Ambassador and Mixologist for Mount Gay Rum. Browne will educate guests on the 300-year-old distillery and its offerings, including complimentary tastings of Mount Gay Extra Old and the 1703 Old Cask Selection. Browne (creator of the acclaimed Chester’s Own rum punch) was…

Read More

Sampling the New Fall Cocktail Menu at Dominick’s

November 7, 2010

Last week, while I was at a birthday bash for Bill Esparza (Street Gourmet LA), I sent a text to Caroline on Crack, who had made the short walk from Bill’s party at Petrossian West Hollywood to nearby Dominick’s to check out the new fall cocktail menu. Me: “How’s Dominick’s?” Caroline: “Lovely. They set me…

Read More

A Taste of The Macallan 64 Years Old Sells for $16,000 to Benefit charity: water

November 4, 2010

A remarkable crystal decanter, containing some of the rarest single malt Scotch whisky in the world, arrived in Los Angeles yesterday for the penultimate stop of its global fundraising journey. Earlier this year, The Macallan and Lalique partnered to produce the one-of-a-kind decanter, made using the ancient cire perdue (“lost wax”) method. Created in conjunction…

Read More

Thirsty in Las Vegas: Hit Me with Your Best HARLEM Shot

October 30, 2010

With over 300 years of distilling experience, it’s safe to say the Nolet family knows from spirits. Since assuming the role of chairman in 1979, Carolus Nolet Sr. assured his legacy with the worldwide success of Ketel One Vodka, introduced in 1983. The family distilling tradition continues with HARLEM Kruiden Liqueur, the brainchild of Nolet’s 10th and 11th generations (Carl Sr. and his two sons, Carl, Jr. and younger brother Bob). HARLEM is named for the historic Dutch city of Haarlem (where Nolet Sr.’s mother was born), while kruiden means “herbal” in Dutch.

Read More

Mäni’s on Maple Launches The Happiest Hour with $6 Cocktails and Small Plates

October 29, 2010

Since its opening in 1989, Mäni’s Bakery Café became a go-to spot for devotees of its baked goods and healthy breakfast and lunch menus. After 21 years, Mäni’s has moved from its popular Fairfax location and into much swankier digs on Maple Drive in Beverly Hills. Now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the new…

Read More

October 23: Bourbon Grand Tasting at Seven Grand

October 21, 2010

With Los Angeles weather skipping fall and heading straight into rainy winter, what better way to keep warm than by spending an evening tasting some of the nation’s best bourbons? This Saturday, October 23rd, Liquor.com is hosting a Bourbon Grand Tasting, a gathering dedicated to drinking and learning about America’s Native Spirit. For the Grand…

Read More

October 23-24: Artisanal LA at the Cooper Building

October 18, 2010

On Saturday and Sunday, October 23-24, Artisanal LA invites Angelenos to spend a weekend shopping, tasting, and learning about the city’s finest local, sustainable food and beverage artisans. Taking place over two days in the penthouse of downtown’s historic Cooper Building, Artisanal LA gives attendees the opportunity to shop from nearly 100 up-and-coming vendors, many…

Read More

Best of the West: Left Coast Libations Release Party at The Varnish

October 13, 2010

Ever since I received a preview copy of Left Coast Libations (LCL), I shamelessly posted recipes from the excellent book of 100 cocktails, created by 51 of the best bartenders on the West Coast. To celebrate the book’s release, LCL creators Ted Munat, Michael Lazar, and Scott Bodarky have spent the last few weeks hosting…

Read More

A Hot Time at Jonathan Gold’s Second Annual Union Station Cocktail Party

October 13, 2010

Jonathan Gold recently hosted his second annual Union Station Speakeasy Cocktail Party, featuring cocktails by the bars of 213 and gourmet bites from some of L.A.’s top restaurants. The event was a fundraiser for Zócalo Public Square, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that provides a nonpartisan forum to prominent thinkers and doers via lectures, panels, salons, screenings, webzine and annual conferences.

Read More

October 12: Drago Centro Fall Cocktail Menu Launch

October 10, 2010

On Tuesday, October 12th, Drago Centro will be debuting its new fall cocktail menu with special $8 pricing all day. Last week, Beverage Director Michael Shearin invited me, Caroline of Caroline on Crack and Esther from e*star LA to preview the latest menu of Nuovi Classici (“New Classics”), a collaboration with Head Bartender Jaymee Mandeville.…

Read More