This week, I’ll be starting a new format to integrate my readers a little more. I will introduce a weekly Bartender of the Week, of which I would ask you all to submit, via Facebook Messenger, your favorite bartender with a picture and the stats as I display today. I will also have a Culinary Delight of the Week, and I would ask readers of Eat, Drink and Merry Me submit, via Messenger (although I will also scour that page). And finally in an homage to the late Colbert Report, I will have a Tip of the Cap, Wag of the Finger section. Sooooo…

Bartender of the Week

I’m proud to announce this week’s winner is my dear friend, Danny Astorga. A long time buddy, he has worn nearly every hat that can be worn in the industry. As now a South Bay local color fixture, Danny is ingrained in this part of Los Angeles.

STATS: 5’5 (all of it heart), two arms and two legs. Once carried three glasses in one hand.

Superpowers: Charming, Low center of gravity.

Kryptonite: Low center of gravity and Kryptonite.

Nicknames: Bat-Manuel, Left Turn and Christian.

Fun Fact: Once wrestled a Bear to submission in Palm Springs (Allegedly)

A great bartender and an even greater friend, Danny can be found slinging them at Barnacles in Hermosa Beach.

Tip of the Cap this week goes to the Los Angeles Lakers, who won their 17th championship this week. True, many of those occurred in Minneapolis, where the Laker moniker was conceived (no lakes in LA other than Echo Lake) but the run has been great. I’ve often been a critic of Lebron but there is no denying his greatness and his legacy as the Greatest will be argued for generations; unless he keeps winning and then the argument is moot. So, as much as it pains me, a Tip of the Cap to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wag of the Finger: COVID-19. Now, I know I’ve said I won’t be controversial on this page, and I won’t, but I think it’s fair to say COVID has outlasted itself. I mean, 2020 was supposed to be such a great year and now, after my birthday in a few weeks, what’s there to look forward too? C’mon COVID, let us have some of 2020 before it’s all gone. I mean, what else has gone wrong this year?

The Culinary Delight of the Week will begin next week as I will have a whole week to pair down my choices. I will say my Cioppino this week was pretty solid, but sometimes when October hits, I forget I don’t live in Ohio and 90 degree weather isn’t conducive to soup.

Anyway, thanks for reading. I will begin posting on Monday’s and Wednesday’s, in the morning. I’ve been told that’s when people read blogs the most. Thanks again!