Kia Illulian opened Carrera Cafe in September 2016 with the Ripple Maker as a core differentiator. Creating “the intersection of fashion, social media, and coffee,” he and his partners built a photogenic, experiential space where people would have an amazing, Instagrammable experience in the heart of West Hollywood they’d be sure to share online.The strategy has worked.Within a year, they were featured in Vogue.This Monday, Carrera Cafe was featured on KTLA’s LA Unscripted, delighting host Dayna Devon with their beautiful decor and delicious egg sandwiches, and teaching her how to make a latte with “the picture of the person that is the most important to [her] in the entire world” (her dog Violet).When the Ripples team interviewed Kia way back in 2017 he said that getting the Ripple Maker was a “no brainer” and that “you invest a little bit of money and you get a massive return. There’s incredible value in press and branding.”Five years later his marketing strategy and efforts are consistent and strong. And his Ripple Maker is still paying dividends.Watch the video at LA Unscripted.
Most restaurant marketing starts with the same objective: bring in more customers. Restaurants invest in social media, paid advertising, influencer campaigns, happy hour promotions, and first-time visitor discounts, all to increase traffic. Those efforts can certainly generate new business, but they also encourage operators to judge success by one metric: how many new guests walked
Not long ago, offering a non-alcoholic option at an event meant placing a pitcher of lemonade on the bar and calling it a day. Today, guest expectations have changed. In a recent 2026 BizBash article, Jill Torke, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, said she’s seen growing demand for sophisticated alcohol-free beverage
This Spiced Chai Martini recipe brings fall into a glass: warm chai spice and vanilla shaken cold, finished with a thick foam cap that holds a print through the last sip. It’s rich, spiced, and built for cooler evenings, cocktail hour, holiday menus, or any bar that wants a signature drink guests remember. Ingredients 45
