New on the Menu: Punch Bowl Social’s Sriracha Peanut Fries

MMMBop — Hanson

Ever Bar

In celebration of Negroni Week, which takes place June 24 through 30 this year, Ever Bar in Los Angeles will launch its “NOW! That’s What I Call a Negroni” menu — 11 drinks inspired by hit songs from 1998. A Negroni is traditionally crafted with Campari, gin and vermouth, but bar manager Dan Rook is mixing up the classic combinations with these new libations such as the MMMBop — Hanson. It’s made with Wild Turkey Rye, Suze (a gentian-based French aperitif), a hop-flavored amaro from Greenbar Distillery, yellow chartreuse and an IPA float. To top it all off, the drink is garnished with a yellow pansy flower and bee pollen, representing the “prominence of yellow hues throughout the music video and album art.”

Availability: Through July 15

Price: $18

Barbie Girl — Aqua

Ever Bar

Another 1998 song-inspired creation from Rook is the Barbie Girl — Aqua, a cocktail made with Grey Whale gin, Dolin Blanc vermouth, Luxardo Bitter Bianco liqueur, Blue Majik spirulina, saline and watermelon.

Ever Bar has a Spotify playlist of all 11 tracks for patrons to enjoy while sipping on their cocktails. The Los Angeles spot will kick off its Negroni menu on June 24 with a Now! 98 throwback party featuring ’90s music, prom-style Polaroid pictures, a dance floor, snacks and a Negroni fountain.

Availability: Through July 15

Price: $18

Hangtown Brei

Jim Sullivan

Birdie G’s, a Santa Monica, Calif., restaurant from local hospitality group Rustic Canyon Family, debuted Friday. With six-time James Beard award-nominated chef and owner Jeremy Fox at the helm, the new dining destination, named after Fox’s daughter Birdie and grandmother Gladys, offers a menu of family recipes rooted in European tradition but evolved to American regional tastes and ingredients over the course of generations.

One menu item is the Hangtown Brei — a mashup of a Hangtown fry, an egg dish popularized during the California Gold Rush, and matzo brei. It features scrambled eggs with matzo, grilled pork belly, fried Pacific oysters and a spicy hollandaise sauce.

Availability: Indefinitely

Price: $25

Rose Petal and Pretzel Pie

Jim Sullivan

Birdie G’s offers desserts developed by Fox’s ex-wife and friend Deanie Hickox. The Rose Petal and Pretzel Pie is made with raspberry, strawberry, hibiscus and a pretzel crust.

The restaurant is open for dinner service every day and will launch a happy hour soon.

Availability: Indefinitely

Price: $12

Sriracha Peanut Fries

Amber Boutwell

Punch Bowl Social, a 2018 Nation’s Restaurant News Hot Concepts award winner, is now serving a new shareable plate: Fries topped with hoisin sauce, Sriracha sauce, garlic mayonnaise, pickled red onions, Fresno chiles, cilantro and crushed peanuts. The menu item is available across the Denver-based casual-dining brand’s 16 locations.

Availability: Through summer

Price: Starting at $11.50