Posts Tagged ‘champagne’

Summertime Begins with Opening Night at The Hollywood Bowl

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Last Friday was definitely a night to remember….  My sassy, little entourage and I attended The 89th Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl!!  It was a first class night from beginning to end.

Alycia Denham, Carmen Lindner CEO Gotta Have S'more, Linda Rosenberg, Holly Self

Alycia Denham, Founder of Gotta Have S'more Carmen Lindner, Linda Rosenberg, Holly Self

Sponsors - Gallo Wine

Sponsor - Gallo Wine

We started the night at the VIP COCKTAIL RECEPTION where we sipped our first few glasses of bubbly and nibbled on some yummy Hors D’oeuvres provided by Patina Catering.  Patina is known for providing guests with the very finest cuisine and exceptional service at extraordinary landmark locations such as the Hollywood Bowl.  Friday night was no exception; their staff was bending over backwards to make sure we were all well taken care of.  After the reception, we took our seats in the Garden Box where we were treated to a bottle of white and red Gallo wine along with a delicious dinner to die for!!  The Hall of Fame concert preformed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic started at 8:30 where Donna Summer, The Carpenters, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet were all being honored.  The Queen of Disco looked amazing and had everyone on their feet lookin’ for some “Hot Stuff” baby!  Richard Carpenter seemed delighted, and almost gitty to be part of such a special night, especially during the tribute to his late sister Karen Carpenter.

The Hollywood Bowl

Of course, the highlight of the whole evening was the dessert being served during intermission!  Yep, The Hollywood Bowl treated everyone in a box seat to a four or six pack of Gotta Have S’more “S’muffins”!  It was so much fun walking around watching everyone rip open their little gift and gobble down the surprise inside. What a perfect way to kick off the summer!  How will I ever top this one next year?  Thank you so much Jennie May, Special Events Coordinator, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.

xoxoxo

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Simone gets an exclusive invite to The Supper Club!!

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Shery Shabani photo by Erik Neldner www.erikneldnerphoto.com

New S'muffins fans! photo by Erik Neldner www.erikneldnerphoto.com

Wow, I must tell you about the most fabulous party I went to on Tuesday evening.  The Supper Clubis an exclusive, private members only, organization with outposts in  London, New York and Los Angeles which is devoted to creating exceptional experiences.  All of their events are held at some of the best restaurants or private homes around LA. The h’orderves are as glamours as the members who attend the dinner.  The party on Tuesday did not disappoint.   How could it, when the theme was Diamonds and Champagne, ooh la la!!  It was held at Jewelry Designer, Shery Shabani’sexquisite Beverly Hills home.  I’m not sure who is more stunning, Shery or her incredible diamond jewelry collection!!  To top off the night, my friend Meg Hall was the private chef for the night. As soon as I saw her, I knew the guests were in for a treat.  I’m still dreaming of her peach, tomato, basil skewer.. YUM!    Of course, the night ended on a high note when, you guessed it; the S’muffins made their grand appearance.  Even the non-dessert eaters couldn’t resist a tiny taste.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… being the spokesperson for Gotta Have S’more is a tough job but somebody has to do it!! WINK

A big SMOOCH to Jackie Lann at The Narrative Group for for the invite!!

S'muffins and Champagne photo by Erik Neldner www.erikneldnerphoto.com

Chef Meg Hall

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LA Insider's Guide to Shopping for Champagne Easter Brunch–PLUS Champagne Cocktail Recipe

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
photo courtesy of BRANDED BEER.COM

photo courtesy of BRANDED BEER.COM

No brunch is complete without bubbly! With Easter coming up this weekend and Mother’s Day right around the corner, I thought I’d share some pointers about serving champagne with brunch that will give your brunch an extra special touch!

For girls only brunches, it’s fun to do pink champagne. It’s kinda hard to beat Perrier Jouet Rose Blason de France, but at 75 to 100 bucks a bottle retail in stores, a good budget alternative is Chandon Rose which goes for about 15 to 25 dollars retail, and made Forbes list of the “10 Best Pink Champagnes” along with Perrier Jouet Rose’s sister 2002 Perrier Jouet Fleur Rose.

Prosecco is quickly becoming a trendy alternative to French bubbly. Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine which gets its name from the prosecco grapes used to make it. Try Cinzano Prosecco. At 12 to 16 dollars a bottle, you can’t beat it!

If you are making champagne cocktails like Kir Royales, Mimosas or Zinc Pinks, I like Gloria Ferrer Sparkling Wine Brut which will run you about 12 to 20 dollars a bottle. If you’re really trying to save money Domaine Ste. Michelle Sparkling Brut or Blanc de Blanc are good options (6 to 10 dollars a bottle).

Zinc Lounge at Shade Hotel, photo courtesy of Shade Hotel

Zinc Lounge at Shade Hotel, photo courtesy of Shade Hotel

So if you are wondering what the heck a Zinc Pink is, well, it’s only my most favorite brunch cocktail. It gets its name from the Zinc Lounge at Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach where it was created. You won’t find this cocktail on the menu because it’s one of the secret concoctions that only regulars know about!  If you can’t make it to Shade for brunch here’s how you can make a Zinc Pink at home.

Zinc Pink Cocktail Recipe

(adapted from the Shade Hotel’s Zinc Lounge bar)

1 oz. Kern’s Guava Nectar

Champagne, sparkling wine or prosecco

1-2 Raspberries for garnish

Measure Kern’s Guava Nectar into a champagne flute. Fill the glass the rest of the way with champagne. Top it off by dropping 1-2 raspberry(ies) into the cocktail.

And speaking of Easter, when I was younger my mom would always take us to get a new Easter dress and Easter bonnet to celebrate the spring holiday. In the spirit of this old tradition, I decided to treat myself to a new spring makeover.

I hope you all like my new look! I’d love to get your feedback in the comments below or send them to Simone@GottaHaveSmore.com, since I didn’t have time to set up a shopping date with my girlfriends before I hit 3rd St. Thanks for the input ladies (and any gents, as the case may be)!

Photo Credits: BRANDED BEER.COM; Shade Hotel

GHS UPCOMING EVENTS

SUN, APR 4: Happy Easter

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Ringing in the New Year! Welcome 2010!

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Photo courtesy of www.edibleinkpr.com

Photo courtesy of www.edibleinkpr.com

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and Holiday Season!  I know I did!  I can’t believe I’ve been in LA for only four months and I’m already so immersed in the happenings around town!  Thank you so much for having me at all your parties these past few months!

It was such a pleasure getting to share my S’muffin-y sweetness with all of you!  The best part is, the biggest party night of the year is still to come.  Talk about welcoming 2010 in style, I’m booked solid tonight!   Nothing goes better with a caviar and champagne toast than a S’muffin.  Now that’s what I call starting the New Year off right!  I hope you got your order in on time.  If not, don’t worry.  There will be so many more reasons to celebrate with me in the coming year, starting off with Valentine’s Day, right around the corner!  Check out S’more Amore, the perfect way to say I love you, but be sure to place your order early. Well, I’m off to get my final 2009 grove on!  Don’t forget to send us pictures of your 2009 celebrations with GHS and drop us a comment below with how you are ringing in the New Year.  Thanks.  Catch all you lovelies in 2010!

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