If you’ve ever stumbled into a 24 hour eatery at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas after a night of drinking, then you might know about Planet Dailies – unless of course you passed out on the table (the best ones do). The second location for this growing brand shares the idea of the original spot, but unlike the original – this one includes a cocktail bar. Mixology 101 at Planet Dailies opens on March 12 at The Original Farmers Market in L.A. Here is an inside look at the bar/lounge and a brief introduction of London-based bartender Salvatore “The Maestro” Calabrese (pictured on the left) and his apprentice Joseph Brooke (pictured on the right).
[info]
Crafting drinks
Yoda said it the best, “always two there are, no more, no less: a master and an apprentice.” The bar at Planet Dailies is built on the Jedi-esque relationship of award-winning veteran bartender, Salvatore Calabrese and young Joseph, formerly of the Edison and the Next Door Lounge. The bar features a handcrafted cocktail program with over 37 alcoholic beverages curated by Salvatore and helmed by head bartender Brooke, who Salvatore calls “his guardian angel.” During the planning stages, Joseph spent time training in London with Salvatore, where he runs a bar named after himself inside the Playboy Club. Joseph tell us it’s one of the best hospitality programs he’s ever experienced.
What’s in there?
The restaurant and bar sit on the second floor above a Bath and Body Works, and the lounge accentuates a wide open space with garage-like retractable windows.
The patio is sandwiched between the restaurant and bar lounge with strategically placed lava heaters for cold SoCal nights. A rectangular bar made of pure walnut is in the middle of the lounge with a see-through rack of accessible booze.
The imbibing menu is divided into eight categories: Champagne, classic, pre-dinner, martini, short and sublime, long and luscious, non-alcoholic and after-dinner. It features cocktails ranging from the well-known White Russian to one of Salvatore’s many specialties, the Spicy Fifty made with Stolichnaya Vanil vodka, elderflower cordial, fresh lime juice, honey syrup and chili pepper. Planet Dailies’ LA locale also offers the Farmer’s Martini a tribute to L.A.’s Original Farmer’s Market made with vodka, Salvatore Calabrese’s Bitters, Blue Curacao and Champagne. Cocktail prices range from $12 to $19. Aside from the adult cocktails, the bar also feature a wide selection of whiskeys, from single malt scotch to Japanese single malt, totaling at 73 varieties.
The grub at the bar currently offers 19, mostly hand-held, items like chicken lettuce wraps, crab and lobster cakes, turkey meatballs and jalapeno poppers. Prices range from $8.99 to $16.99. Both Mixology 101 and Planet Dailies officially open on Monday, March 12.
Hours: Sunday – Thursday from 11: 00 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday, 11 AM – 12 AM; Saturday, 9 AM – 12 AM; Sunday, 9 AM – 10 PM.
Salvatore Calabrese doing what he does best
See The Maestro create one of his signature drinks, the Breakfast Martini.