Cocktails

Bestia officially opened its doors this past weekend in downtown LA's Arts District.  A contemporary brick building decorated with reclaimed materials, Bestia is hidden among the nondescript warehouses of downtown LA, not far from the Greyhound Station. But when you walk inside, you will forget where you are and be transported into a warm, inviting restaurant with an open kitchen and a long bar for cocktails.
27 November, 2012
As we prepare for our Thanksgiving feasts, it is a time to give thanks for what we have. It is also a time to give. And I want to take a moment to applaud the bartending community who continues to give and give and give to help others, whether individuals or strangers. I am proud be affiliated with this industry and community of people who like to have fun but never lose sight of helping those in need.  Here are four remarkable examples. Helping Children “This business is what we have chosen as our career.  We do something that makes us happy and I love bartending. We provide a service to people on a daily basis. But, I want to find meaning in what I do, something I can pass on to my family and kids,” explained Josh Harris of The Bon Vivants, the San Francisco-based cocktailing company.  They created Pig & Punch, a party with whole roasted pig, trash cans of punch and t-shirts for sale that follows a day of volunteering at a local charter school.  Started three years ago at Tales of the Cocktail, this year they organized the event three times around the country - in May 2012 at Manhattan Cocktail Classic, in July 2012 at Tales of the Cocktail and in October 2012 at Portland Cocktail Week.
22 November, 2012
We all know that bartenders like to have a good time.  But our hard-working bartending community is also socially conscious and is giving back to the community, one party at a time! Three years ago when a group of bartenders went to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail, they decided to throw a casual bbq in the park with cocktail punches and pork.  But in 2010 New Orleans was in the wake of the oil spill and they wanted to be able to help.  How could a group of bartenders help?  Pig & Punch! Created by the Bon Vivants, a San Francisco-based bartending team, the plan was to first put in the manual labor and then also give back by doing what they do best - throwing a party.  In 2010, eleven volunteers spent time helping to build a house.  "By being hands on, it links the people to the place that need help" explained one of Pig & Punch's founders, Josh Harris of The Bon Vivants.  At the free bbq, open to the bartending community as well as local inhabitants, tshirts were sold with the Pig & Punch logo, raising $1600.  The money benefited the KIPPS Charter Schools arts and music programs.  The following  year, in 2011, 42 volunteers helped to build and paint houses in New Orleans. Then at the bbq, 550 tshirts were sold, raising $6600 for the Kingsley House.
17 October, 2012

When one talks about Tequila, it is not uncommon for Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant, and the Tommy’s Original Margarita, to be a part of the conversation. While still a family-owned business...

02 October, 2012
Unfortunately, we were awoken by the sound of the jackhammer outside on the street this morning starting before 8am.  This was not a welcome sound when bed time was at 4am.  Pillows over our heads, we tried to ignore it until we had to get up.  Even tougher to get up this morning (our feet still hurt from all the walking yesterday), we managed to get out and head over to the Monteleone. 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM - "Brunch with an Italian Twist" The Spirit of Italy team was back for breakfast.  The Italian bartenders were dressed in the finest white suits making more cocktails with the Italian artisanal liquors, digestives and grappas produced by Luxardo, Amaro Lucano, Distillerie Moccia, Distillerie Nardini, Pallini, Toschi and Varnelli. Cocktails included a Bourbon Milk Punch enhanced with Amaro Lucano, a Strawberry Ramos Fizz with Fragolí by Toschi, a New Orleans Chicory Coffee Shakerato with Zabov egg yolk-chocolate liqueur, Varnelli Anice with Clamato juice and cucumber-dill foam, a fresh-squeezed citrus Mimosa spiked with Nardini Grappa, a Luxardo Maraschino Cobbler and a Pallini Limoncello Champagne Cocktail. 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM - Come Aboard for Cocktails and Lunch with Carnival Cruise Lines
29 July, 2012
Getting up for Day 2 was a bit difficult.  Not because of too much imbibing but rather the short amount of hours sleeping after a long day.  But, we managed to get up and out by 9:30am. 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM - Breakfast: Fernet Branca Style with Count Niccolo Branca Fernet Branca is every bartenders favorite eye opener so it was the perfect spirit to start the day. Hosted by Count Niccoló Branca, we enjoyed 3 truly delicous cocktails made with Fernet: Eva Peron (Carpani Antica Formula, Fernet Branca, Domaine de Canton, Premium Ginger Beer and Lime) Charlotte's Web (a Fernet Milkshake made with Hendricks Gin, Brancamenta, Cafe Sambuca, Monin Vanilla Syrup, Half & Half, Angostura Aromatic Bitters, garnished with Cafe Borghetti Handwhipped Cream) Death's Wish (Death's Door Gin, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Pun E Mes Aperitivo, Fresh Lemon Juice, Egg White, Sparking Asti)  
28 July, 2012
After arriving in New Orleans around midnight Wednesday night, we checked in and headed out for a drink. We are in New Orleans at Tales of the Cocktail after all.  We spent a few hours seeing friends and enjoying a couple of drinks but headed to bed around 3am in order to get ready for the first full day at Tales. 10:00 AM - Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey Tasting Event First stop of the day - a fun Irish Breakfast with entertainment, tasty food and of course tastings of Kilbeggan. An Irish Coffee and an Irish Breakfast Shot later we kissed the blarney stone and headed out.

10:30 AM - Checked in and picked up my Media badge and event tickets and visited the swag room for some samples (40 pounds worth).

27 July, 2012
Ticket booked - yes! Hotel confirmed - yes! Bags packed - almost! Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Advil? yes! Water - will buy upon arrival. It's time to head out for the Annual Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans.  Yes, July in New Orleans is extremely hot and humid and the week is intense as it is filled with back to back to back seminars, tastings, dinners and parties to celebrate cocktails. But, this is an annual voyage for my cocktail pal and me and 2012 marks our 4th sojourn to this amazing event, as well as the 10th Anniversary of Tales of the Cocktail.
25 July, 2012
A brand new Mexican restaurant opened a few months ago on 4th St. and the Santa Monica dining scene is heating up.  Named Mercado in homage to the fresh ingredients regularly ordered from the Farmer’s Market, the food and drinks are fresh takes on authentic Mexican cuisine. Owner Jesse Gomez grew up in the restaurant business. Almost 50 years ago his grandparents opened El Arco Iris Mexican restaurant in Highland Park in 1964. Jesse began working in the family restaurant and was responsible for modernizing El Arco Iris  and reintroducing the restaurant to the neighborhood. In 2009 he opened his own restaurant Yxta Cocina Mexicana in downtown LA.  Now Mercado is his third venture with partner Chef Jose Acevedo.
23 July, 2012
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