Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Republic of Pink 2018 Central Coast Rosé

Written by Allison Levine on June 19, 2019

Wine

Rosé season is definitely here, not that we need a season to drink really good rosé. But, alas, it is summer, the sun is shining, the weather is warm and a shimming glass of pink wine makes me smile. The Please The Palate Wine of the Week, and the wine that is making me smile this week, is the Republic of Pink Rosé 2018, Central Coast.

Born in Los Angeles, Republic of Pink was founded by Jason Martin who is determined to make the best rosé on the planet. That may be a lofty goal but he is off to a good start.

Republic of Pink 2018 Central Coast Rosé is a blend of 38% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 30% Syrah and 2% Cabernet Franc. The wine is a pale salmon pink color. It is fun and fruity on the nose with notes of strawberry, watermelon and citrus. On the palate, the wine opens up with a velvety roundness and an underlying juiciness and finishes with refreshingly crisp acidity.

800 cases of the Republic of Pink 2018 Central Coast Rosé was made. You can find it on wine lists around Los Angeles but you can also buy it on the Republic of Pink website for $17.99.

Dining at Dama in Downtown LA

Written by Allison Levine on June 18, 2019

Food

Dama in the Fashion District in downtown Los Angeles opened in July 2018 and was at the top of my list to visit. Somehow it took me almost a year to finally get there, due to an insanely busy travel schedule. But, it was worth the wait and I have already returned because Dama is a definite dining destination.

Dama is an upscale Latin-influenced restaurant located in a converted warehouse. From the moment you step inside, you will feel like you are at a tropical resort in the Caribbean. A gigantic wooden bar sits in the middle of the restaurant, covering a large portion of the space. Tables surround the bar and more tables can be found outside on the patio. But even when you are sitting inside, you will feel like you are outside as there are no solid walls around the restaurant and the outside breeze flows through the dining room.

The floors are tiled and wicker ceiling fans hang from the ceiling. The feeling is so tropical and relaxed, you will feel like you have stepped back in time to 1940s Havana as you sip a daiquiri at the bar. I am personally drawn to the wine list which is curated by Taylor Grant, who also oversees the wine program at one of Dama’s sister restaurants, Scopa Italian Roots in Culver City. The wine list is creative and eclectic with wines from around the world – Spain, Portugal, Mexico, France, Switzerland, Greece, Lebanon, Germany, Austria, California, Oregon, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile, and a small selection of wines from Sicily. Taylor and her team are on hand to suggest wines to enjoy with your meal and you are bound to try something you have not had before. Read More +

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Vintage Hollywood Wine & Food Tasting

Written by Allison Levine on June 15, 2019

Lifestyle Food Wine

One event I look forward to each year is Vintage Hollywood, an annual food and wine tasting event that takes place each June. This past week was the 18th annual Vintage Hollywood. I have had the pleasure to be involved with the event for 14 of those years and it is this week’s Please The Palate pick of the week.

Vintage Hollywood was created in 2002. It was the fundraising event of Children’s Action Network and then it became the Vintage Hollywood foundation, an independent 501c3. The goal of Vintage Hollywood is to support charitable organizations, both large and small, that work to promote the health and well-being of Southern California’s diverse community. Since 2002, the Vintage Hollywood event has raised more than $3,500,000 to benefit organizations including Children’s Action Network, JDRF, Save the Children, United Friends of Children, OPCC and The People’s Concern. And for 2019, Go Campaign was the designated organization. Read More +