Click
on Image
For Caption
|
The
Century City Hotel
The Century City Hotel and
Town Hall hosted a breakfast with First Lady. Laura Bush
that filled the Crystal Ballroom to capacity. Mrs. Bush
addressed the many concerns facing our country following
September 11, and graciously answered questions from the
audience regarding various issues, including education.
As a food writer, I really wanted to know the brand name
of that pretzel the President had choked on earlier in the
month, but during an interview which Jay Leno, NBC Tonight
Show host, she declined to name the brand, and after sampling
a replica of the infamous snack, which the First Lady brought
to show Leno, he tasted it and described it as a "no-sissy
pretzel: to which the first lady replied that from now on
they would be "practicing safe snacks" at the
White House.
The
Century City Hotel
Crystal Ballroom
|
|
Raffles
L 'Ermitage
A Beverly Hills luxurious new Restaurant
JAAN (a Cambodian originated word meaning "dish or
bowl"), featuring the beautiful and delicious presentations
of chef David Myers, has everyone raking notice. The new
Zen-like decor in the hotel is most appealing and the culinary
creations being offered by chef Myers are amazing.
Chef Myers
sumptuous dishes include: Ceviche of Maine Lobster with
Calamansi Lime, grated Daikon and Cambodian Peppercorn;
Crispy Golden Trout with deconstructed Kroeung and White
Sweet Potato; Miso marinated Liberty Farms Duck Breast with
grilled okra, forbidden rice and plums. This former
Patina chef demonstrates the true talent of a finely trained
and well-disciplined chef who easily and delicately co mingles
subtle Indochina flavors with exciting California accents.
Raffles
L 'Ermitage
For reservations call 3I0-385-5344
|
|
Waters
Catering
It was an Afternoon Delight
with Chef John P. Workings of Waters Catering in San Diego,
who created a divine "Afternoon at the Grove"
luncheon in the home of Helene Beck, President of La Vigrae
Enterprises in Fallbrook. The Beck Groves provided the 100%
organic exotic fruits used in the special menu designed
by Workings, which included Japanese Salad, Kumquat glazed
Chicken with Bok Choy, Scallop & Fennel Salad with kumquat
Vinaigrette, Persimmon glazed Pork Tenderloin with carrots
& green onions, Duck Confit Quesadilla, Chipotle Persimmon
Pumpkin Soup, Persimmon Aspic w/blue cheese sauce, Chilled
Persimmon Soup and a verity of scrumptious desserts made
with kumquats, including Cranberry-Kumquat Bread.The luncheon
menu was paired with three wines from the Maurice Carrie
Winery in Temecula, including their newly released White
Merlot. Workings, a San Diego based chef, is a graduate
of the New England CIA and has worked for several fine restaurants
and caterers in the area, including Mille Flours, Mister
A's, George's at the Cove and Azul. "I love creating
original recipes using unique and exotic ingredients like
organic kumquats and persimmons," says Workings. Below
please find the recipe for Chipotle Persimmon Pumpkin Soup
(recipe).
Waters Catering
Chef Workings may be contacted
at 619-596-2890
|
|
Jerry's
Famous Deli
On
Beverly Boulevard in West LA was the venue for my meeting
with partner John Mitchell, who gave me unending samples
of the wonderful food that has been served at the popular
deli since Ike and son Jason bought it in 1978. This restaurant
is one of many in California they own and operate, and is
a place filled with "Broadway" memorabilia. They
are dedicated to serving people what ever they want 24 hours
a day. Including my favorites, corned beef sandwiches and
matzo ball soup. The menu includes 700 items, and is a favorite
hang out for local entertainment types. The Studio City
restaurant shares the same building with an actor's workshop.
According
to Mitchell, a successful real estate developer who joined
the group as an expert in real estate acquisitions, "I
love the hospitality aspects of this business." The
group has been very busy in the past few years acquiring
locations in Florida. The Wolfie Cohn and Rascal House venues
in South Florida are also busy business ventures of the
successful restaurateurs.
Jerry's
serves an endless variety of New York style pizza that is
billed as JFD "The Greatest Pizza" and recently
added a breakfast pizza to their menu. The New York style
cheesecake also comes in a variety of flavors and is delicious.
This is a great place to have a complete breakfast, lunch
or dinner at prices that are affordable. Jerry's
restaurants are kid friendly and accommodate large
parties for birthdays and special occasions. They are renowned
for their complete range of catering services.
Jerry's
Famous Deli
For location information go
to www.jerrysfamousdeli.com
|
|
The
Highlands
Gabel Entertainment-NY sponsored
a Pre-Oscar Celebration at The Highlands,
a chic new multi-level restaurant/lounge/club in the heart
of Hollywood Kodak Center, which was also the site of a
huge celebrity party following the Academy Awards. The dance
floor was filled with all the beautiful people, while the
drinking, eating and patio areas were filled with a sea
of happy guests who enjoyed a runway fashion show for charity.
|
|
Music
Matters-Keeping Music Alive in LA
The L.A. Philharmonic Association
in tandem with the Napa Valley Vintners Association and
Patina Catering at the Music Center sponsored
A 15 Wine Tasting, Dinner and Silent Auction to support
Music Matters-Keeping Music Alive in LA. Over 100 wines
and a bevy of hors d'oeuvres provided by Patina
Catering were enjoyed by guests. The 5-course Connoisseur's
Dinner was presented b Master chefs Joachian Splichal, founder
of the Patina Group; Octavio Becerra, Pinot
Bistro; Michael Cimarusti, Water Grill;
Josian Citrin.
|
|
The
Waterfront Grill
Located in the Santa Barbara
Maritime Museum, offered a special touch of Maritime history
for my guests, who viewed the Tall Ships in the harbor,
while savoring a Sunset Dinner Special in a the restaurants
charming nautical atmosphere. The Sunset Dinner Special
is served from 5:00 - 6:30 nightly, and includes a choice
of fresh grilled salmon with tartar sauce and lemon, single
cut roasted and grilled prime rib of pork with caramelized
shallots and port wine sauce, boneless grilled chicken breast
with Dijon mustard cream, eight ounce grilled prime top
sirloin steak that all come with a small Caesar salad, fresh
vegetables and rice pilaf for $9.95.
The regular
menu offers appetizers of cioppino, ahi sashimi, oysters,
steamed clams, Island mussels, prawn cocktail and a Waterfront
Grill version of oysters Rockefeller. Seafood specialties
include pacific sand dabs; pan roasted local halibut, grilled
pacific salmon, and grilled fresh whole lobster. They also
serve a delicious sirloin steak with grilled onions, chicken
breast, prime rib of pork that is outstanding and filet
mignon. A delightful children's menu is available as well.
Executive
Chef Jerry Wilson, owned a restaurant for ten years, received
his chef's degree from the CIA, and has worked at renowned
dinner spots such as Gaston's and The Spa in Palm Springs,
and El Enranto in Santa Barbara. "I am still learning,
and the owners have some great ideas. We have a fish and
game permit to buy fresh fish locally, and this provides
great fresh fish for our seafood menu on a daily basis,"
said Wilson.
For a casual
lunch or some trendy cocktails try their upstairs Endless
Summer Bar Cafe. Waterfront Grill Co-owners Larry Stone,
Nan Stone and Steve Hyslop have a successful history in
the hospitality industry; they are also owners of the award-winning
Chuck's of Hawaii in Santa Barbara and the Ballard Inn and
Cafe Chardonnay, in Santa Ynez Valley.
The
Waterfront Grill
For Reservations call 805-564-1200
|
|
Pink
Palace Hotel
Sonoma's Iron Horse Vineyards
brought favorite wines of the White House to the Pink Palace
in Beverly Hills. The Beverly Hills Hotel featured a reception
and four-course dinner created by award winning chef Katsuo
"Suki" Sugiura, who perfectly matched the dinner
menu with selected Iron Horse wines from vintner Joy Sterling.
Pink
Palace Hotel
For Reservations call 310-276-2251 |
|