Archive for the 'Beverly Hills' Category

Red Medicine – Los Angeles (Beverly Hills)

Published by Gastronomer on December 10, 2012 in Asian Fusion, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, New American and Restaurant Review. 7 Comments

It’s a crying shame that Red Medicine got off on such an awful foot during its early days. First there was the uproar over the communist propaganda-inspired logo emblazoned with Ho Chi Minh’s face, which was followed by the brouhaha for exposing and ejecting the Los Angeles Times restaurant critic.

These events kept me and my curiosity at bay for quite some time, but I’m glad that I finally pulled up a seat at this “Vietnamese punk” establishment, because Chef Jordan Kahn‘s cooking is some of the most modern, forward, and interesting fare that I’ve ever experienced in Los Angeles.

As its manifesto declares, “This is not a traditional Vietnamese restaurant.” Instead, Chef Kahn, the former pastry chef at the French Laundry, Per Se, and Alinea, picks and chooses flavors and ingredients from the cuisine that inspire him to create dishes that are as pleasing to the palate as they are to the eye.

My friend Diep and I grabbed two seats at the bar and proceeded to order cocktails, a duo of dishes, and dessert. We had just come from a taco binge on the corner of Venice and La Brea, so this was the perfect way to get our feet wet without committing to an entire dinner.

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{swoon} Japanese-Style Crepes at Harajuku Crepe

Published by Gastronomer on October 22, 2012 in Beverly Hills, Dessert, Japanese, Los Angeles and {swoon}. 3 Comments

Rio Hirashima wasn’t taken with the crepes he encountered in Los Angeles when he arrived here in 2005. Instead of the springy, stretchy, conical specimens that he was used to in Japan, he found traditional French ones that were perfectly nice, but hardly a taste of home. Rather than wait for sporadic trips back to Japan or for someone to fill the niche, Mr. Hirashima took matters into his own hands and opened Harajuku Crepe in 2009.

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Sprinkles Cupcake ATM – Los Angeles (Beverly Hills)

Published by Gastronomer on June 27, 2012 in Beverly Hills, Dessert, Los Angeles and Restaurant Review. 8 Comments

I finally made a withdrawal from the Sprinkles ATM when Cousins Jackie and Jessica came to town for a short visit. As part of a whirlwind tour of Los Angeles that included a stop at the Santa Monica Pier, a stroll down Rodeo Drive, and dinner in Thaitown, we swung by the ATM for the pleasure of having a cupcake delivered via robot claw. It was a riotous occasion.

The Sprinkles ATM, which debuted in March in the space next to the original cupcakery, provides a sweet fix to cupcake lovers 24 hours a day. The machine stocks an array of freshly baked cupcakes that always includes Red Velvet, the shop’s most popular flavor. Of course, if one’s favorite flavor isn’t available inside the machine, the Sprinkles brick and mortar is only a few short steps away.

With its bright blue, pink, green, and red stripes, the Sprinkles ATM is a real looker. While the machine is far more attractive than an ordinary bank ATM, the experience of purchasing a cupcake feels surprisingly similar to making a cash withdrawal.

A touchscreen monitor lead me through the process of choosing a flavor and making a purchase. Cupcakes, which are regularly priced at $3.50 inside the shop, are priced at $4 at the ATM. I didn’t mind the surcharge on my inaugural visit, but would likely feel the pinch on subsequent visits and head for the shop instead.

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Sunday Brunch at Scarpetta – Los Angeles (Beverly Hills)

Published by Gastronomer on May 11, 2011 in All U Can Eat, Beverly Hills, Breakfast / Brunch, Los Angeles, Media Event (this meal was free) and Restaurant Review. 16 Comments

The last time I indulged in a lavish Sunday brunch spread, I wound up in the fetal position in the hotel lobby. The Astronomer fared slightly better and only popped a button off his pants. We’re normally rational and quite levelheaded, but for the life of us, we couldn’t exhibit good behavior when faced with such a stupendous buffet. You’d do the same in an all-you-can-eat foie gras ice cream sandwich situation too, trust me.

A couple of Sundays ago, I was once again confronted with a brunch spread so awesome that it threatened to compromise my reasonable nature. This time around it was at Scarpetta, Chef Scott Conant‘s modern Italian restaurant tucked inside the Montage Beverly Hills.

I, along with my partner in crime Diana, were guests of the hotel this morning during the debut of Sunday brunch. We were seated on the cusp of the dining room with an idyllic view overlooking the Beverly Canon Gardens. Mimosas were quick to arrive, which we appreciated greatly. Cheers to good food and good friends.

Before piling our plates full of this and that and everything in between, we strolled through the open kitchen to survey what was cookin’. We spied a crudo and shellfish station, cured meats, a pasta station, an egg station, waffles and pancakes from the griddle, a carving station, and a fruit station. Outside the kitchen was an impressive display of cheeses and sweets. [See the complete menu here.] It was a sensational selection of dishes and we were excited to get started.

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The Peach Pit – Los Angeles (Beverly Hills)

Published by Gastronomer on September 2, 2010 in Beverly Hills, Burgers, Diner, Los Angeles and Restaurant Review. 18 Comments

After spending the afternoon shopping with my gal pals Kelly and Brenda for the perfect Spring Dance frock, we were in dire need of something good to eat. Brenda suggested that we hit up a diner a few blocks away because her brother was working the dinner shift. I wasn’t in a burger and milkshake mood, but Brenda’s twin brother Brandon is pretty hot and is known to offer up freebies when the restaurant’s owner isn’t looking.

We pulled up to a retro-style restaurant emblazoned with the words “Peach Pit” in neon lights. Once inside, we were greeted by Nat Bussichio, the restaurant’s amiable proprietor. He pointed us towards a comfortable corner booth near the back and handed each of us a menu, knowing very well that neither Kelly nor Brenda ate much of anything.

As we settled into our seats, I glanced around the room to admire the decor. The brightly lit space was accented with chrome trimmed tables and waiters sporting fetching maroon and teal shirts. The records pasted on the wall and penny jukeboxes gave the Pit a decidedly throwback feel.

Brandon came by soon after to recite the daily specials and to take our orders. The Peach Pit offers classic diner fare, from fries to burgers to ice cream sundaes. The Mint Chocolate Marshmallow Jelly Bean Extravaganza Sundae is our friend Donna’s favorite for when she’s feeling traumatized (like that one afternoon when she witnessed her mother cheating on her father and missed hanging out with Color Me Badd). Quite a few menu items caught my eye, but I was told that the thing to get here is the famed Mega Burger. I went ahead and ordered the signature dish and a malted milkshake to go with it.

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