Mix Off at Brentwood
by Zox
The Mix Off at The Brentwood Inn was a rich sensorium of pleasures and sensual assaults that would knock the socks off any hedonist. I walked in, and the host, whose entire head was in darkness, pointed me toward the event. The walls in this restaurant - that look to be the setting where Mafia dons and sculpted-margarine blonds once met their cigar-beclouded bankers - feature b&w photos of naked females printed on black velvet, works that artist Peter Alexander appropriated off the web. One nude, distinguishable as a nurse by the cross on her little cap, perversely reinforces Carol Gilligan’s assessment of women’s essentialized role as care givers

I joined the party, where ten bartenders were gathered around quizzically examining one $14 plate of macaroni and cheese. In the very week in which some royal barmen of Britain (their actual name escapes me) had unassailably proved that martinis taste superior when stirred, not shaken, L.A.’s mixers - not to be outdone by 007 - spun their own tales of cocktail lore: Frankie (Sinatra, obviously) used the spiraled bar spoon grating ice shards into the shaker to make his “Chipped Knee Martini.”

After dinner digestifs in neat shot-sized flutes tasted like a Baden-Baden health spa tonic concocted by Alpine herbalists. Fernet Branca, with 5 mushrooms and 40 herbs, has been a popular Milanese liqueur since 1845, and packs an eighty proof wallop. The Mix Off began with Brentwood’s own barman who blended the “Buzz Bomb,” “Mr. Buzzmore,” and an engine-gunning “Rev-anilla.” Mara, barmaid of Mix, marveled all with her magic “Agwa Drop.” Keith from World Café added a blood orange slash of O.J. to create the “Blow Torch.” Ryan of World Café mixed a the “Fernaca Bomb” and the pineapple infused “Vinsin.” The tropical “Gilligan’s Dream” and “Ginger Cosmo” were the magic Christian (of James Beach) concoctions, but were trumped by his own Chocolate Tiger. With snarly Idol lips, Zazen’s Matthew crafted the “Revel Yell” and chartreuse-colored and minty-tasting “Horny Toad,” however his graham cracker-rimmed “Smortini” with blow torched marshmallows may become campfire legend. Eric of El Dorado made an “Agwa Silk” and the smooth “Vanilla Mooretini.” Kent of The Room classed-out the drink with “Agwa Con Limon,” gave a Puerto Rican flare to the “Simple Fresh,” and was to the point with “ImPearfection.”

David of Baja Cantina presented “Van Gogh’s Ear,” complete with detached member, which was very choppy, but delightful nonetheless, very lemony with a shot of absinth. His limy “Jefe” and rich “McKenna Beach Smoothy” also went down well. Liam of Hal’s Bar cooked-up the “Agwa San,” a rocky sake, followed by the “Moore Mellon Martini” and the “Grand Havana,” which was one of the three major winners. The other two taking top honors were the “Blow Torch” by Keith of World Cafe’s and the (literally) blow-torched “Smortini” by Zazen’s Matthew.

Fashion Update
The ‘60s and ‘70s - They're Back

If you're ready to throw your Wonder bra in the fire you're ready for another fashion visit to the '60s and '70s. Inspired by Emilio Pucci's psychedelic prints and Halston's American classics this time around designers reinterpreted funky street trends and flashy party clothes instead of ultra-feminine prairie looks and gypsy gear.

In the May 2002 issue of Vogue, writer Alexandra Kotur says, "Pucci was so popular among socialites in the sixties that it's catching the idea of the same set today." Colorful and timeless, his eye-popping masterpieces have continued to be part of every revival since the fashion world first started looking back to the '60s.

Stomach churning graphics are also featured and shown on everything from long slinky evening skirts with mis-matching tops to ladylike dresses with racy black boots. With all this attention focused on the '60s and '70s does it mean we'll all be wearing Afros, and Farrah Fawcett flip backs? I personally hope it'll mean a break from all those tired "Belle de Jour" knock-offs and a return to individuality, because let's face it even on our best days more of us look more like Mama Cass than Catherine Deneuve.

A lot of us aren't rich enough to buy what we see in Vogue. Can we still get what we want without committing a crime? At SACKS SFO, friend to the frugal, yet fashionable, owner David Sacks has figured out a way to stock his store with enough cutting edge merchandise to fill every clotheshorse’s closet. "It's time for the '60s and '70s to make a comeback because it's fresh again," he said. "A lot of younger people have seen it in videos and want it, while older baby boomers like it because it’s nostalgic."

Always ready for action, his selection of two-piece pantsuits in Pucci-esque beiges, pinks, blues and lavenders and his hand-painted cotton flag and Native American styles are so cool they look like they could've been worn by Julie on The Mod Squad.

According to Sacks, "Peasant tops naturally fit in with denim," so there are plenty of both. Long, short and knee-length skirts in every distressed shade imaginable look particularly effective when paired with his 100% rayon floral long-sleeved tops, floral and lace camisoles and imported Indian embroidered shirts.

Sacks said their most important feature is comfort. Short and sassy, especially when worn with fishnets or bold tights, his belted short-shorts might be the little black dress of the season. Flexible enough to be coordinated with one of his pink floral 100% polyester blouses or beige ostrich-fur trimmed tees, they're perfect for both the farmers market and a date later that evening.

To finish it off and truly get on down in the new Age of Aquarius don't forget to stop by the accessories section and pick out a few straw totes, sequined chokers, tooled leather or suede belts and oversized jeweled rings and bracelets. With all this temptation awaiting you, you might not burn just your Wonder bra, but your whole wardrobe and start from scratch. - Victoria Moore reporting