Category: Bar

Review: Driftwood Kitchen

8/15/2014

The OCWino is finally making it big in the press junket! Our team was invited to join an opening press party for Driftwood Kitchen, the new restaurant in The Beach House's former location. The party was super fun and we were able to check out the space and meet the chef. Try out some appetizers and drinks in The Stateroom, their dark homey bar.

Jumbo grilled asperagus with a quail egg

Oyster baked with potato coulis and uni

A couple of the Stateroom's specialty drinks (with OC Wino coasters of course)

A drink how-to on the menu

The OCWino Team with Chef Rainer Schwarz

A few weeks later, the team came back for dinner to try out the proper fare.
We started with the Squash Blossoms appetizer. They are stuffed with ricotta, mint, and topped with an heirloom tomato sauce. It was a light and delicious dish to split.

Shelby won in the entrée selection contest with the Sonoma Duck Breast with a grilled nectarine and quinoa salad and huckleberry sauce. Everyone kept trying to steal bites from her all night.

The Driftwood Kitchen is a great alternative to The Deck next door if you want something a bit more classy, but still want to catch the sunset and eat some delicious appetizers. The Stateroom could be a great late night spot (it serves cougar crack!) and even has a back patio with a fire pit.

Driftwood Kitchen 619 Sleepy Hollow Lane next door to The Deck in Laguna Beach

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Restaurant Review: Bar Ama

8/12/2014

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Sunday morning, we picked up Trent from LAX after his two week medical mission in Ghana, Africa. He was craving three things: Starbuck's venti iced green tea, cement roads, and Bar Ama for lunch. Off we went to explore some culture.

Aubrey, McCall, and Trent exploring the street art

Chef and owner Josef Centero has completely wowed my family and friends… and to wow me is a task. We went to his first place across the street called Baco Mercat before, which was crazy good. But Bar Ama has a Tex Mex menu originally coming from the inspiring recipes from his grandmother Grace Alice. The pictures tell all.

The Michelada, an awesome pour for brunch

Chicharrón, pico de gallo, lime

Asparagus, cojita, grapefruit, fleur de sel

Kale Salad, Yummy

Mom's Green Enchiladas! The best ever

1 lb of Chicken Fajitas with the Works

Mexican Fried Ice Cream à la mode

I can't wait to try the third location Orsa and Winston. He rules the corner of 4th and Main. Truly worth the 40 minute drive from the OC. It is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner with great Happy hour and taco specials. This is OCwino's top pick. Belly's full, off we went to explore.

Man with a tire face

Don't let fear bog you down

Not so sure this fits

Bar Ama 118 W 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 687-8002

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Lynn Pyle's Dinner Party in Sun Valley

8/2/2014

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What a wonderful treat to be invited over to this beautiful spot on the river. Lynn's deck is one you can hang on FOREVER.

We started the night with a delicious tequila cocktail garnished with a serrano chile. Of course the OCWino kept chowing on the chile. The cocktail was made with tequila, cucumber, sparkling water, with a touch of mint, parsley, and a squeeze of lime. Look at this beautiful presentation! It makes anybody want to mix one!

The Finished Product

Dinner was fantastic. With peaches so incredibly sweet this season, Lynn decided to grill them on the BBQ along with lamb chops. They were served with heirloom tomatoes, mint, and creamy burrata cheese. The lamb was garnished with a homemade chimichurri sauce. She threw the whole thing on the table and we munched away.

The dessert was homemade vanilla ice cream from a local dairy, muddled blackberries, and the rest of the barbecued peaches. Look out Martha Stewart(And OCWino)! You got some competition out there.
Thank you Lynn for a lovely evening at your beautiful riverside abode!

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Fear and Loathing to Sun Valley

7/28/2014

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The OCWino went on a two day road trip with her friend Lori Bassler Hayes up to Sun Valley. Below is a little photo journal of all the shenanigans and misdemeanors that occurred in the Mojave desert. Initially we planned to spend one night in Lake Tahoe, but due to a wrong turn on interstate 6, we ended up in the lovely town of Ely with only one hotel room to spare. It didn't have the glitz, but it was waay more adventurous with many laughs along the way.

First stop was to load up on jerky outside of Bishop

Our delicious ranch house burger. Sadly Lori made the inquiry if the meat was fresh or frozen, so there might be human excrement in here

Mark Berlin busted my ass going 75 in a 65 zone and sternly gave me a ticket. He changed his tune when I asked for bar and food recommendations in Bishop. Tried to convince me his martinis were the best in town.

Jerky Round #2

Just can't get enough salt

We drove into a gnarly storm... the thunder and lightening freaked out us SoCal ladies

The colorful hotels along the road enticed us to stay there but we kept plugging along

Sadly the jailhouse hotel was out of cells

Our accommodations for the night

Our lovely room at the Hotel Nevada and Casino

We BYOB-ed our cougar crack from home

Our new friends we met in town

Our friends bought us fireball shots!

We wandered back to our hotel and chowed down on the 24 hour diner food

No Lori, we are not continuing this adventure on a Harley

Levelers on our window to help block out the neon from the hotel across the street

We decided to try our luck...

and won big $$$!

Our fellow road hogs

Yum... one of the best chile rellenos I've ever had at Janitzio Mexican Restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho. You HAVE to go if you are in the area

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Pours are flowing at The Wine Gallery in Laguna

7/19/2014

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The first location of The Wine Gallery is in Corona Del Mar. However when they opened in Laguna, it became a true locals hangout for wine and a little nibble of food.
Ryan was the friendly face behind our pours this evening. Everyone that works there makes you feel so right at home. They know your pour by the time you sit down.
It's so much fun to go in and belly up to the bar. They even let us use our own coasters!
It's rare that you walk in and not know someone you know. So if you are looking for an intimate quiet evening, this might not be the best choice. If you want a good time with friends, The Wine Gallery is your spot.
I love the owner Chris. It's the best when you walk into a restaurant and they already know who you are. It makes you feel important and you appreciate their service. This is huge for the OC Wino. It's all about those personal touches.

Excellent pours of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Merlot

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Drinks at Selanne Steak Tavern

7/15/2014

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Although Selanne Steak Tavern is known for their delicious cuts of steak, we decided to try out their ever so talked about pours. However for once we abstained from the cougar crack on the menu and go hard. After all, you can always tell a good restaurant by their cocktails.

Classic Kettle One Martini

The OC Wino kept it classic with a kettle one martini. It was pretty standard as far as martinis go.
Our bartender Justin was darling and recommended the Husker Du as a lighter cocktail for our tech girl Shelby.
It was absolutely delicious. Not too sweet, not too sour, and just strong enough.

The Husker Du with Gin, Cucumber, Lime, Rosemary, and Smoked Salt

Try coming from 5-6pm on Sunday through Thursday for Happy Hour!
Selanne Steak Tavern 1464 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

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How to stock a bar according to the OCWino

7/12/2014

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A bar is where you get to display your wonderful hand-me-downs from previous generations. My grandfather ran a speakeasy during the prohibition in LaPorte, Indiana, so they were well versed in bar tools and accessories.

Even if you don't use all these tools, they look amazing as props to set up a very cool bar. I happen to have a pretty serious jigger collection, as well as many old antique flasks and decanters.

My bar is set up in an old armoire that my mother used in her kitchen to hold her cookbooks. Besides your everyday Myers, Kettle One, and Maker's Mark Whiskey, if it's for display only, go to The Mixing Glass in SOCO and buy some boutique bottles from cool distilleries. You can even gets some cool wine or cocktail glasses at Ikea if you hit it on a good day.

A bar can be a conversation piece in your living room, and most men like to belly up to it and take charge in making the cocktails. It's much more fun to display it in a piece of furniture instead of hiding it in a cabinet.

Let your bar have some personality!

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Tacos with the Gringos

7/9/2014

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4th of July weekend is a crazy time to have a party. I'm a little crazy so I decided, why not? Goodness knows it's Sunday Funday!

Ophelia has been working with our family for 16 years, and I just recently heard that her husband loves to cater events with his amazing street tacos. So I decided to drag some of my good foodie friends along for the ride. With not too much arm twisting, they showed up eagerly to try the fare.

Not sure how much food he was going to bring, I threw out a couple simple appetizers, including Mom's famous gazpacho, and my friend Nana brought a delicious salad with roasted butternut squash, cranberries, and toasted almonds.

Some of the party crew: Kane and Martha, Lauri and Marc, Jordi and Johnna

Carlos and Ophelia showed up with an amazing spread. They featured carne asada, carnitas, and el pastor tacos. They served the most delicious refried beans and rice with all the accoutrements. They bring everything in, cook to your liking, pack up the leftovers, store them in YOUR fridge, and leave without a grain of rice left on the floor. Really a great team and a great way to casually entertain.

Carlos and Ophelia at work!

Saving the hors d'oeuvres from flies

Laguna local Jordi considering implants with the fly covers

For a Sunday, we went through a few bottles of tequila, wine, and cervesas. Thanks again Trent for graciously rallying and getting an extra ice bag for me in the middle of the party!

Sometimes you don't need to spend a bunch of money on flower decorations for your party. I went around my garden and picked oranges, tangerines, and fig branches to add some decorative touches to the party.

My homegrown centerpiece

Look at McCall of K&M! Teal hair no more!

We ended the night with an array of alcoholic popsicles that wowed the crowd and got them a little looser. The remaining partiers finished with a hilarious game of Card Against Humanity, a party game for horrible people. Games that challenge your brain are always fun at the end of the night, especially when things aren't so PC.

Pro Tip: Always have help in the kitchen for a party whether you are serving for 15 or 50. Thank you Katie for all your help
Carlos's company is called Tacos Evas, and you can call to book him at (949) 233-7209

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Girl's Night Out at Mozza

7/2/2014

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Another lucky night with Ms. Pearl! We decided on Mozza Newport Beach, a go-to spot of the OC.
Transplanted from Los Angeles, this delicious italian pizzeria has delicious appetizers and even more phenomenal pizzas.
Nancy Silverton started with the concept in Los Angeles on Highland and Melrose. Starting with the Pizzeria Mozza then later launching the Osteria Mozza and completing the trifecta with Chi Spacca, Silverton decided to bring the concept to Newport Beach. It truly is a go-to spot for both locals and tourists.
Grace is our adorable server who helped us pair our wines with our ridiculous amount of food choices. Ms. Pearl asked for specifically since she was hosting the dinner.

It is a must to start with a dirty martini. They come with smooth bright green olives that taste like butter. Seriously, it's the best martini in town.

My favorite starters on the menu are the meatballs, bone marrow, and my new favorite Shishito Peppers with Mozzarella cheese.
To cleanse your palette, the arugula salad is a delicious respite before you order your massive amounts of pizza.

My favorite pizza is the white pizza with the fennel sausage. My son's favorite is the meat lover and my daughter's favorite is the margarita.

Some like to sit at tables, I prefer the bar. Particularly the wine bar or the pizza bar.
I also understand that their whole roasted chickens are to die for, however I've been too full every time to even try them.
It's great to try their many desserts. Going with a crowd lends you the capacity to sample so many delicious flavors.
Bar none, their Buffala Mozzarella is so delicious with their bread baked in olive oil.

The haricots verts and the shishito peppers are new additions to the menu, however they kill it with the addition of the addition of buffala mozzarella.

You definitely need to do a spin class a day after, but it is a great to spend a meal with friends.
Reservations are requested.

We ended our meal in a secret location drinking limoncello to settle our stomachs and top off the evening.

Mozza Pizzeria at 800 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA
FMI: Find their website here

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Rockin' out with The Sarcastics

6/24/2014

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One Thursday a month, it's so much fun to go to the Back Bay Tavern behind Whole Foods to see the band, The Sarcastics. Matt Marshall, Matt Magiera, Gary Grainger, and Brett Grainger keep the crowd rockin'. They have a following, both old and new, enjoying the music. It appeals to both my generation and those young millennials.

Brett, Gary, and Matt x 2

Back Bay Tavern offers a full menu of delicious food and great small plates. Check out their wine pour. This nice glass of Rombauer Chardonnay is $13. Can't beat the price with entertainment in tow. They usually play from 6:30-9. It is a great way to start off your Thursday night!

Look at this Rombauer hefty pour for $13!

Martha, Kane, and the OCWino share a great pour

FMI about Back Bay Tavern click here

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<<Previous

Review: Driftwood Kitchen

Restaurant Review: Bar Ama

Lynn Pyle's Dinner Party in Sun Valley

Fear and Loathing to Sun Valley

Pours are flowing at The Wine Gallery in Laguna

Drinks at Selanne Steak Tavern

How to stock a bar according to the OCWino

Tacos with the Gringos

Girl's Night Out at Mozza

Rockin' out with The Sarcastics

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