It's hip to be..."Cube"

Cube is a restaurant nestled in the Divine Pasta Company on La Brea Ave. We had a fabulous dinner there last week. There are some great things about this place. First, no corkage fee. Second, a cheese and charcuterie menu a mile long. Hmmm. Third, you can have a choice of small or large portions for all of the pastas. Amazing! The only down-side I can think of is that they only do two seatings per night: one at 7 and one at 9, so if you want to eat at 8, it ain't happening. I had paperdelle with antelope ragu that was amazing. My dinner-mates also had pastas: spaghetti carbonara and penne arrabiata. Overall, we had a great meal and din't pay a lot. It's a perfect place for a causal night out.

Cube
615 N. La Brea Ave.

Bond-ing Experience

The West Coast's first Bond Street is here at the chic Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills. The vibe is sleek, sexy and noisy, but it's worth it. Renowned sushi chef Hiroshi Nakahara has relocated to Los Angeles from his long standing post at Bond Street New York. Hiroshi originally joined forces with Jonathan Morr in 1997 to debut, with the opening of Bond Street New York, an innovative style of sushi and is now bringing his signature dishes, including the arugula crispy potato roll and sundried tomato & avocado roll, to the West Coast. I personally preferred the sesame crusted shrimp roll and broiled Chilean sea bass. Oh, and they're open for breakfast, lunch and dinner... not easy to find in LA these days. Side note: Dodd Mitchell did the stunning interiors, which includes a rooftop pool and lounge area.

Excellent Italian on the Sunset Strip

Amarone Kitchen + Wine is a fabulous new Italian restaurant on Sunset Blvd. a few doors down from the Viper Room. It has a very New York feel since it is a small place run by real Italians. Everything here is great, especially the phenomenal wine list. Lot's of great Italian wines are on the list at all price points. Even better is the fact that the sommelier will not guide you to the priciest bottle, but rather the one you asked for. So refreshing!

Southern Italian in the Fairfax District

Ayesha and I were supposed to eat at Sofi last night, but it was cold and no one was there so she suggested the new Italian spot Terroni. Inside we found brick walls, intimate wood booths for two and a bustling bar area with hundreds of wine selections. They don't take reservations, but we scored a table right away. The service was perfect. I had the speck, marinated mushrooms and fontina panini, which came with a generous side salad ($10.95). There's also bresaola, calamari alla griglia, plenty of salads, uncut pizzas like they do it in Italy and of course the pastas (14 total). It was raining last night, but they also have outdoor cafe seating. I am definitely going back.

7605 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles 90048, 323.954.0300; terroni.ca

Happy New Year

It's been nearly three months since a posting.... so sad. Before I delete the entire blog I thought I'd share this news for 2008 since I'll definitely be stopping in.

This January 2008 guests can enjoy Viceroy Santa Monica’s signature Sunday Brunch for just $20.08

Throughout the month of January 2008, Whist, one of LA’s most popular destinations for Sunday Brunch, is offering its signature spread for just $20.08! Guests can indulge in menu items such as Alaskan King Crab Legs, or Crispy Duck with black-eyed pea and chorizo hash, as well as a selection of Croissants & House made Jams, Scones with Vanilla Butter, Raspberry Pistachio Tart and much, much more. And while the brunch may not help keep some new year’s resolutions (i.e., staying away from the Lemon Bars), it certainly won’t hurt the resolution that involves the pocket book! For an additional $20.08, diners can also splurge on unlimited Champagne, seasonal Mimosa’s or famed Bloody Mary’s. What better way to start off the New Year?

Every Sunday, January 2008

11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Whist at Viceroy Santa Monica
1819 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401

$20.08 per person - Sunday Brunch (normally $55.00 per person)
$20.08 per person - Unlimited Champagne, Mimosa’s or Bloody Mary’s

For reservations please call 310.260.7511

Champagne On the Run!

New this summer is Karma, a mod little four pack of 187-mililiter California sparkling wine created by 33 year-old Patrick Wilson, who likes the bubbly so much that he designed the chic glass bottle and wide screw-off cap himself. Karma could easily be the next Sofia Mini – and there’s no straw required (those straws sucked). Available in some bars and clubs already, but look for a full on roll out this fall. I cannot wait for their next product: a sparkling rose.

$7 is a Deal at Fancy Restaurants These Days

Beginning September 10, Abode Restaurant & Lounge, Kelly Gleason and Anastasia Israel’s new contemporary American restaurant located along Santa Monica’s scenic Ocean Avenue, launches “Seven ‘til Seven,” a menu of $7 cocktails, wine and appetizers, served in the restaurant’s bar and lounge area Monday through Friday, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Accompanied by the debut of a new “Lounge & Late Supper” menu, offered daily in the lounge, and from 10:00 p.m. – 12:00a.m. throughout the restaurant, guests can indulge in samplings of Executive Chef Dominique Crenn’s delectable farmer’s market-fresh contemporary American fare. Both programs offer an outstanding value, leaving guests spoiled for choice on any given day or night of the week.