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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Makin' It With Maren

Makin' It With Maren

June 28th, 2012

Have you ever wanted to be your own at-home bartender? Mixology is hot right now, but if you're a beginner, starting from scratch can be a challenge when in comes to making your favorite drinks.

Makin It' With Maren is fun webseries that will show you the tips, tools and how-tos of shaking up new and classic cocktails. Maren Swanson will share easy, affordable and seasonal drinks that are great for entertaining or self pleasure. 

 

In addition to liquid recipes, Swanson will be covering local events, interviews and simple at-home happy hour secrets. So, pick up your swizzle sticks and stock your freezer with extra ice. This summer is gonna be hot and so will Makin' It With Maren.

Mercado Introduces Happy Hour

Mercado - Happy Hour

June 21st, 2012

Mercado, a new restaurant addition to the Santa Monica area, has just introduced happy hour. On Mondays - Fridays, 5pm to 7pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 4pm to 6pm, you can enjoy an array of delicious happy hour treats at the Fourth Street retreat. Owner Jesse Gomez describes the flavors as Mexican food with a modern twist; incorporating fresh, local bought ingredients and a Mezcal menu that will knock your socks off.

All of the margaritas are shaken with a house made sour mix and served extra frothy. And for only $4, you can enjoy Dos Equis Amber presented in a chilled glass with complimentary "Mexican" bar nuts for noshing.

The $6 Carnitas Tacos made with fresh guacamole, braised pork and red onion are unbelievable and you can wash them down with a stunning $6 Hibiscus Margarita. Did we mention that all of their tequilas are 100% agave? If you love happy hour, you will love Mercado's.

Mercado

1416 4th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 526-7121

 

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