Art Beyond the Glass: Today!

If you want to see the full talents of Los Angeles's cocktail community and support a great cause then there is no better place to be this afternoon and evening than Sadie, the site of the inaugural Art Beyond the Glass fundraiser.  Tickets are $50 at the door, cash only.  Daniel Djang of ThirstyinLA and Zahra Bates of Providence created this event to celebrate the many talents of the bartenders in Los Angeles and to benefit Inner-City Arts.

So many bartenders create cocktails that are worthy of being described as works of art.  Beyond that a number of bartenders, and liquor industry vets are artists in their own right, beyond what they mix in a drink.  Whether it is chalk art from Justin Pike of the Tasting Kitchen, live music from Erik Trickett of Roe Restaurant (former head bartender at 320 Main), DJ skills of Steve Livigni and Dave Fernie of Pour Vous or the magic skills of Josh Lucas of the Writer's Room, there will be perfromances to delight all of the senses.

The event runs from 3 pm - 8 pm and includes cocktails from 30+ bartenders, music, performances, art and spirits tastings and nibbles from Sadie chef Mark Gold.  This is literally the event of the year for cocktail aficionados in Los Angeles, so whether you have been wanting to try cocktails from Julian Cox of Sotto/Playa/Rivera/Short Order, Matt Biancaniello of Library Bar, Sangrita from Cari Ha and Jaymee Mandeville, now is your chance.  At $50 the event is a bargain for 5 hours of deliciousness and festivities.

Sadie: 1638 N. Las Palmas Ave, Hollywood | 323.467.0200 | www.SadieLA.com

Taste of the Nation: This Sunday in West Hollywood

This Sunday from 1 - 4 pm the annual Taste of the Nation fundraiser moves to The Lot in West Hollywood to raise money for Share our Strength, the charity devoted to ending childhood hunger. 100% of all money raised will go to local Los Angeles food banks, which have seen increased demand during the long recession.

More than 40 restaurants will be participating, including newcomers such as Cliff's Edge, NIGHT + MARKET and Cooks County as well as classics such as Campanile and Joe's. Libations are given even more prominence this year, with many local bars, mixologists and craft brewers participating. The Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel will be featuring Plymouth Gin cocktails, Harvard & Stone will be featuring Miracle Mile Bitters and St. George Spirits and for the folks in the VIP tent, Steve Livigni, Pablo Moix and the whole Pour Vous team will be making a bevy of French influenced cocktails. There will be a Craft Beer Tent, which this year is focusing on collaborations between breweries and beer bars. Pairings include the Bruery and Beer Belly as well as Brewery Ommegang and The Golden State.

Tickets for the event are $25 for children 12-18 years old and $110 for adults. VIP tickets are $160. You can purchase tickets here - just click on the large "purchase tickets" link on the Taste of the Nation blog. Organizers have said that few tickets remain and they expect to see out, so I recommend you purchase your admission tickets quickly so you don't miss out on supporting a great cause and getting to try so many great restaurants and bars. Prepaid parking is $25.

Waylynn Lucas of Fonuts at a prior Taste of the Nation

Taste of the Nation: 1041 N. Formosa, West Hollywood | June 10th, 1 - 4 pm | Website

Tonight at Sadie: Suntory Time!

San Francisco bartender Neyah White, the Suntory whiskey West Coast Brand Ambassador, will be holding court this evening at Sadie, the Hollywood restaurant and hot spot.  He will be guest bartending at Sadie tonight, the first in a planned series of guest bartenders.  Not only will he be making signature cocktails with the Hibiki, Yamazaki and Hakushu whiskeys, but there will be other special elements.

If the Suntory whiskey is not enough of a draw, there will be a Japanese ice carving demonstration in which blocks of ice are carved into perfect spheres.  Sadie beverage director Gio Martinez described the Japanese style of service as "one gesture of appreciation after another.  The act of taking the time to make perfectly shaped ice shows attention to detail and service that is so admirable and cool."

Your chance to experience the Bill Murray of whiskeys is tonight from 7 - 11 pm at Sadie.  I have tried these whiskeys and am a fan; these are truly delicious.  White is very understated and Martinez is the consummate host, so tonight should be a blast.  Kampai!

The Parlor at Sadie: 1638 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood | 323.467.0200 | www.sadiela.com