I am the luckiest lady in the world. To be able to do a wonderful staycation a half hour away from my home in Los Angeles, glorious, fantastic, I feel like I was on a real vacation.
You know the cheers song, “Sometimes you wanna go, where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came, you wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same, you wanna be where everybody knows your name.” Well, that is how I felt at Hotel Erwin – pretty much the best VIP treatment ever! But it really wasn’t too much, it was such a treat to have every staff member treat me like I was important, all of them knowing my name and saying that I am the VIP staying in room 613. Ok, and about my room. Pretty much at the west edge of the building with an ocean view and up on the highest floor besides the roof top bar High; we will get to that later. My room had a super comfy bed and a huge walk-in shower. Every amenity is covered, from the mini bar to the gorgeous view right outside my window and the incredible balcony with 2 chairs and a table. It’s very sublime, but oh, so amazing. They have a delightful breakfast, my new friend staff member Jeanne added so much extra, to my breakfast. She made me a latte, with luscious cream, and fudge sauce, plus a very spicy but good bloody Mary. The breakfast served every day is not basic. It’s got delicious homemade coffee cake, homemade yogurt and granola, fresh fruit, eggs and sauce, and every kind of toast and topping you can imagine. Plus, fresh juices and strong, perfect coffee. They also offer a water bottle and a water station area on every floor. As part of your stay, you can get beach amenities or use a beach bike cruiser, as well as be able to use their gym.
Hotel Irwin has many dining options, so for sunset I went to High Rooftop Lounge, which is their rooftop bar. They offer a nice happy hour, but I was late for that. I did manage to get a proper vodka martini and their super delicious fried calamari. This was the start of my culinary adventure. High Rooftop Lounge was voted #9 from Timeout for Best Rooftop Bar. Then on the first floor there is a lobby restaurant called Barlo Kitchen. I had their delicious, roasted cremini mushrooms with butter and chives, then on to their scrumptious linguini with clam garlic sauce. They were so generous with their clams, 25 clams cooked to perfection in their shells, a great, tasty dish. Off to their main event, 3 luscious lamb chops with garlic, and mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Everything was simply cooked to perfection and was thoroughly enjoyed by yours truly. The next day I had a great lunch at the High Rooftop Lounge to-go, lobster roll, super delicious.
A landmark in and of itself, Hotel Erwin is a love letter to the ever-changing spirit of Venice Beach. Located along the iconic Pacific Avenue, they distill the best parts of our culture, creativity, and community, so you can discover Venice in all its forms, the way it was meant to be experienced. With rooms and suites featuring balconies and sweeping ocean views, three on-property restaurants—including LA’s best oceanside rooftop bar—and all the usual hotel frills, Hotel Erwin is the perfect choice for those looking to experience the vibrant energy of Venice Beach. Their rooms and suites are designed to offer a relaxed, yet elevated environment with everything you need to explore at your own pace. Each room features a private balcony, offering stunning ocean views that make for a perfect morning coffee or evening sunset. Inside, you’ll find spacious interiors with contemporary décor, plush bedding, and all the amenities needed for a relaxing stay. Whether you choose a cozy room or an expansive suite, meet each day with beachside views and immerse yourself in the laidback luxury of our coastal hotel, where the only thing they overlook is the ocean.
I was gone for a total of 24 hours, but it felt like a week. I came back super refreshed and relaxed, just the perfect staycation. Next time you’re in need of the perfect getaway book into Hotel Erwin and check out this beach staple. Maybe you too will see new things on Venice Beach, that you never saw before.
I first met owner Josh Badwan at a local grocery store in town, he was buying stuff for the restaurant. He was very sweet and told me to come in and do a tasting. It took me quite a long time to try their food, but boy was I happy I did.
When you walk in you feel like you’re at your grandmother’s table; there are no frills in the interior, except fantastic food, which is the star of their show. They have been serving up this great food here in the Inland Empire for over 9 years. He also had a restaurant in San Pedro but decided that Yucaipa was where he wanted to make a name for himself in the culinary world.
It’s really a family business, Josh and his lovely son Rojeh run all of the day-to-day business, which includes to-go orders, delivery, catering and their restaurant orders. He has 3 sons, whom he adores, he is also super in love with his beautiful wife Nehed. When I asked him how long they have been married, he laughed and said, “1000 years”. He says he just can’t be without her; he worships her. His recipes come from his beloved mother Mary, who is watching over her family from heaven, but a huge piece of her heart was left in this wonderful food. Mary had 14 kids, so it’s amazing how she was able to do anything besides raising them. But she loved to cook and now we are all the bearer of her incredible recipes. People who know this kind of food know how lucky they are to have Damasco Mediterranean Cuisine in their immediate town. You just can’t find this quality of Mediterranean food anywhere, except for probably in Syria. And what really sets them apart if the way they use spices that you can only get in Syria. The blending of their spices and ingredients are very specific to their roots, their region where they came from. Josh has not been back to his homeland for 27 years; he says he loves America. He loves his restaurant and wants to keep every customer happy. When he gets customers telling him how delicious his food is, it really makes him happy.
Here’s What I Tried:
Falafel Plate, with falafel, hummus, tomatoes, pickles, and tahini sauce, chili sauce, and pita bread. Their falafel is huge and rich with flavor, a must try.
Hummus, with mashed chickpeas with tahini sauce and lemon juice. A delicious hearty dip that goes great with everything.
Dolma – Grape Leaves, with 6 pieces of dolma with a mixture of rice, chopped vegetables, and spices. This is another fantastic Mediterranean staple, just incredible.
Fattoush Salad, with fried pieces of pita bread, cucumber, tomatoes, lattes, black olive, lemon juice, and parsley. I would order this salad every time, it is tangy and crisp, I ate it with every dish and its adds a nice flavor.
Tabouleh, with minced parsley, tomatoes, wheat, mint, onions, olive oil, and lemon juice. Such a healthy dish, they do a great job with this one as well.
White Cabbage Salad, with white sliced white cabbage, carrots, mint, and tomatoes. This salad is flavorful, crisp, and fresh, just heavenly.
Lamb Chop Plate, with rice. This was by far my favorite dish; the lamb chops are tender and juicy and grilled to perfection.
Combo Plate, with rice. A little bit of beef and a little bit of chicken, both made me very happy.
Kibbeh Plate, with rice. 2 bulgur cracked wheat, minced onions, finely ground lean beef, and allspice. I love this rendition of another Mediterranean staple, just the best.
Josh and Rojeh played and sang some of their songs from their culture, which really made my experience even more enjoyable. There is an instrument table in the main dining room, I would imagine when they get inspired, they entertain their guests while they enjoy their marvelous dining experience. The instrument Rojeh played is called an oud, a short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped, fretless instrument. The oud is very similar to other types of lute, and to Western lutes which developed out of the Medieval Islamic oud. So, I got a quick course in Syrian instruments as part of my overall review, how nice!
I really loved my meal and having some fun moments with Josh and Rojeh. Next time you’re on your way to the desert and need a nice lunch stop try Damasco Mediterranean Cuisine, like me you will be glad you did!
I always love going to the Harris Brothers Wow Creation Gift Suite and this one did not disappoint. Located on the roof top of the glorious Astor Hotel, with all the bells and whistles. But really for me the best part was seeing the Harris brother on the cover of Hollywood Elite Magazine, in their handsome glory. Their red carpet was all decked out with a blow-up photo of the magazine cover as well. This was their moment, and they took it all in.
There were some nice vendors representing: Longevity Forever Young, Healthy Paws Herbal Labs, Helen Ficalora, Dax Hair Gel, Morpheus 8, Marc Edwards Skincare, Wild Vibes Home & Body, Smoke Lab Vodka, Everyday Action, Shaquita Smith Spa Rituals, Vybes Energy Drinks, Myth Community Oriented Policing, Unreal Candy, Rachel Scheff Interiors, Toned Protein Gelato, and Acai Bowls.
They had coffee and cocktails, the weather could not have been better, it just was a very lovely Emmy Gift Suite. Now going to get ready for the Emmy’s.
I met Rita Simmons at Blue Birdy, when I was doing their publicity. We brought in many hotel concierges to try their food. So, when Rita asked me to do a complimentary stay and breakfast, I was very grateful. The location is so spectacular, it’s so close to all the fun in Los Angeles. It’s on Wilshire near Crescent Heights, and very close to La Cienaga and Fairfax, so lots of stuff to walk to and see.
They have a small pool on the roof, which is just the perfect way to cool off. We had a brutal heatwave the day and night that I stayed, so their air-conditioned rooms and common areas was just a pleasure. The room is very sparse with a super modern feel. I asked for ice and was surprised when my phone rang, and a robotic type of voice said your delivery is here. When I opened my front door, I was astounded. A small type R2-D2 robot told me to press a confirm button, where a top opened, and there was my bag of ice. About an hour later the same thing happened. Rita sent me a gift bag of wine and goodies and the robot delivered that as well. Just the most fun ever.
Their breakfast is super yummy, with lots of items to choose from. They had smoked salmon, bagels, cream cheese, an egg dish, waffles, fruit, all types of pastries, really everything you could ask for in your desert needs.
I really loved my staycation it was a much-needed break from my crazy business life, thanks so much Rita!
What a treat, nestled in the near downtown area of Redlands lies a Thai delight. Owner Daranee Muongpruan was so accommodating, she was just wonderful in giving me a once in a lifetime tour of MU’s menu. I really got to try so may special items. Her brother Andy was also spectacular, he helped me along my journey with menu choices and explanations about the cooking process and Thai food culture.
Daranee comes from a long line of restauranters, and she just loves her role in this modern fusion Thai type cuisine. Prior to MU, Daranee’s brother opened a traditional Thai restaurant, and he brought her on as a partner. She likes to have a very strong team around her, so she can leave the driving to someone else, because she claims that she is not a cook. So, she prefers to be on the outskirts while other’s take the helm. She is more of a delegator, but whatever she is, Darenee is pure genius, creating this traditional yet modern atmosphere. When you’re at MU she will come and talk to you about her love for this amazing cuisine and all of factions it takes to keep MU on top!
Here’s What I Tried:
Cocktails:
They have a very long illustrious Martini menu, that is both fresh and creative. I had to try a few!!
Martini’s:
Thai Tini, it’s got lots of different ingredients including Thai tea, but what really stands out is the Frangelico Liquor, is that it’s milky and smooth, just perfect.
Watermelon Martini, it is very effervescent, but packs a punch, I just loved it.
Traditional Martini. My readers know that I just have to try a traditional martini at my tastings, it really sets the tone to see how good the bartender is, and this martini did not disappoint. Micheal is their bartender and their chef; he is the true backbone to MU!
Appetizers:
Lettuce Cups Chicken, They give you three cups filled with great chicken and vegetables. This is a big appetizer so share with your friends.
Sauteed Clams with garlic, lemon juice, chili, and Basil. The broth is other worldly, and the clams are super fresh, a great way to start my dish.
Skirt Steak, spicy tamarind sauce, and coleslaw. The steak was done on the rare side which makes for one succulent dish, a real crowd pleaser.
House Specialties:
Alaska Halibut with garlic, cilantro, and Thai chili sauce. This is a huge piece of fish, with great flavor, another must have.
Bangkok Duck with Mandarin Gastrique, and sauteed vegetables. The duck is super flavorful with it being medium rare and the crispy skin left on, another fabulous dish.
Seafood Kapow, shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams, fish, chili, garlic, bell pepper, onion, and Thai basil. So many tempting seafood items, all cooked to perfection, with a wonderful, sumptuous sauce.
Scallops With Asparagus. This dish has lots of scallops that are perfectly seasoned and cooked plump and light.
Noodles and Rice:
Pineapple Fried Rice, with egg, chicken, shrimp, BBQ Pork, Chinese sausage, pineapple, onions, tomatoes, and snow peas. I am a big fan of the Chinese sweet sausage; I just cannot get enough of it. So that was enough for me to order this dish and enjoy.
Pad Thai, they do a perfect job of marrying all these exotic flavors, and the noodles are medium flat noodles, just the kind that I love.
Soup:
Tom Ka Spicy Coconut soup, baby corn, mushroom, and seafood. There are all kinds of seafood, and the broth is sweet and sour, a great rendition of this terrific Thai staple.
Wonton Soup with dumplings, Bok choy, carrots, snow peas, chicken, and BBQ pork. This is comfort food at its best, what you want to eat when you’re feeling under the weather.
Salad:
Papaya Salad, with cherry tomatoes, French green beans, shrimp, peanuts, and Esarn dressing. Such a fresh light flavorful salad, with a kick, great as a starter.
Dessert:
Malaysian Crepe with Rum, brown sugar, coconut ice cream, and berries. The presentation is just lovely with purple yam ice cream, an amazing way to end my glorious meal.
Fried Bananas, coconut ice cream. This is a showstopper, so save some room.
Daranee is such a hard worker, she only takes one day off and works 6 days straight. She really values her customers and their opinions. She can accommodate any dietary needs; you just need to ask her. She can do half portions, for any health situations, she can take care of you. She drives to Los Angeles a few times a week to go to her very special fish purveyor, sometimes she rents a car and has her friends help her unload. She is just so committed to get quality foods for her clientele.
The interior is very elegant, with a fun separate bar and a nice outdoor patio. It is very comfortable, just the perfect place for a late lunch or early dinner, what more could you want?
MU Restaurant Martini Bar and Lounge has lots of regulars, I met the lovely Wendy who was eating a nice bowl of soup with a refreshing iced tea. She had a friend come meet her, I spoke with her after her meal. She has a huge history with Redlands, having owned a business there a few years back. She just loves MU and adores owner Daranee. Their customers range from locals to hospital staff, to doctors and everyone in between. The more I get to know Redlands and this area the more I realize how important community is and how close all these restaurant owners are to each other. It’s really a blessing for me to be able to try the different foods and meet the locals and owner and hear their different stories.
Her family has given themselves short American names so to not confuse their customers, but here are their real names for my article: Waikoon Chareonraj, Daranee Muongpruan, and Anuchar Muongpruan.
When you walk in you feel like you are walking into someone’s cozy home, with all the nuances that would make you feel comfortable. Then you meet owners: Julie and Mark Garduno, you immediately know you’re in for a real treat. They both have been in business for many years, and have been serving Southern California since 1988 and know how to make their customers feel at home. Capacity inside and out is 37, and their busiest nights are Friday, Saturday and Monday. It’s such a homespun family environment that you see post cards from their patrons’ vacations strewed along the edge of the bar. If people are taking time off their glorious vacation to write greetings you know something very special is happening here.
It is real traditional Southern Italian Garduno’s Ristorante, it will make you love Italian family recipes all over again. But the star of the show here is their homemade pasta. This is not an easy find anywhere in Southern California. So, there’s your number one reason to get to Garduno’s Ristorante Italiano. The Bowers Museum did a piece on Mark, from the International Noodle Festival, and his pasta making machine, you can see it on his website.
Here’s What I tried:
Wine:
Prosecco, a nice fruit forward easy drinking Prosecco, a great way to start.
Chardonnay J. Lohr’s, this is a buttery, creamy Chardonnay perfect with the cream sauces.
Salad:
Caesar, with homemade Caesar dressing with grilled chicken, Parmesan and croutons, over romaine lettuce. A very garlicky salad, but so delicious. Get your breath mints out after you eat this great salad.
House Salad included a nice mix of greens, red cabbage, tomatoes, shredded carrots, olives, cucumber wedges, peppercini, mozzarella cheese, and a very tangy Italian dressing. This is a great salad with all the bells and whistles.
Appetizers:
Calamari Fritti, a nice batter with lovely Italian seasonings added, and the marinara sauce was just spectacular.
Cozze E Vongole, mussels and clams, in a tomato wine sauce. Lots of chopped garlic make for one delicious dish, the clams and the mussels are fresh and just perfect.
Al Forno, From The Oven:
Melanzane Parmigiana, eggplant, mozzarella and parmesan. It comes in a nice porcelain oven ready dish, the cheese is melted, and the eggplant is soft and very fragrant, a great dish.
Pasta:
I tried the Linguini Bolognese, with a meat, tomato and mushroom sauce. I can always tell a restaurants greatness from certain things, with an Italian restaurant it’s usually this sauce. It is a slow cooked sauce that has many ingredients and done right it is amazing. They did a fantastic job, and the homemade pasta is just the best. Plus, Chef Daniel really knows how to follow Garduno’s Ristorante Italiano, unique recipes and do some of his own.
Fettucine Alfredo, luscious large flat noodles in a cream sauce with shrimp. Another homemade noodle that is so wonderful.
Tortellini with pesto, basil, garlic, olive oil, and pignoli nuts, in a cream sauce. Light, delicious and the pine nuts are the bonus. This is a great, wonderful pesto sauce.
Chicken and Veal:
Pollo Limone, chicken in a creamy lemon, caper, and mushroom sauce. Their chicken is fresh, all natural with no preservatives. The chicken is tender and is just the best super comfort food, I loved it.
Vitello Porcini, with veal, imported mushrooms a creamy tarragon sauce with melted mozzarella. This dish was another one of my favorites, the porcini is such a unique flavor, just melts in your mouth.
During Covid they had a huge outdoor patio in the front of the building, which really kept their business afloat. Also, the fact that they make the own pasta is really a huge draw. Their homemade pasta includes Linguini, Fettucine, Spaghetti, Fussilli, Rigatoni, Tortelini, and Cheese Ravioli. They have a pasta extruder by Pasquini, it’s the highest quality pasta maker from Italy. There are many restaurants that serve lovely pastas but putting fresh pasta in the mix, with every pasta, is a game changer.
Family owned and operated, with Julie and Mark Garduno at the helm, this is a ship shape operation. Garduno’s Ristorante Italiano offers traditional Italian favorites in a quaint and cozy environment. They specialize in Southern Italian cuisine with a touch of French. Everything on their menu is made-to-order including their sauces. They pride themselves on using the highest quality ingredients – their chicken is natural with no hormones or preservatives, their veal is Wisconsin milk-fed, and their seafood is always wild from Alaska, Oregon and Mexico.
At Garduno’s Ristorante Italiano they offer a complete array of authentic Italian meals. They have 20 different sauces to pair with your choice of pasta, and they encourage you to come try them all. They also carry a great selection of Italian wine and beer. Not only do they provide their authentic Italian experience at their restaurant, but they also cater meals for any size gathering. Also, for those on the go, they have take-out meals available. Their biggest to-go orders are Christmas Eve. They ask you to order months in advance to be part of this phenomenon many families are enjoying Garduno’s Ristorante Italiano during the holiday season. Whatever the reason or the season, now is a great time to try Garduno’s Ristorante Italiano.
What a great rendition of this iconic show. Sondheim’s work is timeless, he was a genius in the world of musicals. With his creative witty lyrics to his storylines. All-encompassing the tests if time. The unique sets, with movable box type of staging, to the amazing talent, all a world winning show that needs to be seen and embraced.
Press Release:
Los Angeles (Wednesday, July 31, 2024) – Broadway In Hollywood is delighted to announced that the thrilling Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s and George Furth’s COMPANY, winner of five 2022 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, will make its Los Angeles Premiere at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre for a limited three-week engagement, from July 30 through August 18, 2024.
Tickets are now available for purchase in Los Angeles at www.BroadwayInHollywood.com or www.Ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre box office. For current box office operating hours, please visit the official website.
The Los Angeles engagement of COMPANY is part of the 2023-2024 North American tour starring Britney Coleman as Bobbie. It follows the critically acclaimed, sold-out engagement in London’s West End, and Tony Award-winning run on Broadway. The most honored musical of the 2021-2022 Broadway season is directed by three-time Tony Award winner Marianne Elliott (War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America).
Producer Chris Harper said, “The extraordinary response to this musical masterpiece, both in London and on Broadway, was exhilarating. We are delighted that audiences across North America will finally have the opportunity to experience Marianne Elliott’s Tony Award winning, joyful and laughter-filled production.”
COMPANY, the musical comedy masterpiece about the search for love and cocktails in New York, is turned on its head in Elliott’s revelatory staging, in which musical theatre’s most iconic bachelor is now a bachelorette. At Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, all her friends are wondering why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man? And, why can’t she settle down and have a family? This whip smart musical comedy, given a game-changing makeover for a modern-day Manhattan, features some of Sondheim’s best loved songs, including “Company,” “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Side by Side,” and the iconic “Being Alive.”
Sondheim and Elliott collaborated to update COMPANY, bringing Bobbie’s array of friends and lovers into the 21st century: Paul is waiting patiently for his fiancée Jamie to get over his frantic wedding day jitters. Sarah and Harry try jujitsu to keep their marriage alive. Joanne is on her third husband with younger man, Larry. Peter and Susan seem to have the perfect marriage, until perfection proves impossible. Jenny and her square husband David can’t understand Bobbie’s perpetually single status and are not shy about telling her. All while Bobbie juggles three men: sexy flight attendant Andy, small-town boy Theo trying to find his way in the big city, and P.J., the native New Yorker who is more in love with his hometown than Bobbie!
The creative team for COMPANY includes Liam Steel (choreography), Joel Fram (musical supervisor, additional vocal arrangements), Tony Award winner Bunny Christie (set and costume design), Tony Award nominee Neil Austin (lighting design), Tony Award nominee Ian Dickinson (original sound design), Keith Caggiano (tour sound design), Tony Award nominee David Cullen (orchestrations), Sam Davis (dance arrangements), Chris Fisher (illusions), Campbell Young Associates (hair, wig, and makeup design), Steve Bebout (associate direction) and Tara Rubin (casting).
COMPANY began preview performances on Broadway on March 2, 2020, and, following the shutdown, resumed previews on November 15, 2021. The production was in previews when on November 26, 2021, Broadway suffered the devastating loss of the titan of the American musical, composer Stephen Sondheim. This production of COMPANY was the last Broadway production of his work that he saw to fruition before his passing at the age of 91.
The production opened to critical acclaim on Broadway December 9, 2021 and was called “gloriously transformative” (The New York Times), “dazzling” (The Hollywood Reporter), “sensational” (Variety), “deeply funny,” (The Washington Post), “a phenomenon that should be experienced in person at least once in this life,” (The New Yorker), and “hands down the best musical production of the season” (New York Post).
COMPANY played its final performance on Broadway on July 31, 2022, having played 300 performances (268 regular performances and 32 preview performances).
The North American tour of COMPANY is produced by Elliott & Harper Productions and Catherine Schreiber. Anièle Fortin-Perkell of Work Light Productions is the Executive Producer.
“The leading character of COMPANY has been born again in this gloriously transformative revival. Marianne Elliott’s enthralling production is a godsend.” –The New York Times
“Hands down the best musical production of the season.” –New York Post ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Yes, it’s really that good.” –Time Out
“Dazzling! So Vibrant, So Alive!” –The Hollywood Reporter
Britney Coleman as Bobbie in COMPANY. Photo by Matt Murphy for MurphyMade.
It is a must-see show, run before it’s too late, only through August 18, 2024.
I am also a publicist, and I do many types of publicity, but recently I have been blessed with a wonderful new restaurant on the Sunset Strip, Blue Birdy. Part of my job is to bring in the local hotel concierges. I asked the lovely staff at The London Hotel around the corner from Blue Birdy to come in and do a tasting and they did. Their tasting was wonderful, and I got to meet the staff, Tanisha Geiman, KJ Alam and Frido Vita, and suggest my take on what are the things to order off of the menu. But little did I know they would want to return the favor by inviting me into The London Hotel’s new rooftop dining experience. Their pre-existing restaurant on the first floor has been transformed into a rooftop dining event. Wow, it’s like a religious experience, but with food. It will transform and heal your soul! With incredible food and just the best atmosphere, I can’t say enough about my wonderful night, but here goes.
So, The London Hotel is now doing a collaboration with John Legend, and Jean-Charles Boisset, proprietor of the Boisset Collection. Jean-Charles said, “I’m thrilled to embark on this partnership with The London West Hollywood and LVE. In 2015, John Legend and I created the first Legend Vineyard Exclusive wines together and now they are all available to enjoy at this iconic location all summer long with food pairings inspired by some of John’s own recipes. I can’t think of another place I’d rather be at to drink LVE.” The name LVE means, Legend Vineyard Exclusive. John Legend and The London West Hollywood at West Hollywood are making sweet music together this summer.
Introducing the LVE Collection by John Legend. The perfect harmony of passion, eloquence and Napa Valley tradition. A unique series of rich, soulful and complex notes inspired by true love, produced in collaboration with Napa Valley’s renowned Raymond Vineyards. Raymond Vineyards boasts an enduring forty-year reputation for elegant wines with a beautiful balance of finesse, power, and complexity. Today, guided by the vision and passion of Proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset, Raymond is widely hailed as one of the Napa Valley’s pre-eminent producers, sustainable winegrowing leaders, and one of the wine world’s most dynamic and luxurious winery destinations.
London Hotel’s, Executive Chef – Anthony Keene also created an a la carte menu with highlights including shared dishes such as surf and turf featuring king crab, grilled wagyu, burrata and caviar featuring Golden Osetra Caviar. “We are always seeking ways to deliver fun experiences to our guests and locals and are excited to bring this new dining experience to life alongside acclaimed musician, TV host, EGOT winner and fellow Angeleno, John Legend and his incredible LVE wines from Napa Valley and France,” said Anthony Keene. The main dishes are paired with LVE Cabernet Sauvignon giving you the “Green Light” for a magical summer evening. The experience isn’t just limited to hotel guests, everybody is welcome.
As for the menu, Executive Chef Anthony Keene created a John’s Favorites three-course prix-fixe menu with dishes inspired by “John’s Favorite Things” from wife Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook “Cravings,” paired with a curated wine list of LVE and Boisset favorites. Starter options include BBQ chicken pizza, croquettem-bouche, French onion soup gratinee, and short rib ravioli, paired with LVE Chardonnay Carneros and Cabernet Sauvignon. Mains include spicy miso pasta with Manila clams, fried chicken, spicy honey butter and Beef Wellington (served for two) accompanied by mac and cheese gratinee.
In collaboration with Legend’s LVE Wines, the hotel has launched a seasonal dining experience, that transforms the poolside rooftop into a restaurant. Visitors can dine al fresco in a private cabana or a table while taking in the breathtaking views of the Hollywood Hills and city skyline. To round-out this beautiful experience, you can see downtown Los Angeles, while listening to the best John legend music.
The starters include a charred octopus’ salad with chili lime crunch, and lobster tortellini with sweet corn and trumpet mushrooms. Main dishes include English pea and morel mushroom risotto, and whole branzino, with artichokes, lemon, and shaved fennel. The menu also features steaks sliced for sharing, including 8-oz. Prime Rib Cap, 14-oz. Bone-in New York, and Bistecca Alla Fiorentina 50-oz. Dry-Aged Porterhouse.
The wine list will feature all LVE Wines including summer seasonal favorites like Rose and sparkling wines along with Boisset Collection wines, John Legend’s LVE partner.
Legend and LVE at The London West Hollywood Rooftop is every night from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will run through Labor Day Weekend. Pricing is $85 for this three-course meal, $120 with wine pairings included. Reservations can also be made on Open Table.
Here’s What I Tried:
Cocktails:
Martini with Tito’s Vodka. A wonderfully chilled martini, in a proper martini glass.
Blackmagic with tequila, another wonderful drinkable cocktail.
Dinner:
Rosemary Sea Salt Focaccia, freshly baked, you could just eat this and would be so satisfied, but really save room.
Starters:
Lobster Tortellini, with sweet corn, trumpet mushrooms, and button onions. By far my favorite dish of the evening, the corn really highlights the sweet flavors of the lobster and the trumpet mushrooms are a bonus, just delightful.
Charred Octopus Salad, with Castelvetrano Olives, Yukon potato, Greek yogurt, and chili lime crunch. The octopus is tender and cooked to perfection, this salad is a nice light flavorful treat.
Mains:
English Pea and Morel Mushroom Risotto, with wild morel mushrooms, spring pea shoots, and mascarpone. Another favorite dish, the color is so fantastic, it is bright green, but the flavor of the peas shines through with every bite.
Seared Scallops, with lemongrass lemon, and shaved fennel. The scallops are tender and moist, with the bold lemon grass and fennel, it’s just a pairing made by the Gods, or should I say Anthony Keene. In my book he is the one of the best culinary Gods that there is!
6-Oz. Filet Mignon, au poivre, grille romaine, and big fat fries. The meat was a perfect medium rare, and it is bathed in a pepper sauce, that is just scrumptious.
Whole Branzino with artichokes, lemon, and shaved fennel. It is a whole fish with both sides of the fish laying on top of one another, which makes for a lovey presentation. The skin is crispy and flakey, it is just the best Branzino ever!
Mac & Cheese, with Monterey Jack, and Sharp Cheddar. Super creamy, a perfect match to the Beef Wellington.
Then off the LVE prefixed menu:
French Onion Soup Gratinee, with gruyere cheese, and crouton. Super melty cheese and a hint of sweet sherry makes this soup one of the records, just simply divine.
Short Rib Ravioli, with Calabrian Chili, and pomodoro. Delicious and sublime, with amazing tomato flavors, another standout menu item.
Spicy Miso Pasta, with fresh noodles, Manila Clams, English peas, guanciale, and parmesan. This dish is just heavenly, it is creamy and rich, and the clams are just the freshest ever! The guanciale is crispy and amazing as well.
Fried Chicken, with spicy honey butter, Cholua hot sauce, and wildflower honey. I can totally see why Chrissy Teigen craves this one, its super crispy and light, and the honey wildflower just takes it over the top.
Beef Wellington, with glazed carrots, and bacon wrapped green beans. This enormous dish comes in a copper platter, the presentation is fit for a king and queen, and so are all of the meaty goodness and juices, just terrific.
Desserts.
Chef Anthony’s, Harrys Strawberry’s with strawberry sorbet. This is a dish that I was told was only made for my dinner, and you can understand why. The sorbet melts in your mouth and balances out all the previous flavors. The fresh strawberries are just sweet and perfect. Harry’s Berries is a small organic produce farm in Oxnard that has been used in many famous Chef’s recipes.
Berry Pavlova, chewy, crispy, and a little marshmallow-y. This is a very creative dish and just needs to be tried.
Chocolate Brownie, with pecan ice cream, for the chocolate lover this dessert will rock your world.
Wines:
LVE – Chardonnay – Carneros, 2021.
LVE – Grenache – Napa Valley, 2021.
LVE – Cabernet – Napa Valley, 2020.
Each wine is paired so wonderfully with the LVE menu, they are all unique and well made.
My server Chris Iredale worked at some high-profile West Hollywood places before the London Hotel, Sunset Tower, and Zinque. My fabulous host Tanisha spent recent time in Arizona, but originally is from Chicago. GM of the London Hotel is Terry Bucholz, and their Pastry Chef Is Nidia De Los Santos. She does an amazing job on the deserts, wow.
With innovative menus and creative presentations, Executive Chef Anthony Keene brings an ambitious cooking style to this signature restaurant. Keene began working with The London West Hollywood and Gordon Ramsay Restaurant. In 2010, Keene officially took over Gordon Ramsay Restaurant at The London West Hollywood as Executive Chef. Chef Keene’s inspiration drives the location to feature inventive, seasonal menus that are playful-yet-sophisticated, delighting the restaurant’s discerning clientele. Keene’s personal chef style pairs classic British favorites with bright California flavors, creating a one-of-kind culinary destination. Anthony’s prestigious training and expertise in fine dining allows for a creative menu filled with surprises.
I did a review in 2012, and back then the meal Chef Keene prepared was other worldly, I walked away with my best dining experience ever. I have to say this one was the same. His attention to detail is just the best, he is an asset to every kitchen he touches. Each dish has its own unique flavor profile, and nothing is ever repeated. His sauces are all just perfectly balanced sauces, that adds so much to every dish. All I can say is thank you, and just keep doing what you do, because we are all very enlightened by your creativity, and your incredible culinary genius.
The London Hotel 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069 (866) 282-4560
https://www.thelondonwesthollywood.com/
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills – World’s Best Award-Winner “The Top 15 Hotels in Los Angeles” 6 Years Running.
What a rare find in a very quiet part of the Inland Empire. The food is so good and creative, it’s just amazing that it is in a suburban location that you really must seek out. From the outside, you would not even know that it is a glorious Thai food experience. It is a very unassuming building, with a funky motel in the back. But whatever and wherever, I am here to tell you; that Chapter Two, has some of the most inventive tropical Thai inspired cuisine, that I have ever laid eyes on and tasted. From the moment you are served your beverage, you know you are in for a charming fantastical experience. They serve a Matcha Thai Iced Tea, in a lovely wooden holder, with mini cookies alongside. Every part of Chapter Two is well thought out and planned. From The depression ware glass bowls to the delicate flowers served on top of my beverages and food items. This food is light years apart from everything you have ever tried before. It is colorful, with rich exotic Thai spices and curries, and the utmost attention to details. It really got my creative taste buds a blaze.
Here’s What I Tried:
Beverages:
Matcha Thai Iced Tea, this is the iced tea with the amazing presentation.
Watermelon Mojito, they use different glasses for everything, and this amazing drink had a beautiful strip on watermelon on the top of the glass. It is a wonderful, super refreshing drink. They do not have an alcohol license, but it really did no matter.
Appetizers:
Summer Rolls, it is made with super fresh vegetable and shrimp, a very nice peanut dipping sauce alongside of it, and a gorgeous curry strip of red beets on top to add to the overall art piece of this food item.
Curry Puff, in a very light puff pastry with vegetable inside, just a wonderful starter.
Salad:
House Green salad, the dressing on this salad is enough to try it!
Khao Yum Rice Salad, so they bring you a huge plate, with all of these lovely vegetables and fruits separated. It looks like a big carnival, or like confetti. Lexi poured it all into a beautiful wood bowl along with some amazing Thai dressing. She mixed it all together and presented us with the most delightful salad ever. I would absolutely order this every time.
Mains:
Pad Thai Bo-Ran, with very delicate noodles and super plump shrimp, it’s a great Pad Thai and I have tasted many of them.
Mussaman Braised Beef, they are cubes of beef that are super tender, with some very lovely Thai dark curry flavors. It is just an amazing dish.
Khao Soi Chiang Rai with Chicken, the presentation is fantastic, with all kinds of accompaniment, almost like the kimchi at a Korean BBQ. It just makes one’s appetite soar. It is so great to see all their very clever ways that they deliver such lovely cuisine.
Rawang Curry, this curry is a bit on the spicy side but is so different from any other dish that I had, that it is was just perfect.
Garlic Green Beans with Shrimp, there is a very subtle mild sauce, that is wrapped around these delicious darlins, and the shrimps are plump and delightful.
Crying Tiger Beef, the beef is cooked medium rare, and is very tender, with a nice marinade. The rice comes in its own individual rattan steamer and is a dark purple and black rice.
Rice:
Pineapple Crab Fried Rice, here is another great presentation, with tomatoes and cucumber surrounding the rice, with the crab and the eggs on 2 different sides of the platter. They do a natural dye on the rice, with pea flowers, to make it look a blue purple tint, which also adds to the overall artistry of this dish. It is just the best fried rice you will ever eat.
Desert:
Watermelon Iced Crush, what a wonderful light desert. It’s only served during watermelon season, so come and get it now. On a hot balmy summer day, it’s worth the trip to try it and nothing else.
Pandan Pudding, I was not sure about this one. You must have an acquired taste for this fruit, but I am sure there is a serious fan out there who can’t get enough of this dish.
I found out some tidbits about Lexi, but I was so enamored with the food, that I really did not do my usual detective work on the history etc. I do know that Lexi had another establishment not far from this one, and during Covid it got tough to stay open. So now, she is doing reconnaissance and nurturing this already existing business. She has taken over the kitchen and does her best to show the customers her whimsical artistic takes on already fascinating Thai food. It’s amazing how much energy she has seeing that she has two very young children and a husband. She told me that she was living in Los Angeles and working at Natalie Thai in Beverly Hills. She was coming to visit her husband when she was not working. Now, with her young children she had to settle down more in this area. I am so glad that she did. Honestly, I will be coming in here a lot, there is so much other good stuff on this menu that I need to try.
It’s off 10-freeway going East to the desert, so it’s a pretty good call to come here for lunch, or dinner, or get to-go to take with you. It’s just that good. For me, I would want to do a sit down every time, because of this quaint charming atmosphere, and the way the food is plated, it is all one big, brilliant experience. Lexi should not change a thing, people just need to discover Chapter Two, and like me they will be hooked forever.
I am sure you know the story, and all the characters, but this one is a bit different. It’s been cut down to 2 hours, the original musical was close to 3 hours and has been made a bit more modern.
The technology is the number one thing that I saw, that has been changed and completely enhances the story and the viewers experience. They have a full video screen behind the set that becomes part of the story with many pivotal secondary narratives being told. So, you got the live action on the stage and the video screen revealing many parts of the original theme.
The flying is really what this show is all about. They have clear cables coming from their sides, that are very hard to see, these great flying moments are highly choreographed, but super subtle. You just want to climb onstage and fly with all of the flying characters.
This high-flying musical has been thrilling audiences of all ages for close to 70 years and is now being brought back to life in a new adaptation by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse, directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price, and choreography by Lorin Latarro.
The adventure begins when Peter Pan and his mischievous sidekick, Tinker Bell, visit the bedroom of the Darling children late one night. With a sprinkle of fairy dust and a few happy thoughts, the children are taken on a magical journey they will never forget. This extraordinary musical full of excitement and adventure, features iconic and timeless songs including “I’m Flying,” “I Gotta Crow,” “I Won’t Grow Up” and “Neverland.” Peter Pan embraces the child in us all so go on a journey from the second star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning – your entire family will Take Flight!
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Music by Morris (Moose) Charlap, originally directed, choreographed and adapted by Jerome Robbins. Cast highlights for me were Nolan Almieda as Peter Pan, Cody Garcia as Captain Hook, Hawa Kamara as Wendy, and Raye Zaragoza as Tiger Lily. Nolan Almieda is still in Jr. High School at only in 17 years old. His voice is fresh and strong, he was just the perfect Pan. Hawa Kamara brought a different version of Wendy, making her professional debut after graduation from college. She had the right number of maternal instincts as well as a great sweet voice.
Peter Pan runs at The Hollywood Pantages Theater, July 9-28.
