Every year in LA, events catering to our taste buds are organized by some of the biggest drunks and foodies known by like minded individuals like myself and friends. Tickets ranging anywhere from the hundreds to the thousands of dollars are inclined to savor the taste  of the most notable chefs or mixologist from around the world.

Would I pay that amount? Absolutely not!

But would I jump on the bandwagon as a +1 guest? Absolutely hell yes!

Last week, my friend Carmen with Wanted+Desired , invited me to a week long event showcasing some of the best tasting cocktails and meat lovers buffet created by people who understand a foodie and alcoholics dreams. Being that Carmen and I had previously spoken about collaborating by doing a food blog, I felt this was the perfect pit stop to start with. Beam Suntory Whiskey Week is an overall collective look at a Japanese company brand that highlights the history and business in making whiskey throughout the globe. I can barely even list off ten brands nonetheless know where they originate from, but since my last Jack Daniels Whiskey event, I could care less because all I did was drink and dance; and how could I pass up a possible good time like my last.

I had to work that Wednesday day, but luckily I had a last minute idea of what to wear. Leaving straight from work in order for the possibility of finding street parking was a clear chance in hell. I knew there would be valet, but as I’ve said time and time after again, I hate valet. Though after doing about six doughnut u-turns, I finally gave in and pulled up to the location.

The week long lush tasting festival was being held at the gorgeous  Lombardi House in Hollywood. As long as I’ve been little miss socialite in this city for so many years, I never even knew this place ever existed. This place was posh and stunning along with the attendees. Perfect for a wedding, anniversary or just hosting a party for the sake of hosting one.

Right as soon as I walked in, I checked myself in at the guest list table where I was given a brown leather luggage tag and wristband bracelet. Swanky. Next to the check in table, I noticed a woman writing in scripture on black cardboard individual paper squares. These were the names of the guest at the parties who could personalize their luggage tags with a more creative style.

Jody Che who I found out is a fellow blogger herself while dedicating her blog as being that of a mother, used her extra talents to add a little more fun with her marker pens for those who have the luxury in traveling with class. Before she ran out of paper, I made sure to place my name on the list and met up with Carmen who had been patiently waiting for me.

Leave it to me to take full advantage and run around like a kid sister, Carmen kept herself occupied with a plate of food from the buffet in the back while I twirled around taking as many photos as I could. I was so amused by the openness in activities among the games and interactions between people that seemed like a college reunion at a sorority or fraternity house gathering.

The vibe and atmosphere alone was so calming and yet so lavish at the same time with a band while people either engaged in mutual conversations or lounged on the furniture in the open green yard. As soon as I was done frolicking around, Carmen had saved a seat for me at a high top table where I could place my purse and make my way over to the double buffet. Now for meat lovers, this would’ve been a heavenly delight, but for the rabbit eaters, you would’ve probably just filled up on the decorative plants and liquor.

The lines were obviously split into two giving the guest the option of either beef or pork. Since limiting my diet to primarily seafood and veggies, I  selected a very minimal selection of slaw and this favorable greens dish with some others plant food that was actually delicious, but after seeing all the options of meat on the beef side, I became hungry and my natural instincts came alive. I opted out from the pork, but I went in on everything else.

Once I got the food out of the way, I made my way over to the bar (s). The only problem was that there were five and each were serving something different. Okay, so it wasn’t necessarily an issue, it was just that I’m extremely picky with what type of liquor I consume and they had many different options to choose from. Carmen knowing my taste buds directed me to the Hornitos bar where my drink brought back a sense of my childhood with a chili lime rim making it El Caliente. My childhood consisted a lot of those mango chili candy pops that I would go over the moon for, so if you thought I started off drinking at an early age… yeah I did a little bit of that too.

They even had miniature jello shots that were a bit too strong for me to shoot down. I had to dilute the punch with the black berry that sat on top with the rice krispies.

I had at least about four of those drinks which made for great conversations with other guest.

While observing the crowd, I noticed that many of these guest were actually alcohol enthusiasts. No like really.

Walium here, started off in college where he could learn to appreciate the craft behind a good class of whiskey. While most young drinkers only find the means of drinking either to release sexual frustration or anger and to sometimes have a liquid courage excuse just to do stupid things, Walium respected the bottle by focusing on the love for its flavors and sophistication. Being that his first whisky drink was a McCallum 12, which I can barely even remember what my first drink ever was, it’s people like him that create the new taste of these types of brands.

Now I’m a girl who absolutely loves gifts, so when I found a few others balancing multiple cups from the individual bars, I was told that we could take them home as gifts.

Unfortunately, because the near by waiters kept getting their hands on my half empty cups, I chose to take what were sitting on the trays. Yeah it might seem disgusting, but this was technically a real house so I just rinsed the cups out with hot water and stacked them up. It took me a few times after tumbling them, but I figured out how to leggo them up.

On our way out I was told that after all my hard work in collecting those cups like a circus juggler, I couldn’t take them with me; and just when I was going to have my very own cocktail party.

In all honesty, I wouldn’t even have a place to put them and this was only the first night of the week long event. Nights like these are heaven in the making and much needed when you just want to let your hair down to Eat, dance and Love.

So until the next event ” I’d rather be someone’s shot of Whiskey than everyone’s cup of tea”

Xox