by Dennis Richardson | Feb 23, 2024
Fogo de Chão, the internationally-renowned restaurant from Brazil, invites guests to savor the exquisite Porterhouse cut as it makes a triumphant return to the Full Churrasco Experience for a limited time, starting today at all U.S. locations – including Puerto Rico. That’s right, good things don’t last forever!
Fogo de Chão continues to turn up the heat with their offerings. The Porterhouse, an indulgent cut that includes both a New York Strip and Filet that is cooked bone-in, and served sliced tableside, delivering a juicy and rich flavor with every bite. Seared over an open flame and meticulously seasoned with rock salt, the Porterhouse augments the diversity, opulence, and personalization of Fogo’s quintessential menu feature, the Full Churrasco Experience.
Courtesy: Fogo de Chaõ
Barry McGowan, Chief Executive Officer at Fogo, remarked, “As we continue to innovate and elevate the dining experience at Fogo de Chão, we are thrilled to introduce the premium Porterhouse cut as an indulgent addition to the Full Churrasco Experience. At Fogo, we are constantly innovating our menu to provide our guests with the most flavorful and nutritious options, all at an accessible price point.”
The Culinary Art of Churrasco unfolds as guests commence with a visit to the seasonal Market Table adorned with an array of fresh salads, plant-based proteins, charcuterie, and so much more. The heart of the Churrasco Experience, featuring fire-roasted proteins, remains a highlight during lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, presenting beloved selections such as Bone-In Ribeye, Lamb Chops, the celebrated Picanha—the prime section of the top sirloin—and now the premium Porterhouse.
Guests seeking to elevate their dining experience are presented with an array of options across all times of the day, including weekday lunches starting at just $18. With weekend brunch affairs, indulgent à la carte choices like the Dry-Aged Tomahawk and Wagyu New York Strip, chilled seafood selections, artisanal cocktails available during All-Day Happy Hour, and an assortment of award-winning South American wines Fogo de Chão makes for the best elevated experience, even when on a budget.
by Dennis Richardson | Feb 23, 2024
It stirs and soothes hearts, minds, souls, and bodies across the world, all while taking on a variety of forms: silent, loud, simple, complex, bold, or abstract. In some cases, doing all of the above, all at once. That ever-changing thing that traverses mediums is art, and it is all around us.
As art aficionados continue to make their pilgrimages to the iconic art meccas in a post-COVID world, Paris, Italy, Tokyo, Jakarta, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles have seen renewed popularity. But for those seeking the burgeoning art scenes and creative hubs where it’s still easy to spend a day popping in and out of galleries and curated local shops, a Los Angeles community known as Culver City has them all beat.
If you caught our coverage of The Shay Hotel last year, then it may come as no surprise that Culver City continues to deliver with its incredible support of small businesses and local artists.The Culver City Arts District encompasses a rich community of over thirty art galleries within its small footprint that showcase a wide variety of fine art, contemporary art, sculpture, pop, graphic, and street art. All the while, The Shay continues to be a lighthouse for wonderers far and wide in 2024 – remaining the best place to stay for those exploring and discovering art in Culver City.
Opened in October 2021, the young hotel has quickly become a mainstay that boasts the only rooftop pool in Culver City along with prime location at the helm of the incredibly walkable Culver City Arts District. On top of that, The Shay offers travelers and locals easy access to an enticing blend of posh accommodations, eclectic shopping experiences, and a dining scene that’s nothing short of extraordinary.
With prominent galleries like Blum (formerly Blum & Poe), Anat Egbi, Thinkspace and Sixty29 Contemporary, and the promising new openings of FP Contemporary, Reisig and Taylor Contemporary and CadFab Creative Gallery, Culver City is becoming a focal point for contemporary art. Along with specialty boutiques, hyper local design retailers and a thriving gastronomic culture, the dynamic neighborhood buzzes with creative energy from architecture enterprises, advertising agencies and culinary arts campuses, interior design showrooms and some of the world’s leading entertainment production studios – like Amazon, HBO Max and Apple TV.
The Shay is only steps away from these globally inspired art galleries and museums, and reflects the neighborhood’s artistic buzz by lining its walls with collections from local artists and hosting monthly pop-up shops from small businesses. In the true heart of Los Angeles, The Shay in Culver City is centrally located between Santa Monica, Downtown LA, Hollywood/West Hollywood and Beverly Hills and offers accessibility to all of the artistic corners of Los Angeles County. See some of the highlights below for just a few attractions sure to complement your own stay at The Shay.
Whether you’re a traveler looking for a memorable vacation, a shopper in search of unique finds, a food enthusiast ready to embark on a culinary journey, or an art aficionado looking for your next piece, The Shay and Culver City are all-encompassing destinations that cater to your every desire.
by Dennis Richardson | Feb 23, 2024
Cowritten by Anthony C. Stafford
The best experiences are always a perfect combination of things that come together to make the end result that much sweeter – whether those combinations are duos, trifectas, or more. Combinations that may come to mind may include your favorite sandwich or a roadtrip with your favorite playlist – but think bigger!
It All Comes Together
Anaheim is a city that thrives on companionship – from the nearby Disneyland and California Adventure, to the famed Angel Stadium and Anaheim Packing District – and these experiences are only that much better with your own companions by your side. Yet, there’s another stellar pair offering some of the region’s best experiences, and they’re practically right in the middle of all the surrounding highlights that make Anaheim a key travel destination.
The Viv Hotel and its Top of The V restaurant at its crown fill a space that may have gone unnoticed, but they’re daring anyone brave enough to leave what they already know and try something new. With spacious suites, stunning views, luxurious cuisine, theme park accessibility, and resort-style amenities, this duo even makes vacations that skip out on Disney worthwhile. The Viv Hotel invited SoCal Magazine to stay in one of their top-tier corner suites on the 11th floor for a weekend of immersion, where we explored, ate, admired, and spoke with some of their team members to find out what made it such a great new staple in the Anaheim community.
The Viv Hotel is young, having only opened in 2020, but it is no doubt making a strong name for itself as a AAA Four Diamond Hotel that is worth staying at, rather than the close-knit bubble of expectations nearer to the amusement parks. At approximately 1½ to 2 miles in proximity from Disneyland Resort, Anaheim Convention Center, Angel Stadium, Honda Center, and Anaheim Packing District, The Viv is central to some of the hottest attractions in the area, while also being a walkable-friendly distance. Just from the rooftop alone, we were able to spot most of these landmarks. If walking to Disneyland Resort is too much, shuttles will do the trick as Anaheim Resort Transportation offers pick-up and drop-off directly outside of The Viv’s main lobby. Shuttle costs are also low, with all-day passes for $6 for adults and $2.50 for children 3-9 years old.
The Viv clocks in at 326 rooms total, and features modern, artful, and stylish features throughout the property. Of those 326 rooms, 40 are connected rooms and more than 150 of them have bunkbeds and 2 Queen beds, allowing up to 6 people a comfortable stay. In addition, cribs and rollaway beds are available upon request, and children 12 and younger stay free in the same room as an adult. Best in class and savings! Standing at 12 stories, it’s only fitting that the rooms have spectacular views, but some of those rooms also have the added specialty of sunsets, mountains, and Disneyland Resort. Room 1100, a corner suite featured its own living room quarters with a fold-out sofa bed, and views from two sides of the building, making it the ideal suite for soaking in the best of resort living.
As one would expect, the hotel’s amenities and features are state-of-the-art, with high-speed wi-fi, a 24/7 fitness center, soothe spa, and 2 heated swimming pools. The rooftop pool (12th floor) is adults-only, and open from 9 am to 10 pm – combining stunning views with sophistication and elegance. Alternatively, the 1st floor pool is family friendly, and includes a splash pad for all the water works. In addition, Melody’s Market is a 24 hour-access hub for all guest needs – from food to toiletries and souvenirs. Guests can expect a fully-equipped gym to keep all fitness needs in check, and in-room spa service for those seeking recovery and relaxation after a long day of walking at Disneyland Resort. And when laundry needs call, Guest Laundry is available on the 11th floor at just $2 per load, with laundry supplies available at Melody’s Marketplace.
The additional meeting and event spaces mean that versatility is a highlight, as conferences, seminars, and other special events are all possible, while two private rooms, a full restaurant, and outdoor space can be reserved for special events. Furthermore, the California Board Room accommodates up to 35 guests for meetings and 80 guests for receptions.
Finally, if guests are hungry or craving libations, they can look to a couple of on-site attractions for dining and drinks: Valencia’s at the Viv on the first floor, or Top of the V. Valencia’s features American “SoCal fresh” cuisine with seasonally inspired menu options, sure to please everyone. This casual restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and flows outside to the pool deck where guests can also dine from the comfort of a chaise lounge or cabana.
A Night Above at Top of The V
And then there’s Top of the V. This upscale, Spanish-inspired experience takes sophistication to a new level with its offerings, and feels pleasantly authentic when dining and taking in the views that guests fall in love with during their stay. Top of the V is graced by the direction of Southern California’s very own, Executive Chef Nate McCoy, who has been deeply involved over the last 4 years and has over 13 years of experience. Chef McCoy has worked with renowned chefs, including Top Chef winners Michael Voltaggio of Ink and Mei Lin, owner of Daybird, as well as Michelin-star Chefs Tony Esnault, owner of Knife Pleat, and Jacob Kear, owner of LURRA in Kyoto, Japan.
His background speaks for itself, as each dish radiates with pristine execution, presentation, and flavor as expected. The menu items we had the pleasure of tasting included:
- Jamón Serrano Croquetas
- Salchichón
- Pan Cristal
- Autumn Squash
- Galician Beef Striploin
- and Rack of Lamb
Fresh herbs, spices, and oils dance upon the stars of Top of the V’s menu in what are mix-and-matchable, dazzling, shareable plates. The waiters are knowledgeable and can recommend the best for every desired taste or texture, while the bar’s lead mixologist, Kevin Vidal, can recommend the best pairings based on meals and any particular palates. Kevin’s year’s long history and experience traversing the world of mixology have earned him the incredible ability to turn his love for the craft into a one-of-a-kind art form that complements meals at Top of the V, and the overall experience at The Viv Hotel.
From cocktails to wines, and mocktails to beers, Kevin can speak fluently and passionately about every offering, all while crafting with charm and a smile that speaks volumes about his knowledge in mixology. Top of the V’s drink’s are inspire day Kevin and his team. The arguable star (that also happens to be Kevin’s favorite drink) of the menu, “La Ultima,” means guests have a show on the schedule. Arriving in a smoke-filled chamber, “La Ultima” makes a dramatic reveal with the help of its cocktail chemist, proving that everything is not always what it appears to be, but much more. Simple, yet complex, “La Ultima” is a favorite amongst guests who are dazzled by the sights, tastes, and sounds that can only be found at Top of the V.
From the very moment of arrival at the lobby of The Viv Hotel, to the last sip of “La Ultima” at the Top of the V restaurant, this pairing makes the tough decision to breakaway from the Disneyland Resort bubble a safe one. The Viv offers resort-style living with features and amenities that are a perfect fit for families, while also appealing to the sophistication of adults without children. Standing tall in its own lane, The Viv is central to the most popular attractions in Anaheim, with easy freeway access, time-saving shuttles to Disneyland Resort, and state-of-the-art, modern resort style living. The Viv, paired with its crown – Top of The V – creates an alluring and respectable duo that combines the very best of what only Southern California can offer. From views of glimmering sunsets and city lights to local attractions and majestic mountain sights, Anaheim has sprouted a new companionship that makes it difficult to leave and explore the areas surrounding it due to their AAA Diamond offering.
