Love Happy Hour - Ink & Vine - Road Trip to Solvang: Wine and Happy Hour

Road Trip to Solvang: Wine and Happy Hour
Road Trip to Solvang: Wine and Happy Hour by Maren Swanson This crazy LA heat wave has made me sluggish, tired and unmotivated. Not that I'm surprised - these symptoms bother me every year around August. So instead of complaining about it, I'm making an impulsive decision to take a cool drive up the PCH and head to the Danish town of Solvang. Solvang has become one of my favorite road trips to make while I've been living in California. About two and a half hours drive up the coast, one can escape to wine country for tastings, shopping and even "happy hour." Once you enter town, you can't help but notice the large windmills, red and white flags and wooden clogs that decorate the quaint area. Tourists, local and international, feast on ethnic dishes and visit tasting rooms laced throughout town. Let's just say "charming" is an understatement. Usually my boyfriend and I stay at the same place, The Wine Valley Inn. We love it there; cottage style rooms, coi ponds, fireplaces in the rooms, free breakfast and a friendly staff. Last time we arrived, the concierge recommended that we check out their wine bar in the side lobby room. During the weekdays, 5pm - 8pm and on the weekends, 5pm - 9pm, you can sip and mingle with other hotel guests at the Wine Valley Inn with glasses of wine available for $8. However, from 5pm - 6pm nightly they host a happy hour with $3 glasses of wine - now you're speaking my language! The lobby has cozy sofas, a crackling fireplace and complimentary cheese and crackers available for noshing. Antique furniture with modern embellishments create an inviting atmosphere with a romantic tone that sets the mood for most of the couples attending. Everyone just seems a little more in love than usual (and possibly just warm and fuzzy from their earlier tastings). One of the pairs we met shared their love story of meeting in high school and gave their advice for sustaining a long-lasting relationship - I definitely took notes. The bartender, whom had worked there for years, offered us recommendations for the best local restaurants and activities. After chatting up some of the other guests, we returned to the bar a few minutes past the hh, but we were still allowed a $3 pour. Everyone we met was super friendly and the lobby get- together was a great idea, considering most of the tasting rooms in Solvang and neighboring towns close around 4 or 5pm. Plus, you can purchase bottle of local wine in your room for as low as $15! Besides our hotel happy hour, we will be excited this weekend to hit up some other local wineries in Lompac, Los Olivos and Buelton. Tasting rooms including Lincourt, Foley, Epiphany, Qupe and Consilience are definitely on our list. After booking an affordable room for your visit, you can pay anywhere from $10 - 20 (higher for premium wines) for individual tastings and after hitting a few vineyards, sharing is not only economical, but a good idea all together. If you are the adventurous type, hit up the newly renovated Chumash Casino right in town with excellent food and plenty of slot machines. So, what are you waiting for? The words: ROAD TRIP are calling your name. Take a break from the heat, get in your car and take a picturesque drive up north. Plenty of wine, stellar views and friendly people may just be in your short term future. Wine Valley Inn - Happy Hour 1564 Copenhagen Drive Solvang, CA 93463 (323) 662-9024 Follow me @MarenSwanson

LA Times The Taste LA 2012

Check out my adventure from this year's LA Times The Taste LA 2012!

Soleto Happy Hour - Downtown Los Angeles

Soleto - Happy Hour by Maren Swanson Dear Love, I envy the Downtown Los Angeles lifestyle; everyone walking with purpose, unending options for drinking recreation and there's just a completely different type of energy than my WeHo neighborhood. As much as I would love to frequent a city with over 100 happy hours, I find myself lazy when I consider the lengthy, congested drive down the 101 South to rendezvous with DTLA. However, sometimes if something is good enough, you just make the extra effort. With my weakness for pizza and buzz of a great happy hour, I couldn't resist the idea of checking out Innovative Dining Group's new Italian concept, Soleto - even if it meant leaving my comfort zone. The moment I entered Soleto, I immediately noticed the grandiose bar as the focal point of the restaurant. Afterwork bar guests crowded the oval showcase of liquor bottles and not an open seat was to be found, so my friend and I choose a high top table nearby to feast our eyes on people watching and conveniently, the happy hour menu. The quirky and mis-matched lights, high ceilings, business suits and antique details of the place made Soleto feel slightly New York to me - ah, the benefits of escaping to Downtown LA! Made from the skins of Sorrento lemons, Limoncello is usually served as an after dinner cordial, but with the addition of ginger ale to lighten it up, Soleto's Limoncello Sprizter for only $3 was a great start to our meal. Next, we dove into ordering some tapas with the $5 shrimp oreganato, $8 antipasti platter and $4 white bean hummus. Our shrimp oreganato was served skillet style with hand-torn croutons; butter, garlic and pungent aromas made even my mouth feel naughty. The hummus was simple, a more conservative dish than the last, but the elegant antipasti platter was sublime. A melange of grana padano parmesan, marmalade, salami, prosciutto, broccoli rabe and golden toast points were my food pornography collection come to life. I knew I couldn't leave without trying one of their wood-fired pizzas, so we continued our meal with the Spicy Speck Pizza (not on the hh menu). The pizza was delivered to our table hot out the oven and and stayed true to its name: spicy (we were warned). To wash down my next slice, I opted for the $3 white peach sangria. The summer wine cocktail was a great balance for the hot-head chasing pizza fanatic in me. A side order of the grilled oyster mushrooms with a white truffle lemon vinaigrette was aromatic and savory, but parts of the dish tasted a little on the salty side. Lastly, I relished the the fresh beets tossed in a light vinaigrette and sprinkled with small pillows of herbed goat cheese - just lovely. Next time, I will try sitting in the patio area. A quick peak outside promised views of the architectual skyline - formidable. Without a moment's hesitation, I can promise I will be back. Soleto's first impression of great food, ambience and service will no doubt rally me back for return visits, however, next time I'm trying trusty Wilshire Boulevard. XXOO, Maren Soleto 801 S Figueroa St Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213) 622-3255 DOWNTOWN LA HAPPY HOURS LOS ANGELES HAPPY HOURS Lovehappyhour.com - LA's Premiere Happy Hour Search Site Featuring Over 1,000 Happy Hours Within 50 Cities in Los Angeles County

Love Happy Hour - 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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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

Makin' it with Maren - How to Make Sexy Summer Sangria

Makin' It With Maren

July 28th, 2012

Summer is here and so is the heat. Coming from an Arizona native, you learn to embrace the sun-kissed scorcher of a season and make the most of it. So I've taken the liberty of pulling out all of my summer dresses, hot pink nail polish and flirty flip flops. But besides jumping in the ocean or a pool, my other resource for cooling off involves a refreshing, cold cocktail.

After my latest walk to the local Farmers Market, I was inspired to create what I call: Sexy Summer Sangria. Sangria is a wonderful summer remedy because it's easy, flavorful and affordable. The drink is also packed with antioxidants and colorful fruit so it's a real crowd pleaser and a perfect drink for entertaining friends.

So take a minute and check out my latest Makin' it with Maren video, and I'll show you how to make my Sexy Summer Sangria!

Tips:

1. Choose a white wine of your choice, but I suggest Pinot Grigio or Savignon Blanc.

2. Buy the most ripe and flavorful fruit available. I chose strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, oranges, peaches and nectarines. For extra color and flavor, try adding some mint, basil or cucumber.

3. The longer you let the fruit marinate in the wine, the more flavor will notice in the Sangria. I suggest letting the Sangria sit overnight, but if you are pressed with time, add 2oz of Simple Syrup to add a bit of sweetness.

To Make:

Slice or chop up all of your fruit and place in a large bowl or pitcher.

Add 1 bottle of white wine and 2oz of Triple Sec (add 2oz simple syrup for a slighty sweeter version).

Marinate 2-4 hours or overnight.

Before serving add 2 cups of soda water and ice.

Serve.

For other drink recipes, check out PourPlay!

Gladstone's Malibu Launches Happy Hour

Gladstone's - Malibu - Happy Hour

July 3rd, 2012

If you've ever taken the PCH to Malibu, then you've probably noticed and/or eaten at the famous Gladstone's. Located on beach front property, Gladstone's is a great seafood haven where you can catch the ocean view, sunset and a delicious margarita all at once. Foil-wrapped leftovers in the shape of swans will always remind me of my first visit to this Malibu landmark, but now I have a even better reason to return: happy hour.

Yes, it's really true. Gladstone's has launched a happy hour. Weekdays on Monday through Friday, 3pm to 6pm, you can indulge in $2 raw oysters on the half shell, $6 Ahi Tuna salad sliders and other ocean derived favorites. And you'll want to come thirsty because $4 Miller Lite & Pacifico, $5 wine by the glass and $7 specialty cocktails are reason alone to order a drink.

Gladstone's

17300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

(310) 454-3474

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