Ray’s & Stark Bar at LACMA opened in March 2011 and quickly became as notable a destination as the museum itself.  The restaurant is named after Ray Stark, the late film producer of such films as Funny Girl and Steel Magnolias and a former LACMA trustee.  Ray’s & Stark Bar is known for its award-winning [...]

FIG Santa Monica located in the Fairmont Hotel is aptly named after the 125 year old Moreton Bay Fig tree framing the entrance to the hotel.  It’s the second largest of its kind in California boasting an impressive 80 feet in height. The tree was planted more than a century ago at what was once [...]

Located one block from Venice beach in the former location of Le Grande Orange, M Street Kitchen welcomes hipsters, city folk and tourists who are in search of fresh, honest and delicious food.   The open kitchen features exposed brick, white wood paneling and an urban/artistic environment.  The spacious outdoor patio is a huge draw for [...]

The new hot spot on Main Street in Santa Monica is Brick + Mortar located in the Frank Geary designed Edgemar building.  Elegant, lean, simple and relaxing, Brick + Mortar hit the ground running when it opened in January of 2012.  Formerly Salute Wine Bar, the new owners (BRG Group) re-modeled the entire restaurant in [...]

This April, Craving Cocktails?™ was privileged to have been invited to attend the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Inc. (WSWA) 69th Annual Convention and Exposition at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.  WSWA is a national trade organization representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry.  Founded in 1943, WSWA has over 340 member [...]

The Wine Cellar at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is home to one of the most impressive public wine collections in the United States.  Public though it may be, homey is the operative word here.  With and old-world feel, a musty smell, supple leather couches and soft lighting, the soothing atmosphere [...]

  The Santa Monica Daily Grill is located in the Yahoo Center and across the street from the Water Garden in the heart of Santa Monica’s music and entertainment industry.  The highly successful Daily Grill restaurants were founded in 1984 with the advent of The Grill on the Alley in Beverly Hills.  This was a straightforward, [...]

  The Center Cut Steakhouse at The Flamingo Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip opened a few weeks ago.  This swanky, sophisticated venue is housed in the third resort to open on the Strip.  It is also the oldest resort on the Strip still in operation today.  Originally owned by Bugsy Siegel, the Flamingo [...]

Chef Josie Le Balch, the proud owner of Josie’s in Santa Monica since 2001, has created a younger sister to her eponymous restaurant aptly titled Next Door by Josie.  Chic, stylish and full of panache, this new venue offers fine dining food at happy hour prices and a less formal dinner option.  Using only the [...]

  If you are looking for a vibrant fun-filled Happy Hour, Pink Taco in Century City is the place for you.  This is a fast-paced, electrically charged Mexican restaurant and bar.  Pink Taco delivers a great dining experience served to you by a gorgeous, high-energy staff.  Created by Harry Morton (Morton’s Steak House, Hard Rock Hotel [...]