Do you SEE what I SEE: 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Pic of the day...

Great find at spenders gifts...to this day I've never played this
game!!!

Freestone Optometric Center Christmas Lunch

Lunch with the staff at one of the best italian places in the
I.E....Hands Down!!!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Best beer bars

1. Father's Office Santa Monica

Before Sang Yoon turned the Father's Office into a world-renowned burger joint, this tiny outpost was waving the craft beer flag, bringing in odd and seasonal brews from Anchor Steam and Anderson Valley. At least five to 10 of its 36 taps remain dedicated to rare finds. But be prepared to brave the lines.

2. Library Ale House Santa Monica

Further proof that Westsiders are spoiled, the 12-year-old Library is a dependable locale for Anchor Steam-seasoned food offerings, and strong, West Coast-style pale ales. Indeed, barkeep Leo Stanton notes the biting Racer 5 from Bear Republic is one of his top sellers.

3. Lucky Baldwin's Pasadena

Owner David Farnworth has been knighted into the Belgian brewers guild, and you have until Aug. 26 to see why. Through the end of the week, Lucky Baldwin's is dedicating 40 of its 63 taps to Belgian offerings. Otherwise, come here for the tasty, banana clove-enhanced hefeweizen from Craftsman. Also in Sierra Madre.

4. Naja's Place Redondo Beach

Twelve of the 76 taps at this boardwalk locale are Belgian offerings, and the approximately 30-year-old bar is known for its international flair. Yet over the past four years, the bar has diversified to include a greater selection of U.S. crafts, including multiple taps from Oregon's Deschutes Brewery and smaller-batch brews from Stone.

5. Stuffed Sandwich San Gabriel

There are only nine beers on tap, but more than 70 in bottles at this anti-sports (no TVs) beer/ sandwich haven. Cali brewers gripe about the restaurant's paper cups and headless pours, but each pint is served with plenty of personality. "I don't like no head on my beers," owner Sam Samaniego says. "You want foam? Go someplace else."

6. 3rd Stop West Hollywood

Need an incentive to try some unknown beer? Then come to the 3rd Stop for the free personal pizzas at happy hour. Stay for the wide selection, including ultra-hoppy and bitter offerings from San Diego County's Green Flash, and the spiced-up Shark Bite Red from Pizza Port.

7. Library Bar Downtown L.A.

Giving the post-work downtown crowd an opportunity to take a crash course in craft beer, the Library Bar provides a handpicked selection of California taps and hard-to-find bottles, including the toasted Anvil Ale ESB from AleSmith Brewing. The taps lean heavily on the latest from Craftsman.

8. Little Bar Miracle Mile

When this Boston-inspired neighborhood hang first opened, it boasted Anchor Steam on tap, and thus held the promise of a strong beer selection. Little Bar is finally starting to deliver, and recently has embraced offerings from Stone, Fat Tire, Sierra Nevada and Lost Coast.

9. Lucky Devils Hollywood

The feel is that of a stylishly mod cafeteria, the food is upscale gastropub fare and the beer selection is impeccable. Taps are heavy on Craftsman and Stone, including the former's delectable Orange Grove Ale. Go for this rare L.A. find: Flying Dog's Double Dog Pale Ale, which masks an ultra-high alcohol content with citrus sweetness.

10. The Otheroom Venice

This chic mini-chain may have been imported from New York, but the beer is West Coast-centric, as its dozen-plus taps are likely to be filled with selections from Craftsman, Rogue, Allagash and Bear Republic, among others. Relatively new (est. 2005), the Otheroom quickly earned a rep as a younger, hipper -- albeit foodless -- Father's Office.

11. Redwood Bar & Grill Downtown L.A.

When the old drinkers' haunt the Redwood was re-opened last year with a nautical theme, Anchor Steam was a given. But this is a Craftsman bar; the beer is not only on tap, but also used in the restaurant's fish and chips batter.

12. Spring Street Smokehouse Chinatown

This 2 1/2 -year-old barbecue joint opened a 14-seat bar in January and celebrated its liquor license by diving into craft beer. Amid a choice selection of bottles, Spring Street is the only L.A. locale with every Angel City brew on tap. Order the ribs, and finish with an Angel City Abby, with an almost caramel-like sweetness.

13. The Village Idiot Melrose

There are only eight taps, but four are craft beer, three from Craftsman. The other belongs to Bear Republic's Racer 5. Co-owner Charlie Conrad notes Stella Artois is the top seller, but adds, "The ones who like Craftsman and Racer 5 fit the mold of what we're looking for, in terms of [customers]. There's sophistication that comes with it."

14. The York Highland Park

The York brings a bit of Father's Office into Highland Park, with a fashionable setting and high-end burgers. The beer selection is small, but heavily curated, with Craftsman, Stone, Firestone and Fat Tire. Bottled fare is equally handpicked, including a surprisingly fragrant red ale from Rogue.

15. Boneyard Bistro Sherman Oaks

Pair ribs or a cheese plate with a bottle and tap selection that's won comparisons to Father's Office. Broken into nearly 15 styles, Boneyard's extensive beer menu contains such rarities as Craftsman Cabern Ale, made with cabernet grapes, and AleSmith's chocolate-hinted Speedway Stout.

16. Osteria Mozza Melrose

It's become common for finer restaurants to showcase their wine lists online, and Mozza is no different. But the in-demand eatery might want to give a similar treatment to its beer lineup, which boasts the Allagash Curieux, a brew aged for eight weeks in Jim Beam barrels to give it a hint of vanilla, and a dash of bourbon.

17. The Hungry Cat Hollywood

Bar steward Tim Staehling keeps the beer selections fresh and seasonal, having recently brought in Anchor Steam's wheaty Summer Beer. Craftsman's Poppyfields, a light pale ale, is the seafood restaurant's top-selling beer. Firestone brews are also often on tap.

18. Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen Santa Monica

Wine, of course, is the specialty, but Rustic Canyon puts beer on equal footing. Opt for North Coast's fruity golden ale the Pranqster with your next cheese plate. On Aug. 27, beer sommelier Christina Perozzi will host a tasting with selections from such SoCal brewhouses as Craftsman, Pizza Port and Telegraph Brewing.

19. Yard House Long Beach

In its 11th year, this chain melds Father's Office with Minnesota's Mall of America, as its selection tops off at more than 100 taps. There are seven L.A.-area locations, but it began here in Long Beach. Look for new branches in Newport Beach and downtown L.A.