Cole’s French Dip opened its doors in 1908, back when Los Angeles still smelled like horse sweat and the newspapers were full of train times and oil claims. The bar sat at the base of the Pacific Electric building, back when red cars ruled the city and the idea of “downtown nightlife” meant whiskey and card games, not rooftop DJs. Cole’s was the kind of place built to outlast fashion. And for more than a century, it did.
Continue readingFiled under Steven Doyle
Cool gentle breezes, rosy cheeks, crisp apples and cinnamon wafting in the air as we celebrate the changing of the seasons; Fall is here and that gives pause to celebrate with an amuse of libations as we toss kindling on the fire and cozy up with our loved ones.
Continue readingFiled under Crave, Steven Doyle
by Andrew Chalk
Media types headed to Abacus in droves on Tuesday night for a special preview of Eddie ‘Lucky’ Campbell’s new cocktail menu and chef de cuisine Daniel Burr’s new bar menu. We reported Kent Rathbun hiring Campbell to Abacus and expected the fedora-wearing one to have a big impact on the cocktail list. The old list is still on the web site (as of Wednesday night) and the differences make interesting reading. Continue reading
Filed under Andrew Chalk
by Steven Doyle
Bartenders and thirst enthusiasts, gather round. You often hear about competitions in the bar industry, many are closed to the public but are these fantastic events where you taste the best from area competitors. The People’s Last Stand has an event that is open competition, and the public is invited to taste the very best. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
Restaurant Nora celebrated their one year anniversary with little fanfare last month as they are busy preparing for their new rooftop patio, which seems to be all the rage on Greenville Avenue. We certainly have enjoyed what HG Sply Co. has done with their roof, and from that vantage you can peer onto the goings on as that project progresses.
I did have a chance to take a first-hand look at Nora’s roof and it is simply amazing. There already is this amazing stone floor in place that is beautiful, and Matt Pikar is working on setting up a street-side staircase for easy access. Pikar’s private dining room is a showcase for the restaurant and already has hosted many weddings and other parties. This just in time for the holiday parties. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
With the current cocktail revolution taking place in North Texas, even and even an old standby like the Old Fashioned takes on new flavors. Local mixologists are stirring up tradition, and creating tasty treats along the way. Not every great bartender left town for the week to enjoy Tales of the Cocktail. Continue reading
Filed under Cocktails, Steven Doyle
