Cocktails

Growing up in Los Angeles, Dar Maghreb was LA's premier Moroccan restaurant. I remember my parents going there on special occasions. I even remember going with them once when I was a tween and being mesmerized by the decor, the belly dancers, sitting on pillows and eating with my hands. But after 40 years, the restaurant closed and a new restaurant opened in its place last year - Acabar. Acabar Over the past year, I have seen Acabar at various events around Los Angeles, including LA Food and Wine and LA Times Taste. At these events, Chef de Cuisine Kevin Luzande was behind the table serving up the amazingly delicious crispy lamb buns. Every time I tried one of these, I told myself that I needed to go to Acabar.
15 December, 2014
Charleston, South Carolina is known for its history, well-preserved architecture and southern politeness. Condé Nast Traveler readers have voted Charleston the No. 1 U.S. City and the #2 in the World by Condé Nast Traveler 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards. There is a lot to see in this charming city. So, when I had only one night there, I wanted to seek out the best cocktails and found The Gin Joint. The Gin Joint As a Gin drinker, the name in itself drew me in. Featuring pre-Prohibition drink recipes, as well as some newer creations, The Gin Joint offers more than gin drinks, of course. But, we stuck with gin.
11 December, 2014
It's been a few years since I was last in Miami and the last time I was there, I wasn't blown away by the food scene. South Beach seemed more preoccupied with the perception of a foodie scene, rather than the substance of it. But, on a recent trip to Miami for work, I went outside South Beach where I found delicious cuisine at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, located in the Design District in Miami, is owned by James Beard Award-winning chef/owner Michael Schwartz. The casual bistro focuses on fresh, local ingredients. The cocktails and wine program are fresh and creative. After a delicious Hemmingway Daiquiri, I was impressed by the eclectic wine list that included Greek wines like the Assyrtiko that we started with and the Arbois Trousseau that we finished with. Hemmingway Daiquiri
08 December, 2014
As cocktail bars continue to open across Los Angeles at an alarming speed, it seems that the majority are centered around Downtown and Hollywood. But, luckily Santa Monica has Brilliantshine. Located on 5th and Wilshire Blvd, just a few blocks away from the 3rd Street Promenade but far enough away to appeal to locals, Brilliantshine took over the old Renee's Courtyard. A converted house with several rooms, Brilliantshine has a casual neighborhood feel. After all, it's in Santa Monica. Brilliant Shine Julian Cox and Josh Goldman are the stars behind Brilliantshine. They have made their mark on a number of places around Los Angeles - Bestia, Acabar, Picca, Sotto, Petty Cash, to name a few. Now Julian and Josh, the Soigne team, bring more craft cocktails to the Westside.
04 December, 2014
For all the travel I do and all the places I have been, I had never been to Austin, Texas. When work took me there for an event, I made sure to arrive early enough the day prior so that I could explore the city - through food and drink, of course. First Stop: Second Bar + Kitchen (200 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701) Second Bar & Kitchen Second Bar + Kitchen is Chef David Bull's casual, urban restaurant that sits next to his upscale restaurant Congress. I entered in the early evening and took a seat at the bar. I was tempted by the great wine list that offers 25 wines by the glass, but it was the artisan cocktails that grabbed my attention, especially the Gin + Jam. Made with Viennese Gin, the jam is made regularly with ingredients from the kitchen. I got the house-made mixed berry and fennel jam. The presentation is so simple - the jam is served on a spoon over the glass of gin. It's up to you if you want to stir it all in. The gin is still the dominant flavor of this drink but the jam added subtle flavor. 
02 December, 2014
How can you say no to an invitation to head out for a "Night of the Unexpected"? Here's how the invite went: "Here’s how it’s all going down. I will send a car service to pick you up from a location that is convenient for you. The car will take you to a secret location in LA where you will participate in the first activity of the night. Afterwards, everyone will be whisked off to a second secret location for dinner, American Honey drinks and another activity. A car service will also be provided to take you home at the end of the night." So, at 5pm I was picked up by a car and driven to the destination. Thanks to LA traffic at rush hour, it look over an hour to get to the destination - the eastside of Downtown LA. We entered a warehouse district where I was let out of the car. I entered the building where I met up with the group in a narrow hallway. What were we about to do?
21 November, 2014

This post originally appeared on FoodableTV.com Seth and Marc Gold, brothers born and raised in Los Angeles, first met Rob Herzig at summer camp in Canada...

13 November, 2014
I asked some friends if they wanted to join me for dinner and cocktails at the Venice Whaler and was met with, "Cocktails? Isn't the Venice Whaler the dive bar at the end of Washington Blvd in Venice Beach? It's a place for beers." Well, yes, that is the location but the 70 year old restaurant/bar has a new owner who has restored the Venice Whaler into an "upscale dive bar" featuring craft cocktails. Venice Whaler
06 November, 2014

This post originally appeared on FoodableTV.com As iPic Theaters continue to open across the country, going to the movies may never be the same again. From...

27 October, 2014
You may think wine when you think Santa Ynez Valley, but you can also think vodka and whiskey because Ascendant Spirits Distillery, the first legal distillery in Santa Barbara County since Prohibition, is located in Buellton, the heart of wine country. Ascendant Spirits We stopped by Ascendant Spirits on a recent trip up to wine country. After all, a few tastes of vodka and whiskey are a great start to a weekend filled with wine. Owner and Distiller Stephen Gertman was on hand to give us a tour in between the fermentation taking place that day. We got a first hand tour of the process to make Sempre Fi Corn Whiskey.
23 October, 2014
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