by Dennis Richardson
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
by Dennis Richardson
If you’re still holding strong to your New Year’s resolutions, or the one that matters most (dieting), this may be just the boost you needed to keep holding in there.
Catalina Crunch, the fastest-growing Keto snack brand, just launched two new seasonal-inspired limited-edition products: Lemon Creme Sandwich Cookie and Triple Berry Blast Cereal.
Created with a mission that no one should have to choose between healthy and tasty, both of the new flavors are made with clean ingredients so you can feel confident knowing real food does taste really good. Combining nutritional science with culinary arts, all of Catalina Crunch’s products are made with zero to low sugar, high-protein, high-fiber, and real ingredients.
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Lemon Creme Sandwich Cookies: Creamy on the inside with a buttery, vanilla crust on the outside, the Lemon Creme Sandwich Cookie is delectable yet healthy – made with 4 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and only 2 grams of sugar per serving.
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The Triple Berry Blast Cereal: Reminiscent of a freshly-made berry pie, is bursting with juicy notes of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry, and is gluten-free, grain-free, Keto-friendly, non-GMO, and plant-based. Packed with 11 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, and 9 grams of fiber, this cereal will keep you fueled all day long.
The flavor launches come off the heels of a very successful 2022 year for the brands’ growth. Catalina Crunch has seen explosive growth and is leading the industry by being the #1 contributor to the cereal category’s dollar growth, selling over 5 million pouches of cereal nationwide and increasing their own cereal dollar growth by 68.7% YOY in 2022. Additionally, Catalina Crunch has seen an impressive 89% YOY increase in their sandwich cookie sales.
“We are excited to bring two new innovative product tastings to those who value, and are on the search for, healthier snacking options,” said Krishna Kaliannan, Founder and CEO of Catalina Snacks. “At Catalina Crunch, we are dedicated to providing cleaner snacking options to traditional boxed
cereals and cookies that are filled with additives and sugars. As consumers begin to enjoy the warmer weather, prioritize healthy resets, and gear up for travel and on-the-go activities, I’m especially excited to offer delicious and nutritious flavors that emulate the seasons.”
The Lemon Creme Sandwich Cookie is creamy on the inside with a buttery, vanilla crust on the outside. This delectable, yet healthy cookie is made with 4 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and only 2 grams of sugar per serving. For a sweet treat you can feel good about, the cookies are baked with a
non-GMO blend of plant proteins and fibers designed to keep you full longer.
Catch them while you can, before they disappear and leave you alone with your diet.
About Catalina Crunch
Founded in 2017, Catalina Snacks® uses breakthrough science and food technology (no magic nor wishes) to make food nutritious, while continuing to focus on delectable taste and texture profiles. The brand’s mission is to make healthier foods that are accessible and convenient for a variety of lifestyles, while simultaneously delivering on amazing taste and nutrition content. The Catalina Crunch® brand offers a robust line of healthy snacks including keto-friendly Sandwich Cookies, keto-friendly Cereal, and new keto-friendly Crunch Mixes.
by Dennis Richardson
In what could be one of the best summer pairings of an adult’s life, The Habit Burger Grill and Tarantula Hill Brewing teamed up once again to create the sip of the summer: a limited edition Sun Soaked Hazy IPA. Launched on July 9th, this delicious brew is inspired by, and pairs perfectly with, The Habit Burger Grill’s new summer salad – the Chargrilled Peach Salad.
If you’re looking to fill your stomach with grub, rather than booze, The Habit Burger Grill’s Chargrilled Peach Salad is made with sweet peaches and marinated chicken both chargrilled over an open flame, mixed with flavorful ingredients like pickled red onions, Parmesan cheese and a citrus Dijon dressing. Inspired by the salad’s fresh peaches, the Sun Soaked Hazy IPA (which retails for $8) has an overall tropical taste with floral, stone fruit notes making it the perfect warm-weather.
This special can comes off the heels of The Habit Burger Grill and Tarantula Gill Brewing’s first collaboration last summer, the Habit Hazy IPA, which was a fan favorite. To celebrate the launch of The Habit Burger Grill and Tarantula Hill Brewing’s second collaboration, the two brands hosted a party at Tarantula Hill Brewing on Saturday, July 9th from 12-3pm. It was the summer kickoff that you could only dream of.
