Now that we've recovered from the fact that Julian Cox is leaving LA (there's still time for him to change his mind, right?), it's on to happier cocktail news. At the Walker Inn, Koreatown's exceptional cocktail bar attached to the Normandie Club, a new themed menu is offered every few months, and the first theme of 2016 is an interesting one: Alice Waters. The famous chef behind Berkeley's Chez Panisse has been a pioneer for clean, honest eating, and her influence has touched every facet of drinking and dining in America.
The Walker Inn team—Alex Day, Devon Tarby and Katie Emmerson—has come up with some pretty creative cocktail themes since opening; their Wet Hot American Summer featured a scotch and gin drink accompanied by a "coke line" made from salt. The Alice Waters menu is decidedly more wholesome, but just as creative: Apricot & Baguette made with preserves, Genever, lemon and champagne; Gazpacho with bell peppers, cucumbers, carrot, thyme, vermouth and gin; Chardonnay with butter, cognac and vanilla. It's all about a dedication to good, clean ingredients—an ethos that Waters would certainly approve of.
The Walker Inn is small, so it's wise to make reservations. In the meantime, here are a few photos of the new drinks to whet your appetite:
All photos courtesy The Walker Inn