Tag Archives: cocktails

The Brunchies

by Scott Bridges
Huffington Post
July 20, 2012

Among the pleasures of living in Southern California is unfettered access to fresh farmers’ market produce, a picture-perfect climate and our hallmark leisurely way of life, and nowhere do these characteristics combine so symbiotically than in our tradition of weekend brunch. It may very well be my favorite meal. After all, all the pleasures of breakfast and lunch become available; and when else is it socially permissible to drink before noon?

I give you, therefore, my humble awards in a handful of categories integral to a proper brunch. In the tradition of those ubiquitous award program euphemisms, I give you “The Brunchies.”

This list is by no means exhaustive, and no doubt there are gems I’ve overlooked or have yet to discover. And if it seems a little bit Westside-biased, I concede the point; but I’ll suggest that the best brunch is a local brunch. In the spirit of fairness, however, I welcome suggestions and recommendations. Let me know your favorite haunts.

So without further adieu…

The Charleston
Hands down the best jazz brunch in town. And on a stretch of Wilshire Boulevard with a handful of waffle-specializing restaurants, Executive Chef Jet Tila serves up the best chicken & waffles in the neighborhood. His modern take on classic comfort foods makes for a very American-style brunch. I should add that the cocktails are superb.

5 Great New Brunches Around LA

by Lesley Balla
Zagat
June 8, 2012

zagat brunch charleston 5 Great New Brunches Around LA According to the LAT, there’s an upswing on brunch becoming a daytime dance party. But some of us just want brunch – lingering over Bloody Marys and mimosas, plates of eggs, and chatty conversation (or the crossword) well into the afternoon. Luckily there’s a spate of new weekend options around town. Here are five favorites worth checking out.

The Charleston

If live jazz and waffles make your weekend brighter, check out the brunch at this Santa Monica newcomer. Classic dishes from chef Jet Tila – like bread pudding French toast, or short rib hash – and cleverly named cocktails (Charlie Sheen Tiger Blood-y Mary, anyone?) go down pretty easy. Bottomless mimosas are even better (Sat-Sun, 10 AM-2 PM).

Five Awesome LA Cocktails to Try this Month

by Daniela Galarza
EaterLA
May 1, 2012

7133038643 e1fda20a8a o Five Awesome LA Cocktails to Try this MonthEvery other barman/woman in LA keeps pots of rosemary and mint growing next to their bowl of fresh citrus. Seasonal cocktails are not new to Los Angeles, but the skilled bartenders who produce them are multiplying. They are making their own syrups, bitters and vinegars. “Mixer” is finally a dirty word. Here to help the avid imbiber navigate this delightful new world, we present Strive for Five, a column where Eater highlights five outstanding drinks to try each month.

The Charleston: Cucumber Cooler $11

Jet Tila is behind this place, but it’s almost hard to tell. The chef is letting the nightlife aspect of his restaurant run the show, and though it’s lots of fun, it’s outshining his delicious menu. Fortunately, the place is always packed and everyone is drinking. Among the rum and cokes, ladies and gentlemen are sipping composed cocktails from the list. For spring, Tila’s introduced a straightforward cucumber cocktail, with Hendrick’s and honey and rosemary. I had three before I realized what had happened.

5 Questions for Jet Tila

by Betty Hallock
Los Angeles Times
April 23, 2012

tila latimes daily dish 042312 5 Questions for Jet TilaJet Tila’s Charleston just opened in Santa Monica, where he’s serving his take on American comfort food, through the lens of a chef specializing in all styles of Asian cuisine. Tila grew up in his family’s restaurants and Thai grocery store Bangkok Market in Hollywood, attended Le Cordon Bleu and was chef of pan-Asian restaurant Wazuzu at the Encore in Las Vegas and creator of the L.A. pop-up series Bistronomics. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Largest Stir-Fry” at 4,010 pounds.

What’s coming up next on your menu? Asian pork belly bao. Pork belly braised for four hours in five-spice and sweet soy sauce. I stuff that into steamed gwah bao buns — fried brown and crispy — and finish with carrot pickle and hoisin. Panzarotti! For the unfamiliar, my version of pizza hot pockets.

Latest ingredient obsession? Crispy fried gwah bao. This is the dough that makes dim sum bao white, pillowy, semi-sweet and yielding. I deep-fry them so they are crunchy and pillowy at the same time; it’s insane!

The one piece of kitchen equipment you can’t live without, other than your knives? Wow, other than? Is there anything more important than my beloved knives? Then I’d have to say my Vitamix blender right now. It makes oils, acids and ingredients into aioli. It also makes garlic and ginger submit and give up their essential oils into marinades.

What’s your favorite breakfast? Machaca con huevos, without a doubt. I braise my own brisket for up to six hours and then make machaca. Slam it into a fresh tortilla with spicy salsa and ripe avocados and I’m happy.

The last cookbook you read –- and what inspired you to pick it up? I’ve been reading a lot of mixology lately. So the latest book was Tony Abou-Ganim’s “The Modern Mixologist.” I want some fun cocktails!

March Roundup of Restaurant Openings and Closings: Endless Tequila, Beer & More

by Celia Soudry
LA Weekly Squid Ink
April 2, 2012

Ginger Kiss resized thumb 560x398 March Roundup of Restaurant Openings and Closings: Endless Tequila, Beer & More

Springtime is upon us — you can tell by the pastel-colored clothing and cocktails around town.

As some of our favorite bars close (Lou’s days are numbered, Palate Food + Wine), others emerge, not necessarily taking their place.

1920s-themed “gastropub,” The Charleston recently took over the shuttered Angels space on Wilshire Boulevard. There, you’ll find toasted  (small, but highly recommended), marinated olives, bacon-wrapped dates, pulled pork sliders and cocktails served in spiffy glasses (try the Minted Mule). We visited the intimate bar on opening weekend (Saturday night) to find a packed house.

Jet Tila’s The Charleston Opens Tonight

by Kat O’Dell
EaterLA
March 29, 2012

Screen%20shot%202012 03 29%20at%201.59.15%20PM thumb Jet Tilas The Charleston Opens TonightFormer Encore Vegas Wazuzu chef Jet Tila’s The Charleston wants to be everything to everyone. Restaurant? Check. Bar? Check. Monthly pop-up series? Check. Nightly live entertainment spanning genres from 80s cover bands to dueling pianos? Check. What can’t The Charleston do? Starting tonight at 10PM, yes 10PM, Tila plus partners Mike Lee, Jack M.Y. Lee, and Trey Martin open doors to the slightly modified Angel’s on Wilshire. The 1930s-style aesthetic may look quite the same, but Tila’s reasonably-priced $13 and under new American fusion comfort food menu is now in place: Short rib tacos with shaved Brussels sprouts and Korean salsa; margherita flatbread; pulled pork sliders. Funny enough, cocktails cost more than food. Tila’s bar menu has a mix of new and old libations made with fresh ingredients and range in price from $12 to $14. Five red/white wines by the glass, one bubbly, and standard/crafty beers mostly under $10. In addition to live entertainment (DJs, jazz, dueling pianos, hip hop acts, cover bands, comedy and karaoke nights) Tila plans to host monthly pop-ups (no stranger to the pop-up himself), and on board thus far is Evan Kleiman, KCRW “Good Food” host and chef of the shuttered Angeli Caffe.

Sharon Marie Cline

sharon marie cline1 300x211 Sharon Marie ClineSharon Marie Cline is quickly becoming a favorite in LA’s jazz club scene and performs with the finest jazz musicians and in the most exclusive rooms on the west coast and across the country. She’s performed on the same stage as such jazz greats as Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett and Chris Botti.

Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Sharon Marie is an extraordinary vocalist who brings a unique & distinguished sense of jazz history to her song stylings. Her approach to standards, show tunes and classic jazz is charming and refreshing… she often employs rhythmic and tempo variations that breathe enjoyable new life into familiar standards. Her brilliant interpretations and her smooth mellifluous sound leave a lasting impression on her listeners that is truly unforgettable!  She is backed up by a swingin’ trio :Rich Eames (piano), and Bruce Lett (bass),  and Jon Stuart (drums),.  Together the group has been fondly dubbed “The Bad Boyz of Jazz.”  Sharon’s brilliant interpretations and her smooth mellifluous sound leave a lasting impression on her listeners that is truly unforgettable

She is exciting, sexy, fun and mesmerizing. Her style is reminiscent of a time gone by, yet is distinctively contemporary. Sit back, enjoy your meal and  listen to  the romantic melodies of Sharon Marie Cline and The Bad Boyz of Jazz.

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