the whaling club VII

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Marie

Thank you to all who joined us in May for The Whaling Club! Dan’s tequila cocktails were, once again, a total hit. The Cherry Caipirita was refreshing and beautiful. I loved photographing it on our porch as much as I loved drinking it. A classic La Paloma followed, and Dan revealed that rather than salt the rim, he took the advice of a well known bartender and threw a pinch of salt right in the drink. The final drink was the Rio Bravo which, as one of our guests wrote to us, was “a real eye-opener in terms of the range of such a spirit in more ‘classic’ cocktails that are typically associated with different liquors.” Special thanks to Free Range for helping us celebrate the beginning of summer at The Whaling Club!Follow us on instagram @thewhalingclub, and check out some recent features on InsideHook, Details Style Network, and Rundown LA!

Logo and artwork by Sarah Mullin for The Whaling Club.

decadent dinner

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Marie

As someone who often reminisces about being a kid and the ease of childhood, there are a few great things (besides discovering wine and coffee) about being an adult. One of those things is dinner parties. Especially when it’s a Decadent Dinner hosted by our friends Jay and Hannah in their gorgeous new home, and Hannah is killing it with dishes like scallop and foie gras carpaccio, bone marrow risotto, and crack pie. Yup, CRACK PIE. Did I mention one my favorite desserts of all time is Momofuku’s Crack Pie? Okay, now you know. I always accept payment in the form of crack pie. K, thanks, bye. Also, there are no pictures of the crack pie because I ate mine before I remembered to take a photo. The Whaling Club joined in the fun, and Dan put together a delicious bourbon and rum punch with a hand cut ice block to get the party started as guests arrived and sat down to dinner. It’s always a delight to be surrounded by new and old friends who appreciate cooking, food, and cocktails. You know you’ve really hit the jackpot when someone pulls out a bottle of Fernet Branca at the end. Props to Will for that one!Thank you so much to Jay and Hannah for having us! And now that summer has hit LA, I’m looking forward to BBQs, beach lounging, and shaken mint daquiris. What are you most looking forward to this summer?

the whaling club VI

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Marie

Since April is the beginning of Spring, Dan chose cocktails that highlighted floral and fresh notes for The Whaling Club this month. The Croquet Cup was the perfect easy drinking cocktail to start the night with mint, cucumber, and Pimm’s No. 1. Plus, it’s gorgeous to look at. The Royal Daiquiri featured creme de violette, which is floral in taste and color. And the grapefruit and Peychaud’s bitters in an otherwise classic gin rickey added just the right about of bitterness and rounded out the drink. It was my favorite blush color and looked beautiful over Dan’s hand cut ice spears.Chef Frank Anderson killed it again by shucking oysters, and brought it to the next level with chilled mussels, aioli, and breadcrumbs. Addictive! I love how Frank prepped three mussels (and oysters) for us to cheers to before everyone arrived (he also saved me a few oysters for the end–what a guy). Such a fun a night! We loved having a bunch of new guests, and celebrating the simple but perfect things we love about The Whaling Club. How awesome is that whale? We found it at New Stone Age and knew we had it to have it for the bar! It lives on our mantel in between. And did you catch us on Eater LA? So cool! Special thanks to Kat Odell for that! To join our mailing list and receive invites for future events, email reservations@thewhalingclub.com.

The Whaling Club on Instagram.

(Menu logo and artwork by Sarah Mullin.)

weekends

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Marie

A few weeks ago, the day before my birthday to be exact, I left my day job to pursue my photography and general happiness full time. It’s a leap of faith, and I’m figuring out whether it’s really going to all be possible, but you have no idea the joy that sweeps over me around 4pm every day when I realize I can keep working on what I’m doing at that moment! Again, I must emphasize that I don’t know if this can continue forever, but for the time being, I’ve given myself some creative space. That means more blogging, more photography, and more acting for pleasure and growth. So if you know anyone who is looking for a photographer, I’m available for headshots, portraits, food press, engagements, and parties! One of the best parts of making my own schedule, is being able to match my days off with Dan’s, and have a real weekend together. We spent Saturday exploring our neighborhood by bike. I’m in love with Rolling Greens Nursery. The store is so well curated and styled! Can I move in? Slash, can I have my wedding there? Not kidding, I’ve inquired. Just down the street, Jonathan Wright & Co. was having a sidewalk sale, and we picked up these cute cocktails notecards for half off. They’ll be perfect for The Whaling Club thank you notes. Have any of you ever left your day job to go freelance or start a totally new career path? I’d love to hear your story! Some great blog posts and inspiration about taking the leap here, here, and here!

the whaling club V

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Marie

Gin! Oysters! Yum! Chef Frank Anderson joined us at The Whaling Club this month, shucking Buckley Bay oysters alongside Dan’s gin cocktails. We set Frank up in the kitchen with Dan, and guests could pass by and kick back an oyster while watching the two in action. They work together at Son of a Gun restaurant, Dan in the front of house and Frank running the back of house, so it was fun seeing them side by side doing their thing. It’s so interesting to observe how everyone eats their oysters! I love just mignonette on mine, Frank recommends lemon and little horseradish, and our friend Noah likes a little bit of everything. Our friend, Mesch, tried his very first oyster and loved it! How do you like yours?Dan’s drinks were spot on. The Southside Royale served in a coupe felt like a celebratory way to kick off the evening. The Nagami Swizzle was such a gorgeous looking drink with layers of color and the pop of kumquat on the top. But the White Negroni was definitely a (surprise) favorite of the night. If you’re not familiar with Suze, it’s a French, bitter apertif that’s a little bit sweet and herbal. Dan hand cut all the ice used for serving and shaking.As always, guests were given their own copy of the menu to take home, with Sarah Mullin’s perfect drawings and logo design. I wanted to reach through my computer and squeeze that oyster drawing it was so adorably accurate. Thank you to all our stylish and festive guests who joined us! If you’d like to be added to our mailing and invite list, comment below or shoot us an email at reservations@thewhalingclub.com.Special thanks to Pour Vous for the crushed ice!

the whaling club IV

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Marie

This was possibly my favorite Whaling Club yet (although I’m sure I say that every time)! We had a really special mix of people who’ve joined us before (thank you!!), as well as new faces. Dan and I were talking about the night a few days later, and he said this thing that I’ve been thinking about ever since: he analyzes and rethinks the cocktail menu over and over, so that the people drinking the cocktails don’t have to. I thought that was such a perfect way of describing what we hope to create with The Whaling Club; an evening with cocktails that are simple, delicious, but executed as perfectly as possible. And, hey, I certainly don’t complain about being a taste tester along the way.There was a touch of romance in the air, and we tried to embrace a little bit of that in our photo booth, flowers, and cocktail selection. Sarah Mullin’s drawings for the menu were incredible and detailed as always, and my two best friends flew in Manhattan for the weekend and got to experience their very first Whaling Club.Next month is sure to be extra special (hint: oysters…Frank Anderson…), so if you’re not on our mailing list and would like to receive invites, comment below or send an email to reservations@thewhalingclub.com.

the whaling club III

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Marie

Thank you to all who came out for the third installment of The Whaling Club over the weekend! I was having such a chatty time with everyone I forgot to take any candid photos. Luckily we had another photo booth set up to look over the day after and remember all the fun we had. Dan’s “sparkling” menu was a nod to the New Year, so we started off with the Saint Hilaire. The Silver Barbados Fizz was shaken with an egg white (I thought Dan’s arms were going to fall off!). Dan told me that people used to go to their local pharmacy and drink a fizz as a medicinal breakfast cocktail–pretty sure the only healthy part of that drink is the egg white! Once again, Dan hand cut the ice for the Northside Special in spears from a 25 pound block of ice, and we sipped through metal straws that keep your drink cold until it touches your tongue. We’re already brainstorming for next month… If you’d like to be added to the invite list, please email reservations@thewhalingclub.com.Thanks again to Sarah Mullin for her perfect artwork on the menu! You can see previous posts about The Whaling Club here and here.

santa barbara

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Marie

Dan and I spent a day hiking in Montecito followed by dinner at Brophy Bros. in Santa Barbara. It was a gorgeous and cool day, and I brought along my new camera and Lensbaby to play around with the light and scenery on the hike. I’m still learning how to control my Lensbaby, but part of what I love is the unpredictable and creative effects it has on the images. We tried to take a self-timed photo of the two of us, but as you can see it was hard to focus the “sweet spot” without being behind the camera. Brophy Bros. is a casual seafood spot right on the harbor with awesome views of the water, mountains, and boats. We scored a table outside before the sun starting going down, and we watched the sky change colors as fishermen pulled in some serious sea urchin loot from the water. Dan insisted on closing the night with an oyster shooter before we headed back to LA. Days off really are the best! We’re hoping to go camping when the weather warms up a little bit. Any suggestions of favorite spots welcome from you SoCal folks!

happy holidays

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Marie

I’m on the plane headed home to Chicago for Christmas where Mom, Dad, Willyman, Grandmom, and girlfriends await. I’ll be missing my best friend Caitlin who will be in CO for the holiday (we grew up across the street from each other), and of course, Dan, who’s headed back to the east coast to see him family. Last night Dan surprised me with a Pendleton blanket, and I’m currently obsessed. That guy knows me so well. With my new blanket, the tent Dan gave me for my birthday this year, and a January calendar that may actually allow for two days off in a row together (!), I think a camping trip is in order. I’d love any suggestions! I’ve heard good things about Ojai.

2012 has been an incredible year. Dan interviewed for a job on my birthday in March, got the job, moved to LA a month later, and in August we moved into our first apartment together. I took Blogshop and launched my photography business, and have been thrilled by the support and response from friends and clients. I spent a luxurious week in the Outerbanks with my family (and the weather was perfection!). I spent two incredible months writing and creating characters that culminated in a show at The Groundlings–some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. Dan and I created The Whaling Club, which continues to grow and challenge my creative side. The first of my group of girlfriends married her high school sweetheart, and their wedding was beautiful and so special (we also got to eat at Next on that trip!). I pumped myself up and found courage while dancing to Beyonce. And we re-elected Obama!

2013 you have a lot to live up to! Yet there’s already so much to look forward to. I’m excited to have a strong team supporting and working with me on my acting career. My best friends, Caitlin and Emilie, are coming to visit LA in February! Dan and I are planning a getaway up to San Francisco. I hope to visit New York, see my brother’s talent in action, and visit friends and family. And there will be a lot more dancing to Beyonce, duh.

Happy Holidays! Cheers!

the whaling club II

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Marie

Dan and I hosted a second round of The Whaling Club last weekend, and had such a wonderful time! Thank you so much to everyone who joined us. It was on a rainy Sunday this time, and felt very intimate and cozy. Dan’s mulled wine was a favorite for sure. All the artwork was created by Sarah Mullin for the The Whaling Club (she’s amazing, right!?). I created a backdrop of streamers and set up a photo booth. Dan and I loved looking through these photos the next morning! If you’d like to be added to our email list, please send an email to reservations@thewhalingclub.com, and look out for our January date!