Food

The first time I went to Soleto Trattoria & Pizza Bar was for a friend's rehearsal dinner last year. With one of the largest patios in downtown LA, it is an ideal spot for a gathering of friends. And with a large oval bar that dominates the dining rooms, along with a pizza bar, Soleto is a great spot for lunch, happy hour and dinner, whether you are with one friend or a large group. So, I went for lunch last month and then a couple weeks later, after finishing an event across the street, I went back for dinner to try more items from the menu. Located in the heart of the financial district in downtown LA, Soleto is celebrating its third anniversary this month. With a menu inspired by Southern Italian dishes, the menu has been updated and offers dishes that are appealing to both the foodie and those with who just want good food.
07 July, 2014
If you like scotch and you like oysters then this name has probably already gotten your attention. Located in Sherman Oaks, Tipple and Brine opened in April and is one of the many spots to brighten the Valley’s dining scene and entice those living in other parts of the city to fight the traffic to get there. It’s worth it! Rustic (reclaimed wood) but industrial (Edison lights), it’s a casual neighborhood restaurant and bar. Tipple and Brine Start with the signature item – oysters! Even better, do an oyster luge – eat an oyster, then pour some Scotch into the briny liquid left in the shell and slurp. Can’t chose a Scotch from the couple dozen options? They make it easy for you. For $8, they select the oyster and a 1 oz shot of Scotch that will best pair with it.
06 July, 2014
Harlowe There is always somewhere new to enjoy a drink in Los Angeles and one of the newest spots is Harlowe. But while Harlowe is new, it has an "old" feel. Harlowe Exterior Owned by the 1933 Group, Harlowe is another one of their bars (think Sassafras, Oldfield’s Liquor Room) that makes you feel like you have stepped back in time. Located in what used to be a nightclub, Harlowe was inspired by Hollywood's Golden Age and is filled with vintage decor, custom fixtures and original turn-of-the-century portraits on every wall. The oblong bar sits in the center of the room with a few tables scattered around the perimeter of the room and on the patio.
03 July, 2014
Is a night out dinner and a movie?  Or a movie followed by dinner?  What about dinner in the movie? I am not talking about sneaking in your take-out. I am talking about the luxury iPic Theater, that reopened the doors of the Avco movie theater on Wilshire and Westwood a few months ago.  And recently, Tanzy an Italian restaurant with outlets in Scottsdale and Boca Raton, opened within the theater. Tanzy and iPic Entrances When you enter the iPic theater, the box office is more like a concierge service at a hotel. You are then led to your theater and your assigned seats.
02 July, 2014
It’s been 4 years since Rick Bayless, the Chicago-based American chef who specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine with modern interpretations, opened his restaurant Red O on Melrose Avenue in LA. Since then he has opened a second location in Newport Beach, making two locations where you can experience sophisticated Mexican cuisine. While the menu is seasonal and changes regularly, for their 4 year anniversary, most of the menu was redone. Overseen by Executive Corporate Chef Keith Stich, and in conjunction with Rick Bayless, this is the first major change in 4 years so we went in to check it out! The cocktails have been updated as well by Director of Wine and Spirits Dan OIiver so we began with cocktails, of course!
01 July, 2014
Tucked away in an alley in downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District is the Daily Dose Cafe. While an alley doesn't sound charming, where Daily Dose is located is more like a secret hideaway. The buildings on either side are brick-lined with ivy climbing up them and wood tables line the way, making the outdoor area seem more like a private courtyard.
29 June, 2014
Girasol, meaning "sunflower" in Spanish, opened in Studio City one year ago. Chef/owner CJ Jacobson has blended his influences, which include Axe, Wolfgang Puck Catering, Campanile and The Yard, as well as time on Top Chef, and most impressively, his time at Noma in Copenhagen, the world’s best restaurant. I enjoyed the food the first time I went and 6 months later, felt the same. The food is fresh and seasonal, with ingredients foraged and sourced from local farmers. And the presentation of the food is so bright, cheerful and inviting.
26 June, 2014
  What started as planning a trip to the Red Sea to celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of a good friend’s daughter has turned into a 2 week vacation to explore Israel and Turkey. While the trip is not for another few months, we are beginning to plan what we want to do and where we want to go. While some people may start by planning where they are staying, I am starting with where I want to eat. After all, I don’t want to waste any time on a meal that isn’t delicious.
24 June, 2014
On more than one occasion, when I have traveled to Chicago for work, I have stayed at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel. On numerous occasions, I have had drinks at the bar at Sable where Mike Ryan has crafted a serious cocktail program. But, in all the visits, I have never made it past the bar into the restaurant....until my most recent trip to Chicago. Sable Kitchen & Bar After a long event during the day, my colleagues and I wandered over to Sable Kitchen & Bar for dinner. We were ready to explore the seasonally inspired menu of social plates meant for sharing. I couldn't have asked for better dining partners - four hungry women with no dietary restrictions and open to everything. We started to review the menu and were on the same page in our choices. We tried to cover every section on the menu and managed to order at least one item from each section (except the "between bread" section). It was hard to choose but in the end, we were very satisfied with our dishes.
20 June, 2014
Los Angeles is filled with sushi bars and in full disclosure, I am a traditionalist when it comes to sushi.  I love little hole-in-the-wall sushi bars that are not about décor or fuss or “Americanized” rolls but rather about the fresh melt-in-your-mouth sushi and sashimi. But, some of my friends like the creative rolls like Philadelphia rolls, Rainbow rolls and more. And, yes, I even have a few friends who are vegetarians or gluten free. So, where can we go that will satisfy all of our likes? Kabuki Japanese Restaurant Named after the traditional Japanese theater which began performing during the Edo Period in the 17th century, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant is perfect for the novice sushi eater and the more experienced. With more than 200 dishes on the menu, it can be quite overwhelming to choose!
16 June, 2014
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