How to make a margarita for National Margarita Day or any other day
A quick how-to video with Casa Vega's bartender Antonio Navarro
Let’s be honest, if it was up to us, every day would be National Margarita Day. Apparently tomorrow is the day where you’re suppose to drink (and celebrate with) pitchers of margaritas. So, to make sure we’re in an adequate state of mind for all the lime and alcoholic goodness, we brought a camera crew to Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks, CA, a Mexican restaurant operating since 1956, and filmed long-time bartender, Antonio Navarro, creating one of Casa Vega’s more popular drinks – the Cadillac Margarita. Read More
Get your head shaved for a free one-night stay at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino
St. Baldrick's Day at the Nine Fine Irishmen pub in Las Vegas
New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas gives you a chance to celebrate an early St. Patrick’s Day with a light heart and a cold head during the 3rd Annual St. Baldrick’s Day fundraiser on March 3 from 1 PM – 11 PM. The event will be held at the Nine Fine Irishman pub and a public shaving (but what happens if you’re already bald?) will take place outdoors near the Brooklyn Bridge to raise money and awareness for children’s cancer. Shavees will receive a future one-night stay at New-York-New York, as well as a free pint of Guinness or a Jameson Cocktail by showing their California ID at the registration table. This free event will feature food and beverage specials, live music, and face painting for children.
In case you missed our previous report, the 2012 OC Restaurant Week, sponsored by the Orange County Restaurant Association and running from Sunday, February 26 – Saturday, March 3, will feature 100 restaurants from the OC area. Multi-course meals will be available at participating locations for $20, $30 or $40 ($10, $15 or $20 for lunch). Menus, addresses, and other details for each participant can be found here.
On June 16 – 17, the Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine, CA will be hosting Taste of the OC with culinary and entertainment talent of Orange County. Anticipating over 50 of the OC’s restaurants and 75 of its wineries, guests can expect tastings from local restaurants, cooking demonstrations, celebrity chefs, wine tastings, wine auctions, and seminars. Additionally, this event will feature a “Farm to Table” event, an OC Brewfest, and a Father’s Day Feast with music and entertainment. 8808 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618.
The James Beard Foundation released a nine page PDF of the semifinalists for the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards for restaurants and chefs. This award is also known as the Oscars for the food industry honoring and highlighting the best in North America. Best New Restaurant includes: AQ from S.F.; Bistronomic from Chicago; MB Post from Manhattan Beach, CA; Picca from L.A.; Yardbird Southern Table & Bar from Miami Beach, FL. Outstanding Bar Program includes: Bar Agricole from S.F., and The Esquire Tavern (pictured above) from San Antonio. Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional includes: Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery; Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.; and Abe Schoener of The Scholium Project. Finalists will be announced on March 19. See below for the complete list. Read More
On Friday, February 24 starting at 8 PM, Urban Food Crawl is teaming up with Buzz – downtown L.A., Courtesan Cupcakes, and Raw Bites for Suds & Sweets featuring dessert and beer pairings. Organizer Jen Bardekoff is expecting it to be a “fun event filled with beer and sweets.”
For $35 per person, guests will be served Chocolate Raspberry and Helluva Carrot Halva mini cupcakes by Courtesan Cupcakes and Lavender Lime and Peanut Butter Cup truffles by Raw Bites. Each dessert will be paired with beers from Germany, Japan and the U.S. chosen by the staff at Buzz. 460 South Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013. Read More
Australian-based microbrewery to visit L.A. tonight
Brewer Dave Bonighton to visit Brewco in Manhattan Beach
The microbrewery movement isn’t just for Americans, beer drinkers all over the world are seeing the rise of microbreweries. And after 16 years, Australian-based Mountain Goat Beer is ready to expand internationally. Brewer Dave Bonighton will be in town tonight (February 21) at Brewco in Manhattan Beach from 6 PM – 9 PM to promote the release Mountain Goat Beer in the States. Dave will also be pouring their Australian Pale Ale, on tap for the first time in L.A. Visit goatbeerusa.eventbrite.com to register for the event. 124 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
Southwest offers discount airfare for new nonstop flight between Detroit and Vegas
One-way starting at $99
This week, Southwest announced a new nonstop route between Detroit and Las Vegas. To promote the route between Motor City and the City of Sin, Southwest is offering a sale on one-way fare for $99 starting from now through February 27, for travel between September 30 and November 2.
Walter Manzke, Kris Morningstar and more take over Short Order for one night only
Test Kitchen at Short Order on February 25 from 9 PM - 1AM
Short Order at the Farmers Market in L.A. is hosting Test Kitchen for a one night only event with Short Order’s own Christian Page plus guest chefs Kris Morningstar of Ray’s & Stark Bar, Ori Menashe of Bestia, Walter Manzke of République, and Adam Horton of Raphael. All five chefs will be creating different burgers, each with a particular flavor.
Guest mixologists will also make an appearance featuring Daniel Warrilow of Son of a Gun, Paul Sanguinetti of Ray’s & Stark Bar, and Chris Parke of Raphael. The event takes place on Saturday, February 25 from 9 PM – 1 AM. Burgers range from $14 – $18 and with sides from $5 – $12. For reservations email testkitchen@shortorderla.com. 6333 W Third St. Stall #110, Los Angeles, CA 90036. 323-761-7970. Read More
Why British food was so bad for so long, new era of Oregon hops
Drinking, eating, and traveling news from around the web
- NPR on why British food was so bad for so long.
- The second Western-style craft brewery opens in Beijing.
- Food & Wine on a wine geek’s ultimate road trip.
- Travel + Leisure on the best spring break getaways.
- Australian craft beer industry is on the rise.
- Willamette Week on the new era of Oregon hops.
- The Atlantic on the founder of the Boston Beer Company, Jim Koch.
- Continental Airlines’ name is fading away.
