Carrot & Cilantro Caipirinha

Try the Carrot & Cilantro Caipirinha at Westside Tavern. One of the more unique drinks I've had recently (pictured on the right in the photo below. Moscow Mule on the left).


Carrot & Cilantro Caipirinha: Cilantro Sprigs, Boca Loca Cachaco, Lime Juice, Carrot Juice and Angostura Bitters


Westside Tavern / 10850 W Pico Blvd. / Los Angeles, CA 90064 / 310.470.1539 / www.westsidetavernla.com

Beer Sommelier

Great Brewers' Beer Sommelier is a simple guide to appropriately pairing beer with food. The process starts with a vertical row of large picture boxes, each representing a main ingredient, from meet (beef, fish, poultry, game), to dairy, pasta, nuts, fruit, cheese and chocolate. Click one and a second row appears offering loads of popular dishes within the category (i.e., Pasta breaks into mac & cheese, lo mein, lasagna, etc.). Once a dish is specified, a third row appears featuring general styles of beer to pair with it (i.e., German-style strong doppelbock, Bamberg-style Marzen Rauchbier) with links to a fact sheet on the style (flavor profile, typical ABV, bitterness, appropriate glassware), and myriad examples of the style from a database of over 2,100 craft beers, each with its own page replete with tasting notes, availability, and tap type required.

http://greatbrewers.com/beer-sommelier

Once you find the perfect brew to pair with your meal, GB uses its connections with 22 of America's leading craft/specialty beer wholesalers to Gmap out people selling it near your zip, whether for take-home purchase or on tap.

Ice Cream Floats

From Tasting Table...
Root Beer Inspired by good old-fashioned diner food, BLT Steak pastry chef Jessica Goryl added a classic float ($9; pictured) to the summer menu. But this one's special: She makes all the ingredients from scratch. Her root beer is more herbal and less carbonated than store-bought brands, and perfect poured over her rich, homemade vanilla-bean ice cream.
BLT Steak / 8720 W. Sunset Blvd. / West Hollywood, CA / 310-360-1950 / bltrestaurants.com

Beer When made with smooth, dark Old Rasputin Imperial Stout and Scoops' gelato, the Golden State's beer float ($8) is the root beer float's doppelganger. It might not be for sweet tooths, but with hints of coffee and dark chocolate, the malty stout makes a perfect foil for creamy brown-bread gelato.
The Golden State / 426 N. Fairfax Blvd. / Mid-City; LA, CA / 323-782-8331 / thegoldenstatecafe.com

Port Downtown wine bar The Must tops vanilla gelato with locally made San Antonio Winery ruby port and a splash of cream soda ($7). After it swirls and foams in the small glass, the fruity concoction verges on milkshake, but it's sweet fun.
The Must Bar / 118 W. 5th St. / Downtown Los Angeles, CA / 213-627-1162 / themustbar.com

BOSTON

The third stop on The GRAMMY Concert Tour, Boston...


Trattoria Il Panino

Voted the best pasta in Bosoton by Cosmopolitan Magazine and said to be the city's first original Trattoria, Trattoria Il Panino is as much an experience as it is a truly great place to eat. Located in the heart of Boston's North End (Boston's Little Italy) you feel like you've just stepped off the streets of Italy and into a neighborhood cafe.

Trattoria Il Panino / 11 Parmenter Street / Boston, MA 02113 / 617-720-1336 / www.TrattoriaIlPanino.com



Modern Pastry


The award winning Modern Pastry is located on Hannover Street in the heart of Boston's historic North End and specializes in authentic, old world, Italian confections. The pastries, cakes, pies, cookies and candies, are fresh and handmade with time honored traditions using the finest ingredients. When we went it was all about the Cannolis. Available in a plain or chocolate dipped shell and filled with your choice of vanilla custard, chocolate creme or the only one that really matters, Ricotta. Some of the best I've ever tasted.


Modern Pastry / 257 Hanover Street / Boston, MA 02113 / 617-523-3783 / www.modernpastry.com