Classic Cocktails Have Arrived at Cliff's Edge

Cliff's, the bar at Cliff's Edge Cafe in Silverlake, has been reconfigured and the cocktail program has been redesigned by bartender Dave Whitton of Villains Tavern, who earlier gained notice at downtown whiskey specialist Seven Grand.  The new menu is focused on the classics, including a Martini made with Junipero Gin, which has a stronger juniper berry flavor than most gins.

The patio is still as lush and inviting as ever, but now the interior is a proper complement to the outside space. The Vieux Carré is particularly alluring, as it is boozy, aromatic and has layers of flavor.  It is the perfect drink to celebrate the end of a long week.  Whitton has included a variety of cocktails on the list, including a take on the Cosmopolitan with a float of red wine on top.  These twists keep things interesting and are a signature of his.

The full list is below:

The Calvados Cocktail $12
Calvados, Cointreau, Fresh Lemon & Orange, Flower Water

Caipirinha $11
Sagatiba Cachaca, Grapes, muddled lime and organic sugar

Cosmopolitan $13
Grey Goose, Fresh Lime, Brown Sugar, Cranberry, Lavender Bitters
With a flamed grapefruit peel and a float of Cabernet

Manhattan $12
Russell’s Rye, Felsina Amaro with Forbidden Bitters

Margarita $11
4 Copas, Fresh Lime, Cucumber, Flower Water, Agave
With a pinch of salt on top

Martini $12
Junipero Gin, Chopin, Lillet with a hint of Lemon

Mojito $12
Pisco Porton, Fresh Lemon & Lime, Mint, Cane Sugar
Topped with Club Soda and Sparkling Wine

Negroni $12
Bols Genever, Antica Sweet Vermouth, Gran Classico, with Orange and Lemon Oils

Old Fashioned $11
Eagle Rare 10, Peychaud Bitters, Organic Sugar,
With Grapefruit and Lemon Oils
*ask for our special tequila old fashioned as well

Vieux Carré $20
Courvoisier VS, Thomas Handy Rye, Antica Sweet Vermouth, Benedictine
With Peychaud and Angostura Bitters

Cliff's Bar @ Cliff's Edge: 3626 Sunset Blvd, Silver Lake.  (323) 666-6116.  Website: www.cliffsedgecafe.com

The Thirsty Crow Turns One

Last weekend the Thirsty Crow held its first anniversary party.  It was the first bar in the neighborhood to focus on craft cocktails.  In the past year there have been a lot of quality beverage programs opening in the broader neighborhood: Big Bar at Alcove has brought craft cocktails to Los Feliz, Bar Covell has brought unusual quality wines to the same neighborhood and soon Mohawk Bend will bring craft beer to Echo Park.

My favorite cocktail on their list continues to be the signature Thirsty Crow, made with Jim Beam rye whiskey, ginger beer, citrus juices and bitters.  It is served on the rocks in a jar and is really refreshing without being too sweet, a spring cocktail I'm happy to drink all year round.  It is $12.  Head bartender Cooper Gillespie runs a tight ship and the Crow is a fun spot to sip on their well made drinks and ample whiskey, bourbon and rye selection.  On a recent visit, some Bookers did me right as I relaxed at the comfortable bar.

If you haven't been, check it out and don't forget to order a Thirsty Crow.  You will leave quenched and happy.

The Thirsty Crow: 2939 W Sunset Blvd, Silverlake.  Phone: (323) 661-6007.  Website: http://thirstycrowbar.com/

Bar Keeper

Bar Keeper, the legendary barware shop in Silverlake, began selling liquor in October of last year.  It already was known for its selection of bitters, shakers, vintage glasses etc.  Joe Keeper, the founder/owner, was able to get permission to sell bottled liquor, on the condition that he does not hold tastings, so alas there will be no gin, whiskey or absinthe tastings coming your way soon.  I checked in with him recently, to see how the first six months went.

Joe (pictured above) has a philosophy of stocking unusual and small production liquors where possible and has a vast array of vermouths for example (below, bottom).  He does not seek to be exhaustive but looks for the best variety of each type of spirit.  It is a curated selection, in the best sense.  You won't find anything you can get at places like Trader Joes.

The wall of liquor is impressive, with multiple shelves of bottles and an old fashioned library ladder to reach bottles on high shelves (for employee use only).  Knowing that the liquor display only took up a small percentage of Barkeeper's floor space (another condition of the license) I hadn't expected the selection to be so large or so prominent.  Keeper mentioned that sales have exceeded expectations and he has had to reorder bottles on a weekly basis.

In addition to individual bottles, Bar Keeper sells boxes with all the ingredients needed to make a particular cocktail.  The Manhattan box (above) retails for $100.  Both classic cocktails and signature drinks from some of the top bartenders in Los Angeles are represented in the gift box selection.  In addition to liquor, Bar Keeper still maintains the largest selection of cocktail bitters in Los Angeles, with everything from grapefruit, Angostura and Peychaud's to more unusual varieties including chocolate and chili pepper.

Welcoming customers to the store is a "cocktail shaker" a mannequin set to "shake" cocktails when Keeper pushes a button.  Bar Keeper's selection of barware, both new and vintage is a primary reason that the store is sought out by bartenders and cocktail afficionados both near and far, but the liquor selection is a welcome addition to the selection, making it a one stop shop with everything from shakers to metal straws to liquor to the glasses to drink out of.  Keeper's knowledge of liquors is deep; it is like going to a bookstore where the clerk seems to have read every book in the store and just a few clues from you can lead you to exactly what you are looking for, except with booze, which is more fun.  So get on down to Bark Keeper in Silverlake and shake it up!

Bar Keeper: 3910 West Sunset Blvd, Silverlake. Phone: (323) 669-1675.  Website: http://www.barkeepersilverlake.com/

Forage: Worth Finding

When it first opened Forage in Silverlake got a lot of press for accepting fresh produce from locals to turn into food.  I had heard good things after the initial buzz died down but never made it there until last week when two different locals suggested it to me as a great value in the neighborhood.  It is a small restaurant and as my dinner companion described it, it is reminiscent of the lunch line in a school cafeteria, although no school I know of has food of this quality.

The dinner menu includes a popular option for one protein with two sides for $14.  For vegetarians and those not in the mood for meat, a three side plate is available for $11.  On the night of my visit, the proteins included Jidori chicken, steak and a fish.  I opted for the Jidori chicken (light or dark meat were available, so I chose dark), grilled vegetables and mac n' cheese.  It was a lot of food and tasted both good and healthy.  I couldn't finish the large portion of mac n' cheese.  The chicken was flavorful with a strong flavor of herbs and garlic.  The mac and cheese, which according to the website is made with two kinds of cheddar cheese and Grana Padano, was less gooey than some versions, but still nice and savory.  The heaping serving of veggies, including Brussels sprouts, kept this meal on the healthier end of the dining spectrum, a welcome respite from the rich food I've been eating of late.

On a rainy night all the tables were occupied and we lucked out getting the last two seats inside.  Some patrons ignored the signs to not take a table until you have ordered but were called out on it; its that kind of spot.  There may be waits at peak times.  Note that Forage is closed on Sundays and Mondays and does not take reservations, however they do take out.  It does have an adjacent parking lot, which is helpful on that stretch of Sunset.

Forage: 3823 W Sunset Blvd., Silverlake.  Phone: (323) 663-6885.  Website: www.foragela.com

First Look: Bar Covell in Los Feliz

Bar Covell opened up earlier this month on Hollywood Blvd in Los Feliz, across the street from Umami Burger and Salaryman and just east of Vermont Avenue. Despite (or because of) its recent opening, it was comfortably full of customers sipping on beer and wine when I stopped by last week. Covell was opened by owner Dustin Lancaster, formerly of Cafe Stella and general manager/wine director Matt Kaner, formerly of Silver Lake Wine.

Kaner (pictured above) was there when I visited and he was excited about the launch and the upcoming addition of food to the menu. There are eight beers on tap and 8-10 wines available by the glass. The wine list is short and has a curated feel to it, with interesting selections such as a delicious Portugese rosé Vinho Verde. Matt commented that the entire bottle list is also available by the glass, a customer friendly touch.

Overall Covell has a comfortable vibe: this is not a place you need to get dressed up for and it has a worn-in coziness to it that feels authentic. The wall opposite the bar is covered with antique cameras, which look like something you might find in your grandparent's attic, only in better condition. The crowd was a mix of locals and folks from the westside and downtown who were curious to check out the new bar on the block.

Bar Covell: 4628 Hollywood Blvd, Los Feliz. Phone: (323) 660-4400. Website: barcovell.com Hours: 5pm - Midnight on Sunday - Thursday, 5 pm - 2 am Friday and Saturday.

One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer: Thirsty Crow Bar Lands in Silverlake

At the Thirsty Crow two trends converge to create something unique. The single spirit focused bar - Las Perlas etc and the adjectively named animal establishments - Lazy Ox I am thinking of you - come together to create the Thirsty Crow, a bourbon focused bar on Sunset Blvd in Silverlake. The Crow has been fully renovated by the 1933 Group, the team behind Bigfoot Lodge and Saints & Sinners. The 1933 team replaced what had been Stinkers with a beautiful looking space that looks like it could have been there for years. The U-shaped bar with plenty of stools is right in front, highlighting the wall of spirits behind the bar. One of the best features of the room is the most beautiful antique/vintage jukeboxes I have ever seen. The wood exterior and the sunburst of silver inside is something to behold.

The menu offers both a large selection of sipping bourbons, ryes & whiskies curated by Brandon Ristaino (pictured left) and a cocktail list created by Cooper Gillespie (pictured below). The bourbon/rye list has a large variety, of both rare finds and more familiar choices to ease yourself into the whiskey universe. At a pre-opening event, I had the opportunity to sample the Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve Bourbon 23 Year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey thanks to Josh from FoodGPS asking to try it. It was rich but not too sweet and the flavor benefited from the aging in barrels. This was a whiskey to savor, especially at $40 per pour. Although it has some rare and pricey bourbons available, the the Thirsty Crow is an unpretentious environment and has many reasonably priced options on their list as well. On Sunday evenings from 9 pm onward, the Crow hosts a Whiskey Education program in which you can sample several bourbons and ryes for around $5 per. Its a good way to learn what your taste preferences are or just a chance to enjoy a bargain beverage in a fun atmosphere.
The cocktail list is divided into three sections: Classics, Manhattans & Sparkling Cocktails. The choices include a Mint Julep, an Old Fashioned and their signature Thirsty Crow cocktail (pictured below left). The Thirsty Crow is served in a mason jar and includes rye whiskey, citrus juices, bitters, and ginger beer in a glass with ice and a sprig of mint and a lemon wedge to garnish. This drink is worthy of being the signature drink as it is tasty and refreshing and my favorite of the drink list. The Manhattan section of the cocktail list includes several variations on the classic version as well as their their "traditional" made with rye, vermouth and bitters. The marmalade manhattan blended together much better than I was expecting, although of the manhattans I found the traditional to be the most delicious.

The Thirsty Crow successfully threads the needle between upmarket cocktail bar and unpretentious local bar. They have five beers on tap, but they are from microbrewers, and if you absolutely have to have them, Bud, PBR and Corona are available in bottles or cans. Four of the five beers on tap are from California (two each from Napa Smith and Anderson Valley). The bartenders are knowledgeable about the beverages on their menu and can help you navigate the choices to find something you will be sure to enjoy. The Classic cocktails and Manhattans are $12 each and the pours of ryes, scotches and bourbons are mainly in the $8 to $16 range with a few rarities priced for special occasions of any sort. No food is served but they welcome you to bring in your own. The Thirsty Crow opened last weekend and is now fully up and running.

Thirsty Crow: 2939 W Sunset Blvd, just West of Silverlake Blvd. Telephone: (323) 661-6007. Website: www.thirstycrowbar.com Follow on Twitter here.

Hooked on Hook's 15 Yr Aged Cheddar

I'd been hearing great things about Hook's Cheddar from the Hook's Cheese Company of Wisconsin for a while and finally got to try their 12 year aged Cheddar on New Year's eve which I enjoyed very much. At Surfas in Culver City this week, I saw they had the elusive 15 year cheddar which is only made and released in small quantities. Despite the cost ($95/lb) I gulped and purchased a quarter of a pound in the name of research and to further celebrate the wonders of cheese during grilled cheese month.

The Hook's 15 year cheese is a sharp cheddar that is crumbly (this is not a cheese you can expect nice and even slices from), salty and has a lot of calcium crystals which give the texture an extra oomph. It has a very strong cheddar flavor and unlike some of the cheese you can find that is labeled sharp (I'm looking at you Trader Joes), this cheddar cheese lives up to its description.

Hook's Cheese is a family owned and operated small business based in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, about an hour Southwest of Madison, in the Southwestern corner of the state. Tony & Julie Hooks are the owners/founders/operators and have been making cheese since 1976, winning many awards over the years.

Hook's also produces 10 and 12 year aged cheddars, which can be purchased locally in Los Angeles. Their blue cheese is especially spreadable. The 15 yr can be purchased less expensively at the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills for $75/lb. They also carry the 12 yr for $50/lb. The CheeseStore of Silverlake carries the 10 yr for $35/lb and the 12 yr for $50/lb.

Cheese Store of Beverly Hills: 419 N Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. Phone: 310.278.2855, Website: http://www.cheesestorebh.com/
CheeseStore of Silverlake: 3926 W Sunset Blvd (sunset junction), Silverlake. Phone: 323.644.7511, Website: http://www.cheesestoresl.com/
Surfas: 8777 W Washington Blvd, Culver City. Phone: 310.559.4770. Website: http://www.surfaslosangeles.com/