by Dennis Richardson | Mar 28, 2023
Last Word Hospitality Introduces Intimate Portuguese Restaurant Barra Santos to Cypress Park
If you’re looking for something new to try in Los Angeles, on March 21st, LA-based restaurant group Last Word Hospitality (Found Oyster, Nossa Caipirinha Bar, The Copper Room) announced the opening of Barra Santos, a cozy neighborhood restaurant in Northeast Los Angeles opening on March 24th. Barra Santos is named after LWH’s Director of Operations and Partner Mike Santos who is bringing the spirit of Portugal’s quaint authentic restaurants and his Portuguese-American childhood in Rhode Island to the West Coast. Melissa López (Barbuto, Bestia) serves as Executive Chef and Partner, joining the team at this welcome new addition to the community.
Embracing the ethos of creating food that is simple and straightforward, Chef López has developed a thoughtful menu based on classic Portuguese dishes both inspired by research trips to Lisbon with the team and Mike Santos’ memories of family meals and special occasion feasts. The menu spans snacks like Bacalao Fritters to larger items like the traditional marinated pork sandwich Bifana, Buttered Sardine Toast, and Piri Piri Chicken all prepared in the open kitchen viewed from the bar. Expect a wide selection of wines from Portugal and Spain alongside a curated list of sherry, port, and Madeira and the requisite cold draft beer of the house, LA’s Skyduster Super Dry Lager, all from hand-selected by LWH’s Wine Director Evelyn Goreshnik. Be sure to ask for the porto tonico, made with white port and tonic.
The jewel box of a space features a handsome 25 foot red oak bar punctuated by hanging milk glass light pendants, concrete floors, white gauzy curtains, and original artwork from Sasa Studio depicting a tableau of Portuguese daily life. Throughout the restaurant, from the exterior to the bold interior arch, are hand-painted tiles made in Los Angeles featuring historic, licensed representations of the traditional Portuguese glazed blue and white tiles, or azulejos.
SANTA ANA, CA – February 13, 2023: Heeva Ghane, the first “patient navigator” for Planned Parenthood in Santa Ana on Monday. (Allison Zaucha for The San Francisco Chronicle)
With indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate 40 guests, Barra Santos is a friendly neighborhood destination whether you’re popping by after work for a glass of cold beer or catching up with a friend over lingering glasses of wine and small plates. Barra Santos is honored to be joining the tight-knit Cypress Park community and fellow mom-and-pop businesses like Castro’s Barber Shop, Loquat Coffee, and Permanent Records.
Barra Santos is located at 1215 Cypress Ave Los Angeles, CA 90065 in Cypress Park. Barra Santos is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 4pm – 10pm. For more information, please visit barrasantosla.com and follow along at @barrasantosla.
About Last Word Hospitality:
Established in 2014, LWH’s mission is to create charismatic neighborhood restaurants and bars that also serve as city-wide destinations. The LWH team’s passion lies in the equitable development of charming neighborhoods, providing inspired platforms for chefs and hospitality professionals to become owners, integrate themselves into the local community, and tell their own stories through food, drink, design, and a persistent commitment to making people feel welcome.
Every restaurant we create is built around the personalities of our operating partners and the neighborhoods we are joining. Each partner brings their own passions and life experiences to each store, and it is that direct connection that builds concepts that are truly distinct.
LWH first established their model while launching Same Same Thai, and have since launched Found Oyster, Caipirinha Bar, the Red Dog Saloon, and The Copper Room.
by Dennis Richardson | Mar 17, 2023
On Wednesday, March 8, LA’s Golden Road Brewing launched a new initiative in an effort to inspire and motivate people across the nation to take the first steps toward actualizing their ambitions and passions. In honor of International Women’s Day, Golden Road Brewing, one of the few female co-founded craft breweries in the U.S., teamed up with singer, actress and social media star Lele Pons to introduce its ‘Follow Your Dreams’ platform.
To kick off the program, Golden Road hosted a reception with a surprise musical performance on March 8 at the Atwater Village Brewpub.
This new program offers a chance for both monetary support and mentorship, especially for historically underrepresented communities in business, entrepreneurship, media, the arts, and other industries. The focus of the Golden Road program is to spotlight and elevate stories of determination, grit, and self-belief, ultimately inspiring more people to pursue their true passions.
As someone who always dreamed of being an entertainer from a young age and has now achieved her goals, singer, actress, social media star, and proud Latina Lele Pons has a ton of life experience and advice to share with people going after their dreams. “I know what it’s like to chase your dreams — and the difference that support can make in helping them become a reality. That’s why I teamed up with Golden Road Brewing on the ‘Follow Your Dreams’ platform to give as many people as possible the chance they deserve,” said Lele. “No dream is too big or too small. Together, we can help more people pursue their true calling and make a big impact on our community.”
Golden Road Co-Founder Meg Gill also broke through the primarily male-dominated craft brewing industry to act on her dreams and open up the brewery. Now, 12 years in and with craft beers available in all 50 states, including LA’s beloved Mango Cart wheat ale, the brewery wants to help other people to do the same.
“At Golden Road, we know the impact dreaming big can have on culture, on our communities, and on the world,” said Meg Gill, Co-Founder, Golden Road Brewing. “And that’s really what inspired the ‘Follow Your Dreams program’ — it’s all about empowering people to make their dreams a reality and we’re thrilled to be able to play even a small role in doing that.”
“Follow Your Dreams” will help empower people to dream big by offering monetary support and mentorship, especially for historically underrepresented communities in business, entrepreneurship, media, the arts, and many other industries.
Everyone 21+ is free to participate — California residents 21+ can share their passion and apply to “Follow Your Dreams” by following @GoldenRoadBrew and @mangocartbeer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram — and submit a 60-second video or written description of their dream to www.goldenroad.la/FollowYourDreams for an opportunity to make them a reality. Submissions will be accepted through July 11, 2023.
About Golden Road Brewing
In 2011, beer enthusiast Meg Gill co-founded Golden Road Brewing to bring delicious, California-inspired craft beer to the Los Angeles area. Beginning with its headquarters in the Atwater Village neighborhood of Los Angeles, Golden Road has since become the city’s largest craft brewer with Brewpubs at Huntington Beach, Grand Central Market, a state-of-the-art brewery and tasting room in Anaheim and a beer garden in Sacramento. In 2015, Golden Road partnered with Anheuser-Busch to gain access to more resources and help expand distribution. As a member of Brewers Collective, the craft business unit of Anheuser-Busch, Golden Road is committed to quality, communities and innovation with a mission to energize how people view, consume and experience beer. Now available nationwide at nearly 70,000 locations, Golden Road’s year-round craft beer portfolio includes Mango Cart wheat ale, Ride On IPA series, Street Cart Cerveza, Champango as well as a variety of small batch releases of experimental and rare beers.
About Anheuser-Busch
At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life’s moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 160 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 19,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America’s most loved beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on
LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and
Instagram.
by Dennis Richardson | Mar 15, 2023
If you’ve been outside in SoCal these last few days, there’s a chance you felt something that’s been missing for a while: warmth. Spring is knocking and it’s only a matter of time until we’re ditching the cold weather necessities and reaching for the lightest layers and newest styles.
It’s the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with a couple of brands who seek to step up your comfort and style points as we head into the warmer months. Public Rec and Vincero are changing the game for men and women, with each specializing in indoor comfort & outdoor style and exceptionally crafted accessories, respectively.
Public Rec
Whether you’re hitting the beach, the trails, the park, or a quick flight to Vegas, Public Rec will help you feel confident, yet comfortable in their variety of soft hooded styles while you decide whether it’s lounge wear or athleisure. Named one of the best athleisure brands for 2022 by Men’s Health, Public Rec is one of today’s most desirable and elevated brands for everyday essentials. Public Rec offers extremely comfortable and versatile pieces for both men and women. With modern and sleek designs, Public Rec makes running errands or even lounging in your house stylish again.
Spring is a time for growth and that doesn’t have to just mean the flowers in your front yard. Elevating your look this season is now easier than ever with Public Rec. You won’t have to spend so much time in the morning figuring out what to wear because these hoodies are simple yet sophisticated – easily thrown on top of your favorite t-shirt for a little added warmth.
On the women’s end, one of Public Rec’s latest offerings includes the relaxed, slim-fit, Women’s Luxe Fleece Crewneck. The ideal top for going out in style while remaining comfortable, this crewneck features discreet side hand pockets and thumb holes, so you can be sure that you will stay warm while wearing this hoodie on those chillier Spring mornings.
On the other hand, the Men’s Weekend Hoodie is the perfect addition to your closet this Spring. With its mid-weight French Terry material, you will be able to wear it on any of the colder or warmer days that Spring may bring. This highly durable knit creates a luxurious, lounge feel without sacrificing style. Luckily, it comes in five different colors so it can be styled to match a variety of outfits, ensuring that you will feel good every time you wear it.
Vincero
Too often have to choose between fashion and function – in a world where we often sacrifice style for tech when it comes to our watches, but we can now have both.
Thanks to Vincero – the world’s most innovative eco-forward brand known for its long-lasting and well-crafted watches and accessories, brings the ultimate modern touch for any Apple Watch lover. Made from silicone, steel, or leather — these high performance Apple Watch bands pair effortlessly in both fit and finish and are perfect for everyday wear.
Apple Watch Steel Band ($125 USD) – Vincero engineered this 316L Stainless Steel band to be the ultimate modern touch for any Apple Watch lover. The uniform brushed steel links blend seamlessly to create symmetry and balance in the band from lug to lug. The band is held together by a beautiful two-button butterfly release that makes the strap easy to wear anytime or place. The high end stainless steel was specifically chosen to usher in an everyday confidence to withstand any environment. The 316L stainless steel alloy was carefully curated to match the tone of the Apple Watch itself and will pair effortlessly in both fit and finish.
Apple Watch Leather Band ($55 USD) – The Leather Apple Watch Band was designed to create a clean and contemporary aesthetic while maintaining a classic and timeless look. The leather is strong but supple and will wear beautifully to reveal a nice patina. This Apple Watch Leather Band is meant to withstand the test of time and features our top of the line 316L stainless steel buckle and lugs – the same military grade material we use across Vincero’s entire lineup of watches. This Leather Apple Watch Band adds the perfect amount of sophistication and sleekness to any outfit and will elevate the way the watch pairs with your everyday apparel.
Apple Watch Silicone Band ($55 USD) – The Silicone Apple Watch Band features a premium textured rubber top and a 316L stainless steel buckle. The 22mm tapers from watch head to buckle and ensures a comfortable and modern fit perfect for any outdoor, sport, or active environment. The high performance rubber material is strong, durable, and undeniably soft. The smooth texture on the inside feels ultra comfortable on the skin and is perfect for everyday wear. The 100% waterproof silicone makes this the ultimate sport band and maintains a breathable yet durable design.
Available in different shades of steel, leather, and silicone, Vincero’s watch bands sell at a starting price as low as $55 USD. The available sizes are 40/41mm and 44/45mm. All of the watch bands currently available can be found here.
On the eyewear side, Vincero offers top-notch sunglasses (and more) that will only leave others jealous. All shades come polarized, providing premium 100% UVA/UVB protection and have a Climate Neutral Certificate, so you can look stylish while protecting your eyes… and the planet!
The Quinn ($145 USD) – For women, The Quinn features an iconic round shape with an oversized keyhole. The Quinn glasses are the perfect testament that a bold statement does not have to be complex. Its flat nylon lenses give these sunglasses an unexpected twist that will be the perfect statement piece to break out this Spring. These glasses have the versatility you need to keep you looking good and feeling great.
The Villa ($145 USD) – Classic in the purest sense of the word, the men’s Villa is an easy, everyday frame. With a sleek design, lightweight construction, and a masculine silhouette, you can count on these frames for years to come. Available in seven distinct colors so you can find the perfect match while providing maximum protection to your eyes. Designed in California, Vincero’s handcrafted frames are made from the highest grade materials and inspired by endlessly fascinating surroundings.
Vincero also offers a wide variety of bags, jewelry, watches, and gift items that you’d be sad to miss. Vincero has left a mark in the fashion industry since its launch, adding dozens of different products to their arsenal, including sunglasses, blue light glasses and bracelets. To find out more information, head to the website: vincerocollective.com and follow on Instagram @vinceroCollective for news and offers.
About Public Rec
Launched in 2016 by Zach Goldstein, Public Rec has made it its mission to make comfort look good and fit better. The most coveted athleisure brand offers modern and sought-after designs to make everyday outfits not only comfortable but stylish, allowing you to always feel your best.
About Vincero
Vincero is a men’s and women’s accessory brand that designs everything in-house, sources their own materials and produces in small batches to ensure you are getting top-tier quality in everything they ship. Vincero is best known for their watch line but has expanded into glasses and other accessories.
by Dennis Richardson | Mar 10, 2023
Looking for something free to do this weekend, while also being charitable?
Windsor Fashions, the Southern California-based women’s shopping destination for every occasion, is kicking off Prom season this year with ‘A Night of Glamour 2023’ – the brand’s first-ever Prom fashion show – on Saturday, March 11th from 1-3pm at Irvine Spectrum Center.
Guests are invited free of charge to attend the event, and are encouraged to bring a gently used Prom dress to support Becca’s Closet, a non-profit organization that operates across 49 chapters in 23 states to collect and distribute dresses to high school girls with financial need.
This on-site donation is a continuation of Windsor’s ongoing partnership with Becca’s Closet, which kicked off in 2022. This year, Windsor will also be donating 1,500 of its own dresses to the organization, as well as providing a financial contribution to fund Prom tickets for girls nationwide.
Windsor is also collaborating with an American dancer, television personality, musician and content creator, Pressley Hosbach, who originally rose to fame from the hit reality television series, Dance Moms. Pressley will be curating two Prom edits for Windsor, one of which is already live to shop. Pressley will be co-hosting the Prom Fashion Show next Saturday, which will be followed by a meet and greet alongside content creator Blake Manning and other creators. Windsor has partnered with Friar Tux for runway tuxedo pairings.
by Dennis Richardson | Mar 10, 2023
If you’re looking for weekend things to do, here’s a pop up and meet & greet worth checking out!
Remi Cruz and Alisha Marie, best friends and hosts of the award-winning podcast Pretty Basic, will have their first ever Pretty Basic fan meet-and-greet at La La Land Kind Cafe at The Grove on March 10th – March 12th from 7am PST – close.
Fans of the podcast can meet Remi and Alisha at this in-person fan activation to celebrate the recent launch of Pretty Basic season six (premiered on February 7th) along with a new collection of merch available on March 17th. The cafe will be decked out in all things Pretty Basic, with tons of amazing photo-op moments and La La Land signature coffees with names inspired by Remi, Alisha, and Pretty Basic.
You can watch the Pretty Basic podcast for free, here.
About Pretty Basic
Pretty Basic is a lifestyle brand led by multi-hyphenate creators and best friends Alisha Marie and Remi Cruz.
The Pretty Basic Podcast debuted at #1 on Apple Podcasts in October 2018, and has since surpassed nearly 100 million lifetime downloads and took home the 2021 Webby Award for “Best Lifestyle Podcast.” New episodes are released weekly, and alternate between one-on-one conversations with Alisha and Remi and welcoming some of the biggest names on the internet into the Pretty Basic studio. Recent guests include Meghan Trainor, Dixie D’Amelio, Jackie Aina, Pokimane, Chris Olsen and Ashley Tisdale.
Pretty Basic has been featured in esteemed publications such as the Los Angeles Times, Variety and Business Insider, among others and Alisha and Remi have spoken on the business of podcasting and digital content at SXSW, VidCon and completed Pretty Basic Live during 2019.
by Dennis Richardson | Mar 10, 2023
Did you know that March 15th is National Espresso Martini Day? If you’re in need of the perfect reason to celebrate with the uniqueness that only espresso martini’s can offer, then it’s your lucky day — and you can celebrate whether it’s still raining in SoCal or not!
The Espresso Martini has got to be the “it cocktail” of 2023, always served in a sleek glass; its rich coffee color makes for an ultra sophisticated sip. If you were looking for the perfect place to celebrate this special day, take a trip to LA’s beloved hotspots who are doing it like no other: The Nice Guy and Sant’olina, and with El Silencio Mezcal, the largest independent mezcal brand in the US.
If you can’t make it out for any reason, the fine folks from El Silencio even have you covered with recipes you can take on in the comfort of your own home.
Located in West Hollywood, The Nice Guy’s dim lighting and moody atmosphere make it the perfect place to enjoy their classic Handsome Johnny ($20). Crafted with cold brew, ristretto and hints of vanilla this traditional cocktail is a must order.
Handsome Johnny
For the quintessential Hollywood cocktail moment, Sant’olina, located on the rooftop of the historic Beverly Hilton, offers the CC Rider ($19). This espresso martini is carefully created with cognac, hints of traditional arak and brewed with a smokey cold brew.
CC Rider
For a unique Oaxacan twist on the classic espresso martini, Silencio’s Carajillo recipe is crafted with 2.5 oz of espresso, 1.5 oz. of licor 43, and 1 oz. of Mezcal El Silencio. This classic Spanish cocktail is the perfect afternoon pick me up.
Silencio Carajillo
About The Nice Guy
Tucked away in the heart of West Hollywood, The Nice Guy is an intimate restaurant and lounge, complete with world-class culinary offerings. A step above a restaurant, but not quite a club, the venue is a cozy, reservations-only destination for h.wood friends and family. Its aesthetic evokes the decadent lore of mafia bars and restaurants, where the owners and their friends could enjoy an evening together. Whether grabbing an early dinner or mingling into the early morning hours, the space cultivates a feeling of camaraderie among its clientele, which keeps guests coming back night after night.
About Sant’olina
Sant’olina is a melting pot of Mediterranean cuisine with a Southern California spin. Chefs Michael Teich and Burt Bakman combine vibrant herbs and spices to create a healthy menu packed with flavor. Each dish tells a different story – from the traditional recipes straight out of the Tel Aviv shuks to the modern Californian touches.
With its timeless Mediterranean color palette and open-air views of Los Angeles, Sant’olina captures the essence of a seaside escape. Located atop the historic Beverly Hilton, Sant’olina will offer dinner service nightly.
About Silencio
Mezcal El Silencio revived the ancient art of mezcal, pioneering a unique approach and delivering the hand-crafted spirit to a new generation of creative drinkers and cultural innovators. Founded in Santa Monica, California by Fausto Zapata and Vicente Cisneros in 2013, the company creates its mezcal in Oaxaca, Mexico, using the traditional process carried on by generations of mezcaleros. Meticulously picked agaves are roasted, crushed, and double distilled resulting in a full-bodied flavor. El Silencio goes beyond the bottle, transforming the ordinary and disrupting the status quo. For more information, visit www.silencio.com, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. #MezcalElSilencio #DefiantSpirit
