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Art Beyond the Glass class photo June 2012

Art Beyond the Glass: Thank You Los Angeles!

By thirstyinla On July 1, 2012 · 4 Comments · In Events
Two weeks after Art Beyond the Glass, I share a few belated "thank you"s and rambling thoughts about an extraordinary day.
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Ticket Giveaway: LA’s Best Bartender Competition

By thirstyinla On October 5, 2011 · 11 Comments · In Events
On Sunday, October 9th, five of the top bartenders in Los Angeles will be competing for the title of LA’s Best Bartender, presented by Table 20. The second annual competition is taking place at Elevate Lounge in Downtown LA.
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April 16 & 17: Artisanal LA Spring Show 2011

By thirstyinla On April 11, 2011 · Add Comment · In Events, Tastings
Artisanal LA returns for the Spring 2011 edition of its two-day showcase of the city’s finest local, sustainable and handmade edibles.
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All the Booze That’s Fit to Print – March 2011

By thirstyinla On March 13, 2011 · 2 Comments · In Books
With a slew of bar openings and more on the way, there’s never been a better time to be a cocktail enthusiast in the City of Angels. In recent weeks media coverage of the L.A. cocktail scene has ramped up, which makes it as good a time as any to collect some highlights from the last few months.
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Game On: The Spare Room Opens at the Hollywood Roosevelt

By thirstyinla On January 6, 2011 · 5 Comments · In Openings, Reviews
At The Spare Room, Aidan Demarest brings the fun back to cocktails with bowling, custom board games, and a sophisticated bar program.
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Zahra Bates mixes her Old Pal variation at Test Kitchen

Zahra Bates Guest Bartends at Test Kitchen, Next Up is Copa d’Oro

By thirstyinla On November 12, 2010 · 2 Comments · In Events, Reviews
The ongoing culinary experiment known as Test Kitchen continues to bring in stellar guest chefs and mixologists, and last weekend was no exception: Alain Giraud was in the kitchen, while Zahra Bates (Providence) and Davidson Fernie (La Descarga) were behind the stick. As I sat down at the bar (the restaurant is frequently booked but [...]
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October 25: Cocktail All-Stars – Farmers Market Edition

By thirstyinla On October 23, 2010 · 1 Comment · In Events
On Monday, October 25th, First & Hope Supper Club hosts Cocktail All-Stars – Farmers Market Edition, featuring Aidan Demarest (Tello Demarest Liquid Assets) and a top-notch mixology team of First & Hope bartenders and guests: Aidan Demarest (First & Hope) Matt Biancaniello (Library Bar) Brent Falco (First & Hope) Dan Long (First & Hope / [...]
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Table 20 Names Matt Biancaniello L.A.’s Best Bartender

By thirstyinla On October 5, 2010 · 2 Comments · In Events
A few months ago, Table 20 began a search to find L.A.’s Best Bartender by inviting the public to nominate and vote for their favorite bartenders. After the 30-day nomination and voting period, contest judges whittled the top 25 vote-getters down to five finalists and the People’s Choice winner, Matt Biancaniello. Throughout most of September, [...]
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From Farm to Glass: Matthew Biancaniello’s Sublime Cocktails at the Library Bar

By thirstyinla On August 25, 2010 · 6 Comments · In Reviews
In a weekend post to his Facebook page, Matthew Biancaniello hinted at how much work goes into bartending at a big Hollywood bash like last Saturday’s Speakeasy event: “…up early ready to pick up 800 lavender stems and juice 600 lemons.” Keep in mind, this update was posted at 5am on the morning of the party. Biancaniello might end up with Popeye’s forearms if his profile continues to rise at the rate it has since he captured the title at last August’s Chartreuse Sweet 16 Competition. Coming from a distinctly non-culinary background, Biancaniello has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in a city teeming with talented bartenders. Angelenos have taken notice, giving him the most votes in the ongoing LA’s Best Bartender Contest.
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The Wayback Machine: Speakeasy in Hollywood on August 21

By thirstyinla On August 6, 2010 · Add Comment · In Events, Tastings
On Saturday, August 21, Drink:Eat:Play (International Wine Festival, LA Beer Festival, LA BBQ Festival) presents the latest edition of Speakeasy, a Roaring 20s-themed evening of drink, music, and more drink taking place at The Music Box @ Fonda in Hollywood. The all-inclusive $40 ticket includes unlimited samples of over 100 spirits brands, as well as [...]
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    Over the weekend we went through decades of photos Over the weekend we went through decades of photos for the video montage at my dad’s funeral service 🥹
These Hong Kong photos were a revelation - dad looks more like a bartender than a pharmacist (👋 @apothekela) and my mom is luminous, straight out of “In the Mood for Love.”
    The man. The myth. The Godfather. 🔥 🙌 #thirs The man. The myth. The Godfather. 🔥 🙌
#thirstyinla #discoverla #dinela
    It’s the final weekend of @beastieboys “EXHIBI It’s the final weekend of @beastieboys “EXHIBIT” at @beyondthestreetsart! 🤩

🔊 Fisher PH-480 Boombox
📸 @glenefriedman

📺 Wall of Gear
🎧 The legendary Technics 1200 🙌
🥁 Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer (bottom) & AKAI Roger Linn MPC 60 (top)
🎸 Ad-Rock’s Gibson Melody Maker, Ad-Rock’s keyboard, @miked’s drum set

🎤 @thegarden
⚛️ “Hello Nasty” dolls by @bape_us 
✈️ “Licensed to Ill” Tour

✉️ Letter to MCA from @mondrianlosangeles 😂
(Aug. 8, 1988)
“Dear Mr. Yauch,
I have received several complaints that there are items falling out of your window and hitting people on the sidewalk.
Please let me know if there is anything defective on your windows so we can eliminate this problem.
I am looking forward to your cooperation in this matter.”
#discoverla
    Sunday, January 22 will be the first day of 🧧🐰 - and the first Lunar New Year that we will celebrate without my dad, who passed away a few days ago 😞
My father died the same day as @jeffbeckofficial - I always said dad was a rock star 🎸

It would take several lifetimes to come anywhere near what my dad accomplished during his extraordinary life. His impact and influence are wide-ranging and profound - not just on our family and friends, but especially with the home health care service that he and my mom founded in the early years of the AIDS epidemic.

We’ll share a full obit, but in the meantime…

🥟 The Dumpling Master
🎻 Tea at @peninsulahongkong in 2004. I’ve shared this photo and backstory before - it’s one of my favorite pics with dad. As we listened to the string quartet play on the balcony above us, dad told me that when he was a young man, he walked by The Peninsula and daydreamed about having afternoon tea in that fancy hotel someday.
💨 Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace, breathing in that fresh Beijing air *cough*
🎨 Load-in for @abtghq at @generalleesla in 2015. Dad was always supportive of our endeavors, no matter how non-traditional they were 🙏 My parents dropped off a folding table at ABTG IV - I was so proud to walk them through the venue and introduce them to the teams
🥢 Our final lunch at Lake Spring, which sadly closed on Halloween 2022. Along with @nbcseafood, one of dad’s favorites in the SGV
    Sneak peek of some of the dishes that LA restauran Sneak peek of some of the dishes that LA restaurants are featuring on NYE! 🤩
Link in profile for all the info at @discoverla 🥂

@aocla Dungeness Crab Fritters
@dinecassia Wok-Tossed Black Pepper Udon
@fannysrestaurantandcafe Seafood Platter
@rusticcanyon Sprouting Cauliflower
@workshopkitchenla Diver Scallops

🎷 @johncoltrane “Countdown” from “Giant Steps”

#discoverla #dinela #nye2023
    More shoutouts for NYE 🎉 Links to our @discover More shoutouts for NYE 🎉
Links to our @discoverla guides in my profile - see you on the other side, friends!
🍹 @nativohlp
🐈‍⬛ @theblackcatla
🥘 @majordomola Macaroni & Chickpea with Black Truffles
🥂 @caldoverde_dtlap Blinis & Caviar
🤠 @desertfivespotla NYE Honky Tonk feat. @nikkilane77
🔊 @sound_nightclub Cheers to ten years!
#thirstyinla #discoverla #dinela
    Start your liver stretches, the countdown to 2023 Start your liver stretches, the countdown to 2023 is on! 🥂 
Check out our @discoverla guides to the best NYE celebrations at bars, clubs, restaurants and more. Links in profile ⬆️

🍸 @bigbaralcove NYEx10: Decades | 🎨 @davestolte 
🍾 @millenniumbiltmore LA Noir NYE
💋 @ditavonteese Glamonatrix NYE
🦞 @hereslookingatyoula Lobster Dynamite
🥚 @citrinla Egg Caviar
🎇 @grandpark_la

#thirstyinla #discoverla #dinela
    'Tis the season for holiday pop-ups and festive co 'Tis the season for holiday pop-ups and festive cocktail menus! Our @discoverla round-up includes everything from a Swiss Chalet Après-Ski (fondue FTW!) to a creepy Krampus immersive experience in Hollywood.
Link in Ye Olde Bio 👀
📸 @deathandcompany Season's Greetings
📸 @themaybournebh 12 Days of Christmas Cocktails
📸 @bigbaralcove Here's To It to Do It
📸 @hereandnowdtla Little Saint Nick at Blitzen's
📸 @fairmontcenturyplaza Swiss Chalet Après-Ski Dining Experience
#thirstyinla #discoverla #dinela
    Follow @thirstyinla