Thursday, July 16, 2009
YUM....Cupcakes
It's not the first time a confectionery maker or baker has used this particular pop culture reference as a marketing trick, but people always love different ways of winning stuff. SusieCakes third anniversary golden ticket giveaway on happens on Saturday, July 18, when ten lucky cake eaters will find tickets in their "Frosting-Filled" style cupcakes, redeemable for various SusieCakes goodies and classes. The sweetly nostalgia-laced bakeshop's newest location opens the following week on Saturday, July 25 at 3500 N. Sepulveda Blvd. #150 in Manhattan Beach, (310) 303-3780.11708 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, (310) 442-CAKE (2253).23653 Calabasas Rd., Calabasas, (818)591-2223.2043 Westcliff Dr. #104, Newport Beach, (949) 646-6881.
Bigfoot Lodge West Opens
You love Bigfoot lodge but the trip over to the Eastside, not so much. Consider that trek a thing of the past: say hello to Bigfoot Lodge West, now soft-open. Grab a seat at this campy bar adorned with artifacts and rarities collected by adventurers from the Pacific Northwest and you'll feel like you just walked into, well, a log cabin, but in Culver City. Take the edge off with a solid bourbon and whiskey menu.Bigfoot Lodge West, 10939 Venice Blvd, Culver City, (310) 287-2200, bigfootlodge.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Secret's Out
A Hidden Restaurant Is Reborn
You're good at many things, but keeping secrets isn't one of those things. We have that in common with you.
So when a restaurant once called Hidden gets replaced—and catches the attention of one of our city's most esteemed chefs in the process—we're here to discuss. Caché opens Friday in the depths of a Santa Monica courtyard.
The covert entrance remains the same—a few steps up into a brick-heavy courtyard off Main Street, and a vague sense of confusion as you seek the place out, all the way in the back. But once inside the sprawling indoor-outdoor space—right, there it is—you'll notice some…changes. Some mahogany. Some concrete. An airier, more opened-up feel. And also, not 47 cuisines shoehorned into one menu. (Just saying.)
Now overseen by endlessly awarded Mélisse chef Josiah Citrin, the menu is focused on the modern, the seasonal and that which can be dumped into Mason jars. If you just came by for a few cocktails and the lounge menu, you'll be sampling Foie Gras Parfait or Smoked Salmon Potato Salad served in the same containers as grandma's jam. But for a proper dinner, there are piled-high plates of Wood-Fried Calamari or Hanger Steak With Maui Onion Rings.
The world may not yet be ready for steak in a jar
Caché
3110 Main St
(at Marine)
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-399-4800
website
I Heart Hakobe
La Cienega's New Japanese Getaway
You're all for jet setting models, obviously, but sometimes you wish they would just settle down and open a Japanese restaurant.
And if they happen to do so on La Cienega's still-bustling Restaurant Row, all the better. Welcome to Hakobe, soft-opening Monday.
Now residing in the famed former Lodge Steakhouse, Hakobe is brought to you by now-investor Adolfo Suaya (he's not the model, but he's helped you out with Bar Delux, BoHo and many others) and new owner Asako (that's the model). Since her catwalking days, she's opened a restaurant in Osaka and an exclusive limo service in Beverly Hills, so she'll be able to make you feel right at home here. (Or en route to prom.)
The Lodge layout remains basically the same, and the tree-trunk tables haven't gone anywhere. But amid new bamboo, oversized lanterns and a sushi bar, you can now start with Black Cod in Puff Pastry, move on to Hakobe Surf and Turf (it's lobster and Kobe—the culinary equivalent of Pau Gasol and Kobe) and for dessert, there's the Chilled Pear-Ginger Soup. And plenty of sake, obviously.
You've never been a model of restraint.
Hakobe
14 N. La Cienega Blvd
(N. of Wilshire)
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
310-652-0007
A New Hotel in the LBC
The sand. The surf. The sunsets. Lately, you've been a little obsessed with the beach. Which is why we think you should meet the new boutique hotel AVIA Long Beach, opening at month's end. As a hotel connoisseur, you'll be pleased to set foot in the lobby where modern oddities like object-filled floor to ceiling curiosity cabinets and obscure artwork make their home against a serene background. As for your Master Suite, know that the deep-hued sleeper is decked out in lush Italian sheets and snacks by Dean & DeLuca. Downtown Long Beach gives a nod to uptown luxury, while keeping it Coastal. You'll dig the AVIA vibe. But you won't spend all of your time relaxing in your digs with California wines and a nightly chef's table to enjoy at AVIA Kitchen and Wine Bar. A few seasonal bites and craft brews later, head to the rooftop pool terrace and score a private cabana to take in the Sunset Harbor alongside the 3,600 square-foot pool. Obsession has its privileges. AVIA Long Beach soft opens July 30th and is taking reservations now. Take a peek here. AVIA Long Beach 285 Bay Street (at Aquarium Way), Long Beach Tel: (562) 436-1047 aviahotels.com/hotels/longbeachew Boutique Hotel (Plus Rooftop Pool) | |||
| AVIA Long Beach opens |
NYC STANDARD HOTEL!!!!
| Standard Deviation Dine under the High Line | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By avoiding the outsize concepts found at neighboring restaurants, The Standard Grill successfully adds a much-needed dose of understated coolness to the Meatpacking District. Chef Dan Silverman (formerly of Lever House) abandons the woefully habitual burgers and fries, instead turning a bounty of farm-stand ingredients into comforting seasonal plates. Snack on gratis French Breakfast radishes before savoring a cool haricots verts salad dressed with yogurt, cinnamon and crispy shallots ($9). Sweet pea ravioli with pistachios and mint ($15) is a light and buttery main dish, though those with heartier appetites should try grill-marked standouts like Sunburst trout with currant-pine-nut relish ($16) and the Berkshire pork chop coated in a spiced-salt crust ($18). Added value comes in the form of a complimentary side dish; ours have included patatas bravas with smoked-paprika aioli on one visit, baby carrots with tarragon on another. And take advantage of the restaurant's expansive sidewalk and patio areas: Located under the newly opened High Line, they offer the summer's best seats in town. The Standard Grill, 848 Washington St. (at W. 13th St.); 212-645-4100 or thestandardgrill.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Yeah XIV!!
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