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									   The Forager  chef tested hard to find and unsual products
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                  | TOQUE |   
                  | Toque 
                      of Los AngelesBy Bonnie Carroll
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 Click 
                              on ImageFor Caption
 | ANDRE 
                            NEITO AT THE ST. REGIS Renowned chef Andre Neito, a third generation-classically 
                            trained French chef, who previously worked in tandem 
                            with Suki Sukihara at The Beverly Hills Hotel, now 
                            reigns as Executive Chef at the St. Regis Hotel. Located 
                            at St. Regis Drive and Avenue of the Stars, the Starwood 
                            property that opened in November 2000, is unsurpassed 
                            in levels of luxury, service and security, and has 
                            been a favorite hotel of many U.S. Presidents and 
                            visiting dignitaries.
 Encore, 
                            the signature restaurant at the St. Regis, combines 
                            innovative cuisine with contemporary comfort and intimacy. 
                            The Sunday Brunch includes fabulous eggs benedict 
                            with orange hollandaise sauce, served on asparagus 
                            and crab cakes that are not to be missed. St. 
                            Regis Hotel310.277.6111
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                        |  | THINGS 
                            ARE COOKING AT CITRONELLE The Santa Barbara Inn, located on Ocean Boulevard 
                            in Santa Barbara, has made great strides in updating 
                            their seaside property, including the Citronelle Restaurant, 
                            which offers memorable views of sunsets and sailboats, 
                            and was opened by renowned chef Michel Richard. My 
                            compliments to Executive Chef Isabelle Alexandre, 
                            who is on fire in the kitchen creating outstanding 
                            seafood specialties and sensual desserts.. With a 
                            history of solid culinary experience working with 
                            many of LA's best chefs, she presents uniquely inspired 
                            dishes that are pleasing to the taste and the eye. 
                            The dining room, with a well stocked private wine 
                            room, is modern, but elegant, and the servers are 
                            helpful and attentive. The new changes throughout 
                            this historic property are major, long overdue and 
                            delightful. Treat yourself to a wonderful weekend 
                            away or just a tasty night out.
 The 
                            Santa Barbara InnCitronelle 
                            Restaurant
 805.963.0111
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                        |  | IDAHO 
                            POTATO COMMISSION CO-SPONSORS SPUDFEST 
                            The Idaho Potato Commission will co-sponsor the 1st 
                            Annual SpudFest Family Film & Music Festival with 
                            Actress Dawn Wells, founder of the Spud Institute, 
                            at the Spud Drive-In, located in Driggs, Idaho from 
                            September 3-7. The event will feature live music all 
                            day, including The Bacon Brothers, at the Grand Targhee 
                            Resort in Wyoming, and premier screenings of studio 
                            and independent films by night at the historic Spud 
                            Drive-In. Spud Burgers will be on the menu, and awards 
                            will be presented.
 Idaho 
                            Patato Commission Spudfesthttp://www.spudfest.org
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                        |  | LOEWS 
                            COMES TO BEVERLY HILLS The new LOEWS Hotel at Beverly Hills, celebrated its 
                            opening with an amazing dinner featuring the talent 
                            of executive chefs from their San Diego, Santa Monica, 
                            and Tucson properties, as well as Beverly Hills. Each 
                            chef prepared one segment of numerous four segmented 
                            appetizer, dinner and dessert plates that were stylishly 
                            presented to guests at the dinner in the recently 
                            renovated bar and dining area.
 Loews 
                            Hotels are known for giving their properties all the 
                            right touches, both in guest amenities, and the overall 
                            dining experience. This little jewel of a hotel is 
                            no exception, and the local Beverly Hills residents 
                            are appreciating this new and charming neighborhood 
                            oasis for dinner.  Loews 
                            Hotel
 310.277.2800
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                        |  | BRUNCH 
                            AT BACARABacara Resort & Spa has become the hide-a-way 
                            of choice for LA’s rich and famous who seek 
                            total privacy to unwind amidst the scenic beauty of 
                            Santa Barbara’s coastline. Considered one of 
                            the ten best resorts in the world, Bacara offers guests 
                            the ultimate in exquisite cuisine and spa pampering.
 They 
                            are offering an exquisite Sunday brunch by the sea, 
                            featuring the culinary talents of Executive Chef David 
                            Reardon, and Spa Chef Andrew Simpson, along with a 
                            service to please’ staff. Special holidays like 
                            Mothers Day, Easter, Christmas or just a romantic 
                            Sunday meal, following your spa treatment, become 
                            more than memorable at a Bacara brunch. 
 Bacara 
                            Resort & Spa
 805.968.0100
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                        |  | VITAMIN 
                            WATER & SANTE RESTAURANT STEP UPThe Step Up Women’s Network of Los Angeles, 
                            producer's of a charity fundraiser for Peace4Kids 
                            and USC/Norris Cancer Center, got some flavorful sponsor 
                            assistance from Vitamin Water and Sante Restaurant 
                            at the Step Up For Yoga & Health Charity Festival 
                            at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica.
 Sante 
                            Restaurant is located on La Brea Boulevard in Los 
                            Angeles, and has a second location on San Vicente 
                            Boulevard in Brentwood.  A 
                            bevy of yoga instructors and participants enjoyed 
                            the totally healthy food and beverages provided throughout 
                            the weekend and at the Bhakti Groove Party, featuring 
                            the talent of singer Donna De Lory. Sante 
                            Restaurantneed phone - 000.000.0000
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                        |  | TANINO 
                            DRAGO SUPPORTS CHARITY CAR SHOWExecutive Chef/Owner Tanino Drago of Tanino Restorante 
                            in Westwood, kept hungry car enthusiasts happy with 
                            pasta, salad and Italian custard at the annual “Classics 
                            for Charity” event sponsored by Beverly Hills 
                            Ltd.-Mercedes Benz to benefit the Beverly Hills Education 
                            Foundation.
 The 
                            Drago Dynasty, four brothers who own five restaurants 
                            in the Los Angeles, area are always there to put back 
                            by supporting local charities.  Gratsi 
                            for the food and the kindness! Tanino 
                            Restoranteneed phone - 000.000.0000
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                        |  | KIDS 
                            ROCK AT FOUR SEASONS BEVERLY HILLSExecutive Chef Conny Andersson is pleasing tiny
 diners with his delightful brunch for children, a 
                            smaller version of the Sunday feast served in the 
                            hotel dining room, but with all the fun food kids 
                            love to eat.
 There 
                            is also a new General Manager at this property. Welcome 
                            to Mr. Medhi Eftekari, who returned to the Doheny 
                            property after several years at the Four Seasons Newport 
                            Beach. Located near the studios, it is a favorite 
                            to members of the entertainment industry, and features 
                            the best seat in town for the Oscars and Golden Globe 
                            Awards, where the cocktail lounge becomes a comfortable 
                            living room to enjoy LA's best entertainment ceremonies, 
                            while enjoying the latest in hot new cocktails and 
                            horsdoeuvres. Four 
                            Seasons Beverley Hills845.268.3770
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                        |  | RODNEY'S 
                            RESTAURANTin the Fess Parker’s Double Tree Resort offers 
                            the best steak in town, along with seafood options.
 Guests 
                            hand-pick their own steak or lobster from a silver 
                            serving tray, which is then skillfully prepared by 
                            executive chef Peter Gennaro, and presented with unique 
                            signature side dishes and salads.  Naturally, 
                            their wine list does include some fine selections 
                            from the Fess Parker Winery. Fess 
                            Parker's Double Tree ResortRodney's 
                            Restaurant
 805.564.4333 |   
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