A.O.C. Debuts Five New Seasonal Cocktails at 3rd Street & Brentwood Locations
Market-Fresh Seasonal Cocktails Crafted by Head Barman Ignacio Murillo Now Available at Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s A.O.C. Restaurants
A.O.C. debuts a new cocktail menu crafted by Ignacio Murillo to welcome the changing summer produce and warmer temperatures.
In addition to the full bar of premium and classic cocktails, the specialty drinks at both 3rd Street and Brentwood locations include:
Summer Chelada with Skyduster Rice Beer, Watermelon, Chamoy, Tamarind & Lime;
Red Maya with Mezcal, Lemon, Red Plum & Maple;
California Sangria with White Wine, Argonaut Brandy, Citrus & Yellow Peach (2 Servings);
Bing Sour with Gin, Lemon, Egg White & House Cherry Liqueur;
and The Kingdom with Suntory Toki Whiskey, Strawberry Aperitivo & Rhubarb Bitters.
From his early days as a busser at the OG A.O.C. at 3rd & Crescent Heights, Ignacio Murillo always went the extra mile and immersed himself in the A.O.C. ways.
He came to every wine and cheese tasting, dedicated to being the best he could be, and made himself a key member of the A.O.C. family. Eventually, he moved to the bartender position, where he honed his cocktail-making skills, developing an incredible palate and a talent for layering flavors and textures in a magical way.
Murillo is now taking center stage, running A.O.C.’s bar program featuring seasonally motivated cocktails created to pair with Chef Suzanne Goin’s market menu offerings.
Cocktails are priced at $18 and $34 for a pitcher of Sangria. They are available now and continue through the summer season.
summer chelada 18
skyduster rice beer, watermelon, chamoy, tamarind & lime
Cheladas are the simplest of the cervezas preparadas, or beer cocktails; just beer, lots of lime and a salt rim. We’ve made an even more refreshing version with farmers’ market watermelon, spicy tamarind chamoy and a chili-salt rim. When combined with local brewer,
Skyduster’s Super Dry rice lager, this drink becomes the perfect summer crusher.
Of course, we can always make it with non-alcoholic beer for those who want something “free-spirited!”
red maya 18
mezcal, lemon, red plum & maple
When thinking about a summer mezcal cocktail, we decided to turn to one of our favorite summer fruits, the plum. We love the way the rich sweetness of red plums play off the smokiness of mezcal. We added a squeeze of lemon and a touch of maple syrup to marry the flavors and to create a sophisticated yet refreshing hot-weather cocktail.
california sangria 34
white wine, argonaut brandy, citrus & yellow peach
Sangria just screams Summer! And we wanted ours to scream California. So we started with a white California wine and loaded it with lots of California peaches, California oranges and our own peach liqueur (made from California peaches, ofcourse), and finished it with our favorite Californian brandy from our friends at Argonaut.
Served in a pitcher of two orders each.
bing sour 18
gin, lemon, egg white & house cherry liqueur
Because cherry season comes and goes so quickly, we always make a house cherry liqueur to preserve that flavor all year. To showcase the perfect sweet-sour balance of the Bing Cherries at the market right now, we decided to simply mix our liqueur with some egg white
and gin to present as a classic sour.
kingdom $18
suntory toki whiskey, strawberry aperitivo, rhubarb bitters, orange
While Tochigi is the prefecture in eastern Japan known as the strawberry kingdom, here in Los Angeles, anyone who loves strawberries swears by Harry’s Berries, a family farm started by Harry Iwamoto and whose legacy is carried on by his family in Oxnard. This locally grown treasure is highlighted in Kingdom to create a spirit-forward seasonal cocktail. This combination of strawberry aperitivo, house-made rhubarb bitters and Suntory Toki whiskey is A.O.C.’s nod to a classic Manhattan.
WHEN:
Serving now and continuing through the summer season; available for lunch, brunch & dinner per operating hours
A.O.C. 3rd Street
Dinner
Sunday – Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Brunch
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Pick up & delivery
5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. nightly
Saturday – Sunday brunch 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
A.O.C. in Brentwood
Lunch
Wednesday – Friday 11:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Dinner
Sunday – Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Brunch
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Pick up & delivery
5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. nightly
WHERE:
A.O.C. 3rd Street
8700 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 – 310.859.9859
A.O.C. in Brentwood
11648 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049 – 310.806.6464
ABOUT THE LUCQUES GROUP:
With the opening of Lucques, their flagship restaurant, in 1998, James Beard Foundation award-winning Chef/Author Suzanne Goin and award-winning Restaurateur Caroline Styne planted the seeds for The Lucques Group, a Los Angeles hospitality company that comprises two fine dining restaurants – A.O.C. in both Los Angeles and Brentwood. Along with these culinary enterprises, the company also owns the Larder Baking Company and oversees Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine, which curates all the food and beverage outlets at L.A.’s iconic music venue. The duo also operates two new restaurants – Caldo Verde and Cara Cara, and the new Dahlia cocktail bar at the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel. The Lucques Group is dedicated to seasonally influenced cooking and focuses on sourcing local, organic produce from which Goin creates soulful dishes that are bold in flavor, vibrant, layered and complex.
For further information and complete menus, visit
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
LA Artist Victor Solomon Partners with Kendall-Jackson to Design NBA Co-Branded Wine Labels
Artist Victor Solomon Start Groundbreaking Partnership with Kendall-Jackson to Design NBA Co-Branded Wine Labels
Kendall-Jackson, renowned for producing America’s #1 selling Chardonnay and the NBA’s first official wine partner, is thrilled to announce a collaboration with celebrated artist and designer Victor Solomon, hailed for designing the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
Victor Solomon: Where Art Meets the NBA Hardwood
Victor Solomon is a Los Angeles-based contemporary artist who has carved out a unique niche at the intersection of art, design, and basketball culture. Known for his stunning, handcrafted works that reimagine iconic basketball symbols through the lens of luxury and fine art, Solomon has become a standout figure in the art world, particularly for his collaborations with the NBA. His work often explores the idea of basketball not just as a sport, but as a global cultural phenomenon, rich with symbolism, community, and artistry.
Solomon’s most notable project, “Literally Balling,” transforms traditional basketball hoops into breathtaking sculptures using materials like stained glass, crystal, and 24K gold. These pieces elevate the everyday aesthetic of the game into something sacred, almost cathedral-like, highlighting the deep reverence many fans hold for basketball. Beyond gallery installations, Solomon has worked directly with the NBA, designing custom trophies, court art, and luxury installations that blend the sport’s raw energy with high-end craftsmanship.
His artistry extends beyond aesthetics—Solomon’s work often reflects the evolution of basketball as a symbol of aspiration, community, and resilience. Whether through a stained glass backboard or a reimagined championship trophy, he bridges the gap between the streets and the art world, honoring the game’s history while pushing creative boundaries. In a league where storytelling is key, Victor Solomon’s art tells the NBA’s story through a lens of beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance.
Artist Victor Solomon Start Groundbreaking Partnership with Kendall-Jackson
This collaboration, rooted in mutual connections with the NBA, will feature Solomon’s artistic vision in designing the labels for the league’s first co-branded wines with Kendall-Jackson in Sonoma County, California.
The partnership will officially kick off during NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, where Kendall-Jackson and Solomon will unveil the wine label designs at NBA Crossover, a multi-day fan fest event that celebrates basketball culture, part of All-Star Weekend, taking place in San Francisco February 14 – 16, 2025. Kendall-Jackson will launch a co-branded Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, a Monterey County Chardonnay and a Lake County Sauvignon Blanc in August 2025.
“When we partnered with the NBA, we set out to uniquely blend the culture of wine with the excitement of the game,”
Chris Jackson
Co-Proprietor of Kendall-Jackson
“We are excited to partner with Victor Solomon and bring his extraordinary talents in connecting art with sports culture to the look of our first NBA co-branded wines. This partnership is a natural fit as we expand our relationship with the league and continue to explore unique ways to engage our audiences.”
The partnership brings together Kendall-Jackson’s legacy of craftsmanship and Solomon’s signature design aesthetic, which blends traditional artistry with modern inspirations. Victor Solomon’s prior work—including his acclaimed “Literally Balling” series that reimagines basketball through the lens of stained glass and fine craftsmanship—has earned him a reputation for pushing the boundaries of design in sports and culture.
“My work has always been about elevating the artistry within sport,”
Victor Solomon
“Partnering with Kendall-Jackson allows me to extend that vision by creating and celebrating a shared spirit of craftsmanship. My work has included collaborations with the NBA on bespoke trophies and immersive installations that celebrate the league’s iconic legacy. Through the tactile beauty of a wine label, this collaboration offers an opportunity to unite these worlds in a meaningful way.”
Solomon’s meticulous design process involves months of research and hands-on experimentation to craft pieces that are both visually stunning and deeply resonant. Recent projects include a Swarovski crystal basketball installation for the NBA’s 75th Anniversary celebration and his “Journey” sculpture series, which explores the evolution of the game through iconic materials. Upcoming works include collaborations with international museums and luxury brands, and a court refurbishing project throughout California, further cementing his role as a leader at the intersection of art and sports.
For more information about this partnership, visit www.kj.com/NBA. Follow Kendall-Jackson on all social platforms with handle @KJWines.
Join Us: DTLA’s Boomtown Brewery Celebrates 10th Anniversary Feb 21 – 23 with 3 days of Craft Beer, Food, Fun
Join Us: DTLA’s Boomtown Brewery Celebrates 10th Anniversary Feb 21 – 23 with 3 days of Craft Beer, Food, Fun
Boomtown Brewery, L.A.’s iconic craft beer haven nestled in the heart of the DTLA Arts District, is pulling out all the stops to celebrate 10 Years of brewing excellence with an unforgettable Boomtown Brewery 10th Anniversary Weekend!
Boomtown Brewery 10th Anniversary Weekend Feb 21 – 23
From Friday, February 21st through Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, beer lovers, locals, and visitors alike are invited to raise a glass (or several) in honor of a decade of incredible brews, community vibes, and epic events!
Patrons will enjoy three action-packed days of Craft Beer, Live Entertainment, LA’s Top Food Vendors, and good times.
Photo Credit: Nick Gingold / Craft Media LA
The Boomtown Tap Room—just steps from their cutting-edge brewery—will be buzzing with over eighteen Craft Beer selections, including fan favorites like BAD HOMBRE Mexican-Style Lager, Nose Job IPA, Chavez Ravine Hazy IPA, Mic Czech Pilsner, plus a rotating selection of styles including IPAs, Stouts, Sours, Gluten-free Seltzers, and more.
DTLA’s Boomtown Brewery’s Head Brewer Amber Sawicki // Photo Credit: Nick Gingold / Craft Media LA
With Head Brewer Amber Sawicki and Production Manager Benjamin Turkel leading the charge, guests can expect some exciting new releases to mark the occasion.
Friday, February 21st, 2025: Look-Alike Contest & Karaoke Kickoff (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
Come Dress as an LA Icon from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and compete in Boomtown’s Look-Alike Contest!
Maybe we will see Fast & Furious-hero Dominic Toretto, pop sensation Billie Eilish, or Dodgers’ legend Fernando Valenzuela coming to the party and winners will receive a Boomtown Hat, Shirt, and Gift Card, with One Ultimate Winner crowned to receive a Boomtown Golden Glass Membership!
Food Vendors Correas Mariscos and Word of Mouth Truck will be onsite to fuel everyone up for Karaoke Night which will start at 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm, so step up to the mic and get $2 off your next beer just for belting out your favorite tune!
Saturday, February 22nd, 2025: The Official 10th Anniversary Party (12:00 PM – 1:00 AM)
It’s Boomtown Brewery’s 10th Birthday, and guests are invited to partake in everything Boomtown has to offer!
Sip on a full lineup of new and innovative Craft Beers while enjoying a showcase of Live Bands, Stand-Up Comedy, and Trivia from the afternoon until late at night.
Food Vendors Taqueria Frontera and Vegan Hooligans will be serving all day and night, and Tripp Burger will be serving from 6:00 pm to 12:00 Midnight. At 9:00 pm, The Funk Freaks will perform, getting everyone on their feet to dance the night away.
Sunday, February 23rd, 2025: Boomtown Brewery 10th Anniversary: INFMS Beer Hip Hop Concert & Hazy Panda IPA Beer Release (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
Boomtown Brewery and INFMS Beer team up once again to bring the best Hip Hop show in town, featuring the return of the Hazy Panda IPA!
Boomtown will be open to the public from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 pm. Boomtown will close briefly before reopening at 6:00 PM for ticketed guests attending Boomtown Brewery’s 10 Anniversary – INFMS Beer
Hip Hop Concert & Exclusive Beer Release featuring DJ Nu-Mark (Member of Jurassic 5), Bad Neighbor (Blu & MED), DJ C-Los, DJ Mishaps, Psycho Les & Big Twins, and Food Vendor The Wingman Official, and more.
Photo Credit: Nick Gingold / Craft Media LA
This is a 21+ Event and Tickets are required.
There is limited availability, so Get Yours Now here at Boomtown Brewery’s 10th Anniversary: INFMS Beer Hip Hop Concert & Beer Release.
BOOMTOWN BREWERY: A DECADE OF COMMUNITY, CREATIVITY & CRAFT BEER:
Since its inception, Boomtown Brewery has proudly represented Los Angeles, creating unfiltered, full-flavored craft beers with integrity. As a fixture in the DTLA Arts District, Boomtown is more than just a brewery—it’s a community hub for artists, makers, and beer lovers to connect and celebrate the creative spirit of the city.
From live music and trivia nights to open mic events and food festivals, Boomtown Brewery continues to bring people together in meaningful, memorable ways.
Photo Credit: Nick Gingold / Craft Media LA
As they celebrate this milestone, the team behind Boomtown Brewery—Owners John Rankin, Alex Kagianaris, and Samuel “Chewy” Chawinga—invite you to be part of the magic.
So, mark your calendars, spread the word, and come toast to 10 years of Boomtown Brewery!
Boomtown Brewery’s 10th Anniversary Celebration will take place Friday, February 21st, 2025, through Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, with Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, being their official 10th Anniversary Celebration, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 am. Saturday, February 22nd is a 21+ Event after 8:00 pm and this event is Free to attend, and no tickets are needed.
For more information and to purchase Tickets to Boomtown Brewery’s 10th Anniversary: INFMS Beer Hip Hop Concert & Beer Release on Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, please visit Boomtown Brewery’s 10th Anniversary: INFMS Beer Hip Hop Concert & Beer Release!
Cheers to 10 years of Boomtown Brewery—here’s to many more!
Social Media: Follow Boomtown Brewery on Instagram @boomtowmbrewery, Facebook @Boomtown.Brewery, andTikTok @Boomtown.Brewery
Boomtown Brewery
700 Jackson Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
T: 213.617.8497
Los Angeles Superbowl Parties: Best Places to Watch the Super Bowl LIX in Los Angeles: Top Bars, Rooftops, and Watch Parties
Celebrate the Superbowl with parties in Los Angeles at the Best Places to Watch the Super Bowl LIX in Los Angeles: Top Bars, Rooftops, and Watch Parties
Super Bowl LIX is shaping up to be an epic showdown, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited—especially for football fans in Los Angeles.
The game will be played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in 2025, bringing the championship back to one of the most electric football cities in the country. With potential powerhouse teams in contention, star quarterbacks in their prime, and evolving offensive schemes redefining the game, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Plus, the Super Bowl’s return to New Orleans means an unmatched atmosphere, with a city known for its legendary food, music, and nightlife turning the event into a week-long festival. Whether you’re watching for the game, halftime show, or just the excuse to throw an epic party, Super Bowl LIX is set to deliver in every way.
Now if you’re not interested in all the sports socializing, and would rather stay home, don’t worry — Super Bowl LIX is airing live on FOX, and Kendrick’s performance will be available on Tubi, NFL+, the NFL mobile app, and SiriusXM. The halftime performance will showcase Kendrick’s iconic raps, and SZA will be joining him as well.
The Ultimate Super Bowl LIX Food and Drink Pairings
The Super Bowl is as much about the food and drinks as it is about the game, with fans across the country indulging in classic comfort foods paired with the perfect beverages.
Buffalo wings and ice-cold beer are the undisputed MVPs of game-day dining—whether it’s a crisp lager, a hoppy IPA, or a smooth wheat beer, the carbonation and bitterness help cut through the heat of the spicy wings.
Nachos piled high with cheese, jalapeños, and seasoned meat call for a refreshing margarita or a Mexican lager, both of which enhance the bold flavors while keeping the palate refreshed.
For barbecue lovers, smoky pulled pork sandwiches or ribs are best paired with a bourbon-based cocktail like an Old Fashioned or a rich, malty brown ale to complement the deep, caramelized flavors.
For those who prefer snacks that are easy to grab between plays, loaded potato skins or classic onion dip with chips pair well with a smooth pilsner or a light-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to balance the richness. If pizza is on the menu—another Super Bowl staple—a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or a classic pale ale enhances the tangy tomato sauce and gooey cheese.
On the sweeter side, chocolate chip cookies or brownies go great with a dark stout or a creamy espresso martini, making for a winning dessert combo. No matter who you’re rooting for, the right food and drink pairings make the Super Bowl an even more enjoyable experience, ensuring that every bite and sip is as satisfying as a game-winning touchdown.
Superbowl with parties in Los Angeles
Now, on to the L.A. Super Bowl watch parties…
Grandmaster Recorders to Watch Super Bowl LIX
Grandmaster Recorders is the place to be for the Super Bowl, offering two incredible spaces to catch the big game. Their rooftop bash is legendary, letting you soak in all the action with the Hollywood Sign as your backdrop, making for a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Downstairs at Studio 71, you’ll find a cozy, dark ambiance with a state-of-the-art sound system and massive screen, perfect for an immersive game-day vibe. Whether you’re looking for high-energy rooftop views or an intimate, cinematic football experience, Grandmaster Recorders delivers an unforgettable way to watch the Super Bowl.
Learn more: Grandmaster Recorders
Location: 1518 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Paragon Bar and Grill
Paragon Bar and Grill, a favorite in the 818, is the go-to spot for an epic Super Bowl watch party every year. With delicious food, a huge selection of beers on tap, and bucket specials, it’s the perfect place to kick back and enjoy the game with fellow fans.
But the fun doesn’t stop at food and drinks—giveaways and special promotions make the atmosphere even more exciting, so it feels like everyone walks away a winner. Whether you’re there for the football, the food, or just the electric energy, Paragon Bar and Grill knows how to throw a Super Bowl party done right.
Learn more: Paragon Bar and Grill
Location: 8319 Louise Ave, Northridge, CA 91325
Barney’s Beanery to watch Super Bowl LIX
All Barney’s Beanery locations across Los Angeles are turning into the ultimate Super Bowl hotspots, with the game playing on 40+ TVs and multiple projectors with full sound. No matter where you sit, you’ll have a prime view of all the action.
With their lively atmosphere, great food, and plenty of drinks to go around, Barney’s is the perfect place to post up with friends and watch every play, touchdown, and commercial. Whether you’re there for the game or just the good vibes, you won’t miss a moment of the action!
Locations:
- Santa Monica: 1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA
- West Hollywood: 8447 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
- Pasadena: 99 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
- Burbank: 250 N 1st St, Burbank, CA 91502
3rd Base
3rd Base is bringing sports fans the ultimate Super Bowl bash, combining upscale dining, craft cocktails, and their famous two-tier tequila trees for a next-level game-day experience. Whether you’re there for the big plays or just the top-notch food and drinks, this spot knows how to do game day right.
This year, they’re offering general admission, seat reservations, and table reservations, so you can lock in your spot for the action. Just keep in mind—food and beverage minimums apply, but with their killer menu and drink selection, meeting the minimum won’t be a problem!
Learn more: 3rd Base
Location: 1562 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Best Places to Watch Super Bowl LIX in Los Angeles
-
For Your Passover Seder Table, From the Holy Land of Israel, Carmel Winery Premiers Two New Outstanding Red Wines
From the Holy Land of Israel to Your Passover Seder Table, Carmel Winery Premiers Two New Outstanding Red Wines from Its Premium Brand, Carmel Signature
Israel’s largest and leading winery, Carmel Winery, is expanding its premium wine brand – Carmel Signature with two new red varietals just in time for Passover.
The Carmel Signature fine wines were launched two years ago with great success as the luxury wine brand of Carmel Winery, and includes four series: Vats, Single Vineyards, and two iconic wines, Carmel Mediterranean and Limited Edition.
Carmel Winery Premiers Two New Outstanding Red Wines from Its Premium Brand, Carmel Signature
As part of their ongoing innovation, Carmel is expanding the Single Vineyard series with the introduction of two new wines produced from vineyards grown in volcanic soil. These two wines join the other exceptional wines offered in the Carmel Single Vineyard series.
The new Volcano series is comprised of fine wines from the best vineyards of the winery’s unique and rich terroir.
According to Etti Edri, Export Manager at Carmel Winery, “The Carmel brand introduces new selections of wines to its Signature series, along with a prestigious and up-to-date new look. These two new wines, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Merlot, are both grown in an Upper Galilee vineyard rich in volcanic soil, hence the name Volcano. These are the wines worth waiting for, to celebrate memorable occasions and milestones. And, both are a perfect complement to the upcoming Passover holiday.”
Carmel Winery CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 MACHPEA HILL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 MACHPEA HILL
Vintage 2019, Dry red wine, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. After gentle pressing and fermentation in stainless steel vats, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months and continued to mature in its bottle for another year. The wine’s subtle aromas include black and red fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, fresh red strawberry fruit flavors, tobacco, and mint. This premier wine is rich and full bodied, with soft and powerful tannins and a long and elegant finish. This wine will continue to mature over the coming years, and pairs well with dishes such as roasted lamb chops, roast beef, or smoked cheddar cheese. This vineyard is located in the northern Galilee, at an altitude of 915 meters (3,000ft) above sea level. This is a vineyard with an area of 30 dunams (7.4 acres), which was planted in 2014. (MSRP: $60)
Carmel Winery MERLOT 2019 EVYATAR CREEK
MERLOT 2019 EVYATAR CREEK
Vintage 2019, Dry red wine, 100% Merlot. This wine was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months and continued to mature in its bottle for another year. The wine’s complex and powerful aroma combines red and black fruits, black pepper, mint, and licorice, with a fresh and ripe taste. Characterized by a full to medium body, it presents balanced tannins on the palette, and has a long, slightly bitter and refreshing finish. This wine pairs well with dishes such as roasted lamb chops, roast beef or smoked cheddar cheese. The vineyard is located in the Upper Galilee. (MSPR: $60)
Yiftah Perets, Head Winemaker, Carmel Winery, says, “Carmel Signature draws on the long-standing traditions of Carmel Winery, a mix of old and new, including respect for the past while incorporating innovation and technology to produce the best possible wines from the best vineyards. The entire wine making process is overseen with preciseness from start to finish, from the selection of the vineyards, fermentation, and dedicated families of growers, to the wine’s bottling and aging.
The wines are produced in unique growing areas, reflecting the regional differentiation, and illustrate how growing regions perform in harmony with specific varieties adaptation, to produce some of the finest wines from the flagship Carmel Winery collection.”
Carmel’s new Signature wines, Merlot Evyatar Creek, and Cabernet Machphea Hill, were recently launched at the Kosher Food & Wine Experience in NYC, hosted by Royal Wine Corp.
For additional information visit the CARMEL WINERY website and Royal Wine Corp., the largest producer, importer and exporter of kosher wines.
-
LA’s best kept Sushi Secret: Yama Sushi Marketplace celebrates 40 years
Yama Sushi Marketplace, LA’s best kept secret, celebrates 40 years
This June 2024, Yama Sushi Marketplace, a rare gem in Los Angeles will celebrate 40 years of the freshest Sashimi and Sushi Angelenos have come to crave and if possible, keep a secret.
“Please don’t tell anyone about this store” whispers one customer while another admits that “It is just not right to gatekeep this any longer!”
https://www.facebook.com/yamaseafoodla
In June 1984, Kenzo Yamada and his wife Nobuko opened Yama Seafood on Las Tunas Drive in San Gabriel.
After many years working as a fish power broker in Los Angeles, Kenzo Yamada or “Yama San” decided to open up his own shop where because of his contacts, was always assured the freshest and best cuts of fish when he visited the fish market every morning.
Today, these same fish companies provide Yama Sushi Marketplace with the freshest fish from all over the world, delivered daily.
https://www.facebook.com/yamaseafoodla
The network of Japanese sushi specialists is quite impressive and Yama san knew them all, from Nobu Matsuhisa (Nobu Restaurants), Katsuya Uechi (Katsuya Sushi) and Kazunori Nozawa (Sugarfish and Kazunori).
No doubt that Los Angeles was ground zero for Sushi in the USA
There is no doubt that Los Angeles was ground zero for Sushi in the USA, especially with the guidance of Noritoshi Kanai of Mutual Foods (Japanese Food Distributor who introduced Sushi to the American palette).
Although through the years, many larger Japanese Super Markets began to grow in Los Angeles, Yama Seafood stayed true to form, giving customers personal service to choose the freshest cuts of Salmon, Yellowtail, Blue Fin Tuna as Yama San would personally slice each serving of sashimi for the customers.
https://www.facebook.com/yamaseafoodla
Nobuko San, his wife, would run the front and cook the most delicious side dishes for customers, and customers were always given a bag of ice to keep the fish nice and cold.
One of Yama’s first employees, Enrique Moreno (“Kike San”) became Yama’s right hand man, and helped create the now famous Yama California Roll. “We wanted something special with the correct balance of filling, texture and rice”.
https://www.facebook.com/yamaseafoodla
Last year, in 2023, the Los Angeles Times recognized Yama as having LA’s Best California Roll, and still today, customers line up at Yama for this special sushi. It is true that customers would literally fight over the last California Rolls in the fridge as two customers famously played a tug of war with the last California Roll Sushi as it went flying into the air and spilled on to the floor.
Yama Seafood was San Gabriel’s “Best Kept Secret”
Although Yama Seafood was San Gabriel’s “Best Kept Secret,” many customers through the years heard about Yama and still to this day travel across state lines to grab the Yama Sashimi and Sushi.
Yama San was a fixture in San Gabriel as many customers had a very close and personal relationship with him as he was always very generous with his support of the community.
In May 2021, Yama San decided it was time to pass the torch, and the Kohno Family of San Marino, stepped in to take over this precious gem.
“The actual interview took 6 months”
Scott Kohno
the CEO of EJL Entertainment
Yama San wanted to make sure that he could trust the next generation to maintain the quality and vision that he firmly established in San Gabriel.
With Scott’s extensive background in retail and food throughout the USA and Asia and his family’s experience in finance, marketing and operations, the store was gradually upgraded, and an expansion plan of the new Yama in West LA (opened 2022) and a brand new Yama in K-town (September 2024) commemorates an exciting time for the Yama Sushi Marketplace brand.
Today, Yama Sushi Marketplace has been named the “Adult Disneyland” by one of Yama’s customers as it transcends just a typical market or restaurant.
From the freshest sushi prepared by sushi chefs on the hour every hour, to the largest selection of Sake, curated by Scott’s wife, Wendy a Kikisakeshi (Sake Sommelier) Yama has something for everyone. Unique Shoyu (soy sauce) with Matsutake mushrooms, fresh wasabi, party platters including the new Temaki Time Hand Roll Party Platter and unique gifts and kitchen goods from Japan make the shopping experience second to none.
Whether it is the monthly sushi making or sake tasting classes or the cute Japanese stationery products, Yama is a store that is truly a feast for the eyes (a customer literally walked into to the store with her eyes shielded so she would not be tempted by Yama’s Specialty Gift Table. “I just want sushi today and cannot get distracted by these tempting Japanese gifts!” she insisted. A West LA Father holding the hand of his 4 year old daughter commented “thank you so much for bringing this store to West LA. My daughter and I love Yama and it is now our Friday Night Date Night!”
To commemorate Yama’s 40th milestone, Yama will feature special events during the entire month of June, including retro nostalgic dishes from 40 years ago, mystery grab bags, special 40th anniversary merchandise and the festivities will conclude with the June 29th 40th Anniversary Celebration featuring a Blue Fin Sashimi Cutting Demonstration and Japanese Taiko Drummers.
Yama Seafood LA is a Japanese sushi marketplace
Yama Seafood is a Japanese sushi marketplace with 39 years of history in the San Gabriel Valley. They specialize in offering authentic Japanese meals that customers can enjoy at home, including a variety of party platters.
Both of their stores (San Gabriel and West LA) feature a unique selection of imported Japanese products, snacks, sake and beer, carefully curated and seasonally refreshed by their dedicated team. Additionally, they cater to diverse dietary preferences with grab-and-go items like Chicken Katsu, Somen Salad, and an assortment of Vegan Sushi options under our special brands, Sushi With Attitude and Vegan Sushi With Attitude.
This combination of tradition, quality, and variety makes Yama Seafood (Sushi Marketplace) an ideal destination for anyone seeking an authentic Japanese culinary experience.
For more information, to order online or for grand opening & anniversary celebration activities please visit: https://www.yamaseafoodla.com
-
Chilli No 5 ‘Sauce of Life’ Brings Flavor and Health to your Next Meal
Chilli No 5 ‘Sauce of Life’ Brings Flavor and Health to your Next Meal with an unmistakable spicy hit, combined with superfoods & health supplements.
Providing the flavorful gourmet vegan chilli sauces & gift sets using the most natural & healthy ingredients.
Chilli No 5 Brings ‘Superfood Sorcery’ and Big Flavor
Delivering the best range of your favorite international flavors of chilli, marinades and BBQ hot sauces.
Co-founder Rumble Romagnoli joined me for a conversation about food, family, making chilli healthier and bringing their award-winning chilli sauce to the masses.
Chilli No. 5 Co-founder Rumble Romagnoli
The below conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Find the full, un-edited conversation at our YouTube channel.
When you think about hot sauce, can you tell us about a celebration or a memory, something in life that inspired you to get so excited about hot sauce?
Rumble Romagnoli: Yeah when we’re smaller and we’re in the kitchen, it’s such a magical experience, isn’t it?
I had a real Italian Nonna so an Italian grandmother who always had bubbling pots and pastas and, Mules and fish and meat. My mother and my sister; so great moments as a child cooking in the kitchen and then out on the dining table with all the family.
It was great and now I love cooking and it makes me really relaxed. Just zoning out, cooking for the family, growing my own vegetables, chilies and then gathering around tables with friends and family just to enjoy. And that’s really where this all started.
What does day to day life look like for you. How did you decide to split up some of that time with a hot sauce endeavor?
Rumble Romagnoli: You remember COVID wasn’t really a nice time for anyone. We were there in a small apartment with lots of small children. It was chaos.
We couldn’t see our friends. We couldn’t see our family. They were all over the world and it was desperate times. So I suppose setting up Chili No. 5 was all about this kind of wanting to get back together with people enjoying moments and being together, sharing and getting fresh, healthy food and not lining up in the supermarket.
Chilli No 5 Brings ‘Superfood Sorcery’ and Big Flavor
A lot of chefs who I was very friendly with all had lost their jobs. I was like, Hey, can you make sauce? They’re like, yeah, of course I can. So that’s how it all started.
And we started trying out new flavors and we love world cooking. So that’s how Chilli No 5 started.
From your Chilli expert point of view, what should someone look for on a label that lets us know this is a quality chilli sauce?
Rumble Romagnoli: I think you guys are better at it than us to be fair. You’re fanatics; incredible.
I’m not a real expert. I just love creating great food for my family and friends. And we’ve tried to make… The best world hot sauces but they’re not going to blow your head off. It’s not really a hot sauce. They are chilli sauces.
Chilli No 5 variety of flavors
What I think you should be looking for on the bottle is: great ingredients, as many as you can get. No numbers, no coloring, no baddies.
I’m looking for just superfoods and anything that’s gonna make me glow.
In my world, when I think of chili sauce and hot sauces, I don’t always think of superfoods.
Tell me a little bit about where the idea came from to so strongly cross over superfoods with chili.
Rumble Romagnoli: I love spice and tingling on my tongue and that kind of rush you get from that spice and hot. The hot sauce or the flakes or the chili oil. My wife loves to be healthy. Happy wife, happy life they say, so I just combined.
I was doing something more spicy and she says, why don’t you put some good stuff in there? And I’d been reading a lot about Guana ginseng, maca; and all of these are in our sources. These are natural supplements that you buy in the shop. You have some of that and it really picks you up, increases your concentration, which I need for long days. I need more energy. I’m getting older. So I was like, hey let’s just put them in the hot sauce and then you got the best of both worlds. So that’s the superfood sauce or superfood sorcery we like to say.
That was all my wife’s doing to be honest.
I feel like a lot of chilli sauces are just gunk. When I think superfoods, I think health. Is your Chilli No 9 a health food?
Rumble Romagnoli: Absolutely. I’ll pick out one of these bottles.I wouldn’t say a healthy hot sauce. I would say a hot sauce full of healthy ingredients because you never know there are some sugars in here and you never know what people will find healthy or not healthy.
But we’ve got in this Jamaican jerk, which is great on a barbecue chicken as a marinade as a condiment as a barbecue sauce. We’ve got fresh red onions, fresh spring onions. Chilli No 9 chili. Fresh chilies, which are all really healthy for you. There’s ginger. There’s garlic. There’s lemon. There’s lime. There’s agave syrup.
We tried to tone down the sugar but keep it a little bit sweet, apple cider vinegar, we’ve got, extra virgin olive oil. It goes on black garlic, thyme, nutmeg, allspice, black pepper, guarana, maca, Ginseng, l arginine. It doesn’t stop. That is packed to the rims, full of healthy ingredients.
We’ve tried to put the healthiest ingredients we could find and make it as tasty as possible using these ingredients and authentic to Jamaica and their jerk sauce.
It’s a sauce packed full of healthy superfood antioxidant ingredients and that’s maybe why it’s winning all these awards for taste.
Because bottom line is it has to taste nice before being healthy.
Nobody wants a science flavored chili. So I agree with that. Let’s talk about some of your favorite flavors.
Rumble Romagnoli: It’s hard because we have over 15 sources. But one of my favorites which you’d probably love as well is the Mexican Fury. My sister lives in Guadalajara in Mexico. She left the UK and went all around South America and ended up finding a lovely guy and settled down there.
Mexican food is fantastic. It’s just really great. Full of flavors and all sorts of different ingredients that we can’t grow in the UK or in Europe. You guys have got such great weather down there in the South, Miami, Florida. Texas, Mexico between the South of the U. S. and the North of Mexico.
So you’ve got the jalapenos which are just incredible. We’ve got all of these beautiful chilies, the habanero come up with an automatically smoky flavor when mixed with the red peppers, the tomatoes, the red onions. They fuse this on the palate to really pair very well with chicken, prawns, tacos, burritos or even egg for breakfast or pancakes.
The Mexican Fury is a really good one. We won 16 awards for different sauces. I love chipotle, anything smoky in our Louisiana barbecue. We’ve tried to tone down the sugar, add a bit of cognac whiskey, bourbon whiskey. We’ve added the classic American ingredients in there to make a kind of healthy style Louisiana barbecue.
Then the harissa is a great one. It’s really popular. it’s North African full of caraway seeds, cumin seeds, olive oil, lots of of incredible deep ingredients that really sit on the back of the tongue. There’s lots of ingredients there that kind of bring your food to life.
We want to bring life and energy into a barbecue situation, dinner with granny, breakfast before work, sandwich on the bench in Manhattan.
Tell us a little bit about the competitions you’ve entered.
Rumble Romagnoli: We were only a year old and we’d come up with these sauces and we’d thought they were good. The founder Chef Colin and then we had a team of chefs working in our London kitchen and our South of France kitchen and we entered the Great Taste Awards.
These are quite big awards in the UK but it’s international awards where all kind of fine foods, gourmet foods are tested by panels of hundreds of judges. It’s quite a strict competition.
So first year we came in and we won seven stars for 11 products. We’re very happy. It was incredible. The Jamaican jerk really got a good one. The heavenly Harissa came in very well. Our chilli oil called Pizza Pizzazz.
Our chili flakes are all fresh and lovely coming from all sides of the world. Carolina Reaper, the Scorpion, the Habanero, the Ghost, the Number 5 chili from India.
We watched and read all of the judges’ comments and we’re so thankful that they really detailed about acidity, balance, flavor structures.
Then we reworked it. We played around with ingredient quality, we changed vinegars slightly, the cooking process. We started baking the vegetables, the peppers, the onions, the red onions. The tomatoes really started getting more flavor. We put in a bit of olive oil at the start to get the flavors moving around.
Then we came in this year with 13 awards out of 16. With our 7, that makes 16 of our total products have won awards by the Great Taste Awards.
We want to create the best chilli sauces on the planet. That’s my mission.
How is Chilli No 5 going to grow and evolve?
Rumble Romagnoli: It’s happening quite quickly and we have a B2C strategy and service strategy.
We want to have the most delicious sauces in every category. We’re just working on each recipe and we think if we make the best sauce, people are going to love the best sauce, and then they’re going to buy the best sauce.
A bit like Apple, just make the best products and people just keep buying them We’re getting into big stores in the UK, placements in Monaco.
We are in lots of great high end butchers, delicatessens and it’s going really well.
So we’ve got this B2B strategy. We need to impress the professionals. We’ve impressed the people who love healthy lifestyle, love delicious sauce, gourmet. But now we have to impress the industry.
Obviously coming to America is the big move.
Tell us all the ways we can learn more about Chili No. Tell us your website, social media.
Rumble Romagnoli: The website is the big one, Chili No.5. Shop us on Etsy. Follow us on instagram, Facebook, YouTube.
We’re also quite present for hot sauce gift sets. We do five or six incredible hot sauce gift sets which are collections of the sauces. And we’ve got mini little minis and you can make your own you can personalize because we’ve got 15 sauces.
We’re very big at Christmas. Very big at Father’s Day, Thanksgiving and we will send the sauces over to you guys in the states. No problem. If anything breaks, if anything’s damaged, we will refund you and resend you the sauce you ordered because that’s the least we can do.
One comment on “A.O.C. Debuts Five New Seasonal Cocktails at 3rd Street & Brentwood Locations”