Proprietor's Bourbon County Stout

  Coconut is one of my favorite things, and added to craft beer? Oh my goodness talk about delicious.  The Proprietor's Bourbon County Stout with coconut and aged in Rye Whisky barrels is just incredible.  Goose Island has surprised me in how well their buyout was handled and that the quality and distribution has only flourished!  Of course you can't get this variation in California, so you'll have to offer up rare brews to get your hands on it.

It really did taste like a Mounds, bittersweet, silly smooth, and vanilla swirls.  This whale's got it going on, though it's hard for me to favorite this beauty over the Cherry Rye Bourbon County.

I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Mash & Coconut, a barley wine aged in bourbon barrels from The Bruery.

Happy almost weekend!

The Bruery Provisions

    The Bruery Provisions is my favorite beer tasting room, it might also be the only beer tasting room I've ever been to, that's beside the point.  Located in the oh so adorable Downtown Orange area, it's hard not to feel all smitten.  They do beer so right, flights of 5 terrifically crafted brews with prices ranging from $6.00-$9.00!  Their cheese and charcuterie plates are just downright shmancy, and it would be pretty much the most perfect place to have a date.  Their wine flights are also tasty, picked myself up the best Tempranillo I've ever had and expanded my beer collection too!  The Bruery knows how to do beer in the most innovative way possible, I can easily say they're my favorite in the craft beer world. 

Cheese Review: 1,000 Day Gouda

    Cheese, it's one of the most delicious things in the world, it pairs with things I love like beer and wine, and is my bestie on picnics.  I've never been a Gouda girl, I'm one of those double cream bleu cheese+honey or getting down with Brie and a baguette kinda girl, until now.  Every time I'm in Trader Joes I peruse the cheese section, making sure they haven't sprung any new Spotlight Cheeses without me knowing and chatting it up with the sample gents, usually with me saying "oh I haven't tried this one yet, any chance we could open it?"  They reply with a generous, "Of Course!"  Which is absolutely the best, that's how I found this. 

   Aged for a whopping 1,000 days, it naturally forms these magical cheese crystals and with that crystallization comes mad flavor.  This cheese is mature, slightly caramely, a touch of nuttiness, and a true standout to any cheese plate.  It's in my top cheeses of all time, so go get some and swoon with me! 

Bar Review: Neat

Neat, it's probably my favorite bar in Los Angeles right now.  Uncle Aidan did good at creating the most unpretentious cocktail bar, in Glendale of all places!  It's passable on the street and once you get in, it's instantly cozy.  The kind where you see a giant punch bowl and a friendly bar owner offering you a complimentary glass to get started.  The fireplace subtly lights up the room and god, they did a fantastic job displaying the spirit section.  Coming here made me appreciate spirits and their way of asking if you'd like it "Neat" is just swooning.  The tenders are anything but cocky and will craft you the most delicious drinks.  I fell in love with a new bourbon, Willet, an easy sipper that warmed me up perfectly on a cold night.

I miss this place already, it's that good.  Take your friends or your lover, it's worth it.

It's What's for Breakfast: Zebra House Coffee

 

   Thank goodness San Clemente has one of my favorite coffee shops in the world, Zebra House Coffee.  After living in Los Angeles for 8 years and getting spoiled on Cafecito Organico and other hole in the wall wake-me-up wonderlands I've developed quite the love for places like this.  They bake everything in house and have really done something for a county that thrives on that evil green mermaid and her venti ways.  

   I'm a sucker for their Morning Glory Muffin consisting of dried cherries, carrots, walnuts, cranberries, and baked with a bit of raw sugar on top that crystallizes, major yumsville.  They can also whip you up Belgian Waffles with fresh strawberries for only $3.50, crazy huh?  Their coffee is the real gem, getting their beans from Klatch a socal roaster I adore.  Usually it's their Blue Thunder blend with it's sweet/smokey taste that wakes me up with a punch.  One day I'm going to buy their El Salvador San Juan Bosco, a honey process bourbon roast that's supposed to be creamy and delicious!  

Cheers to you and your morning darlings...

Bourbon Barrel Aged Yeti

Apparently it's National Stout Day, so I felt the need to review one of my favorite stouts from Great Divide.  Here we have a Bourbon barrel aged beauty who decided to spend 9 months aging in the Rockies and finally come down for a visit.  She's a real butte with her velvety cocoa and subtle vanilla undertones, ending on a roasty pleasant note.  There just so happened to be a truffle cake of some sorts on the table to pair with this, special thanks to Erika!  Overall I adored this spin on the Yeti, however I feel it would be far superior with a year or two of aging.  Can't wait to try my 2009 version of this, happy stout day ya'll! 

Tiki Dinseyland Adventure!

   My lovely sister was kind enough to introduce us to Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar.  Nestled in the Disneyland resort, it's lure is sure to pull you in with it's stiff fruity concoctions.  The ambiance can be pretty intense during popular hours, with bartenders ringing bells and chanting with rain depending on what you order.  Cocktails are pretty yummy, it's no Los Angeles Tiki Ti by any means, especially with my MIA Himalayan, but its great for what it is.  I recommend ordering the Uh Oa! with it's ability to intoxicate you and a few others, it's sure to light your fire and provoke you to throw cinnamon at it!  

    It was a fantastic day at one of my favorite places as we took a cruise and made Gin-Julips.  I tried the beignets for the first time and yes I liked them... Mainly cause they were Mickey shaped.  Mom took us to Pooh's corner and bought us Tiger tails too.

   If you ever need advice on how-to do Disneyland right, you know who to contact. I have over 25 years of experience and am a proud daughter of the sweetest Mother who'd allow hooky from school to ravel in magical wonders and become an avid photog.   Over and out my dears.

  

Beachwood BBQ Brewery

  

Beachwood BBQ has at last opened their second location, this one actually brews their owns beers!  The menu is practically the same as the Seal Beach location and has a few new items to excite the foodies.  We ordered Lena's deep fried pickles, Tater Tot Casserole(with porcini mushrooms+cheesecurds+duck gravy+fried in duck fat), Beef Brisket on Pretzel Roll, and the Fried Green Tomatoes.  The Tater Tots were just too delicious and everything else was spectacular as usual.  Be sure to order their pulled pork when you go, it's perfection at best.  

Their beer list never disappoints with it's unique not-so-common skies, we had the Dechutes Conflux #2 White IPA, Port Boneyard Barleywine, Westoek Strong Belgian, and Flying Dog Barrel-aged Gonzo Porter.  The great thing about Beachwood? They let you order half pints!  Meaning you, the beer lover/conducer get to experience beers to your choosing.  

You'll also notice an extremely cute and charming baby boy above, Wallace.  My nephew is so cute, I love hanging out with him, my brother, and the beautiful Erika! 

Hope you all are having a fantastic week!

Trails Cafe

It's Friday I'm in love.  Emma and I decided to take a nice little hike up to the Observatory this morning and hit up Trails Cafe in Griffith Park.  Such a great way to start your day, if you haven't done this it is a must.  Their coffee is by Stumptown and is loaded with flavor and punch, which is exactly what I need to get my day going before work.  Bakery wise?  They bake EVERYTHING on site varying from Eggs in a Basket to Bleu Cheese Pear Scones to Whole Wheat Waffles with fresh Strawberries, oh and pies! 

I went for their coffee and a Cheddar and Chive Scone, which was simply delightful.  We also made friends with everyone on the patio, Emma is a fantastic wingwoman I must say.  It's days like this where it feels like I'm not in Los Angeles, when I really am. 

Have yourself a terrific weekend my dears!

Scoops Ice Cream

I'm still waiting for it to be hot enough and have the excuse to hit up Scoops.  It's the epitome of hot summer nights and trying twenty flavors until you find just the right one.  I like their creativity in ice cream and the fact that you can request flavors on a white board in house!  The other plus of this place?  It's cheap, I'm talkin you and your date can come here, both get ice cream and it be under 6 bucks!

Their flavors vary from Guinness Chocolate, Brown Buttered Bread, Horchata, Vegan options, and so much more.  They change daily, pictured above I fell for the Pistachio Rose Water and Maple Rocky Road, Y.U.M. It's not the best ice cream in all honesty, Paradis wins on that one, it does get the job done.

Friday... it's here for you luckies who have the weekend off!

Food Lab: Lunch

Hello Friday, I'm loving you!  It's been a terrific week and it's going to be a whimsical weekend my dears.  I might be a little hungover from last nights Downtown endeavors in keeping it classy at the Edison, getting awesomely adventurous with Tequila at Las Perlis, oh and there was that one 19th Century cocktail at the Varnish.  Nothing a good sweat at the gym can't fix and a yummy lunch at Food Lab.  Lately I've been all about Italian... Proscitto, Cured Meats, Chocolate covered Canolis, and more. 

Above we've got the Proscitto & Fresh Fig sammy on Rasin Walnut bread with Ricotta, honey, and balsamic reduction.  It was total swoonsville.  The other s a Cuban Style with Pork Loin, Ham, Gruyere, pickles, and Mustard on Ciabatta.  It was good, but no figgy magic show.  Side wise this place rules, a fresh Cherry Tomato+Basil+Buffalo Mozzarella salad.  They also had a Cucumber salad that looked delish.  

I do hope you have a wonderful weekend...