October Issue 06

FRONT
Cocktails
BY NIKI SMART • PHOTOGRAPHED BY FARIA RAJI
Say Hello to Bon Vivant
BARTENDER MICHAEL OWENS SERVES UP THE DRINKS FOR A FESTIVE FALL
This Fall, head over
to Bon Vivant in
Atwater Village and
try our idea of the
perfect Fall drink - an
Oaxacan Razorblade (pronounced
Wah Haw Kin). Served as a martini,
the Oaxacan Razorblade is made
with nuestra soledad mezcal, liquid
alchemist orgeat elixir, lime juice,
hellfire & angostura bitters, which
means there’s a bite to this spicy,
smoky flavored drink, but it’s not hot.
It kind of tingles in your mouth, and
having tried one I must admit, it’s
damn good. Mezcal is “in” right now
– popular with the hipster crowd,
and parading as the smoky cousin of
Tequila, Mezcal kicks in the flavor in
the Oaxacan Razorblade.
If this doesn’t light you up, there
are other options to choose from
on Bon Vivant’s new Fall Drink
Menu. There’s an Apple Pie Martini,
complete with graham crackers on
the rim, or a Rhubard-Pear Margarita
with hellfire bitters to crank it up a
notch.
Hot items on the menu are
the Char-Grilled Oysters, the Kobe
Burger with Portabella Mushrooms,
Baked Camembert with cranberries,
roasted Brussels Sprouts or even the
rack of lamb chops with a chocolate
Balsamic reduction. And boasting one
of the Top 5 best selections of cheeses,
Bon Vivant offers a wine and cheese
flight pairing for $36 – favorites are the
Irish Porter, Vintage Gouda and the
Manchego. You can also try the “finest
ham in the world” – the Iberico from
Spain. To further entice patronage,
Bon Vivant has 2 happy hours - one
from 5-7pm and another from 10pm-
Midnight.
“I’m a therapist, a confident, and an advisor.”
Our Oaxacan Razorblade drink was
recommended and poured by local bartender,
Michael Owens. Michael has been part of
the LA Bar scene for quite some time. With
a winsome smile he quips: “I’ve served 15
years behind bars”. Michael loves the social
aspect of his job; that he gets to meet people
from all walks of life. He understands that
as a bartender you wear many hats “I’m a
therapist, a confident, an advisor” and though
he wouldn’t admit it, I’m pretty sure that
Michael also serves as a “crush” for many a
young lady.
When not behind bars, Michael is an
avid snowboarder. Snowboarding takes him
to his “happy place” and Michael describes
himself as a snowboarder that loves to surf,
who started out on a skateboard. Following
another of his passions, Michael recently
completed a two-year intensive training
program to become part of the Sierra Madre
Michael Owens (pictured right)
Search and Rescue team. Having had his
own dog rescued by the team, Michael
wanted to get involved and give back. The
Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team is
a non-profit organization of Volunteers
dedicated to helping people who may be
lost, injured, or otherwise in trouble in the
wilderness.
3155 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles
(323)284-8013
www.bonvivantmarketcafe.com
18 The LA FASHION MAGAZINE