Michael and Mary O'Connell with Bonnie Carroll celebrating at AGOS

AGOS Ristorante, owned by the oh so sexy Robert De Niro, was the venue where my children Michael and Mary O'Connell and I celebrated a family birthday recently, we're not saying who or how old. This place is at the top of our family favorite restaurant list and serves fabulous authentic Italian favorites in an atmosphere that fuses California with New York. Ago is alive and is considered one of the hippest spots on Melrose, complete with paparazzi perched on the curb at the entrance. Tutto Bene!! (Look for a full review in our next FBI issue)

BAKED AT SISLEY - means a milieu of authentic desserts are freshly baked in the kitchen of Sisley Italian Kitchen. This is the place for homemade award winning Tiramisu! Sisley's outstanding mini-bread loaves and pastries, which include lemon meringue tart, banana cream pie tart, fresh berry tarts, carmel pecan chocolate mousse tart, rice pudding and "to die for" canoli's are the perfect ending to a great Italian dinner.

The antipasti selections are numerous, and my favorites are Italian quesadilla and Broccoli palermo. For salad, I recommend Sisley salad made with romaine, radicchio, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, roma tomatoes, pinenuts and parmesan cheese tossed with balsamic vinaigrette. The chicken penne is delicious with fresh chicken breast sauteed with spinach, white wine, tomatoes, lemon, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese and sweet basil, and the Sisley wood fired gourmet pizza with artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, grilled eggplant, sundried tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar, marinara and cheese is outstanding. The artichoke hearts and hearts of palm are marinated in balsamic vinegar before cooking.

The two entrees I tasted were lamb shank braised with green peppercorn sauce served over garlic mashed potatoes & sauteed spinach, and chicken marsala sauteed with mushrooms & onions in marsala wine. This restaurant specializes in family-style platters and offers tables for ten or more to accommodate the entire family. An extensive wine list includes 50 wines by the bottle and 30 wines by the glass. A kids menu has little people food at reasonable prices. With four locations; West LA; Valencia; Sherman Oaks; and Thousand Oaks, you can have home style Italian cooking accompanied by a wide variety of baked goods from their in-house bakery wherever you are in L.A. Try the Sunday Brunch - Mangia Bene!

KORBEL-CHAMPAGNE OF CHAMPIONS! Korbel Champagne Cellars, with a long history of striving for the best, was recently named Official Supporter for the 2000, 2002 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Team and 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The United States Olympic Committee and Salt Lake Organizing Committee recently announced that Korbel is their Official Supporter of choice. The joint marketing alliance with Olympic properties of the U.S., Salt Lake Organizing Committee and the United States Olympic Committee includes exclusive licensing and trademark protection for the names symbols, emblems, etc. through 2004.

The catering staff of PATINA RESTAURANT prepared a feast fit for the Nile, following a spectacular performance of Verdi's AIDA conducted by Placido Domingo, at the star-studded Los Angeles Opera Opening Gala. A vibrant cast, directed by Stephen Pickover, inlcuded Johan Botha, Louis Lebherz, Jaakko Ryhanen, Nino Terentieva, and Deborah Voight as Aida. The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was overflowing with a who's who of music lovers and supporters, including the evening sponsor and honorary Gala Chair Alberto Vilar. The post-performance party featured dancing, a sit down Egyptian inspired dinner and the celebration of the upcoming opera performances for 2000-2001.

Room with a View, Malibu Peir and the Colony from my room at Casa Malibu

CASA MALIBU on the beach in Malibu now has an agreement with MARMALADE CAFE in Malibu. Guests at the lovely historic seaside spot may now have complete menu selections delivered to their rooms or served on the patio by the trendy westside restaurant group. Try the chicken with garlic mashed potatoes — they are great! This delightful respite, just a short walk on the beach from the infamous Malibu Colony was once the home of the late actress Lana Turner and numerous other celebrities over the years.Wolfgang Puck was host of the 2000 American Wine & Food Festival