Cocktails

When a friend asked me to meet him for drinks in Culver City at the end of January, he suggested East Borough. I had not yet heard of the restaurant and learned that it had been open for less than a week. I found the restaurant on Washington Blvd., just east of Sony Studios and next door to City Tavern, and we enjoyed a few tasty cocktails. I knew I had to return soon for the food, which I did. East Borough is a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant with a first location in Costa Mesa. John Cao and chef Chloe Tran from Costa Mesa have partnered with Paul Hibler (Pitfire Pizza, Superba Snack Bar) and chef Jason Neroni (Superba Snack Bar) to offer Vietnamese flavors and the French-influenced side of Vietnamese cuisine. The staff is exceptionally friendly and very well versed in each dish on the menu. Starting with the cocktails, they are all made with fresh juice and house-crafted items. The cocktails incorporate Asian flavors and spices, such as thai basil, tamarind, ginger and lemongrass. The Saigon Soda (gin, kiwi, vinegar, lime, thai basil), In Eastern Fashion (bourbon, pomelo, chocolate chili bitters), Tamarindo (reposado, tamarind, lime, sriracha salt) were refreshing subtle cocktails. But, the subtlety was enhanced when paired with the spicy flavors of the food.   

Author Ernest Hemingway, also known as “Papa”, was an adventurer whose writings were inspired by his journeys. Some of his most infamous adventures, including fishing and...

At a recent dinner held by the USBG, we had the pleasure of meeting Jess Graber, TINCUP master distiller and founder of Stranahan's Whiskey. Shortly after moving to Colorado in 1972, Graber, a self-proclaimed whiskey enthusiast, wasted no time and began distilling. Having a great love for whiskey and a deep appreciation for the state of Colorado, Graber proclaims, "I was proud to give my state a whiskey of its own."
How many times do you go to a restaurant so hungry that you can't wait to order and then fill up on the bread basket while waiting for that first dish to come? Well, Church Key on Sunset Blvd. remedies that. While looking at the menu, carts roam around the room with small plates that you can select and enjoy immediately.

From The Adventurer to The Big Lebowski, Drinking through the Movies Even before they began talking in films, cocktails were part of the story, such as...

Birthdays are always a great excuse to eat out. When I was a child, I always picked the same restaurant each year but as an adult, I love to try new places and this year's birthday was no exception. Gathering a group of my foodie friends, we decided to go to Allumette in Echo Park. Located across the street from a supermarket, this fine dining restaurant is rather unassuming.  But, despite the location and the minimal decor, Chef Miles Thompson is serving food that is anything but unassuming. Before we delved into the food, we started with drinks. The bar program at Allumette is lead by Serena Herrick, formerly of Harvard and Stone, who has created an original drink menu using local, artisanal products.
Spaniards have elevated the Gin & Tonic (aka Gin Tonics) to an art form. Each gin is paired with a specific tonic, as well as a complementary botanical, citrus peel or other garnish, and then served in a goblet glass filled with large ice cubes. On a recent trip to Granada, Spain, I wanted to explore the Spanish obsession with Gin & Tonics first hand. While Madrid and Barcelona are the two cities most known for Gin Tonics, I found two great bars in Granada serving up Gin Tonics of note.
With so much commotion during the holiday season we think its important to take a moment to celebrate each other, and of course, a good meal. This year, Please the Palate had much to celebrate, starting with our first company holiday lunch! For this special outing, we decided to wine and dine at A.O.C. Wine Bar and Restaurant, located in the heart of 3rd street in West Hollywood.

Seasonal drinks come in all shapes and sizes and we have a favorite that is good for the soul as well as our taste buds....

Copied!