La Descarga: A Postcard from Old Havana

February 9, 2010

“My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita.” ~ Ernest Hemingway Hemingway’s handwritten tribute to his favorite cocktails can be found at La Bodeguita del Medio, one of his regular haunts in Havana. Papa would no doubt feel right at home at La Descarga, the East Hollywood bar that opened last Tuesday to…

Read More

Tequila Semental Takes the Agave by the Horns

February 5, 2010

Founded by Efrain Lopez Gurza in 2007, Tequila Semental is an ultra premium line of triple distilled, 100% blue agave tequilas. According to its press materials, Tequila Semental derives its name from a special caste of “the bravest and most powerful bulls,” known as Sementals, that protected agave fields in ancient times. Gurza’s youthful experience…

Read More

February 6: Haitian Libations at Vertical Wine Bistro

February 1, 2010

On Saturday, February 6, Vertical Wine Bistro is teaming up with local bloggers Matt Robold (RumDood), Matthew Kang (Mattatouille), and Fiona Chandra (GourmetPigs) to host a special charity event benefiting the victims of the devastating Haiti earthquake. “Haitian Libations” will take place in the restaurant’s bar and lounge from 10pm to close. 50% of all…

Read More

All the Booze That’s Fit to Print – January 2010

January 31, 2010

An occasional roundup of L.A. cocktail culture in various media. Before recapping a busy January 2010 (see below) let’s take one last look at December 2009 and the decade that was. In its Dec. 29th edition, the NY Times published A Decade of Invention and Reinvention, its look at mixology trends of the decade. Topping…

Read More

There's an App for That: BlackBook for the iPhone

January 28, 2010

Now that Steve Jobs has finally unveiled the iPad (aka The Tablet That Launched a Million Tampon Jokes) and the world can collectively breathe again, it’s time to focus on more serious matters. No, I’m not talking about health care or the economy. I refer of course to the never-ending search to find the world’s…

Read More

A Toast to the Bard of Ayrshire

January 25, 2010

It’s January 25, and on this day in 1759, the great Romantic poet Robert Burns was born. To celebrate Burns Night, people around the world will gather for a Burns Supper and eat haggis, drink whisky, and recite Burns’ poetry. Now, any event that calls for drams of whisky is fine by me, but a…

Read More

Haiti Relief Events at The Doheny and The Edison

January 19, 2010

Beginning tonight, two of the top cocktail destinations in Los Angeles are joining the many bars and restaurants that are hosting fundraisers to benefit the ongoing Haiti earthquake relief efforts. In addition to The Doheny and The Edison events, be sure to check the links below for other venues, as well as a Mashable guide…

Read More

Drink Local: Made in Malibu Launches at Pourtal

January 6, 2010

When wine aficionados talk about California wine, it’s more than likely they’re discussing the world famous wineries that are well north of our fair city. Santa Monica’s Pourtal aims to change that way of thinking with Made in Malibu, a wine tasting series that explores Malibu’s burgeoning wine region, or American Viticultural Area (AVA). The…

Read More

When Scotland Met Portugal: The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old

January 4, 2010

The Balvenie has been called “the bourbon lover’s scotch,” a perfect description of the smooth, honeyed sweetness found in the Speyside distillery’s single malts. For the last several years, Balvenie has been one of the foremost practitioners of the wood-finished style, in which traditionally-aged Scotch is “finished” for an additional two years (or more) in…

Read More

2010: So Far, So Good

January 1, 2010

So far, 2010 is off to a great start: got up early this morning, made brunch with my brother, had a nice Chinese seafood dinner with the family, then topped off the evening with a Manhattan at home on a quiet Friday night. Day One may be winding down, but a look at the calendar…

Read More