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Archive for December, 2011
Some Things Not To Miss Out On
Though In-N-Out Burger restaurants are located throughout the Western United States, the chain is perhaps most
associated with Hollywood. It’s not surprising given how many celebrities have sung the restaurant chain’s praises. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay admitted that when he was taping his hit television show “Hell’s Kitchen” he would go into In-N-Out, eat a double cheeseburger, then drive around and pick up another burger for takeaway.
Julia Child, an American treasure, reportedly knew every In-N-Out location between Santa Barbara and San Francisco. She even had the delicious burgers delivered to her when she was in the hospital. Hilary Swank even dined at the Hollywood location after winning her Oscar. She plunked the statuette right down on the table with her! Visiting In-N-Out Burger has therefore become one of the many things to do in Hollywood.
The Writers Room
Though writers' rooms are normally sad holes filled with depleted beanbags and inspirational quotes from Chuck Palahniuk, this one aims to capture the much less depressing vibe of the "back room" of Musso and Frank, where, in the '30s, people like Fitzgerald and Hemingway would sip cocktails and talk ish about Faulkner to his face. Check this place out while touring Los Angeles, by far one of the most original places to grab a drink.The intimate bar (from Nur Kahn, the dude behind Gramercy Park's Rose Bar in NY, as well as a crew of Hollywood peeps) is in an alleyway off Hollywood Blvd, and features a garden patio and, inside, a Parisian-style elevator cage VIP area & brown leather booths opposite the bar, where Daniel Nelson (a.k.a. the redheaded dude from The Doheny) will make you drinks like a Kaffir Rickey w/ lemongrass syrup, carbonated coconut water & gin, and the Cho Sun One with Cork whiskey, Korean pear, perilla leaf, lemon, dates, and sesame.
6685 Hollywood Blvd; Hollywood; 323.491.4148
Seventy 7 Lounge
Seventy 7 Lounge's is an LA speakeasy in the neo-classic sense: the only marking's a glowing "Cocktails" sign, and the only way in is to tell the doorman the password, accessible every day on their Twitter.
The intimate interior's predictably retro, with long leather banquettes, antique-esque chandeliers, and metal-studded barstools sidled up to a lengthy wooden libation counter slangin' specialty drinks like the gin/ dill/ cucumber/ pickle juice/ creme fraiche "Peter Piper"; the absinthe/ gin/ muddled strawberries/ passion fruit/ simple syrup "Moulin Rouge"; and the "Plaid Bikini", which's got whiskey, elderflower syrup, yellow Chartreuse, grapefruit juice, and Old Time bitters, a taste reminiscent of cinnamon and cloves. This just opened up and needs be enjoyed while taking a tour of LA, not an option. If you're not into the hard stuff, they've also got a small wine list with five each of whites and reds, as well as a carefully curated beer selection w/ just two drafts (Lagunitas Double IPA/ Hoegaarden) and bottles including New Orlean's Abita Amber, Scotland's Belhaven Stout, and Acme Pale Ale from Fort Bragg, also what it's called when you tell your brother about the base you built in the bedroom while he was at sleepaway camp.
In case you're hungry, go get some food at their sister restaurant Rocco's Tavern as they're still finalizing a small plates menu, ensuring that you don't eat too much.
3843 Main St; Culver City; 310.559.7707
Wicked
Through Jan 29. Back by popular demand! L.A.’s favorite musical flies back to the Pantages this holiday season after a record-breaking two-year run. I loved this and so happy it’s back, it is the best place and should be first on your list to visit while touring LA. Called “A phenomenon that keeps growing” by The Los Angeles Times and “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” by The New York Times, “Wicked” is the untold story of the witches of Oz and how they became known as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.468.1770. www.broadwayla.org
Roof on Wilshire Offers Comfort Food and Panoramic Views
Known for his original eatery the Foundry on Melrose, Greenspan brings his comfort-food expertise to the new boutique property Hotel Wilshire, serving New American cuisine to diners in chic poolside cabanas. This cannot get any better than eating lunch like this while touring Los Angeles. Serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner, Greenspan’s menu highlights include Belgian waffles with fruit preserves and lemon syrup, a Reuben sandwich with house-cured corned beef, Swiss cheese and house-made sauerkraut, and caramelized scallops. A bar menu features innovative finger foods including “stuffed puffs” (cheese puffs with a side of cheese sauce, pesto or tapenade), duck confit arancini with apple gorgonzola, and nori nachos—crispy rice crackers tossed with tuna tartare, served with a spicy salmon roe and sweet Japanese aïoli. 6317 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.852.6002. www.theroofonwilshire.com
Osaka Combines Peruvian and Japanese Flavors in Hollywood
The menu at prolific restaurateur Adolfo Suaya’s latest eatery combines traditional Peruvian dishes—such as ceviches, tiraditos and causas—with Asian technique and flavors from Japan, Thailand and China. Signature dishes include the Osaka tiradito with raw white fish, yuzu oyster sauce and shizo aroma, the crab causita with stone crab meat, avocado and rocoto cream, and ceviche Nikkei with raw tuna, Japanese cucumber, crispy quinoa and yuzu vinaigrette. Osaka also boasts a cocktail menu with an emphasis on the now-trendy Peruvian spirit pisco. Great place to be while touring LA. The interior, designed by Spacecraft, includes a water feature and pond that leads from the entrance to a bar and lounge, a central ceviche bar and the so-called Pisco Garden, a lush environment decked with foliage, Japanese elms and a sky-lit roof. 6327 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.785.0360. www.osaka.com.pe
Late Night Social Hour at Osaka
Grab a seat at the expansive main bar in Hollywood’s newest Peruvian- Asian restaurant, and receive half off all food and drinks. A great place to be while touring LA. Enjoy selection of ceviches for $8, sushi rolls for $4-$8, Osaka wok rice and vegetables for $6 and specialty pisco cocktails for $6.
Osaka, 6327 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.785.0360.
White Truffles at Locanda del Lago
Executive Chef Gianfranco Minuz whips up mouthwatering offerings from a batch of Italian white truffles that just landed yesterday. Feast on Prosciutto d’Agnello: Housemade Lamb Prosciutto with Green Tea-Honey Reduction, Roasted Beets and Shaved White Truffle; Risotto al Tartufo Bianco: Parmesan Risotto with Freshly Shaved White Truffle; and Tagliatelle al Mascarpone con Tartufo Bianco: Housemade Egg Tagliatelle in Creamy Mascarpone-Parmesan Sauce with Fresh White Truffle Shavings. Something that decadent sounding should be your #1 choice while taking a private tour of LA. Each dish is $65, limited quantities are available and will be offered until gone.
Locanda del Lago, 231 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, 310.451.3525. www.lagosantamonica.com
Champagne and Oysters at Public Kitchen & Bar
Dec. 1-31. Celebrate the holidays over a wide selection of champagne and oysters at Public Kitchen & Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Nosh on a nightly menu of Belon, Coromandel, Fanny Bay, Hood Canal, Kumamoto, Malpeque, Phantom Creek, Raspberry Point, Well Fleet, Salt Pond, and Kusshi oysters for $14 for a half dozen, $20 for nine oysters, or $28 for a dozen. A great place to grab some great food while taking a tour of Los Angeles. Sip a selection of top tier champagne and sparkling wine ranging from from $10 to $29 per glass, or $35 to $140 per bottle; varieties include Bollinger “Special Cuvée” Brut NV, Milan Brut “Cuvée Millenaire” NV, Chartogne-Taillet Brut “Cuvée St. Anne” NV, and more.
Public Kitchen & Bar, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.769.8888. More Info.
Fela!
Dec. 13-Jan 22. Legendary Nigerian Fela Kuti was a musical dynamo and a political powder keg who used his supercharged and sexy Afrobeat sound and charismatic spirit to ignite and inspire a generation to dare challenge a government of oppression. FELA! is both rave and theatrical wonder. A great new place to check out and really experience while touring LA. Thanks to Fela’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award® winner Bill T. Jones, this tale of courage, passion and love will shake you: body and soul.
Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772.