A Taste of La Primavera at Drago Centro

April 16, 2010

Since his arrival in Los Angeles as the award-winning sommelier from Guy Savoy in Las Vegas, Michael Shearin has helped establish Drago Centro as a foodie destination for those seeking high end Italian cuisine, a formidable wine list, and a handsome, urban setting. But Michael has also sought to make Drago as well known for…

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Smooth Sailing with Death’s Door Gin

April 15, 2010

Named for a treacherous strait between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Death’s Door Gin is hand-crafted with organic red wheat and wild juniper berries harvested locally on Washington Island. The gin is triple-distilled in small batches, in a 90-gallon copper still. In addition to gin, other expressions in the Death’s Door range include vodka, white…

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I Love the Smell of Juniper in the Morning – the Gin Symposium

April 7, 2010

Photos by Soul Brother Photography for Pernod Ricard (SB) Bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts recently gathered at the Hollywood Roosevelt for the Gin Symposium, presented by the English Gins of Pernod Ricard: Plymouth, Beefeater, and Beefeater 24. The all-day gin immersion was hosted by Audrey Saunders and Simon Ford, with a stellar list of presenters who…

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April 5: Why Wait Till Mayo? Tequila Tasting at Malo

April 3, 2010

This Monday, April 5, Malo hosts Why Wait Till Mayo?, a “100% tequila social” presented by the Tequila Appreciation Society. Following on last summer’s successful Ultra Premium Tequila Tasting, guests will be able sample top notch tequilas, nibble on Malo’s tasty apps, and get their groove on in Malo’s upstairs event area. Making return appearances…

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Radio Room Preview Event and Announcing the Edison New York

March 30, 2010

Since its relaunch last February, the Radio Room at the Edison has hosted guest mixologists from top bars such as Bourbon & Branch, Death & Co., Milk & Honey, Drink, Heaven’s Dog, Clyde Common, and Cure. Last month, the Radio Room brought in San Francisco’s Erick Castro (Rickhouse) and New York’s Brian Miller (Death & Co.). On…

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A Rum Fit for El Presidente: Cruzan Single Barrel Estate

March 29, 2010

From an Imbibe cover story to the recent openings of La Descarga and Caña in L.A., Smuggler’s Cove in S.F., and New York’s forthcoming Carteles and Painkiller, rum is a spirit on many a cocktail enthusiast’s mind these days. The booze fairy is feeling the rum fever as well and recently sent me a bottle…

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Blame it on Rio: Leblon and the Caipirinha

March 28, 2010

In the next several years, the eyes of the world will be on Brazil, the host country of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. The booze fairy wanted me to get a head start on getting to know Brazil and thoughtfully sent a review package of Leblon Cachaça. Cachaça (pronounced “ka-SHA-sa”)…

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Rising Stars Shine at the 2010 StarChefs Revue

March 24, 2010

Last week, the best and brightest young stars in the Southern California culinary world gathered to showcase their talents at the 2010 StarChefs Rising Stars Revue. The tasting gala and awards ceremony, held at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, featured food from up-and-coming culinary talent from the top restaurants in Los…

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All Roads Lead to Classic & Vintage Spirits

March 7, 2010

As the global cocktail renaissance marches on, mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts continue to utilize the highest quality spirits to anchor classic cocktails and new school creations alike. Founded by Domaine Select Wine Estates (DSWE) in 2009, Classic & Vintage Artisanal Spirits gathers many of these boutique spirits into a single impressive portfolio. Several of these…

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Reconstructing the Balvenie Signature Deconstruction Dinner

March 1, 2010

photos by Lena Watanabe Last year, famed Speyside distillery The Balvenie released Batch No. 2 of Signature, a 12 year old single malt Scotch created by Balvenie Malt Master David Stewart in celebration of his 45th year in the whisky industry. The Signature is a marriage of three different casks: first-fill bourbon barrels, refill casks…

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