Home Page / Insights

Dinner Plans: Crossroads

Upscale vegan small-plates concept by chef Tal Ronnen comes to West Hollywood.

March 22, 2013

Renowned chef Tal Ronnen has joined forces with hospitality guru Parnell F. Delcham and Stephen Bing to present Crossroads, a new plant-based restaurant that elevates the traditional concept of vegan dining. Designed by LA-based Studio Collective, the space is upscale but welcoming, with a deep red, gold, and gray color scheme, and touches like handmade chandeliers and an original Toulouse Lautrec print adding touches of personality. 

Ronnen’s opening menu reflects the refined healthy cuisine he’s become famous for with his best-selling cookbook, The Conscious Cook. Local and organic ingredients are used when possible, and the menu features a series of small plates divided into sections like bread service, soups, salads, comforting classics, and hot and cold dishes. Expect standouts like gluten-free spiced chickpeas with oven-dried tomatoes and parsley garlic whip, or a play on oysters that comprises artichoke puree, crispy oyster mushrooms, yellow tomato béarnaise, and kelp caviar. Innovative pasta dishes include a tortelloni with almond cheese, oven-dried tomatoes, parsley, frisee salad, and spinach cream, as well as a wood-fired “meaty” lasagna. For dessert, opt for one of their pairings, which features a sweet treat like the citrus panna cotta served alongside an after-dinner beverage such as the Jaboulet Muscat Beaumes de Venise.

Crossroads has called upon Las Vegas mixologist Gaston Martinez to complement the food with craft seasonal cocktails that spotlight fresh ingredients and small-batch spirits. Similarly, wine director Jennifer Delcham has created a list that focuses on biodynamic, sustainable, and organic wines. 8284 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323-782-9245

—Alexandra Calamari

 

Weekend Recommender: March 21-24

A juice pairing dinner, VIP shopping event, and SciFi film screenings.

March 21, 2013

Clover juices pair with dishes at The Churchill.
Enjoy Clover's refreshing juices alongside complementary dishes from The Churchill this weekend.

Clover Pairing at The Churchill
Thursday March 21-Friday March 22, 5-9 pm
To toast the opening of the new neighboring Clover juice bar, The Churchill chef Bruce Kalman has created a limited-time juice pairing dinner ($45). Dishes like a Paso prime grass-fed hanger steak are matched with Clover’s signature Go Big juice. Reservations are recommended by calling the restaurant at 323-655-8384. 8384 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood

SciFi Double Feature at LACMA
Friday, March 22, 7:30 pm
Head to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to help kick off a new film series exploring the evolution of the science fiction genre after Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Programmed by Bernardo Rondeau, the series starts March 22 with a screening of Saul Bass' Phase IV that includes the film's alternate ending, and then continues with a showing of Douglas Trumball's Silent Running at 9:10 pm. The screenings run into the first week of April with films by George Lucas and John Carpenter, among others. Tickets start at $10 and are available by calling 323-857-6010. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid City, 323-857-6000

Simply Stylist Fashion Event
Saturday, March 23, 11 am-8 pm
E! News anchor Catt Sadler hosts the Simply Stylist Los Angeles shopping event at Siren Studios—panelists like Whitney Port, Brad Goreski, and Louise Roe will spill their fashion secrets, while stylist-to-the-stars Jacqueline Rezak helps select outfits for VIP guests from the on-site designer shopping boutiques. Tickets range from $300 (VIP) to $20, and can be purchased at simplystylist.com. 6063 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood

—Alexandra Calamari

 

Live Music at Casa Lobby Lounge

Santa Monica’s Casa del Mar lobby introduces a performance series and new food offerings.

March 21, 2013

Casa Lobby Lounge at Casa del Mar.
Casa Lobby Lounge is revving things up with live music, drink specials, and new food offerings.

On March 17, Santa Monica’s Casa del Mar hotel launched a new live music series within the Casa Lobby Lounge. Each night of the week, the lounge will feature a rotating lineup of some of the city’s most exciting jazz, DJ, and Latin acts, paired with special pricing on custom cocktails and chef Sven Mede’s new small-plates menu.

The new acts include KCRW DJ Raul Campos, who will spin during brunch hours on Sundays, and the Leftover Cuties, who are slated to play their upbeat jazz on select dates in March and May. Meanwhile, during performances, guests can enjoy daily drink offers like specially priced ryes and bourbons on Tuesdays, top-shelf tequila on Thursdays, and a full bloody Mary menu on Sundays.   

Mede designed a new menu that perfectly complements the series and its drinks—expect snacks like marinated olives or black truffle popcorn, in addition to crudos like an organic salmon with pineapple and jalapeno. Sushi, oysters, and charcuterie make for great sharable plates, but more substantial dishes are also on offer. If you’re looking to make it a full meal, start with American wagyu sliders or a dungeness crab salad, followed by fish and chips or steak frites with thick cut fries. For dessert, dig into something decadent like the cupcake in a jar.  1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, 310-581-5533

—Alexandra Calamari
Photography by the blue sea

 

Q&A: ‘Take 2’ Author Leeza Gibbons

Renowned TV personality discusses her new start, new book, and 'happy' spots in LA.

March 20, 2013

TV Personality Leeza Gibbons.   
Leeza Gibbons recently debuted her book Take 2: Your Guide to Creating Happy Endings and New Beginnings.  

According to daytime-personality-cum-author Leeza Gibbons, everyone deserves a do-over. She took hers after a series of difficult events that included watching her mother struggle through Alzheimer's and losing her long-time talk show role, but came through it with a refreshed outlook.

Now in her new book Take 2: Your Guide to Creating Happy Endings and New Beginnings ($15 on barnesandnoble.com, Hay House), Gibbons explores the concept of starting fresh and imbues the reader with her tricks and tips to recalibrate your life. We caught up with Gibbons for a quick chat about her new book and her favorite LA escapes. 

What were some of the challenges you faced writing Take 2?
LEEZA GIBBONS: I think everyone gets lost at some point in life. You end up arriving at a place where you feel a little empty or disappointed and say, ‘Wait, this is not the life I ordered!’ I've been there a few times. I realized when my mother died, I got divorced, my oldest child left for college, and I left my job that I suddenly didn't know who I was anymore. I had to show up for myself in a whole new way. 

Tell us some of your best tips for getting your life back on track?
LG: I use a great quote by Louse Smith in my book, ‘You can't reach for tomorrow if your hands are filled with yesterday's junk,’ so let [the past] go. But remember: when you try to change anything, you're going to get resistance—that's a universal law of nature—so expect some pushback. Once you begin to treat yourself better, watch what happens. I promise, the world will pay attention and do the same.     

Do Hollywood happy endings exist in real life?
LG: You bet. I'm living proof that sometimes right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives you a miracle.  

Any advice on how to get one?
LG: Although this usually induces massive eye-rolling, I believe that to get your happy ending, you first have to believe that you're worth it. Then, it's all about hope and faith backed by action. The way to your happy ending is to focus on getting them, instead of being so damned certain you will not! Take that, all you pessimists.

What is your Los Angeles happy place?  
LG: I love to go to the Getty Villa (17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades, 310-440-7300) in Malibu—what a jewel we have right there at the edge of the ocean! It's breathtakingly beautiful and you can relax and enjoy the view with a glass of wine, or dig deep into the history and art. Either way, you leave refreshed. 

Where do you recharge?
LG: When [my energy] is low, I get a great shot of enthusiasm at Lemonade (9001 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-247-2500). What is it about this little place that attracts the most diverse people engaged in the most far-reaching conversations over lavender-mint-cucumber iced teas and pistachio macaroons? If it's solitude I'm craving, I can find it up on one of the lesser-walked paths of Runyon Canyon. Finally, if I just need a creative diversion, you can't beat Rolling Greens (7505 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, 323-934-4500)—I can hang there for hours, try some scents, read some books, and wonder where I'm going to hang that iron and crystal thingy I just bought on an impulse.

Any tips to clean up your life for spring?
LG: Examine your life's ‘operating system.’ What's working, what's not? If things are slow, maybe you need to delete some files because sameness and static will make you boring and bitter. If there are people in your life that are like a virus on your system, delete them, too!

—Alexandra Calamari

 

New Exhibits at Project Gallery + Espresso

A Rolling Stones retrospective and street art pop-up come to the Hollywood gallery.

March 20, 2013

In the six months since it has opened, Project Gallery + Espresso has already established itself as one of SoCal’s top spaces for contemporary exhibits. The Hollywood gallery ends the month with two exciting events: a CARTWHEEL pop-up (starts March 21), and a showing of “50 Years of the Rolling Stones: A Gallery Retrospective” (starts March 28).

CARTWHEEL—an LA-based emerging art collective—will show selections from eight alternative artists during their four-day pop-up. Featured talents include Lydia Emily, an LA-based street artist known for her striking political images; Roy Gonzalez, an Orange County painter who utilizes bright murals to depict extreme sports legends; and Greg Haberny, a New York artist who builds complex mixed-media installations. In addition to the displays, CARTWHEEL will host a series of events throughout the weekend—an opening reception on March 21 (7-10 pm), live music with Kashmere on March 22 (7-10 pm), a health-centric afternoon with yoga and juices on March 23 (12-5 pm), and a Surfers Healing benefit with art and music on March 24 (11 am-4 pm).

Then, on March 28, Project Gallery opens the US debut of “50 Years of the Rolling Stones: A Gallery Retrospective.” The exhibit boasts rare and never-before-seen photos of the iconic rock band. Some anticipated pieces include Philip Townsend’s shots of the group in England, behind-the-scenes snippets by Ken Regan, Neal Preston’s performance shots, and recent portraits by Lynn Goldsmith. The retrospective opens with a reception featuring Preston and Barrie Wentzell on March 28 (7-10 pm). Guests can RSVP to attend at rsvp@projectla.net. The exhibit runs through April 21. 1553 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, 323-462-1100

—Alexandra Calamari

 

REDCAT Celebrates 10th Anniversary

The Downtown theater group honors The Walt Disney Company and Catherine Opie.

March 19, 2013

On Saturday, March 16, Jack Black hosted the 2013 Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT) Gala, which this year marked the 10th anniversary of the groundbreaking group for theater, media, and visual arts. A selection of Los Angeles philanthropists and supporters of the arts joined together to pay tribute to The Walt Disney Company and Catherine Opie at the annual gala event.

As part of the evening’s festivities, Opie and the Walt Disney Company took home the coveted REDCAT award, which was designed by Frank Gehry and created by Tiffany & Co. Artist Lari Pittman presented the REDCAT award to Opie, a graduate of CalArts who has been hailed for her insightful photographs and marked contributions to contemporary art. Meanwhile, actor Tim Allen was called upon to honor the Walt Disney Company with the second REDCAT award, which Disney president Alan Bergman accepted.

The event closed with an innovative performance by Cynthia Hopkins, who sang a selection from her show Must Don’t Whip ‘Em. A birthday tune for the theater group also brought down the house. As always, the funds raised from REDCAT’s gala go to support the creative artists and works that the cultural center cultivates.

—Alexandra Calamari

 

Ice Cream Lab Mixes Sweets and Science

A new Beverly Hills spot offers a futuristic take on frozen treats.

March 19, 2013

An innovative ice cream experience, Ice Cream Lab, opened this past Friday (March 15) in Beverly Hills. Ice Cream Lab features a lineup of decadent dessert flavors, which are crafted from local, organic ingredients, and frozen right in front of your eyes with the brand’s signature negative-320-degree liquid nitrogen. Watching the treat freeze is intriguing in and of itself, but health-conscious ice cream aficionados will appreciate that the products and ingredients have no additives, preservatives, or harmful chemicals.

The opening menu features a selection of four staple flavors and two seasonal specialties, customized with your choice of either a cream or yogurt base. Current flavors of note are Angeles apple pie, which combines cinnamon apples and graham crackers, and salt lick crunch, the ultimate combination of salty pretzel pieces, sea salt, and sweet caramel. Seasonal flavors include olive oil popcorn and very berry tart yogurt.

The scientific dessert is mirrored by the crisp blue and white décor, which gives the 1,000-square-foot dining area a laboratory-like vibe. A mural depicting a mad scientist courtesy of LA graffiti artist Man One completes the ambiance. Ice Cream Lab is open from 12-11 pm, Sunday-Wednesday, and 12 pm-12 am, Thursday-Sunday. 9461 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-795-6505

—Alexandra Calamari

 

MOCA Presents ‘The Happy Show’

The Museum of Contemporary Art welcomes Stefan Sagmeister to the Pacific Design Center.

March 18, 2013

On March 20, the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles (MOCA) will open “The Happy Show” at the Pacific Design Center, the first Los Angeles exhibition of graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister. The interactive showcase incorporates elements of film, print, sculpture, and more to chronicle the designer’s experimentation of increasing happiness through meditation, therapy, and mood-altering pharmaceuticals.

The exhibition is centered on maxims from Sagmeister’s diary, which are presented via a variety of artistic mediums in conjunction with psychological data from renowned psychologists, anthropologists, and historians. Meanwhile, Sagmeister records his own personal experiences, using social data on race, age, gender, and money to demonstrate each factor’s influence on his own happiness. As a complement to the show, MOCA will play a 12-minute segment from Having Guts, a piece that explores how to train the mind in the same way one trains the body.

Sagmeister is best known for his innovative album covers for bands like the Talking Heads, Lou Reed, and The Rolling Stones, as well as his campaign work for brands live Levi’s. His pieces will remain on display until June 9, and a public opening reception for the exhibit will be held from 6-9 pm on March 19 at the Pacific Design Center. 8687 Melrose Ave., Beverly Hills, 310-657-0800

—Alexandra Calamari
Photography by Aaron Igler/Greenhouse Media

 

Hammer and Spear Debuts Downtown

Designer vintage and home goods store offers pretty things on display and for purchase.

March 18, 2013

Hammer and Spear officially opened to the public this past Friday (March 15), bringing an exciting collection of vintage finds and artisanal home goods to Downtown LA. Expertly cultivated by interior designer Kristan Cunningham and her husband Scott Jarrell, Hammer and Spear boasts collectible vintage furnishings by coveted designers like Chromecraft and Hans Olsen, as well as a selection of new products, many from small brands local to Los Angeles.

Hammer and Spear is the exclusive LA purveyor of brands like LA’s own Archer Air Superiority, London-based Merchant & Mills, and Ordinary Evelyn’s artisanal apple butter. The store also features an array of apothecary items by Prospector Co., writing instruments by Kaweco, Artisan Playing Cards designed by Shepard Fairey, and paper goods from a variety of interesting companies.

Well known for her work on the HGTV series Design on a Dime as well as stints on Rachael Ray and The Early Show, Cunningham’s exquisite design aesthetic coupled with Jarrell’s management skills have yielded a DIY paradise in Hammer and Spear. 255 S. Santa Fe Ave., Downtown, 213-928-0997

—Alexandra Calamari
Photography by Alen Lin

 

What We’re Reading

Local bands to watch at SXSW, Nasty Gal’s new campaign, Japanese whiskey hits LA.

March 15, 2013

Dave Grohl at SXSW.
Musician Dave Grohl gives the keynote address at the South By Southwest Music Festival at the Austin Convention Center.

As SXSW continues to showcase hip underground bands, the LA Times has a list of Los Angeles-based performers to keep an eye out for. [LA Times]

Speaking of LA-centric, Racked is showing off Los Angeles retailer Nasty Gal’s new lookbook, featuring an exciting campaign by local in-demand photographer Zoey Grossman and stylist Ashely Glorioso. [Racked LA]

Meanwhile, area bars have a new obsession—Japanese whiskey—featured around the city at restaurants like David Myer’s newcomer Hinoki and the Bird. [LA Weekly]

The world is celebrating the election of the new Pope, and LA Magazine is playfully pondering what he will like to eat, based on other papal food preferences. [Los Angeles Magazine]

—Alexandra Calamari
Photography by Gary Miller/FilmMagic

1 2 … 6 7 8 10 12 13 14 … 110 111
Receive the Monthy Insider Newsletter: Signup
Digicover_fc_no_upc_lacmxj13
Facebook RSS
FEATURED VIDEO
VIDEO Jessica Pare Cover Party
Celebrating with our spring fashion issue cover star at Seven Grand.
 
Aspen Peak Magazine Boston Common Magazine Capitol File Magazine Gotham Magazine Hamptons Magazine Los Angeles Confidential Michigan Avenue Magazine Ocean Drive Magazine Philadelphia Style Magazine Vegas Magazine