For the amount of the restaurants and businesses in Beverly Hills, it is not a nighttime destination and by 8pm the streets are quiet, almost deserted. But, just south of Santa Monica Blvd on Canon Drive, the new Wally's Vinoteca, open until 2am, is bringing the area back to life.
Wally's Vinoteca is the sister to Wally's Wine Shop on Westwood Blvd which has been in business for 20 years. But, while the wine shop only sells wine, Wally's Vinoteca is a wine bar, retail shop and restaurant all in one. Located in the former Monsieur Marcel location, in between Wolfgang's Steakhouse and Nic's Martini Lounge, Wally's Vinoteca is reminiscent of a a food hall, like Harrod's or Eataly (but much smaller).
There are ceiling-high shelves of more than 2,500 wine bottles for sale, ranging in price, as well as rare spirits and craft beers.
Chi Spacca is over one year old now but I finally made it....barely! I knew it was near Mozza but managed to pass it three times before I gave up on Waze all together. I found a spot on the street and walked past the Osteria Mozza entrance to where there is a small sign with just the image of the cleaver on it (Chi Spacca means "cleaver" in Italian). Without a noticeable sign, especially one without words, it was a bit difficult to find.
A little further down is a door to Mozza-To-Go. Enter Mozza-To-Go and then through another door and you come to the intimate Chi Spacca with the open kitchen. Tables are rather close so you have to maneuver yourself through the space to your table. We had a lovely little table next to the window but throughout our meal at least three different passers-by on the street stuck their heads into the small square to look into the restaurant and ended up giving us a little shock.
Palm Desert in the heart of the Coachella Valley was the host of the 5th annual Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival. While the event gathered chefs, wine and spirits from around the country, it also showcased more than 30 local restaurants. This was a great way to get a taste (literally and figuratively) of the current restaurant scene in the valley. Here are the standout dishes of the weekend:
Breakfast SpotsWilma & Frieda's Cafe house-made English muffin with strawberry or triple berry jam