Cocktails

The number of food and wine events that take place are numerous. And most of these events support worthwhile causes. But there are a few food and wine events that stand out above the others and one of them is An Evening on the Beach. After all, when you have your bare feet in the sand as you enjoy good food, good wine and good cocktails all for a good cause, then you have a night of good fun. And that is why this week's Please The Palate pick of the week is the annual event An Evening on the Beach. As it still feels likes summer, An Evening on the Beach is the perfect event for a summer evening. The 8th annual event returned to the Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica where two dozen restaurants, more than a dozen wineries and a handful of spirits were joined by 700 guests, everyone with their feet in the sand.
16 September, 2017
I have been traveling so much this year that I have had to keep a running list of Los Angeles restaurants that I want to try when I am home. So finally, I made it to The Ponte in West Hollywood, which opened in February. Replacing Terrine, owner Stephane Bombet has partnered with Chef Scott Conant to offer a casual contemporary Italian restaurant. My first introduction to Scott Conant was at a food and wine event in Beaver Creek. I was blown away by his pasta dish. At that time, he was based in New York so when I would travel to New York, I would go to his restaurant Scarpetta. I was thrilled when he opened Scarpetta in Los Angeles and that is where I fell in love with the seasonal mushroom boscaiola with polenta that just melts in the mouth and his infamous pasta al pomodoro. I was sad when Scarpetta closed in 2016 and then Terrine closed suddenly at the end of the year as well. Two months later, Scott Conant was back, along with his Executive Chef Freddy Vargas as The Ponte opened. One of the best parts of The Ponte is the space. The outdoor patio is one of the best in Los Angeles. Seating is centered around the large tree in the middle of the space with lights dangling from above. The interior is also lovely, with a softer and more neutral look than Terrine. But if you can, sit outside!
12 September, 2017
Being a fan of Italian culture (food, wine, fashion, language, you name it!), I remember when I first went to Bar Toscana in Brentwood in West Los Angeles in 2010. Located next door to the long-standing restaurant Toscana, Bar Toscana reminded me of a bar I would go to in Milan, Italy. It was modern, minimalist and had a super cool feeling with white leather ottomans, digital images displayed in between the glass windows, a menu composed of small plates, or stuzzichini, and a selection of hand-crafted Italian-centric cocktails. Seven years later, Bar Toscana is still open but after a remodel, they have a new look and that is why Bar Toscana is the Please The Palate pick of the week. The space is still modern with a cool vibe but now there is a warmth to the space. The stark white and black furniture has been replaced by warm colors of brown and burnt orange which match the exposed brick. Instead of white ottomans near the entrance, there is a large communal table and additional seating. And, along the glass windows overlooking San Vicente Blvd. are cozy round tables with comfortable chairs.
02 September, 2017
There is no sign outside. But the deep red panels interspersed with wood panels and large glass windows that are open on a warm day, sitting on the north corner of Santa Monica Blvd, just west of the 405 freeway, will catch your eye. This is The Nickel Mine, West Los Angeles's newest sports bar. The long v-shaped bar is surrounded by large flat screen televisions playing a variety of live sports games. But, The Nickel Mine is more than a sports bar. It is a cocktail bar, a whiskey bar, a gastropub and a fun neighborhood spot to hang out with friends.

Unlike your typical sports bar, The Nickel Mine has an impressive whiskey selection with more than 50 choices, two dozen draft beers and one dozen wines. There is also a fun cocktail list that goes beyond typical well-drinks.

18 April, 2017
Karaoke and cocktails - sounded like a fun thing to do with friends. So a group of us headed to Koreatown to check out the newest karaoke bar in town, The Venue. We wandered around the large office building on Wilshire Blvd at Normandy, looking for The Venue. As we passed the notorious karaoke bar, the Brass Monkey, we wondered if perhaps it had changed names. But we finally found the nondescript entrance heading into the basement of an office building. We walked down a stairwell and entered The Venue. While the outside looks like a typical office building, the space is impressive. Past the check-in station, there is a large low-lit dining room with plush leather seating and a full bar. The Venue is not your typical karaoke bar. It is sophisticated, contemporary and offers a full menu of food and drink.
16 March, 2017
When you think Koreatown, you probably think about Korean food, especially Korean bbq as that is what dominates the neighborhood. But, Koreatown is a diverse neighborhood and quickly becoming the hot spot for craft cocktails and nightlife. And now there is Here's Looking At You, Koreatown's newest restaurant that is taking a look us - its neighborhood, its guests and Southern California. Here's Looking At You is owned by Lien Ta and business partner Chef Jonathan Whitener. A charming, casual restaurant, Chef Whitener features a menu of tasty fusion food that represents the diversity of Southern California. The food is creative, flavorful and delicious and the vibe of the restaurant is casual, friendly and inviting. The first thing to greet you when you walk into the restaurant that sits on the corner of 6th Street and Oxford Street (just east of Western) is a pair of African oryx heads that sit just above the host stand. They will be here looking at you!
28 February, 2017
The Wiltern Center is a 12-story, 155-foot Art Deco landmark on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue in Koreatown. Of course you have heard of the Wiltern Theater that commands that street corner but it is actually connected to a building next door called the Pellissier Building. And the Pellissier Building is now home to the magnificent Terra Cotta Restaurant. The lighting from the bar will capture your eye from the street but when you open the doors and walk in, you will be in awe. The interior is expansive, combining the raw space of a warehouse with twenty-foot high ceilings and exposed vents with the vintage glamour of chandeliers, large black booths and communal seating. 
10 February, 2017
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