Cocktails

It’s been 4 years since Rick Bayless, the Chicago-based American chef who specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine with modern interpretations, opened his restaurant Red O on Melrose Avenue in LA. Since then he has opened a second location in Newport Beach, making two locations where you can experience sophisticated Mexican cuisine. While the menu is seasonal and changes regularly, for their 4 year anniversary, most of the menu was redone. Overseen by Executive Corporate Chef Keith Stich, and in conjunction with Rick Bayless, this is the first major change in 4 years so we went in to check it out! The cocktails have been updated as well by Director of Wine and Spirits Dan OIiver so we began with cocktails, of course!
01 July, 2014
Girasol, meaning "sunflower" in Spanish, opened in Studio City one year ago. Chef/owner CJ Jacobson has blended his influences, which include Axe, Wolfgang Puck Catering, Campanile and The Yard, as well as time on Top Chef, and most impressively, his time at Noma in Copenhagen, the world’s best restaurant. I enjoyed the food the first time I went and 6 months later, felt the same. The food is fresh and seasonal, with ingredients foraged and sourced from local farmers. And the presentation of the food is so bright, cheerful and inviting.
26 June, 2014
One key to making a good cocktail is balance. And, it can be intimidating to make drinks at home with all of the various ounces, splashes and dashes in a recipe. I have been building up my bar tools for the last few years, amassing jiggers of different sizes, shakers and mixing spoons, just so that I can follow a variety of recipes. When the ReJigger, a new cocktail-measuring tool, came across my desk, I thought I would check it out. The ReJigger is made out of BPA free, dishwasher safe plastic and is sectioned into three compartments, each measured for the right quantity of each ingredient for a mixed drink. It's that simple to make a quick and balanced drink at home! Three ingredients, three tools (rejigger, pint glass and serving glass) and three steps.
10 June, 2014
After a long day of wine tasting, nothing beats a casual, tasty meal with a cold drink. So, after the recent Santa Barbara Vintners Festival in Solvang, CA, we were looking for that spot and found Dos Carlitos Restaurant & Tequila Bar in the quiet little town of Santa Ynez. A family-owned business with two long standing restaurants in Santa Barbara - Carlitos Café y Cantina (Est. 1979) and Cava Restaurant & Bar (Est. 1997) - Dos Carlitos is a casual, relaxed restaurant with an outdoor patio and features fresh homemade tortillas and an open fire grill (La Parilla).
28 May, 2014
When I think of North Beach in San Francisco, I think of all of the Italian restaurants that line the streets. But located just off Washington Square Park on the corner of Union and Powell is The Square SF. The Square (1) The Square SF opened earlier this year in the location that used to be the famous Washington Square Bar & Grill. But today, The Square is a modern gastropub.
23 May, 2014
When my friend mentioned that we were going to Verbena for dinner during our food tour of San Francisco, I hadn't heard of the new restaurant by Chef Sean Baker, but I had heard of his other restaurant, Gather, in Oakland. Considering Gather's reputation for local, sustainable fresh ingredients, I was rather excited. Located on Polk Ave in the hip Russian Hill, Verbena is a quintessential Northern California restaurant from the menu to the sustainable, natural decor. The menu is produce-focused but has a fair amount of omnivore options. And all of the products used come from small artisan farmers and ranchers in the area with which they have direct relationship. Verbena (1) We started with cocktails which feature seasonal ingredients and spirits from small producers.
16 May, 2014
It’s Cinco de Mayo and therefore it’s Tequila time!. After all, here in the US, we always love a reason to go out and celebrate. But if you want to avoid the crowds and excessive revelry, it’s just as easy to stay home and celebrate with friends. That’s we what prefer. And what better way to enjoy tequila, other than neat, but in a Margarita. Now, when it comes to making your Margaritas at home, we are not suggesting that you run out and buy overly sweet mixers made with unnatural ingredients. All you need is three ingredients the famous Tommy’s Original Margarita, which originates from Tommy’s in San Francisco. The result will be a simple and refreshing drink to enjoy this Cinco de Mayo, or anytime!
05 May, 2014
Looking for a causal gastropub for some good old comfort food?  If so, City Tavern is a great option and you have the choice of the original Culver City location or the new Downtown LA location. While the menus vary a bit, one thing the Downtown LA location has that Culver City doesn't, is a cocktail program developed by Brent Falco and Cari Hah. City Tavern Downtown LA is located on the lower level of a mall (FIGAT7TH center) at 7th + Figueroa. But, once you enter the large space with the exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood floors & walls, and wood tables and chairs, you will forget you are in a mall.
01 May, 2014
Santa Barbara is a college town and home to State Street that is lined with bar after bar serving mediocre well-drinks to weekend revelers. But cocktail lovers rejoice! Now there is a place where you can get a properly made craft cocktail, along with some tasty bites. Located on Canon Perdido Street, just a block and half east of State Street in what was originally Santa Barbara’s Chinatown, but is now called the “Presidio District”, is the Pickle Room. Located next door to Three Pickles Deli, the Pickle Room is in the place of the historical Jimmy’s Oriental Garden bar. With no sign out front except for a red sign that says “cocktails”, Pickle Room is like a speakeasy meets neighborhood bar. More importantly, it is a “grown-up bar,” owner Bob Lovejoy explained.
30 April, 2014
The Houston Brothers have done it again! Each bar they open is an experience, from the moment you walk in to the decor and the drinks. They never miss a beat and Good Times at Davey Wayne's is no exception. As a child of the 1970s, I remember fondly, albeit with a bit of shame, the shag carpets, the colors of green, orange, yellow and brown and the freedom of the decade. Good Times at Davey Wayne's took me back to my childhood, although now I can enjoy the drinks as well. And, it is a trip back to the Houston Brother's childhood as they pay homage to their father Davey Wayne with this bar.   How do you find the newest Hollywood bar? Look for the garage sale happening on the street. But, look closely and this is not your ordinary garage sale. Everything here is retro-fantastic.....record albums, candy, clothing, bangles and other chatskies....and actually for sale, if you want!
24 April, 2014
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