Please The Palate |

Happy Hour at Factory Kitchen

Ever since I ate the Mandilli de Seta (handkerchief pasta, Ligurian almond basil pesto, fiore sardo) at Factory Kitchen, it has been one of my favorite Italian restaurants. So, when I heard they were offering a Happy Hour menu, I decided to go check it out. While the Mandilli de Seta is not on the Happy Hour menu, there are many delicious options. Some are smaller versions of items on the dinner menu and other items are exclusively for Happy Hour. But, the best part is that everything (food, wine and cocktails) is between $6-$11. We started with the Frittino di Verdura (fried baby leeks with chickpea fritters). Well-salted and crispy, this is an addictive dish.

I washed down the salty fried snacks with a glass of crisp, fruity Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco di Grasparossa from Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

20 April, 2015

An Italian woman winemaker finds a home at Tenuta Sette Cieli, Tuscany

No matter how forward-thinking the wine industry is, it is also steeped in tradition. Wine has been made for more than 8,000 years, and progress has been made in all aspects...

17 April, 2015

Whiskey Wednesdays at Next Door Lounge

When Wednesday evening rolls around, there is a fun thing to do mid-week. Head to Next Door Lounge in Hollywood for a whiskey tasting.

Next Door Lounge is a speakeasy on Highland Ave that has been open for four years. If you haven't been there yet, you have probably driven by many times. Outside is "The Dapper Doorman" Colonel James Anderson. Since day one, he has stood outside the doors, dressed in a top hat and tap shoes. Don't mess with the dapper doorman. While he smiles and greets you and checks your reservation, he is also security.

15 April, 2015