What's going on lately in the L.A food scene? Chew on this: There's a basketball-inspired cocktail smackdown happening this season in DTLA, a new Chick-fil-A is opening today in L.A., one restaurant is offering a foie gras farewell menu, a brewery has a bigger, better, badass pub, and more. more ›

No doubt you already knew this, but today is Margarita Day! As a nation, we don't get it off from work (although we here at LAist think it's at least as important as President's Day), but it's still a good excuse to go out after work and find the best tequila-and-lime-based beverages in town. Here's our guide to the margarita guides, to help you in your journey: more ›

***Change of Venue***Book Soup presents a Q&A and book signing with Tim Kring, author of Shift and creator of Heroes tonight at 7 pm at the Renberg Theater. at Book Soup. The Q&A will be conducted by Damon Lindelof, co-creator and executive producer of Lost. Kring’s new book is the first in the Gate of Orpheus Trilogy, a “supernatural espionage thriller set at the collision of ‘60s counterculture and conspiracy. The book tells the story of Chandler Forrestal, a man who is dragged into a CIA mind-control experiment. After being given a massive dose of LSD, Chandler develops a frightening array of mental powers.” Admission is by advance ticketing only. Ticket price of $35 includes admission to book talk, an autographed copy of the book and ability to pose for a photo with Tim Kring. more ›

This weekend is definitely a hot one. Whether you're hosting a BBQ or pool party, you are going to want to mix it up with some fresh new cocktails. Not to hate on the margarita, but who wants to keep running back and forth to the blender? Here are some easily mixed drinks to make your weekend a splash!. more ›

Mimosas? Yawn. Tame Bloody Marys? Snore. Hollandaise, bagels, plain pancakes? Snooze. more ›

Tequila for some of us is like the nectar of the Gods, but that's only one small part of a much, much bigger story. When Jose Cuervo in the 18th Century applied to the Spanish government to make the distilled spirit, it was for "Mezcal de Tequila." more ›

You drink it from a shot glass with some salt and a wedge of lime, or you mix it into a margarita or other cocktails, but do you know how tequila is made? Los Angeles-based mixologist and cocktail expert Natalie Bovis, aka The Liquid Muse, recently had the chance to see how it's made, from the agave field to the distillery of Jose Cuervo in the town of Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico. She warns us, though--you'll probably crave a margarita after watching this! more ›

It's a shame that not every diner can sit down with Rivera's John Sedlar and listen to him tell the stories of his dishes while they dine. Sedlar is a gifted storyteller in person, however the power of myth, history, and culture are also embedded in every bite of the beautiful food he has on the menu at his popular and welcoming downtown restaurant. more ›

Whether you're celebrating Dia de Los Muertos (LAist Event Guide) or nursing a serious day-after Halloween hangover, one way to take away the sting and take part in a cultural tradition is to sip on some Sangrita. No, not Sangria--don't confuse this tomato-citrus-spice sipping drink with the fruit infused wine of tapas bars and lazy summer days. In fact, the Sangrita itself doesn't contain alcohol; it's meant to be sipped alongside a shot of Tequila. more ›

Last week the beautifully restyled pool area of Westwood's sleek W hotel was the backdrop for two nights of tequila tasting and cocktails. The event was part of Sauza's campaign to introduce three newly designed bottles for the expanded line of three Tres Generaciones triple distilled 100% blue agave Tequilas. more ›

If you are a tequila enthusiast, there is only one place to find the smoothest, most exquisite tequila in Los Angeles. Rivera, Chef John Rivera Sedlar's pan Latin restaurant in downtown Los Angeles offers Seasonal Tequilas on Tap™. more ›

Cosmos and Mojitos may come and go, but margaritas are forever. In celebration of national tequila day, we would like to share a few specialty margarita recipes with you The Herradura Habanero Margarita (pictured) 1.5 ounces Herradura Reposado 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice 1 ounce of Monin Habanero Lime syrup more ›

In spite of being well off the beaten path, the San Antonio Winery has long been a destination for locals and tourists alike. Now in addition to their famous tour, popular restaurant, banquet facilities and wine shop, the winery is offering special events. more ›

LA has a diverse cast of characters. Whether it's the characters with stirring stories or interesting occupations or the people who are just simply characters, this town has them all. In an effort to get to know some of those characters a little better, we've created "Seven Questions with..." If you have a suggestion for a future Seven Questions subject send us an email. more ›

Sipping tequilas have come into their own recently, evidenced by the release of Maestro Dobel's Diamond Tequila and Centenario's hibiscus-infused Reposado. LAist decided to host an evening of tequila-tasting and get the low-down on some of the new products. Careful notes were taken, which eventually degenerated into Hunter Thompson-like scribblings. Apologies for the Zagatesque quote writing, but when we get to bat country, you will be amazed Zagatness was even possible. more ›

Who says there are no good female mixologists in Los Angeles? Because there were plenty of them at the Gran Centenario Rosangel launch party and competition last night at Silver Lake's Malo. In the Mexican restaurant's gorgeous new upstairs space, cocktail enthusiasts and industry-folk gathered to partake of the delicious free food as well as the complimentary creative cocktails concocted by L.A.'s finest women mixologists, i.e. Natalie Bovis-Nelsen of The Liquid Muse and Liquid Chef Kim Haasarud to name a few. This was all to launch the newish hibiscus-infused tequila, Gran Centenario Rosangel. more ›

Because you need an excuse to imbibe: Today is National Margarita Day! Woo hoo! Drink up! Now, if you want to be a know-it-all drinker, though, you can wow your fellow fiesta-ers with these margarita facts, passed on to us by the nice people at Tequila Herradura: more ›

Neccessity is the mother of invention. Camping in Mexico is a great time to discover that the only thing left in the cooler - mango nectar, is delicious with tequila. more ›

Arguably the greatest of Colombian salsa bands, Grupo Niche, bring their hot rythmic sounds to Anaheim. The creators of countless salsa classics such as: Una Aventura, Ana Mile, Cali Pachanguero, Buenaventura y Caney and Sin Sentimiento. If you have been tempted or are curious about checking out a live salsa performance, this is one to see. more ›

We were finally able to try out the Medicina Latina ($13) at Malo's during the LAist foodie meetup earlier this week and it is awesome. Made with 4 Copas Reposado, fresh ginger juice, agave and lime with a Del Maguey Mezcal Mist, it certainly has a kick. It's that ginger juice that makes it an unusual tequila cocktail. But unfortunately since it's so drinkable, we were done with it before we knew it. Malo Taqueria Chicana, 4326 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90029. (323) 644-1011. more ›

It's summer, so getting your celebration on before the weekend isn't unheard of (oh, and, yeah, it's LA--we like to celebrate!) which is why if you enjoy tequila, you should be ready to honor the south of the border beverage import tomorrow. Who knew tequila had its own National Day? But it does, and we'd like to encourage you to partake in the festivities (while drinking responsibly, yo!). more ›

Wonder where all your favorite bartenders from Seven Grand, the downtown whiskey bar, have gone? more ›

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