Disappointing Miami Spice Lunch at Restaurant Michael Schwartz

I stumbled into a great Miami Spice deal of a dinner at Tongue and Cheek so I gave it another go at Restaurant Michael Schwartz, his newest venture. The restaurant is at The Raleigh Hotel, with tables scattered outside near the pool.

When going to a restaurant week (or month, in this case) prix fixe deal, I find that first you always have to look at the menu. But apparently, just finding a menu that sounds good isn't enough. The lunch menu at Restaurant Michael Schwartz sounds great. In fact, it sounds amazing, for a $23 3-course lunch. Lobster salad, seafood stew, beef carpaccio. 

I chose the Lobster salad, toasted brioche, frisee for my first course. 

My "lobster salad" came and it was a bit of lobster on a tiny brioche, with a spattering of frisée on the side. What was this, an amuse bouche? 

Taste-wise, it was really good. But still ... Don't get me wrong, I wasn't expecting tons of lobster at this price, but a couple pieces on top of a tiny brioche? Can't I at least get more of the "salad" part? A proper appetizer size salad with a bit of lobster would make me more satisfied! Instead of a lobster salad they should've put "tiny lobster roll".

Carina's appetizer was a better deal with a generous portion of Grass fed beef carpaccio, parmesan, preserved lemon, capers, arugula.

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Serving Cocktails at Home for the Lazy with Om Cocktails

Ever want to serve delicious cocktails at your house party but then realized you're too lazy? Like me, like all the time? Well, now there's a solution!

Natalie Bovis from The Liquid Muse and Jason Monkarsh have come out with Om Cocktails. These are bottled pre-mixed cocktails, and you have to do is pour and serve. They're not one of those nasty mixes in the grocery stores, though, these are made with natural, organic ingredients - including organic vodka (Om stands for "Organic mixology"). Plus, they plant one tree in Haiti for every bottle you buy!

There are three flavors currently out, including Wild Cranberry & Blood Orange (which is a bit like your Cosmo), Meyer Lemon & Ginger, and Coconut Water & Lychee. I'm still debating between the last two. Whichever flavor you like, instead of mixing drinks all night for your party, just grab some bottles of Om, sit back and relax while drinking.

Remember, you're drinking for trees in Haiti

Pre-Game Beer and Street Food at The Mixing Room at L.A. Live, Starts October 7

The Mixing Room at the JW Marriott at LA Live will outfit their outdoor space with a beer bar, serving a rotating selection of local craft beers and street food before and during athletic games at the Staples Center. You can grab a bite and a brew before heading to the game, or stay and watch the game on their large screen.

The people from Golden Road Brewery is helping build the bar, so about 75% of the beer lineup will consist of Golden Road beers.

The bar wasn't ready yet, so we had their canned beers

Each week on game days, they will serve one particular "street food" item paired with a beer (other beers will be available, but each week will feature one particular brewery), launching on October 7 with the Kings game.

Here is the schedule and some preview of what they will be serving:

October 7: Korean Taco (Korean shortrib / asian slaw / garlic red chili sause)

October 14: Mahi Mahi Ceviche Fresno pepper / cilantro / fresh lime / vegetable chips

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