Yamashiro’s Pagoda Bar

Sunday BBQ at Yamashiro’s Pagoda Bar

The new and improved Pagoda Bar at Hollywood’s historic Yamashiro has kicked off summer with its BBQ pool parties. Every Sunday from 2-5pm, Executive Chef Jason Park is grilling up $3 cheeseburger sliders and Kurobuta carnita sandwiches served with a side of Asian coleslaw and house made pickles. Enjoy muddled cocktails like the strawberry Basil-Jito, Glover’s Gimlet, or one of Norman’s famous Mai Tais...

Get the full scoop at my buddy Mattyshack's DigLounge


Yamashiro's Pagoda Bar / 1999 N. Sycamore Avenue / Hollywood, CA 90068 / 323.466.5125 / www.thepagodabar.com

The Blind Lemon

One of my all-time favorite bars.




The Blind Lemon / 938 Hatch Street / Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 / 513.621.3666 / www.theblindlemon.com

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

Magnolia

Second location now open Downtown.



www.magnoliala.com
Magnolia Downtown / 825 James M Wood Blvd / Downtown, LA / 213.362.0880

Mandrake | bar

"all my favourite artists had problems with alchohol"


Mandrak Bar on Yelp.com (with photos)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-mandrake-bar-los-angeles


Mandrake / 2692 S La Cienega Blvd (between Venice Blvd and Washington Blvd) / Los Angeles, CA 90034 / 310.837.3297 / www.mandrakebar.com

Chloe

Past an unmarked red door next to the Hotel Carmel is where you'll find Chloe, the westside lounge from eastsides (at least Hollywood's) Laurie Mulstay and Ron Marino. Already known for bringing a saught after vibe to their places, Chloe rests somewhere between two: It has food as good as Magnolia (bacon-wrapped dates, mac and cheese, burgers), but it's not a restaurant; and it's not as much bar as The Bar. But there are some killer signature cocktails.

Mulstay calls it a modern take on a 1930s French lounge, filled with velvety animal print sofas, and server girls in fashionable gray uniforms with red sashes by local designer (and "Project Runway" contestant) Rami Kashou.

After settling in with your Sidecar, Pimm's Cup or Whiskey Cobbler (that's bourbon, Grand Marnier and fresh lemon), you'll sample small plates that are accessible but with a twist—the fries come with malt vinegar and sea salt, and you'll find ingredients like persimmon and pistachios that came from the Farmer's Market just up the street.

The overall vibe at the tiny, but radiant lounge is meant to inspire return visits; with a warm decor and neighborhood vibe. If the ex-New Yorkers who run Chloe's past success record is any indication (Magnolia is especially doing well), count on this Santa Monica gem to be around for many years.

Chloe / 1449 2nd St (btw Broadway & Santa Monica) / Santa Monica, CA 90401 / www.barchloe.com