Case files

Exhibit

Rye, sweet vermouth, two dashes of bitters.

Stirred, never shaken. It holds up under questioning and it'll vouch for you.

Exhibit

Gin, violet liqueur, fresh lemon.

Tastes like six o'clock on Wilshire, when the lights come on and nobody has confessed to anything yet.

Exhibit

Bourbon, apricot brandy, lemon, a cherry.

Sweet, easy to like and happy to take the blame for your Tuesday.

Exhibit

Vodka, lime, ginger beer, a lot of ice.

It stays cold longer than most of the leads in this town.

Exhibit

Dark rum, hot coffee, a float of cream.

For anyone with somewhere to be at three in the morning. We won't ask where.

Exhibit

Grapefruit, tonic, a sprig of rosemary. No alcohol.

Nothing on your record. You'll remember the whole night, for better or worse.

Exhibit

Steak sandwich, fried onions, a pile of fries.

You'll be here a while. Eat something.

Exhibit

Shrimp cocktail on crushed ice, house red sauce.

Served cold. Most leads are.

Exhibit

Deviled eggs, each topped with two crossed anchovies.

They look friendly. Then they bite back.

Exhibit

Grilled cheese on sourdough, cup of tomato soup.

Everybody breaks eventually. Usually around midnight, usually over this.

Exhibit

French dip, roast beef, a bowl of jus.

A Los Angeles original. Dip it, finish it, walk away happy.

Exhibit

Lemon meringue pie, one slice, no witnesses.

It'll tell you exactly what you want to hear.