LA Weekly Sips & Sweets: December 12th at The REEF!

LA Weekly is presenting their second annual Sips & Sweets event, this time at The REEF in Downtown LA.

If you missed last year's inaugural event, my public service announcement to you would be to prep like you were about to run a sugar marathon, while hydrating with endless holiday spirits.

From the moment you enter the historic and appropriate named the Majestic / the Reserve, it's a wonderland of desserts and cocktails as far as meets the eye, from some of the best pastry chefs and mixologists in the city.  From adorable cream puff snowmen by Heirloom LA (buttercream stuffed profiteroles, almond financier, meringue & 'ice glaze')...

...to treats with a festive sheen (hazelnut and coffee torte by Patina) and peppermint ice cream pie by Roxana Jullapat of Cook's County, to classics from masters like sticky toffee pudding by Shannon Swindle of Craft LA and tiramisu from Osteria Mozza...

...to Patina's helpers with dramatic pours of liquid nitrogen into peppermint meringue bites (so much fun to eat: breath smoke out your nose and mouth!) and macaron trees...

...to spreads of inventive savory-sweet pastries from Proof Bakery (like Walnut Sweet Potato Mezze Lunas with cinnamon sugar and Zimsternes almond cinnamon cookies) and Sugarbird Sweets and Teas (every flavor scones from pumpkin almond to green tea), it's an AYCE sensory feast that will satiate the most shameless glutton.

Part of the fun last year was exploring the different spaces - my favorite was the Reserve's entrance to the lounge, converted from a former bank vault.

Inside the vault is where a lot of the best craft cocktails are to be found, including concoctions from Raymond 1886 (Southern Sling) and Corazon y Miel, Cana Rum Bar and Pour Vous.  The best part of the event is that the mixologists were personally serving up the drinks for you, and you get to meet and chat with them about their creations (as much as the patience of the line behind you will allow).

My favorite sip of the show though, had to be this one by The Corner Door, called French Exchange Student with cognac, earl grey tea, lavendar tincture, orgeat and lemon juice plus a giant orchid on it (because every drink tastes better with a tropical flower on top).

Pours and portions of edibles are all more than generous, so by the time I dragged myself out of the event I was well into a sugar coma.  If I would have one suggestion it would be to break it up a bit with a few savories, but then again...the event wouldn't really be Sips and SWEETS. 

This year, the event is curated by Roxana Jullapat and LA Weekly's food critic Besha Rodell.  I'm excited to check out sweets from Shannon Swindle, the brilliant chef behind the fantastic pastries at Craft LA, Mariah Swan of bld Restaurant and ICDC, Luis Ayala of Broken Spanish, and from those whose restaurants I have not been to yet, like Superba Food + Bread, Hatchet Hall and Ledlow.  Some of my favorite ice cream purveyors will also be there including Choctal and McConnell’s.

Also looking forward to craft cocktails by Mikki Kristola of The Varnish, Mike Lay of Broken Spanish and B.S. Taqueria, Chris Whelan of Sassafras Saloon, Ryan Wainwright of Terrine, Ben Scott of Alexander’s Steakhouse, Christiaan Rollich of the Lucques Group, Jesus Gomez of 1886 Bar, and sampling from places I have not been to yet like EP + LP and Sonny's Hideaway.

Plus, today only through Saturday at 10pm, general admission tickets are on FLASH SALE for HALF OFF!  See deal alert below for details.

Wishing you a sweet and buzzy start to your holiday!

_________________________________________________________

LA Weekly Sips & Sweets

When: Saturday, December 12, 2015 8pm – 11pm (VIP Hour 7pm – 8pm)

Where: Magic Box @ The REEF 1933 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 9000

How much: $45 GA (but get half off with flash sale today - see deal info below) $60 VIP

Website: laweekly.com/sips-and-sweets

[Deal Alert: Flash Sale 50% off General Admission tix only from 7am today Friday Dec 4th through Saturday Dec 5th 10pm! You can thank #NationalCookieDay. Buy tickets here: http://ticketf.ly/1MLJ5M9]

_________________________________________________________