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

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.