Looking over the wine “bible” at Wally’s Beverly Hills can be quite daunting, as it’s a thick menu filled with pages of white and red wines from different local and international regions around the world. Wally’s owner Christian Navarro and Wine Director Matthew Turner oversee a wine program of 3,000 selections. There are four pages…
Category: Fine Dining
Crustacean is Open and Better Than Ever
After eight months and a $10 million renovation, Crustacean has returned to Beverly Hills with not one, but two new restaurant spaces. The high-end upstairs section, named Da Lat Rose, will not open its doors until May, but downstairs, Crustacean offers a new menu with innovative Euro-Vietnamese fusion delights prepared by chef-owner Helene An and…
10 Reasons why to Visit Carlsbad
During the months of March through May, the seaside community of Carlsbad in Southern California celebrates with their famous blooming ranuculus. Near the center of town is a field ablaze with a kaleidoscope of flowers. Restaurants, hotels and spas incorporate flowers into their wellness programs, cocktails and special dining menus. Here are 10 Petal to…
Lunch in Sixty at Jean Georges Beverly Hills at the Waldorf Astoria
While the esteemed Michelin Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten was in Beverly Hills for 24 hours to debut his new “Lunch in Sixty” at the Waldorf Astoria, I met the chef while dining inside his elegant Jean-Georges dining room. Jean Georges grew up in Alsace, France, and developed a passion for cooking and food, while studying…
Ricado Zarate’s Newest Peruvian Restaurant
Years ago, I met three-time James Beard Foundation award nominee Chef Ricardo Zarate at his urban Peruvian restaurant, Mo-Chica. Later, he opened Picca, near Century City, and Paiche, in Marina del Rey, introducing Peruvian flavors fused with Asian and European ingredients. Enchanted by his culinary creations, I followed him to Santa Barbara to Blue Tavern…
Meeting Filmmaker Eleanor Coppola
When the movie Paris Can Wait opened in theaters on May 12, I took a girlfriend to see the delightful romantic comedy about a Hollywood producer’s wife who takes an unexpected romp through France. The trip reawakens her sense of self and joie de vivre. We both agreed the movie was cast beautifully with the lead actress…
Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro
A few years ago while exploring Napa Valley, I visited Thomas Keller’s Michelin star awarded Bouchon Bistro in Yountville for lunch. The menu featured Keller’s roasted chicken, regarded by some as the best in the world. I still remember how I thoroughly enjoyed the crispy skin and moist meat paired with a glass of dry…
Globally Terrific Dishes at Terra Cotta
Walking into Terra Cotta located in the historic Pellissier building, next to The Wiltern Theatre, I recognized the pretty General Manager Susie Moon. She used to work at Otis and Penelope, and is now running this newly opened restaurant smoothly. As she walked us to a table, I asked why the restaurant is named Terra…
Secret Supper Club INTRO – Art, Music, Food
On a nondescript strip of Lankershim Boulevard, next to the former Firenze Osteria, is a dance studio that has been transformed into a secret supper club with a dining room that seats 20 adventurous guests. Michelin-Star Chef Paul Shoemaker is busy in his new kitchen preparing a 12-course elegant dinner every Friday and Saturday evening….
