Elise Thompson

BLACK WIDOW By Duggan McDonnell, Cantina, San Francisco 1 1/2 ounces Tequila Don Julio Blanco 1 ounce fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon agave nectar 3 blackberries 4 basil leaves Ice cubes Muddle 2 blackberries and 3 basil leaves in a Boston shaker. Add Tequila Don Julio Blanco, fresh lime juice, agave nectar and ice into shaker. Shake well Strain contents into stemless martini glass over ice. Garnish with a blackberry and basil leaf on a toothpick.

Surely you have noticed the cool new blue lane lights on the 110 Freeway delineating the transition lane to the 5 North (see a video embedded below). The lighted pavement markers, or Smart-stud systems, are a way to finally stop all of those jerks from sneaking into the front of the line when we have all been waiting patiently in line for the 5 North like good citizens. Plus they make your night-time drive...

Photo from last year's Great Chefs/Giacomo Pettinari's butternut squash/Photo by Elise Thompson for LAist OK, so we are always posting photo essays of amazing food events like last weekend's LA Magazine's Food Event or last year's Great Chefs of Los Angeles And you are probably thinking to yourself, "Self, one of these days we are going to go to one of these amazing events. We deserve to drink champagne and eat adorable and delicious...

Last night Alice Cooper drove the Nokia crowd into a hysterical heavy metal sing-along on his Theatre of Death tour. It is just impossible not to sing along with "I'm Eighteen". But besides his musical ouvre, there are a few things that set Alice Cooper apart and give him such a rabid following. First and foremost, Alice is a showman. I mean besides being a singer. He gets decapitated, dragged all over the stage and abused by psycho Nurse Rosetta, impaled by a 6-foot long hypodermic, and hanged (a stunt that proved nearly fatal in England in the 80s). First and foremost, Alice is a showman. I mean besides being a singer. He gets decapitated, dragged all over the stage and abused by psycho Nurse Rosetta, impaled by a 6-foot long hypodermic, and hanged (a stunt that proved nearly fatal in England in the 80s).

Sunday October 18, San Antonio Winery held their last wine festival of the season. The winery's Taste Of Italy paired regional Italian Foods with the wines of Italy. Italians are starting to incorporate recently learned California wine making styles. But it’s important to note that their wines are still generally dry, high in acid and need to be paired with food to show their best attributes

It's time to start shopping for Halloween costumes. You don't want to get stuck in the mad rush next Friday. Here are some helpful costume ideas for you from LAist. This video is an oldie but a goodie. And oh so sexy!...

Photo by Paul Vargas/Used with permission Today Hollywood Forever Cemetery will hold its 10th annual celebration of Dia de los Muertos from 4pm to 11pm. Dia de los Muertos is an ancient Aztec tradition. On Dia de los Muertos it is believed that the veil that separates the living from the dead is lifted, allowing visits from departed loved ones. It is a celebration, not a day of mourning. Altars are erected with images...

High-class imbibers were out in force for Whisky Live at the Santa Monica Civic Center last Monday. Whisky Live is an international tasting and sampling event, taking place "from London to Tokyo, Paris to Glasgow". Billed as “Southern California’s Finest Whisky Experience,” attendees had the opportunity to sample the wares of twenty-seven companies, some familiar (Glenlivet, Dewar's, Macallan), some (such as Japanese manufactureres Hibiki and Yamazaki) not even available on American shelves yet.

Ports O' Call restaurant, which is in Ports O' Call Village in San Pedro, has an immediate strike against it. It is a common belief that restaurants with views always suck (cough Castaway cough). Even if in this case it is just a view of oil drums and tankers. Then to really make a seasoned diner nervous, they have weddings there. Like all the time. Sometimes two at a time. Would you like the pistachio-crusted...

If you overdid it last night, head over to Rush Street in Culver City for their new brunch menu. If you are looking for the hair of the dog, they have you covered with a bottomless mimosa, a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar and anything else you can imagine. The sunny patio is perfect for early risers, and the cool dim interior is perfect for those looking to escape the heat or a hangover. High ceilings...