Mixed Messages Sent By Rockwell

~ photos by Lena Watanabe After numerous delays, the highly anticipated Rockwell VT officially debuts with a Grand Opening Weekend on October 1-4. In the meantime, Rockwell has been in soft opening mode, and last Thursday our group stopped in to check out the newest addition to bustling Vermont Avenue. On our arrival, we were…

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Los Angeles Magazine – Best New Bars 2009

The September issue of Los Angeles Magazine has hit the stands, featuring a “Best New Bars” cover story. According to Editor Mary Melton, the article is intended to “herald the return of the bar—not the velvet-rope animal of yore but the chummy neighborhood pubs, crowded wine bars, and fanciful cocktail emporiums that now constitute our…

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Drinks with a View: Rockwell Opens in September

Rockwell, a multi-level restaurant, bar and outdoor lounge located behind Vermont Restaurant in Los Feliz, is nearly ready for its September launch. Rockwell integrates 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor spaces, with dining and lounge areas designed around a 30-foot coral tree. A staircase leads to the upper levels and panoramic views of Los…

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The Strip Heats Up: Summer Cocktails at RH

~ 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…

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Tales of the Cocktail 2009 Spirit Award Winners

New York dominated the 2009 Spirit Awards, announced last Saturday at the 7th annual Tales of the Cocktail, the internationally acclaimed festival of cocktails, cuisine and culture held annually in New Orleans. This year’s five-day event took place July 8-12. Spirit Award winners received exclusive Riedel Crystal awards. New York City’s PDT lounge was named…

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Malo Launches Service Industry Night

This Sunday, July 12th, Malo launches its Service Industry Night (aka S.I.N.), which will take place every Sunday in Malo’s downstairs bar. S.I.N. is a special night dedicated to everyone who works in the food and beverage industry. S.I.N. will feature $5 cocktails with 1800 Añejo, Plymouth Gin, Tito’s Vodka, Cointreau, Ron Matusalem and more.…

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Cocktails Maximus at the Roger Room

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…

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

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,…

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