Food And Drink

As Angelenos look for added value in a night out, restaurants anchored by well-developed bar concepts (or vice versa) are being crowned king. Places such as Craftbar, Cole's and BoHo draw, and keep, customers for a long evening of drinking and dining. The newest contender to emerge in this sensible landscape (why drive across town for your after-dinner cocktail when you can have your cake and drink it too?) is West Los Angeles' Westside Tavern.

Proposed legislation to remove junk food and sugar-loaded drinks from vending machines at California state office buildings and on government property is intensifying debate about when the battle against obesity becomes a gateway to "nanny state" tactics. Backers of the Assembly bill, AB 459, said California shouldn't condone the sale of fatty snacks and sodas in the workplace when taxpayers are already shelling out vast amounts to cover the healthcare costs of overweight government employees.

Just before sunset on a recent Tuesday night, two women sit drinking red wine on the patio of the new Venice Ale House on the Venice boardwalk. A man in sunglasses shuffles up on the sidewalk beside them and asks for a dollar. The women uncomfortably reach for their purses before one recognizes the man and smiles broadly. "Oh, it's you!" she exclaims, relieved. "Gotcha!" he says, happily walking around the patio enclosure to join the women at their table. That's called boardwalk humor, and there's plenty of it to be had at this month-old bar and restaurant, which occupies a prime slice of real estate along one of the city's most colorful pedestrian thoroughfares.

NEW YORK -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday he was “shocked” when a judge this week invalidated an anti-obesity law that would have blocked sales of super-sized sodas, and he took a jab at Mississippi politicians for passing their own legislation to protect fattening food and drink. “You gotta love it. In the state with the highest rate of obesity, they pass a law that says you can't do anything about it,” Bloomberg said during his weekly radio interview.

NEW YORK -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday he was “shocked” when a judge this week invalidated an anti-obesity law that would have blocked sales of super-sized sodas, and he took a jab at Mississippi politicians for passing their own legislation to protect fattening food and drink. “You gotta love it. In the state with the highest rate of obesity, they pass a law that says you can't do anything about it,” Bloomberg said during his weekly radio interview.

A vibrant street life, stunning visuals, food and drink that sweeten your lips. The world's most romantic places seem to share these traits. But there is something more: a sense of style and spirit, a pace that's almost musical. Here's a list of ethereal places — some expected, some not — that can easily capture your heart.

If there were lingering doubts as to Peter O'Malley's extremely modest talents, they've been laid to rest by recent Dodger decisions, that, in retrospect, seem to be even more horrendous than at the moment they were made! Campanis, Raines, relief pitching problems, $4 bleacher seats, atrociously high prices for parking, food and drink . . . these matters, handled so maladroitly, can turn any franchise around--down! STEVE SHOEMAKER Woodland Hills

What fun to open my favorite part of the Sunday L.A Times and read Colman Andrews' delicious dissertation on food and drink and travel ("Bread, Love and Dreams," July 21). If I weren't a happily married old lady, I'd soon put short to Mr. Andrews' bachelorhood, now that I've figured out he likes his liquor hard and his ladies soft. BLANCHE HANN, CAMARILLO

Referring to Jim Fuhrman's letter (July 28) commenting on the article "Different Paths Through the Swiss Alps": I am a frequent traveler to Switzerland, which is certainly the most expensive country in Europe. However, I never encountered the outrageously high prices there for food and drink listed by Fuhrman. As for hotels, $140 for a room does not seem expensive; I just paid $200 for a B&B in Carmel. JOSEF WEISSMANN Los Angeles

ART Check out the open studios located in one of L.A.'s largest live-work art complexes. During the biannual Brewery Art Walk more than 100 resident artists will show off the best of their work for both viewers and collectors. An on-site restaurant provides food and drink and eye candy is everywhere. The Brewery, 2100 N. Main St., L.A. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Free. http://www.breweryartwalk.com.

A bright spot in the local economy - tourism - continues to generate big numbers for Los Angeles County's hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses. Tourists spent $16.4 billion in 2012, most of it on lodging, food and drinks, according to a study commissioned by the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. By comparison, the group said, tourists spent $15.4 billion in 2011. Tourism last year also generated more than $2 billion in state and local taxes, according to the study by Los Angeles economics research firm Micronomics.

Who needs wheat anyway? The market for gluten-free foods and beverages is booming, with double digit growth over the last four years as more consumers find themselves diagnosed with celiac disease and food allergies. The market for products without the gluten protein is valued at $4.2 billion, according to a report from Packaged Facts . Since 2008, it has grown at a compound annual rate of 28% each year and is expected to exceed $6.6 billion by 2017. Gluten-free snacks and granola bars make up the largest chunk of the industry, contributing to 15% of sales, according to the report ( hat tip to BevNET.com )

The L.A. Times' Taste food festival takes place this weekend -- five events over three days including Field to Fork, Cocktail Confidential, Flavors of L.A., Dinner & Drinks and Labor Day Picnic. Already sold out is Flavors of L.A., co-hosted by Times restaurant critic Jonathan Gold and Evan Kleiman of KCRW's "Good Food. "  Tickets, which include unlimited food and drink tastings, are currently $65 but will go up to $75 on Saturday. So act fast to get tickets for Field to Fork on Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. hosted by Times Food Editor Russ Parsons and Fig chef Roy Garcia; Cocktail Confidential on Saturday 8 to 11 p.m. hosted by Times staff writer Jessica Gelt and Julian Cox; Dinner & Drinks on Sunday 8 to 11 p.m. hosted by Times Deputy Food Editor Betty Hallock and the Beer Chicks; and Labor Day Picnic on Monday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. hosted by Times Test Kitchen Manager Noelle Carter and Zoe Nathan, co-owner of Huckleberry.

The Parish , chef Casey Lane's new downtown gastropub, is the house that booze built. Although Lane is widely admired as the chef of Venice's well-regarded Tasting Kitchen, he has created the menu of his new place entirely in homage to its bar. It's a move that is at once bold and humble, and it's part of the mounting proof that the city's thriving craft cocktail scene is changing the face of its restaurant culture. "It was really all about me designing a menu that was going to be able to stand up to cocktails," says Lane, adding that the Parish's head mixologist John Coltharp is one of the best bartenders he's ever encountered.

NEW YORK -- As one New York institution - the Stock Exchange - prepared to celebrate National Doughnut Day on Friday with a mass giveaway of Krispy Kremes, another New York institution - Mayor Michael Bloomberg  - told the city it's time to fight fat by giving up huge, sugary drinks. Not only is it time, it soon could be law, Bloomberg said Thursday as he announced a proposal to ban sugar-filled, calorie-laden drinks of more than 16 ounces from thousands of restaurants, delis, movie theaters, food carts, sports venues and other businesses that serve food and drink.

Outstanding happy hour deals at top L.A. bars and clubs. -- Chef Jet Tila, who has battled it out on "Iron Chef America" and opened the buzzy pan-Asian restaurant Wazuzu at the Wynn in Las Vegas, has brought his tasty brand of Asian-fusion comfort food to Santa Monica. Called the Charleston and decked out in snazzy 1930s-era decor, Tila's new boîte features classic cocktails, live music — including jazz — and short rib tacos. Happy hour, which takes place Mondays through Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m., offers a chance to taste Tila's food without residual wallet pain.

In Orange County, tickets to Tuesday's papal Mass at the Los Angeles Coliseum were distributed primarily by lot. No one will be admitted without a ticket, and diocesan officials say no more tickets are available. Most of those with tickets are traveling to Los Angeles by buses chartered by individual parishes, and most have scheduled departures shortly after noon. Gates to the Coliseum open at 1 p.m. Everyone must be seated by 4 p.m. The pre-Mass concert is expected to last 75 minutes.

I enjoyed the article on inflated meal and beer prices at Dodger Stadium and Edison Field. The reason my family and I don't attend more games and the reason we don't buy souvenirs is because an afternoon or evening at the ballpark, including meals and parking, now costs more than $100 for a family of four. Thanks, but we'll watch the game on the TV, and hit the mute button during the commercials. DUANE BEHRENS Rancho Palos Verdes The high prices of concessions at ballparks can be explained rather easily: It is the primary objective of business owners to maximize their revenue.

ART Check out the open studios located in one of L.A.'s largest live-work art complexes. During the biannual Brewery Art Walk more than 100 resident artists will show off the best of their work for both viewers and collectors. An on-site restaurant provides food and drink and eye candy is everywhere. The Brewery, 2100 N. Main St., L.A. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Free. http://www.breweryartwalk.com.

A vibrant street life, stunning visuals, food and drink that sweeten your lips. The world's most romantic places seem to share these traits. But there is something more: a sense of style and spirit, a pace that's almost musical. Here's a list of ethereal places — some expected, some not — that can easily capture your heart.