April 2010: Perfect Pairings Raises Funds for Meals on Wheels

April 1, 2010

Beginning today and throughout the month of April, the Perfect Pairings Menu Campaign brings together over 50 of L.A.’s top chefs and restaurants to raise funds and awareness for St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, the nation’s largest privately funded Meals on Wheels program. A similar “eclectic pairings adventure” will run in New York in October…

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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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March 30: Bar Keeper Liquor License Public Hearing

March 29, 2010

Since last year, Bar Keeper has been working towards acquiring a liquor license in order to sell small batch spirits to go with the store’s wonderful vintage barware. After a months-long application process, L.A.’s favorite “head shop for alcohol lovers” is nearing its goal. Last week, Bar Keeper owner Joe Keeper sent an email to…

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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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March 25: Rivera Spring Cocktails Launch Party

March 25, 2010

Ah, spring: when a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love…and a young mixologist turns to thoughts of a new cocktail menu. Fresh off his Rising Star Mixologist award, Julian Cox has been hard at work creating over a dozen new drinks for Rivera’s spring cocktail menu, debuting tonight. For the launch party, Julian’s…

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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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2010 James Beard Award Finalists Announced

March 22, 2010

The finalists for the 2010 James Beard Foundation Awards were announced today. “The Oscars of the food world” are the highest honor for food and beverage professionals working in North America, recognizing excellence among chefs, cookbook authors, food journalists, restaurant designers, and others in the industry. The LA Weekly’s Jonathan Gold is up for two…

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What Would LA Bartenders Do with 24 Hours?

March 21, 2010

“It was my understanding that there would be no math.” ~ Chevy Chase as Gerald Ford, from Presidential Debate (SNL, 1976) They take care of us whether we’re celebrating our triumphs or drowning our sorrows, but where do bartenders go and what do they do when they’re not behind the stick? Now that spring has sprung…

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Caña Rum Bar Soft Opens Tonight

March 18, 2010

A week after Las Perlas made its long-awaited debut, cocktail enthusiasts will have another new 213 Downtown destination to visit when Caña Rum Bar soft opens tonight. The latest from Cedd Moses is a reboot of the exclusive Doheny members-only bar, which became as well-known for its high roller membership fees as it did for…

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