Restaurant-Dining Critiques » Los Angeles

Santa Monica Landmark, Chez Jay’s Fate Depends on Santa Monica’s City Council Decision – Los Angeles

Kit Marshal — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:10:13 +0000

Pending a decision by Santa Monica’s City Council Chez Jay might not be around much longer. The owner Jay Fiondella passed away in 2008 and his daughter is running it with former manager Michael Anderson. The vision and rules of operation and construction of the premises expected by the city, leave little leeway for free expression by the operator, who by the way, must privately finance it. It seems to me, it is a tight call as to whether it is worth it under the specific construction and operating rules laid down by the city, for Chez Jay’s to go forward. Keeping consistent with the overall look of the city’s Palisades Garden Walk and “Healthy Foods Initiative” and other restrictions might make it almost impossible.

For more information read this 2009 article

The Beverly Hills Hotel Turns 100 Years Old! – Los Angeles

Kit Marshal — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:38:10 +0000

The venerable Beverly Hills Hotel AKA: “The BH Hotel” has turned One Hundred Years Old. The incidents that went on inside the hotel walls, and especially in the bungalows, and most definitely within the lush gardens, will remain an obscured secret. Although, it is fairly common knowledge that Marilyn Monroe filmed “Let’s Make Love” in a couple of the bungalows on the grounds and Howard Hughes retained a permanent bungalow at the hotel until his death.

In honor of celebrating one hundred years of existence, the hotel is offering a few memorable cocktails, however, the price is $100 each plus tax & tip. For a few very, fortunate guests their tabs will be converted to 1912 prices; raise your glasses to that!

For more information: Please visit this link to read an article on the Beverly Hill Hotel Polo Lounge written in 2010.

The Los Angeles Times Has Dropped Its Star Rating System – Los Angeles

Kit Marshal — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 07:09:22 +0000

Culinary Tidbits . . . As of this week The Los Angeles Times will no longer use the star rating system when critiquing restaurants. Due to the wide differences between various venues today; from Food Trucks to Fine Dining. It is no longer possible to use a stars rating system to assess such a vast array of different dining styles, they stated. I think it was the right decision!

Sprinkles Cupcake ATM, Beverly Hills – Los Angeles

Kit Marshal — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:04:16 +0000

image credit: from Facebook

Sprinkles, Beverly Hills

9635 Little Santa Monica Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Tel. 1 310.274.8765
Emaileat@sprinkles.com
Website: http://www.sprinkles.com/
http://www.twitter.com/sprinklesbh

ONLY IN BEVERLY HILLS: Sprinkles is soon to announce a 24 hour cupcake ATM that will dispense not only cupcakes for people but also for dogs, various Sprinkles apparel and cake mixes. And, wouldn’t you know it has a Facebook page as well http://www.facebook.com/24hoursprinkles. Isn’t this all too cute!

Five Guys Opens in Westwood – Los Angeles

Kit Marshal — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:53:03 +0000

Five Guys opens a store on Broxton in Westwood which is almost complete. It looks as if it is a full scale invasion into the west by east coast burger joint Five Guys.

Cobras & Matadors Closing – Los Angeles

Kit Marshal — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:26:54 +0000

Just another closing of a restaurant, in a rash of them recently in Los Angeles.

Water Grill Reopens With New Look Downtown – Los Angeles

Kit Marshal — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:57:48 +0000

Water Grill
544 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90071
213-891-0900
http://www.watergrill.com/

The new Water Grill opens with an entirely new decor and layout: with polished oak floors, a marble-countered oyster & seafood bar, two new lobster tanks, a wide-open bar area, and the entire space has been notched-up to a ultra modern feel with a sleeker look however, the convenient address and menu favorites that you enjoyed in the past, have not changed.

Le Zinque, Cafe Wine Bar in Venice Opening, Old Favorite Drago Closing in Santa Monica – Los Angeles

Kit Marshal — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:04:19 +0000

Culinary Tidbits . . . Le Zinque, a cafe and wine bar on Abbott Kinney in Venice owned by Emmanuel Dossetti is having soft-opernings, while Celestino Drago’s 21 year old favorite Drago restaurant in Santa Monica is planning to close after their lease runs out at the end of January, he says, “he has his hands full with other restaurants”.

N/Naka, Omakase – West Los Angeles

Kit Marshal — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:19:29 +0000

Culinary Tidbits . . . N/Naka, Omakase, West Los Angeles
After the head sushi chef and owner Niki Nakayama sold her sushi bar Azami, (near Melrose and LaBrea) to Koreans, they incidentally, have ruined the place with dreadful, sweet tasting sushi, to cover up the poor quality of the fish, and are now closed.
She then was found working at her sister’s seafood store, Inaka Seafood Gourmet in Arcadia, and now she has finally opened N/Naka in West Los Angeles, a nine table restaurant specializing in seasonal Omakase. Her parents are in the fishing business, which guarantees fresh fish. 3455 South Overland Avenue, between Palms Boulevard and Lawler Street, Culver City, 310-836-6252, n-naka.com, Tuesday to Saturday, 6-9pm.

Petrossian Caviar, Beverly Hills – Los Angeles

Kit Marshal — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 11:19:10 +0000

321 N. Robertson Blvd. Beverly Hills
Tel.310-271-0576
Chef: Giselle Wellman

Developed by Armen Petrossian and team in the company’s lab, with the powder formed from 100% Transmontanus caviar and intended to be used as one might use spice, shaved truffles, or salt; to be sprinkled on dishes like eggs, smoked salmon, and pasta to imbue them with caviar flavor.

Caviar in paper-form and a powder-form, sold at the restaurant under the names Petrossian Caviar Powder and Petrossian Papierusse and used in the cooking at Petrossian, Beverly Hills as well as available in the shop for home use.