Drink Up | Moscow Mule

As cocktails go, a Moscow Mule is pretty historic. Yet, on warm summer days, this classic can still enliven the palate with a heady mix of lime juice, ginger beer and vodka.

We especially like the version at St Felix in Hollywood. Still served in a copper mug with a sprig of mint, it proves that classics never go out of style.

Social Find Friday | Laurel Tavern

 

A food revolution is happening right now in the Valley of Los Angeles' thirty mile zone. Now home to 2.2 million residents, if the area were its own city it would be the fourth largest city in the US all by itself. So, it's no wonder that so many amazing eateries are populating Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino and beyond.

We recently grabbed a table at the lively Laurel Tavern across from Radford Studios. This gastropub boasts an impressive California-brewed beer selection, a fun cocktail menu and noteworthy eats. Our table enjoyed the Blackflower cocktail, Black Market Anglo-American Brown Ale and the North Coast Old Rasputin Stout that packs a whallop of 9% alcohol. They paired well with the Pork Belly Skewers, Tavern Salad, Bistro Burger, Steamed P.E.I. Mussels and Steak Fries.

Pictured Above: Blackflower cocktail with freshly muddled blackberries in vodka and St Germain; Steamed P.E.I. Mussels topped with fresh herbs.

Drink Up | Amethystos

If you prefer something a little dark and exotic with your liqueur, look no further than the Amethystos cocktail at Hotel Casa del Mar.  If being served in a lovely coupe cocktail glass wasn’t enough to make us fall in love, the flavors definitely seal the deal.

This mixture is simultaneously refreshing and mysterious with Amethyst gin, St. Germain, fresh lemon juice, blackberries and lavender blossoms. The drink also offers a lovely bouquet that is intoxicating to all your senses.

This article appears courtesy of Sunset Main.

Social Find Friday | King's Row

King's Row in Pasadena, California possesses an impressive outdoor situation equipped with misters for dry, hot days and seating that keeps the conversation flowing. As Old Pasadena's first gastropub, it has a hefty reputation for its craft beers and scratch kitchen.

 

While the bluesy-rock reggae sounds of My Reggae Band (yep, that's their actual name) flowed through the air, we nibbled on House Cut Fries and Brussel Sprouts mixed with smoked beets, thyme and shallots. We washed the yummy bites down with mojitos served in mason jars, a detail which was downright charming. 

12 Vegetarian Recipes for Memorial Day

We recently discovered the food blog of Jerry James Stone aka Cooking Stoned. Regardless of whether the name makes you raise an eyebrow, his recipes will certainly excite your appetite.

He recently blogged about 12 Vegetarian Recipes for Memorial Day that are making us crazy. From sweet and spicy Grilled Padron Peppers to Vodka Deviled Eggs to Broccoli and Gouda Stuffed Cornbread to Sweet and Salty Celery Popsicles, Stone's version of vegetarian is highly inventive and compromises nothing.

Read through the recipes and you might get inspired to add a dish or 12 to all of your forthcoming summer BBQs.

6 Ingredients For Glowing Skin

Beauty begins on the inside and what you eat, or don't eat, will quickly show in your skin. As the largest organ your body has, your skin crazes hydration and vitamins that help fight stress and aging.

That's why we love this article about juicing from Leena Oijala of Ecosalon.com. Oijala breaks down the benefits of Carrots, Parsley, Beets, Cucumber, Ginger and Apples and provides an easy recipe for skin that glows from the inside out.

You can also try our Quick Cucumber Pineapple Ginger Agua Fresca Recipe below:

Ingredients
1 whole cucumber peeled and diced
1/2 cup of diced pineapple
1/4 pineapple juice
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon fresh chopped ginger
1/2 cup of ice

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until watery. If you desire more protein, add a teaspoon of Chia seeds for extra Omega 3.