On Saturday, Shaken Not Stirred was the official bartending service at two big birthday parties in Los Angeles. The first big event was an 80th birthday party in Venice that started at noon, and then the second event was a surprise birthday party in Glendale that went on until midnight. Needless to say, I mixed a bunch of drinks that day.
The 80th birthday party was put on by the birthday girl’s son on the rooftop deck of her Venice home. The lady had lived in the house for over forty years and just recently installed the rooftop deck. It was a perfect day for the party in Venice and sun was shining and an ocean breeze blew in from the Pacific just a few blocks away. They had also installed a simple wooden rooftop bar and it was perfect for my purposes.
In honor of the birthday girl, whose name was Fleur, the host requested a classic cocktail, the Fleur di Paradis. The drink is made with Plymouth Gin, St. Germaine, fresh lemon juice, simple syup and champagne. The drink was such a hit, that we served out of it. I invented another cocktail on the spot and deemed it the Boccacio, in honor of the street the party was on. The Boccacio is a simple drink but with a velvety taste: Tito’s Vodka, coconut water, and a splash of orange juice. It was also a hit. Let it be known that Shaken Not Stirred of Los Angeles invented that drink.
Entertainment was provided by a very talented ukulele artist and singer Jason Arimoto. He sang for at least three hours straight and then packed up to go and do another party. Slinging drinks for eight hours is tough, but imagine singing for six hours in one day.
I packed up from the first party and drove to Glendale to bartend a surprise birthday party at a beautiful Chevy Chase home. I sat up my portable bar in the back yard, and served simple Cosmos, Black Lable on the rocks, and wine. The caterers had a fabulous selection of finger foods and I regret not getting their card, because they really were fabulous.
The birthday girl was truly surprised when she walked in the door and was greeted by fifty of her family members and friends. I kept busy pouring drinks and ran out of Grey Goose. Of course, there are liquor stores that deliver and we received a replacement batch. Two successful events in one day.
On Wednesday, I will return to Venice to bartend a large company party, with extra staff, and then on Saturday will be in the San Fernando Valley in Reseda to bartend another big birthday party. I still have Saturday, 11/28 available if you need a bartender for that date.
Shaken Not Stirred in LA 