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Pink Taco hosted
Casa Noble and
2nd Street Cigars and Gallery for an evening of good tastes, good music and good times on their posh patio.
While growing up, my father had a sign in his bar that I saw frequently: “A woman is a just woman, but a good cigar is a smoke.” Very poignant. With all respect, Tuesday night’s event proved it wrong. A woman, a beverage, a smoke. It’s all good. Combine them and you’ve got a great evening.
The Treats
Pink Taco is known as an
LA hotspot. You’re gonna see
celebrities. You’re gonna enjoy their
house margarita, or if you’re brave enough, one of their specialty drinks; and they’re going to offer you some fine food. Enjoy. And yes, the crowd. Much like the food, the women are of the hot and spicy variety.
While the crowd was crazy inside, the real adventure was happening across the way. The coveted patio.
Here was the best of the best.
Casa Noble margarita and tequila shots with hand-rolled cigars from
Second Street.
DJ Jason Jacobs spun only the best tunes. I enjoyed the second and third cigars of my life. More importantly for me, I learned what makes a good tequila and a good smoke. Neither are easy, but both are well worth it.
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Casa Noble's Tess Wilkerson with owners David Ravandi and Jose Hermosillo
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So let’s start with
Casa Noble. First off, I had
Tess Wilkerson to escort me through my experience. She’s the director of new business development and tell you what….she’s got my business! I explained for her to be gentle because just days ago I had a tequila-fueled weekend and was still feeling it. She laughed and replied: “Yeah, our stuff’s gonna treat you better."
Tay-Kee-Lah Fiiire!
We know tequila is the go-to for shots. You’re at a bar, order a round and enjoy it with your well-chosen company. We’ve all been there. There’s no shame in it. But it’s time to mature your sensibilities. Even if it’s just for the moment.
So the key to drinking tequila. It’s an awful lot like wine. Pour it. Let it breathe for a sec. Woft the bouquet. (wave your hand in front of the glass, breezing its scent your way, then sniff). Certainly spicier than even the reddest wine. Now take about half the sip you normally would. Don’t just swallow, let it sit in your mouth. Inhale just a tiny bit of air, letting it blend with the sip. The oxygen opens up the flavor and is gonna give you a second taste. Spread its wings if you will (toldja, a lot like wine). Then swallow and experience the after taste. Congratulations,
you’ve enjoyed high quality tequila.
Casa Noble
Casa Noble started up back when good quality meant something. The 1700s at a hacienda near some
blue agave in Mexico. By the 1990’s the “vino mezcal” was given common-place distribution. And right now, it’s in your hand, about to be enjoyed. At
Casa Noble, making tequila is a ritual that reflects a deep respect for all the mysticism and tradition. For you, maybe it’s about getting crazy. But just remember, this is the good stuff. Treat it well.
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Hand-rolled cigars
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The owners,
David Ravandi and
Jose "Pepe" Hermosillo, speak of tequila the way poets rhapsodize women. The taste, beauty and sensuality. Always laughing and smiling. Good guys. I kinda want to visit them and learn more.
Casa Noble’s main line of tequila was on center stage. Their
Crystal is above all other silver tequilas and sits in a glowing glass decanter.
Reposado is matured in French white oak barrels for three hundred sixty four days and has a risqué smooth, sensuous taste. The
Anejo is a king among even the best. Aged to perfection in the same oak barrels and released only in limited production. Come an’ get it!
That Good Smoke
Marilyn from
2nd Street Cigars and Gallery was on-hand with a hard-working cigar maker. Here’s the thing. Have you smoked a cigar? Ok, well, was it hand-rolled? Oh, no, really? Shame. G’head and put that on your to-do list.
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Fresh tobacoo
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Here’s what you quickly learn. People like hand-made, customized items because they’re one of a kind. Each one was given specific time with someone’s loving hands. So, with hand-rolled, they’re not perfect. But you love them even more for their imperfections. They can be too tight, too loose. But they’re each unique. And it takes someone who knows, to know the best way to smoke it.
Too tight and you’re working too hard for the taste. Too loose, and the flavor is gone. It’s a tight-wire, but one that is worth the work. Maybe that’s the theme for it al: whether sipping a prestige beverage, tasting a smoke or just enjoying company, the good stuff takes a little work to fully appreciate.
Pink Taco LA
10250 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 789-1000
www.PinkTaco.com
Casa Noble
310-273-7700
www.CasaNoble.com
2nd Street Cigars and Gallery
124 W 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
888-450-5282; 213-452-4416
http://www.laplatacigars.com/
info@LaPlataCigars.com
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