OK, I got a slew of press releases sent my way. Too many to write about so I’m just going to drop it all in here cuz there’s no way I can do a dedicated post for each one. It’s my own fault for going out of town and falling behind.
Downtown
Downtown’s Rowdy Red Wine and Burger Bar is launching a daily “Get Your Wine On” happy hour where you can get $3 for selected wines by the glass and 30% off all bottles of their boutique California wines from 4pm til close. And their eats, like mini corndogs, spinach and artichoke dip with chips and beef burgers are already priced below $5. Rowdy Red Wine and Burger Bar, 505 Flower Street, Downtown (map).
Cafe Pinot is launching a Locals Night this Thursday, July 9 from 5:30-7:30pm when guests will be offered A Taste of the French Riviera on its outdoor olive tree-lined patio with complimentary assorted tapenade with homemade crackers and breads as well as $5 pomme frites with herbes de Provence and garlic aioli, tuna nicoise rillette, and grilled rosemary chicken open-faced sandwich. Assorted wine and beer, as well as valet parking (after 5:15pm) is also $5. And they’re gonna have “French cocktails” for $7. RSVP with lreilly@patinagroup.com. Cafe Pinot, 700 W 5th Street, Downtown (map). (213) 239-6500.
This Friday the 10th, wine and Latin food event, AltaMed Health Services’ East LA Meets Napa, at the Union Station downtown will give winos and foodies the chance to pair and enjoy Latin cuisine from L.A. restaurants with fine wine from Latino-owned or -operated Napa wineries. Ferget cervezas and margaritas for a change! Participating restaurants include Rivera, La Casita Mexicana and El Tepeyac Cafe to name a few. There will be 40 wine and food tasting stations and live music and a live auction. Tickets are $125 a person and can be purchased here or by calling (323) 889-7886. Union Station, 800 N.Alameda Street, Downtown (map).
Wanna take your wine knowledge to the next level and learn what it takes to be a certified sommelier? On Monday, July 13, from 4 to 7pm, downtown’s the Must Wine Bar, along with the Italian Sommelier Association (Associazione Italiana Sommelier or AIS), will be hosting a presentation about the Association’s upcoming 2009/2010 classes to become a certified sommelier. RSVP with events [at] aiscalifornia.com. The Must Wine Bar, 118 W 5th Street, Downtown (map).
Pasadena
Bar Celona in Pasadena is in the midst of celebrating Pamploma, Spain’s annual Running of the Bulls and the weeklong festival culminates this Thursday, July 9 with the restaurant’s five-year anniversary celebration. Hungry Hispanophiles will be able to enjoy all night happy hour with $5 sangria, select beer and cocktails as well as paella cooking demos and tasting events. If you’re feeling especially testosterone-y, there will even be a mechanical bull in the bar to give a go. And the official “Running of the Bulls” starts at 9:30pm. Bar Celona, 46 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena (map). (626) 405-1000.
Westside
On Friday, July 10, Sushi Nozawa launches its second location of SugarFish in Brentwood, its first is in Marina del rey. The new restaurant, which marries classic Japanese design with a modern aesthetic, was designed by Dex, the same folks behind the Rose Cafe’s new redo, Alibi Room and Hudson House. Sugarfish prides itself on being able to offer high-quality sushi for affordable prices in a “relaxed, California-style setting. Sugarfish Brentwood, 11640 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood (map). (310) 820-4477.
The Mondrian on Sunset has two specials going on for the summer. On Fridays from 1 to 4pm, Asia de Cuba becomes affordable for cheapskates like me. That’s right, for its “Out of Office Fridays” you get $5 food menu and cocktails. Even valet at this Sunset Strip hotspot is $5. Since the hours are so odd, I’m guessing only those in between gigs, those on furlough, or those who get summer hours will be able to take advantage. And chichi SkyBar is offering its summer drink menu with limited time price specials. And for each month this summer (through the end of September) SkyBar will debut an original cocktail and offer it for half price. July’s cocktail is the SkyBar Smash ($8) — Makers, strawberries and lemon with a hint of basil. Asia de Cuba and SkyBar at Mondrian, 8440 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (map). (323) 650-8999.
Every Tuesday in July from 6 to 9pm, Kai Vodka, Vietnamese premium rice-based vodka, will be featuring $5 signature cocktails paired with $5 Asian-inspired small plates at Viceroy Santa Monica outdoor patio. For July 14, look for the Kai Vino Martini — Kai vodka, muddled green seedless grapes, white wine and simple syrup. July 21’s cocktail is the Kai Pear Bellini with Kai vodka, Kai lychee, lime juice, simple syrup, pear puree and prosecco. And July 29 features the Sunflower cocktail with Kai vodka, sake, lemon juice, elderflower syrup and muddled cucumber slices. Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica (map). (310) 260-7511.
Nobu in West Hollywood has just launched a summer tapas menu that’s available seven nights a week. You’ll find hot and cold tapas like panko-encrusted scallops, fois gras on crispy soba and miso marinated grilled Pacific white shrimp for under $10 each. That’s m’ok but you gotta give them props for $6 mixed drinks! Wine by the glass is available for $7 and martinis for $10. Nobu West Hollywood, 903 N. La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood (map). (310) 657-5711.
Valley
Beginning July 12 and in anticipation of the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Arclight Sherman Oaks will be screening all five Potter movies leading up to the new movie’s midnight release on the 15th. Costumes from The Half-Blood Prince are on display at the ArcLight Sherman Oaks lobby. Sunday, July 12 through Tuesday, July 14. ArcLight Sherman Oaks, 15301 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks (map).
Tickets for the 27th Annual American Wine and Food Festival, on my L.A. bucket list, have gone on sale! Treat yourself to a foodie’s paradise with all you can consume from culinary delights created by famous chefs to fine wines and spirits. Tickets for this event on the Universal Studio Back Lot are $300 a person. If that’s too pretty a penny, for $150 you can get entrance to the Friday Evening Kickoff event with location still TBD but it’s a lot more chill offering chic eats and drinks in a lounge setting. And should I even bother mentioning the $750 ticket for the event’s Sunday Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner at Spago Beverly Hills? Ok, yeah, for that much you get to enjoy a six-course dinner created by celebrity chefs.
OMG! Sigh! Wow, I feel so much better now.