FOOD FASHIONISTA

Cleo Restaurant at The Redbury Hotel - Hollywood & Vine

Sorry I've been a bit MIA lately, but as expected for a retailer, it's one of the busiest, no sleep kind of months. I did gleefully get to finally escape for a bit last night to Cleo Restaurant at SBE's Redbury Hotel. The chic (but unpretentious) spot in Hollywood is host to one of my favorite made-to-order pita breads which I just can't get enough of. Pair with Babaganoush and Lebaneh and you are good to go. Well, at least for the starter. Everything on the food menu is ideal to share, and it's reminiscent of experiencing a comforting Mediterranean feast in the midst of hip Hollywood. I like it.

     Lebaneh and Feta with Cleo's Flatbread - an obsession.

These Brussels Sprouts aren't the ones from your childhood

A few other must haves are the Brussels Sprouts with capers, almonds and red wine vinaigrette and the Mushrooms with hazelnuts, dates, and puffed wild rice - absolutely to die for! We also enjoyed the Chicken Tagine, along with the Mushroom Flatbread (pictured above) and a couple orders of the refreshing Greek Salad. Pair with a glass of vino or one of their signature cocktails, and you'll be a satisfied believer that appetizing and affordable cuisine with a Hollywood vibe actually can and does exist.

   because sometimes you just want to stare at the ceiling...

 

Cleo is the smart L.A. choice for that night on the town -unique, stylish, and most of all...flavorfully delicious.

 

Cleo at The Redbury

1717 VINE STREET 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90028 

TEL 323.962.1711

The Langham Farm to Table Dinner with Craftsman Brewing Company

Wine-pairing dinners are heavily prevalent in the fine-dining world, with beer pairings being less common. So it was with excitement and curiosity, that I recently attended a five-course “Farm to Table” dinner at the luxurious Langham Pasadena hotel with cuisine prepared by The Terrace restaurant Chef de Cuisine Erik Schuster with beer pairings by Pasadena's own Craftsman Brewing Company.  In addition to the Ale and Lager served, The Langham's own Chef Schuster incorporated the diverse beers into his cooking and preparation of the dishes. And while it is now already November, you can celebrate Oktoberfest year round with a cold glass of Craftsman Beer at Langham's own The Tap Room.

Amuse Bouche- Fried Chicken "Oyster"

1903 Steam Clams & Pork Chicharron paired with Craftsman 1903 Lager

"Beer & Cheddar Soup" with Sunchoke Triple Sage Bisque, Pretzel Crostini paired with Craftsman Triple Sage

Craftsman Brewing Company

Baby Swiss Chard with Golden Raisin Puree, Sour Grape "Raisin", Peanut Butter Powder, Peanut Oil paired with Crafstman Sour Grape

Roasted Monkfish with Spiced Plantain Polenta, Braised Tuscan Kale, Prosciutto Heavenly Hef Jus paired with Craftsman Heavenly Hef

Braised Beef Ribeye Cap with Brown Butter Carrot Puree, Chatrelles, Smoked Black Lager Onion Jam paired with Craftsman Smoked Black Lager

Harvest Saison Cake with Pineapple, Coconut Coulis paired with Crafstman Harvest Saison

Cafe Latte Gateau with Rice Pudding, RIP Ice Cream, Marsala Gelee paired with Craftsman RIP

It's feeling a lot like Fall at The Terrace

 

The Langham, Pasadena

1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue,
Pasadena, California 91106, USA
T (+1) 626 568 3900

Win 2 Tickets to Fashion Bites Brunch at THE TASTE - Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

Congratulations to our randomly selected winner, Tiara Henry who won 2 tickets to this weekend's Fashion Bites Brunch at The TASTE. Thank you to all who entered and please check back for more fabulous giveaways in the near future. Cheers!

 

Greetings Food lovers and Fashionistas! Here's your chance to win a coveted pair (2) of tickets ($300 value) to the ultra-chic and tasty Fashion Bites Brunch this coming Sunday on world-famous Rodeo Drive. The stylish, cuisine-filled happening is part of the Los Angeles Times and Food & Wine's THE TASTE event taking place over the upcoming Labor Day Weekend.

 

 

For your chance to win, follow the simple instructions below:

 

1) Follow us on twitter @FoodFashionista or Facebook page at Food Fashionista (one is fine, both are fantastic)

 

2) Let us know who your ultimate favorite fashion designer/ brand is along with your favorite food by doing one or all (more chances to win) of the following.  

 

- comment on our blog below

-tweet us with hashtag #taste

-comment on our Facebook page with hashtag #taste 

 

Twitter Example: " @foodfashionista @thetasteLA Can't get enough of Azzedine Alaia and Apple pie a la mode. #taste  

Facebook Example: Azzedine Alaia and Apple Pie a la mode are my food and fashion favorites #taste

  

*Contest closes on 9/1 at 4pm. Winner will be chosen randomly and announced Thursday, September 1st at 5pm

 

 

 

Fashion Bites Brunch

 

Presented by Ciroc and Infiniti

Experience unparalleled brunch tastings on the famous Rodeo Drive. Los Angeles’ hottest brunch spots will serve up signature dishes alongside free-flowing Bloody Marys, Bellinis and mimosas. Try a dish from The Farm of Beverly Hills. And from The Blvd at the Beverly Wilshire. Check out the latest from Chef Richard Sandoval’s Zengo. Between bites, shop for some of the most fashionable accessories and clothes in the world on Rodeo Drive. See below for an A-list of L.A.’s restaurants as well as wineries, breweries and distilleries that will be at this event.

Beverly Hills, Rodeo Dr. | 10 am-2 pm | $150
Your all-inclusive ticket offers:
• Unlimited tastings from over 30 of L.A.’s top brunch destinations/chefs
• Unlimited samples from over 30 of your favorite wineries, breweries and spirits
• An opportunity to shop and dine in L.A.’s most famous ZIP

 •Kids 14 and under FREE

Ticket includes unlimited wine, spirits, beer and food tastings. Processing fees and a donation to charity are included as well.

Project Open Hand's Dessert First Event 8/14 - San Francisco

 

Some of the Bay Area’s most talented pastry chefs will assemble at the InterContinental San Francisco for Project Open Hand's Eleventh Annual Dessert First: Don't Delay Pleasure. In addition to delectable desserts, there will also be hors d’oeuvres, wine, port, signature cocktails and silent and live auctions. There will also be a VIP reception from 4-5 p.m. and 100% of the proceeds go to Project Open Hand.

100% of the proceeds from Dessert First will benefit Project Open Hand, a nutrition-services agency that provides meals with love to people living with HIV/AIDS, the homebound critically ill, and seniors.

The following Bay Area pastry chefs will be preparing decadent dessert creations for your indulgence:

 

Patti Dellamonica-Bauler | One Market Restaurant

Devin Alper | American Cupcake

Elizabeth Falkner | Citizen Cake and Orson

Sara Spearin | Dynamo Donuts & Coffee

Terri Wu | Farallon

Francis Ang | Fifth Floor

Robert Hac | FIVE Restaurant and Bar    

Jessica Miller | Grand Café

Jake Godby | Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream

Daniel Corey | InterContinental San Francisco

Pascal Rigo | La Boulange

Janine Fong | Meritage at the Claremont

Ethan Howard | Murray Circle

Suzanne LaFleur | Perbacco

Michelle Polzine | Range

Tim Nugent | Scala’s Bistro

 

Purchase TICKETS for Project Open Hand's Dessert First HERE

Oysters & Champagne Happy Hour at Grand Cafe, San Francisco

 
 

Usually when you think of happy-hour cuisine, the mind conjures up visions of discounted fried dishes or second-rate menu items priced at 1/2 off. Well, what if I told you that there's a happy hour involving freshly-shucked oysters and chilled champagne. You'd think I was kidding, right!? Well, when I first heard of this deal, I thought I was day dreaming too, but lucky for all of us, it is a reality.

Grand Cafe now offers a Champagne and Oyster Happy Hour on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-7 p.m. For just $1 a piece for oysters and $5 for a glass of champagne, you can celebrate happy hour in high style with your friends and colleagues. Other fantastic offers include $3 beer and additional food items including baked oysters for $1.50 each, baked clams for $2 each and “Frog & Fries”, lightly fried frog legs, for $7. And it doesn't stop there. All-night specials include the “Beer and Oyster Combo”, ½ dozen fresh oysters and your choice of a pint of Sam Adams or Kronenbourg 1664 for $10; “Bubbly and Oyster Combo”, ½ dozen fresh oysters and a glass of Domaine St Michelle, also for only $10.  

 

Although the oyster and champagne happy hour are only offered on Fridays and Saturdays, the adjoining Petit Café’ features a Monday through Friday happy hour, from 3-7 p.m. During these hours, select drinks and appetizers are priced at a low $3-$7 each.

For all you jazz lovers, Petit Café offers complimentary entertainment for its guests from 9:30 p.m. by local jazz artist Q Mauro. And if you don't have Bastille Day plans quite yet, keep Grand Cafe in mind. The restaurant will have a Marie Antoinette look-alike walking around the restaurant passing out cake bites for people (get it? “Let them eat cake!”).  An accordian player will also be adding to the restaurant’s festive atmosphere by playing traditional Parisian music throughout the night. The restaurant will pass out glasses of champagne, and in the Petit Café, there’ll be a beef bourguignon and glass of red wine special (for $19).

Look forward to seeing you all at the Grand Cafe very soon...

 

Grand Cafe

501 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 292-0101

Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit's Grand Tasting 5/6 - FEW TICKETS Still Available

 

A few tickets are still left for Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit’s Garden of the Gods Grand Tasting—Las Vegas’ premier citywide culinary extravaganza—on Friday, May 6, at Caesars Palace. Just added to the already impressive 2011 line up of chefs, mixologists and wineries are Michel Richard of Central 24/7 and Nobu Matsuhisa of Nobu—both of newly announced but yet-to-open restaurants at Caesars Palace—and Scott Conant (Scarpetta & D.O.C.G.), Bruce and Eric Bromberg (Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill), Stephen Hopcraft (STK) and David Myers (Comme Ça) of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. They will be joining Vegas Uncork'd veterans Paul Bartolotta, Hubert Keller, Joël Robuchon, Charlie Palmer, Michael Mina, Shawn McClain, Mary Sue Milliken, Rick Moonen, Francois Payard, Guy Savoy, Julian Serrano and Jet Tila.

     RM Seafood - Marinated Octopus w/sweet peppers, basil, chorizo oil

 

"The Grand Tasting offers an unmatched opportunity to mingle with the world’s top culinary talent from resorts such as Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Wynn|Encore, ARIA, The Venetian|The Palazzo and, for the first time, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Guests indulge in an incomparably festive atmosphere while sampling a staggering variety of signature dishes prepared by the city’s roster of award-winning chefs."

 

                         Chocoholics Rejoice...at the Grand Tasting

 

               We were thrilled to see Lotus of Siam at the Grand Tasting

 

 
           Craftsteak - Scallop Crudo, Sea Urchin, Morel & Ramps

“Each year’s Grand Tasting lineup manages to be more exciting than the last,” said Rob O’Keefe, executive director, Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit.  “What makes this event so special is not only the chance it offers guests to sample such an enormous variety of elite culinary creations, but also the opportunity it provides them to get up-close-and-personal with their most beloved chefs.”

Purchase your Grand Tasting tickets HERE

FENDI Fashion Feast Gala Bellagio - Vegas Uncork'd

 

The FENDI Fashion and Feast Gala at the Bellagio was an enchanting evening that blended my passions for haute cuisine and haute couture in one. You can say it was a sort of utopian, heart-fluttering occurrence for a Food Fashionista like myself. With red-carpet interviews with hosts Olympic Ice Skater Johnny Weir and Chef Cat Cora decked in Chanel and Fendi respectively, the night was off to an extremely chic start.

 

 

 

 
 
The event started off with a “Bubbles and Baubles” cocktail hour with free-flowing champagne and appetizers presented by Chef Todd English. This was followed by entry into a transformed ballroom which housed an elaborate dining space with mutliple fashion runways. Guests were treated to a “Chic and Savory” FENDI runway show along with an equally visually stimulating feast prepared by Bellagio Chefs Julian Serrano, Michael Mina, Marc St. Jacques, Sean Griffin and David Werly. The well-dressed, stylish set of guests, including Chef Joel Robuchon completed the event's festivities with an expansive edible dessert display by Pastry Chef Jean-Marie Auboine.

 

  

 

For more information on Vegas Uncork'd visit HERE

Check back on our Facebook page for all photos of this event & more.

 

A Day or Week at Chateau Marmont - Hollywood

 
 

An exquisite getaway in the middle of West Hollywood, Chateau Marmont is the epitome of understated movie-star glamour. The serene grounds are a favorite celebrity hideout to lodge and dine under the Southern California sun. In the evening, lounge on your own private terrace with the evening's twinkling stars. Chateau Marmont's outdoor restaurant is a perfect spot for that power lunch or relaxed catch-up meal with a chic and dear friend. You won't go wrong with their Damn Good Burger with homemade ketchup, crispy fries and assorted fixins. Pair that with a Classic Sidecar, glass of Champagne, or an Aperol Spritz and you are ready for your tinseltown close up...

 
                            Chateau Marmont Restaurant

            No shortage of Hollywood Glamour in the Bungalows

 

                             Kitchenettes in the Bungalows

          because even Movie Stars enjoy a Damn Good Burger

 

 

      No stay is complete without your own private terrace

 

                  Dinner Time at Chateau Marmont

  
                Friends waiting to greet you with the room's mini bar

 
                     Bottle of Red & Bouquet of White 

 

For more info on Chateau Marmont, visit HERE

Vegas Uncork'd 2011 Countdown!

 
Sometimes less is more. That is the case with Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit - the premier culinary event in the United States. With less attendees than some of the larger food festivals, Vegas Uncork'd targets the discriminating epicurean enthusiast for an intimate, unforgettable, VIP gourmet experience like no other. It brings you face to face with these "celebrity chefs" in a luxurious setting like only Vegas can. This year's sought-after event will be held during the weekend of May 5th through the 8th. Several of the events, just like in previous years sell out quickly, so plan ahead and grab your tickets now.

    Guy Savoy, Bobby Flay, Bradley Ogden, Francois Payard

Each year, Vegas Uncork'd attracts the cream of the crop chefs from around the world such as French chefs Joel Robuchon, Alain Ducasse, Hubert Keller, Pierre Gagnaire and Guy Savoy. This year will be no different. In fact, expect more at this year's fete with several inaugural festivities including a Toques off to Paul Bocuse Gala which will feature all of the acclaimed stars mentioned above in addition to master chefs Julian Serrano, Bradley Ogden, Michel Richard, Michael Mina, Shawn McClain and Jean-Philippe Maury.

 
                    Sweets from Payard at Caesar's Palace

With more Master Sommeliers than any other state, Vegas Uncork'd will be sure to feature premier wine events including the Great Makers of Pinot Noir at the Bellagio with Master Sommelier Jason Smith. The popular Friday night Grand Tasting will also showcase a number of premium wines and spirits with the many samplings of gourmet food dishes.

 

Wynn Chef Kimberly Valdez & I at Interactive Luncheon 

  
       Fresh Seafood from Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare 

 
           Cocktails with Master Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim

For those who believe Vegas only begins when the sun has set, Late Night with Hubert at Mandalay Bay will be right up your alley. In addition to serving up tempting treats for revelers, Chef Keller will help party-goers burn off the weekend's extra calories with his intoxicating beats at the DJ turntables. Another late-night crowd favorite is the Celebrity Chef Blackjack Tournament followed by a night of dancing at Encore's French Riviera style XS Nightclub.

 

For more info on Vegas Uncork'd, visit HERE               

SF Chefs 2010 - Spice Spice Baby

Don't miss out on San Francisco's premier food festival and celebration- SF Chefs 2011.

 
Zare's Chilled Yogurt Soup w/ Walnuts, Raisin, Dill,  Cucumber, Rose Petal, Saffron Oil

Bay Area Chefs and Mixologists turned up the heat at a private SF Chefs 2010 reception last night on the eve of today's official ribbon-cutting kick off. The appropriately titled Spice Party held in a dimly-lit ballroom at the historic Westin St. Francis, featured San Francisco Chefs Hoss Zare (Zare at Fly Trap), Mourad Lahlou (Aziza), Anjan Mitra (Dosa), Martin Castillo (Limon), Gerald Hirigoyen (Piperade), Ranjan Dey (New Delhi Restaurant) and Laurence Jossel (Nopa). The international crew of culinary artists treated guests to a passport of flavors with their own unique, globally inspired dishes. 

Familiar faces from the Bay Area mixology world were shaking up the room with their complementing, creative, intoxicating concoctions. Cantina's Duggan McDonnell served up a refreshing, tangy cocktail with his own Encanto Pisco while Reza Esmaili served up an exotic dark potion with a splash of rose water. 

You can't have spice without some sugar, so get ready for the SF Chefs Sugar Party which will be held Saturday at the Westin St. Francis. Tickets are $45 and are still available for purchase HERE

Mourad Lahlou (Aziza) - Egg Charmoula, Potato Foam, Harissa

Hoss Zare (Zare Fly Trap) - Crostini w/7 Spiced Braised Lamb Shank

Frontier Natural Spices

Anjan Mitra (Dosa) - Lamb & Potato Croquette

   Encanto Pisco's  Walter Moore & Duggan McDonnell 

  
  
Piperade's Five Spice Oxtail Salad w/Herb Vinaigrette

  Chef Gerald Hirigoyen (Piperade) & Sons (Sous Chefs for the evening)

 Spices at New Delhi Restaurant

 
Martin Castillo (Limon) - Potato Timbale w/Aji Amarillo, Lime Juice, Crab Meat Salad

Dave Nepove of Southern Wine & Spirits
 
   
Laurence Jossel (Nopa) -Mescal Watermelon Shot

 

FOR ALL PHOTOS OF SF CHEFS 2010 SPICE PARTY & WEEKEND, VISIT FOOD FASHIONISTA ON FACEBOOK  

FOR THE LATEST UPDATES, VISIT FOOD FASHIONISTA ON TWITTER
 

Post Edited by Mika Takeuchi

Photos by Kara E. Murphy for Food Fashionista