I braved the traffic of Los Angeles to head downtown this week. It took more than an hour and a half to drive 10 miles, which was frustrating. I arrived at the Proper Hotel in downtown LA and took the elevator to the Penthouse floor, feeling a little stressed from the traffic. I was greeted with a glass of fresh, aromatic rosé and took a look at the view in front of me and I began to relax. More wines were poured, tapas were tray-passed, and heat lamps warmed us in the fresh evening air. Tasting the wines of Bodega Colomé from Argentina with winemaker Thibaut Delmotte on the Cara Cara Rooftop at the Downtown LA Proper Hotel was the Please The Palate pick of the week.

https://pleasethepalate.com/please-the-palate-pick-of-the-week-wine-and-tapas-with-bodega-colome-and-winemaker-thibaut-delmotte-at-the-cara-cara-rooftop-at-the-proper-hotel-downtown-la/

#pleasethepalate #pickoftheweek #highaltitudewine #argentinemalbec #winetime #winelife #winelover

The holidays are here and that means lots of bottles of sparkling wine are being popped. While many are opening Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, or perhaps a California sparkling wine, I opened up an American sparkling wine. It was the first release of the Vara Silverhead Brut NV, a wine that is a mix of grapes from two countries, made by pedigreed people and sold at an affordable price which is why it is the #pleasethepalate #wineoftheweek. Happy #winewednesday

https://pleasethepalate.com/please-the-palate-wine-of-the-week-vara-silverhead-brut-nv-an-american-sparkling-wine/

First the label caught my eye and made me smile. A girl is standing on rocks, surrounded by water, holding a flower with the wind blowing. That is the label of Turning Tide Wines. But then I took a sip of the wine. Light and fresh but with depth and complexity, this was a pleasurable and drinkable wine that is perfect for any setting, from a picnic to a casual dinner. And that is why the Turning Tides Wines 2021 Red Blend from the Santa Ynez Valley is the #pleasethepalate #wineoftheweek. Happy #winewednesday!

https://pleasethepalate.com/please-the-palate-wine-of-the-week-turning-tides-wines-2021-red-blend-santa-ynez-valley/

When friends told me they were coming to Los Angeles for the weekend and said they wanted to meet for lunch, I wanted to pick a place that was as visually pleasing as it was delicious. The first place that came to mind is Cara Cara, the rooftop restaurant at The Proper Hotel in downtown LA. Sitting on the 15th floor with sweeping 360-degree city views, it is no wonder that Cara Cara has been named "Best Hotel Rooftop 2022" by Angeleno Magazine, one of "15 Rooftop Bars with Incredible LA Views" by Eater LA, and one of "The Best New Patios in LA" by The Infatuation. And Cara Cara, with its vibrant colors, fresh flavors, friendly service, and great views, is the #pleasethepalate #pickoftheweek

https://pleasethepalate.com/please-the-palate-pick-of-the-week-cara-cara-rooftop-restaurant-at-the-proper-hotel-in-downtown-los-angeles/

There is a wine holiday for every grape and December 4th each year is Cabernet Franc Day. The day was created by Lori and Mike Budd, founders of Dracaena Wines in Paso Robles. So, as we get ready to celebrate Cabernet Franc Day, I am enjoying the Dracaena Wines 2019 Cabernet Franc from Paso Robles, the #pleasethepalate #wineoftheweek on this #winewednesday as we get ready for #CabernetFrancDay

https://pleasethepalate.com/please-the-palate-wine-of-the-week-dracaena-wines-2019-cabernet-franc-paso-robles/

They say good things come in small packages and that saying holds true when it comes to small plates, especially at San Laurel Restaurant at the Conrad Los Angeles in downtown LA. Located on the 10th floor of a hotel, this is not a typical hotel restaurant. Modern and bustling with views of Disney Hall and the surrounding downtown LA, San Laurel is home to Michelin-starred chef and humanitarian José Andrés and the #pleasethepalate #pickoftheweek

https://pleasethepalate.com/please-the-palate-pick-of-the-week-jose-andres-san-laurel-restaurant-at-the-conrad-los-angeles/

Words like violet, red berry, earthy, leather, full-bodied and intense, complex, and elegant are used to describe Barbaresco. And, as I stuck my nose in the glass, I would have guessed that is what was in there. But, while it was a Nebbiolo, it was not a Barbaresco. Rather it was the Giornata 2018 Nebbiolo from the Luna Matta Vineyard in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles, the #pleasethepalate #wineoftheweek

https://pleasethepalate.com/please-the-palate-wine-of-the-week-giornata-2018-nebbiolo-luna-matta-vineyard-adelaida-district-paso-robles/