Where in LA is the Bar on New Girl?

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Thanks to the magic of Netflix, this year I discovered and became obsessed with a little show called “New Girl.” The show tells the story of a quirky 30-something girl played by Zooey Deschanel, and her three male roommates who live very hipster lives in Los Angeles. Recently, after indulging in a “New Girl” marathon I noticed that the hilarious quartet share a loft in what appears to be the Arts District in Downtown. This would not be a problem except that they hang out at a neighborhood bar that I know for a fact is not anywhere near the Arts District! I know… Why was I so alarmed by this stupid detail? Well, probably because I watched too many episodes in a row and because every time the scene put the cast in the bar, they flashed the picture of the outside of a bar I recognized. Yup, if you have never noticed, go back and watch an episode, (or twelve), and notice that their neighborhood bar, is in fact The Griffin.

This bar is located in Atwater Village on Los Feliz Blvd. and is nowhere near the Arts District, but I guess that is what is defined as suspension of belief. It had been many years since I had visited The Griffin and while I was certain that “New Girl” used the outside of the bar, what with the unmistakable sign portraying a bright green griffin in silhouette, I was not sure if they filmed the show on location or on a set. I decided this would be a good excuse for a Happy Hour adventure, and so on a Friday near dusk, I gathered my friends and went on a double mission.

My first mission was to satiate my end of the work week thirst and that was easy because The Griffin hosts Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 5pm to 7pm. Their specials consist of $5 draft beers, $5 well drinks, $5 wines by the glass, along with assorted food items that I would classify as pretty typical bar food. Their beer list is short but solid, providing a good beer for every palate. I started off with a Telegraph California Ale and then switched over to a Moscow Mule which was perfectly refreshing and gingery.

After a couple of drinks, I was onto the second part of my mission and after much deliberation, we decided that no, the show was not filmed there. While both the fictional bar and The Griffin share similarities, like the dark atmosphere and too cool for school patrons, the Griffin has a Medieval meets Arabian Nights kind of coziness. The bar has fire places, leather seating in one room and then low to the floor tables with plush tapestries on the walls in another. The bar also has a patio that would be a great place to hang out in except smokers still exist in LA. Who knew?

To be honest, at the end of my Happy Hour adventure I concluded that the best part of my experience there was trying to figure out if “New Girl” was filmed there. It is a middle of the road type of Happy Hour. Nothing about it was bad, but nothing really stood out to me either.

By: W. Castellanos-Wolf

Vinoteca

http://www.her30s.com

There is a long skinny bar on Hillhurst Avenue that has been satiating my appetite for gourmet food, delectable wine from all over the world and craft beer for years. And while I have food porn dreams about the Pasta served at my table directly from its foray in a giant parmesan cheese wheel, the bill at the end of the night has always felt more like a nightmare. I don’t know why I am always surprised! It is a delicious and expensive night out and no matter how many times I tell myself that I really cannot afford to go there very often, I just can’t help it. It is that good and what has made it worse, is that the owner as well as some of the bartenders and wait staff now know me. Let’s just say that in my life I don’t have “Cheers,” the friendly neighborhood bar where everybody knows my name. I have Vinoteca, the cave-like bar I stroll into late at night with my musician friends after shows, where the owner, a flirty Brazilian gentleman knows my name, and where sometimes I can trade a smile for a refill of wine. 

http://www.her30s.com

I love Vinoteca and now I can love it more without taking out a new credit card. Sunday is Happy Hour all day long. They have a normal Happy Hour schedule Monday through Friday from 4 to 7pm, but on Sunday, I can get there leisurely at any time of day and truly enjoy Happy Hour without the after work rush or crowd. Draft beers are $4, bottled beer is $3. Their beer list is not very extensive but the choices they have are well paired with the Italian and Brazilian fusion cuisine Vinoteca is known for. Wine ranges between $6 and $8 depending on the style. They have an ever changing list of wine varietals from regions all over the world. Happy Hour at Vinoteca is a good opportunity to wine taste with friends at half the price. The pours are generous, perfect for sharing and the bartenders knowledgeable.

http://www.her30s.com

Vinoteca is an extension of a larger restaurant called Vinoteca Farfalla located literally down the hall. The food they serve at the bar is extraordinary because it comes from the same kitchen as the restaurant. Their Happy Hour specialties include thin crust and perfectly crispy pizzas topped with European cheeses, charcuterie and fresh veggies. They serve a variety of inspired salads like my favorite which includes interesting toppings like plantain, hearts of palm and avocado.  The menu does not change very much for Happy Hour. They serve all of the same items they do for dinner but at a much friendlier price.

If you, the reader, ever find yourself at Vinoteca on a Sunday night for Happy Hour and all of the sudden the long table in the back next to the wine racked wall burst out into spontaneous song and dance, come say hello. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, when I show up with my musician friends after shows, we eat, we drink, the Spanish guitar leaves the case and live entertainment ensues just because. 

 

By: W. Castellanos-Wolf

An A-Z Guide of Forgotten Cocktails

By: W. Castellanos-Wolf

As a woman in her thirties I like to think that I have classic sensibilities. I like classic movies that care more about character development and plot rather than CGI effects. I gravitate towards a simple and classic style of dress and believe that stud pearl earrings can add a touch of elegance to any outfit. I like tradition, antiques, and items of nostalgia. My classic sensibilities come from the fact that I value craftsmanship and stories. So it was with great excitement that I came across an A-Z Guide of Forgotten Cocktails, which includes the recipes, dates and stories of origin.

Browsing down the alphabet of libations with names like French 75, Gin Rickey and Harvey Wallbanger, made me imagine the celebrations, as well as the sorrows of yesteryear that these drinks accompanied. I wanted to make and try them all, an ambitious idea for a small framed woman with hardly any of the ingredients, nor the equipment to make proper cocktails. So what’s an ambitious woman in her thirties to do? Why, learn to set long term goals of course.

Craft cocktails bars that boast homemade syrups and quality liqueurs abound in Los Angeles. I can take my A-Z Guide on the go and work my way down the list and call it the Classic Cocktails Challenge of 2014, or the CCC for short. I can drink cocktails all around the city, document my experience and create a rating system. Or I could just use my guide as a reference whenever I am out and feel like a cocktail. It’s not that serious. 

(Though if anybody out there wants to sponsor the Classic Cocktail Challenge of 2014, I’m sure we can bring that sexy idea back… Just sayin’.)

Cheers! 

Courtesy of Neomam Studios

 

Los Angeles Arts District- Barcade, Sausage & Pie

The city and I have a love hate relationship. Sometimes I contemplate what it would be like to part ways and live in a much quieter town, a place where traffic and graffiti are considered big city problems and where space is in abundance. I imagine rolling hills, bike riding through the countryside and meeting up with my neighbors in the town square. It is a very seductive image until I think, “What the heck would I do for fun?!”

Big cities come with big amenities, and that is where the love part comes in. I love Los Angeles because even if it takes me way too long to get anywhere, I can go see and do anything any day of the week. With a little bit of effort, fun is easy to find in LA, but sometimes, if you have great friends, fun will find you.

This past weekend I was taken on a Saturday afternoon adventure. We were picked up and carted to an unknown destination. We drove towards Downtown. Round and round we went through a very desolate part of town due to an unexpected detour. We eventually emerged in the Arts District and parked in front of a purple and aqua colored mural. Our friend handed us a roll of quarters and triumphantly announced, (for we still didn’t know where we were since there was not signage), that we were at the “Barcade!”

82 on 4^th place in the LA Arts District, is an arcade for adults. It carries all of the classic arcade games like Mario Brothers, Street Fighter and Ms. Pac Man, but let’s patrons reminisce about their childhood arcade victories, all while sipping on very adult cocktails. Their cocktail list features drinks like the Tempest, which was so eloquently described by the bartender as “if a Margarita and a Mojito had a baby, it would be the Tempest.” She was right, refreshing and delicious, we wanted more. We also tried the Princess Peach, which was the epitome of a girly drink. It was pink and fruity and so dangerous. My roll of quarters is usually reserved for a Saturday afternoon at the Laundromat, not an afternoon at the Barcade so I welcomed the change. (Pun totally intended.)

82 is on a food truck route in the evening but not in the early afternoon, so for lunch we walked around the corner to Wurstkuche, home of the weird and tasty sausage. Weird like Alligator, Rabbit and to some, Vegan, but all properly prepared and served on a fresh bun. We got steak cut seasoned fries on the side and washed it all down with a German Pilsner, perfect for the hot afternoon.

 And because gluttony was part of the Saturday afternoon surprise, we walked across the street to the Pie Hole for dessert. Oh The Pie Hole… I love pastries. I love savory pastries. The Pie Hole has this and every other type of pie one can think of.  

I left the Arts District that afternoon full, tipsy, happy and feeling completely validated, knowing that this is why I continue to live in L.A. 

By: W. Castellanos-Wolf

Umami Burger

as featured on love happy hour dot com

I first heard of the term umami while indulging in one of my many obsessions: cooking competition shows. For years I heard about umami and how it was considered one of the five basic flavors, for the receptors of the tongue are able to taste salty, sweet, sour, bitter and umami. Often described as a combination between savory and earthy, when referring to Umami Burger, I will describe it as delicious smothered with a little bit of heaven. I think I shed a small tear of happiness as I bit into one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. I have been a vegetarian for over 10 years now so finding a meatless burger that absolutely blows my mind and erases memories of the BBQs of my past, is quite impressive. What could make this scenario better? Happy Hour!

 I was completely surprised to find out that Umami Burger serves up their delicious signature burgers at 15 southern California locations. How had I missed it all of these years, especially since last summer on Friday afternoons, I would walk by the Los Feliz location. I would see people eating and drinking on the sidewalk patio and imagine that this is where I was headed instead of actually heading to work. I would notice the Happy Hour specials written on the chalkboard in front of the door and grasp onto the inviting cooking smells that drifted off of people’s plates and onto the street. I kept meaning to get there earlier and sit at the bar to grab some dinner before my show, but of course I never got out of the house in time.

 

A year later and still missing out on the burger that would raise the bar for all other burgers to follow, I had totally forgotten about my Umami Burger fantasy. This is why I was so excited when some friends suggested we meet up at Umami and as I stated earlier, I was not disappointed.

The Los Feliz location hosts Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 at the bar. (Not all of the Umami Burger locations have Happy Hour so call ahead before heading out.) Their specials include $6 burgers that can be served meatless or bun less by request. My meatless burger was not the typical veggie burger patty but instead, a giant, perfectly cooked portabella mushroom served on a brioche bun and topped with truffle cheese. My burger was the epitome of umami and now I can truly say that I understand what the big deal is with this hard to master flavor. My companions were just as impressed with their burgers. Because we love to eat and eat well, we also ordered some crispy thin cut fries at $3.50 and tempura battered onion rings at $4.50 to share. Both side dishes were outstanding.

Drinks during Happy Hour are $2 off beer and $5 wine. Umami does not have an extensive beer list but they did have a solid beer list. I had an IPA called Speakeasy Big Daddy that was just hoppy enough to stand up to the umami flavor of my portabella burger. I need to do a little more “research” at Umami, but perhaps veggie burgers and beer parings are in my future. 

By: W. Castellanos-Wolf

 

 

Blind Donkey

By: Wendy Castellanos-Wolf

As featured on Love Happy Hour dot com 

Finding a Happy Hour should be a fairly simple process resulting in an enjoyable time spent with friends and colleagues. So why is it that I went to three different establishment in the span of twenty-four hours only to be turned away? It is partly my fault for not checking ahead, but mostly it’s their fault for not participating in an activity, or tradition if you will, that not only boosts the economy but also a community’s spirit. Needless to say, that particular Happy Hour adventure was a flop.

The following afternoon we spent some time at a friend’s house, watching the home brewing process first hand. It was chemistry, math and cooking all at once and after bottling the beer but not actually being able to drink any of it, I decided it was time to give Happy Hour another go. Our friends recommended The Blind Donkey, which is a relatively new pub located in Old Town Pasadena on the corner of Union and Raymond. We arrived both thirsty and famished and right in time to partake in the deals of the hour.

Blind Donkey offers Happy Hour 7 days a week. Monday through Friday the bar observes a traditional Happy Hour schedule, (4pm to 7pm), and on the weekend it has an extended schedule, (1pm to 5pm), which means that one can start a mundane, errand filled Saturday afternoon with a drink and a little pep. Penny, our bartender was very friendly and willing to encourage our 3^rd grade humor as we openly joked and discussed what Fried Donkey Pickles, an item on the Happy Hour food menu, could actually be. At one point, as the laughter died down and we began to make decisions on what beers to order, Penny poured me a shot of Fried Donkey Pickle juice so that I could get a better idea of what it actually tasted like. I took it all in one swig as any real woman would when presented with her own shot glass of Fried Donkey Pickle juice. It was sweet and spicy and vinegar flavored and had no alcohol in it to speak of so I moved on to drinking beer and yes, it couldn’t be helped, ordered a basket of the pickles.

Blind Donkey offers $2 off selected draft beers, $4 well drinks and Happy Hour food menu that includes items that one can snack on or treat as an actual meal like the various burgers and wraps for only $9. Our group ordered the Chili Burger, Triple Fried Fries, two orders of Hot Nuts and an order of the Fried Donkey Pickles.

Here is the break down. Chili Burger: tasted like it was made with homemade chili. Fries: steak cut and crispy. I don’t know why they call them triple fried when anyone who has ever fried anything knows this just means deep-fried. I guess triple fried sounds healthier than deep-fried? Hot Nuts: too sweet, not enough spicy. Fried Donkey Pickle: basically a pickle that has been chopped in rounds, battered, fried and then to be dipped in either a spicy or a sweet sauce. 

Overall, I thought the beer list was too limited, the food was edible but not anything I will ever crave and look forward to eating again and top it off, there were not any real vegetarian friendly options on the Happy Hour Menu. Blind Donkey has an impressive Whiskey menu though that is organized by region. They have Whiskeys from the Americas, Ireland and Scotland. If ever I go back, I will definitely try a whisky on the rocks instead of a shot of fried pickle juice.

 

 

Jay’s Bar

As featured on Love Happy Hour

To check out more of my reviews click on Her 30’s

My monthly girl’s night out was cancelled but instead of staying home and sulking over the fact that I had purchased a new outfit to impress my friends with and now had nowhere to wear it, I found myself a new plan. Friday night was waiting and so were my husband and his friend who had no idea what they were getting themselves into when they agreed to let me crash guy’s night out. It is all a blur of amalgamated images that make no sense; beer, burlesque, bikinis, a cut out I took a photo with outside of a Tattoo parlor and my preoccupation with red lipstick, (my new favorite accessory). What is clear though is the fact that we discovered a new bar that served as the starting point for our adventure. 

 Jay’s Bar is a little dive bar located in a hole in the wall shopping center close to the Fountain Ave. and Sunset Blvd. intersection, but the only thing dive-y about it is the location and the very stark décor. Simple, unfinished wooden benches, brushed metal picnic tables, and a bar that traverses the entire place from end gives off a very cold first impression, but this is in complete contrast to the staff who in our experience was extremely inviting, flirtatious even, and knowledgeable about the beer. We arrived for Happy Hour, which takes place seven days a week from 4pm to 7pm, and were happily surprised to notice that they had many delicious craft beers on tap as well as bar food with a twist that we could share.

Their Happy Hour specials are $1 off beer and wine by the glass, $3 cans of PBR and bottles of Coors, $3 off draft pitchers and wine by the bottle and $1 sake shots all day long. Official warning: if a cocktail or a stiff drink is what your Happy Hour calls for, Jay’s Bar is not the place for you. Jay’s is relatively new and they still do not hold a full liquor license though on that particular Friday night, there was a big chalkboard sign announcing that liquor was coming soon.

When out with the guys, I drink beer so we indulged in the Iron Fist Hired Hand Saison which was a dollar off for Happy Hour and then feeling peer pressured or “beer pressured” if you will to keep up with the boys on guy’s night out, I continued with a 10.6% beer from Bend, Oregon called Deschutes Hop Henge Double IPA. Since any responsible Happy Hour goer knows that drinking on an empty stomach is not the best idea, we ordered some corn meal Hush Puppies served with a spicy remoulade on special for $6 and some Fresh Cut Fries with garlic aioli for $5. The Hush Puppies were a nice surprise to find on a Happy Hour menu in L.A. They were really tasty and though fried, not heavy or greasy. It was almost like eating a crunchy comforting corn bread. We devoured these and the fries within minutes from their arrival and as Happy Hour came to a close we realized it was time to truly begin guy’s night out.  

Cowboys and Turbans

As Featured on Love Happy Hour 

Cowboys and Turbans has a fantastic rustic style patio interspersed with iconic paraphernalia from Indian culture. It is the epitome of a hidden gem since it is located between a strip mall and an unfriendly looking building where Silverlake Blvd. and Sunset meet. My husband came across it by accident one afternoon when he stopped to get a smoothie at Silverlake Juice which unbeknownst to him at the time, is owned by the same people who own Cowboys and Turbans and is housed in the front corner of the aforementioned patio. That afternoon he text messaged some photos, his smoothie to make me jealous, the ornate entry way to Cowboys and Turbans with a sign that read Beer Wine Garden to intrigue me, and finally the photo of a sandwich board advertising Happy Hour Monday through Friday, 12-7 which I took as my invitation. 

To get the full review click here. 

Blue Palms Brewhouse

As Featured on Love Happy Hour dot com

Blue Palms Brewhouse, if you can find it, is the epitome of what is typically defined as a Gastropub, high end food, high end beer, but with a surprising twist, affordable prices for the people! It is located on the desolate corner of Hollywood and Gower next to an empty parking lot and hidden by the lit marquee or the immense line of patrons waiting to attend a concert at the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater with which it shares a wall. They have 2 giant screens featuring their ever changing list of craft beers on tap, and a menu able to satisfy the entire spectrum of dietary needs and appetites. There is of course the legendary burger cooked in duck fat that is all the rage amongst my friends, the truffle fries, lobster mac and cheese, the messy but delicious ribs and my favorite, the vegan sausages served over a bed of sauerkraut and dipped in the oh so spicy ghost pepper aioli sauce.

 For the full review click here! 

Malo, a Vegetarian’s Place for a Taco Fix

As featured on Love Happy Hour dot com

 San Diego invented the California Burrito. If you are not privy to this colloquial dish passing itself off as Mexican cuisine, allow me to explain. It is a large flour tortilla filled with steak and French fries. My friends from San Diego, despite the California Burrito, claim to have more authentic Mexican food than we do in Los Angeles, so when my FSM (food soul mate) came up for a visit last week I was a bit apprehensive about taking him over to one of my favorite spots for tacos.

Malo Cantina Suavecita on Sunset Blvd. does not claim to have authentic Mexican cuisine. Rather it is a fusion of typically Mexican ingredients presented in the style of Mexican food.