Mini Foodventure #126: AMMO (Hollywood) Small-Batch Social

Thanks to an invite from their PR firm last month, bloggerprom co-conspirators Caroline on Crack, e*starLA and I got to check out AMMO Restaurant's Small Batch Social, a monthly mixer that they throw on with tastings of several spirited sippers from artisanal alchy producers alongside small bites from their kitchen. When I attended, the partner-in-crime was Santa Barbara-based Telegraph Brewing Co. along with beer sommelier/consultant/educator Christina Perozzi a.k.a "Beer Chick". (We also met SocialDomain's John and FoodSheThought there)

Christina did a great job giving us a brief primer of the Telegraph Ales, and all the beers had a uniquely assertive character of its own -- from the tart and aromatic reserved wheat ale to the dark, oaky porter.

My personal favorites are the California ale, which has some body but still refreshing enough to quaff w good spicy-citrus hints to boot, and the stock porter that has some great malted chocolate & coffee notes.

While the printout have recommended food/beer pairings, it's basically a free-for-all and I actually had more fun playing mix-and-match between the different brews and hors d'oeuvres, which included hangar steak w salsa verde & arugula on a crostini, red endives w Humboldt Fog cheese, walnut and wildflower honey and bite-sized grilled cheese (the last of which are super-addicting, I had about five of those crispy, gooey goodness!)

And for those interested, their next Small-Batch Social takes place tomorrow; with theme "Juniper in June" AMMO will be highlighting three boutique gins (Bluecoat American, Right and Blue Zephyr) in handcrafted cocktails, again, paired with assorted nibbles from their kitchen. And at only $20/person, it's not a bad way to spend a Thursday night and get a headstart on the weekend. So bring a friend (or a few) and have some low-key, spirited mingling and don't forget to RSVP by calling number below.

A few more photos from the May event here.

AMMO Restaurant
1155 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323.871.2666
Website