Open Sesame: Legit Lebanese on Beverly (Plus Giveaway)

Posted on by

Sultan’s Platter

In the old space that once housed Hatfield’s, then Eva Restaurant, is now an outpost of a successful Belmont Shores import. The new location of the Lebanese chainlet called Open Sesame is admirably strategic; it’s well north of other Mediterranean haunts on Pico but south of those in The Valley. It adds to the diversity of dining options on Beverly Boulevard, and from my experience a couple weeks ago, a viable choice for flavorful food which also doubles as healthful. Those seeking vegetarian, vegan or Halal compliant will be happy that this popped up in the neighborhood.

Continue reading →

Behind the Scenes Look at LA Opera’s Production of Falstaff

Posted on by

Falstaff Rehearsal, James Conlon, Maestro

Just three more performances of Falstaff at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion remain this year, and if you haven’t seen the brand new production, this is your last chance.

A few days before its opening, I got a chance to go backstage with other media and see the staging, a bit of rehearsal and results of all the effort that goes into the food in the comic opera, which was also Verdi’s last. Yes, the food. A whole turkey is prepared for every single performance of Falstaff – Act II, Scene 1, to be exact – requiring 5 hours of preparation that precede it. Mistress Quickly, played by Ronnita Nicole Miller, also has to deal with taking a bite of a big turkey leg immediately before singing verse.

Continue reading →

The Great White Truffle Round-up of Los Angeles

Posted on by

White Truffles at SAAM, The Bazaar

It’s that wonderful time of year when it’s time to indulge in one of the true delicacies of the world. Forget the artificial truffle oil (redundant) of the ’90s – the real thing has a season and the time to enjoy white truffles is now.

Of course, at two to three thousand dollars per pound, it’s quite easy to break the bank while partaking. Fortunately, I’ve got a lot of options in different forms (cocktails! tasting menus! burgers!) and price points that will ensure you’re able to get your fungi fix.

Let’s start out with a cocktail by Matty B, why don’t we?

Continue reading →

Willie Jane: Bringing Southern California Comfort to Abbot Kinney

Posted on by

Swordfish, Fried Chicken, Black-eyed Peas

When considering restaurants on Abbot Kinney and the recent upshoot of many restaurants serving Southern cuisine around town, it’s only proper that the Venice hub would receive its own outpost. Govind Armstrong, of Post & Beam and before that, ROFL Café (I know) and 8 Oz Burger Bar, is as recognizable a chef’s name as any other in L.A. and adds himself as another well-regarded name on the Boulevard, the others being Joe Miller and Casey Lane. Continue reading →

Fresh, Fall Cocktails Launch at Crossroads

Posted on by

Cause for Alarm, Parisian Standard, Lady From Shanghai, Forever Young

Now that the restrictions that come with a vegan diet fail to faze him, Jeremy Lake, in his second cocktail menu since Crossroads has opened, made efforts to advance the drinks even further and towards a healthful mindset. And if any restaurant in Los Angeles has been successful at reframing how a diet with no animal by-products is viewed, it’s Crossroads. Everything here is delicious – without mention of the usual apologetics – and the new fall cocktail menu is no exception.

Continue reading →

Hail a Cab in L.A. via Smartphone App with Flywheel

Posted on by

Rza at Bedrocktoberfest

These days, there are a ton of options when it comes to getting from point A to B without your car. With cabs representing the old guard, alternative Smartphone start-ups such as Uber (including UberX), Lyft and Sidecar are giving taxis a good run for their money – usability, competitive pricing, driver competence and friendliness not withstanding.

The taxi industry tried unsuccessfully to shut them out of business, and California’s Public Utilities Commission adopted rules last September on regulating these new companies. With L.A. also trying to get a hand in on regulation, it’s clear that the new services are operating on new battleground. This is all interesting, of course, but it doesn’t really play a part in what service I use. I just want a quick pick-up, ride at a great rate and a friendly, competent driver. And I want a free market to drive the realization of this. 

(Yeah, plus free $20 code for new Flywheel users after the jump. –>)

Continue reading →

Lakers, Clippers and Kings Pre-gaming and Viewing at The Mixing Room, J.W. Marriott at L.A. LIVE

Posted on by

Burgers & Beers Deal ($18)

With hockey and basketball seasons upon us, you’ll want to go somewhere to pre-game a live match or simply watch the game on the big screen. Fortunately, the posh space in the lobby level of L.A. Live‘s J.W. Marriott known as The Mixing Room is offering up a few deals whenever an L.A. home team is in the rink or on the court.

In a sort of home team-spirited happy hour for those attending the game (and not), they’re offering a Street Food series, with one $8 featured menu item to run one to two hours before each home game. During this time, you can also get a 16-oz beer for $8, a flight of three beers for $12 and a street food item plus 16-oz beer combo for $15. For an idea of what street food item they’re serving when, peep this schedule. Think Korean Style Tacos, Cuban Sandwiches and Salvadorian Pupusas. Yes, folks, street food is now at a hotel.

Continue reading →

Fall and Full Bar Descend Upon Pitfire Pizza on Fairfax

Posted on by

Apple & Pork Festival, Sprouts ‘n Bacon Pizza, Rumpkin Pie Cocktail, Linguica Ragout (clockwise)

The place known for its consistently great, tasty and reasonable Neopolitan crust with the sides and pasta to match has stepped it up in the booze department – at least at their location on Fairfax. Formerly confined to wine and beer, Pitfire Pizza now has a full liquor license with a fall cocktail menu to debut with the return of a few fall food favorites.

The great thing about their new cocktail menu is that they’ve streamlined it to just a trio of pretty phenomenal seasonals but also Moscow Mules made with Tito’s on tap, a few classics like the Old Fashioned and Negroni, and another trio of customizable sours with your choice of spirit. And they all go for a wallet-happy $8 per cocktail.

Continue reading →

Waylynn Lucas and Nancy Truman of Fonuts Demo Small Appliances at Best Buy

Posted on by

Demos at Best Buy Culver City

Last Saturday afternoon, the Fonuts gals performed a series of demos at the Best Buy in Culver City in efforts to promote the store’s recent expansion in their small appliances line as well as their own baked goods shop, Fonuts, on 3rd Street. It took all my self control and the need for a DSLR camera upgrade to not purchase any of the kitchen appliances Waylynn and Nancy highlighted – or the new, streamlined Dyson cordless hand vac. Adding fuel to the retail therapy fire was a 20% off promotion Best Buy was running…

…which you now can take part in, yourself, since I’ve got a code to share that will get you the same savings on small appliances at Best Buy online after the jump. A KitchenAid mixer at 20% off, anyone?

Continue reading →

Kitchensurfing Cooks Chef-Driven, Chef-Prepared Meals In Your Home

Posted on by

Chef Ryan Rondeno Plating Dinner

With how often I do dining reviews, I tend to eat out a lot. So much that I will sometimes go for weeks without even visiting the grocery store and my cooking skills eventually become so rusty, I can’t help but wonder just how much I’d embarrass myself when it came time to entertain in my own home, again. (Okay, but seriously, I still have the basics down. I promise.)

And then there’s Kitchensurfing. First launched in New York, the Los Angeles incarnation launched just yesterday. I was provided several, succulent tastes at one Southern media dinner held in Venice last month, just so I could envision how it might play out were I to host something similar at my own place. Continue reading →