Night and the City and other Spring Cocktails at Drago Centro

Jaymee Mandeville has presided over the cocktail program at Drago Centro for two years, but recently her partner in libations, Drago Centro Beverage Director Michael Shearin, left the restaurant.  The newly launched Spring cocktail menu is her first where she had truly complete control over her seasonal cocktail offerings and this list may be her best yet.  It includes several collaborations with her fellow bartender Jen Len.  Mandeville hosted a preview tasting of the list and while there are a number of delicious choices on the list, the highlight of the menu is the Night and the City.

The Night and the City is made with Hayman's Old Tom Gin, Bittermens Hellfire Habanero Shrub, Miracle Mile Candy Cap Mushroom Bitters, house-made heirloom tomato shrub, plack pepper and squid ink syrup and fresh horseradish.  This take on a Bloody Mary transcends the genre with the amazing Candy Cap bitters from Louis Anderman's local Miracle Mile Bitters. The savory element in the bitters melds with the spice from the Hellfire shrub, which Mandeville described as more of a tincture, and the acidity in Mandeville's tomato shrub all carried on the base of the distinct sweet and juniper flavor of the Old Tom Gin.  The pepper on the rim and the horseradish in the glass complete the unique combination.  A pickled watermelon radish garnish might be gilding the lily but in this case it is simply the cherry on top of an irresistible cocktail.

My other favorite on the menu is the Nebbia Rossa (above), an original variation on the Negroni using Mezcal instead of Gin, made with Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Campari, Bittermens Citron Sauvage, Dolin Blanc Vermouth.  The mezcal adds a smoky note to the cocktail and the grapefruit liqueur pairs nicely with both the mezcal and the bitter campari.  A stirred refreshing drink that is an excellent way to welcome the warm Spring weather to Los Angeles.

Other highlights on the new list also include the Cool Revival, made with Rittenhouse Rye, Cynar, yuzu, cucumber, lemon and dill meringue (below) and the Ver la Luz del Dia which is a pisco and Lillet cocktail that has a strong basil element and an attractive triple peal garnish.

Cool Revival

Ver La Luz Del Dia

The garnishes this season are more ambitious than on previous Drago cocktail menus and include coffee beans and honeycomb among others.  I recommend you sit at the bar and place yourself in Jaymee's hands. You can't go wrong.  Plus you can munch on bar bites such as the smoked salmon, which is a steal at only $5.  All cocktails on the seasonal list are $12.

Drago Centro: 525 S. Flower St. | 213.228.8998 | dragocentro.com

Scottish Cashmere @ Drago Centro

A highlight of Jaymee Mandeville's new cocktail list at Drago Centro is the Scottish Cashmere ($12).  This stirred drink is made with Highland Park 12 Year aged Scotch, Fig and Basil Infused Water and is served over a single large ice cube with a fig as garnish.

The cocktail is smooth with a hint of basil and fig.  The Scottish Cashmere is elegant, goes down easy, but you'll want to savor this one, so take it a sip at a time.  Highland Park is one of my favorite Scotch producers; it is unusual to see it as the base in a cocktail.  It comes from the Orkney Isles and is the Northernmost whiskey distillery in the world.  If this cocktail represents the first lap since the passing of the torch from Michael Shearin, the bar program at Drago Centro is in good hands.

Drago Centro: 525 S. Flower Street, Downtown.  Phone: (213) 228-8998.  Website: http://www.dragocentro.com/

Fall Cocktails Arrive at Drago Centro

Photo courtesy of FoodGPS

Tonight the new Fall Cocktail list debuts at Drago Centro in Downtown LA.  The cocktails were created by Jaymee Mandeville and Michael Shearin, the head bartender and beverage director, respectively.  The cocktails are normally priced at $12, but for tonight only they are yours for the tasting for only $8.


I am particularly looking forward to the Scottish Cashmere, as Highland Park is a wonderful Scotch and the fig flavor should complement it nicely.  The Hot Bellied .45 should also be a highlight with its bourbon, mezcal and Cocchi all in one stirred cocktail that packs a punch.  Note that the Pinzimonio normally costs $18 - with all the veggies in it, you might consider it to be a health drink.


Enjoy the deal on the drinks tonight.  Personally, exploring this menu sounds like a delicious way to kick off the New Year:


A Penny’s Worth  - Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, Plymouth Sloe Gin, Crème de Violette, Oregano, Fever Tree Tonic

Blessed Bliss - Karlsson’s Vodka, Cardamaro, Underberg Bitters, Fresh Ginger, Fresh Apple, Fresh Rosemary

Hot Bellied .45 – Bulleit Bourbon, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Cocchi Americano, Art in the Age Snap, Fee Bros. Lemon Bitters

Lushington – Templeton Rye, Quince Gastrique, Egg White, 25 Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Moment of Clarity – Sombra Mexcal, Dolin Vermouth Blanc, Fee Bros. Grapefruit Bitters

No Place Like Home – Campo Encanto Pisco, Art in the Age Rhuby, Fresh Lemon Juice, Fresh Aloe, Fresh Pomegranate Arils

Organized Confusion – Tanteo Cocoa Infused Tequila, Fresh Banana, Fresh Lime, Espelette Pepper Tincture

Scottish Cashmere – Highland Park 12 Year Scotch, Fig & Basil Infused Water, Single Ice Cube

Song of the Siren – Appleton VX Rum, Cruzan Blackstrap Rum, Amaro Cio Ciara, Velvet Falernum, Apry, Sour Cherry Bitters, Fresh Lime

White After Labor Day – Nolet’s Gin, Green Chartreuse, Fresh Lemon Juice, Lavender Water, Egg White, Fernet Branca Mist

Pinzimonio – Jacopo Poli Grappa, Fresh Tomato, Fresh Orange, Olive Oil Foam, Hangar One Vodka, Cucumber Water, Fresh Pepper, Fresh Basil, Assorted Vegetables ($18)

Drago Centro: 525 S. Flower St., DTLA.  Phone: (213) 228-8998.  Website: www.dragocentro.com

Outdoor BBQ Coming to Drago Centro this Sunday

Drago Centro.  Photo courtesy of Food GPS

This Sunday afternoon you should head to Culver City for the Taste of the Nation fundraiser for Share our Strength.  But for a lucky (and hardy) few, that will just be the appetizer.  At Drago Centro from 5 - 9 pm on Sunday evening, the patio will be the scene of an outdoor bbq the likes few have seen before.  There will be a veritable festival of meats including a whole suckling pig, New York strip steak, lamb, baby goat, chickens and sausages.

A Noah's Ark of animals will be cooked on the grill.  Two by two the swordfish, soft shelled crabs, scallops and salmon will join the bounty of meat and seafood.  If all that protein is not enough to entice you than the variety of pastas on offer may be just the thing to scratch your summer bbq itch.

What else for dessert but homemade gelato from pastry chef Jashmine Corpuz?  The bbq is the perfect opportunity to check out the new seasonal cocktail menu from Michael Shearin and Jaymee Mandeville.

The price for this feast is $50 per person, including all food but not including beverages.  For goat, lamb and the rest of the cornucopia on offer, that is a bargain.  The only way to partake of this summer kickoff is to make a reservation by calling Drago Centro at (213) 228-8998.

Drago Centro: 525 South Flower St. (Downtown LA). Phone: (213) 228-8998. Website: dragocentro.com

24th Annual Great Chefs of LA: A Smörgåsbord of Food & Wine

Chefs Jimmy Shaw of Loteria and Jamie Lauren of Beachwood

Sunday was the 24th annual Great Chefs of Los Angeles, a benefit for the National Kidney Foundation held at CBS Studios in the San Fernando Valley.  Dozens of restaurants, winemakers and brewers joined forces to support the cause and several hundred hungry charitable donors descended on the backlot to enjoy the various food and beverages available.

My three favorite bites are below:

Momed served a duck "shawarma" made with shredded duck, figs, and greens all stuffed into a pita.  Rich and savory at the same time, I went back for seconds.

The sushi from S H U (Sushi House Unico) from the Drago Family was also a highlight.  Fresh and clean with good quality sushi rice and served in an appropriate ratio of fish to rice.  Each piece was also one bite, as it should be.

Braised beef bone marrow and and crispy saffron risotto cake from Lago, in Santa Monica, was an ambitious dish to serve at an event like this.  Bravo.  The marrow was sweet due to the preparation.  I'd have preferred a more salty & savory rendition but still enjoyed this and they get bonus points just for serving the marrow.

So many chefs, bartenders, vintners and beer makers came out to serve their creations:

Chef Adam Horton of the Saddle Peak Lodge served a wild boar dish which was the favorite of many attendees. (I didn't sample it, but now want to get to his restaurant even more than before.)

Chef Josie LeBalch (left) of Josie in Santa Monica will be opening a second more casual restaurant next year.

Drago Centro head bartender Jaymee Mandeville was serving Smitten with Britain, a Tanqueray Gin cocktail.

The Drago empire was serving a whole piggy in a dramatic presentation.

One of the highlights of the day was the excellent beer garden curated by the Beer Chicks (Christina Perozzi, left, and Hallie Beaune, right).  They brought in TAPS, the Bruery, Duvel and Fireman's Brew among others.

Benjamin Weiss represented the Bruery with the Orchard White and the Saison Rue.

Brewmaster Victor Novak of TAPS Brewery in Brea brought four types of beer, including the seasonal Pumpkin Ale.

The one disappointment was that co-host Stefan Richter of Top Chef fame was not present, as he was in Finland.

It was a fun event and while sold out did not feel overly crowded, so it was a pleasure to walk amongst the booths and explore the food and wine and the great items up for auction. If you missed out this year, be sure to plan on being there for the 25th Anniversary Edition next fall.

Value of the week: Salmone Affumicato @ Drago Centro

The bar at Drago Centro is a favorite of mine, both for the talents of Head Bartender Jaymee Mandeville and Beverage Director Michael Shearin as well as the great deals on Celestino Drago's delicious bar bites menu. I have had the margherita pizza ($4) several times as well as the kobe hamburger sliders ($7), but this week had the il salmone affumicato ($5) for the first time and it was great. It is described as "smoked salmon, crème, crostini", which are the three components you see in the picture above when the dish is served on a wooden board.  The portion is much larger than expected and the salmon has a great smoky flavor and a pleasant texture.  The toasted warm crostini with the cool crème and the salmon is a classic combination that is well executed here.  If you add a fried artichoke or the margherita pizza (each $4) you have enough food for a meal, which is amazing in that part of downtown, let alone the rest of Los Angeles to get a dinner of properly executed quality ingredient food composed into good dishes and with waiter service for $9 ++.   That is even in the budget for Midtown Lunch!

The cocktail program is also of note.  There are four specialty cocktails available for only $5 each and Jaymee and Michael have created a list of over a dozen cocktails, either new or old classics for $12.  They will be launching their new Autumn cocktail list next Tuesday October 12, so go check it out.  They take a lot of care in crafting and curating the bar program and it shows.  The salmon is a screaming deal, so get it while you can.