Bar Review - Plan Check

Plan Check (1800 Sawtell Blvd., WLA)
3 out of 5 on the Scales of Drinking Justice

Plan isn't a bar, but a restaurant with a good cocktail program. I imagine that most patrons wouldn't think of going to Plan Check for drinks only, but they should.    Plan Check's cocktail list is innovative and interesting, but not to far out there.  Although the bar itself is small, communal tables inside and a very nice outdoor patio provide additional seating options.

The "Little Osaka Sour" (woodford bourbon, plum wine, lemon, egg white, sugar), the "Gamma Ray" (pisco porton, midori, orgeat, lemon, and lime) and the "Bento Box"  (brugal rum, licor 43, nigori sake, lemon, bitters) are a nod to the neighborhood.  

The "Spaghetti Western"

I particularly enjoyed Plan Check's take on a bloody maria, the "Spaghetti Western" (vida mezcal, tapatio, red bell pepper, lime, agave, beer).  The red bell pepper juice, lime and beer make this otherwise spicy cocktail very refreshing.  It's unfortunate that Plan Check doesn't serve breakfast as this drink would go extremely well with most egg dishes.  It did work with my veggie burger (cheese two ways, ketchup, sunny side up fried egg, and hot sauce) and the way over-salted french fries and sweet potato fries.

Team Popcorn Sutton

Visiting team Popcorn Sutton with Jamey, Jason and Mark. Good luck racing today guys

Drink of the Week - The "Improved" Whiskey Cocktail

There was a bit of a chill in the air last night; fall is definitely here.  With the change in the air I find myself craving bourbon or rye based cocktails.  This one is a perfect addition to the list.

The Improved Whiskey Cocktail

2 oz Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey

.25 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liquor

.25 oz simple syrup

Angostura Bitters

Shake and serve over ice in a Absinthe rinsed tumbler.  Garnish with a lemon twist. 

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Drink of the Week - The Perfect Gimlet

Boy has it been hot in LA the past few weeks.  And there is nothing better on a hot LA weekend then a cool, refreshing cocktail, and Thirsty Lawyer's mint, cucumber gimlet fits the bill.

The Perfect Gimlet

2 oz Plymoth Gin
Mint
Cucumber
Lime
.25 oz Simple Syrup

Muddle mint and cucumber in a cocktail shaker.  Juice one lime, add gin and simple syrup.  Shake and serve up.

Bar Review - The Buffalo Club

The Buffalo Club
3.5 out of 5 On The Scales of Drinking Justice

Buffalo Smash

Situated among the taquiras and industrial production facilities and hidden behind a nondescript facade sits an incredibly charming drinking establishment.  Its been open since 1994, but doesn't feel stayed our outdated.  The one complaint I have is about televisions over the bar in the courtyard.  Televisions over bars should be reserved for sports bars, dive bars or bars in hotels.  They are not appropriate for a bar that is trying to be anything other than those three things,  My advice to the Buffalo Club is loose the televisions; they are not doing anything for you anyway.

The Buffalo Club is serious about its cocktails.  They have a respectable menu, offering both the classics and modern creations.  On my recent visit, I had the Buffalo Smash (Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Fresh Muddled Orange, Lemon and Mint, Demerara Syrup, Angostura Bitters) and Mrs. Thirsty Lawyer had the Green Side (Hendrick’s Gin, Green Chartreuse, Fresh Lime Juice, Mint, Cucumber).  The drinks were well crafted and well balanced, especially the Green Side.  A heavy hand with Green Chartreuse can ruin a cocktail. 

The Buffalo Club gets a good score for its commitment to a solid cocktail program.  This is a good place to come to have a drink at the beginning of the night or if you don't want to have to fight a crowd (and don't mind the noise of the television over the bar.) 

Drinks From La La Land

Thirsty Lawyer is now in Los Angeles full time. While I took some time off to deal with moving, I am back and looking forward to bringing you posts about So Cal's cocktail culture and the occasional law related musings.

Happy (day after) National Daiquiri Day

The much maligned Daiquiri; what happened to you?  You were a very noble and sophisticated cocktail; now most of the time you are blended with tropical fruit and poured out of a Slurpee machine.  This is far cry from where you once started – a rum sour. With yesterday being National Daiquiri Day (certainly a non partisan effort) my mission to introduce you to a real daiquiri;   the Hemingway Daiquiri .

They say that the Hemingway Daiquiri was invented for Ernest Hemingway in the La Floradita bar in Cuba.  It’s also said that Hemingway allegedly drank sixteen of his namesake libations and was still able to amble out of the bar upright.  Are those just  “fish tales”? It's National Daiquiri day so suspend your rational thinking for a while. What I do know is that the Hemingway Daiquiri is a well balanced and refreshing cocktail, and it should be in high rotation this summer on your go to cocktail list.

1 ¾-ounces Dark  Rum
¾ -ounces Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
1-ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
¾-ounce fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
¼-ounce simple syrup
1-brandied cherry, for garnish