The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” Beats Established Competitors in Blind Tasting; Rated Best Irish Whiskey Blend

April 10, 2021 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The Busker, a “new-to-world” Irish Whiskey, is proud to announce that it was named the top Irish Whiskey Blend in a blind, independent tasting of industry experts. The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” was blind-tasted against four leading Irish whiskeys in similar price points, including Proper Twelve, Jameson, Bushmills and Tullamore D.E.W. The panel consisted of five renowned industry experts, including Andy Seymour, Julie Reiner, Anu Apte, Sean Kenyon and Jackie Summers. The panel judged each spirit on appearance, nose, aroma and finish. Awarded the highest aggregate score, The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” was recognized as a standout among the judges for its distinctive taste in a world of similar-tasting Irish whiskeys.

“The Busker is unique, unlike any other of the whiskies we tasted,” said Andy Seymour, owner of Liquid Productions and partner in BAR. “All the others were going in the same direction, and this stood out right away. The Busker has a bolder and richer taste that we all immediately picked up on.”

“The Busker is an apple among oranges,” said New York-based Julie Reiner, known for her award-winning beverage programs at Clover Club and Leyenda. “This is a whiskey that bartenders will embrace because it will perform excellently in craft cocktails.” The panel noted that the bold flavors of The Busker make it suitable for sipping as well as for cocktails that might overwhelm less distinctive Irish whiskeys.

The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” combines the Busker Single Grain with a high percentage of The Busker’s Single Malt and Single Pot whiskeys. Matured and finished in three different casks (Bourbon, Sherry, Marsala), this whiskey brings a new definition of richness and smoothness to the Irish whiskey landscape. The flavor profile of The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” blend is ideal for multiple consumption occasions, from sipping neat or on the rocks to classic cocktails that don’t typically use Irish whiskey, like Manhattans, Sours, tiki drinks, Old-Fashioneds or even the Vieux-Carre. These are cocktails that craft bartenders embrace and cocktails that are trending at-home with consumers.

“Our team at The Royal Oak Distillery set out to make an Irish whiskey that would appeal not only to Irish whiskey drinkers, but also to bourbon lovers,” said Ignacio Llaneza, Vice President of Brand & Trade Marketing for Disaronno International in the U.S. “We’re able to achieve a fuller, rounder whiskey with a higher malt content in the recipe, and triple cask finishing in Bourbon, Sherry and Marsala casks. Ultimately, we want to provide a journey into Irish whiskey at an affordable price point. Based on the tremendous feedback from our esteemed judging panel, quite frankly we believe The Busker has the potential to become the preferred Irish whiskey in the United States.”

Jackie Summers, creator of Sorel Liqueur and named Drinks International’s “100 Most Influential Bar Industry Figures” (2020) and Imbibe 75 (2021), noted that “The Busker was the outlier, and the only bottle I would drink and buy again.” Denver-based Sean Kenyon, the person behind award-winning bars Williams & Graham, Occidental and American Bonded and recognized as Tales of the Cocktail’s American Bartender of the Year (2014), agreed, calling The Busker blend “a real stand out, something interesting in the Irish whiskey world where the others go in the same direction.” Anu Apte, behind a number of award-winning Seattle bars including Rob Roy, No Anchor, Navy Strength, Vinnie’s Wine Shop and The Bar Bazaar enjoyed The Busker’s round, soft and integrated notes. “The Busker brings an exciting and very different new distillate to market,” she said.

The blind tasting recognition follows The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” receiving a “Best Buy” rating and 94 points in the April 2021 issue of Wine Enthusiast. This impressive ranking outclassed the other major whiskey brands, and was the highest-rated Irish whiskey when measured against similar priced competitors.

About The Busker
The Busker is a “new to world” Irish Whiskey that is born out of a modern Ireland, where the contemporary and bold meet at the crossroads of tradition. The Busker is produced at the Royal Oak Distillery, in County Carlow, Ireland, located on an 18th century estate in Ireland’s Ancient East region. It is the only distillery in Ireland which offers all three classic Irish styles of whiskey – Single Grain, Single Malt, & Single Pot Still, which make The Busker Single Collection. The Busker portfolio also includes The Busker Blend which is a beautiful blend of The Single Collection. The Busker uses different casks during the maturation process of their whiskeys including Bourbon casks, Sherry casks and Marsala casks. Most recently, The Busker took home multiple top accolades at the 2020 LA Spirits Awards: The Busker Single Malt was awarded the 2020 Platinum Medal and Best Irish Whiskey, while the Single Pot Still and Blend were awarded the Gold Medal.

For more information, visit http://www.thebusker.com and join the conversation at @thebusker_official

Vintage Eve Circa 4/2018: Will an Outstanding Experience Make or Break Your Winery, Bar or Restaurant?

December 8, 2020 by evebushman

I was all set to write on this topic alone until this past month, when we saw the news – true, false and still unresolved – of three local restaurants having some major issues that could prove fatal.

Sisley Italian Kitchen announced that they were closed and then pulled back and said only water damage prevented them from re-opening, all employees at TPC Valencia – including the chefs to the wait staff of the Oaks Grille – were laid off, and finally the owner of Southern Smoke would most likely lose his liquor license and maybe the restaurant too as he was found guilty of criminal charges.

Whoa Nelly. I’m in a bit of a shock. But I’m not here to defend or blame any of these businesses. I’m here to discuss what we should look for as consumers – in a restaurant, bar or winery – that is open and not dealing with crazy external issues.

The Experience

Eve in Del Dotto caves with winemaker Gerard Zanzonico. Photo by Ed Bushman Feb., 2012. (Visited Gerard countless times, knowing that we would always be offered an amazing experience!)

More and more people are looking for an “experience” and that includes the tasting room as well as the winemaker’s story, the owner’s story, activities/lessons/tours/dinners/events at a winery. What would cost a winery business? For me it would be a less than hospitable person at the tasting room. Be that person that smiles when you answer a phone – a good measure of a person that is trying even when they’re not seen. Don’t be that person that announces the rules before even talking about the wine. Ask where we’re from, who we’ve visited today, what wines we might enjoy and please attempt to make some form of eye contact while doing all that.

Most of my pals have recounted winery experiences that have compelled me to also visit. The quality of the wine itself is first and foremost, but if it’s lost in a dull story or dull visit, then it’s just that: lost. I’ve also, by way of being a wine writer, shared stories that I hope would compel others to seek out a particular winery. Robert Parker giving something a 90+ may mean more to you than my words, but if you’re going to visit the winery you may need a tad more than a score.

For a restaurant to provide a memorable experience that may mean a true uniqueness to the menu, a superstar chef, the décor and I shouldn’t have to say it again: exemplary service. With UberEats and other food delivery services, restaurants have to really step it up to get diners into those seats. If the server asks if I’m having my “usual”, remembers my name, seats me in the section they know I like – then I know that they know that I know that it’s the experience that matters to me. I can forgive a slight error in my order or some other fault if the service stands out.

At a bar both the cocktail menu and the wine menu have to excite the patron and be competitive in pricing. And of course, on top of that, you better be able to deliver that craft cocktail in record time. Make eye contact with me – don’t hold up your index finger at me – if you can’t offer immediate attention. If you don’t have your cocktails batched, then let me know how long it might take you to make it.

The more someone feels they had an experience that meant something to them personally, the more apt they are to buy, enjoy, share with others and – want to work there.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Vintage Eve Circa Oct 2017: Sipping Through The Cocktail Galaxy

June 16, 2020 by evebushman

Okay, so yes, I got to review yet another cocktail book – by choice! Why, you may ask, as I have about a dozen or more so far, would I want another? Because I love recipe books, and not just because, as you may think, easy read/easy review. It does make for a quick read over say, The Wine Bible, but there is also – usually – something fun to learn for cocktail lovers.

This was the case with The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy by Andy Heidel. I’d never heard of Heidel, his Way Station bar in Brooklyn (that has a TARDIS – Google Dr. Who if you don’t know what this is – for a bathroom that is, indeed, larger inside than it appears from the outside, just like the <real> thing) or his verifiably geek media inspired cocktail book.

So I ventured into this freaky “galaxy” created by Heidel that was inspired by his love for both old and new science fiction. I found some drinks I wanted to try – The Evil Dead, Repo and Metropolis – and others that I don’t think anyone is really meant to try – Fantastic Pour, Bender’s Bender and the Blood of Enemies. On the latter it’s because the recipes were delivered…like a punch line. Here’s one I’ve abbreviated a bit – so buy the book if you want the whole thing:

Game of Thrones

George R. R. Martini

2 parts gin

¼ part dry vermouth

Let sit on shelf for a year. Add ice, stir and contemplate. Come back to it later….garnish with one olive stabbed through the heart with a lemon wedge.

Other equally entertaining bits are Heidel’s Hints, Ander’s Anecdotes, clever illustrations, his feeling about The Mix Tape, Idiot Proof Instructions, almost ten pages of recipes dedicated to all of The Doctors from Doctor Who, Alissa May Atkinson’s essay on The Quaffing Dead to remind us how to treat our hard working bartenders and finally Heidel’s Why that he explains in his entertaining forward. I dog-eared a few pages for further reflection – and to try crafting myself.

This book is one I will be displaying on my home bar. Something guests can ponder while they wait for their cocktail, and wonder if they are being poisoned or just the subject of a mild jest.

Abbreviated Info From the Publicist:

The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy by Andy Heidel, the notable owner of The Way Station in Brooklyn, NY. A true mecca for nerd culture, The Way Station has found its way on to numerous lists of the best sci-fi bars and is even complete with a TARDIS themed bathroom.

Including over 100 fun and easy to make recipes – these cocktails are simple to make with no crazy ingredients – The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy features more of the themed cocktails Heidel’s patrons know and love and is filled with pop culture references from Metropolis, to Guardians of the Galaxy, to Star Wars, and everything in between. Some of the recipes include:

Doc B’s Wakeup Juice (Back to the Future)
Sonic Screwdrivers (Doctor Who)
Shirley Temple of Doom (Indiana Jones)
Jameson T. Kirk (Star Trek)
Blue Milk (Star Wars)

Vintage Eve July 2017: Art Beyond the Glass 2017

April 21, 2020 by evebushman

L.A.’s Top Bartenders Celebrated “Six Years of Cocktails, Community and A Great Cause” during the sixth Art Beyond The Glass held at Los Globos in LA on June 25… Proceeds from ABTG VI will go to The Moth, the award-winning nonprofit that that celebrates the ability of stories to honor the diversity and commonality of human experience.

Thrilled to cover this unique event a second time, especially a chance to escape the heat at home, Los Globos was the perfect venue in the not too far off Silver Lake neighborhood.

Multiple stories, live music, food and tons of air conditioning kept guests happily scattered from bar to bar to bar for four fun-filled hours. (If you only have three minutes, you can view my slideshow of the event here.)

Bartenders, some dressed in 60s garb, some as medics and others just in tanks emblazoned with their bar’s names were almost as entertaining as the concoctions we tried that incorporated everything from gin to vodka, bitters, botanicals to fresh fruit.

I honestly think I tasted a cocktail from every bar, and when I thought one was so unique the next one I tried would prove to be even more incredible! These bartenders definitely raised the bar on expressing themselves via their exceptional mixology talents.

It was a lot to take in. And I was thankful for blogger Daniel Djang (now content manager for DiscoverLosAngeles.com) and bartender Zahra Bates (now a National Brand Ambassador for Courvoisier) for dreaming the whole thing up six years ago.

The List of Bartenders and Bars (at press time)

Aaron Polsky – Harvard & Stone

Adam Fournier – Faith & Flower

Alex Barbatsis – Esprit De Corps Hospitality

Alyson Iwamoto – Here’s Looking At You

Beau Du Bois – The Corner Door

Bethany Ham – Birds & Bees

Brittney Olsen – Hotel Figueroa

Chris Amirault – Otium

Christopher Day – Bar Tribute

Christina Russo – The Board Room

Chris Whelan – Hotel Figueroa

Dan McClary – Cannibal

Dan Sabo – Hotel Figueroa

Dee Ann Quinones – Commerson

Dustin Newsome – Bar Clacson, Slipper Clutch

Edwin Cruz – Winsome

Evan Charest – Patina Restaurant Group

Garrett McKechnie – Bar Mattachine

Greg Bryson – The Wallace

Jeremy Lake – Lost Property, Rosaline

Jodi Calderon – Normandie Club

John McGlothlin – Delilah

Kalani Ben – The Spare Room

Kim Stodel – Providence

Michael Lay – LONO

Peter Lloyd Jones – 1886

Ryan Wainwright – The Ponte

Sophia Oolie – The Freehand

Tobin Shea – Redbird

Yael Vengroff – The Spare Room

More About Art Beyond the Glass

Art Beyond the Glass (ABTG) is a special event that showcases the artistic pursuits of top bartenders when they’re not behind the stick. At ABTG, everything from the cocktails to the art and music is created and performed by bartenders. Proceeds from every ABTG event are donated to a local arts-based nonprofit. The inaugural ABTG raised over $6000 for Inner-City Arts. In 2013, ABTG II raised $13,700 for Art Share L.A. ABTG III raised $18,000 for the Mural Conservancy to help restore one of the historic 1984 Olympic Freeway Murals. ABTG IV was the largest event to date and raised $20,000 for KCRW.

ABTG began, as many things do, with a conversation in a bar. In the fall of 2011, bartender Zahra Bates and writer Daniel Djang were at Sunny Spot in Venice, discussing how so many bartenders in Los Angeles express themselves creatively through painting, photography, music, and other arts. But at the time there wasn’t a proper showcase for bartenders to share their art. To fill this gap, Art Beyond the Glass was born.

By uniting the bar community, which gives back to the art community, Art Beyond the Glass helps to strengthen the community in which we live.

www.ArtBeyondtheGlass.com.

Follow Art Beyond the Glass on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtBeyondTheGlass | Twitter: @ABTGLA

Vintage Eve Circa April 2017: The Turf Cocktail from 12 Bottle Bar

February 18, 2020 by evebushman

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of recipes from the 12 Bottle Bar book, and not just because the authors have generously served up how-to-make bitters and how-to-make scrubs at Cocktails on the Roof the last two years. We actually have local cocktail aficionados living here and I, for one, am going for the gusto in learning all I can from them.

From the 12 Bottle Bar website, this is who they are:

David Solmonson
An avid home-bartending enthusiast, David is a screenwriter and media executive by trade. He is married to author Lesley Jacobs Solmonson. David is BarSmarts certified.

Lesley Solmonson
Lesley’s book “Gin: A Global History” (Reaktion) was published in 2012, and she is currently working on “Liqueur: A Global History” (Reaktion). She is the cocktail/wine writer for the LA Weekly and writes for Chilled magazine. Lesley has written for many other publications, including Wine Enthusiast, Gourmet, and Santa Barbara, and she serves on the Advisory Board of the Museum of the American Cocktail.

Now about the main ingredient in this cocktail, genever, it took David and Lesley about three times to get me to say it like Geneva with an r at the end and I’m still not sure that’s right. What is genever? Well…I’m a gin fan and the Solmonsons are gin fans so the logical step in my cocktail education was to try a gin-like spirit. Enter genever.

As 12 Bottle Bar explains: “…Modern genever is essentially a blend of two distinct spirits. The first is triple or quadruple pot-distilled ‘maltwine’, equal amounts of corn, rye, and malted barley. The second is neutral spirit like that used in London Dry. And then, of course, there are the botanicals, which must include juniper. It’s the use of juniper that has caused many to call genever “gin”; the term “genever” translates quite literally as juniper. Indeed, when genever made its way to America in the mid-1800s, it was often referred to as Holland gin…” Read more here: http://12bottlebar.com/2012/06/bottle-reboot-part-4-genever/

And the cocktail I loved made with Genever this week is:

The Turf Cocktail

2 oz Bols Genever
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Add all ingredients to a chilled mixing glass.
Stir with ice and strain into a coupe.
Garnish with a lemon twist.

Contact: drinks@12bottlebar.com

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Wine.com Launching Spirits In California, New York, Florida And New Jersey

September 4, 2019 by evebushman

Already the world’s largest wine store with over 15,000 wines, Wine.com now offers a selection of over 2,000 spirits, including rare and collectible items not easily found in stores. With many wine enthusiasts enjoying premium spirits and craft cocktails at home, Wine.com will delight consumers with the ease of one-stop shopping for all their wine and spirits online.

Photo: Marco Verch, Flickr

“Wine.com has serviced consumers with wine for 21 years – offering a comprehensive array of spirits is a natural progression. With so many wine consumers also enjoying craft cocktails and experimenting with their own home bars, we are thrilled to offer the same selection, education and guidance in spirits as we already offer in wine.” – Mike Osborn, founder of Wine.com

Wine.com‘s spirits selection includes a deep assortment of whiskey, vodka, tequila, mezcal, gin, rum, brandy, cordial, and liqueur. With a focus on premium spirits, including a wide array of rare, collectible and limited-edition products, Wine.com offers the ideal selection for the classics connoisseur and the artisanal explorer alike.

Consumers can browse spirits using the wide range of filters standard on the website. In addition to reading descriptions of a product’s style, the distillery and region of origin, consumers can also engage spirits experts through chat to find the perfect bottle for them. Wine.com will also offer customers tips on how to serve and mix their drinks in the future.

The same convenient shipping options provided for wine are provided for spirits. StewardShip, Wine.com‘s free shipping program, applies to all products alike. Customers continue to be able to choose specific-delivery dates and have packages delivered to their home, work or local pickup location.

Suppliers interested in working with Wine.com should contact trade@wine.com.

ABOUT WINE.COM
Wine.com is the nation’s leading online wine and spirits retailer, offering selection, guidance and convenience not found in brick and mortar stores. The company provides its customers access to the world’s largest wine and spirits store, with experts available to chat 7 days a week on its website and app. With multiple fulfillment centers and the most sophisticated alcohol retail distribution network in the United States, Wine.com delivers in 1-2 days to most addresses, offering date-certain delivery and convenient pickup options from 11,000 Walgreens and FedEx Office locations nationwide. The company’s popular free shipping program, StewardShip, provides unlimited shipments and exclusive access to new releases for $49 per year. Wine.com‘s mission, to inspire the wine lifestyle through innovation, is captured in its brand manifesto video, viewable here. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.wine.com or download its app in the Apple Store or Google Play.

THE FRIEND announces the grand opening of THE LITTLE FRIEND in Venice

July 15, 2019 by evebushman

Venice, California – The creative team behind Silver Lake’s favorite neighborhood cocktail bar, The Friend, announces the opening of The Little Friend in the artistic, hip, urban seaside community of Venice. The Little Friend, with a secret entrance just behind the Sunny Spot on Washington Boulevard, is a playful space with an unexpected retro beach vibe, featuring pink flooring and white walls set in a sleek interior dressed in Saraiva art and sculptures. Guests are served by the talented blue-striped sailor shirt-dressed bartenders who are equally adept at whipping up a craft cocktail or popping open a PBR to the Westside crowd. It is the ideal artist’s hub – small enough to be intimate but big enough to spread out and have fun.

This new late-night bar in Venice is the second collaboration between three longtime friends – famed artist André Saraiva, Maroon 5 Bassist Mickey Madden and bar entrepreneur Jared Meisler (The Friend, The Roger Room and Bar Lubitsch).

Leading The Little Friend’s cocktail program is mastermind and noted Los Angeles bartender William Cutting. Cutting infuses his abundant summer cocktail menu with a variety of local, seasonal produce, herbs and botanicals. Cutting infuses his recipes with exotic ingredients like black tea, ancho verde chili, hibiscus liqueur, tobacco bitters, cherry heering and bitter truth violet, among others to be discovered in his contemporary drinks. Sample cocktails are The Lover; The Vegan; The Contender; The Traveler; The Gossip; The Enforcer; and The Transplant, all sure to become instant hits. Cutting’s cocktails and The Little Friend’s distinctive ambiance present the perfect opportunity to go out, mingle and relax in a stylish Venice setting.

Along with the beverage program, The Little Friend showcases a carefully curated music program designed by the partners. They also offer some bar prime nosh available nightly until 10:00 p.m. The snacks menu offers dishes of Pommes Frites with Habanero Aioli; Chips and Guacamole; Chopped Wedge Salad with Iceberg, Roma Tomato, Crispy Bacon, Blue Cheese, Chives & Blue Cheese Dressing; Kale Salad with Feta, Green Apple, Sliced Almonds, Red Grapes & Red Wine Vinaigrette; Nachos with Black Beans, Pico de Gallo, Fresno and Serrano Chilis & Crema (add Pulled Pork or Chicken for an additional charge); Spaghetti Primavera with Crimini Mushrooms, Broccoli, Purple Cauliflower, Carrot, Snow Pea and Marinara; Tacos – choice of Leningrad Pork, BBQ Short Rib, Chicken Tinga, Potato or Baja Fish; Double Cheese Burger with Fries, Caramelized Onion& Herb Aioli; and a Crispy Chicken Sandwich with Fries, Louisiana Hot Sauce, Herb Aioli & Buttermilk Coleslaw.

The Little Friend is open Monday – Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.; Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. midnight (later on holiday weekends. Cocktail pricing ranges from $12-$13. For reservations and information the public can call 310-747-6969. For Birthdays, Parties and Events email to party@thelittlefriendbar.com.

THE LITTLE FRIEND SUMMER 2019 COCKTAIL MENU

the face
elyx vodka, cucumber, mint, black tea, lime, rocks
$12

the joker
altos blanco tequila, ancho verde chili, lime, agave, grapefruit, rocks
$12

the passion
yola mezcal, house made hibiscus liqueur, passion fruit, lemon, rocks
$13

the dancer
plymouth gin, plymouth sloe berry gin, egg white, blackberry, champagne, up
$12

the hustler
mestizo mezcal, habanero, vanilla, lime, agave, up
$13

the artist
jack daniel’s, cold pressed apple juice, ginger, lemon, cinnamon, honey, rocks
$12

the lover
shot of bourbon + pbr tallboy
$10

the vegan
glenlivet founder reserve, giffard cacao, bailey’s almonde,
tobacco bitters, nutmeg, rocks
$12

the contender
smooth ambler whiskey, cynar, cherry heering, orange bitters, flamed orange, up
$12

the traveler
volcan tequila, st germain elderflower, bitter truth violet, lemon, honey, club soda, rocks
$12

the gossip
bacardi 8-year old rum, giffard peach, lemon, champagne, up
$12

the enforcer
hennessy, lejay cassis, lime, ginger, rocks
$13

the transplant
jameson’s caskmates stout, carpano bianco, liqueur 43,
peychaud’s bitters, lemon, club soda, rocks
$12

The Little Friend is open Monday – Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.; Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. midnight (later on holiday weekends).

THE LITTLE FRIEND HOURS
Monday – Friday: 6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Sunday: 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. (later on holiday weekends)

THE LITTLE FRIEND
822 Washington Blvd.
Venice, CA 90292

Reservations and Information: 310-747-6969
For Birthdays, Parties and Events email to party@thelittlefriendbar.com

ABOUT THE LITTLE FRIEND
THE LITTLE FRIEND is a collaborative effort by three old buddies – André Saraiva, Jared Meisler and Mickey Madden – who together created a playful space called The Friend in Silver Lake where they could all hang out together with their pals. The combination of the three talents and backgrounds helped form a concept that brings contemporary art, music and state-of-the-art cocktails to the explosive Silver Lake nightlife and will now do the same in Venice. Artist and impresario André Saraiva owns bars, cafés, hotels and nightclubs all over the world, including Hotel Amor, Cafe Henrie, and Le Baron. Jared Meisler is a veteran restaurateur who co-owns Los Angeles classics Bar Lubitsch, The Roger Room and The Pikey. Musician Mickey Madden is a renowned founder and current member of the bands Maroon 5 and Collapsing Scenery. Talented Mixologist William Cutting creates and oversees the original beverage program offering a wide array of top quality liquors and organic, fresh, seasonal herbs and produce. The French-inspired bar on steroids is the ideal combination of CBGB meets French New Wave with killer drinks in Venice. Eater LA calls THE FRIEND “a beacon for artists and misfits across the Eastside and beyond…they have collected a group of talented folks to run the place, including William Cutting on beverage duty.” TimeOut LA states, “You’ll be hard pressed to find a drinking environment like this anywhere else in L.A.”

The Bar @ The Little Friend

For further information about THE LITTLE FRIEND visit
www.thelittlefriendbar.com
822 Washington Blvd.
Venice, CA 90292
310-747-6969

Follow THE LITTLE FRIEND
on Instagram: @thelittlefriendbar
on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelittlefriendbar/

***

For further information about THE FRIEND in Silver Lake visit
www.thefriendbar.com
2611 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-522-6835

Come Celebrate 10 Tasty Years One Last Time At The 10th Annual LA Food Fest June 29!

June 22, 2019 by evebushman

(Los Angeles, CA) Angelenos, it’s time to dust off your stretchy pants one last time and be part of the 10th Annual LA Food Fest that will take place on Saturday, June 29th, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the grassy infield of Santa Anita Park!

The LA Food Fest was born as the LA Street Food Fest in 2009 founded by Shawna Dawson, Founder + CEO of Angeleno, Inc. (Sauce LA, LA Food Fest, Artisanal LA and Clean Made). She officially kicked off her very first event in Downtown Los Angeles in February 2010. With a lofty goal to not only to fill a gap in the event scene by creating something that was the first of its kind, Dawson created a culinary community and a platform to support independent small businesses that has traveled from Los Angeles Center Studios in DTLA, the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Exposition Park, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and to its final destination Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, cementing the LA Food Fest as L.A.’s premier street food event. LA Food Fest was also the first event to support their vendors by subsidizing the participation of nearly every participant, leading many other events to do the same. And in 2016, Dawson saw an opportunity to do good and help make this amazing city we call home a little better, so she decided to make LA Food Fest LA’s first Zero Food Waste event. Says Dawson, “We couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years. The thousands of restaurants, chefs and caterers we’ve had the pleasure of working with. The bevy of events we’ve inspired all over the country, and the world. Not to mention, making the term “Food Fest” a common expression everywhere!”

The 10th Annual LA Food Fest is a community event that promises not to disappoint bringing 5,000 foodies and 100+ restaurants, carts, stands, trucks, bars, beer, wine and craft cocktail makers together including some of the city‘s Top Chefs, Restaurants and International Guest Chefs.

Highlights from this year’s 10th Annual LA Food Fest include:

The Nuevo Gastropub is where the LA Food Fest says adiós with an international lineup for the books! Guest chefs include the grill guru Dante Ferrero (Dante Brasa y Fuego, Mexico City) returning for his third year; Olivier Deboise (Aperi, San Miguel de Allende) with his eclectic approach on sustainable cuisine; the daring gastronomy of Sergio Meza (Villanos en Bermudas, Mexico City), co-owner of one of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, and one of the youngest executive chefs in the world, Rafael Covarrubias (Hexagon and 7 Enoteca, Ontario, Canada). Joining the team, Eduardo Morali (Pangea, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon) executive chef of one of 2019’s Best Restaurants in Mexico said Latin America’s Best 50 Restaurants 2019, and the talented French pastry chef Emmanuelle Deboise (La Casa Caramel, San Miguel de Allende). All will bring unique dishes created just for the event and an unforgettable culinary show. The theme for this year’s Nuevo Gastropub is “parrilada” (translates to BBQ), and will include dishes for every palate, from Dante’s primal cuts grilled over coals on site, to organic vegan tacos, ethnic bites (Charbroiled shrimp tostada with peanut salsa macha, mushrooms and grilled onions duxelle, dill aioli; Grilled Street Corn with black garlic and huitlacoche), experimental appetizers (Charbroiled beet with mascarpone cheese, pistachios and black lemon dust) and refreshing fusion desserts (Grilled banana sandwich with avocado mousse, fresh goat cheese, and honey). As in previous years, the Nuevo Gastropub will also feature an extensive Top Shelf Tequila Tasting and Mexican beers like Border X, Cabotella and CALIDAD.

This year, guests will also get a very special taste of Gordon Ramsay’s UNCHARTED, featuring an exclusive preview of the upcoming National Geographic series and sample dishes inspired by the show in the NatGeo Lounge.

As in past years, the Fest will also help a number of New Chefs and Restaurants make their debut including Cuizina (Filipino street food), Quiadaiyn (authentic vegan mole), The Burristas, Cevicheria las Olas, African Chop, El Chef Taco, Ken’s Ramen, POKEBAR, Big Grandma’s Kitchen, Sushi Roku, Oak Smoke BBQ, EK’BALAM Yucatan Cuisine (formerly Delicias Yucatecas), The Vegan Salvi and Always Coffee, alongside neighborhood faves like Maquina Taco, Pasta Sisters, Eagle Rock Public House, Comfort LA, Pinches Flautas, Barranco Lounge by Chef Walther, Fishin for Brews, Low Key Burritos, Luckdish Curry, Takami Sushi, Bearology, Humbleburgerz, Bite Me Gourmasian, Pez Cantina, Padthai Boran, Mama Musubi, Nature Well, Café de Leche and more.

The Ice Cream Social is back with treats from The Donuttery, Pie Hole, You Had Me at Helado, Communitea Bakery, Down South Treats, Dearly Beloved Confections, Tastee Flavors New Orleans style shaved ice, Uncle Tetsu’s Japanese Cheesecake, 12 Oaks Desserts and many more.

To keep the party going, Birds & Bees and Mister O’s Rafael Jonathan Barba brings some amazing bar talent to the mix alongside bars from local Citrus Grove Distillers doing both cocktails and mocktails, Revel Spirits and Broken Shed Vodka. Plus, Pez Cantina micheladas.

For the wine drinkers, local Riboli Wines return, plus a new Wine Garden sponsored by Obvious Wines featuring acoustic tunes from Sylvia Bosco and games of pétanque from La Boulisterie Los Angeles. And for the beer drinkers there’s the Stella Airstream, Golden Road, Eagle Rock Brewery, CALIDAD, Border X, Elysian Brewing IPA, Glutenberg Beer, Hop Valley Brewing and Michelob Gold Organic, plus Common Cider and Hard Kombucha. Plenty of non-alcoholic drinks will be on hand from Spindrift, KeVita, Honest Tea and more.

In the VIP Lounge find plenty of shaded seating, an exclusive HotPoint Lightbox Photo Booth, Alexander’s Steakhouse, FrankieLucy Bakeshop and wines from Napa’s Wedell Cellars.

This year’s event also features a grassy new GA Lounge area. While you’re taking a food coma break, meet friendly Martians and other enthusiastic communicators from JPL. Hear about the latest news and discoveries about NASA exploration across our universe and those made by the rovers, the InSight lander, and NASA orbiters currently at Mars. Take a selfie with various NASA & Apollo backdrops – make a flower crown with Crown Bloom Co. and grab a bottle of cold Essentia Water from the refresh station while you’re there!

Roving Live Entertainment, Mariachi, DJ, a performance on the stage by Black Crystal Wolf Kids, face painting and henna for the (little and big) kids round out the experience.

A complete lineup and event map will be announced closer to the event date. Stay tuned!
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A portion of the proceeds from the 10th Annual LA Food Fest will directly benefit Food Forward, this year’s charity partner. Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people in need and inspiring others to do the same. Food Forward is synonymous with food waste reduction in Los Angeles and the LA Food Fest could not ask for a better partner as they head into their third and final year of being LA’s only Zero Food Waste event.

Thank You to Our Friends who help make this event possible: Essentia Water, National Geographic, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Entercom, Baja Brewing, Golden Road, Calidad, Tequila Cocula, Corazon Azul Spirits, Aguirre Tequila, Tequila Don Nacho, Spindrift, KeVita, Good Farms, Kumana Foods, 4th & Heart and more.

Ticket Information: The LA Food Fest will take place on Saturday, June 29th, 2019 on the grassy infield at Santa Anita Park. To ensure all guests enjoy the event to its fullest, the LA Food Fest attendance is capped at just 5,000 all-inclusive (pre-sale only) tickets. A VIP Power Hour + Early Entry ($99) will be held from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm and VIP Check-in will start at 1:30 pm. General Admission ($69) will be from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and General Admission Check-in starts at 2:30 pm. This event is for all ages and family friendly. Children age 10 and under are free with a paying adult. ID is required for a 21+ wristband and 21+ wristbands are required for all craft beer, cocktail bars, wine and spirit tastings. For more information on the 10th Annual LA Food Fest and to reserve tickets today, please visit www.LAFoodFest.com.

Location: Santa Anita Park (Gate 6) – 275 Colorado Place, Arcadia, CA 91007

Transportation and Parking: Guests are encouraged to utilize car services or alternative transportation such as Lyft, Uber, Taxi, Rideshare, Metro, etc., since this event does serve alcoholic beverages. Guest parking for the LA Food Fest is available onsite via Gate 6 at Santa Anita Park for $5 per car (cash only). Complimentary parking is also available for VIP Guests.

LA Food Fest Pro Tips & FAQS: The LA Food Fest is a festival for foodies and a good strategy for the day is the best Fest companion! To ensure an awesome time, check out the Insider Pro Tips & FAQS.

Instagram: @LAfoodfest
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAFoodFest/
Snapchat: @LAfoodfest
Twitter: @LAfoodfest
2019 Hashtags: #LAfoodfest #stretchypants

LA Food Fest
Santa Anita Park
Gate 6 (ONLY Event Entrance)
275 Colorado Place
Arcadia, CA 91007
www.LAFoodFest.com

Raise Your Glass as HATCH Yakitori + Bar Introduces Cracking New Cocktail Bar

June 5, 2019 by evebushman

Los Angeles, CA – With their first anniversary just around the corner, DTLA’s HATCH Yakitori + Bar raises their glass and kicks-off the celebration by introducing a cracking new Cocktail Bar!

Photo Credit: Jacob Layman

Centrally located in DTLA’s The Bloc, a vibrant, open-air metropolitan center with its own access to the 7th Street Metro Station, HATCH Yakitori + Bar is the vision of Owner-Partners Akarad “AK” Tachavatcharapa, Nara Latip, and Executive Chef Daniel Shemtob. These hip-hop jammin’, globe-trottin’, food and drink lovin’ “Yakitori Boyz” created an urban nest for the burgeoning DTLA community and commuter’s alike; an oasis to congregate, rejuvenate, and celebrate with progressive Japanese cuisine and unrivaled new Bar Program that includes handcrafted Cocktails, meticulously curated Sake List, select premium Japanese Whisky, and eclectic Japanese Beer Menu, poising HATCH Yakitori + Bar as a not-to-be-missed drinking destination among the ever-evolving landscape of Downtown Los Angeles. The new Cocktail Bar features seating for lucky guests to get a premium view of the bartenders working on their craft, while the standing side bar welcomes guests looking to stretch their legs after a long day sitting in the office. The man behind the bar, Bar Director James Fastiggi set off to shake and stir things up as he first embarked on a culinary journey to better understand Partner and Executive Chef Daniel Shemtob’s menu. “I learned everything about the food before I even thought about the cocktails,” says Fastiggi. “Comprehending the menu was key to developing the cocktail menu.” With this epicurean education as his foundation, Fastiggi confidently moved forward to expand his knowledge on Japanese spirits, building the menu outward from his tutelage. “There is a Japanese twist to each of these cocktails, all of which beautifully compliment the overall Hatch Yakitori and Bar Menu.”

Paired with food or enjoyed on their own, eight thirst-quenching bangin’ Cocktails are ready to drop, like the Matcha Highball made with Iwai Whisky, coconut lemongrass nigori, lemon juice, house-made honey syrup and matcha powder, or the Yuzu Sour offering guests a refreshing twist on a reliable standby, prepared with Iwai Whisky, yuzu liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup and a fresh creamy egg white. The shocking pink For Goodness “Sake” receives its vivacious color from the splash of prickly pear juice, also featuring dry sake, Tito’s vodka, lychee juice and pear syrup, while the sweet and spicy Mangorita is comprised of Lunazul Tequila, house-made mango syrup, agave nectar, lime juice, orange bitters, and serrano pepper. Guests will be too furious if they are too fast when drinking the Tokyo Drift driven by Kaiyo Whisky, Angostura & orange bitters, and magic sauce (a citrus laden elixir) developed by Fastiggi which was based on a savory sauce originally created by Chef de Cuisine Erick Cielo. The Rum Tum Tum begins with house-made tepache, a beverage of Mexican origins in which pineapples are fermented for seven days before spices are added, and then joined by Greenbar Spiced Rum, lemon juice, Demerara syrup and Angostura bitters. Intriguing as it is innovative, the Wassup Bae is made with Roku Gin, wasabi, cucumber, lemon juice, lemongrass syrup and charcoal salt rim. Says Fastiggi, “When a guest requests a drink outside of the box, the Wassup Bae is where I will direct them.” Finally, for those feeling adventurous or indecisive there is the Bartender’s Choice, a special weekly cocktail crafted by Fastiggi to keep his creativity sharp and offer regulars something new.

HATCH Yakitori + Bar exclusively sources a myriad of Sake equally approachable for the sake novice and enticing for the sake connoisseur. Available on draft or carafe is the Bushido: Way of the Warrior, paying homage to the code of honor and morals developed by the Japanese samurai that stresses loyalty, self-discipline, and bravery. By bottle or carafe, the Junmai Sake selections are ready for guests to imbibe including the aromatic and ultra-dry Itami Onigoroshi: Demon Slayer, the light and mild Shintaro: Imperial Loyalist, the clean and crisp Joto Nigori, or the Hatch Organic brewed right here in California. The Ginjo style sake selection includes the delicately complex Gokujo: The Excellence, while AK is personally excited to introduce guests to the almighty Ryujin: Dragon God, noted for its vibrance and full-bodied flavor. Finally, Junmai Daiginjo, the highest caliber of sake categories begins with the award-winning Soto: The Outside, or the highly sought after Kitaya Kanasansui: Cold Mountain Water. Finally, for true aficionados, HATCH Yakitori + Bar offers guests a miracle with the Kimurashiki Kiseki: Miracle Sake, certified organic and produced under the supervision of Akimori Kimura, the pioneer of modern organic farming methods in Japan.

HATCH Yakitori + Bar also offers a new highly curated selection of premium Japanese Whisky, such as the Mars Iwai, with tasting notes of pear, quince, red fruits and vanilla. Matured in the finest Japanese handmade mizunara oak casks, Kaiyo Mizunara Oak spends the last leg of their maturation at sea, the salt air and ebb and flow of the tides enriching the whisky. Named by Forbes as one of the “10 Japanese Whiskies To Try Now,” the Akashi White Oak hails from Japan’s smallest whisky distillery, where only two months out of the year are dedicated to whisky production. Blended from whiskies matured in oak for 10 years, Yame Eight Goddesses 10 Yr is inspired by the mythical Yametsu Hime protector of the mountainous beauty of the Yame Region, home of the famed Kitaya Distillery. Dubbed a ‘worldwide blended whisky’, Ichiro’s Malt & Grain is comprised of whiskies from distilleries in Scotland, Canada, U.S.A., England, and Ireland, as well as young malt and grain whisky stock from the legendary king of Japanese distilling, Ichiro Akuto. HATCH prides themselves on being able to offer rare, high-end whisky, such as Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu “The US Edition”, a highly-limited single malt release made specifically for the US market from the extremely sought-after Ichiro Akuto Chichibu Distillery. Dry and honeyed with gentle oak spice and Tahitian vanilla, Mars Lucky Cat “Mint” Whisky is limited to less than 4,000 bottles, while the Mars Komagatake Limited Edition 2018 is aged entirely in Shinshu, the highest elevation of any distillery in Japan, creating a noticeable influence on this unique whisky’s taste.

If Beer is more your brew, HATCH Yakitori + Bar has an array of beers on Draft: Asahi, Sapporo, Orion, and Kirin, as well as select offerings that may inspire guests to expand their tastes including Coedo Shiro Hefeweizen Wheat Beer, Samurai Blonde Ale, Delicious IPA, and the Cali Creamin’ Vanilla Cream Ale. Two varieties from the Kyoto Brewing Company kick off the Bottle selections beginning with the Kyoto Matcha IPA, followed by the Kyoto Kuromame Black Soybean Ale. At 8% alcohol content the Hitachino Ginger Brew is not your Mama’s ginger ale, although let us not forget its slightly herbaceous sibling, the Hitachino White Ale. Brewed from kintoki sweet potatoes, the award-winning Coedo Beniaka Sweet Potato Ale is earthy and rich, while the equally acclaimed Coedo Shikkoku Black Lager boasts an enchantingly smooth elegance. It’s in the Can with the Yona Yona: Every Night Pale Ale, made with premium Cascade hops, and the Suiyoubi No Neko: Wednesday Cat White Ale is smooth enough to get guests through every day of the week. If Wine is the only way to wind down, there is selection of California Wines and one deliciously unorthodox Chinese wine. Adventurous minds are encouraged to inquire within.

There is no better companion to a cool libation than Happy Hour and Partner and Executive Chef Daniel Shemtob has pulled out all of the stops to deliver guests one solid hour of discounted gluttonous glory. Guests can enjoy Oysters, Chilled, Grilled, or Fried accompanied by ume mignoette, Sticks like Breast and Plum, Thigh & Miso, and Mushroom Party, or the Plates with selections such as the Black Karaage, with two day brined chicken thighs, squid ink, house pickles, grilled lime, and black ranch dip, or Miso Pork Spare Ribs, featuring slow cooked pork ribs, miso caramel, spice blend, and green onions. During this happiest hour, a selection of Drinks including Draft and House Sake, Wine by the Glass and Beer by the Glass will also be available at special prices.

Whether your glass holds the liquid amber of Japanese Whisky, the aqueous ambrosia of a perfectly chilled Sake, or a meticulously crafted Cocktail, raise it high and give a mighty, “Kanpai!” to the bangin’ New Cocktail Bar at HATCH Yakitori + Bar!

HATCH Yakitori + Bar is open for Lunch every Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, and for Dinner every Monday through Thursday from 5:00 to 10:00 pm, every Friday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, every Saturday from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and every Sunday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Happy Hour is every Monday through Friday from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. For more information or reservations, please visit www.HatchYakitori.com or call HATCH Yakitori + Bar directly at 213.282.9070.

Please follow HATCH Yakitori + Bar on Facebook @hatchyakitori and Instagram @hatchyakitori

HATCH Yakitori + Bar

700 West 7^th Street, suite G600

Los Angeles, CA 90017

T: 213.282.9070

www.HatchYakitori.com

Where to Experience Tiki Bar Culture in and near San Francisco

May 20, 2019 by evebushman

SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) – San Francisco is the birthplace of tiki culture, and it is home to some of the oldest tiki establishments in the country. Themes range from traditional Polynesian kitsch to tiki mythology’s dark side, but one thing is guaranteed: you can get a great mai tai at any of these Bay Area bars.

Trader Vic’s (9 Anchor Dr., Emeryville)

Tonga Room, Hurricane Bar. Photo: Eater.com

Life in the 1930s was hard. Americans were struggling through the Great Depression, and they needed a little escape from the pressure. California’s proximity to the South Pacific meant more people coming and going from the tropics. They brought stories of warm beaches, soft breezes, and a soothing, relaxed atmosphere where worries simply evaporated. Entrepreneurs attempted to duplicate the setting, and tiki culture was born. Victor Bergeron opened his Oakland tiki bar, Hinky Dinks, in 1934. He changed the name to Trader Vic’s in 1937.

Bergeron is often credited for the invention of the quintessential tiki cocktail, the mai tai, which makes this bar a can’t miss on your tiki tour. He also started the trend of tiny drink umbrellas! Trader Vic’s may have moved to Emeryville, but the atmosphere and cocktails are still the same.

Pagan Idol (375 Bush St.)

The creative minds behind Pagan Idol wanted to create the full tropical-island-at-twilight experience. From the moment you step through the doors and into the belly of an old wooden ship, you are transported to another place and time. There is often live music, and there is always a robust selection of rum-based drinks that come complete with a little umbrella.

Only the bravest patrons dare to visit the bar’s back room, where you exit the safety of the “ship” and make your way onto a deserted island. The stars are out, but it isn’t entirely peaceful. You will sit among large tiki statues and an erupting volcano. Fun fact: Pagan Idol is located in the historical building that once housed a staple of tiki culture, Tiki Bob’s Mainland Rendezvous.

Zombie Village (441 Jones St.)

Zombie Village, designed by the same Future Bars team behind Pagan Idol, is a fresh take on the traditional tiki theme. The two-level bar brings you into a tiki village, complete with thatched-roof huts and a starry night sky above. In the back of the room, you can slip into a cozy cave that is perfect for intimate conversations. The stone walls and campfire lighting give you a sense of being in the wilderness.

The second level is where the magic happens. You’ll sip tropical drinks in the comfort of Doc’s VooDoo lounge, which features jars upon jars of terrifying “ingredients.” You won’t be frightened long, thanks to the extensive cocktail menu that includes fresh takes on old tropical favorites.

Trad’r Sam (6150 Geary Blvd.)

If you love a good dive bar and you are craving a tropical cocktail, Trad’r Sam’s is the clear choice. Founded by Sam Baylon in 1937, it is one of the oldest tiki bars in the country.

The beauty of Trad’r Sam’s is its subtlety. Unlike more recent additions to the tiki scene, Trad’r Sam’s has nothing to prove. Trad’r Sam’s embraces its place in tiki culture with a few reminders of the old days, like rattan furniture and bamboo décor, but locals treat this spot like any other watering hole.

Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar (The Fairmont, 950 Mason St.)

Tonga Room has been drawing big crowds since the doors opened in 1945. That year, the end of World War II brought soldiers home from the South Pacific, and with them came stories of tropical paradise. Hollywood boosted the mythology of island living with films like Elvis’s “Blue Hawaii” and “Gidget Goes Hawaiian”, and soon everyone wanted to experience it. Tonga Room embraced the theme, taking tiki to the next level.

In addition to traditional tiki décor, Tonga Room features a lagoon. The Island Groove Band performs from a thatch-covered barge that floats in the lagoon, while patrons enjoy their rum-based beverages. Periodic tropical “rainstorms” complete with “thunder” and “lightning” make the illusion of island escape complete. There is a full menu of Polynesian-fusion dishes and afterward you can dance the night away.

Smuggler’s Cove (650 Gough St.)

Established in 2009, Smuggler’s Cove is a relatively new addition to the tiki scene. However, connoisseurs can find plenty of history in this three-level shrine to tiki culture. Owners Martin and Rebecca Cate know everything there is to know about operating an authentic tiki bar, and the décor accurately reflects tiki heyday, right down to artifacts from some of the earliest icons of tiki culture that have long since closed their doors.

Last Rites (718 14th St.)

Shipwrecks and crash landings on deserted tropical islands have always captured the imagination. Last Rites lets you step into that world, with décor designed from actual airplane parts. It’s easy to immerse yourself in your castaway fantasy, thanks to dim lighting, dense foliage, and “trees” separating booths.

Instead of the traditional tiki masks you see at most bars, you may find yourself sitting next to a massive stone skull. Based on the bar’s name and this bit of design, it appears that owners of the Last Rites aren’t expecting you to survive your South Pacific adventure. Don’t worry, though. The impressive list of exotic drinks will soothe your nerves no matter what the ending of your story turns out to be.

Forbidden Island (1304 Lincoln Ave., Alameda)

For all-out kitsch, Forbidden Island is one of the best. A variety of bands, DJs, and unique entertainers make it easy to pass hours sipping traditional exotic cocktails or the bar’s new takes on old flavor combinations. Forbidden Island hosts luaus or movie nights to make the escape from reality complete.

You can expect plenty of Hawaiian-print shirts, and your drinks come in tiki-themed mugs. For a small extra charge, you can take one (or more) home for hosting your own tiki-themed events. Keep an eye on the skull rating for each drink you order; it’s related to the amount of alcohol. As you can imagine, five-skull drinks pack quite a wallop.

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