Oldfield's Liquor Room

Being part of an association of craft cocktail bartenders in Los Angeles called the Sporting Life, I have the opportunity to attend openings of new bars and tastings of spirits sponsored by various liquor companies.  

Recently I went to the opening of Oldfields Liquor Room in West Los Angeles next to Culver City and they know what they are doing when it comes to cocktails and appetizers.  Me and two other friends tried several of their cocktails they had on the menu and such as the Duantless and my favorite the Oakshade.  

I had a chance to sit down and speak with the manager Jared Mort who hand picked the bartenders that have excellent skill in crafting cocktails to your liking as and are not afraid to try new recipes out on their audience of thirsty pallets. Jared mentioned that they have their own herb garden and use only fresh ingredients and most of the staff arrive a few hours early to prepare for the evening by squeezing fresh fruit juices and infusing some of the spirits for the nights drinks.  

When you arrive you will see how the staff overhauled the former sinner and saints by installing a beautiful wood bar along with the pedestal style stools around it and the vintage style hexagon flooring and retro light fixtures that catch my eye. Other things I appreciate about it is there's no big screen TVs so one can actually socialize with friends or the friendly cocktail artisans.  If you're starting to plan for you weekend, take a drive and visit Oldfields Liquor Room at 10899 Venice Blvd Los Angeles, CA, tell them I recommended it.  

Cheers & God bless,

John Apodaca

john@daddosmartinis.com 

Radio Room at the Edison

Hi this John from Daddy-O's Martinis. I attended the Edison Bar in Downtown Los Angeles last Tuesday for their Radio Room ( a night where they have featured bartenders with specialty drinks and a band).  The tickets for the event were $10.00 per person so a friend and I attended to see what kind of drinks the guest bartenders would craft along with the type of music performed.

The featured bartenders were located at various bar stations throughout the club along side the regular staff, however the club neglected to mention who were these guest bartenders and what  particular drinks they were creating. The featured drinks where $14.00 each as opposed to the normal prices at the Edison and we were given a choice to buy tickets for the specialty cocktails at the entrance or buy them individually at the bar in order to simplify it for the club, I found this more confusing.

 It would have been nice to have these bartenders do some demonstrations and explain what their signature drinks were. I was told by one of the featured bartender from New York, " I'm only making these two drinks", from the list I was given and they were good, but nothing I'd ask for again at those prices per drink. I wanted to keep a tab open and try another bar, this particular bartender told me my credit card is in the system and it's all connected, not true. I tried ordering at a bar, across the room and was told he the guest bartender didn't understand how things work. At that point I closed out my card at the first bar, went and ordered from the regular Edison menu. My friend and I found a place to sit and drink then the band started which was no more than a small marching band in overdone costumes playing music that belongs on a football field at half time with overweight women attempting belly dancing to the music.

My overall experience is that, I probably won't be back at the Edison for Radio room night, the place is fun but for a very general audience. There's better places for those who's focus is well crafted cocktails with less confusion and not marching bands.

Cheers,

John Apodaca

Bonaventure Brewing Co

Hi this is John Apodaca with Daddy-O's Martinis and since the weather is starting to warm up, most of us enjoy either a good beer or cocktail with their meals. I had the pleasure of going to a restaurant brewery called Bonaventure Brewing Company located in Downtown Los Angeles at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. They have a wonderful menu and a great choice of handcrafted beers from very light to dark that can't be beat.

However as far as cocktails go, they claim to have a large selection of martinis which are not martinis at all. I often look at the menu where it says "Our Signature Martinis" and I didn't see one classic drink listed. It looked more like a drink menu from the late 1990s or early 2000s that included Apple martini, cosmopolitan and lemon drops that are nothing but vodka with hight fructose candy colored syrups that make them look pretty but not classic in the least. How long will it take for Bonaventure Brewing to climb on board to the crafting quality cocktails unless they just don't care and only want to cater to tourists who don't know any better.  There is a current Renaissance of crafting quality drinks and apparently this establishment is aware of it. 

I filled out a comment card shortly before leaving and suggested they revamp the bar and learn to make real cocktails and to consider contacting my friend Tyler Dow from the bar Four at Checkers to help them out. I'm not saying to stay away from this restaurant but they shouldn't call these cocktails "martinis" when they are not or just learn to research classic drinks and serve those instead.

Cheers,

John Apodaca