Author: Aloha Hayashi

Spiritsman

PUGLIA ITALY ’S – RADICI DEL SUD FESTIVAL

Michael Hepworth               Best Wines & Fun in the Sun 2013 By Bonnie Carroll   ITALY(Spiritsman)6/24/13/—Located in the ‘heel’ of Italy ’s boot, Puglia is a dream for visitors who enjoy miles of endless beautiful beaches, and warm summer Mediterranean days. It offers an abundance of olive trees and […]

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BUDDHA’S BELLY-NEW CHEF KEVIN LUZANDE LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT QUICKLY

    Michael Hepworth                   Los Angeles, CA(Spiritsman)6/19/13/–Buddha’s Belly in Los Angeles has recently announced a chef change, with Kevin Luzande now taking over at the popular Beverly Blvd location. He has paid his dues in various kitchens around town, working under Troy Thompson at the Ritz […]

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COGNAC CONFIDENTIAL AT NEXT DOOR LOUNGE HOLLYWOOD

Michael Hepworth HENNESSY PARADIS IMPERAL MAKES AN APPEARANCE   HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)6/17/13/–The Next Door Lounge in Hollywood is the latest “Speakeasy” in town And the place has garnered quite a bit of attention lately, partly because of The new Cognac Confidential evenings held once a month. This is a follow up series to the “Whiskey Wednesday” events […]

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LA MAMOUNIA CREATES NINE SIGNATURE COCKTAILS TO COMMEMORATE 90TH ANNIVERSARY

LA MAMOUNIA CREATES NINE SIGNATURE COCKTAILS TO COMMEMORATE 90TH ANNIVERSARY Iconic Marrakech Hotel Invites Guests to Celebrate with New Celebrity Cocktails  Michael Hepworth             MARRKECH, MOROCCO(Spiritsman)6/15/13/— – Continuing the celebration of its 90th anniversary, La Mamounia has created nine new cocktails; each referring to a decade and a celebrity who has […]

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BEACHWOOD BREWERY-CRAFT BEERS AND GOURMET BARBECUE

Michael Hepworth             Long Beach, CA(Spiritsman)6/11/13/—The Beachwood Brewery Restaurant in downtown Long Beach bills itself as a gourmet barbecue restaurant and micro brewery. It certainly is an impressive space with a large outside patio area, and the menu is varied enough to satisfy any cravings in what is a really […]

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MAMA WALKER’S LIQUEURS-BANKING ON NOSTALGIA.

                          Michael Hepworth   HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)6/3/13/–Now for something completely different-Mama Walker’s Breakfast-inspired 70 proof liqueurs now on the way to you from drinks giant Pernod Ricard at $12.99 a pop. There are three to choose from-Maple Bacon, Blueberry Pancake and Glazed Donut.     […]

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WHIPLASH WINES AND THEIR BIG SISTER REATA

                    Michael Hepworth HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)5/28/13/–Whiplash Wines are a division of Reata Wines in Napa, and the new 2011 Chardonnay is released June 2013. The production numbers run to 15,698 cases and the vinification process takes place in stainless steel barrels before being fermented and aging. Alcohol content […]

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THE LARCHMONT OPENS IN THE VILLAGE

    By Michael Hepworth Los Angeles,CA(Spiritsman)5/23/13/– The Larchmont Restaurant is a new addition to the Larchmont Village dining scene, and this is a restaurant that may have some legs. Opened in March by a trio of European restaurant veterans, the almost minimalist restaurant used to be a bungalow on the Paramount Studios lot, and […]

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OLD TOWN HOTEL ALBUQUERQUE WELCOMES GARDUNO’S

  Michael Hepworth   OLD TOWN HOTEL ALBUQUERQUE WELCOMES GARDUNO’S Beloved New Mexican Restaurant Replaces Café Pazuela and Cantina   By Bonnie Carroll Albuquerque NM,(Spiritsman)5/21/13/–May is the month for Garduno’s On the Rio Grande Restaurant & Cantina to premiere at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town in the former Café Pazuela and Cantina. Chef Tony Trujillo, […]

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The third annual Vino California Grand Tasting 2013

Michael Hepworth                       By Cheri Fox The third annual Vino California Grand Tasting 2013 was held at Skirball Cultural Center on Tuesday, May 14th . Los Angeles, CA(Spiritsman)5/21/13/–Several hundred wine enthusiasts and trade professionals gathered at the Vino California Grand Tasting 2013, it is the […]

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Triple Crown Jewels original Drinks Mint Julep, Black-Eyed Susan, Belmont Breeze Win, Place & Show

Michael Hepworth Hollywood(Spiritsman)5/19/13—The Triple Crown of horse racing three jewels…and it’s three original drinks. Riders Up. The Mint Julep for the Kentucky Derby   the Black-Eyed Susan for the Preakness and the Belmont Breeze for the Belmont.   Mint Julep for the Kentucky Derby Ingredients 1 oz sugar 2 oz Woodford Reserve Whisky Sprigs of fresh […]

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L’ERMITAGE BEVERLY HILLS Gatsy Sips for Stylish Plates by Chef Ben

                L’ERMITAGE BEVERLY HILLS Gatsy Sips for Stylish Plates by Chef Ben   Michael Hepworth   By Bonnie Carroll Beverly Hills, CA(Spiritsman)5/15/13/—L’Ermitage Beverly Hills , now a Viceroy Hotel property, has maintained its reputation as a unique property for the enjoyment of the rich and famous for over a […]

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D’USSE COGNAC A bold new expression of Cognac, Expanding National Jay-Z’s Launch Party

                          Michael Hepworth Hollywood(Spiritsman)5/10/13/—D’USSE Cognac is a brand on the rise, and for those of you who care about this sort of thing, then it is the house brand at Jay Z’s hip and trendy club in New York called 40/40 Club. The […]

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Kentucky bourbon-maker Woodford Reserve is offering a $1,000 mint julep for the 139th Kentucky Derby

                              The 139th running of the Kentucky Derby winner Orb           Shug McGaughey ‘s Orb, ridden by jockey Joel Rosario, raced to victory in 2 minutes and 2.89 seconds, outrunning Golden Soul in second place and Revolutionary […]

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HOT’S KITCHEN AND THE BEER DINNERS

Michael Hepworth     Hermosa Beach,CA(Spiritsman)5/2/13/—I had been to Hot’s Kitchen in Hermosa Beach just once before, and after almost three years in business I can report that the restaurant is kicking. The ambience is the key thing here, and when I wrote my first review I think that I upset the publicist by saying […]

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HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT HOTEL Healthy Cocktails for Shooting Stars

                        Michael Hepworth   By Bonnie Carroll HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)4/30/13/–The Library Bar in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is home to up and coming performers, both in front of the bar and behind the bar. It’s amazing how many people are more and more enjoying healthy and […]

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Montesquieu “wines that make a difference” Wine to Water in the Dale, Ethiopia – eradicating thirst

      Michael Hepworth HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)4/29/13/–Roll up your sleeves, take a chance, and pull a bottle of wine from the 100-bottle Wine Wall! The wine you receive could be valued at up to hundreds of dollars… or it may not be. That’s the risk! Tickets are $50   http://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/item/Browse.action?auctionId=192036232 The wine has graciously been donated […]

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THE HYPERION PUBLIC in Silverlake serving ”Unique American” food & cocktails ‘Silver Lake Sling’

Michael Hepworth ‘Community Pub by the people for the People.’              Los Angeles,CA(Spiritsman)4/28/13/–As you can judge by the name, the Hyperion Public restaurant in Silverlake is on Hyperion Blvd in an area that is fast becoming a trendy dining area. It is billing itself as the community pub and can […]

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PUNZONE ORGANIC VODKA FROM ITALY HITS THE MARKET

                      Michael Hepworth Hollywood(Spiritsman)4/21/13/–Italian Vodka Punzone has recently hit the market with three releases, Punzone Vodka, Punzone Originale and Punzone Lemoncino. Retail price for the Originale is $42.99, and $37.99 for the other two. Punzone which is Italian for ‘punch’ first surfaced in New York […]

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California Zephyr Railcar Charters Offer Exciting Summer Trip Byways of California and Oregon

  California Zephyr Railcar Charters Offer Exciting Summer Trip                                        Byways of California and Oregon  June 4-9, 2013 Michael Hepworth     By Bonnie Carroll Los Angeles, CA(Spiritsman)4/11/13/–Ever since George Mortimer Pullman introduced the Pioneer in 1864 people have been riding the rails in luxury, while enjoying […]

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