The “Taste of Beverly Hills,” presented by FOOD & WINE, will span the culinary talents of this rich and diverse city, from the Eastside and Downtown Los Angeles to the Westside and will offer foodies, music lovers and nightlife seekers alike an exciting and star-studded line-up. Guests will enjoy top musical artists, live bands, world-renowned DJs, and the latest in the mixology world from leading experts including – musical sensation Natasha Bedingfield performing live at the 9.02.10 Beverly Hills Celebration event, music director for the “Taste of Beverly Hills” and host of “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” Jason Bentley, and renowned nightlife impresario and DJ Brent Bolthouse. The emphasis on food and music throughout the weekend caters to a vivacious, enthusiastic crowd seeking top-notch musical entertainment and cocktail programs that further complement the daytime festivities. Curated by KCRW’s “Good Food” Host and Chef Evan Kleiman, this years’ celebration is designed to entertain guests while providing them with an impressive roster of Los Angeles’ top chefs, mixologists, and sommeliers.

For the latest updates on musical performances and DJ appearances at the “Taste of Beverly Hills,” presented by FOOD & WINE, visit www.thetasteofbeverlyhills.com

“Taste of Beverly Hills,” presented by FOOD & WINE

The “Taste of Beverly Hills,” presented by FOOD & WINE, will benefit the Beverly Hills Education Foundation and will take place across from the Beverly Hilton Hotel September 2-5, 2010. The schedule of activities will include afternoon and evening sessions, and will range from local restaurant tastings and wine and mixology seminars to cooking demonstrations from the city’s most sought-after chefs, as well as America’s celebrated chefs and personalities, and live entertainment from some of the music world’s most respected artists. Tickets are now available for $125 per person, with advance purchase, for a day session, pass; $150 per person, with advance purchase, for an evening session pass; $175 for an all day pass to both afternoon and evening sessions; and $500 per person for an all-access weekend packages that will allow guests into afternoon and evening sessions, seminars, how-tos, chef demos, competitions, and more (with the exception of the “90210 City of Beverly Hills Celebration” which will be an individually ticketed event). Hotel weekend packages will also be available for visitors to the city on Labor Day weekend.

The complete list of participating restaurants includes 25 Degrees at Roosevelt Hotel, 9021PHO, Ago, Akasha, American Tea Room, Ammo, Angelini Osteria, Auntie Em’s, Bar Pintxo, Bastide, Bazaar at SLS, Beacon, BOA Steakhouse, Bombay Palace, Border Grill, Breadbar, Brooklyn Bagels, Cabbage Patch, Caffe Roma, Campanile, Carvel 90210, CHAYA, Church & State, Comme Ca, Compartes Chocolatier, Conservatory Grill, Coupa Cafe, Craft, Culina, Darioush, Delancey, Delphine, District, Drago Family Restaurants, Factor’s Deli, Father’s Office, Fig, Firefly, Ford’s Filling Station, Foundry, Fraiche, Gingergrass, Got Kosher?, Guelaguetza, Hansen Cakes, Huckleberry, Il Cielo, Il Grano, Jar, Jer-Ne, Jitlada, Joachim Splichal, Katana, La Bottega Beverly Hills, L’Epicerie, Mariposa, McCormick & Schmick’s Pacific Seafood, Melissa’s Produce Company, Melisse, Mercantile, Mickey Fine Pharmacy and Grill, Mionetto, Mo Chica, Momed, Mozza, Mr. Chow, Napa Valley Grille, Nate & Al’s, Nickel Diner, Nic’s Beverly Hills, NINETHIRTY, Nonna of Italy, Oliverio, Ortolan, Osteria La Buca, Osteria Mozza, Pace, Patina, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Philippe The Original, Plaisir, Porta Via, Public Kitchen and Bar, Rock Sugar, Rustic Canyon, Shutters on the Beach, Simon LA, Square One Dining, Soi 56, Stefan’s at L.A. Farm, Sunnin, Sunset Marquis, Sushi Roku, STK, Sweet Rose Creamery, Takami, Talesai, Tar Pit, Tasting Kitchen, Tender Greens, The Bagel Broker, The Blvd at Beverly Wilshire Hotel, The Beverly Hills Cheese Store, The Farm of Beverly Hills, The Grill, The Little Next Door, The Raymond, Thompson Beverly Hills, Tiger Sushi, Umami, Valerie Confections, Water Grill, WP24, Wurstkuche, and XIV.

Jonathan Stinson

Even though a night on the town in Los Angeles is always unpredictable; a night beginning at the chic and sexy sushi restaurant, Nobu, guarantees an unforgettable experience. Everything from the Asian inspired décor, the personal ambiance, to the impeccable yellowtail sashimi makes you feel among the A-list. If you live in Los Angeles (or anywhere in the world for that matter), you are familiar with the award-winning sushi joint known as Nobu. It is always a must when you have money to spend on an immaculate meal.  The modern decadence to the well-trained service, no wonder Nobu is such a hot spot for celebrities, and food connoisseurs from around the world.

I had the opportunity to dine at Nobu in West Hollywood with Swell City Guide’s managing editor and personal friend, Haya Zoubi. Sitting at a corner booth in the high-energy main dining room, which houses the sushi bar, is the see-and-be-seen proscenium. After reviewing the menu, we decided to do the Omakase which is the essence of World famous Chef Matsuhisa’s cuisine. Our menu tasting consisted of Chef Matsuhisa’s top picks mixed with a flare of exotic dishes ranging from Octopus to the lobster ceviche.  Arriving to the table first were the martinis suggested by Nobu’s charismatic and poised manager, Justin; I sipped on the cucumber Grey Goose martini which ended up being my favorite on the list because of its refreshing simplicity.   The first two dishes to grace our table were the yellowtail sashimi topped with a jalapeno and a salmon sashimi topped with chives, artichoke and fresh crab.  Both perfectly prepared as expected. Next to arrive, the classic Bluefin Toro tartar accompanied with caviar as well as a flawless mushroom, wasabi salsa, and ponzu dish.  An exotic favorite of mine was the squid pasta mixed with shishito peppers and a light garlic sauce and also the lobster ceviche.  For those looking for something simple and classic, I recommend the perfectly tender brick-oven Kobe skirt steak and the black cod with miso.

Honestly, everything I tasted was beyond impressive. We finished the night off with the Pistachio soufflé, a Sicilian favorite topped with Amaretto and hazelnut gelato.  Overall, the night at Nobu was filled with laughs, good conversation, refreshing drinks, friendly service and a spectacular Japanese cuisine. I look forward to visiting one of the other 24 locations world-wide. Nobu is nestled in the heart of West Hollywood on La Cienega Boulevard with neighbors such as the famed STK steakhouse and nightclub Boudoir at Coco de Ville. Nobu is owned by the highly influential chef Nobu Matsuhisa and others including Hollywood Heavyweight Robert De Niro

Nobu West Hollywood
903 North La Cienega Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069-4709
(310) 657-5711

By Bob Schriner

Stepping into Ivan Kane’s Café Wa s instantly makes one forget they’re at Sunset and Vine. Upon entry my pupils were immediately dilated by the vast space and quickly contracted to take in small details and decorations. The interior pairs French traditional with eclectic in a strangely compelling way that makes absurdity of it all seem enviable. There is grand stairway leading to nothing, paintings cut in half and a room wallpapered in pages torn from Charles Bukowski books. A rotating piano ties it all together in the center of the room.

The drink menu was also a heady mix of classy and trashy. At one point we had a 350ml bottle of Jack Daniels on our table in a brown paper bag with decanters of mixers on the side. Then things went uptown as I sipped on a concoction of absinthe that made me feel like a genius. I felt like a dangerous genius when half pint size glass of murky white liquor arrived at the table. When you tell your waitress to surprise you, she just might. My surprise was absinthe, brought by our bouncy and insightful waitress Raewyn. Haya and I were both having such a good time that we never got around to really reading the menu. Luckily, Chef Alex Reznik was very hands on and when he came to introduce himself, he had lots of suggestions. We all agreed that his discretion was best, so with ease we nodded our heads to the offer of a tasting menu.

The first phase was a sampling of Canapés. Now I must confess that I have a weakness for bacon-wrapped dates. Yet, somehow I managed to save them for last as I reached out to first sample the Blinis aux Saumon Fume. The Scottish salmon was as soft as the crème fraishe and served on a neat goldfish shaped spoon. I was curious about the tiny tart on our plank, which coupled foie gras with pear and ginger marmalade. It took a moment for everything to register, like a joke you don’t get at first and then find profound. There was no delay in my satisfaction with the Carpaccio de Thon. Tuna is like the black jacket of the sea; it goes with everything. Put said Tuna in a bite-size morsel with avocado, mango and sweet soy and I will be grateful for your services. Saving the best for last, I felt like I had demonstrated some measure of restraint. However, the bacon-wrapped date would wait no longer. This plump Madjool date was stuffed with Roquefort cheese and surrounded by thick smoked bacon. If you have never tried this Spanish treat, I highly recommend it. The fat of the bacon cooks through the soft flesh of the date. Just as you bite into the date and get a feel for the amazing texture and flavor you come to the melted blue cheese.
To our surprise Ivan Kane stopped by our table to say hello. We had lots of questions for him about the menu, the décor, the staff selection and so on. Our gracious host was happy to be engaged and share his passion for first restaurant. We invited Ivan to breach that barrier between dinners and the owner. To see Kane at the intersection of joy and vision provided a contagious brand of enthusiasm.
Just as Ivan slipped away to check on other guests a pair of appetizers arrived. The quiche of the day was spinach and goat cheese. I really enjoyed how the quiche was layered with spinach on top and cheese on the bottom rather than mixed together. The two flavors were much more distinct this way and the crust was like the kind mom used to make, flaky and tender. Next I tried the lump crab on heirloom tomatoes and avocado. The green tomatoes were firm and crisp which contrasted nicely with the large pieces of tender crab and avocado.

Chef Alex returned to check on us and see how we were doing. As we spoke another server brought us entrees of confit de canard and daube de boeuf. The duck confit was very lean, very tender and the taste was unbelievable. After one bite I was stunned to hear Haya tell me that she wasn’t a fan of duck and to help myself. It was a bit confusing to savor something so delicious and hear someone claim total disinterest. Yet there was no delay in moving the rest of the duck to my plate. As I ate the duck I couldn’t help but stare at the pot roast in its shimmering red wine au jus. Braised for six hours and joined with potatoes, carrots and green beans I knew it was going to be as good as it looked. When I put my knife at the top of the pot roast it quickly sunk straight through to the bottom of the plate as I applied the slightest bit of pressure. Upon taking the first bite I set my fork down to let the endorphins surge. I took another bite and it was clear to me that this roast wasn’t just braised for 6 hours; it was loved for six hours. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for, a bit of love on a plate and a cozy chair?

Ivan Kane’s Cafe Wa s
1521 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA
323-466-5400
http://www.cafewas.com/

Bob Schriner

After the stressful week that I was having, an escape to relaxing retreat not far from the beach was just what I needed. Just driving there I could feel the layers of tension unravel. By the time I arrived I felt like I was about to attend a party. Now that’s a disposition that Shade is in good standing to accommodate. The staff that checked me in were casual, friendly and attentive. I got a clear impression that the staff were encouraged to have a good time while getting the job done. After all, fun is contagious right?

I noticed a bank of cruiser bikes out front when I arrived and initially I thought I would just drop my bag in my room and get to know the town by pedal. Once I stepped into the room, my plans changed and I knew that bike ride was going to have to be delayed a bit in order to take in my room. While I wouldn’t say the room was small, it was slightly smaller than I expected. However, there was ample comfort and amenities.

There’s not a way I know of to have a Jacuzzi in my room and not immediately jump in. As I waited for the water level to rise, I made myself a nice cocktail. My mini-bar had top shelf liquors in abundance, the party continues. One thing that was odd to me was the fact that there were no glasses in my room. There was a laminated sign stating an apology for not having them too, curious. Luckily, the survivor in me can adapt when needed and use a coffee cup for cocktails.

Saturdays tend to be the one day a week where I actually get a full nights rest. So in anticipation, I checked out the bed, which was attractively accompanied by a thick dark wood over-bed table. This table screamed to hold my breakfast in bed or a lap top while I wrote into the night. Touches like this really get me. The bed was a tempur-pedic which if you haven’t slept on, beware; you could go home and render your current bed as comfortable as a pallet. The top of the bed had about 8 tempur-pedic pillows so one could burrow into a nest of them as needed, for me, just one.

With water levels where I wanted, I sunk into the hot water and let the jets work their magic. With drink in hand and troubles far behind, Shade did a speedy job of getting me to a point of near serenity. What kept me from being at total serenity you ask? I must admit, it’s the fact that I can’t stay in one place for too long. That and I knew that I should be taking advantage of daylight hours to cycle around town and a few miles on the beach.

Checking out a bike was as easy as giving a nod to the valet outside. Like internet access in my room, use of the bikes was free too. In the days where hotels usually charge you everything they can, it was really nice to know to see something so fun cost nothing. I made a few runs North and South parallel to the beach to check out the town dropping down a steep block West one at a time to cruise along the beach. There’s something so nice about riding a bike along the beach, cliché as it may sound, I could ride all day.

On this day, I didn’t have all day; I was meeting a friend for dinner at Zinc, the house restaurant at Shade. To see how that went, click here

After dinner, there was something of a party going on in the bar. I made my way through and back to my room. There I had another drink, wrote a bit and saw some more bubble time in the hot tub before drifting off to sleep. There was a nice mix of productive and ultra-comfortable that I really liked about my room.
I am blessed with the ability to swap sleep quantity for sleep quality. After five hours of sleeping in my bed I woke up completely rested. I hit the go button on my personal espresso maker and told the shower my preferred water temperature.

Clean and caffeinated I headed for the lobby to check out the breakfast that several members of the staff reminded me not to miss. Upon the bar was a bevy of breakfast staples. I helped myself to a bit of oatmeal as a buxom man who I knew had a passion for cooking asked me if he could make me anything special. I asked him if he wanted a challenge or a casual Sunday omelet and he confidently gestured, “give it to me.” Off the top of my head I rattled off, two eggs easy over crab with jalapeno, asparagus all over toast and while we’re at it, why not throw a nice hollandaise over it? He just shook his head as if he’d already made it. My man from the kitchen had every right to be confident. Asking for that combination of ingredients is begging for disappointment (and artificial or canned crab) in most places. This guy, nailed it, asparagus was just the right firmness, as was the toast that sat under the hollandaise that was made fresh for my order. What a fitting way to wrap up a visit that achieved high levels of comfort and indulgence.

1221 North Valley Drive
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-4778
310.546.4995
www.shadehotel.com

Bob Schriner

I was excited to visit Melisse as it’s not every day you dine at a two star Michelin restaurant in the greater Los Angeles area. I read the menu and some reviews earlier in the day. The menu looked good and like any restaurant, reviews were mixed. I found myself hoping that I wasn’t building an unreasonable expectation.

The dining room was small, but I could see that there were a few other rooms that were cordoned off for private parties. The feeling of being in a smaller room gave a feeling of intimacy that was nice. The décor was elegant and modern with a crisp, clean feel.

Our waiter James came by with a variety of champagnes to start off dinner. I had a Guy Charlemagne Grand Cru; its dry fizzy demeanor was just what I needed to set the tone of the evening. Our maitre d’ Matthew arrived to introduce himself and in the process he dropped off a small plate with a halved red grape coated in goat cheese and finely crushed pistachios. This tiny bite was so fantastic that it was almost a tragedy that it went so quickly. Next to the grape was a grape juice filled sphere that exploded in my mouth. We were definitely off to a good start.

The promise of big things coming in small packages continued as we received a Hokkaido scallop with lemon basil, cucumber and prawn salt. The scallop was almost paper-thin and the diverse seasonings would have each been pronounced on their own, were added in slight amounts to give a teasing essence that was just right. The thought occurred to me that if I had eight more courses to come, this was going to be an epic outing.

The next course was so visually impressive that I had to pause before enjoying it on another sensory level. In a shot glass hosted a little parfait of orange gelee, fennel flan (think blub, not seed) and thick cashew froth on top. I slowly sunk my spoon to the bottom of the glass until I felt the hard bottom as to ensure that I would capture each flavor. The orange was Valencia, which gives the promise of freshness as the Valencia is the only orange that grows in the summer. The combination of the three flavors was remarkable as they merged to one flavor as opposed to a shifting of traffic between flavors. The man who thought to bring this all together must have experimented or be a lucky genius.

One of the most anticipated things on the menu for me was the tomato soup. When the soup came to the table, I was first presented with a scoop of sorbet in a tall cylinder with a deep concave surface. The hot tomato soup was then poured over the sorbet. The cold sorbet was sweet as it was engulfed on the spoon by the hot and savory soup. Every bite of this dish was truly as wonderful as the first. This is something that I could see a thousand other restaurants failing at.

I make no secret that I’m powerless to resist a good foie gras and I have encountered a new favorite. The foie gras medallion was seared on the sides and served standing upright with a cool center and a crisp ring on the edge. On the side was thickened blueberry compote atop a hazelnut mousse. Coupling the fruit and rich nutty flavor with the foie gras was so good that my eyes started to swell with tears of joy. There’s never been a dish that’s brought me to tears before, this one did.

While I had signed on for a tasting menu, I did request to add the sweet white corn agnolotti. The corn had a smoky taste as if it were charred before being turned into a smooth filling. The creamy sauce covering the stuffed pasta had an essence of lime that rang though after you had tasted the sweet corn and the rich cream in the sauce.
Next to arrive was the lobster Bolognese, which came to my table with foam of truffle oil that resembled a lobster tail. The cappelini came alive with chopped fresh Maine lobster, black truffles and basil. There’s a good reason that this is one of the most popular dishes at Melisse, so far, it was my favorite too.

I knew the seafood would continue on to the next course, but I wondered how the lobster Bolognese could be followed by something better. I received a plate of king salmon that was cooked to perfection and complimented by a blend of curry and kafir lime. I was eager to eat my way through all the delicious salmon to get to the steamed spinach below. The fibrous green absorbed a little of all the other agents to add a degree of decadence to a wholesome favorite.

By now I had ventured well into the realm of leisure eating. However, I was suddenly famished when the Sonoma lamb and sausage arrived at my table. For me, there is no middle ground for lamb; it’s either very good or very bad. Sadly, for other restaurants, there’s a new standard, it’s lamb at Melisse or it’s bad. Their take on ratatouille is also like no other offering a dense stuffing-like consistency and was bursting with herbs. Despite having proclaimed I was full a few courses back, this plate went back to the kitchen clean.

James returned with a cheese cart and an immense knowledge on the matter. This guy’s passion for providing a remarkable experience was as refreshing as lime in water. Usually, you’re lucky to get a guy this good. At Melisse, everyone was that good. I had to say no to the cheese though. If you’ve not been to Melisse, make a reservation soon. Chef and owner Josiah Citrin is a man who has no peer in this town. I can’t wait to go back.

1104 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.395.0881
www.melisse.com

Bob Schriner

I visited Townhouse the night of a Lakers playoff game a few months back. The loud, thick crowd seemed a bit out of place. Then again, if there’s a TV by the bar, there will be sports fans.  And if it’s a playoff game there will be tons of them. I decided to just get a quick bite as this was not the night to evaluate half the menu…or try to hear myself think over the roar of the crowd.

Revisiting was a much different scene at Townhouse. The mood in the dining room was low key, but not drowsy. I ordered a few small plates, those have been working wonders for me lately. The first to arrive was the crispy calamari, those two words are delicious together. Tossed lightly in a habenero sauce this baby octopuss (I know, it’s a squid, it’s a squid joke) had perfect texture and a gratuitous, but welcome bit of heat. The cocktail sauce seemed fresh enough to have been made on site, but the other sauce for dipping was the real show stopper. The lemon caper aioli had a crispness of it’s own and a ringing zest that made me want to put it on everything.

Next to arrive was a quartet of sliders featuring a smoked applewood bacon burger, a crab cake sandwich, pork belly sandwich and an angry shrimp sandwich.  The burger was lean and the bacon was crisp and smoky, a nice tandem. The crab cake was heavy on fresh crab and light on the breading, seasoned just right and put over the top with a spicy creole mustard sauce. The pork belly was three bites of classic Carolina style BBQ; slow roasted pork with pickles and a tangy sauce.  The angry shrimp combined habenero and sriracha sauce to sustain the notion this this shrimp was not a jolly little swimmer. This was my favorite of the four as the spice and heat was almost overwhelming, but stopped just short of my limit.

I kept telling myself I’d go light and small on the entrée,  who am I kidding. I opted for the skirt streak with chimichurri sauce, avocado and tomato. This steak came out hot, cooked just to my liking and put on a chimichurri workshop that all of you should look into attending. The sauce invited a bite of tomato and avocado with each bite and that was a vivid combination of flavors.

One thing that really impressed me at Townhouse was the ability to take simple comfort foods and improve upon them. What impressed me even more was how reasonable the prices are. You can easily have a top notch dinner and a drink here and keep it under $20. Sherman Oaks, mine this gem for all you can.

15301 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-3102
818.453.9900

What better way to commemorate the start of a long summer ahead than enjoying fine Italian fare as the sun sets on the start of the long days? Thankfully, Cecconi’s shared my sentiment. Cecconi’s is a classic Italian restaurant serving three meals a day as well as Italian tapas, cicchetti. With the flagship Cecconi’s in London, the LA location, on the corner of Melrose and Robertson in West Hollywood is hidden behind palm trees and features a beautiful outdoor patio space alongside the beautifully decorated interior restaurant. With such an upscale yet hip scene, don’t be surprised if you run into celebrities here.

I was joined on that night by the omni-talented Janine Giesick, a friend who you always want around and Jonathan Stinson a publicist friend of mine who happens to work next door to Cecconi’s at Full Pic PR.  Janine is the GM for Cecconi’s and she told us some fun stories about the BET Awards after party which took place at Cecconi’s just two nights earlier.  I met Marino, the affable GM with fascinating yet hilarious stories about dining in his native Italy as well as other parts of Europe. We spoke about the great influence that Italy has had in the world of culinary arts and he joked, “France just took a peek over the Alps, took some notes and added milk and butter to give their food the French twist”. Maybe you had to be there but I was and I’m still laughing. I put my trust in Marino because I could sense his pride in the menu and he seemed excited to show it off. With that said I just asked him for a menu tasting and I left my order in his hands.

-Ahi tuna tartare. The tartare was simple and straight forward and it paired well with Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino 2008, Sardinia
-Grilled octopus, lemon, capers & olives St.Supery “Virtu” Sauvignon Blanc-Semillion, 2006, Napa Valley. This was a lovely dish. Jonathan was singing its praises and proclaimed this to be one of his all time favorite appetizers. Of all time!
-The Beef Tartare was easily one of the best beef tartar’s I’ve ever had outside of Europe. The fresh quail egg and the summer truffles mixed into the fresh, raw meat were just divine.  I couldn’t get enough. The citrus and pear was paired with the fine notes in the Antinori, Cervaro della Sala, 2007, Grechetto/Chardonany, Umbria. This wine a wonderful compliment to the beef tartar.
-Wild mushroom risotto paired with Antinori, Scalabrone Rose,2009, Toscana. A delicious, well made risotto. Not too al dente yet creamy and so good.
-The short rib and potatoes paired with Gaja, Sito Moresco, Cabernet/Nebbiolo, 2007, piedmont. Piedmont is actually our manager Marino’s hometown and so he served this wine with pride and it paired very well with the short ribs. The short ribs were so tender and the potatoes were like mini baked potatoes so when you stick your spoon in, it melts into the fluffiest, softest mashed potatoes you could imagine.
-It’s recommended that you end your meal with a delicious selection of Italian cheeses and for dessert it’s highly recommended that you try the Tiramisu with the luscious vanilla ice cream.

All in all I had such a nice evening filled with laughter, beautiful weather and excellent food. the low key yet upscale atmosphere and highly attentive staff of Cecconi’s left me feeling like the Princess whose father was about to die. They will see me again soon.

Cecconi’s
8764 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 432-2000

www.cecconiswesthollywood.com

Review & Photos by FaceHunter

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza is an institution in Los Angeles. Since its opening in the 1960s, every presidents (except Barack Obama) of the United States has stayed there during their official visit in the City of Angels. It’s a sign that it has the highest standard of security you can ever imagine. But first of all the Century Plaza has a classic character that is not common in hotels in LA. I loved my room with its spectacular view of the whole area and a big part of LA, a huge bed where I could sleep 24 hrs without any problem. Every single piece of furniture is well chosen, smart, refined, timeless and never obnoxious.

Perfectly situated on the West Side, very close to Beverly Hills, this elegant Los Angeles luxury hotel allowed me to get to all my appointments in West Hollywood and my shopping sessions on Rodeo Drive within a few minutes drive. The hall of the Century Plaza is incredibly spacious offering many conformable options to sit, relax have a drink, a bite or work. And there’s a very important detail to mention. There’s a Starbucks inside the hotel, it’s quite enjoyable not have to drive to get your Frapuccino. Then I went to the pool to hang out with my friend Yams, I took a few photos of her, it was perfect because there were not too many people, you can literally have the pool for yourself during the week. After that I went to the world-class spa at Equinox Century City, which is located just next to the pool. I was impressed by how big it was. They have 18 treatments rooms including a couple of suites, two Thai rooms, three facial rooms three body treatment rooms and a manicure/pedicure suite, it’s everything a body needs in a setting like nobody has ever seen. It’s like a mini well-being city with minimal design, next to the hotel. Since I was in a rush I got a 1-hour relaxing massage. A subtle combination of hot stones and nice moves was everything I needed to release the stress I accumulated in my body lately. Century Plaza is a welcome retreat for classy grown-ups in the midst of the city, it is the ultimate master class hotel in Los Angeles.

2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
310.228.1234

Quiksilver and The Standard hotels have joined forces once again to expand their boardshort collection and exclusive products sold through poolside vending machines. Four new custom designed Standard Boardshorts by Quiksilver will be sold alongside new Standard Sunglasses By Quiksilver, a reversible Standard Bikini By Quiksilver and Shiseido sunscreen. The Standard, Hollywood and The Standard Spa, Miami Beach will now have their own vending machines to expand those existing at The Standard, Downtown LA and The Standard, New York. And for those who won’t get a chance to visit the pools this summer, products will be available at The Standard Shop at www.shopthestandard.com and www.quiksilver.com.

This year the ladies get to enjoy a gorgeous custom bathing suit as well. The Standard Bikini By Quiksilver features a solid white bandeau top that reverses to yellow, with a low-rise bikini bottom. The convertible design allows for the top to be worn as three unique styles; tied around the neck, knotted and then tied around the neck or as a strapless bandeau. The new Standard Sunglasses By Quiksilver are hand-made, two-toned black acetate frames with distortion-free, shatter-resistant lenses and 100% UV sun protection. These sleek unisex shades are complemented with the Quiksilver signature black and red checkered print on the inside of the frame.

From Shiseido, suncare products including a Refreshing Sun Spray for Hair/Body SPF 16 as well as an SPF 38 Face Cream will be offered for poolside protection. The spray offers cooling sun protection for the body, hair and scalp while the highly nourishing cream-formula offers maximum sun protection for the face. Both products complete the ultimate summer look by defending against UVA/UVB rays to leave skin smooth and glowing without any visible residue or uncomfortable stickiness.

More Information: www.standardhotels.com.

Los Angeles based designer, Leticia Garcia of Lekuin Designs set out to create garments that are 100% handmade from rescued fabrics.  Each design is perfectly imperfect, making flaws the main beauty of these one of a kind creations.

1. Where do you source the fabrics that you use in your collections?
I collect fabrics from all over, rag houses, flea markets, vintage stores. At this point I have special connections that always let me know when they have available fabric that they know I will reuse for LEKUIN

2. What inspirations, trends & themes do you foresee?
Inspiration always comes from the street, I love the feeling of washed out walls, old industrial warehouses, colors and textures that have an impact in my life, I think time always leaves a mark on everything and that’s the feeling I try to foresee on every piece I make. Trends always come and go and I don’t really pay attention to that, I believe in building a concept and being consistent with my own evolving vision.

3. Is there a LEKUIN muse?
Women and men in general, I’ve always loved an Androgynous look.

4. How do you intend to make a someone feel when they wear LEKUIN?
Comfortable, beautiful and unique.

5. Who are some of your favorite current designers?
Alexander McQueen is my favorite designer of all time. I know there are amazing, super talented designers out there, I just don’t have the time to follow up, I divide my time between my studio and my family.

6. What city is best represents the Lekuin aesthetic?
LEKUIN is very versatile, it really works very well on both East Coast and West Coast. Right now LEKUIN is booming in LA after a very successful appearance at LA Fashion Week and because the line is perfect for the summer!

7. What are some future plans for the range?
Keep expanding,moving into new territories, introducing the new accessory line , there is so much to do.

…LEKUIN is young with an old soul!

Wally’s Wine & Spirits will host Wally’s 7th Annual Central Coast Wine and Food Celebration (WCCWFC), benefiting the Michael Bonaccorsi Scholarship Fund at UC Davis’ Department of Viticulture and Enology on Sunday, August 1, 2010, from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. under the “Big Top” adjacent to the store.

Wally’s popular summer afternoon tasting will include over 60 Central Coast wineries: Saxum, Linne Calodo, Fiddlehead, Melville, Brewer-Clifton, Au Bon Climat, Qupe, Hitching Post, Tantara, Ojai Vineyard, Whitcraft, Jaffurs, Ambullneo, Dragonette, Beckmen, Brander, Presidio, Costa de Oro, Talbott, Row Eleven, Falcone, Arcadian, Rusack, Palmina, Foley, Paige 23, Justin, Clos Mimi, Talley, Ampelos, Claiborne & Churchill, Alma Rosa, Ken Brown, Core, Cobblestone, Malibu Vineyards, Native 9, Silver, Alta Maria, Plata, Margerum, La Fenetre, Kenneth Volk, Summerland and Demetria among many others.

With some of the best chefs and restaurants represented, including Frank Ostini showcasing the art of grilling on his traveling Santa Maria Barbecue pit from The Hitching Post, returning guests from Los Angeles are Osteria and Pizzeria Mozza by Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali, La Brea Bakery, Spago Beverly Hills, Jar, Gelato Bar, CUT, Lucques/A.O.C. /Tavern, Comme Ça, and the Hungry Cat. Featured from the best of the Central Coast are: Bouchon/Seagrass, Artisan, Pasolivo, Olio e Limone, The Ballard Inn Restaurant in Ballard, Brothers’ Restaurant at Mattei’s Tavern and Full of Life Flatbread from Los Alamos. Joining the event for the first time is Josiah Citrin’s celebrated Caché Restaurant & Lounge, in Santa Monica.

In addition to the wine and food tasting, guests are invited to participate in a silent auction of rare wine offerings and premier gift packages. This year’s live auction items will include travel packages to the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, Hadsten House in Solvang, and a week-long vacation home on Martha’s Vineyard. Also featured this year is a special appearance and signing by photographer Mark Robert Halper, who will donate 50% of the book sales of his latest collection, Sunlight and Water: Celebrating the Winemakers of Santa Barbara County, to the scholarship fund. For the seventh year, to entertain the crowd is Gary Burk’s lively group, the Inexpensive Winos. A majority of the funds received directly benefit the Michael Bonaccorsi Scholarship Fund at the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology.

Tickets for the event are $95 per person in advance and $125 at the door plus applicable taxes. They can be purchased through Wally’s by phone at 310.475.0606 or via the internet at www.wallywine.com and click to their special events page. For further information about the Michael Bonaccorsi Scholarship Fund, visit www.bonaccorsifoundation.org. For information on UC Davis’ Department of Viticulture and Enology, please visit wineserver.ucdavis.edu.

Wally’s Central Coast Wine and Food Celebration
Sunday, August 1, 2010, 12 noon – 4:00 p.m.
Wally’s Wine & Spirits
2107 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
310.475.0606

Bob Schriner

The more dinners I go out on the more I come back with the same conclusion; the main course is a bit of a let down. Now this is not an indictment of the entrée per se. I’ve just found that a few appetizers and a salad leave me wanting more and maybe there has been a few disappointments from the closer. With this starters no entrees mission in mind, I opened the flood gates on this menu.

First to arrive were the fried calamari and the heirloom tomato and avocado salad. I love calamari almost all forms. I must say the tempura batter on the calamari we received was a little over-bearing based on how thickly the batter was applied. The calamari itself was fine, I just wish the doughy breading was not so prevalent. The heirloom tomato and avocado stood in stark contrast. The pairing of a red tomato with an Amana orange along with avocado and charred corn made this dish as vibrant to see as to taste.

Just as I had sampled both of the first two appetizers, an order of smoked trout was delivered. The trout was set atop a wedge of roasted potato with capers and crème fraiche. Talk about a perfect combination of flavors; smoky, savory, tangy and sweet. The potato added a nice texture too.

The first of a few cocktails I tried was the Brazilian caprihina. This drink combined Cachaca with fresh-squeezed lime juice with muddled grapes. The juice from the grapes along with the lime was invigorating, perfect for the first drink after an afternoon in traffic.

Another pair of small plates were brought to our table; deviled eggs with a spinach salad with almonds and crab and avocado with more spinach and a lime vinaigrette. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had deviled eggs. Turns out, Bar Marmont’s take was like catching up with an old friend. The filling was busy with a lot of flavor, while I could taste a bit of mustard, there were too many things involved to nail down the other ingredients. The almonds in the spinach salad was a nice touch. The crab and avocado was presented very well with the crab meat under the halved avocado. The rich, sweet crab meat was complimented by the avocado and brightened by the lime vinaigrette dressing.

The Framboise Sauvage had my eye on the drink list. This cocktail mixes gin, raspberry puree, lemon juice, simple syrup and champagne. I know you’re thinking this sounds amazing, but until you try it, you are really missing out.

Now I did start out this dinner intent on just trying a variety of appetizers. However, when our waitress started to tell me how her favorite dish, the short ribs, must be tried, I had little resistance. The beef in this dish was every bit as tender and juicy as I had been promised. Served in a bowl, the short ribs sat in a hearty broth that suited the accompanying asparagus, fava beans, and pappardelle.

All in all, Bar Marmont did a fine job at meeting some pretty high expectations, made some wonderful drinks and put it all together for a price that was a lot lower than what I anticipated.

Bar Marmont
8171 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323.650.0575

Bob Schriner

With restaurants opening all over town at the hands of skilled planners, deep pockets and great chefs; there is a real challenge for the old guard to maintain. Just the same, I was excited to visit the Polo Lounge and see if this LA landmark was worthy of the legend. Named after the celebrities who would meet there after Polo matches, The Polo Lounge has been host to just about every notable name you could imagine in the entertainment business for close to 100 years. To this day you will find a black and white photo-mural of polo players in action which originally went up when the restaurant first opened in 1912. The poster was subsequently covered after a refurbishment with the only evidence of it being an old photo of Marlene Dietrich smoking a cigar in the 30′s at the bar in front of the mural. After a more recent refurbishment, the cover-up was taken down, allowing the mural to be seen. Now the mural, an original artifact of the Polo Lounge of yore lends a sweet and historical air of authenticity to the lounge.

We were seated and the first thing I noticed was a man sitting alone at a table from us painstakingly reading through a thick manuscript. Seriously? Do they pay him to do that just like the girl who played Coldplay songs on the piano? Our waiter Alec suggested I try a pineapple infused Herradura tequila cocktail. This drink turned out to be advice I turned to a few more times through the night.

I started off with the chilled lobster salad, which came to the table with a strong visual presence. The lobster was leaning on the side of multi-colored grapefruit wedges set atop lamb’s lettuce, spicy sesame brittle and a Marie Rose sauce. I know you might be thinking the sauce is a bit kitsch, but it was subtle to the taste and gave the plate a nice color. The combination of lobster with grapefruit was rewarding in a Hamachi afterlife sort of way, just divine.

I have this issue where I really can’t reasonably turn down lobster or Foie Gras, so tonight, I had both. The Foie was a Hudson Valley foie gras with a smoked duck terrine with pear butter on a toasted brioche. My first instincts with this dish were that something had gone astray in the execution here. I know the terrine was smoked, but it also seemed a bit charred while the brioche was soggy. One of those setbacks alone is enough to destroy your average appetizer. Yet, this came out ok, not great mind you, but redeemable.

For my entrée I chose the diver scallops. The scallops were cooked to perfection giving them an ideal texture. While a bit over-salted, the accompanying white asparagus and green garlic risotto gave it a nice balance. With this dish I felt like each ingredient could be enjoyed on its own or in tandem.

To close out the meal our ordered-in-advance chocolate soufflés arrived. I’m a big fan of this dessert and knowing all night that this would be coming to me left a lingering sense of expectation. When the soufflé arrived I was struck by the size of it. This portion is meant for lovers no doubt. Now if I’d known there would be a chocolate layer poured over the top, I probably would have asked them not to bother with that excessive detail. What appeals to me most about this dish is the consistency, mainly the top. That was a pleasure I could not have with this one. Now all that criticism aside, the consistency of the inside as well as the outer crust was very pleasing. The level of dark chocolate was pronounced so the bitter and sweet chocolates were at just the right levels.

While some dishes were good, but not flat out amazing, I must say service in the Polo Lounge was exceptional. From top to bottom, all the staff were commendable for their attentiveness, product knowledge and providing the sense of being taken care of.

9641 Sunset Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 276-2251
www.beverlyhillshotel.com

As the only spa of its kind in not only Los Angeles but the rest of the world, Firm Body Evolution (FBE) is your solution for a lifetime of health and fitness plans that don’t work or at the least, don’t work as well as they could. At FBE, the philosophy is simple: Don’t exercise longer. Don’t exercise harder. Exercise smarter. The Holistic Health & Fitness Center combines cutting edge fitness technology with the absolute best holistic healing arts, so you get a truly complete workout with each visit.

When I first walked into the spa I was greeted by the friendly front desk receptionist, Mark. I spoke with Mark for half an hour about his experience with FBE and he explained how it transformed his mind, body and soul. He said that he lost 30 pounds over a span of 4 months and that he keeps it off by regularly using the spa’s equipment and maintaining a healthy diet. I was curious to learn more about what FBE had to offer. I was then greeted by Joseph Harounian the owner of FBE. Joseph gave me a tour of the facilities. The spa not only has work out equipment but also has an in-house acupuncturist, chiropractor and alkaline water can be found ready to drink up anytime.

The Vibration machine which was originally invented by Russian scientists for Russian astronauts to help with space travel training can literally give you a 1 hour work out in 15 minutes. Every time I would try the Vibration Machine, I could see a flush of red across my cheeks and left feeling so healthy. FBE has exclusive top of the line EOS 6600 vibration machine which provides an easy and healthy way to lose weight and tone muscles effectively by changing strong rotating energy into vibrating energy to rapidly decompose fat. In other words, it creates the type of muscle tension you experience when lifting something heavy and alternatively contracts and releases this point at an extremely rapid pace. Again amazingly enough, only 10 -15 minutes on this machine is equal to a one hour work out! The expert staff can recommend various positions to work all parts of your upper and lower body and help you achieve your fitness goals. These machines are used by such celebrities as Claudia Schiffer, Natalie Imbruglia, Madonna, Jeffrey Ross, and many more.

Then there’s the amazing Infrared Jade Sauna. Spa-users begin the Infrared Jade Sauna experience by sliding onto a mat embedded with Jade stones. Jade is known around the world for its anti-aging effects, and is credited by many cultures with boosting mental awareness and acuity. After lying down on the jade stone mats, spa-users get to keep their heads out in the open air while warming their bodies in a soothing infrared heat. This allows you to receive the full benefits of the infrared heat while keeping your face, head, and breathing relaxed and comfortable — healing the body while soothing the mind.

The medical benefits of infrared saunas are varied and tremendous. Among other benefits, the sweating process allows your body to detoxify chemicals and heavy metals. It helps kill bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. It also increases your body’s flexibility, cleans your pores, improves circulation and relieves pain. And most of all, it helps increase weight-loss. A 30 minute session can burn up to 600 calories during this rejuvenating process.

Joseph Harounian’s explained to me his struggle with the debilitating effects of Crohn’s disease which became debilitating for him at the young age of twenty. Crohn’s disease is a very uncomfortable illness. For its sufferers, it makes every day living difficult and the medications that are used to fight the illness can cause countless other painful side effects and problems. People who endure Crohn’s are usually hospitalized several times and it’s very common for these unfortunate people to be subjected to several surgeries. Joseph’s ailments from Crohn’s were so dire that his doctors told him he would not survive. After being diagnosed with the disease, Joseph spent years enduring test after test, prescription after prescription, at one point being sent to four different hospitals throughout Los Angeles. None of the medical treatments helped and many made Joseph sicker. Joseph eventually became discouraged with constantly being subjected to testing and retesting and he became weary of taking more medications. So Joseph decided to stop going to hospitals all together and stopped taking his medication. Instead he found solace for his symptoms with a Los Angeles based Eastern medicine practitioner who started him on a much less invasive regime of herbs and acupuncture. Witnessing first hand the immediate benefits he received, Joseph embraced these alternative healing methods. Joseph is now forty-three and has been living with a clean bill of health for many years -much in thanks to holistic healing.

After experiencing his personal journey to recovery and wellness through the application of Eastern medicine, holistic health and fitness, Joseph decided to commit his life to helping others better aid in their own health and well being through alternative health and fitness practices. Firm Body Evolution (fbe) is the culmination of his experiences and a vision and dream well thought out.

There are many reasons that FBE Spa can be beneficial to everyone. Whether you want to lose weight, improve peace of mine, look amazing or improve your overall health.

Check it out! To learn more about FBE visit: www.fbespa.com

FBE SPA
5858 Wilshire Boulevard #200
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.936.3737

This summer, Southern California artist Brandi Milne joins Corey Helford Gallery for a special engagement entitled “My Heart Shall Not Fear”.

Milne’s second solo exhibition with the gallery reveals a more personal side to her paintings than before. For “My Heart Shall Not Fear”, Milne explores narratives about life, death and new awakenings. Her work embraces a brave new direction, juxtaposing her delicate signature imagery with more intense themes. And Milne’s fresh artistic voice skillfully weaves together a series of visual fables that are as playful as they are poignant.

Her first solo exhibition in over a year, Milne has been diligently working from her Huntington Beach studio in preparation for the show, and she explains, “I’ve never been more excited about a series of work than I am with this one. Viewers can expect much warmth and intrigue as I rediscover the sugar-coated, austere world that swells and flows from inside my head. ‘My Heart Shall Not Fear’ is a story of life and loss as I continue my personal exploration.”

For the exhibition, Milne’s palette surveys new territories as well, presenting rich hues of burnt oranges and seafoam greens alongside deep crimson reds. Skulls, black cats, birds and horses populate Milne’s whimsical narratives as they encounter secret adventures that ultimately lead to the path of rediscovery.

Joining Milne in the loft, will be limited-edition works by Lithuanian artist Natalie Shau. Her stunning digital renderings bloom with gothic charm and fantastical symbolism.

Open to the public, the reception for “My Heart Shall Not Fear” will take place on Saturday, June 26 from 7 to 11pm, and the special twelve-day exhibition will be on view until July 7, 2010.

About Brandi Milne
Southern California artist Brandi Milne was born and raised in Anaheim. She grew up happily, surrounded by a wealth of inspiration as a child, taking pleasure in classic cartoons, crayons and coloring books, Sid and Marty Kroft creations, toys, candies and the kitschy fabrics and notions of the times. Self-taught and emotionally driven, Milne’s work speaks of love, loss, pain and heartbreak in the first person. She decorates it oddly with a wink of humor and a delicious candied-coat finish – a combination that can be considered highly addictive to viewers around the world. Milne’s work is celebrated and supported in fine art galleries across the US, and has been featured in both written and online publications such as Hi Fructose Magazine, Babyboss Magazine and Juxtapoz. She published her first book “So Good For Little Bunnies” in 2008 with Baby Tattoo Books and Milne has collaborated with notable companies including 686, Hurley, and Billabong. For more information about the artist, please visit brandimilne.com.

About Natalie Shau
Natalie Shau is illustrator and photographer from Lithuania (Vilnius). She works mainly in digital media and Shau’s works are mixture of photography, digital painting and 3D elements. She enjoys creating surreal and strange creatures, fragile and powerful at the same time. Shau’s style was influenced by religious imagery, fairy tales, illustrations, classic horror literature, and Russian classic literature such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, Nikolai Gogol etc. Shau constantly keeps working on her own personal artwork and exhibitions, but also enjoys creating illustrations for music bands, fashion designers and writers. Her illustrations for a Lydia Courteille jewelry campaign were published in French VOGUE magazine, and Shau’s client list consists of many music and advertisement labels such as Island Def Jam, Ogilvy & Mather, Sony BMG, and Century Media. For more information about the artist, please visit natalieshau.carbonmade.com

Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
T: 310-287-2340
www.coreyhelfordgallery.com
Open Tuesday – Saturday, Noon to 6:00pm