Earlier this year, I celebrated National Women’s Day at Cole’s Red Car bar. The Alice in Wonderland/ Mad Hatter theme was reflected in the drinks menu. And everyone was invited to wear hats. I started with Karen Grill’s Very, Merry, Unbirthday punch (Hendrick’s gin, Art in the Age Rhubarb, Earl Grey tea, lemon, soda), a […]
I have often referred to Drago Centro as my “home bar.” When I’m not out checking out the latest new bar or restaurant, I find myself at Drago in Downtown Los Angeles. I love the food and I always feel comfortable there. Recently some of my favorites have left including Jaymee Mandeville who kept […]
I’m in this really cool cocktail club called LUPEC or Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails. LUPEC originally started in Pittsburgh and there are several chapters around the country. Some are namely drinking societies but most have a charitable slant. The LUPEC chapter in New York started Speed Rack, a bartending competition […]
Recently Young’s Market, a fine wine and spirits distributor, had a whiskey tasting at Sassafras in Hollywood. It was co-sponsored by Tasting Panel Magazine. The trade event was open to bar owners and bartenders to try the whiskey (and whisky!) offered by the distributor. After visiting the tables of some favorites like Blanton’s and […]
Tomorrow, Cole’s in Downtown Los Angeles is hosting a Mad Tea Party for International Women’s Day from 1PM to 7 PM. Hollis Bulleit (Bulleit Bourbon) and Kat Wit (Dominick’s) will host the party as part of LUPEC LA (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails). There will be food and drink specials from Cole’s […]
Recently, Novo Fogo‘s Bars on Fire landed at Cana with Lil’ Twisted’s Jaymee Mandeville and Cari Hah. And this Thursday, February 28th Matthew Biancaniello takes up the gauntlet at Big Bar. I’m not sure what Matt has up his sleeve but the ladies of Lil’ Twisted served up some awesome Novo Fogo cocktails including […]
On December 10, 2012, Fratelli-Branca presented the Carpano Antica Awards. Bartenders in Southern California were invited to submit videos for various categories. The Imbiber Dan Dunn MC’d the show and notable bartenders and bloggers presented the awards. Here are the categories and winners: Best Use Of Carpano Antica in a Cocktail- Come Up With A […]
I’m not sure when summer left because it barely seemed like it was autumn around here. And now it’s officially winter. With that in mind, Drago Centro launched their new Winter cocktails with just a few days left in year. I’ll be sipping on these into 2013. Pictured above is Jaymee Mandeville with her Drago […]
One of my favorite seminars at Boston Cocktail Summit this year was “Making Your Own Vermouth” held at Island Creek Oyster Company. Jackson Cannon who oversees the bars at Eastern Standard, The Hawthorne and Island organized the seminar. First we tasted a commercial vermouth and then Eastern Standard’s Rose Vermouth. We also talked a bit […]
Simon Ford (most recently known as Plymouth Gin brand ambassador) and Dushan Zaric (co-owner of Employees Only and Macao Trading Company bars in NYC) co-founded The 86 Company offering Tequila Cabeza, Ford’s Gin, Aylesbury Duck Vodka and Cana Brava Rum. They were in Los Angeles recently promoting the brand and did a stint at the […]
LA Cocktails 