Michael Biancaniello is the head bartender at The Library Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel. He makes custom cocktails (there is no menu) based on what's in season and the customer's tastes. He shops weekly at the Santa Monica Farmers Market. His recipe for Winter in Jamaica is here.
Asparagus is back at the Santa Monica Farmers Market. It disappears from area markets for about 6 weeks during the winter freeze. Life's A Choke is based in Lompoc, CA. Juan, who works with the farm, says that they pick from the same plant nearly every day. Juan says that the medium sized asparagus is the best combination of tenderness and flavor.