the BEAT of the week: Plan Check Kitchen + Bar.

We here at the BEAT are huge fans of Umami Burger, so when news came that a new restaurant was coming from former corporate executive chef of Umami, Ernesto Uchimura, we knew we had to try it.

And indeed, there was little disappointment to be had. Situated on the westside, in the enclave off of Pico and Sawtelle otherwise known as Little Osaka, Plan Check Kitchen + Bar aims at being a friendly "neighborhood restaurant." So far, with a cozy decor inspired by architects and engineers (our table even had a tiny jar filled with metal screws), and a nice small patio out front, they're working toward their goal very well.

Plan Check describes their servings as American "small plates," but with a little bit of sharing of sides, you'll easily get your fill. The Blueprint Burger, with its blue cheese and candied bacon, was my favorite item of the night -- not surprising, considering the Umami background. Pair it with the veggie chips, which come in a fun paper bag and include sweet potato and taro. The Smokey Fried Chicken was pleasant (though I would have loved a little spicy kick in there somewhere) and the yam preserves that came with was sweet but refreshingly bright. Definitely, definitely end your meal with the Cruller donuts -- perfectly crispy and soft at the same time, and plated with delectable bananas and cream.The drinks list was fun as well -- I was intrigued by the possibility of Hitachino white ale on tap, but was swayed by the neighborhoody Little Osaka Sour, and thankfully so. Just enough sweetness, just enough bourbon kick. The Spaghetti Western is an exciting (read: spicy!) try for Bloody Mary fans, while the Tropic Thunder plays well with a jalapeno infused vodka. It's clear Plan Check isn't afraid to get adventurous in the cocktail department -- so neither should you.

And so, a little bit of reliability paired with a little bit of adventure -- sure sounds like a great addition to the neighborhood.

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar officially opened last week and is located at 1800 Sawtelle Blvd. in West L.A.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: the BEAT

The monthly BEAT: Hollywood. Kitchen 24.

In my opinion, you can never have too many late night restaurants. And if there were a part of L.A. that I feel needs them the most, it's probably Hollywood. You may just be coming back from a pleasant family outing to the Hollywood Bowl or a movie at the Arclight, or it may be from a crazy night at the club. No matter which way, be thankful for Kitchen 24.

As the website proclaims, it's Hollywood's only 24-hour diner and bar, and you could simply say that the Hollywood diner and bar. While serving up great diner classics like mac and cheese and burgers and all-the-time breakfast fare, the restaurant also has a mix of fancy cocktails, all served in a room full of mirrors and glitzy chandeliers. It's just the right mashup of high and low and weird and cool that Hollywood seems to encompass.

The food, meanwhile, is pretty consistently fantastic. My picks are the Jolly Green Giant omelette or the delicious Mac and cheese, paired with a manmosa -- citrus-flavored beer and orange juice. Talk about mashup, right? Oh and don't forget the homemade cupcakes!

Kitchen 24 is located at 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd. in Hollywood and is open 24/7. There is also another branch of the restaurant being opened soon in West Hollywood.

-- Chau Tu

Drink It. Stark Bar at LACMA [Thirsty Thursdays!].

Ever since Chris Burden's "Urban Light" piece was installed, LACMA's become a great spot to see and visit at night. But there's never been any other real reason to come at that time. Until recently, that is. The museum recently celebrated the opening of a new wing along with the opening of Ray's restaurant and the Stark Bar. Having found ourselves in the neighborhood for the night, D and I stopped in for a nightcap at the Stark Bar and were very pleasantly surprised.

Stark Bar is located right behind the light installation, which provided a nice backdrop to the outdoor space. And with fun comfortable seating at the bar and at tables just beyond, as well as a funky video piece repeating on the TV screens, you're always reminded that you're at a museum -- which I thought was pretty cool. Stark keeps the menu simple and easy (Ray's undertakes the fancier and bigger meals), with cocktails, wine and a small plates menu. We stuck with just the cheese plate, which had great flavors, but the flatbreads our neighbors were having looked quite delicious too. My highlight, though, was definitely the cocktail: the Ray's Swizzle (seen above, with a glass of red wine) was a mixture of rum, lime juice, pineapple syrup, blackberry and orange, and absolutely delightful. Just the right amount of sweetness and alcohol. Plus, the service -- the restaurant and bar are part of the well-respected Patina Group -- was great too.

So if you're ever in the mood for art and cocktails, you really can't beat Stark Bar. But I would go so far that it's worth visiting anytime. And you can't forgo a picture with the lights.

And on a special note: the bar is having a Taste of Stark Bar special going until May 31, where you can have wine for $5, cocktails for $6, and a flatbread and Copper Hook beer for $12, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-6:30pm. And don't forget that the Tim Burton exhibit is set to open this weekend! Enjoy!

Stark Bar is located at LACMA, at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. in Miracle Mile.

--Chau Tu

Photo credit: the BEAT

Do It. 'Back to the Future' at Big Bar.

We here at the BEAT are big fans of Alcove Cafe and its new sister bar, Big Bar. But if you somehow haven't gotten a chance to visit the beautiful outdoor restaurant and enjoyed some of the new fancy concoctions they're putting together there, you've now got a pretty great excuse.

That would be Big Bar's first-ever outdoor movie screening, featuring none other than Marty McFly and the Delorean in Back to the Future. Yep, they'll be draping a huge 12-foot screen over the garden patio and letting everyone enjoy the outdoors with special cocktails on the menu. And if you come dressed up as your favorite character, there's a chance for a huge prize.

Summer's officially getting kicked off this weekend, so why not celebrate early with this fun outdoor screening? Show up early (there are no reservations being made for movie seating), and you can enjoy some happy hour specials too.

Walk-In Theatre Night Under the Stars with Back to the Future is happening tonight at 8pm at Big Bar, located at 1927 Hillhurst Ave. in Los Feliz.

--Chau Tu

Drink It. Big Bar at Alcove.

It was big news in Los Feliz when Big Bar at Alcove opened last fall. This past weekend was the first time I made it there, and it was so delicious, I'll definitely be back.

After a late dinner at Speranza, my boyfriend, our friend, and I were looking for a well-crafted cocktail. After considering Cole's Red Car Bar and The Hungry Cat, we thought of Big Bar and headed up Hillhurst.

The bar itself is actually quite small (about ten leather stools surrounding a light gray marble bar, and some small tables in the room as well), with attractive decor like vintage light fixtures and plenty of silver.

I started out with one of their specialty drinks, The New Brunswick: Famous Grouse Scotch, maple syrup, and lemon (pictured above). It reminded me slightly of a sidecar, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Everything on the menu sounded so good, when it came time for round two, I switched to the Bourbon Milk Punch, which disappeared in record time. I held off on ordering another, but it could have easily gone that way. It was crisp, cold, refreshing, and totally delicious, topped with freshly ground nutmeg.

Hank stuck with the citrusy margarita-like tequila-based option, The Lily. I had a sip and found it quite tart, but if you're not one for sweet concoctions, you'd love it.

Also good to know: the bartenders are happy to chat about what liquors/flavors you generally like, and create an off-the-menu mixed drink just for you.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Do It. Moveable Feast 2: Old Hollywood at the Roosevelt Hotel.

If you're looking for something to fun to do this weekend, make your way to the Roosevelt on Sunday night for Chef Meg Hall's Moveable Feast 2: Old Hollywood at the Roosevelt, with mixologist Matthew Biancaniello.

The event, "an unpredictable culinary experience", will consist of six hearty appetizers, each paired with an innovative cocktail--all inspired by old Hollywood glamour. In a most appropriate setting.

Sunday March 27, 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $65 and available at moveablefeasthollywood.eventbrite.com.

The Beverly Hills Cab Company can be reached at (800) 273-6611.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: la.eater.com

Do It. Bethenny Frankel's Skinnygirl Margarita signing.

You may know Bethenny Frankel from The Real Housewives of New York City, or her spinoff show also on Bravo now in its second season, Bethenny Ever After. She's also the inventor of the insanely popular Skinnygirl Margarita, and the author of several books, including New York Times bestseller Naturally Thin.

Tomorrow evening Frankel will be in Huntington Beach to sign bottles of her pre-mixed margarita product. I've made (and ordered) a fair share of Skinnygirl Margaritas, but not yet tried the actual bottled product. It's made with premium blue agave tequila, and sweetened with agave nectar, is all natural, and has just 100 calories for a four ounce serving. I imagine it's quite good, and I usually wouldn't have any interest in "ready to drink" cocktails.

March 15, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Stater Bros., 10114 Adams Avenue in Huntington Beach, Calif. Info: (714) 963-0949, bethenny.com

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: bethenny.com

Do It. Learn how to make classic cocktails [Thirsty Thursdays!].

We Angelenos are surely spoiled by the fantastic cocktail options we have all over town. But sometimes, you can't always -- or don't want -- to go out and get that fancy drink. So why not learn how to make one yourself -- and be taught by one of L.A.'s own master mixologists?

Liquor.com is offering a great deal on a mixology class this Sunday at The Varnish, the speakeasy hidden in the back of Cole's in downtown. And you'll be learning how to make drinks from the master himself, The Varnish's Eric Alperin. In two hours, he'll help you master all there is to know about cognac, including how to make a sidecar, Vieux Carré, Cognac Manhattan and an original Varnish recipe. It's $50 a pop for a person, but consider that you'll be tasting some really fine liquor, and that the ability to make your own drinks will be well worth it in no time.

As far as mixologists go, Alperin tops the list -- and not just in Los Angeles, but the world. Seriously, Alperin is up for the American Bartender of the Year award at this year's Tales of the Cocktail conference. And now he's sharing his secrets with you! If you can appreciate a good cognac, it's time to learn how to do it from one of the best.

"Master Cognac Cocktails" is taking place this Sunday, Jan. 30 from 6-8pm at The Varnish, located at 118 E. 6th St. in downtown (inside Cole's). Click here to buy tickets (time is running out!).

-- Chau Tu

Drink Out. The Edison's Midnight Mission Toy Drive [Thirsty Thursdays!].

As we come upon this holiday season, it's definitely a great time to get together with friends for a good drink. But we also can't forget those who are in need, especially in this season.

Enjoy that drink without guilt by participating in the Edison's Midnight Mission Toy Drive. Ongoing until December 28 (and with no apparent limits, so go crazy!), bring in a new, unwrapped toy and receive a complimentary Edison cocktail. And considering their fancier drinks do go for about $13 or more, I'd say it's a pretty fair tradeoff money-wise. Plus, you'll be getting a fantastic hand-crafted drink -- one of the best found in L.A. for sure. I'd opt for the Absinthe '75 (a great speakeasy twist on the French '75) or the Brass Flower.

And speaking of the Edison, the underground lounge will also be celebrating Repeal Day -- this Sunday, Dec. 5th -- in full-on style, naturally. Think lots of absinthe and gin. Look out for other Repeal Day celebrations going on all over the city; definitely not a day to miss out for a great, cheap/free cocktail!

The Edison is located at 108 W. 2nd St. in downtown.

And please remember to drink safely, as always.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Citysearch

Eat Out. Upper West.

Football season is well underway, and hey, those Monday Night Football games just happen to be perfect for happy hour, no? But not everyone wants to head to a grimy sports bar every week for the same boring cheap beer.

That's why Upper West is great. It's usually a pretty nice bar and restaurant, with low lighting and dark ambiance, but the place also happens to offer happy hour each night from 5pm-7pm and from 5pm-10pm on Mondays. There's a nice big TV in the corner for watchers, or face toward the east wall and see the game projected onto the wall.

The happy hour prices don't apply to everything, but there are some good finds. Grab any of their blackboard cocktails like a watermelon mojito (with a yummy piece of watermelon in it!) or a lychee martini for $6, or house wine for $4. The jalapeno hummus comes with grapes and pickled vegetables and in a cute mason jar for $7, or the blue cheese or chipotle fries (in the picture above) are a good choice for $6 (my friend gave me a tip to get the chipotle sauce on the side, which makes the fries a bit less gooey).

If you're still hungry for more, the food is pretty delicious for its price (dinner is usually $12-$25). In the photo are the Upper West burger and the Half Bird, and both were juicy and well-prepared. The bar's always got interesting beers on tap too. Classy sports-watching, who knew?

Upper West is located at 3321 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica. Reservations are recommended to grab a table for Monday nights.

-- Chau Tu
Photo credit: the BEAT

Advance Notice. L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade.

After an impromptu yet long and decadent meal (cheese plate with honeycomb, soft-shell crab with grits and fried green tomatoes, chocolate bread pudding, a sidecar, and a greyhound) at the Hungry Cat the weekend before last, with the bill arrived with a postcard invitation to a cool-sounding charity event benefitting childhood cancer research.

L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade is taking place Sunday November 7 at noon at the Culver Studios in Los Angeles. Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne (Lucques, AOC, Tavern), and David Lentz (the Hungry Cat) are bringing together top chefs for an afternoon of great food for a great cause.

While you can enjoy dishes by Giada De Laurentiis and Nancy Silverton, there will also be drinks by bartenders from the Varnish, Comme Ça, and of course, the Hungry Cat, among others. These are three L.A. institutions with seriously fresh, delicious cocktails.

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, founded by Alexandra Scott (1996-2004) raises money for childhood cancer research. She started with a lemonade stand, and stands are still part of how the foundation operates today.

Tickets aren't cheap ($150 and up) but it's all in the name of charity--and epicurean delights.

Info: alexslemonade.org, (610) 649-3034

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: desicuisine4u

Eat Out. Malo [Sunday Brunch].

Silver Lake's Malo restaurant is well-known for its great margaritas and happy hours, but it just so happens that it's a great place to visit after those margaritas and happy hours too. The Mexican eatery recently began opening up early for weekend brunch, and the hip Eastside crowd is loving it--for good reason.

The brunch menu offers all the regular, great-for-the-hangover brunch favorites, like the breakfast burrito and chilaquiles (both seen above), but with Malo's extra attention to detail in flavor and fresh ingredients. The chilaquiles, though obviously not the healthiest meal, actually wasn't as greasy as I had imagined, and the portion was just right not to make me feel like I'd see it (or the night before) later. There were also fun and unique options like the mango and banana French toast that seem worth trying out.

And of course, with any good hangover brunch, Malo offers drinks--top-notch, of course. Their sangria is always a favorite of mine, and a mojito would probably be nice around noon. We tried the Malo Cafe, which had coffee mixed Kahula and tequila, and it was pretty strong. Made for a good wake-up call, at least.

Malo is located at 4326 Sunset Blvd. in Silver Lake. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays, from 9am-3pm.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: the BEAT

Advance Notice. The Edison's Radio Room.

The speakeasy-themed Edison is one of my favorite bars in downtown, if not in all of L.A. even. I love the relentless commitment to its theme (even down to the dress code), and they've always got something special going on, from the absinthe fairies to the burlesque performances to those infamous soup kitchen happy hours.

And of course, let's not forget the drinks! The Edison's got a great cocktail menu; and even if it can set you back quite a bit money-wise, the attention to detail put into the drinks is definitely worth it. They care about their cocktails here, and that's even more evident on Radio Room nights. Radio Room is the Edison's monthly cocktail event, when acclaimed mixologists (fun word for those fancy trained bartenders who create new cocktails) from all over the world are invited to come and offer their array of unique concoctions, alongside appetizers and live music. It's one of those fun, in-the-know kind of events, guaranteed to offer some of the best in drinking.

The next Radio Room is happening Tuesday, July 13 at 8pm, and you can get your tickets now. There is a $10 admission charge for the event, on top of drinks (usually around $12-$14 each), but we're talking about exclusive here!

But of course, if you're not down for dropping serious money on serious drinks, you can celebrate the grand return of the 35-cent martini happy hour, happening Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5pm-7pm. You get one (usually quite strong) special Edison martini for 35 cents, and 40% off all other cocktails. See you all there!

The Edison is located at 108 W 2nd St. in downtown.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Eater LA

Eat In. Lakers cocktail [Thirsty Thursdays!].

The Lakers will still be in Boston tonight, fighting to bring us home the ring, and here's how you can celebrate in style:

Morton's Purple & Yellow Cocktail
2 oz Absolut 100 Vodka
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1 oz Orange Juice
Splash of sweet & sour
Splash of Rose's Lime Juice

Combine all ingredients into a martini shaker, shake all ingredients until chilled, and pour into a chilled martini glass. Then, carefully pour .5 oz of Chambord into the filled martini glass so that it settles at the bottom. Garnish with a skewered purple grape through orange wedge.

Or, if you're lazy, just head over to any Morton's to have a fancy bartender fix it up for you. Beat Boston!

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Morton's

Eat Out. New happy hours at Milk and Tar Pit [Thirsty Thursdays!].

We've already told you how big of fans we are of Mid-City spots Milk and the Tar Pit, and luckily for you, the two spots are now featuring really cool happy hours worth checking out.

Milk is currently promoting an After School Special, where you can get their delectable milkshakes for a reduced price (opposed to their usual expensive $6-7 price tag) on Mon-Wed from 3-5pm. All the shakes are pretty great, but the Coffee Toffee and MILKIE Way Malt are personal favorites. And if you're hungry, stay for the pasta!

Or quickly head on over around the corner on La Brea to the Tar Pit, now helmed by a new bar manager and holding a special "Guilded Hour" full of deals. According to Grub Street, you can get four cocktails, including the Bees Knees (gin, honey and lemon) and the Brown Derby (bourbon, honey and grapefruit), for $6 each, and snacks like mini mac with gruyere for $5. Fries with spicy lemon salt, garlic and aioli is only $2.50! The deals take place daily, but it starts early and ends quickly--5-6:30pm.

Milk is located at 7290 Beverly Blvd. and the Tar Pit is located at 609 N. La Brea Ave., both in Mid-City.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Milk

Do It. Watch Sex and the City 2 with cocktails.

Nothing like a good excuse to have martinis with a movie, right? The release of Sex and the City 2, if not for anything else, is just what you're looking for, ladies (besides some Aidan action, of course).

The Americana at Brand is hosting a "Girls Night Out" tomorrow from 6-10pm, where you can catch the movie at the Pacific Theatres and then get special cocktail deals at neighboring restaurants. And the entertainment is full-on 80s, with DJ Richard Blade and a cover band by the name Neurotic City playing live gigs.

Meanwhile, Rick Caruso's other entertainment entity, The Grove, is holding "The Ultimate Sex and the City Night Out," where $45 will get you private and reserved seats for a screening of the film, a cocktail party with food by The Farm of Beverly Hills and complimentary valet parking. Screenings take place in either the park or in the Pacific Theatres, and the promotion occurs all weekend.

But if you want to really go all out, just like Carrie and the girls would, head over to the Arclight Hollywood and take part in the SATC2 21+ Party Package happening all weekend, where for $70 you can get one ticket to a 21+ screening of the movie, where you can sip on (two drink coupons are included) specialty SKYY vodka cocktails with names like Glamour Gal and munch on free, unlimited appetizers from the in house chef.

Speaking of SKYY Vodka, the company's apparently produced special Sex and the City bottles, so you can always just party like the ladies at home! And appropriately, there are recipes to match.

Either way, don't forget your Manolos!

The Americana at Brand is located at 889 Americana Way in Glendale, the Grove is located at 189 Grove Dr. in Mid-City and the Arclight Hollywood is at 6360 W. Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.

-- Chau Tu

Eat In. Grapefruit Sidecar.

Making drinks at home can be great if you do it right. Firstly, a stainless steel shaker is a good start. Mine is from the Pottery Barn and twists to give you drink recipes. Martha Stewart makes a similar style.

One of my favorite classic cocktails is a sidecar. This past weekend I wanted one at home, but didn't have any lemons or limes. A quick replacement was fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, and it ended up making quite a delicious drink! I think orange juice would work just the same. The grapefruit flavor really came through, and mixed well with the brandy and sweet triple sec.

Ingredients:

2 parts Brandy

1 part Triple Sec (Cointreau or Patrón Citronge)

1 part Fresh-squeezed Grapefruit Juice

Fill the shaker 3/4 with ice, pour in ingredients one by one, cover, and mix well.

Pour and serve immediately.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Pottery Barn

Eat In. A Mother's Day cocktail [Thirsty Thursdays!].

It's always difficult getting a gift for my mom for her birthday or Mother's Day--she never tells me what she needs or wants, and being the frugal mom that she is, she doesn't like using fancier items that I might throw at her from time to time.

So usually I resort to dinners and breakfasts and other non-material gifts of that sort. But what I really wish I could do is make my mom a drink. She doesn't drink, but it'd be a great idea, no? Especially with this recipe that Maker's Mark has so conveniently put together for us here...

Mother’s Little Helper (Makes one pitcher)
1 cup of Maker's Mark
1/2 cup of peach schnapps
1 peach, sliced
1 & 1/2 quarts of iced tea, prepared.

Mix the Maker's Mark, peach schnapps and sliced peaches in large pitcher (at least 2 quarts). Let mixture sit for at least 15 minutes to meld flavors. Garnish with peaches and enjoy!

Nothing brings the family together quite like spiked iced tea, right? Happy Mother's Day!

-- Chau Tu