My Chic Life

Danke Schoen

For months and months I’ve heard rumblings about a mythical sausage factory in downtown LA… and today, I found it!

Wurstkuche, while possibly the worst name ever for a restaurant, excels in just about every other category. Although it’s a little tough to find (Erika and I drove around a questionable neighborhood in DTLA for at least 30 minutes) once you find it you’re were smack dab in the middle of the Art’s District and surrounded by adorable bars and restaurants as far as the eye can see. Be forewarned, the building doesn’t technically have a sign (that’s around the corner) but once inside you’ll be blown away by how modern a german sausage house can be.

Their menu boasts everything from Pork to Rattlesnake (apparently the house fave) and includes a litany of vegetarian and even vegan options for your friends who are less than inclined towards Bratwurst. The fries are double dipped, meaning, extra delicious and the beer menu alone could keep you debating for hours. Most delightful though is the totally modern, industrial seating area with long Oktoberfest style wooden tables forcing you to mix it up with everything from hipsters, to artists, to the suit-clad financial district types.

I’m not sure who dreamed this place up… but I so appreciate that something this cool is located in my city. It’s an absolute MUST the next time you’re in the DTLA hood!

A Little Bubbly

Need  a pick me up before you head out for New Year’s Eve?

Try this little doozy we came up with on Christmas… and be careful, this one sneaks up on you.

Champagne (chilled to perfection)

Fresh Raspberries

Fresh Apricots

Grand Marnier

Macerate a quarter of an apricot and 2 raspberries (this means smash them into oblivian) and put this mixture at the bottom of a champagne flute.

Cover the fruit mixture with Grand Marnier (it’s storng to be careful) then top with champagne. Add another raspberry for garnish.

Yum, enjoy!!

Dos Tacos Por Favor!

Every time I exit the 101 to head over Coldwater I see it… Hugo’s Tacos a small shack with a vibrant logo and a line around the block. Since I rarely head into to Beverly Hills (via Coldwater) unless it’s for a meeting, I never seem to have time for this little hovel slinging Mexican fare. Today is different though… Today, I’m on vacation. So, after watching 4 back to back episodes of No Reservations (love a Bordain marathon!) I decided to go “explore”. By explore I meant that I wanted to eat at a joint I’d never been to before. Now Hugo’s isn’t exactly Sri Lankan street-side curry like Anthony waxes poetic, but it was what I could come up with on the fly, and it didn’t disappoint.

I had a chicken and an al pastor taco (a bargain at $2 a piece) and let the order taker choose my salsa (honey chipotle = spicy yum) and sat alone on at the small wooden table enjoying the slow burn of whatever they coat their pork with. What a lovely discovery, what a happy new find. I highly recommend it for anyone else who hasn’t managed to stop in for a visit yet.

Let’s be real… I’m one case of wine away from having a full-blown drinking problem.

That being said, I’m always looking for new and interesting drinks and now that we’re in the middle of winter I’m leaning to something a little toastier. Below find a few of my new favorites, and let me know if you’ve got a fabulous hot number that I should be trying out.

Mulled Wine

Brown Sugar Mulled Wine

1 Bottle of dry Cabernet

1 Cinamon Stick (broken in pieces)

Peel of 1 Orange

8 Whole Cloves

1 Whole Nutmeg

1/4 Cup of Brown Sugar

Dump all that into your slow cooker and simmer on high for 2 Hours, yummy!

Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy

Fill your cup 3 quarters up with Hot Tea of your choice

2 Shots of Brandy

Add honey to taste

Garnish with cinnamon stick and lemon slice

Irish Coffee

Luck of the Irish Coffee

1 1/2 Oz. of Irish Whiskey (I like Jameson’s)

1 tsp of Brown Sugar

6 Oz. of Hot Coffee

1 Shot of Baily’s (a little more liqour never hurt)

Mix it all together and top with a dollop of Heavy Cream, though in a pinch, I’ve been known to use Cool Whip!

Erika and I decided to eat out today while still getting our work done, so we went to Bottega Louie.  Mozzarella proscuitto crostinis and a glass of red.. what a perfect way to get our creative juices flowing.

It’s finally Friday and that means the weekend is about to begin! What better way to start your much deserved time off than with some delicious cocktail recipes. Although I’m a huge fan of a simple Jack and Coke, I also like to switch it up and try fun fruity cocktails. I never use specific measurements because everyone likes their cocktail a little bit different, but here are a few of my favorite mixtures:

yummy!

Vodka
Triple Sec
A splash of grapefruit juice
Top it off with cranberry juice
Pour over ice in a cocktail glass

Vodka
Half Cranberry juice
Half Pineapple juice
Best over cubed ice

I’m always on the hunt for fun and delicious restaurants and was lucky enough to stumble upon Wurstkuche in downtown LA. One of my classes went on a field trip to this restaurant because one of its owners and founders is a graduate of the USC entrepreneurship program. We all enjoyed delicious sausage, french fries, and beer and enjoyed the unique atmosphere.

Yummy!

Wurstkuche has a fairly simple menu, only offering sausage, french fries, and beer, but they seem to have perfected all three of them. They have a wide range of types of sausage, ranging from your typical bratwurst to rattlesnake or rabbit. I stuck with a pretty simple but delicious SantaFe Jack Cheese and Jalapeno Peppers with Spicy Peppers on top and a Belgian beer, La Chouffe. My mouth was on fire from all of the spice but I loved every single bite of it!

This restaurant has been around almost a year and hopefully for much, much longer. It’s located on E 3rd Street and you can find out more by checking their website!

Goat Cheese Fondu...MMMMMM

Everyone has their favorite place to eat. Maybe its a little diner, or a coffee shop, or even a hamburger stand…. well My favorite place is kind of a combination of all those things wrapped into one amazing dining experience. When I lived in Los angeles everyone knew there was one place you could find me EVERY Sunday night at 9pm. This was my weekly (yes weekly) pilgrimage to Luna Park on La Brea and Wilshire blvd. in Los Angeles. Every week was a new experience because there is nothing half-assed on the menu. Reasonable prices and a chic euro environment (with just the right splash of rock and roll), Luna park was truly my home away from home. The staff is young energetic and honest. I’m primarily a Whiskey guy but if you want the best Mojito in Town, go see Amanda Alva behind the bar on any given weekend…. she’ll even call you a cab home (She’s also super HOT)… Remember to tell her Johnny says “HI”!!! Now I know your asking “Johnny, what do you recommend I order when I visit Luna Park?”… Well I’m glad you asked…. Start off with my favorite appetizer, warm goat cheese fondu with bread and apple sliced… Its just enough to entice the pallet. For the main coarse go in for the kill with the Hanger steak… No A1 sauce necessary. The Salsa topping is good enough to bottle and wash your hair with….. Finally for desert, try the Banana Fosters. Soft hand whipped vanilla Ice cream topped with fresh bananas and crispy caramelized topping!!! (Don’t forget to schedule a spin class the minute you get home)….. I Miss Los Angeles everyday because it is full of gems in the ruff… Luna Park is my Chic gem and I hope you give it a chance to be yours too…….

BEST MOJITOS IN TOWN!!!

Check out their whole Menu and Location at www.LunaParkla.com