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Peter
O'Colmain, Regent Beverly Wilshire GM, Bonnie Carroll and
Natasha Andre Melikoff enjoying a spot of tea
in the Lobby Lounge |
TEA
WITH A VIEW . . I recently enjoyed a delightful,
cozy covered, pot of delicious Jasmine Blossom Tea in
the Lobby Lounge at the Regent Beverly
Wilshire with General Manager Peter O'Colmain
and Montreal visitor Natasha Andre Melikoff.
The Lobby Lounge overlooks Rodeo Drive and Wilshire and the best
destination for "tea and sympathy" after a serious shopping
spree. Traditional Tee is $20 and comes with scones, cookies,
finger sandwiches and other creative surprises.
REATA, featuring
Texas Cowboy Cuisine, offers the perfect menu for you big Tex-Mex
food lovers. The restaurant decor is delightfully Texan, and the
menu offers favorite recipes from Alpine and Ft. Worth Texas.
Located on the top floor of the Rodeo Collection
on Rodeo Drive, visitors may fill up on authentic cowboy faire
following a Texan style shopping spree on one of the world's most
sophisticated spending venues.
My deepest sympathy to former Malibu/Westwood restaurateur Bernie
Safire on the loss of his mother Mollie. She was the
inspiration for his culinary talents, and also for his first restaurant,
The Bagelah in Malibu, where celebrities like
Johnny Carson enjoyed wonderful Sunday brunches.
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Voodoo
Shrimp with Cornbread at The Porch, at the House of Blues |
THE
PORCH at HOUSE OF BLUES moves! From the entertainers
that appear on a stage as the bar parts like the sea when Moses
raised his hand, to a menu designed by Executive Chef
James O'Donnell that is filled with delightful taste
twists and surprises, this joint is jumping. I adored the fried
green tomato salad, smoked ribs with his own unique barbeque
sauce, and the desserts are all sinful. The Creole Seafood
Jambalaya is also outstanding. O'Donnell has had extensive
experience at huge hotels like Caesar's Palace,
and Excalibur in Las Vegas.
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Executive
Chef
James O'Donnell |
Cantelope
Sorbet |
He says he really
enjoys working at a smaller venue like HOB on
Sunset, where California diners can enjoy the "whole experience".
After dinner we were taken upstairs to a private club decorated
in everything Indian. It was gorgeous and intimate. A portion
of the proceeds from this club go to support the Arts in area
schools. This is a fun and delicious experience, enjoy!
SANTA
ANITA Racetrack has a new restaurant called FrontRunner
where guests celebrated a Kentucky Derby gala that included an
all-you-could-eat gourmet buffet brunch and Kentucky Derby Pie.
The new FrontRunner restaurant is offering guests at the track
an opportunity to enjoy deliciously prepared and served meals
while enjoying a day at the races. Santa Anita Park
is located at 285 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia. For information
call 626-574-6416.
BEVERLY
HILLS HOTEL HOSTS HISTORY OF JAZZ PROGRAM . .
The Beverly Hills Hotel was the venue where Jazz greats Bill
Henderson, pianist and Michael Melvoin,
Jazz singer entertained guests with a musical history of American
Jazz, sponsored by the City of Beverly Hills. Mark Cantor,
archivist and historian presented historical film clips of Jazz
performers from throughout the nation. Chef Suki Sukihara's
staff served a delightful after performance dessert and coffee
service where guests and performers shared Jazz stories.
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Bill
Henderson &
Michael Melvoin
Jazz Performers at the Beverly Hills Hotel |
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Lavande
restaurant in LOEWS
Santa Monica Beach Hotel |
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he outside patio
of Lavande Restaurant in LOEWS
Santa Monica Beach Hotel was the "California Dreamin"
site of a lavish Easter Brunch. The sun shining on the water,
and the delectable selection of brunch favorites, including some
of the most exceptional dessert and seafood items, created a perfect
blending of the "good life" where friends and family
enjoyed a memorable day.
VALLEY OF THE MOON . . Sonoma Valley recently
announced the release of its 1997 Sonoma County Syrah,
featuring deep varietal flavors with spicy black cherry and
casis aromas. Syrah is considered to rank with Cabernet
Sauvignon and Pinot Noir as one of the world's great
red wine varieties. Valley of the Moon produces Pinot Blanc,
Chardonnay, Syrah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and a Cabernet/Merlot
blend, Cuvee de la Luna. Web site, www.valleyofthemoonwinery.com
or 707-996-6941.
PINK DOT, the ingenuous
food delivery company that is bring everything from detergent
to deli specialties to your door, can now be contacted at wwwlpinkdot.com.
The shopping list available includes items from The Cheesecake
Factory Bakery, fresh produce, pastas, baked potatoes,
sandwiches, wine, liquor, beer, soda and a bevy of household needs
including aspirin to sponges.
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