As October 14th approached, I knew I had to make a decision. When your two passions of food and fashion collide on the very same day, what is a Food Fashionista to do? After all, it is Los Angeles Fashion Week and LC (Lauren Conrad)'s fashion show was scheduled for 8 o'clock at Smashbox Studios. On the other hand, celebrated chef Michael Mina's new restaurant, XIV was celebrating with a private grand opening party with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.. Friends suggested I go to both, but those friends 1) don't live in Los Angeles and 2) don't know what a fashion show entails. In the fashion world, 8 o'clock never means 8 o'clock, and things in L.A. aren't as close in vicinity as one may think. It actually was an easy decision, but I chose the XIV Grand Opening party and I had absolutely no regrets.
XIV Tented Party Interior
XIV Grand Opening Party Atmosphere
SBE and The Mina Group definitely went all out with this opening party. Upon arrival at XIV, you could not help but notice the 30 or so valets lining Sunset Boulevard. For those driving by on this very busy street, you absolutely knew that something special was happening tonight in West Hollywood. Once outside the car, and just passed the velvet rope, laid the red carpet, the photographers and paparazzi, the Rolls Royce Phantoms, and the.... PARTY!
XIV Pastry Chef Jordan Kahn
XIV Party Center Bar
The entire parking lot of XIV was tented off and completely transformed in to a gastronomic wonderland. The aesthetics were absolutely stunning with velvet draping, wall coverings of impressionist and abstract style paintings, sparkling crystal chandeliers, and an amazing center bar with the most gorgeous and colorful cascading floral arrangements made entirely of roses. You unquestionably knew that someone as inspiring as Phillipe Starck had something to do with this space. The mood lighting was perfect and the crowd really appeared to be working the room and having a fabulous time. On hand were celebs, rock stars, famed chefs, foodies, and the oh so common in L.A., stick-thin beautiful model crowd.
Executive sous chef Michelle Retallack & chef George Morrone w/ XIV's absolutely delicious Chilled Lobster
Inside the tent were five generous food stations serving up an endless supply of Chef Mina's XIV menu items. As mentioned in my original posting of XIV, which you can see here, the cuisine at XIV is suitable to everyone's palate from the carnivore, vegetarian, seafood lover, and just plain finicky. There is something on the menu for everybody. Yes, everybody! It is apparent that Chef Michael Mina has the best working with him in the kitchen. From pastry chef Jordan Kahn, to executive sous chef Michelle Retallack, to corporate chef Anthony Carron, to chef de cuisine Steven Fretz, XIV is certainly in the best of hands. We also got a special treat at the XIV opening party with chef George Morrone contributing on the food. For those of you who are not familiar with chef Morrone, he is the one who Michael Mina trained under at the Hotel Bel Air and later worked with at Aqua in San Francisco. Michael and George remain the very best of friends and George mentioned to me at the party, that he is absolutely so proud of his best friend Michael Mina for all of his accomplishments.
w/chef Michael Mina & Nancy Gammit
XIV Asst GM Christopher Hyslop & Friends
As the tent seemingly reached maximum capacity, speeches were given by chef Michael Mina, designer Philippe Starck, and SBE owner Sam Nazarian. Following their speeches, they welcomed everyone in to the crown jewel - which was their restaurant, XIV. Guests oohed and aahed at the Philippe Starck designed European chateau style dining room. The bar was packed, and so was the outdoor patio which I can already predict is going to be one of the hottest spots on the Sunset strip. Chef Michael Mina definitely knows how to pick the best locations for his restaurants, and XIV is definitely no exception. If the grand opening party was any indication, XIV is definitely going to be one of must be hot spots in town. Even Michael Mina said that out of all his restaurants, he has never seen an opening quite like the one for XIV. And for someone who already has 13 restaurants under his belt, it must've been one fantastic party. And a party wouldn't have been a party without world famous DJ Paul Oakenfold, who flew in just to spin at XIV's Grand Opening shindig.
Audrina Patridge & Kim Kardashian
Filming of "The Hills" at XIV Opening Party
Oh and by the way, even though I chose XIV over LC, I did get my dose of The Hills at the XIV opening. With film crews on hand, the Hill's cast of characters including Heidi, Spencer, Audrina, Justin Bobby, and Stephanie Pratt were on hand mingling and filming scenes for a future episode of the "reality" show The Hills. But sorry to report, no Lauren Conrad in sight. She was actually over at STK for her fashion show after party.
Patric Yumul, XIV Executive Chef Steven Fretz, Corporate Chef Anthony Carron
XIV Main Dining Room
Now back to important things. XIV opens to the public tomorrow, Thursday, October 16th. If you haven't already, I suggest you make your reservations now to experience chef Michael Mina's culinary return to L.A., in a Philippe Starck designed space. It doesn't get much better than that!
8117 Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 656-1414
To Make Reservations at XIV, visit XIV Reservations
