Each year I look forward to seeing philanthropic actor William Shatner and his wife Elizabeth at their Hollywood Charity Horse Show gifting ceremony with Priceline.com and Wells Fargo Bank. Each year they raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for over 25 children’s charities. The first Hollywood Charity Horse Show started in March 1990 to help…
Category: Hollywood
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…
The New Hollywood Bowl 2016 Food + Wine Menu
The Hollywood Bowl Opening Night with fireworks is June 18 with Steely Dan. This year respected chef Suzanne Goin and her business partner Caroline Styne of Lucques Group have created a new Hollywood Bowl culinary program. Goin and Styne are known for their seasonal artisanal menus, products and exceptional wine pairings. Their restaurants include a.o.c., Lucques,…
Three Ways To Dine at ROKU
I was saddened to learn that Sushi Roku closed its doors on Third Street near La Cienega. The other locations in Santa Monica and Pasadena are still open. Owner and partner of Innovative Dining Group (IDG), Michael Cardenas started his career as a teppan chef in San Diego after graduating from culinary school in 1981….
Cleo’s – Intoxicating Middle Eastern Cuisine
Cleo at the Redbury Hotel in Hollywood specializes in Eastern Mediterranean cuisine by executive chef Danny Elmaleh. His unique culinary style and the menu at Cleo are based on his upbringing in Haifa, Israel. Born to a Moroccan father and a Japanese mother, Elmaleh later moved to Japan where his father opened the country’s first…
East Meets West at House of Macau
Although I didn’t see Nicki Minaj with her entourage at the opening of House of Macau in Hollywood, rumor has it that she might stop by when in LA. This sleek modern restaurant is the newest endeavor by her manager, music mogul Manny Halley. It’s a convenient dining destination for locals and visitors to enjoy…
CPK Keeps Getting Better
In 1985, attorneys Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax opened a bright yellow casual pizza restaurant on Beverly Drive. It was located on a block in Beverly Hills that didn’t get as much foot traffic as the Beverly Drive north of Wilshire Blvd, however within a year the street became more of a social hub as…
2014 – Halloween Culinary Haunts in Los Angeles
Here are some great spots to get into a festive and spooky Halloween spirit – Sonoma Wine Garden Halloween A Halloween bash will be held on the rooftop deck of Santa Monica Place on Friday, Oct. 31 starting at 9 p.m. Mixologist Rob Floyd will make his signature libations, and guests are invited to dance…
DeSano Pizza in East Hollywood
DeSano Pizza is not like 800 Degrees, Blaze Pizza or PizzaRev where you have someone assemble your customized pizza based on ingredients to your liking. Instead, you place your order at a counter and a staff member enters it into a computer that sends it straight to the open kitchen. After you pay for your…
Authentic Mexican Cuisine in LA
“Mexico City has the largest population of Mexican people. Los Angeles has the second largest and Guadalajara has the third,” said Executive Chef Jimmy Shaw during a two-hour lunch with him and a friend at Lotería Grill. Shaw is an affable chef that was raised in Mexico City and cooks the Mex-Mex way, not Tex-Mex…
Pitfire Pizza is Pleasing to All Senses
Walking into the newest Pitfire Pizza on Fairfax Avenue, just one block north of Melrose, I sat down with a group of friends to try their new seasonal menu. Known for producing rustic, fire-singed pizza pies, they arrived at our table crispy, golden and topped with luscious ingredients. The dough is made with just three…
Canter’s Deli
I met three members of the Canter family last Thursday when they unveiled their new menu. Marc Canter and his sister Jacqueline greeted me near the Kibitz Room. Soon their cousin, Terri Bloomgarden, joined us. Look again – it’s not your typical grilled cheese – it’s a grilled mac n’ cheese, loaded with sharp cheddar…
