8 oz. is A.O.K.

8 Oz: Burger Bar: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire...And Cocktails.

BY Gena Oppenheim FOR LA2DAY.COM May 20, 2009

Leave it to Miss O to turn a night at a burger joint into the Last Seduction. Then again, a big juicy burger joined by copious amounts of well-crafted cocktails is enough to get anyone cruisin for a bruisin' with an old flame.

Despite my dating ups and downs, there's always room for improvement. I may go out clubbing, mac on a few hotties, and learn how to play the field on my off days, but when the ex ex (which I have so comfortably come to refer to him as) scrambbles back into the picture, it's just plain hard to say no, especially with an invite to a mellow burger bar. It may not sound like the cream of the crop for romantic date night hot spots, but when it comes down to it, a girl really just wants a little lovin' every now and again mixed with a good meal and a cocktail to match.

And besides, where else in LA can you find a juicy, succulent piece of meat (yes, I am referring to the hamburger not the boy) and a fresh organic drink?

Enter 8 Oz, cozily situated on Melrose Avenue's chic strip of restaurants and chilled out bars, rolling the sports bar atmosphere, juicy and innovative burgers, a horde of spiced up, fresh cocktails, and more foreign beers than one could possibly count into one hell of a night. Best part about the hipster joint: cocktails are more original than any place I've ever seen, fusing down home burger bar flavors into chic and cosmopolitan cocktails.

Here's a few of LA2DAY's favorites at 8 Oz:

The Smokey Bacon
Bacon Infused Vodka
Bloody Mary Mix
House Smoked Tomato Sauce
Bacon Stir Stick

(This spicy version of a Bloody Mary goes great with a house Melrose Burger-garlic tomatoes, roasted red onion marmalade, and baby arugala).

"Bacon and vodka?" you may ask, but have faith my friends. Be a dare devil and take a sip. But I understand if fire sauce infused Bloody Mary seems like a bit of walk on the wild side for just one night at a burger bar, 8 Oz also serves up more mellow options. Ginger anyone?

The Moscow Mule
Vodka
Ginger Puree
Fresh Lime Juice
Ginger Ale

(The Moscow goes great with the Estancia Grass Fed Beef Burger- garlic aioli, charred escarole, and roasted mushrooms).

On the other hand, going out on the town with my on again off again boy of choice, led me to think that I may need something a bit stronger than vodka to ease the tension. Tequila always does the trick, especially if I can't remember anything the next morning (besides my delicious burger, of course).

Aquamiel (Honey Water)
Milagro Tequila
Lillet Blanc
Fresh Lime Juice
Almond Extract
Honey Syrup

(Pairs well the with house special, the 8 Oz Burger, loaded with secret sauce).

While boy toy sipped away on a 5$ pint of California Telegraph White Ale, I may have downed one too many of my honey water saviors, ironically leading me to have one of the best nights in a while. Great beefy burgers (each patty combines tri tip, sirloin, and short rib slow cooked in a Himalayan cooker... yummo), a few jazzed up cocktails, and a little bit of much needed affection makes 8 Oz my new one stop shop.

THE DETAILS: 8 Oz Burger Bar
7661 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323.852.0008

Calling All Lolliphiles

Got a sweet tooth and a short attention span? So does San Francisco-based candy company Lollyphile. One Halloween, armed with a lot of absinthe and no candy, the company’s creators ended up creating their signature absinthe lollipops and then finding their niche. Next up, they masterminded these Maple-Bacon lollipops, which are far more unusual but nonetheless delicious. They’re crafted from sustainable, organic, cured bacon (salty!) and pure Vermont maple syrup (sweet!), both of which appeal to breakfast people and those with a weakness for pork.

A House Party You'll Want To Crash

You love nightlife.

You love home.

The best of both: the new Victorian cottage meets lounge/restaurant at Jane's House, now in soft-open. Once a former schoolhouse for prominent actors' children back in the golden era of Hollywood, it's now been remodeled with sleek modern touches giving off a house party vibe, all while keeping its classic appeal.

Settle in and start things off with a cocktail and appetizers from Chef Jamie Ta's comfort food menu (yes, they have sliders!). From there, you'll want to move things upstairs where an extra-large balcony doubles as a DJ booth.

Make your rounds at your choice of two bars and head to the patio, where a full night of dancing and people-watching await (you'll find smart, sexy people). Or if privacy's your thing, hide away with a few of your "friends" in one of two private rooms.

Just try not to make yourself too much at home...


Jane's House
6541 Hollywood Blvd. (between N. Hudson & Whitley Avenues), Hollywood
Tel: (323) 308-1911

Raines Law Room NYC BABY!

Easy Go At Raines Law Room, the party's in the back

When this post-modern speakeasy thing fades (possibly sooner than expected, thanks to the Gray Lady), we expect its replacement will be a breed of bar that feels less like a secret society and more like a cocktail party. Raines Law Room, it seems, straddles both of these sensibilities. Though the front half of this four-month-old Flatiron bar whispers "Prohibition" with its absent signage, discreet doorman and anteroom filled with tufted-chairs and dimmed antique lights, the back kitchenlike area says "civilized house party." Here, patrons gather around the oval marble island, where drinks are mixed by bartenders who act more like congenial hosts than shakers-from-on-high. Interaction here is encouraged, and if the kitchen gets too crowded, as with any house party, guests can easily find a breath of fresh air in the newly opened courtyard. Though the cocktail menu has stuck mostly to pre-Prohibition recipes until now, Raines's latest list includes seasonal drinks and new concoctions. And, like the bar itself, this recipe--an update of a classic drink called the Charlie Chaplin--is a bridge to a post-speakeasy society. The Tramp Recipe from Jeremy James Thompson Makes 1 drink Ice 1 ounce gin, preferably Plymouth 1 ounce sloe gin, preferably Plymouth 1 ounce apricot brandy, preferably Marie Brizard 1 lime wedge Soda water Fill a cocktail shaker and a Collins glass with ice. Add the gin, sloe gin and apricot brandy to the shaker. Squeeze the lime wedge over the drink, then drop it in. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds and strain into the Collins glass. Top with soda water and serve. Raines Law Room, 48 W. 17th St. (between Fifth and Sixth aves.); no phone

10 Things to Cook for One

A bowl of cereal is not dinner

From Chow.com

It can be easy to fall into a rut when you’re eating solo, distracted by the temptations of the takeout place or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But cooking for one can be a relaxing time to be in the kitchen. We share the sentiment of Chowhound Sophia., who says, “I kind of love cooking for just myself, because I can experiment and if it goes poorly, I don’t have to hear about it from anyone else.” Here are some ideas to get you started, including some more pieces of wisdom from the Chowhound boards.

1. Thai Curry. Chowhound Jujubee utilizes jars of Thai curry paste for quick, everyday curries. “Do it once and you realize it is basically: 1) fry curry paste, 2) add curry base [some coconut milk and fish sauce], 3) add meat and veggies, 4) simmer, 5) add herbs and lime.” You can also use the paste to make quick Thai-style soups by stirring some into broth with a little coconut milk, adding shrimp, tofu, or chicken (plus veggies if you want), simmering until everything is cooked through, and topping with a generous amount of fresh lime juice.

2. Toaster Oven–Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potatoes. Toaster ovens might not be very useful when you’re trying to feed a family, but they’re pretty great for one person. Peel and chop a sweet potato (or another root vegetable such as a regular potato, winter squash, or a turnip). Toss with some olive oil, salt, and pepper and put on a toaster oven tray. Take a piece of chicken (thigh, breast, whatever you prefer) and rub a little oil on the skin, then sprinkle on some smoked paprika and salt. Put your chicken on top of the vegetables and roast in your toaster oven at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the chicken registers the proper doneness on a meat thermometer (the USDA recommends 180 degrees Fahrenheit for thighs and 170 degrees Fahrenheit for breasts).

3. Big Salad Plus Protein. Create a riff on our Salade Lyonnaisey by tossing a few handfuls of frisée into a bowl, lightly dressing it with oil and vinegar, then throwing a poached egg and some bacon on top. Or scale down our Flank Steak Salad with Arugula by searing a single serving of steak (use your favorite cut) and tossing slices in a bowl with some arugula, red onion, bell pepper, and dressing.

4. Baked Breaded Salmon Fillet. Follow the directions for our recipe-free salmon using a single-portion fillet—it only takes a couple of ingredients and can be paired with steamed or sautéed vegetables for a quick meal. You can substitute other types of fish that you like, and mix it up by replacing the Dijon mustard with tapenade or pesto.

5. Grilled Cheese. Perhaps the quintessential meal for one, we have 10 different versions to keep you from getting bored. Serve with a side of green salad, or make up your own variation; nothing stuffed into grilled bread full of melted cheese can turn out that bad. Chowhounds have even more ideas for grilled cheese.

6. Ramen. Chowhound ccbweb likes how packs of ramen noodles are already proportioned for one and uses them without the seasoning packet to make a quick noodle stir-fry: “Put them on to boil and then slice a chicken breast or thigh or a boneless pork chop or small steak, sauté it on high and season it however you like.” Often ccbweb adds some hoisin and chile sauce, or a black bean sauce “that isn’t loaded with nasty stuff,” then tosses in some snap peas, spinach, or asparagus, before adding the noodles and warming it all through.

7. Make Breakfast for Dinner. Eggs are the ultimate single-serving food. You can scramble them with whatever vegetables you have on hand and wrap it all up in a tortilla with salsa, cheese, and chopped cilantro. Chowhound chowser likes eggs on top of ketchup fried rice. They can also be scrambled with leftover takeout rice and vegetables for a quick fried rice. And of course there’s nothing wrong with a classic fried egg sandwich.

8. Mussels and Frites. This might sound like a lot of work, but it’s easy to pull off. Cut a potato into wedges (if you’re short on time you can microwave the whole potato for a few minutes to soften it up first), then toss with salt, pepper, and a little olive oil, plus any herbs and spices you like. Pop the wedges into the toaster oven and roast them until they’re brown and start to crisp. Meanwhile, throw a couple of fistfuls of mussels and/or clams into a pan with garlic, butter, and some white wine or beer (enough to cover the bottom of the pan but not submerge the shellfish). Cover and bring to a simmer until the mussels or clams open. If you don’t like shellfish, you can also serve the oven fries alongside a big bacon cheeseburger.

9. Quick Indian-Style Curry. If you’ve got some spices on hand, here’s how to turn a bland can of garbanzo beans into a pretty decent chana masala–style dish. Sauté a handful of chopped onion and garlic in oil. Add some cumin, cayenne pepper, and turmeric and cook for a few seconds until fragrant. Throw in a chopped tomato and cook it down for a few minutes. Toss in the drained beans, a little garam masala, and a good pinch of salt. Simmer for about 10 minutes, adding a little liquid if necessary. Throw in some chopped fresh chiles, fresh ginger if you have it (use ground if not), and a squeeze of lime juice. Eat with some naan or other type of flatbread, or rice or any other cooked grain.

10. Pasta. Pasta may outrank grilled cheese as the favorite go-to dish for singles: It’s easy to cook only the amount you need for one person, and there are endless variations. Want an Alfredo sauce? Sauté a little garlic in butter, throw in cooked pasta with some cream, white wine, salt, and pepper, simmer until it reduces into a nice thick sauce, and top with Parmesan. Or make a quick tomato pan sauce by sautéing some chopped onion and garlic in a little olive oil, adding a couple of handfuls of chopped fresh or canned tomatoes, and simmering to reduce. Season with salt and pepper (you might want to add a pinch of sugar if the balance of flavor seems off), and toss with pasta, lots of chopped fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese.

So Bar B Cute!

Barbie’s Q.

Follow the smoke trail to Abbot Kinney in Venice where grill master John Bowler’s mobile BBQ joint parks nightly until last call.

Chow down on finger-licking baby backs and Louis ribs sold by the piece or go in on a half dozen with a hungry posse. Put out the fire in your belly with a hand-pulled, ten-hour-smoked pork sandwich. Need it all? Go for a triple combo of sliders loaded with shredded chicken, beef, or pork. Add tortillas for a TacQ.

Everything from the dry rub to the classic sides (BBQ beans made with four different kinds, horseradish-spiked coleslaw) is made from scratch. Save room for cobblers.

Barbie’s Q, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, at San Juan Avenue, Venice (310-989-5110 or barbiesq.com).

Friday Fun

Wine Tasting in the Park

Silver Lake Wine often takes your wine-soakedness to exciting new places—like the Hollyhock House and Gardens at Barnsdall Park, where Friday-night tastings kick off tomorrow. To pair with the four wines poured, the Coolhaus truck will sling architecturally themed ice-cream sandwiches. Mmm… Mintimalism…

411: May 29, 5:30-7:30pm, 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, tickets here