SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

HOTEL CALIFORNIA…My Favorite Tequila!!!

// March 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // California Dreaming, Food and Drink, General, News, Recipes

If you LOVE great tequila, then you simply must try HOTEL CALIFORNIA TEQUILA.  This is an ultra premium tequila made with 100 percent Blue Weber Agave and is available in Blanco, Reposado and Anejo expressions. 

 The winner of Double Gold in the 2009 International Spirits Competition in San Francisco, Hotel California is the perfect tequila for mixing in your favorite cocktail or for sipping if you are a tequila purist.  I love mixing the Blanco with fresh orange and lime juice over rocks.  You can also be a bit more daring and mix it with a hefty splash of root beer and a cherry garnish.   I call it the “Tequila Float” and it is absolutely delicioius!!!   The possibilities are endless with Hotel California Tequila.

Hotel California is currently available in the Northeast and, of course, in California, but it will soon be coming your way.  I know you will certainly see me making lots more cocktails with Hotel California, so please check back here in the coming weeks.  I’ve got some great surprises planned for you!

To learn more about Hotel California Tequila, please visit their website at www.hotelcaliforniatequila.com.

Cheers!  David

California Dreaming…Why I Love the Golden State, Vol. 2

// July 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // California Dreaming

If there’s one thing you all know about me, I love someone who is in the know and on the go!  And that’s exactly what you’ll find with the uber fabulous, super hip and incredibly knowledgable Stevie Wilson and her wonderful LA-Story blog. If it’s the LA lifestyle you are after, Stevie is your girl.  Her blog is chocked full of the latest and greatest in news, entertainment, travel, hotels and restaurant reviews, fashion and glamour, food and drink, and all the latest and hottest trends from La-La-Land.  So, whether you live in So Cal or just want that peak into the LA lifestyle, Stevie Wilson’s LA-Story (www.LA-Story.com) is the place to go and you too will be on the know. This is one site you are going to want to put on your list of favorites!!!

In fact, head to www.LA-Story.com right now and listen to the great podcast where Stevie and I talk mixology! Stevie and I chat it up about great summer pitcher cocktails and as always the conversation somehow turns to our favorite topic CHOCOLATE!

LA-Story and Stevie Wilson..two more great reasons why I LOVE the Golden State!

Cheers! David

California Dreaming….Why I Love the Golden State!

// April 17th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // California Dreaming

I’ve been having a long distance love affair for as long as I can remember. The funny thing is it’s not with a person, but, instead with a state and a state of mind. Ahhh, California! I think the first pangs of love crept up when I was 5 or 6 and I saw my first map of the USA and wondered what that big elbow shaped mass was on the other side of our country. But, it really kicked into gear at the age of 7 when I discovered that a magical place called Disneyland lied within it’s boundaries. Oh how my sister, brother and I begged my parents for what seemed to be an eternity (actually about a year) to take us to California. Finally, my parents relented and piled us into our wood paneled Chrysler wagon, you know the model with the rear facing carbon monoxide seat, attached our Yellowstone trailer and headed WEST! Well, I can tell you with all certainty that the Golden State did not disappoint. From the moment we crossed the state line (me of course in the front seat to arrive in Cali before my brother and sister) until we left 15 days, 7 hours and 13 minutes later, I have been a California boy at heart.

Since that inaugural visit, I have returned over 50 times. The trips have been both long and short, mostly well deserved vacations, several times on business, but always with an eye toward moving my flirtation to a more permanent relationship… actually moving there. But, alas, I remain ensconced in the East with one eye always winking westward toward my beloved California.

So, here, my friends, are just some of the reasons why I love the Golden State…

1. Palm Springs… let’s begin with the sun shining like 400 days a year!  I love the sun and where else can you be laying pool side and look up and see snow tipped mountains?  The White Party..Easter Weekend! And for a fabulous cocktail go see my friend Stephen at Confessions Nightclub and Lounge (611 S. Palm Canyon Drive)… he’s does a MEAN Mandarin Kamikasi!!!

2. Los Angeles or should I just say the area found within a 15 minute drive (without too much traffic)of West Hollywood. The winding roads and breathtaking views from the Hollywood Hills, THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN, The Hollywood Walk of Fame… all quintessential Hollywood kitsch. But, seriously, one has to to take in the fabulous rooftop pool at the Hotel London (100 N. San Vincente) and for cocktails could there be any better place than Mark’s Restaurant (861N. LaCienega Blvd) for their fabulous chocolate martini dusted with Belgian chocolate. Executive Chef Wayne Elias has put together an unparralled dinner menu to compliment the bar’s offerings.  But no pilgimmage to LA LA land would be complete without attending services at the Abbey! (692 N. Robertson Blvd). The decor is post hip, the crowd beautiful and fun and the energy is electric, the service is sensational… and the cocktails are simply heavenly!

I have so much more to share with you about California in the coming weeks!

Up next… more love to be uncovered in LA and the OC!