Sips, Sweets, & Slices

L.A. Weekly‘s annual Sips & Sweets event was officially cancelled yesterday after a public outcry for restaurants to pull out following a change of ownership that obliterated most of the staff including 9 of its 13 editors and most notably for this writer, the food editor Katherine Spiers.

So what does this mean for you? Its time to stick it to the man once again and create your own Sips, Sweets, & Slices event with a few suggestions from yours truly including FREE cookies and NYC restaurant pop-ups!

Sips

From Ella Fitzgerald to the Danny Kayne, enjoy a drink some of the greats might have had at Birds & Bees in DTLA. Created by Bethany Ham, the Danny Kaye is a tropical variation of a Manhattan with coconut infused bourbon, sweet vermouth, Pedro Ximenez sherry, and served alongside a crispy coconut treat ($16). Daily Violet hour happens from 5-7 PM offering $8 dollar simple pleasures like Old Fashioned’s and Margarita’s.

New kid on the Pasadena Block but around in Alhambra since 1943, Twohey’s Tavern, is making it’s mark with a delicious winter twist on an always classic. The Twohey’s Old Fashion, created by Patrick Tang is made with bourbon, Twohey’s Root Beer and chocolate mole bitters ($14).

If photographing your cocktails is just a high a priority as drinking them then be sure to try the new winter favorites at The Raymond 1886. The Zombie Apocalypse, created by Jesus Gomez and Adam Vaughn off The Final Solstice Cocktail Menu features Deanston 12-year whisky, Bowmore 15-year whisky, Laphroaig 10 cask, pineapple juice, lime juice, Orgeat, Falernum, house-made lemongrass syrup, mint, oh and of course a personal zombie ($24).

The Replicant created by Peter Lloyd-Jones is made with London Dry Gin, lemon, Orgeat, smoked salt and a house-made butterfly pea tincture float ($14).

Happy Hour is every Tuesday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Sweets

Los Feliz favorite Little Dom’s is wishing you Buon Natale with Pastry Chef Ann Kirk’s warm deep fried Zeppoli, topped with powdered sugar, red sauce and whipped cream.

It’s beginning to look a lot a like Vegan Christmas…at Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts. Available starting December 11th, come in for specialty donuts like The Vegan Christmas, the Hanukkah, and more holiday goodies ($3).

Can’t wait until the 11th to satisfy your holiday sweet tooth? Halo Top Scoop Shop at The Westfield Topanga Mall is already scooping its new seasonal ice cream flavor, Gingerbread House, featuring ginger snap cookie bites and royal icing.

Free cookies at Casa Vega!! From now until December 24th every meal at this Sherman Oaks institution ends with a complimentary bag of traditional Mexican cinnamon and sugar Bunuelos. Also on the holiday menu, Chocolate Tequila Pots made with bittersweet chocolate, cream, and tequila ($3).

Slices

Hot and fresh from Brooklyn, Roberta’s pizza pop-up is back in Los Angeles from now until December 23rd. Following last year’s success PLATFORM, located in the Hayden Tract neighborhood of Los Angeles has agreed to host the restaurant once again. Menu items include signature pizzas like the Famous Original made with tomato, mozzarella, parmigiano, caciocavallo, oregano, and chili ($11/$15) as well as a seasonal special Ursula Parade pie topped with mozzarella, parmigiano, littleneck clams, calabrian chili, parsley, garlic, and lemon ($20/$24).