german gilabert

Ladies Who Brunch

by whitney on February 11, 2013

Weekend brunch with friends and booze is kind of the best thing ever, right? Right. We know this. Saturday, I hit up my favorite new neighborhood spot Cortez with the lovely and talented Kristin. Things got delicious. Things got boozy. I may or may not have stood on my chair at some point.

Blood orange mimosas with German Gilabert Cava? Don’t mind if we do!

Now if that just isn’t the most beautiful and delicious looking thing ever in the history of breakfast foods. We both got salads and put a fried egg on it.  It’s the new put a bird on it.

And just look at this pillowy, chewy, and charred flatbread straight outta the oven with honey and olive oil drizzled all over it. Are you salivating right now? I am!

My salad had beets in it. They were harmed in the eating of this dish. Sorry.

If you go to Cortez, get the Basque cake. Also, get a second mimosa. You won’t regret it.

A Friend Date at Barnyard

by whitney on February 2, 2013

My pal Joy and I hit up the soft opening of Venice’s brand new addition to the dining scene- Barnyard. We arrived and we arrived hungry. And thirsty. Duh.

The place was packed with cheerful diners. Maybe too packed? You know that moment where you think you might never be seated? That happened while we stood at the bar staring at all the people eating food that we wanted to eat and drinking wine we wanted to drink. BUT- then we got a couple glasses of German Gilabert Cava and all was right with the world.

THEN- we were seated and it was on. Everything on the wine list looked great to me, which is rare for hot new restaurants in LA, sadly. The interesting thing about the list was that it was comprised solely of wines imported or distributed by Farm Wine Imports. Therefore, Louis/Dressner, Jose Pastor, and a few Farm domestic selections were represented. Maybe having only one point of view could get old for returning patrons after a while? Maybe not.

I do know that I was excited to try a Portuguese red on the list from Adega Regional de Colares. I’ve had their beautiful Arenae Malvasia before and was super impressed. The wine this time was the 2009 Chão Rijo made from 100% Castelão. Castelão? Ok, sure! This was a little more modern in style than the Arenae wines they make, but still unique and enjoyable.

PS- we might have spent far too long sneaking peeks at a table nearby which happened to be where Nev from Catfish was seated.

Lipstick & A Super Bowl Situation

by whitney on February 4, 2012

The Super bowl is tomorrow and I personally don’t give a hoot. I mean, I had to Google who was playing…

But, the other day NBC cameras were all up in Domaine LA filming a little segment about what to eat and drink on Super Bowl Sunday (it’s become the Thanksgiving of February). Jill and I came up with some fun wine options for your hot wings, Doritos and chips & guac. Because, you know what? Why the hell not. Check it out! I come in right around the 1 minute mark.


Wines featured: NV German Gilabert Cava (buttered popcorn) // 2010 Etz Gruner Veltliner (chips and gaucamole) // 2007 Pecina Blanco (cool ranch Doritos) // 2010 Punta Crena “Pettirosso” (buffalo wings)  2010 Field Recordings “Fiction” Red (Chex Mix)

I was thinking of doing the 2001 Lopez de Heredia Vina Gravonia Blanco with the Cool Ranch Doritos because of its oxidative, viscous, herbacious vibe. Trying to keep the cost of the bottle down, Jill suggested the incredibly affordable Pecina. Pretty dope with the Doritos. Just sayin’.

Mega-girly side note: I’ve found my one true lipstick love (for now). It’s the NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in “Mexican Rose.” I was wearing it in the video above. It’s the perfect balance of opaque/sheer and matte/gloss and it stays on FOREVER. After the initial application, it settles in and becomes more of a stain. I’ve been rocking the Mexican Rose while working at the restaurant and it lasts for most of the shift. Good for ladies that are always putting their lips to a wine glass. Recommended!

What: A Lebanese feast (and birthday celebration for moi)

Where: Marouch

Eats: hummos, dolmas, tabbouleh, kibbeh, falafel, labneh, fattouch, fatayer…. basically, every Lebanese (and some Armenian) food you can think of- we ate it. And it was damn good. Serge- you’re the man!

Dranks:  NV German Gilabert cava, 2009 Moulin de Gassac Guilhem rosé, 2008 Chateau d’Oupia Les Heretiques (all carried in a case by me to the restaurant…with high heels and all.) Please note- yes, Chateau Musar was on the list at the restaurant. And yes, it was too expensive for our broke asses. Other than that- go to Marouch for the food….not the wine.

Photos: by dear friend (and hot sexy mama) Marisa of  Marisa Q Photography

Thanks to all my pretty and funny pals! Love you lots. And to the winemakers who so beautifully made the wine in which I imbibed. And to Matthew and Dustin at Covell for letting me close the place down post-dinner. If you haven’t been there yet people- get with the times! Go now.

All right- I promise not to bore you with anymore bday related posts. Birthday week officially over. Sad face.