Are you a fan of Project Runway? Personally, I dropped off the grid this latest season on Lifetime but I sure remember Jeffrey Sebelia and his yellow plaid couture gown. He’s definitely one of my favorite designers in the entire series! This Saturday you can see his latest designs in the Fluxus Spring 2010 line – including his exclusive “capsule collection” – at Brentwood Gardens. At the opening of this outpost (they currently have one in Larchmont), you get 25% off the entire line during 1-4 PM so it’s a good time as any to check out the edgy silhouettes and unique-but-breezy fabrics in his line. Fluxus is also introducing new, electric colors so you’ll be ready to “pop” once Spring rolls around – or before.

There will even be featured couture pieces created by Jeffrey so hey – whether you’re a fan of Project Runway or a fan of fashion and shopping, this is the time to preview. Sebelia himself is slated to appear.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

1 – 4 PM

25% off during event

Fluxus at Brentwood Gardens
11677 San Vicente Blvd., Ste. 109
Los Angeles, CA 90049

It’s never too early for Thanksgiving. That’s what I always say. No, not really – but seeing as from Sunday’s Great Chefs of LA event (post coming soon), there were plenty of autumn bites to be had despite the seventy-something temps in Southern California … in November. Fortunately, Akasha is previewing some Thanksgiving bites – indoors. For only $10, you’ll be able to sample tastes of Akasha’s Thanksgiving menu to get an idea of what you might like to order for the big day. In addition to the tastings, you’ll be treated to complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. They have two Saturdays lined up for your sampling pleasure:

Saturday, November 14th

Thanksgiving Desserts & H’ors d’ouerves

• Pumpkin Pie
• Texas Style Pecan Pie
• Pear and Cranberry Tart with Cinnamon Crumble
• Banana Cream Pie
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Bacon-Cheddar Biscuits
• Curried Chicken & Fuyu Persimmon Salad
• Dilled Egg Salad
• Wild Planet Tuna with Housemade Bread & Butter Pickles

Also try Akasha’s housemade:

• Cranberry Chutney
• Betty Kennedy’s Plum Chutney
• Fig-Balsamic Jam
• Zinfandel & Pinot Plum Jam
• Pomegranate-Jalapeno Jelly

Saturday, November 21st

Thanksgiving Sides & More

• Finley Farms Lettuce & Flora Bella Arugula, Persimmon, Pomegranate, Goat Cheese
• Niman Ranch Ham with Pomegranate Jalapeño Glaze
• Cornbread & Creminelli Sausage dressing
• Candied Yams with Ceylon Cinnamon and Brown Palm Sugar
• Rutiz Farms Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Pearl Onions & Niman Ranch Bacon
• Blue Lake Green Bean Casserole with Housemade Skinny Fried Onions
• Organic Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese with Seasoned Bread Crumbs
• Artisan Cheese with Crostini & Akasha’s Housemade Quince Paste

What a great way to try many different things all at once! I can attest that their housemade chutneys and jam are truly fresh and delicious, too – looove that Betty Kennedy’s Plum Chutney (which I used to top the braised shortribs above at Great Chefs of LA). I’ll see you one of these Saturdays!

Saturdays, November 14 & 21

12 – 3 PM

$10

The Bakery at AKASHA
9543 Culver Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
310.845.1700

@akashaCC

Buy a Dining Out to End Cancer card for $25 and for the month of November, get 20% off the entire check – excluding alcohol, tax and gratuity – at participating restaurants.

Proceeds from the sale of Dining Out to End Cancer cards will support highest priority cancer research at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC). Woohoo! My alma mater!  And what better way to support than to support cancer research?

Take a look at the participating restaurants for the full scoop:

Blvd 16 Restaurant and Lounge
BONDST Beverly Hills
Border Grill – Santa Monica
Carousel Restaurant
Catalina Restaurant
Chakra Cuisine – Beverly Hills
Chakra Cuisine – Irvine
Ciudad
Coupa Cafe – Beverly Hills
Grub
Il Grano Restaurant
Ketchup
La Fonda on Wilshire
La Poubelle Bistro & Bar
Literati Cafe
Literati 2
MINX Restaurant and Lounge
O Bar and Kitchen
Pastina Trattoria
POP Champagne and Dessert Bar
Sam’s by the Beach
Spark Woodfire Grill – Beverly Hills
Spark Woodfire Grill – Huntington Beach
Spark Woodfire Grill – Simi Valley
Spark Woodfire Grill – Studio City
Susan Feniger’s STREET
Taste on Melrose
Taste at the Palisades
The Yard
Vinoteque on Melrose
West Restaurant & Lounge

Woo Street! Woo Vinoteque! Woo BONDST! Get out there and save 20% in the name of cancer…

Cards are $25

Savings good for month of November

Looking for a November nightcap?

I know what you’re thinking – November puts you in the mood for pumpkin pie & spice, and a sushi restaurant normally isn’t the place you’d go to get that. But for this month, only – Nobu West Hollywood first-namesake is serving up a specially-made dessert that comes with a shot. Yes, the Japanese have pumpkins too! Peep below for the absolutely delicious dessert I tried last week:

Kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) creme, vanilla caramel, caramelized Kabocha seeds, topped with coconut/caramel ice cream

The shot:

Finlandia grapefruit vodka, spicy pumpkin puree, condensed milk and garnished with nutmeg.

The coconut/caramel ice cream was so delicious with the Kabocha creme and the crispy carmelized seeds gave it good crunch. But the best part is actually the shot (have a little sip with each bite you take), which finishes off the dessert in a whole other way. Yes, it’s made with grapefruit vodka so there’s a nice, refreshing ending while giving you that autumn, savory creaminess you’ve come to expect from pumpkin pie.

Oh, I’m sorry – did you want bites to eat before dessert? Nobu is notorious for some seriously delicious tapas – hot and cold. It’s pretty easy to pop in and sit down in the lounge area so you don’t have to mess with the stress of a reservation. I myself like to play it by ear.

Hot tapas:

Wagyu and foie gras gyozas (3 pc) $10
Scallop with jalapeño salsa (2 pc) $8
Miso black cod with butter lettuce (2 pc) $8
Uni tempura $10
Rock shrimp tempura with creamy spicy or butter ponzu sauce $7
“Fish ‘n Chips” Nobu style $8
Lamb anticucho $9
Squid pasta with light garlic sauce $9
Miso marinated grilled Black Tiger shrimp $9
Foie gras and crispy soba (2 pc) $9
Ginger panko encrusted scallops $10

Cold tapas:

Spicy taro chips with yellowfin tuna or scallop $10
Nobu style sashimi tacos with yellowfin tuna, lobster or crab (2 pc) $9
Yellowtail sashim with jalapeño $9
Whitefish sashimi with dried miso $9
Oysters with Nobu sauces (Ponzu, Nobu, Maui) $10
Lobster ceviche butter lettuce (2 pc) $12
Nobu new style sashimi – salmon, whitefish or scallop $8
Tiradito – whitefish, scallop or octopus $8
Kanpachi agua de chili $12

One thing’s for certain – I have my eye on the foie gras wagyu gyozas! I think I may just have to stop in – dessert’s just not enough.

Dessert available through November – $14

Hot and cold tapas available in lounge all day

Nobu
903 N. La Cienega Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
310.657.5711

Photo credit to LA Times

We may be in a recession – but that may be the very reason to start your holiday shopping now, just to “spread things out,” if you know what I mean. Then again, if you’re gifting from Petrossian’s Boutique, a place to get rather decadent delectables, let me first commend you for your great taste and second, give you my info so you can put me on your list.

Petrossian – a place that prides itself on bringing otherwise-inaccessible luxurious items to everyone – is having a one-day-only holiday shopping event on Sunday. Staff will be on hand to help you shop. Pick one of the pre-made gift baskets, starting at $115 or customize your own. The point of the shopping event is to try what you may gift – like caviar, foie gras, fine olive oils, smoked salmon, french chocolates and truffles. Complimentary champagne will be provided and samples of “Tsar Cut Salmon, Trout and Salmon Roe, and Chocolates” will be available.

You may or may not know the Petrossian name as a leader in the caviar industry through three generations – but I’d say of any occasion this would be the day to stop in and see what you’re missing.

Besides, it’s a much better reason to visit Robertson than Kitson.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

12 – 5 PM

Petrossian Boutique & Restaurant
321 North Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90048
310.271.0576

@PetrossianWeho

Photo by Emilio Flores

It’s always good to expand your horizons. A couple weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited to join a handful of really talented Los Angeles tech girlies in a photo shoot at the Santa Anita Race Track in celebration of the Breeder’s Cup social media push. I know zilch about horse racing, but one thing I did know is that the Breeder’s Cup sounded like a big deal. This humble food and nightlife blogger is lucky enough to get a chance to be amongst Teh Internets’ greats for the championship of horse racing? All right!

What’s a girl to do?

(L – R) Meet Marsha Collier – who wrote the eBay book for Dummies and Alana Joy – co-director for Girls in Tech LA. Joe Talamo (dude, we have the same birthday and he’s on Twitter) is an award-winning jockey and also happens to be 19 years old. Shiah. Av Flox and her sexy self was featured on Lalawag lately. Owner of Kentucky Derby 2009 winner Mine That Bird, Chip Woolley, was having a time of it with the ladies as was Joe… Next was Meghan Cleary, a shoe expert who just launched her own bootie line on MSNBC! Heather Meeker – director of marketing and PR for Whrrl, a web and iPhone app – is on the end.

It was a hot but fun day of trying to look pretty. And for a lot of shots, not realizing that we weren’t taking the geeky cell phone shot and I ended up being the only one in a group to have it out. (See above.) Oh well.

I’ll be at the race track this afternoon – will I see you at The Breeder’s Cup Tweetup? It would be worth it to drop by (tweet at me if you do to get in)!

• 11:15 AM (PT): Betting the Breeders’ Cup Handicapping session with Joe Drape (@joedrape) of the New York Times, Ed DeRosa (@EJXD2) of the Thoroughbred Times and Tom Quigley (@Quigleys_Corner) of Horseplayer Magazine
• Q&A with prominent jockeys
• Appearances by ESPN personalities and jockeys from Animal Planet’s critically acclaimed reality show “Jockeys” and more

The tweetup will include a buffet, a commemorative Breeders’ Cup giveaway item for all participants of the tweet-up. A Nikon Coolpix will be given out. And the person who delivers the best tweets onsite will win a trip for two to the 2010 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs (Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Derby) including airfare and hotel.

Breeder’s Cup Photo Shoot Flickr Set – with credit to Emilio Flores

Santa Anita Race Track
285 W Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
626.574.7223

Fig e 5th

Caroline on Crack and Twitterland have been a-buzz with Drago’s special Thursday. So if you don’t already know, tomorrow their entire Nuovi Classico (new classics) cocktail menu – normally $12 – will be available for $8 per drink. Yesterday (Tuesday), was when the menu debuted. On H.C. of LA-OC-Foodie’s and my way to a Whiskey Society meeting over at Seven Grand, we decided to stop by Drago for some tastes.

Pera

We met Michael Shearin, who was very gracious, knowledgable and will be sure to take care of you when you stop in tomorrow. Despite this being the day the brand new cocktail menu debuted, I was surprised – with the exception of the Fumo e Fuoco, which Michael promises will have more kick to it when he’s done – at how refined the cocktails were. Favorites were definitely the 5th e Fig (above), Pera (right) and the Poizone Magica No. 2 (below).

If I tried the cocktail, notes are included under its listing:

• Api e Rose – Plymouth gin, poli miele, rosemary, honey, lemon juice (pic)

A light, refreshing drink. Good aroma (thank you, Rosemary) and a very casual cocktail.

• Arancia meccanica – Sombra mezcal, red bell pepper, cilantro, agave nectar, lime juice, smoked salt (tried a variation not in its final form)
• Espatriato – Buffalo Trace bourbon, fresh ginger, thai basil, orange juice, lemon juice (pic)

Very good, if what H.C. described as a “girly drink.” It’s girly in every good way, though I do admit being partial to basil. It’s refreshing and reminiscent of the ginger spritzers the bars are making nowadays.

• 5th e Fig (above) – Bertagnolli grappa, fresh fig, orange juice, lemon juice

Loved the grappa – an often passed-over liqueur but gets major nods in this cocktail. It’s not too sweet, very full yet light and the garnish itself (a fig slice) is pleasing to your eye as you sip.

• Fumo e Fuoco – Dewars scotch, birdseye thai chili, honey, lemon juice (right)

Fuma en fuoco

If you dare, you may want to gently affirm to your server you’re no weakling when it comes to spice. This is a good introduction to and twist on scotch with the addition of honey and lemon which cuts its usual brawn and keeps it light…and hopefully spicy.

• Oro Bianco – Oxley gin, chamomile syrup, Oro blanco grapefruit
• Pera (above) - Belle de brillet poire cognac, Cointreau, lemon juice

Love the pear cognac – a unique main ingredient, and subtly sweetened with Cointreau and made light with lemon juice. Delicious! The cinnamon powdered rim in this drink isn’t mentioned on the menu but in my opinion it’s really the finishing touch.

• Poizone Magica No. 2 – Death Door’s gin, aperol, martini bianco, lemon juice (right)
  

  Poisone e Magica No. 2

A close favorite! Love the white gin, which happens to hail from a remote part of Wisconsin. Stubborn vodka drinkers would enjoy this. Poison? Perhaps. Deathly? Definitely! You won’t know just how intoxicated you’re becoming by drinking this potion. Don’t forget the brandied cherry on the bottom – if I catch you, you’ll have ’splainin to do.

• Superstizone - Woodford Reserve bourbon, Kahlua, dry vermouth, Peychaud’s bitters, orange bitters
• Violetta – Belvedere vodka, creme de violette, shiso, vanilla syrup, orange juice (pic)

Lives up to its name – in color, aroma and taste. The shiso cuts the sweetness of it and keeps it interesting, though the cocktail is a bit sweet.

Overall, I was impressed with a select few cocktails – while knowing that a menu will come into its own with more wear. But preparations are definitely being made for their big day tomorrow – so I suggest taking full advantage. We’ve yet to see if this will be a cocktail destination – but it looks like Drago will be coming into its own very soon.

Also, while you’re there, you might as well increase your cocktail intake by nibbling on some very respectable bar bites with which to absorb your libations (available all day, every day):

• La bruschetta classica (tomato, basil, parmesan, crostini) 3
  

  Margherita pizza

• La bruschetta mediterranea (eggplant, smoked scamorza cheese, crostini) 3
• La bruschetta di mare (marinated anchovies, onions, tomato, crostini) 3
• La bruschetta di vitello tonnato (roasted veal, tuna, capers, crostini) 5
• Il rotolo di mozzarella (mozzarella, speck, roasted peppers, arugula) 4
• Due kobe hamburgers (mini kobe beef burgers, mushrooms, fontina) 7
• Gli arancini siciliani (saffron risotto fritters, bolognese) 5
• Il tagliere di formaggi assortiti (two cheese assortment, condiments) 9
• Il tagliere di affettati con gnocco fritto (house selection of charcuterie, gnocco modena style) 8
• La pizza margherita (mozzarella, tomato, basil pizza) 4
• La pizza ai gamberi (shrimp, corn, mozzarella pizza) 4
• La pizza al tartufo estivo (summer truffle & mushroom pizza) 4

I can vouch for their pizza crust. There might be a little too much cheese but you know – I don’t mind cheese.  I really loved the Il tagliere di affettati con gnocco fritto, which were little, delicate charcuterie burgers in little pastry buns with arugula. Delicious!

It might be a good idea to make the trek to downtown if you don’t already work there. It’s something I could look forward to all day – especially since it’s spent behind a desk. And if you do work downtown, what are you waiting for? Plan to meet your camarades for lunch!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Cocktails $8 all day

Bar bites available at stated price all day, every day

Drago Centro
525 S Flower Street
Los Angeles, CA‎
213.228.8998

@dragocentro

Z0MG barbecue!! And it doesn’t get any better than this in LA - what a deal. It may be part of a strip mall that houses a Target, but it’s also in view of the historic Formosa Cafe. You best take Zeke’s Smokehouse seriously. Not only do they have an outdoor- and indoor smoker utilizing whole hickory logs (not just the chips), but during certain times of the day and week, you can build your own barbecue for only $9.95.

You get to choose 2 meats for this low price:

• Pulled pork
• Pulled chicken
• Dark 1/4 chicken
• Smoked ham
• Hot link

…along with 2 sides:

• Baked beans
• Collard greens
• Mashed potatoes
• Green beans
• Potato salad
• Cole slaw
• Applesauce
• Kettle chips
• Fries

The barbecue – pulled pork and ribs, especially – is smoky and definitely tasty, too. The sides are a treat. What a great way to feed your barbecue jonesin’. And a secret for root beer fans everywhere: They have Sprecher root beer on tap. (That’s reason enough for me!)

See my Zeke’s Smokehouse Flickr Set

Monday – Thursday
3 – 10 PM

Saturday & Sunday
11 AM – 4 PM

Dine-in only

7100 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323.850.9353

Photo credit to adagio725 on Flickr

Sure, Halloween is over – but there are still plenty other reasons to get festive!

Dean Hewitson, known as the “Mad Hatter” of Hewitson Wines, will be visiting Los Angeles tomorrow from South Australia on his U.S. tour celebrating the debut of his limited-release 2006 vintage Mad Hatter Shiraz.

There will be a wine reception followed by a five-course pairing dinner with the Shiraz as well as other Hewitson wines – all in a whimsical “Mad Hatter” setting for your merriment and enjoyment. You’re even encouraged to come in your own “mad hat” to participate in the fun!

Reserve your spot ASAP as they are limited.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

7 PM

$75

RSVP by emailing madhattertourLA [at] gmail.com or calling 323.871.1511

BLVD 16 at Hotel Palomar
10740 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310.474.7765‎

The thing about these food extravaganzas is sometimes you can expect a lot of piecemeal efforts from restaurants who run the gambit of quality and notoriety and are there to garner publicity because they need it. Not so with Los Angeles Magazine’s The Food Event – held at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu last Sunday and which featured a ton of power players in the L.A. scene. First of all, the setting was beautiful and couldn’t be more fairy tale. Imagine food and wine in a bowl set inside rolling hills with rows of grape vines and a clear blue sky above. Second, I actually regretted not having enough capacity to try everything. If I knew what everyone was serving ahead of time as I perused stand to stand, I could prioritize the space in my stomach somehow. Then again, that would have taken oodles of self-control that – let’s face it – I frankly don’t have.

Highlights that I was actually able to digest included a steak sandwich from Dakota (above), three different tacos including a potato variety from Loteria! Grill, an interesting foie gras-eel sushi roll (yes, the magic was in the foie gras) as well as an astounding lettuce wrap (below) from Wilshire Restaurant, and – I’m sure – tons of other things I eyed with a look only a diner with an overwhelmed yet yearning palate could exude.

Oh – and how nice it was to see the newly-expanded Petrossian in my neighborhood, in Malibu. Their blinis and borscht was one of the smallest bites there but also the most delectable and luxurious. And you’d think I’d never be so excited to see so many sliders, which I’d normally view as fillers. There were so many varieties of meats and perfect buns to accompany them, including Westside Tavern’s lamb dip.

And there was also reprieve from the meat, thanks to Lemonade – who I’m always happy to see. Their fresh vegetable salads (curry cauliflower, sesame snap pea, ahi tuna with green beans) and refreshing cucumber mint lemonade were hits as always. Eventually as my capacity waned and inner chamber became full, I concentrated on taking pictures. One of the bites I wished I had capacity for was Little Dom’s rice ball filled with mozzarella and mushrooms – also, a butternut squash fritter!

Unfortunately, my girlfriend and I had a timeline to meet (and were tired, having just driven from a wedding the night prior in Paso Robles – the site of many visiting wineries at The Food Event) and couldn’t stay for what I heard were awesome cooking demonstrations and odes to bloggers. *ahem* But it would have been nice to see heavyweights like Chef Ludo Lefebvre (LudoBites) and John Sedlar (Rivera) work their magic. You’ll have to go to the LAist recap for the report.

For a $95 entrance fee (or $100 including a 1-year subscription to LA Mag), expectations were high but if you stayed the entire duration of the event you were sure to get your money’s worth in both quantity and quality. And what a pleasure it is (as always) to bump elbows with fellow attendees like Jo of MyLastBite, Lindsay and Elise of LAist, Hadley of GrubStreet, Danny of Kungfoodpanda, Carina and Josie of UncouthGourmands, and I believe I missed Fiona of GourmetPigs.

If you missed it this year – you best go next! It’s definitely worth the drive and price.

See my The Food Event by LA Magazine Flickr set

Further reading: Blown Away By LA Mag’s The Food Event – LAist.com

On Video: Jalapeno Chocolate Mousse With Chef Ludo – Gourmet Pigs

Saddlerock Ranch
31727 Mulholland Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265-2704
818.706.0888