Reviews – Page 22 – Thirsty in LA

The Strip Heats Up: Summer Cocktails at RH

August 1, 2009

~ Photos by Lena Watanabe Take the former “Riot Hyatt” on Sunset, throw in a $48M renovation by the New York firm Janson Goldstein, add the Hindi word for “personal service,” and what do you get? Why, the Andaz West Hollywood, of course. The bar at RH, the hotel’s signature restaurant, had been on my…

San Francisco and Las Vegas Rock the Radio Room

July 31, 2009

~ photos by Lena Watanabe With budgets as tight as they are, why spend precious dollars on airfare to visit the country’s top bars, when the Edison flies in the country’s best bartenders every month? On July 28, the Edison’s latest installment of its Radio Room series featured visiting mixologists Amanda Gager (StripSteak, Las Vegas)…

Worshipping Mayahuel on National Tequila Day

July 27, 2009

Last Friday was National Tequila Day, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to celebrate with than my friends Amy, Lena and Delia. For the occasion we headed to Malo Restaurant, a familiar name to enthusiasts for its excellent tequila cocktails and tasting events. Although Malo had some cocktail specials for the night,…

Comme Ça Throws a Block Party

July 14, 2009

Last Sunday, Comme Ça hosted a special “Block” Party to celebrate the start of its Bastille Week festivities.

Recapping Rivera's Summer Cocktails Launch Party

July 9, 2009

Last Friday, Julian Cox debuted his eagerly awaited Summer Cocktail Menu at Rivera. To mark the occasion, cocktails that night were just $5, a great way to sample Julian’s latest creations for a fraction of the normal cost. When I arrived, the bar area was packed with a thirsty crowd, and Julian and his crew…

Cocktails Maximus at the Roger Room

July 8, 2009

After a solid cocktail session at 8oz Burger Bar, we were ready for more and headed over to the Roger Room. Located next to Largo in the space formerly occupied by the Coronet Pub, the Roger Room is the latest from the Bar Lubitsch team of Jared Meisler and partner Sean MacPherson. When it opened…

Cocktails Carry Their Weight at 8oz Burger Bar

July 7, 2009

The other night my good friend and fellow imbiber Scot was having one of those days, and in need of a drink. He was also in need of food, so I suggested we meet at Govind Armstrong’s 8oz Burger Bar. He arrived first and began exploring the cocktail menu. I’ll let Scot recap his first…

Taking Flight at the Foundry on Melrose

June 3, 2009

Ever walk into a place and feel welcomed like you’ve been going there forever? That was my experience when I stopped by the Foundry on Melrose for the first night of its Patio Season Happy Hour. From gregarious Executive Chef Eric Greenspan to my bartender Dan, everyone at the Foundry greeted and took care of…

The Peninsula Cocktail Hour – Princely Potables, Pauper's Prices

May 22, 2009

It’s not every day one gets to spend a couple of hours enjoying the perks of a AAA Five Diamond, Mobil Five Star hotel. This summer, that day happens to be Thursday, at the acclaimed Peninsula Beverly Hills. From May 7 through Labor Day, the renowned luxury hotel hosts a weekly Happy Hour from 5-7pm…

10 Los Angeles Bars in Food & Wine's Top 100

May 20, 2009

Food & Wine has just published Cocktails 2009, a handy little book featuring 130+ cocktails, 25 party food recipes, must-haves for the home bar, and more. One of the book’s key sections is its list of Top 100 Bars, a guide to the country’s top bars, lounges, and restaurants. Los Angeles has 10 bars listed,…