My New Fave Breakfast Spot

Check out this strawberry crostada with fresh whipped cream.

Prosecco in a big ol' juice glass.

A spread fit for a king!

Click here for my eating adventures at Huckleberry!

Lunch at The Chateau

Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere" features a movie star living at the Chateau Marmont (showing his daughter the time of her life) and celebrates the hotel's historic Hollywood vibe.  If these walls could talk!  Scarlett Johansson and Benicio del Toro's steamy tryst in the elevator is just a drop in the well.  Led Zeppelin riding motorcycles through the hotel lobby?  Oh yes.  Judy Garland singing at the piano? Indeed.  Lindsay Lohan racking up huge bills and Britney Spears smearing food on her face?  Sigh.

I love going for lunch.  The patio is like a (very glamorous) neighbor's outdoor room, with massive rugs laid out in a serene, bohemian garden.  It's also some of the best people-watching in LA and the food never disappoints.  I've had the Cucumber and Avocado with Basil sandwich a half-dozen times over the past few months.  With more than a dozen layers of goodies to bite into, the textures are incredible.

I guess we're both creatures of habit.  Robert usually gets the chicken breast and avocado sandwich.  (Don't you love a pounded chicken breast?)  I stole too many of his fries.  They're just how I like them.  Goldilocks here doesn't like her fries too skinny or too fat.  Just crispy and light as air.  Maybe you've heard of the Chateau's burger?  It's one of the best in LA.  I prefer sharing one with a friend after a rowdy Hollywood night, tucked into a couch in the main living room.


Chateau Marmont
8221 Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 656-1010


One can't leave the hotel without a sighting!  Richard Lewis was having lunch solo, listening to his ipod and writing with four bottles of diet coke in front of him.

A Taste of Red Medicine

I'm not a restaurant critic, but I love going out to eat and I want honest recommendations. Consider this a conversation between friends.  

Even though @koreanyenta and I have been complaining about not being able to fit into any of our dresses, we've heard so much talk about Red Medicine, we wanted to see what the fuss was about.  The diet can wait another day.

This is the where a restaurant critic was photographed and ordered to leave.  Her photo was posted online so “restaurants can have a picture of her and make a decision as to whether or not they would like to serve her." Those are the words of restaurant manager Noah Ellis.  I'm a reporter, and just like all other reporters, I'm inquisitive, particularly when there's controversy.  My mouth was watering in every sense of the saying.

The name Red Medicine may seem a bit strange, but it was inspired undoubtedly by Fugazi's punk album of the same name.  The restaurant had a warm and almost casual vibe when I walked through the door.  In fact, I felt more like I was in Silver Lake rather than Beverly Hills.It's decked out with high ceilings, industrial decor, handsome young men wearing checkered shirts and a hostess walking around with a big friendly smile.  Good thing I was wearing jeans and a blazer.  The dress I had tried unsuccessfully to sausage myself into not only would've been uncomfortable, I would've felt a bit overdressed.

We were seated promptly (by Noah possibly?) and I considered ordering the #33 cocktail ($10).  I have a weakness for Tiki-inspired rum drinks and this was described as a Singapore Sling.  We asked the waiter for recommendations and went for two #18s, after he asked what I normally drink.

A few minutes later, we were sipping on two drinks that tasted deliciously yet suspiciously like rum punch. We were halfway through the cocktails (we were thirsty!) when our waiter arrived with two more drinks.  Uh oh.  Apparently we were drinking another table's Singapore Slings.  He left us our #18s (kind of a twist on a lemon drop), but I'm all for happy accidents.  I ordered another #33 later!

For appetizers we ordered the crispy spring rolls ($16), brussels sprouts ($9), and chicken dumplings ($9).  The crispy spring roll ($16) may seem a bit pricey for what tasted like fancy egg rolls, but I loved it!  As for the brussels sprouts, flash frying them seems to be the thing these days.  I had some at Cleo the other night.  Try them if you've never had them before, but be warned they're a little salty and oily and they're supposed to be that way.

The chicken dumplings resembled meatballs and were fun to assemble into lettuce wraps, but I could've gone for less meat and more greens to better balance out the flavors.  If my husband was with me, he probably would've disagreed.  He loves big portions of meat.  On this note, I can't help but share the first time I had chicken lettuce wraps.  It was at the French-Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial.  It used to be on Robertson and may it rest in peace. I went there when I was in college and when they brought them to the table I was confused but pressed through, putting a little dollop of the tangy, peppery meat on my plate and then plucking a a leaf of lettuce when I was finished with my portion, thinking it was there to cleanse the palate.  The memory makes me laugh every time I order them.

For main courses we ordered the pintade fermier ($12), which was a delicious piece of chicken that arrived with white rice in separate pot.  The blue lantern bay scallops ($18) were perfect with a hint of lemon and butter, but the tiny new potatoes tasted strong, like lemon butterballs.  The two entrées did not fill us up (I'll order more next time) so we were eager to order dessert.  

We ordered the lemongrass pots de creme ($9) because our server raved about it. It had a big dollop of blended sweet potato and a variety of other things on top, but the custard underneath is the prize.  The bitter chocolate ($9) involved fluffy chocolate kisses dancing across a pile of cookie crumbles.  The desserts were a bit fussy for my taste, but I have to mention here that Jordan Kahn was a pastry chef at Per Se in New York and did some incredible desserts at XIV before opening this restaurant.

With tip, we spent $100 per person for dinner and drinks.  (We were not charged for the accidental delivery.)  I am over the moon for their cocktails and it would be fun to return and sit in the bar, where I can eat more spring rolls and order off the lounge menu.  All of their bread comes from Bouchon, where dinner is always worth spending $100 a person.

Red Medicine
8400 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

In the Tiki Room

When I was a child, Adventureland and the The Enchanted Tiki Room cast a spell on me, so I've never met a Tiki Bar I didn't like.   Damon's on Brand in Glendale is a must if you're a fanatic like me or just crave a hearty 60's style dinner.

 

The back entrance.

Well hello there.  It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Check out the ancient menu.  Steaks for 65 cents.

Delicious shrimp cocktail.

 

Garlic bread sliced bigger than your hand.

The "petite" filet and twice-baked potato.  Filled with fluffy mashed potatoes and a crusty top.  Yum.

There are only two drinks listed on the menu.  They're $6. One is the Chi Chi and it tastes like a pina colada, so I went for the Mai Tai.  Unless you're a lush, you only need to order one.  It's delicious, but strong!

Garlic Noodles Galore!

After a marathon shopping day at South Coast Plaza, my mom and I stopped by AnQi for happy hour.  (They call it Red Hour and here's the menu.)  The gourmet Vietnamese-fusion bistro is owned by the An Family, whose most famous spot is Crustacean in Beverly Hills.

So of course I had to order the famous garlic noodles!  I could eat these all day long.  Carbs. Yes.

The beef satay was $6 and juicy.  I wanted another round.

The Crispy Chicken Rice Rolls tasted just like egg rolls to moi.  I do love an egg roll.  $6 an order.

Some concoction...

The view in the powder room.  I didn't even get a pic of the catwalk in the middle of the restaurant!  Check it out here. 

Weekend Brunch

Easy afternoon at The Mercantile. The food was as delicious as it looks. A little like Joan's on Third but not nearly as crowded, probably because it's in a laid-back area.  It's on Sunset Blvd. between Cahuenga & Cherokee.

What I wore...

Zara jacket & dress, Aldo shoes, BCBG necklace & Betsey Johnson earrings.

Romantic Beach Restaurants

For some fabulous reason, love is in the air!  Several guys have asked me for restaurant recommendations near the water, where you can take in the sunset and then walk on the beach.  Sounds lovely!  I asked, and many of you savvy Angelenos answered.  I've tried many of these restaurants too.


Click on the links to get a feel for each restaurant.  Some are very romantic, others are more casual, but right on the sand.  Don't forget to make your reservation for sunset and enjoy!




Laguna Beach 

Studio at Montage

Las Brisas

La Jolla


George's At the Cove

Malibu

Savory

Moonshadows 

Geoffrey's

The Malibu Beach Inn

Paradise Cove

The Chart House

Manhattan Beach 

Mucho

Second Story at The Belamar

Newport Beach

Beachcomber Cafe (Crystal Cove)

Wildfish

Blue Water Grill

Palos Verdes

mar'sel at Terranea

Santa Monica

Catch at Casa Del Mar

One Pico at Shutters on the Beach 

The Lobster

Topanga

Inn of the Seventh Ray

photo source: I took this in the summer at a friend's beach house in Malibu.

Toi & Tootsies

Caroline & I had dinner at Toi tonight. I took this photo in the hallway leading to the powder room. She's working hot boots.


If you're ever on Sunset in Hollywood, Toi is a relaxed, reasonable & yummy Thai place. We ordered pad thai & yellow curry. Both were great.

I just googled it & discovered it's one of Quentin Tarantino's faves too. Here's a quote from the LA Times:

"It's open really late; the food is great. I come in to write. During the day, it's way kicked back. They always play good music. I can sit for five hours, order some coffee and just work. I've been doing that at Toi for 15 years."

I've interviewed QT a couple of times. He's a ball of energy & a total charmer. I asked him (at Movies Rock) to name his favorite song. He told me "Tangled Up In Blue" by Bob Dylan.

My fave song of all time? "Blackbird" by The Beatles. It's sad & hopeful at the same time. When I've been down it's always inspired me. I learned recently that Paul McCartney wrote it about the civil rights movement. Now I love it even more.

So back to shoes. I was wearing my favorite zapatos tonight. They were a Christmas present.


They have the perfect heel. Tall enough to make you feel girly... yet you could walk in them all night. They're Chanel, so of course they're perfection!

A Delicious Journey

My parents came to rescue me from the cleaning abyss that is my home. They took me to my fave local restaurant open between the golden hours of 3pm-5:30pm. That's when every single restaurant in LA seems to close & prepare for dinner.

It's Taste on Melrose just off La Cienega. I love their web address http://www.ilovetaste.com/ but their mini-menu is even more delicious.

There's my parents sitting at my favorite table at the bay window. The windows are open overlooking the street for prime people-watching.

We sampled the ahi tuna tartare (Sashimi Grade Ahi, Avocado, Mint, Dill, Spicy Aioli, Crostini $11.50).

Robert & I would've been fighting over it, but I had it all of it to myself & finished every bite.

We shared two chicken & roasted vegetable pizzettas (Chicken Breast, Roasted Vegetables, Macadamia Nut Pesto, Oven Dried Tomato, Goat Cheese $9.50). A must try.

We also had the pommes frites (french fries with Garlic Aioli, Remoulade & Ketchup 6.00) No one ever seems to finish them. It's a heaping yummy helping.

Next stop, Comme Ça. I thought it was closed, but my dad wanted to take a walk, so we crossed the street to check it out & discovered it was open!

The hostess informed us they're open 7 days a week 11am-11pm! I discovered it thanks to Jaime Rummerfield whose store is around the corner. Comme Ça is a brasserie about the closest thing I've found in LA to my fave restaurant in the world.. Balthazar.

It's pretty new. If you go, have the burger. But since we were already full, we had dessert & the insanely tasty Rumble. It's bruised blackberries, rum, lemon & crushed ice. We collectively decided it's an adult snowcone.


We all raced to get bites of the Myer Lemon Tart & we ordered the Brioche Pudding & Ice Cream... but I think they gave us Jr's Chocolate Tart. I dunno. It was like a warm homemade brownie. (A nice break from the molten chocolate cakes that seem to be on every menu). we fenced forks over it.
I sat against the white vinyl for the comfort & the view. It wasn't busy tonight, but last time I was there for lunch, it was a great crowd, with a guy wearing a jean kilt sitting next to us & a group of ladies who lunch in front of us.

I love the restrooms. They aren't over-the-top, but I love the white subway tile, painted doors & stones in the sink. That's mi madre Henrie.