LA Times' The Taste LA 2012

by Maren Swanson

August 28th, 2012

This upcoming Labor Day weekend forecasts no shortage of foodie fun, which is why this year's The Taste is the perfect opportunity to step into three days of delicious drinking and eating. Held at Paramount Studios on Melrose, the LA Times hosts one of the hottest annual culinary events in Southern California featuring events that include cooking demonstrations, endless tastings and seminars from top chefs and mixologists.

Panelists include Thomas Keller (Bouchon, The French Laundry), Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza), Susan Feniger (Street) and many more. Attendees can choose from 5 different events: Field to Fork, Cocktail Confidential (with fellow friend Hallie Beaune, The Beer Chicks), Flavors of L.A., Dinner & Drinks and Labor Day Picnic. All events are 21+ excpect for the Labor Day Picnic which is open to all ages. Tickets will cost you $65 in advance and $75 at the door. A portion of proceeds from this year's event will benefit benefit Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona and the Los Angeles Times Family Fund's Summer Camp Campaign.

Saturday, September 1
FIELD TO FORK | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Hosts: Times Food Editor Russ Parsons & Chef Ray Garcia (FIG)
Cooking demos: Ray Garcia, David LeFevre (M.B. Post), Roxana Jullapat (Cooks County), Nyesha Arrington (Wilshire), Jason Kim (Forage)
Panels & seminars: "State of the Farmer's Market," "How to Taste Wine Like a Master Sommelier," "Everyday Bordeaux"

COCKTAIL CONFIDENTIAL | 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Hosts: Times Food & Night Life Writer Jessica Gelt & mixologist Julian Cox (Rivera, Playa)
Mixology demos: Tricia Alley, Alex Day
Mix-off challenge: Jaymee Mandeville (Drago Centro), Nathan Oliver (The Vagrancy Project), Paul Sanguinetti (Ray's and Stark Bar), Brian Summers (Parish), Marcos Tello (Feed), Damian Windsor (Roger Room)
 

Sunday, September 2
FLAVORS OF L.A. | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Hosts: Times Restaurant Critic Jonathan Gold & chef, author & host of KCRW's "Good Food" Evan Kleiman
Cooking demos: Susan Feniger (STREET), Ludo Lefebvre (LudoBites), Kris Yenbamroong (NIGHT + MARKET), Ricardo Zarate (Picca)
Panels & seminars: "The L.A. Food Scene," "Authentic Flavors of Mexico," "Sake 101," and Cline Cellars

DINNER & DRINKS | 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Hosts: Times Deputy Food Editor Betty Hallock & "The Beer Chicks," Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune
Cocktail demos: The Beer Chicks, Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstarck (The Cooking Channel), Tricia Alley

Monday, September 3
LABOR DAY PICNIC PRESENTED BY TARGET | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Hosts: Times Test Kitchen Director Noelle Carter & Zoe Nathan (Huckleberry, Milo & Olive)
Cooking demos: Zoe Nathan, Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza), Judy Han (Mendocino Farms), Steve Lopez's Firehouse Cookoff
Panels & seminars: Thomas Keller (Bouchon, The French Laundry), roundtable with winners of this year's Battle of the Burgers, "Wine Lists & How They Are Created," "A Tour of California Appellations"

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Twitter: @TheTasteLA
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thetastela

Paramount Studios

5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90038

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LOS ANGELES HAPPY HOURS

- LA's Premier Happy Hour Search Site Featuring Over 1,000 Happy Hours Within 50 Cities in Los Angeles County

Love Happy Hour - Cocktail Calories - What's In Your Drink?

Alright, so maybe you're not like me. Maybe you don't care how what you are drinking affects your waistline. Let me start over. I never USED to care about the caloric intake of my drinks until I hit my thirties, but now I can understand why companies like Skinny Girl are making a killing in the alcoholic beverage industry. New companies like Voli Vodka also promise a lower calorie count, but essentially the alcohol content is lower and that part they don't market. However, if that's what keeps Fergie looking that thin - then pass one over!

I mean, who wouldn't want enjoy a tasty cocktail with a few less calories (as long as it keeps its flavor and integrity)? Well, regardless of which way you swing, here are some sipping statistics on cocktail calories from a recent article by Prevention magazine.

Bloody Mary: 1.5 oz of vodka and some added Bloody Mary mix will hit you with 120 calories (not to mention a higher sodium content).

Cosmo: 1.5 oz of vodka, 0.75 oz of Triple Sec, plus some cranberry juice and lime will cost you about 200 calories.

Margarita: 1.4 oz tequila, 0.7 oz Cointreau, sweet and sour and lime will set you back 155 calories, and if you order Cadillac style, the numbers go up.

Martini: 1.5 oz of gin and 0.5 oz of dry vermouth costs a mere 119calories (not including those glorious olives) and the dirtier you make it, the deeper you're in.

Red Wine: A single 5 oz glass of red wine is 125 calories. Why, why?! I can't say no to Pinot.

White Wine: 5 oz of white wine comes in 2nd to red with a mere 121calories - only 4 calories less!

At the end of the day, I'm probably not going to drastically change my drinking routine and go all "Weight Watchers" about it, but at least I know now. I love my wine too much to part ways and until someone can exactly replicate a glass of Far Niente Chardonay sans the extra calories, my glass stays full.

Cheers,

Maren

La Piazza Happy Hour - The Grove

La Piazza - Happy Hour - The Grove
by Maren Swanson

Dear Love,

I recently had a much needed ladies night. The women and I had wanted an open patio on such a beautiful afternoon, so we headed to The Grove and found ourselves seated at La Piazza. Did I mention the other reason we headed to The Grove? I can't lie, it was opening week of Magic Mike and a few pre-cocktails at a nearby happy hour seemed like the perfect start to our opening games.

It was the beginning of a great night; four chicas on the hunt for cheap drinks and cheap thrills. La Piazza, an Italian eatery, was bustling as usual as we seated ourselves at their outdoor patio. We were immediately greeted by a server with a thick Italian accent, "buongiorno." She was smart and quick, politely cutting us off before we talked incessantly for hours of buff men with "moves like Jagger." Per her recommendation, we began with the Tuna Tartare and four glasses of the happy hour Savignon Blanc ($6.50). We enjoyed the Tuna Tartare; one piece for each of us topped with a balsamic reduction over corn crisps.

Our night continued to get better as we ordered a another round of wine and a few more dishes. Next to arrive was the pizza and calamari. The pizza had a bubbly crust with even cheese and sauce, but a little more basil would have knocked it out of the park. Calamari can be tricky, but La Piazza gave us restaurant quality presentation and some side kick marinara sauce. Lastly, we opted for the artichoke dip with dipping toasts. The warm toasts were crispy and rustic, brushed with olive oil, however the artichoke dip was slightly oily and a little bland for my taste.

After we had cleaned our plates, we noticed that too much fun had practically made us miss seeing Channing Tatum on the big screen (please don't be jealous). I'm sure the La Piazza servers deal with this all the time: "We are about to miss our movie! Can you close us out please!" Our Italian Stallion server was all business and hooked us up stat. What a night! A little buzz went a long way, as we joined a clearly rambunctious audience inside the movie theater.

La Piazza was a perfect happy hour before our second round of "movie happy hour." If you decide to go, stop in Monday - Friday, 4:30pm - 7:30pm for $5 select beers, $6.50 select wines and $3 - 6 appetizers. And if you don't plan on watching a movie, you can definitely people watch.

XXOO,

Maren

La Piazza
189 The Grove Dr # G90
Los Angeles, CA 900368
(323) 933-5050

MID WILSHIRE HAPPY HOURS

LOS ANGELES HAPPY HOURS

Free Summer Concerts in Los Angeles

August 4th, 2012

Alright, I may be one of the few people whom have never made it to Coachella, mostly because huge crowds make me claustrophobic, but I generally prefer the laid back feel of planting my bare feet in the grass where I can relax, sip on wine and unwind. Los Angeles, unlike some of its jealous neighbors, hasn't reached that "I refuse to go outside" temperature, so I say carpe diem - summer concerts are the way to go. Lovehappyhour.com has gathered up a few parks and places where you can soak up the sun and the music, free.

West Hollywood: Summer Concert Series at Kings Road Park

Right off Santa Monica Boulevard and Kings Road in West Hollywood, rests a quaint little park that's dog and family friendly. On July 22nd, I caught a show by the group Beautiful People, an eclectic electronica band with a fiery lead singer and some great bass. Upcoming performances will continue until August 19th. Bring a blanket or grab one of the chairs already set up by the City at one of the alternating parks (also Plummer Park) on Sundays, 4pm.

1000 North Kings Road
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Santa Monica: Sheraton Delfina Hotel - Jazz on The Lawn

Beginning in August, Sheraton Delfina Hotel in Santa Monica is shaking things up with free jazz on Sundays from 5pm - 7pm. If you supply the blankets, they'll supply the jazz. It's BYOB, but if you are craving a cocktail, stop by the Lobby Lounge for some bar bites or return during the week for some great happy hour.

530 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 399-9344

West Los Angeles: The J. Paul Getty Museum: Sounds of LA

One of my all-time favorite places to visit in Los Angeles is by far the Getty Museum. Off the 405 freeway, lush landscapes and iconic art converge, now with the added bonus of free music. Each month you can catch 2 concerts from global musicians. I suggest bringing a light picnic and a bottle of wine, but if you forget, the Getty offers light snacks, beers and even wine by the bottle for purchase. Parking is $15 or $10 after 5pm.

1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles
(310) 440-7355

Downtown LA: Pershing Square Downtown Stage Summer Series

Marking its 5 year anniversary, Pershing Square in Downtown Los Angeles continues to grow in popularity as a favorite spot to catch some local music talent. For 6 weeks of summer during Saturday nights from 8pm - 11pm, you can enjoy the sounds from this Downtown stage free of charge. Shows end on August 18th, so hurry up before it's too late.

532 South Olive St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 847-4970