MI PIACE’S CELEBRATION FOR THE NEW COCKTAIL MENU
Because it’s in Pasadena, a town I love but live far from, I had not been to Mi Piace since around the time I had reviewed it on my TV show way back in the day. So when I was invited to a party there recently, to celebrate their new cocktail menu, I jumped at the chance. Even though I don’t drink, I remembered that place fondly, so I grabbed one of my trusty sidekicks, Roz, and off we went.
The mixologist, Josh Suchin, on the very left, and the main owner on the very right. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one at the top of this page.
And let me tell you—I’ve never seen Roz enjoy herself so much! And she’s not even a big drinker. She just loved going up to the bar and ordering all the new very interesting drinks created by mixologist, Josh Suchin.
Smoke On The Water. Photo by Karen Salkin.
And even though, since I don’t drink, I cannot tell you what they taste like, I can certainly attest to the fact that each one is beautiful to look at. Whether it’s the vessel they arrive in, or the decoration inside the glass, or the very pretty garnishes, it all works. The entire assemblage could not stop snapping pix of them.
The most impressive presentation is entitled Smoke on the Water. It comes in a double-decker receptacle, with the bottom half being filled with dry ice, which wafts out for a while. The menu describes it as “Rolling fog and cauldron bubble,” and suggests to “Drink from upper—watch the lower.”
The pizza. Doesn’t it look mouthwatering? Photo by Karen Salkin.
But, of course, because of that teetotaling, I had eyes, and tastebuds, for mainly the appetizers that were passed all night. The cheese pizza was scrumptious! I really didn’t want to change that taste in my mouth so I didn’t try much else. But Roz, who tries to eat mostly as a vegetarian, enjoyed the bruschetta almost as much as the pizza. And she was bowled-over by the communal bowls of several kinds of olives. That was an interesting bar menu delicacy to serve at a fete such as this one.
They also very generously served giant shrimp and lobster rolls, along with burger sliders and fig and prosciutto toasts. So, in other words, there was something for everyone—vegetarians, carnivores, and pescatarians alike.
A sweet treat box, with one of the macaroons on top. Photo by Karen Salkin.
The soiree took place in Mi Piace’s bar area. So, when I had a few minutes to myself, I just had to check-out the rest of the restaurant; I wanted to see what it looks like now, all the years on from my official review. But I made the mistake of glancing at the dessert counter as I walked past it. My mouth literally watered—I could have eaten just about any of them! Even though I was craving something sweet, I was so full of pizza that I could not have eaten another morsel at that point. And then, all of a sudden, the people running the fun started handing out little bakery boxes! Inside was a trio of chocolate-dipped macaroons, which was the perfect bedtime snack that night.
So, beautiful beverages, perfect pizza, and munchie macaroons. It all adds up to an excellent event at Mi Piace!
[Note: I’m going to try my hardest to publish my annual review of the Emmys next week, but I may, sadly, have to pass on it this year because my upcoming editorial schedule is over-booked. (There’s a shock, right?) I will definitely be live-tweeting the proceedings on Sunday, beginning with the arrivals. So make sure to follow me on Twitter before then. @MajorCelebrity. And no hard feelings if you tweet back that you disagree with me on any of it–that’s show biz!]
