LA Foodies want to know, what does Plant-based Honey Pair Well With?
You keep reading about plant-based honey. The environmental story, the nutrition. But how does it taste? What can you pair it with? Let’s find out in an exclusive interview with Mellody Food’s Darko Mandich.
Darko Mandich is a food entrepreneur in San Francisco. After spending almost a decade in the European honey industry as a business executive, Darko committed to reimagining the honey industry to become sustainable. Darko immigrated from Europe to California to launch Mellody, the world’s first plant-based honey brand. Darko is an advocate of saving the bees and wild pollinators.
Mellody Food’s Darko Mandich
Recently, I had a chance to talk with Darko.
You said you are a foodie. What are some incredible food pairings that you recommend with this honey?
When I like to talk about food, I always like to join food and beverage.
What does Plant-based Honey Pair Well With?
I’ll start with beverages first. I think this honey is perfect for mocktails and cocktails. It gives just enough of sweetness that someone is looking for in their alcoholic cocktail or non-alcoholic cocktail.
Will Plant-based Honey pair well With baklava
In terms of food, I would split it into savory and sweet. Sweet applications are my favorite, I just have a sweet tooth. My favorite dessert is Baklava because it comes from the part of the world where I come from. My wife, who’s a home chef, [used our honey to make] baklava and it was amazing.
We did an amazing collaboration with an upscale Italian plant-based restaurant in San Francisco Baia. They created this amazing, vegan panna cotta with our honey on top. It was culinary mastery developed by Chef Joshua Yap, who started working with Chef Matthew Kenny, who is also a well-known, plant-based chef.
Will plant-based honey pair well with a burger
In terms of savory applications, that opens a whole new world of opportunities. How we interact with stuff like pizza and honey, burgers and honey. Obviously honey and vinaigrette and olive oil, used as a dressing for salads, honey mustard, just name it.
What’s next for Mellody? What are the next steps out there for you?
Getting into as many restaurants as possible in this country. People are inquiring about the standalone product [separate from the speciality box] get it very soon at Eleven Madison Home.
Working on getting this product to as many people as possible, and just to invite everybody to participate in this mission of creating the sustainable future of honey.
I’m just excited about every tiny step in this journey until melody becomes the word for honey.
Eleven Madison Home’s The Specialty Tea and Honey Box featuring Mellody Honey
Is the honey currently available at Eleven Madison Home?
Yeah, the honey is currently available. The Specialty Tea and Honey Box launched for the Mother’s Day collection and Earth Month.
It’s a specially curated box of artisanal teas coming from different parts of the world with honey and also amazing, shortbread cookies. All plant-based, also made with our honey. That’s available right now
Sometime very soon a standalone jar [of honey] will also be available to Eleven Madison Home.
Eleven Madison Home’s The Specialty Tea and Honey Box featuring Mellody Honey
Tell us again what’s available, how to find it; and how to follow you and support you.
Yeah, follow us on Instagram and TikTok at MellodyFoods
In terms of purchasing, head to ElevenMadisonHome.com and you can purchase it there.
Saving the bees is learning more about them. Learning more about pollinators and you can do that on our social media.
And finally, if you’re equally passionate about bees and plants as we are, ask your favorite restaurant to reach out to us to offer Mellody in your favorite restaurant. It can be a vegan restaurant on non-vegan.
We are gonna work with all the restaurants that reach out to us where people ask to see our product offered, either on the menu, either within a meal, or just if you order a cup of tea and you want a side of Mellody.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Thanksgiving in Los Angeles: the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s… [Recipe Inside]
This Thanksgiving, the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s brioche. As in St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
No Thanksgiving spread is complete without a hearty stuffing. While add-ins are a matter of preference, choosing the right bread is crucial. One underrated choice is eggy, rich brioche – and with St Pierre Bakery, you don’t need to go to France to get it.
Thanks to its butter and egg content, St Pierre’s Brioche Loaf provides the perfect balance of crisp toastiness while remaining soft and creamy inside, while its lightly sweet flavor adds a decadent quality that can still lean savory. Attached below is an approachable recipe for stuffing allowing for all the craveable crunch for the whole family with minimal effort required.
St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
By @BrandiMilloy
Ingredients
1 loaf St. Pierre Brioche Bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
3/4 cup celery, diced
3/4 cup carrots, diced
1 cup mushrooms, diced
2 large eggs
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, just the leaves
1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
1 small apple (granny smith works well), peeled and diced
Salt and pepper
Directions
-
Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut brioche bread into 1” cubes and bake for about 10-15 minutes until toasted.
-
Meanwhile, into a pot over medium high heat add butter until melted. Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until everything starts to soften, about 7 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
-
Into a bowl whisk together the eggs, herbs, apples, mushrooms, and salt and pepper. Add your cooked vegetables and mix to combine.
-
Pour mixture on top of toasted bread and stir to combine. Bake stuffing for about 45 minutes. If your stuffing starts to get too brown, cover until finished baking. Enjoy!
As America’s favorite brioche brand, St Pierre’s products are widely available via grocery stores nationwide as well as Walmart.
Holidays in Los Angeles: Dining in Beverly Hills: Mastro’s, FYC Bar + Kitchen AND Holiday Tamales from Tito’s
The Holidays in Los Angeles have never been more festive (or delicious) with holiday Dining at Mastro’s Beverly Hills, FYC Bar + Kitchen AND Holiday Tamales from Tito’s
The Holidays in Los Angeles at Hotel Amarano in Burbank
On Christmas Day from 3-10 p.m., FYC Bar + Kitchen at the luxury boutique Hotel Amarano in Burbank will be serving a special 3-course menu for just $70 per person (not including wine or cocktails).
The menu will include Butternut Squash Soup OR Radicchio Cup Mushroom Salad with avocado, chives & balsamic vinaigrette;
Apple Wood Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon with jumbo prawns, mashed potatoes, baby carrots & Brussels sprouts OR Pistachio-Crusted Roasted Sea Bass with citrus sauce, mashed potatoes, baby carrots & Brussels sprouts – and desserts such as Chocolate Lava Cake, New York Cheesecake, Apple Tarte Tatin or Crème Brûlée – along with coffee or tea.
The Holidays in Los Angeles at Mastro’s Beverly Hills
For classic Beverly Hills luxury, Mastro’s Beverly Hills will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving their fresh oysters, caviar, decadent seafood towers, steaks and sides galore, along with luscious desserts and handcrafted cocktails – even a succulent Rabbi’s Daughter Kosher Bone-In Ribeye 16oz Steak for anyone celebrating Hanukkah (or who just likes great steaks).
For the month of December, Mastro’s is offering a special holiday cocktail – Under The Mistletoe.
For those who want their holiday meal from the comfort of their own home, Mastro’s Beverly Hills will have their famously decadent side dishes to go this year!
The following sides will serve up to 4 people, and cost $62 each:
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans with Sliced Almonds
Creamed Corn
Creamed Spinach
For a sweet limited time finish, Mastro’s will have a gorgeous Pecan Pie as well as a special Cinnamon + Pecan Butter Cake – a twist on their famed Butter Cake – both available now through December 30.
To order Mastro’s Sides, guests just need to call the restaurant to order from December 1-22 they can pick them up on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Mastro’s will be open Christmas Eve from 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Christmas Day from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, New Year’s Eve from 5:00 PM to Midnight and New Year’s Day from 5:00 to 9:00 PM.
You can find their full menu here & as you likely know, the ambiance at Mastro’s every evening is like a party, with live music and white glove service.
They also have 2 private dining rooms for large parties of 40-50.
The Holidays in Los Angeles at Tito’s Tacos
Lastly – we love the tradition of Christmas Eve tamales, but they take hours to make.
The beloved, family-owned since 1959 Tito’s Tacos offers both a succulent Chicken Tamale – cilantro grilled chicken and Anaheim green chiles wrapped in homemade corn masa & steamed in a corn husk OR a Veggie Tamale, fresh veggies and pinto beans, wrapped in homemade corn masa and steamed in a corn husk.
You can buy them individually or by the dozen and the best part is that you can get them delivered straight to your door.
For more info, go to www.TitosTacos.com
Orders can be placed online for delivery or pickup on or before December 23.
About Mastro’s Steakhouse Beverly Hills
Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills is a premier dining destination combining world class service with an elegant yet energetic ambiance, making it a popular choice for celebrities, locals and visitors.
Located at 246 North Canon Drive, Mastro’s features live music nightly, with signature menu highlights such as bone-in filet mignon, USDA Prime, Japanese A5 Wagyu, and True A5 Kobe steaks; lavish seafood towers featuring fresh oysters, shrimp, crab and lobster served in a swirl of dry ice mist, decadent lobster mashed potatoes, and Mastro’s famed Butter Cake, to name a few.
Open for dinner from 5:00 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more info, visit www.mastrosrestaurants.com
Palm Springs: Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of the Desert
Palm Springs: Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of the Desert Play Ground
Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of Palm Springs
The Palm Springs Surf Club announces the opening of their flagship restaurant, Navigator, on Friday, November 15th, 2024!
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
This innovative new dining destination bridges the worlds of desert living, hospitality, and surfing.
Guests will experience dramatic views of the San Jacinto Mountains, explore the expansive 13-acre property complete with resort amenities, and marvel at the sights and sounds of surfing in the state-of-the-art wave pool.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Leading the Navigator team is acclaimed Executive Chef Michael Hung. As the Executive Chef of Navigator and Director of Food & Beverage for the Palm Springs Surf Club, Chef Hung brings his culinary artistry to this highly anticipated opening.
Executive Chef Michael Hung
Chef Hung’s impressive career spans from renowned New York kitchens Daniel and Aquavit, through San Francisco’s celebrated establishments, including the James Beard Award-winning team at Jardiniere, led by the renowned Chef Traci Des Jardins and Michelin-starred La Folie with Chef Roland Passot.
His culinary path has included Faith & Flower in Los Angeles which earned accolades from Esquire, Los Angeles Magazine, and Travel + Leisure.
Hung’s talent continued to shine with Viviane at the Avalon Hotel, praised by Los Angeles Times esteemed food critic Jonathan Gold and renowned San Francisco Chronicle food critic, Michael Bauer.
Chef Hung brought his expertise to the luxury hotel and hospitality scene in Palm Springs as the Executive Chef for Steve Hermann Hotels, where he revamped menus at The Colony Club at The Colony Palms and SO.PA at L’Horizon Resort and Hermann Bungalows, earning a Michelin Guide listing for The Colony Club.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Now, at the Palm Springs Surf Club, he applies his expertise to both Navigator and the larger resort’s food and beverage offerings, promising an elevated dining experience rooted in a global culinary perspective.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Navigator’s Menu will highlight modern American cuisine infused with influences from renowned surf locales, including flavors inspired by Portugal, Morocco, Mexico, Indonesia, and Hawaii. Each dish is crafted with the finest local ingredients, blending global flavors with a California sensibility.
Signature offerings include Olive & Herb Dinner Rolls with Tomato Jam, Crispy Wagyu Beef Cigars, Hawaiian-style Garlic Shrimp, and large-format dishes such as a Pan Roasted Whole Rainbow Trout or the 20-oz Ribeye with Bone Marrow Gremolata. Chef Hung’s thoughtfully curated Vegan options,Sides, and inventive Desserts like the Crème Catalan Parfait and Valrhona Dark Chocolate Mousse promise an array of flavors for every palate.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
The Wine List, curated by Beverage Director Anthony Dougherty emphasizes California’s finest labels, while Dougherty’s Bar Menufeatures a refreshing selection of Handcrafted Cocktails and a robust Tap Beer program highlighting local producers.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Service will be led by renowned restaurateur, Cameron Hirigoyen, who for 30 years owned and operated San Francisco’s classic Basque restaurant, Piperade. Cameron brings her graceful poise and deep knowledge to Navigator’s dining room.
Navigator’s design pays homage to the oceanic heritage of South Pacific navigators—surfers who traversed seas by the stars, currents, and wildlife. The restaurant’s décor reflects this maritime inspiration, with custom teakwood furniture, woven textile ceiling treatments, and a hand-carved outrigger canoe serving as a focal point for the dining room. The ambiance combines nautical aesthetics with a luxurious, natural warmth, creating an upscale, intimate setting for guests to relax and dine in style.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Hung to the Palm Springs Surf Club family,”
Colin O’Byrne
managing partner
“His creativity and expertise are an ideal match for Navigator and our overall vision at the Palm Springs Surf Club, which is to offer guests an elevated dining experience and amenities alongside the world’s premier surf pool.”
Navigator at the Palm Springs Surf Club officially opens for Dinner on Friday, November 15th, 2024, and will be open every Monday through Sunday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Lunch is served Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Navigator serves Weekend Brunchevery Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The Happy Hour menu is available from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information or reservations at Navigator, please visit www.NavigatorPS.com or call Navigator directly at 760.205.3634.
Navigator
Palm Springs Surf Club
1500 S. Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs, CA 92264
T: 760.205.3634
About Palm Springs Surf Club: The Palm Springs Surf Club is an unparalleled destination, blending state-of-the-art wave technology with luxurious resort-style amenities. Guests can enjoy various attractions, from a winding lazy river to private cabanas by the wave pool, creating a perfect oasis in the heart of Palm Springs. With three bars, two restaurants, and dynamic event spaces, the Palm Springs Surf Club offers distinctive culinary and beverage programs, designed to cater to every taste and every occasion.
-
Having a Multi-Generational Passover Celebration? Wine Pro Etti Edri Shares Important Tips
Having a Multi-Generational Passover Celebration? Wine Pro Etti Edri Shares Family-Friendly Tips
Today is a treat for people who observe Passover and wine-lovers who are curious to taste Israeli’s delicious (ands well-rated) new wine releases.
Etti Edri has over 15 years of wines experience and is the Export Manager for Carmel Winery.
So of course I come from Carmel. What’s important for me is to talk about Carmel Winery, that we are able to produce wines from a wide spectrum of wine.
When we sit together for Passover. There are younger people: 18 year old’s, 20 year olds, but it’s people we wanna bring in and invite to the wine world.
Because the wine world in Israel is just since the 1970’s, even though they used to produce wine thousands of years ago. After the Muslim era until the seventh century there was no wine at all. So when Rothchild came, he had to start everything from scratch.
So what he started, we actually sustained. And when we sit together at the table for Passover there are 18 year olds, 23 and 30 year olds, parents, grandparents. That’s a lot of different wine tastes. And we all know how wine involves your palette.
Personally, I mean, I started with semi-dry wines, and today I would go for the Volcano, which is the single vineyard one, you know, the geeky one that goes into oak and large oak. But how long it stayed, and how long it was fermented, and so forth.
As opposed to my 21 year old. She says, “Mom, give me something light and fun”.
So this is what’s so beautiful about Carmel is that you can give them the “Buzz” series, which is the sparkling, a flavored wine and it’s semi-sweet, and they love it. But yet, on the other hand, my father would like the brandy which we also produce. And, me, myself, would go for the high end one. So everybody around the table can enjoy their own glass of wine, and that’s miraculous in a country like ours, it’s an achievement.
Lets do a deeper dive on the wine.
Because I’m at the age of liking these geeky kinds of wines, I want to talk about Carmel Signature. Carmel Signature is all the premium wines under Carmel Winery’s label. It means that while we make regular table wines, you can also drink our Signature series and it has our signature on it, Carmel signature with a symbol of spies.
That symbol means it’s coming from the top vineyards in Israel. So it’s coming up from the Galilee. It’s coming from the Judean Hills. It’s always being picked from single vineyards that are growing up in the north, with really meticulous care.
When it comes into the winery, it’s separated in oak, and then after the fermentation, it’s blended together for a while until it creates a beautiful blend.
So two things I want to talk about, one is we are launching “Single vineyard”, which is a very famous among Kosher drinkers. They love it knowing it’s Single Vineyard from Carmel and they want to taste it because it’s been planted since 2010.
Also, we are launching something today that’s a bit higher. It’s called Volcano, because it comes from a special vineyard that was planted in 2010. Picked from their Cabernet Sauvignon, which Americans love.
So combine the Cabernet grapes, the single vineyard, the signature symbol, the immaculate vineyard work. Combing in all and eventually you get something that’s really really beautiful on the palate, very rich, but yet something you can age and drink 5 – 10 years from now.
Amazing, so tell me more about the Carmel Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019. What meal would you pair with it for dinner?
When we are drinking such a rich and full wine, you would expect to have a matching experience with the food. So usually people would go for roasted meats, fatty meats because the wine is so rich in tannins.
I would actually go for the long-cooked lamb, because I’m Mediterranean, I’m Tunisian.
So I would put all these herbs inside, and yet these herbs would not damage the quality of the wine or the flavors it also pronounces. But long cooked. When you think about a bite of that alongside rice pilaf. You know what that is like? A mixture of the spices should match perfectly to that cabernet. The balance you would get is quite amazing.
Let’s move to a second wine.
What I want to talk about is a wine called Carmel Mediterranean. It’s also on the Carmel Signature which received 96 points by Decanter, which was a big thing for us.
The Americans that came here in 2000, when they tried it they were just blown away.
Mediterranean Carmel is a combination. It’s got Carignan, it’s got Petit Verdot. It’s got Petit Syrah. It’s got single vineyards, separated from all of Israel. It combined later on, after 8 months in oak together, as a blend.
When you taste it it feels like you are tasting some part of the Judean Hills climate, which is limestone and rocky, chalky. When you go out to the Northern Galilee, it’s just a bit wet there, there’s more rain there. So it would feel a lot more earthiness and herbiness into the wines, and combining that, together with also some of the northern shore, Carignan, which is a 100 year old vine. That just gives you a sensation on your palette that you can’t give up.
Then we say, Israel is in one bottle for Carmel Mediterranean and the Camel Signature.
-
Executive Chef Kristin Puttkamer Canopy Wine Lounge, Palm Springs’ Newest Elegant Oasis Featuring Exceptional Wines
Canopy Wine Lounge, Palm Springs’ Newest Elegant Oasis Featuring Exceptional Wines from Around the World Officially Introduces Executive Chef Kristin Puttkamer
Canopy Wine Lounge, Palm Springs’ newest oasis, proudly introduces Executive Chef Kristin Puttkamer and her delectable new Fall Menu that will enchant and excite the palates of wine enthusiasts, perfectly pairing Canopy Wine Lounge’s exceptional wines with elevated California cuisine, creating an unforgettable experience right in the heart of Palm Springs!
Elevated California cuisine right in the heart of Palm Springs
Photo Credit: Mollie Kimberling
Canopy Wine Lounge is the first upscale wine lounge in the Coachella Valley, catering to locals, domestic, and international tourists.
With nearly 150 wines from around the world, amongst greats Lithology (St. Helena, CA), Waypoint (Napa, CA), Otronia (Patagonia, Argentina), and Alkina(Barossa Valley, South Australia), it promises an unforgettable experience where the world’s finest wines meet Executive Chef Kristin Puttkamer’s gourmet culinary delights.
Born and raised in the vibrant city of Boston, Kristin Puttkamer’s journey to becoming the esteemed Executive Chef at Canopy Wine Lounge in Palm Springs is marked by an exciting array of experiences and a passion for culinary excellence.
Photo Credit: Mollie Kimberling
Puttkamer’s early exposure to different cultures ignited her love for food and hospitality.
Her travels with her grandmother across Europe, from Ireland to Germany, London to Italy, instilled in her a deep appreciation for diverse flavors and culinary traditions.
Puttkamer took an unexpected turn
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Media and Communications from New York University, Puttkamer took an unexpected turn by entering the finance sector.
She secured a position at Goldman Sachs, where she initially served as a Foreign Exchange Analyst before advancing to a managerial role. However, as her enthusiasm for the finance world in New York City waned, she decided to embark on an adventurous journey by biking across the country.
Where her heart truly belonged
This transformative experience led her to realize that her heart truly belonged to the West Coast.
Photo Credit: Mollie Kimberling
Over the years, she laid down roots in Los Angeles where she worked at various talent agencies, managing numerous celebrities.
Puttkamer ultimately discovered that her genuine passion lay in the culinary arts.
Photo Credit: Mollie Kimberling
Deciding to pursue this newfound calling, she courageously enrolled in culinary school at the age of 38, leaving behind her established career in entertainment. Puttkamer honed her skills through formal education at The Culinary Institute of America in Saint Helena, California.
Winemaker Josh Kelly (Photo: Mollie Kimberling)
During her studies, she embarked on an externship at the Michelin Star restaurant, State Bird, where her culinary prowess caught the attention of Darioush Winery. At Darioush, she worked under Michelin Star Chef Chris Lemerand and Chef Sean Massey, embracing the challenge of crafting innovative menus inspired by California’s seasonal bounty and Persian influences, enhancing the winery’s culinary experience for guests.
Kristin’s culinary journey reached new heights
In 2024, Kristin’s culinary journey reached new heights as she accepted the role of Executive Chef at Canopy Wine Lounge in Palm Springs and with her extensive experience and unwavering dedication to culinary excellence, Chef Puttkamer has created an innovative menu that promises to delight the palates of wine enthusiasts, featuring a delectable array of bites curated to perfection.
vibrant celebration of California’s agricultural bounty
Executive Chef Kristin Puttkamer’s menu at Canopy Wine Lounge is a vibrant celebration of California’s agricultural bounty, showcasing a commitment to local and seasonal ingredients.
With a creative flair, Chef Puttkamer artfully incorporates premium products, such as Tsar Nicholai Caviar, sourced from Northern California, into her culinary creations. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to highlight the freshness and quality of the ingredients, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors that reflects the essence of this rich agricultural region.
By emphasizing seasonal produce and sustainable practices, Executive Chef Kristin Puttkamer creates an evolving menu that delights the senses while supporting local farmers and producers, inviting guests to experience the true taste of California in every bite.
Executive Chef Kristin Puttkamer’s Fried Green Tomatoes are a standout dish, featuring locally sourced tomatoes that are delicately fried, complemented by fresh, vibrant little gem lettuces from nearby farms.
In addition, her Tartines showcase her artisanal sourdough bread, crafted from a sourdough starter that she has diligently nurtured for over five years. Another menu favorite is the Handmade Potato Cakes layered with Old Bay Remoulade, Dungeness crab and pickled leeks.
Canopy Wine Lounge seamlessly blends the art of winemaking with a vibrant social hub and an elegant event space. This year, they proudly produced a signature wine, Desert Wren, crafted with care by Winemaker Josh Kelly.
At the same time, Canopy Wine Lounge invites guests to unwind in style and enjoy their diverse selection of wines five days a week. As a wine lounge, Canopy offers a diverse selection of wines in brilliantly curated atmosphere with the relaxed appeal of your neighborhood wine bar.
Noah Mamet, former U.S. Ambassador to Argentina from 2014-2017
Canopy Wine Lounge was conceived in collaboration with Noah Mamet, former U.S. Ambassador to Argentina from 2014-2017. His extensive efforts to strengthen bilateral relations were recognized with the Medal of San Martin at the rank of Great Cross by the government of Argentina. In addition to his diplomatic achievements, Mamet is the founder of NMA Partners, a business consulting firm, and he produces wine from his vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina under the label ‘Gran Diplomat.’
Canopy Wine Lounge boasts an impressive selection of exceptional wines curated from some of the world’s most renowned winemakers, including Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka, Matt Sands, Alberto Antonini, and Juan Pablo Murgia. The lounge also features Ambassador Mamet’s personal wine portfolio from Mendoza, Argentina under the label, ‘Gran Diplomat,’ showcasing Malbec, Cabernet Franc Blend, and Red Blend and Rosé. Guests can indulge in the exclusive experience of tasting the first and only wine made in Palm Springs by Sommelier and Winemaker Joshua Kelly, Desert Wren, which has finished its ageing process in Canopy Wine Lounge’s terracotta-hued wine amphora and is now available on premise to taste and for purchase.
Nestled near the vibrant Palm Canyon strip, Canopy Wine Lounge showcases the meticulous design work of California Modern and Midcentury Modern maestro Christopher Kennedy. The venue offers a breathtaking view of the San Jacinto Mountains, providing an idyllic setting for a vinous journey around the globe.
So come hungry and happy and enjoy an extraordinary evening at Canopy Wine Lounge!
Canopy Wine Lounge is open every Thursday through Monday from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm and closed every Tuesday and Wednesday. Happy Houris offered every Thursday through Monday from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Guests can enjoy almost 150 wines at Canopy Wine Lounge as well as purchase any bottle for retail. For more information about Canopy Wine Lounge or to make reservations, please call 760.656.0054 or visit www.CanopyWineLounge.com or OpenTable.com.
-
A.O.C. Debuts Five New Seasonal Cocktails at 3rd Street & Brentwood Locations
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
Plant based honey. Pretty healthy, right? But nah, doesnt taste the same