Reviews – Page 19 – Thirsty in LA

Stories from Behind the Bar: Clover Club

May 28, 2010

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…

Balblair Single Malt Scotch – US Launch

May 25, 2010

In this guest post, Dylan Ho of Eat Drink & Be Merry recaps an exclusive tasting event at The Edison, celebrating the U.S. launch of Balblair Single Malt Scotch.

An Epic Night at the 2010 Manhattan Cocktail Classic Gala

May 23, 2010

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.

Death and Pain on World Cocktail Day 2010

May 22, 2010

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…

Praise the Lard and Pass the Champagne at First & Hope

May 12, 2010

Discreetly located across the street from Walt Disney Concert Hall in an unassuming strip mall, First & Hope supper club brings style, sophistication, and a welcome sense of fun to the downtown dining scene. Much of that playfulness comes from Executive Chef Shelley Cooper, a native of Memphis whose refined technique and love of American…

Vive le Cocktail: Hatchi Mix Launches with Eight Classics

May 9, 2010

Last Thursday, May 6, was the start of World Cocktail Week, which culminates on May 13 with World Cocktail Day. Thursday was also the debut of Hatchi Mix, a new series of monthly cocktail events at Breadbar Century City. Hatchi Mix is curated by Tasting Kitchen mixologist Devon Espinosa, who dubbed the first night “Vive le…

The Névé Iceman Cometh to Osteria La Buca

May 7, 2010

Earlier this week, TIME magazine named Ludo Lefebvre one of its Chefs of the Future in an article that lauds him for “helping to reinvent the way we eat” with his LudoBites pop-up restaurants. In a similar innovative vein, Névé Luxury Ice founder Michel Dozois is expanding the boundaries of the traditional bar concept with…

Taking the Triple Sec Challenge: Hiram Walker vs. Cointreau

May 5, 2010

Cinco de Mayo is upon us, and of course that means it’s time for a margarita or three. In addition to tequila and freshly-squeezed lime juice, cocktail enthusiasts will likely be reaching for Cointreau to mix in their margaritas. But these days, people are trying to save money wherever they can. So is it possible…

The Nose Knows: Tasting the Dalmore with Richard Paterson

April 29, 2010

Last month I was invited to sample several expressions of The Dalmore single malt Scotch at an intimate event held at the Varnish. The tasting was conducted by Richard Paterson (aka “The Nose”), third generation Master Blender for Whyte & Mackay, which owns and operates The Dalmore. Paterson is also the author of Goodness Nose…

The Thirsty Crow Takes Flight in Silver Lake

April 23, 2010

After a brief soft opening phase, The Thirsty Crow officially opens its doors to the public tonight. The newest bar from The 1933 Group (who also own the Bigfoot Lodge bars, Saints and Sinners, and The Little Cave) is actually a complete overhaul of their own Stinkers Truck Stop. Gone are the animatronic skunk butts…