The Good Life, Korea Style, at POT at the Line Hotel

 

One of Edible Skinny’s favorite Koreatown hotspots for the perfect KTown dinner is the Line Hotel, POT at the Line Hotel to be specific.  

 

POT is Koreatown and Korean food through the eyes of an American with Korean blood, Roy Choi to be specific.  Choi famed for his Kogi food truck and Chef movie has noted he has had many addictions throughout life, and the one he has right now is feeding people.  As POT’s menu proclaims he’s “passionate about Hot pots, blood soups, frenetic energy, bbq.  It’s the late nights on the streets, it’s a joyous celebration of life.  Most of all, it’s good times and good food in the hood. “

Although the menu is very meat heavy (as is the world of Korean food in general...) the veggie dishes that POT does it does stupendously!  

 

Every Korean meal always starts with some fun banchan’s (aka panch'an).  Banchan (the word can be singular or plural) are small dishes of food served along with cooked rice in Korean cuisine.  The most popular banchan is Kimchi.  Many Koreans don’t even consider a meal complete without Kimchi.  Unfortunately I couldn’t get their version of a full meal because  Kimchi is traditionally made with fish sauce, but  fortunately I was able to sample other banchan’s including their Cucumber and Daikon and their Namle Soybean.   Both were fantastic necessitating seconds!

POT’s menu proclaims “Tofu is Not Dead” and nowhere is this more true then in POT’s Cabbage Pot.   Composed of Soybean Paste, Veggies, Mori-Nu Tofu the taste is delicious, full of an umami richness that comes from a multitude of mixing flavors.  

POT’s pots come in a few sizes With a Friend/A Few Is More Than Two/Group Love, but if you ask very nicely they’ll make one individually for you.  Trust me, you should ask them…

Another fantabulous dish on the POT’s menu is their Barbeque Vegetable side dish.  Large veggies charred to perfection and topped with dried onions and sesames seeds.   It is dream dish for any vegetarian.  

So for the good life, Korea style, POT is a great place to discover the taste of life being delicious!

Rocking Tequila Herradura ULTRA at The Jimmy Goldstein Estate

This week Edible Skinny was lucky enough to attend an event at The Jimmy Goldstein Estate to launch the new product from Tequila Herradura: ULTRA. 

Fairing the rain (in June… in Los Angeles…) we sipped on Herradura ULTRA Margaritas and Bellinis on the outdoor tennis courts while entertained by beats by Balthazar Getty and dueling marionette performers (Black Michael Jackson vs. White Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger vs. Keith Richards, Frank Sinatra vs Sammy Davis Jr.).  Guests in attendance included singer Joe Jonas, recording artist Kid Ink, actor Jon Lovitz, and baseball player Anthony Gomez.

The Jimmy Goldstein Estate was definitely the place to party in the Hills on a Tuesday night!   Designed by John Lautner, a student/disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright, in 1963, the stunning house has been featured in a number of movies, including Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, French Exit, and The Big Lebowski.  Conceived from the inside out and built into the sandstone ledge of the hillside it’s a cave-like dwelling that opens to embrace nature and view.  It the ultimate Los Angeles Hills mansion: cool, designer, and breathtaking!

A fitting piece of architecture for a fitting bottle of tequila.  Casa Herradura’s Añejo tequila provides the base for Herradura ULTRA. The Añejo is blended with premium Extra Añejo that has been aged for up to 49 months in American White Oak barrels.  A subtle hint of agave nectar is added before the liquid is filtered, creating a rich, crystal-clear tequila with a full-bodied. 

Once we’d finished sipping our drinks and taken in our fill of the view (regardless of the fact that the clouds hindered the sunset) we ducked downstairs to the event’s Bootsy Bellows pop up at The James Club to dance the night away with music by Arkade and Midnight Men.

So here’s to Tuesday partying, Herradura Margaritas, and, as always, life being delicious!

Santa Monica Grand Tasting: A Showcase of Culinary Craft

One of the most difficult things about dining out is deciding where to go. While Los Angeles has many delectable destinations, Santa Monica has always been one of Edible Skinny’s Go-To’s for foodie fun. With its stunning landscape and diverse eateries this Westside town offers endless edible options that never skimp on flavor. But how do we choose? Thankfully with this weekend’s Santa Monica Grand Tasting, we don’t have to. In fact, this amazing event brings some of the most talented Westside chef’s to one-stop dining destination with a breathtaking backdrop. 

Santa Monica Grand Tasting, happening this Saturday and Sunday on the Santa Monica pier, will offer the ultimate pairing menu, featuring numerous well-known chefs and renowned restaurants. Guests will sample an endless array of plates that encompass the eclectic tastes of Los Angeles, as well as showcase the ideology of each eatery. Featured chef Susan Feniger, of the Border Grill, heads the event, which supports the Chill Foundation. This walk around culinary expo with beverage pairings features over 100 of LA’s top chefs participating in the kitchen, presented by the Santa Monica Wholefoods Market. Participating chef include: David Hands of Bouchon, Adam Steudle of Hotel Erwin, Phillip Frankland Lee of Scratch Bar and many more. Other participating brands include Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Kerry Gold Cheese & Butter, Choctal, GG's Toffee, Cutco, Fresh Brothers, Nature's Bakery, Gourmet Blends, and many more.

The event, sponsored by Evian, BADOIT, and The St. Regis Monarch Beach, will be held from 7pm-10pm on June 13-14 with VIP admission beginning at 7.pm. The event also has free rides offered by Uber.com to event participants along with an awesome after party at the Hotel Erwin.  For more information about event and to purchase tickets please visit santamonicagrandtasting.com. 

For those who are interested in checking out this showcase of culinary craft the Santa Monica Grand Tasting is offering 65% of the Sunday ticket price to our readers:

https://santamonicapier.eventbrite.com/?discount=JOY

As always, hope life is delicious and we look forward to seeing you there.

Klatch Coffee, Where Coffee is a Conversation

On our road trip return from the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend (which I was covering for Workin’ The Tease) we found a sojourn from the blazing heat of the Inland Empire at the delightfully delicious Klatch Coffee (where coffee is a conversation).

  

Both a roaster and coffee shop, Klatch Coffee has been searching the world over for the finest coffee since 1993.  Owner and Roastmaster Mike Perry blends a background of chemical engineering with a love for great coffee to balance science and artistry in achieving the perfect cup!

The result is multiple accolades including Micro Roaster of the Year by Roast Magazine, multiple winners at the United States Barista Championship, and America’s Best Coffeehouse at Seattle’s Coffee Fest!

Since I’m off coffee, I sampled the deliciousness that was their Iced Chai Latte.  Made from scratch, it was the perfect combination of sweet and spice.  Full of Cardamom and Cinnamon it swirled around in my mouth like a Thai Iced Tea you’d procure on the streets of Bangkok.  

Klatch Coffee is has three locations in the Inland Empire (San Dimas, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga), but I was delighted to discover they also have a location closer to home: LAX (Terminal 7)!

So next time your taking that red eye from LAX to JFK forgo the ‘Bucks for an espresso that’s the only espresso ever awarded "Best Espresso in the World" at the World Barista Championships.  Boom!  

Holman Ranch, Where the Past is Always Present

On our sojourn to the north Edible Skinny was delighted to be granted a night’s stay at the 400-acre property of Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley, California.  We’ve previously covered their tasting room and olive oil, but never had the opportunity to personally encounter this magical location where the past is always present.

Located in the world-class growing appellation of Carmel Valley, Holman Ranch’s enchanting stone hacienda offers old world style with its native gardens, the breathtaking vistas from every angle, olive groves, and vineyards.  It’s a Central Coast charmed place for weddings, family events, special events, family gatherings, and corporate retreats.  

The Ranch, which is approximately 12 miles inland from the Pacific Coast, has quite the past.  In 1928, a San Francisco businessman, Gordon Armsby, was attracted to the rich farmland and leisurely pace of Carmel Valley, and purchased 600-acres in the Valley, inclwuding what would be Holman Ranch.  Armsby hired architect Clarence Tantau, of Monterey’s Del Monte Hotel fame, to design the home that would reside on his new property.

Tantau and Armsby chose a classic Spanish-style hacienda, shielded by Carmel stone walls and adorned by handmade Mexican terracotta roofing and hand-carved oak-beamed ceilings.  The Hacienda sits atop a grassy knoll, offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the Santa Lucia Mountains.  Nestled in a stand of mature oaks, nicknamed “Casa Escondida”, or “Hidden House”, the estate served as an exclusive hideaway for many Hollywood celebrities including Charlie Chaplin and Theda Bara.

 

In the 1940s, Clarence Holman, eldest son of Holman’s Department Store family purchased the Ranch and converted it into one of Carmel’s first resorts (including installing the first pool in Carmel Valley).  It quickly became the center of social life, hosting a plethora of “Who’s Who” parties and community events.  In the tradition of their predecessors, the Holman’s had the pleasure of hosting Hollywood’s finest: Clark Gable, Vincent Price, Joan Crawford and Marlon Brando (who’s cabin we stayed in!), to name a few.

In 1989, Dorothy McEwen stepped up to preserved the Ranch’s historic past as a private estate and event venue.  She planted vineyards, founded the stables, and outfitted the hacienda to accommodate celebrations of all kinds.

Thomas and  Jarman Lowder learned of the property, fell for its charms, and purchased Holman Ranch in 2006 and began restoring, refurbishing, and updating the Ranch to bring it back to its original grandeur, adding 17 acres of vineyards and wine caves.   Today the Lowder Family are fulfilling their dream of making estate grown wine and olive oil. 

Holman Ranch has always been a unique location, not only for breathtaking views and natural beauty, but also as a private estate that opens its doors to the public for their special events.  Their daughter, Hunter, who continues in the fashion of all previous owners, runs all of the property’s special events.  The Lowder Family updated the Ranch’s old-world charm, providing modern conveniences including heat, air conditioning, Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, abundant indoor and outdoor electricity, and an integrated sound system.

 

Holman Ranch is perfection for vistas, vineyards, and vows, a magical place where the past is always present.

Here’s to life being delicious!

Patron Puts the “Art” Back in Party with the “Art of Patron”

This year Patron is putting the art back in party with their “Art of Patron” contest.  The contest inspired by Patron’s craft and commitment to the finest tequila, is proving to be the perfect way to mix things up. The contest invites artists and innovators to give “the brand’s distinct glass bottles a second life” through artistic interpretation, asking applicants to create an original work of art or functional item that contains, is made from, or depicts any Patrón bottle or component thereof. From elegant chandeliers to fresh and funky vases, Patron enthusiasts have shown just how versatile this iconic glass bottle can be. The contest, which ended on April 30, will narrow ten finalists to one grand prizewinner who will receive $10,000 and national exposure for their work of art. To promote their contest, Patron invited Edible Skinny to the “Art of Patron” Los Angeles event to experience the taste behind the art.  

The Art of Patron event reminds us just how much dedication goes into a perfectly crafted cocktail through inspiration and mixology. The event focused on Patron creativity featuring over ten signature cocktails ranging from the classic Patron Smoked Sea Salt Margarita made with Patron Silver, pineapple, and paprika to the Tea Sea, which featured Patron XO Café, cold- brewed coffee and spiced and sweetened condensed milk. With other drinks like the Mexican Mule, made with Patron Resposado, Ginger Beer and lime juice and the Patron Old Fashioned, there was something on the list for everyone. While we are all use tequila staples like margaritas or shot, these cocktails made us wonder why we had been limiting the potentials of this perfectly palatable Patron. Through conscientious crafting each Patron cocktail told a story, and our taste buds listened. 

And no story is complete without reminding us of its roots. The Art of Patron Event offered guest an escape from reality through immersive 360 degree Oculus Rift technology which brought guest back to the origins of it all. Those who took the trip were transported to a hacienda in Mexico where they experienced Patron’s first handcrafting from start to finish through the eyes of a bee. This virtual experience took us on a journey where we traveled from the highest-quality Weber Blue agave plants grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, to the centuries-old distillation process, to the signed, handcrafted glass bottles, Patrón is produced with unparalleled attention to detail.

The Art of Patron event left no taste untapped when it came to art. With a walkthrough gallery of Andy Warholesque Patron portraits, to a monster Patron bottle recreated in crayons, to color your own cocktails, to photography rooms, the event made sure you attendees were living the art as much as tasting it. They even featured a create your own bottle artwork station, where guest could bedazzle or decorate their own Patron bottle to take home. 
 

And no night or cocktail would be complete without the finishing touches. To make sure things continued to spice up, Patron featured a spice stations where attendees could learn about the different flavors used to rim these creative and innovative cocktails. There was also a make-your-own station where guests could choose from over 25 spices to create a personalized combination that they received in a Patron tin, for their home drinking pleasure. 

Patron, a perfect balance of taste and tradition has outdone themselves this time, pushing the boundaries of influence and inspiration. The Art of Patron shows us tequila is an art form every step of the way, from inception to consummation, this versatile spirit is a masterpiece.   

For more information about the #artofpatron or Patron spirits, please visit Patronspirits.com

A Day of Local Distilled Discoveries at LA Wine Fest

Edible Skinny was lucky enough to attend the LA Wine Fest this weekend at Raleigh Studios! The temperatures were too hot to handle, but the vendors were nothing but friendly allowing us to be introduced to some new fun local brands!

The first alcohol company we encountered on day of local distilled discoveries was Rebel Coast Winery.  Rebel Coast Winery is not your parent’s winery (which is also one of their taglines along with the ever classic,  “Don’t be a dick”).   Rebel Coast Winery is crafted by twenty-somethings who all live in Jack Black’s old house in Hermosa Beach and are inspired to do what they do because, “life’s boring without wine!” 

Their first wine, Reckless Love, is branded with an image of owner Chip Forsythe’s iconic handle bar mustache (which also glows in the dark for late night drinking)!   Handcrafted to “pair perfectly with wild nights and ignoring your parent’s advice,” it’s a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley and 50% Syrah from Paso Robles. Reckless Love got its title when Forsythe and co-owner Doug Burkett texted all their ex-girlfriends asking for a few words that described them.   Ignoring all the mean four letter words, the two settled on “Reckless Love.” Rebel Coast also makes a white wine entitled Sunday Funday that includes a back label peel off that includes a list of scavenger hunt activities to ensure your weekend ends with a smile.

Another great encounter we made at the LA Wine Fest was the 101 Cider, which is LA's first local cider house.  Made in small batches, but with big cider taste, these ciders are dry and crafty like beer, but drinkable like wine. All of 101 Cider’s ingredients are sourced from growers who are located along US Route 101: orchardists, farmers, botanists, and defenders of the land.

101Cider crafts incredibly healthy and delicious ciders, fun and interesting craft beverages that speak to those who understand the LA lifestyle.   Their Cactus Red is 101’s truly regional cider, unique to Southern California, as they crafted a blend of two indigenous desert plants that grow all over Los Angeles County: the Cactus and the Agave.  Ruby red in color the taste like a dry Jolly Rancher.  It was truly fabulous!!!  Another 101 Cider selection was their I.P.C. (Indian Pale Cider) which all the floral goodness of an IPA without the bitterness.  I drank every drop of this beverage, which as anyone knows my alcohol preference knows my abhorrence for IPAs (gross…)! 

So here’s to life being delicious and distilled discoveries at LA Wine Fest!