Thank You Tanzore!

If you didn't make it out to our semi-monthly mix & mingle on Monday night you really missed out. Tanzore Restaurant was a fabulous host. Special thanks to Joe, the banquet manager who personalized our event by creating the Minor Details Martini (it was nicknamed the MDtini) and offering our guests an exclusive price. Asher, our very friendly bartender kept the MDtini's flowing as well as engaging in discussions on Shaq going to Cleveland and the untimely death of an icon. As our special guests indulged themselves in the tempestuous treats prepared especially for our event, Kristine our gracious event concierge made sure the night was seamless and without flaw.

Tanzore brings a spicy flavor to restaurant row in BH. The Blue Lounge lures you in unknowingly with colors reminiscent of traditional Indian spices like cinnamon, saffron and turmeric. Suddenly you feel like the Maharajah as you slip into the low comfy seating and watch the latest "Bollywood" classics, fashion, travel, and art in HD on a nearby wall. Bevy menu is simply scandalous with blends of exotic fruits and spices and what they do with a chili pepper in a martini - I just can't explain.

Tanzore chefs have hit a home run by creating a menu for the more modern palate by re-interpreting classic recipes that reflect Californians sophisticated yet simplistic style. They've even added a 2,000 bottle cellar that houses world class wine to accompany their world class cuisine.

Looking to host an event? Tanzore, has a banquet room accommodating up to 170 seated guests or more for standing and 100 seated and includes a built in 17x17 dance floor, bar and buffet station. The Haveli Room, an elegant & intimate private dining room, with wallpapered walls and authentic Indian doors can accommodate up to 30 guests for a private dinner. Each space has state of the art Bose Sound System & Speakers, Projector & Screens, Flat Screen TVs, IPOD capability & Internet Access. Contact Nikki Sood to book your special Event.

As always our tastemakers hung out well after the event was over, tweeted about #mix&mingle and made their "net" "work."

Tanzore is Zagat rated "everything about Tanzore breathes balance and synergy." read it for yourself.

For additional information about Minor Details Productions please visit our blog

Thank You Seven

On a semi-regular, Last Mondays kind of way, Minor Details Productions holds Spotlight Promotions at different venues across Los Angeles for happy hour relief.

This month the Spotlight shined on Seven, a discreet little venue on the corner of 7th and Grand located in the heart of the city's financial district.

Walking into this trendy downtown hot spot you are totally taken by surprise with the chocolaty textures of the decor and cool, hip amber lighting. Inside you are drawn to the unusually large screen in front of you - playing the Laker game of course.

The appetizers are "A"mazing! My personal favorite, the french fries with black truffle oil & parmesan - THE BEST EVER! From what I understand Seven is a neighborhood favorite and is known for their happy hour specials.

This is the place where everybody knows your name or at least Christian knows it - who I might add is a fabulous bartender and even more fabulous musician. After 9pm Seven transforms into a jazzy night club featuring local bands but on this particular night the seductive sounds of Vox Sonus filled the air.

The event ended at 7pm but guest continued to mingle in the city well after 9pm tweeting at #mix&mingle and enjoying the sites and sounds of dtla.

Seven definitely has a unique way of mixing style, comfort, great cuisine, music and service into a memorable experience. The Yelpers have awarded them 3 stars but what do they know?

Thank You 55 Degree Wine

On a semi-regular, Last Mondays kind of way, Minor Details Productions holds Spotlight Promotions at different venues across Los Angeles for happy hour relief.

This month the Spotlight shined on Atwater Village favorite, 55 Degree Wine.

Located on Glendale Blvd in an unassuming strip mall next to Starbucks, 55DW boasts an intimate underground cellar with two rooms to accommodate even the most novice oenophile's budding palate. Owner Andy Hasroun is completely unpretentious, serving the wines he imports directly to this little secret rustic lair.

The wine selection is fantastic. Every time one goes in, they walk out with a new bottle. Finding a favorite is difficult because there are so many good and inexpensive wines. And Andy is clearly passionate about the wines, as he explains the nuances to each and generously allows you to taste, taste, taste until you find the one you want.

The guests all had a great time mixing and mingling (or tweeting about it via #mix&mingle). As a testament to Andy's hospitality and the great atmosphere in the cellar, the event was over at 8 pm, but many people (including those above) stayed until after 10 pm! We hope to return to 55 Degree Wine soon. Check them out. The Yelpers have even awarded them 4.5 stars!

Guest Blog written by Paulette http://thisbratslifeblogspot.com/

Corkbar - Downtown - Los Angeles

Last week I visited Corkbar, new wine bar in downtown Los Angeles. Corkbar is not open officially - they had a soft opening for about three days and the place was packed with hip, trendy, downtown LA'ers.

The setting was nice and open. A lot of seating in and around the bar. There was an outside patio but it wasn't in use - most likely because it was very chilly. My friends and I found a nice spot towards the back and was immediately waited on. It took us a while to digest the "thesis" of a menu but it was very descriptive and easy to read.

The stemware - absolutely beautiful. The 3oz pour absolutely ridiculous. That was more like a taste than an actual glass. The waitress never even asked it we would like to taste before she poured the wine. This really makes a difference if someone is purchasing a $20 glass of wine. They are going to have to revamp this process I am sure and I would also suggest that they take another look at their pricing as well. For a 2008 Babcock, Shiraz it was about $9 - highway robbery especially for a 2008 3oz glass of wine. Question: Why did we get a 3 oz glass of wine and the person who ordered a beer got a 6oz bottle?

You would think with a name like "cork" and a little bit of cork on the wall it would do something to the sound. My friends and I could barely hear each other. The noise made it very hard to have a conversation. This would be an ideal place for a couple that's been together for a while - I would not recommend it for a first date.

Rhonda (one of the owners) visited our table to say thank you for coming and to give us a little history on the venue. It's owned by six couples with a passion for wine. Very nice lady with a warm and fuzzy approach. Since I am an event planner I immediately inquired about the space and she referred us to another owner I believe named Craig who was supposed to come by and talk to us - but never did. Oh well...I guess he doesn't need any help filling the place - which in my opinion could be short lived for them...a new wine bar seems to open up every other month around LA and you know how we LA'ers are "been there done that".

By the way this place sells lunch and dinner. I didn't have anything to eat but the smells coming from the kitchen were amazing. All the dishes coming out of the kitchen looked heavenly.

Overall, I probably would only recommend this location to visit once or for networking events on their private outdoor patio - other than that it's good to come if you love California Wines and Beers. On second thought I might come back to try out their food!

The Server The Expert?

Recently visited McCormick & Schmick (downtown) and I was kinda in the mood for soup and salad. Now, if you know me and have gone out to eat with me you would know I always, always ask the server their thoughts on the items I'm choosing (irritating to some of friends but this is what I was taught in culinary school "ask the server".) I mean they are the experts right? Right?

A good server will be able to tell you right away if your choice is a good one or a bad one or they may even recommend their personal favorite. A bad server hasn't a clue about the menu and can't seem to offer you any suggestions other than "do you want soup or salad" with your entree. Don't be fooled my friends - the server should know and have tasted EVERYTHING on the menu.

Anyway, for some reason I decided to go against the servers recommendation on vegetable clam chowder and go with the lobster bisque (which, by the way is made differently everywhere I go - I can't even remember the last time I had gooooooood lobster bisque - I mean, can I get some lobster in the bisque??? I'm just saying) big, HUGE, mistake. Not what I thought it was going to be. Nevertheless I ate it. I later told the server that I should have taken her suggestion and as the perfectly well trained server she offered to give me a cup of the chowder at no additional cost. Can you believe it! A free cup! I didn't take her up on her offer but I was impressed with her offering.

Hey critiquers....let me know if you've had good or bad experiences by taking the servers suggestions on your entree, drink, or dessert. If you've had none I challenge you the next time you are out ask the expert for recommendations...they should know more than the specials!

As for McCormick & Schmick - kudos on the customer service. Really good eatin' in my book (especially the stuffed shrimp scampi)...not in my fav five and probably wouldn't make the T List (my personal grading system)...but really good eatin'.