What is the quintessential summer fruit? My vote is watermelon! Some of my favorite chefs are preparing watermelon in fun ways onto their menus this summer. Since National Watermelon Day is on August 3, here is a list of 6 restaurants and bars that feature watermelon on the menu in innovative ways. 1. True Food Kitchen…
Category: Great Bar Scene
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…
Celebrity Chef Scott Conant & Freddy Vargas – The Ponte
When Terrine closed last year, Stephane Bombet of Bombet Hospitality Group talked to Scott Conant about helping him change his classic French-inspired restaurant into a contemporary Italian one. Bombet knew Conant from Scarpetta at the Montage Beverly Hills. This celebrity chef attracted foodies from all over to order his iconic $24 spaghetti with tomato and…
Otium at The Broad
The last time my husband and I explored The Broad, we strolled over to the contemporary urban Otium restaurant designed by architect Osvaldo Maiozzi. With its striking box-like design, we peeked inside and admired the soaring ceiling and handmade glass pieces that resembled falling raindrops. The open elegant kitchen is near a long bar with…
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…
Citizen in Beverly Hills
CITIZEN Beverly Hills: Casual, comfortable, crafty At the new Citizen in Beverly Hills, paparazzi linger on the sidewalk patio. Next door is Spago and across the street is Georgie at the Montage Beverly Hills. This area is known for celebrity sightings with Mastro’s and The Palm just down the street. The night I dined at…
Pok Pok – Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice
The culinary experience at the Thai restaurant Pok Pok is very authentic and is exemplified even in the water. A pandanus leaf is dropped in the glass, as is done often in Northern Thailand, giving it a toasted rice, vanilla and grassy essence. We were invited to Pok Pok to celebrate James Beard award-winning chef…
Dia de los Muertos Events around Los Angeles
Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, and in places such as the city of Los Angeles by people of Mexican ancestry. Acknowledged internationally by many other cultures, this multi-day holiday focuses on food, family and friends who pray for and remember loved ones who have died, in hopes that their…
12 Spooky LA Halloween Pub Crawls & Fun Events
Halloween is my favorite time to dress up in a whimsical costume and join friends at a fun restaurant and pub-crawl to people watch, sip some frothy brew, and nibble on spooky treats. Here are my favorite spots in So Cal in 2016 – Pre-Halloween Beer Tasting Event- Paper or Plastik Café is hosting The…
Best Dining View Spot in LA – 71Above
The skyline in downtown Los Angeles has been transformed over the past few years. The US Bank Tower, erected in 1990, didn’t move or add more floors, but took things outside. OUE Skyspace opened the LA Skyslide in June, a 45 foot plunge outside of the building. The four-inch thick, clear glass slide, affixed 1,000…
Make Your own Emmy Award Cocktails
Tonight during the 68th Emmy Award Governor’s Ball, the dashing Charles Joly, award-winning bartender of World Class Spirits, is making two festive craft cocktails for the biggest party in Los Angeles. The nominees and winners will be sipping a refreshing Ketel One Moonlighter and robust The Emmys Old Fashioned. The Television Academy presented me with…
More Than Fine – Wood & Vine
In 2011, I gave the newly opened restaurant Wood & Vine a stellar review. The talented Executive chef Gavin Mills was very creative in the small kitchen (I’ve been told it might be the smallest restaurant kitchen in LA). Originally it was built as a gathering space for friends and neighboring locals to come enjoy…
