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Archive for August, 2011
New Früute
Fruit tarts have gotten a mini-makeover at one West Hollywood pastry shop. New Früute serves “not-so-traditional” miniature tarts, which have an “airy” texture and clever and some unusual flavors. Eighteen varieties are hand-made daily. Traditional options include the Three Berries: Madagascar vanilla custard and vanilla crust finished with fresh berries. More creative varieties include the Yuzu, with Japanese citrus cream cheese custard, vanilla crust, fresh golden raspberry and a white chocolate fan, and the Budino, made with butterscotch pudding, chocolate crust and a caramel-filled macaron. Something so unique, a great reason to come for an LA tour. The truly adventurous Curious menu includes the Wasabi, with Japanese horseradish, blood orange, pistachio crust and mint leaf tempura, and the Black Pepper, with pepper-infused chocolate, forest berry center, frangipane, chocolate crust, blueberries and a candied black-pepper crisp.
8951 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
310.786.9983
Cirque du soleil: Iris
Watch out, Vegas! L.A. has finally earned its own Cirque du Soleil spectacle, fittingly themed around the history of film. The long-anticipated Iris: A Journey Through the World of Cinema, written and directed by director-choreographer Philippe Decouflé, opens in previews (officially opens Sept. 25) at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre; it will be the exclusive host to this production. This is such a great place to check out while touring LA, plus you get the fun from the Cirque du Soleil. Win, win.Described as a “lyrical, fanciful, kinetic foray into the seventh art,” Iris uses dance, acrobatics, live video, filmed sequences and animation to tell the history of cinema and its genres. More than 70 performers don 200 costumes for the show, which is scored by Grammy and Emmy Award winner and L.A. native Danny Elfman.
Performances Tu–Su. $43–$133; VIP Ticket $253.
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
877.943.4747.
Rosé Opens in West Hollywood
A new French Riviera-inspired restaurant brand, has debuted in the heart of West Hollywood. Intended to capture the essence of the French Riviera lifestyle, it features an indoor/outdoor setting, seasonally inspired cuisine by chef Emmanuel Pradet and rosé wine from the owners’ personal vineyard. The relaxed yet elegant décor and ambience are designed to reflect 1960s Saint-Tropez with pop photography, nautical touches and rose-hued mirrors, this is a great place to be while touring Los Angeles. Open until 2 am for dinner, the restaurant’s dishes include a “curly” salad with warm bacon, croutons and soft poached egg, and classic mussel stew with shallots, tarragon and the signature rosé wine. A cocktail menu inspired by French pop culture features libations like the Godard, the Breathless and La Nouvelle Vague.
861 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood,
310.289.1294
Chef Ricardo Zarate Launches Picca
Chef Ricardo Zarate, best known for his Peruvian eatery Mo-Chica and recently proclaimed Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine, dips into flavors of Peru once again with new restaurant, Picca. In a casual, contemporary cantina, a menu of shareable small plates begins with appetizers like chicken chicharrónes with salsa criolla and steamed mussels with pancetta and aji amarillo butter, and moves on to a list of so-called causa sushi, Zarate’s take on sushi that features potato topped with raw seafood. I wish this place was around in every major city so when I travel, this’ll be the go to spot. Well, at least while others travel, they can take an LA tour and enjoy this fantastic restaurant. There are also numerous ceviches, tiraditos (the Peruvian version of sashimi), anticuchos (grilled skewers) of meats and seafood, and other specialties including quinoa-pumpkin stew and Peruvian paella drizzled with sea urchin sauce. Simple desserts such as churros and tres leche cake complete the meal. Cocktails utilizing the regional spirit pisco are concocted by award-winning mixologist Julian Cox.
9575 W. Pico Blvd., L.A.,
310.277.0133