by Dennis Richardson | Oct 25, 2018
Photos / Story Contributions by Anthony C. Stafford & Joshua Pinkay
Let the Festivities Begin
The Grand Weekend of Taste of sbe kicked off on Saturday, with a Veuve Clicquot Rose and Whispering Angel Brunch at Cleo Third Street — a first for Los Angeles! Brunch at Cleo was followed by one-of-a-kind activities and events that included a private shopping experience with Harry Winston on Rodeo Drive, a cooking class and a Farewell Brunch at Doheny Room. A percentage of proceeds from all ticket sales benefited the local Make-A-Wish Chapter where sbe will grant the wish of a vacation for a few winning families to the Bahamas for an incredible experience at the new SLS Baha Mar resort. Lincoln also escorted VIPS all weekend in their luxury fleet of vehicles.
Our Taste of Cleo Third Street
Brunch at Cleo’s is arguably a treat that everyone needs! Often times, many are faced with the question of “what to eat?” and are seemingly forced to choose from “the usuals”. However, Cleo achieves what many restaurants have a hard time mastering, and that achievement is American favorites with a Mediterranean twist. Brunch began with a choice of numerous cocktails and Pure Leaf teas. If there was one word to describe the featured cocktails from Ketel One, that word would be “impeccable”. Ketel One offers a special type of spirit: made using the natural oils of the fruits listed in the ingredients, sugar-free (and no artificial sweeteners or flavors), no carbs, and extremely light — at just 73 calories per cocktail!
Light and refreshing are the go-to words at one sip, and the flavors of the Cucumber and Mint; Peach and Orange Blossom; and Grapefruit and Rose cocktails are comparable to drinking an icy, crisp Badoit with a hint bitters, and fruity, herbal flavors. Simply put, these cocktails taste just as good as they look, and are not your everyday spirit!
After our variety of palate-awakening beverages, an assortment of mezzes were presented, including a “masabacha” style hummus made with chickpeas, cumin and lemon; babaganoush, containing smoked eggplant, sumac, and pepper; a delicious lebaneh of feta, za’atar, and extra virgin olive oil; and finally a beautifully plated watermelon and feta salad decorated with mint leaves and shaved cucumber. This appetizing assortment brought vinegary bitterness, blended smoothness, and natural sweetness all into quick succession as one taste was followed by another. For us, the authenticity of these dishes brought on vibrant memories of Italy’s countryside, just outside of Venice, where life is slower and like the dishes before us, prominent in flavor and culture.
As we were pulled deeper into the ever-boldening tastes of our entrees, it was also time to welcome some familiarities. At a glance, an easily identifiable plate: 3 eggs and bacon — but with a twist. Soft, scrambled eggs and thick-cut bacon had a new happy family of twice cooked potatoes, roasted green tomatoes, and tzatziki and toast. And the Wagyu Cali Burger sounding all too familiar, yet presenting a new look and taste, topped with cheddar, thick-cut bacon, avocado, tzatziki, sauerkraut, a fried egg, and a side of fries. Cleo served heaven on plates, and the menu went on to include other amazing entrees, like Red Shakshouka, Smoked Salmon Benedict, Avocado Toast Benedict, and a Quinoa Breakfast Bowl. Finally, the Chef’s Selection for dessert surprised us with baklava, panacotta, sticky taffy pudding, mandeleine cookies, pâte de fruit, crescent cookies, and melt-in-your-mouth sour cream-glazed donuts.
Dinner and a… Show
Taste of sbe: Grand Dinner at Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles with Rolling Stone
to benefit Make A Wish
Rudy Mancuso, Maia Mitchell, Trey Songz, Emile Hirsch, Sara Sampaio, James Kennedy, and his girlfriend, Raquel Viss — just a few big names who partied with sbe this past weekend at the Mondrian Los Angeles. Other attendees of this special weekend event included, but was not limited to, Fred Durst, Lady Victoria Harvey, Emmy nominees Kelly Jenrette and Melvin Jackson Jr.; Bianca Blanco and John Savage — along with sbe nightlife leaders Frankie Delgado, Dean May, Nick Montealegre, Josh Richmond; and sbe’s Disruptive Group COO Sebastien Silvestri.
This long list of names, and more, celebrated Taste of sbe’s Grand Dinner at Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles — one of sbe’s international award-winning venues and mainstay destinations. The evening served a purpose beyond partying, and benefitted the Make A Wish Foundation, in partnership with Rolling Stone Magazine, Lincoln Motors, Evian, Fever-Tree, and Diageo.
With 100 guests in attendance at the epicurean showcase, each enjoyed 7 delicious courses courtesy of sbe’s incredible restaurant roster, including Cleo, Katsuya, Carna, Umami Burger, Diez y Seis, Makoto, SLS, and Fi’lia. With sbe’s renowned chefs on hand from all over the world, bellies were bound to be full. Chefs Martin Heierling, Katsuya Uechi, Danny Elmaleh, Makoto Okuwa, Jose Icardi, Yoshi Migita, Diego di Lao, Renata Ferraro, all were in attendance, and brought down the house with their featured courses. The extravagant plates included Otoro Tuna Tartar with Imperial Caviar & 24 Karat Gold, Hand Folded Tortelloni with Celery Root And Black Truffle, Wagyu Gyoza, and ‘The Frenchie’ burger by Chef Daniel Boulud. Guests at the Grand Dinner sipped on a bevy of signature cocktails courtesy of Diageo, as well as Dauo Vineyards. Chief Operating Officer of sbe’s Disruptive Group, Sebastien Silvestri; and Mike Kallhoff, President of Make-A-Wish, completed the evening with a toast for the group at the end of dinner. Following the Grand Dinner, New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton joined the guests and headed to HYDE Sunset for an epic after party hosted by Trey Songz.
The Party Continues
Heading across the country to Miami, the second Grand Weekend runs October 25-28, starting with Celebrity Taste at SLS South Beach on Thursday evening. Guests can expect participation from The Bazaar by José Andrés, Leynia, Katsuya, Fi’lia by Michael Schwartz, Makoto, and K Ramen.Burger.Beer. Saturday’s temptations include an interactive Sushi Making Class and lunch at Katsuya South Beach followed by a Grand Dinner inDelano’s iconic lobby complete with special live performances. The weekend concludes in style with a Farewell Brunch at Diez y Seis.
The final Grand Weekend takes place on the private beaches of SLS Baha Mar resort in The Bahamas, from November 15-18, where the coveted ticket on Friday night provides access to a one-of-a-kind tasting event at Bungalow Pool. Chefs in attendance will include Dario Cecchini, Michael Schwartz and Danny Elmaleh — topping off
with an after-party at Bond Nightclub and a special guest performance. On Saturday, guests will experience a Grand Dinner White Party, held on the private Baha Mar Pier. A Farewell Brunch at Cleo Mediterráneo on Sunday brings the memorable weekend, and three-weekend event to a close.
Join The Festivities
Individual tickets are available for each event throughout all three weekends, ranging from $55 to $500, as well as all-access packages. The weekends are presented by Rolling Stone, Heineken, Lincoln, Fever Tree, Diageo, Moet Hennessy, The Patron Company (Bahamas only), Pepsi and Red Bull.
For further information visit www.sbe.com/tasteofsbe and follow #tasteofsbe, #worldofsbe and #thisisbeyond to unlock your passport for the finest experiences that sbe has to offer.
by Dennis Richardson | Oct 23, 2018
Limited Time Only!
Mr. Bones, L.A.’s premiere pumpkin patch, has partnered with iconic ice cream brand, Four Winters (@fourwinters), to create a limited edition flavor. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Harvest is the special flavor for the rest of October, with a base of pumpkin ice cream, spiced pecans mixed in, and finally topped with delicious house-made salted caramel. This decadent treat is something that everyone is bound to fall head over heels for! Visitors of Mr. Bones’ patch will also receive a card for a 15% discount off their ice cream at Four Winters through December 31st — a win-win deal for everyone!
Ice Cream Like No Other
At Four Winters, each scoop of ice cream is made to order (frozen at -321º Fahrenheit!), and the brand’s new approach to old fashioned, hand-churned craftsmanship produces remarkably smooth ice cream. Four Winters’ ‘magic’ blends fresh ingredients and home-baked toppings with locally sourced and flavor-infused dairy, transforming it into delicious ice cream in front of their customers’ eyes.
Founders Zeid Zabian and Omar Alkhawaja opened the U.S. flagship earlier this year to introduce local Los Angeles foodies to their unique taste on ice cream. “We wanted to continue to invite the neighborhood to experience and enjoy Four Winters’ amazing, distinct flavors,” states Omar. “We love taking our customers on a journey through the season with our evolving seasonal ingredients, and wanted to offer our fall menu and special flavors to the public so they can taste our new combinations!”
About Four Winters
U.K.-based ice cream brand Four Winters offers a fresh spin on dessert — making every scoop of ice cream to order! Four Winters’ dedication to freshness, and new approach to old fashioned, hand-churned craftsmanship produces remarkably smooth ice cream. Each made-to-order scoop is blended with evolving seasonal ingredients and home-baked toppings. Behind the ‘magic,’ authentic hospitality, conscientious product sourcing, and elegant aesthetics blend to produce a distinctive experience.
FOUR WINTERS STORE INFORMATION:
Address: 8065 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Sunday – Thursday: 12pm – 10pm
Friday – Saturday: 12pm – 11pm
by Dennis Richardson | Oct 12, 2018
Story Contributions by Anthony C. Stafford
What could be one of the most coveted events in the culinary world is headed to Los Angeles for the first time! Widely known for their elevated restaurants with stunning atmospheres and cuisine, the food group known as sbe will launch their spectacular Taste of sbe 2018 event in L.A. on October 20th and 21st. sbe’s award winning celebrity chefs from across the globe will join forces in Los Angeles, Miami, and The Bahamas for three epic weekends of culinary celebrations in partnership with Rolling Stone Magazine. Buckle up for all the details on how you can join in on the fun, and what you can look forward to when you attend!
Jam-Packed Weekends Featuring Food, Shopping, And More
sbe will kick off their exclusive event by bringing a star-studded chef line-up to Los Angeles, Miami, and The Bahamas for three weekends of world-class collaborations from numerous chefs. Who exactly can attendees expect to be present? Chefs Danny Elmaleh, Martin Heierling, James Beard Award Winner, Michael Schwartz; Katsuya Uechi, Jose Icardi, Makoto Okuwa, and Dario Cecchini will join forces to present unique and custom tastings, extravagant cuisine, interactive demonstrations and the finest spirit and cuisine pairings.
As can be expected, sbe is going all out this year, and the exceptional culinary experience will be elevated further with extravagant parties, celebrity DJs, and late-night celebrations with music tailored by Allison Hegendorf. Guests have numerous options of accommodations to book with in each destination city, under the “Taste of sbe” room package at: Mondrian, in Los Angeles; SLS South Beach, Mondrian South Beach, Delano South Beach, Shore Club, SLS Brickell, Hyde Midtown or SLS LUX Brickell, in Miami; or SLS Baha Mar, in the Bahamas. Each of these accommodations include complimentary bites and sips at all participating sbe restaurant and lounges in their respective regions.
Sam Nazarian, Founder and CEO of sbe says, “sbe is a global lifestyle hospitality company with a 360-degree lifestyle experience. Taste of sbe is born out of our desire to bring unique experiences to our guests and offer an exclusive opportunity in three of our hottest locales: Miami, LA and The Bahamas.” He continues, “We pride ourselves on being able to curate a lineup of all-star chefs to collaborate across our brands, all united under the sbe umbrella.”
“I’m so excited to be part of this incredible line up of sbe celebrity chefs and be part of this revolutionaryprogram,” said Chef Makoto Okuwa. “The collective talent within sbe is second to none, and the diversity of experience and expertise that they bring to the table as a whole is unparalleled. I’m looking forward to adding my style and experience to the mix and working alongside these celebrated chefs.”
Wishes Get Granted Too
In addition to all of the exciting activity throughout the three-weekend event, a percentage of proceeds from all ticket sales will benefit the local Make-A-Wish Chapters. Not only to attendees get to feel like they’re on a mini-vacation, but sbe will also grant the wish of a vacation to a child and his or her family to The Bahamas for a two-night experience at SLS Baha Mar.
Wake Up On The West Coast
The first Grand Weekend takes place in Los Angeles, October 20-21, and will kick off with (drumroll…) a Veuve Clicquot Rose and Whispering Angel Brunch at Cleo Third Street! The party is just getting started as a weekend of activities and events await. Those events include private shopping experiences on Rodeo Drive, cooking classes, a Grand Dinner at Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles, a Farewell Brunch at Doheny Room, and more!
Party On The East Coast
Heading across the country to Miami, the second Grand Weekend runs October 25-28, starting with Celebrity Taste at SLS South Beach on Thursday evening. Guests can expect participation from The Bazaar by José Andrés, Leynia, Katsuya, Fi’lia by Michael Schwartz, Makoto, and K Ramen.Burger.Beer. Saturday’s temptations include an interactive Sushi Making Class and lunch at Katsuya South Beach followed by a Grand Dinner inDelano’s iconic lobby complete with special live performances. The weekend concludes in style with a Farewell Brunch at Diez y Seis.
Sunset in The Caribbean
The final Grand Weekend takes place on the private beaches of SLS Baha Mar resort in The Bahamas, from November 15-18, where the coveted ticket on Friday night provides access to a one-of-a-kind tasting event at Bungalow Pool. Chefs in attendance will include Dario Cecchini, Michael Schwartz and Danny Elmaleh — topping off
with an after-party at Bond Nightclub and a special guest performance. On Saturday, guests will experience a Grand Dinner White Party, held on the private Baha Mar Pier. A Farewell Brunch at Cleo Mediterráneo on Sunday brings the memorable weekend, and three-weekend event to a close.
Join The Festivities
Individual tickets are available for each event throughout all three weekends, ranging from $55 to $500, as well as all-access packages. The weekends are presented by Rolling Stone, Heineken, Lincoln, Fever Tree, Diageo, Moet Hennessy, The Patron Company (Bahamas only), Pepsi and Red Bull.
For further information visit www.sbe.com/tasteofsbe and follow #tasteofsbe, #worldofsbe and #thisisbeyond to unlock your passport for the finest experiences that sbe has to offer.
About sbe
Established in 2002 by Founder and CEO Sam Nazarian, sbe is a privately-held, leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hotels, residences, restaurants and nightclubs. Through exclusive partnerships with cultural visionaries, sbe is devoted to creating extraordinary experiences throughout its proprietary brands with a commitment to authenticity, sophistication, mastery and innovation.
Following the acquisition of Morgans Hotel Group, the pioneer of boutique lifestyle hotels, in partnership with The Yucaipa Companies and Cain International (formerly Cain Hoy),sbe has an unparalleled global portfolio which will see 25 hotels and over 170 global world-renowned culinary, nightlife and entertainment venues by the end of 2018. The company is uniquely positioned to offer a complete lifestyle experience – from nightlife, food & beverage and entertainment to hotels and residences, and through its innovative customer loyalty and rewards program, The Code, as well as its award-winning international real estate development subsidiary, Dakota Development – all of which solidify sbe as the preeminent leader across hospitality.
The company’s established and upcoming hotel brands include SLSHotel & Residences, Delano, Mondrian, The Redbury, Hyde Hotel & Residences, and The Originals. In addition, sbe has the following internationally acclaimed restaurants and lounges under subsidiary DisruptiveRestaurant Group: Katsuya by Chef Katsuya Uechi, Umami Burger, Cleo by Chef Danny Elmaleh, Fi’lia byMichael Schwartz, Leynia and Diez & Seis by Chef José Icardi, Hyde Lounge, S Bar, Doheny Room Skybar, Bond, and Privilege. To learn more, watch sbe’s #thisisbeyond video and visit sbe.com.
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by Joshua J. Pinkay | Oct 11, 2018
There is a reason why Spice Affair in Beverly Hills dons its name, and that’s because this fine Indian restaurant has cleverly paired the most traditional Indian dishes & spices with some of the finest renditions of California cuisine. It’s no wonder why Spice Affair is an award winning business and holds the title of “Best Indian Food in Los Angeles”.
I partook in a divine dinner experience at Spice Affair and knew that this restaurant really had something competitive to offer in its Beverly Hills dining neighborhood. For starters, their famed “Butter Chicken Loaded with Love” stands up to its name as one of the most ordered items on the menu. The Dum Chicken Biryani is another highly recommended favorite which served to be a delicious medley of Basmati rice, with boneless chicken, and Saffron. I was blown away by all of the flavors throughout each dish. Quite frankly, Spice Affair, created a dining experience that expanded my personal palate and opened my mind to a new world of food options.
Even more impressive were the numerous options for Vegan and Gluten Free items on the menu. My guest that evening lives by a dominantly plant-based diet, so it was great that they were able to comfortably order from the menu without having to feel limited with items to choose from and still enjoy some of the best options from the restaurant.
I highly recommend eating “family style” here because you’re going to want to try a little bit of everything. It makes the dining experience so much better and allows for a completely satisfactory meal with layers of flavor and Spice!
Spice Affair Indian Restaurant is located at 50 N La Cienega Blvd. #120, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Lunch is served Mon – Sun from 11:30am – 2:30pm
Dinner is served Sun – Thurs from 5:00pm – 10:00pm and Fri & Sat from 5:00pm – 11:00pm
by Niki Smart | Oct 4, 2018
by Niki Smart | Oct 1, 2018
dineL.A. TAKES A BITE OUT OF NATIONAL TACO DAY AND LAUNCHES dineL.A. TACO TREK ON OCTOBER 4, 2018
Foodies Are Invited to a dineL.A. Taco Party at Guisados Burbank and to Join in the dineL.A. Taco Trek Challenge for a Chance to Win Prizes from American Airlines
LOS ANGELES, Calif. –– dineL.A., a Discover Los Angeles program that exists to discover, support, and promote L.A.’s culinary scene, launches dineL.A. Taco Trek on National Taco Day (October 4) with a taco party at Guisados Burbank. Throughout the day, beginning at 8:30 a.m., diners who go to Guisados Burbank and say, “dineL.A. Taco Trek” at the counter, will receive one free Bistek an Salsa Roja taco each, courtesy of dineL.A. while supplies last.
The dineL.A. Taco Trek features a guide to the 25 best taco spots and must-order items at each location across the city from The Valley to San Pedro and LAX to Downtown L.A.
“In Los Angeles, the taco is king,” said Stacey Sun, dineL.A. Director. “What better way to honor one of our favorite food items than launching the dineL.A. Taco Trek during Latino Heritage Month to shine a spotlight on 25 locations – including taco stands, trucks and shops – that do them best. Through the dineL.A. Taco Trek, we look forward to inspiring excitement about L.A.’s dining scene year-round, while encouraging locals and visitors to explore L.A.’s diverse neighborhoods.”
To encourage foodies to participate in the dineL.A. Taco Trek, dineL.A. and American Airlines are hosting a Taco Trek Challenge from October 4 to October 31, 2018, exclusively on the webby-honoree DiscoverLA app from Discover Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Participants simply download the app for free on Android or iPhone and click on the scavenger hunt icon to check in to as many taco spots during the Taco Trek Challenge. Participants can check in to each location once. Each check-in will serve as one entry for a chance to win 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® Miles. Two winners will be selected after October 31, 2018. The Taco Trek Challenge is open to U.S. residents only
dineL.A. enlisted L.A. artist Luke Pelletier to illustrate the dineL.A. Taco Trek map and L.A. Taco to select the must-order menu item at each location.
For more information on the dineL.A. Taco Trek, please visit www.dineLATacoTrek.com.
About dineL.A.
dineL.A. exists to discover, support and promote Los Angeles’s dynamic culinary scene. As part of Discover Los Angeles, dineL.A. produces its eponymous dining event that takes place twice a year and showcases the city as a premier dining destination. dineL.A.’s programs are designed to stimulate business and introduce new customers to restaurants located in the many neighborhoods throughout L.A. County. For more information, news, and updates, visit dineLA.com and follow dineL.A. on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
by Joshua J. Pinkay | Oct 1, 2018
WHERE
MADE IN + BY + FOR LA
Streetwear as a whole resonates so easily with the city of Los Angeles, so much that it’s a staple part of L.A. culture. Streetwear loves L.A., and L.A. loves streetwear, so it’s no mystery as to why this city is a booming hub of creative brands and designers tapping into the category that has skyrocketed to mainstream fashion. Los Angeles is saturated with streetwear brands, but few create with the position of a reaching out to a greater cause. The young founders of WHERE thought about what it means to be a streetwear brand and really wanted to reflect a celebration of this amazing city through their clothing. They even took it further to expand the brand’s platform in a positive direction by partnering with the Time’s Up Organization and Legal Fund to combat sexual assault and inequality. See what WHERE’s co-founders, Natasha Hunt Lee & Tyler Makhani, have to say about their brand and the overall message they want to deliver.
What separates WHERE Clothing from other streetwear brands?
Something that we always notice with other streetwear brands is this nonchalant sense of coolness. You can see it in the model’s expressions and body language. Then, you add the intimidating nature of both influence and luxury and these brands are almost so ‘cool’ that they’re untouchable. We want to redefine that. We want to align “cool” with excitement and warmth and the sincerity that comes with those feelings. When we take photos, we make sure most of them are candid. We want everyone smiling.
The Times Up movement is making some serious waves in today’s social climate. What compelled you to contribute to this initiative via your clothing brand?
This is important to us for so many reasons. The work that the Time’s Up Organization and Legal Fund is doing to end sexual assault, harassment and inequality is imperative. Their platform is massive, and it’s so important to support their ability to fund legal representation for the victims of these crimes.
Natasha: As a woman, specifically in the entertainment business, I am appalled by the way various powerful figures have taken advantage of their position by asserting themselves over so many, a majority being (but not limited to) women. In addition, there is a discrepancy in women’s pay, authority in the work place and our opportunities, benefits and representation. As a woman who has been given the privilege of an education, I think it’s only right to use my own, smaller platform to promote causes like Time’s Up. I am excited by and grateful for their work towards creating a safer and more honorable community.
What message do you want WHERE Clothing to give its fans?
Celebration. We want ours to transfer. We love what these clothes represent, and we want our customers to join us in celebrating when they buy something— whether it be Los Angeles artisanship, a special graphic, or the Time’s Up Legal Fund.
What can we expect from the brand in future collections?
This is just the beginning for us and we can’t wait to keep going. We will continue to perfect our fit and feel while bringing new ideas and inspirations to the table. We have so many designs ready and we’re so excited to share— from more creative capsules like REPOSE, to new city specific collections like our New York Series set to launch next year. Additionally, we are working on some collaborations and partnerships with other brands that uphold similar values and aesthetics. With every collection, we learn so much. It’s so fun for us to take that knowledge and invest it into our future.
Make sure to follow WHERE on Instagram at @whereyouatbaby
