October 21, 2009

M Bar Los Angeles

Owner Joe Reynolds transformed a strip-mall Romanian restaurant into a cross between an old-school Hollywood haunt and a gussied-up basement rec room with a basic Italian menu and some sort of entertainment (comedy, dramedy, live music) six nights a week.

  Hollywood, Culture, Dinner Theater, Experimental

September 8, 2009

Hotel Erwin Los Angeles

Move over, Lords of Dogtown. Venice Beach has a new king: Part beach house, part art gallery, the latest boutique lodge from design-conscious Joie de Vivre offers travelers a comfy place to crash with fresh, seasonal American fare and cocktails from Hash restaurant and spectactular views from rooftop bar High.

  Venice, Food & Drink, Beachy, Great View

September 8, 2009

The Tasting Kitchen Los Angeles

When life hands you lemons (or a shell of a restaurant that’s been abruptly vacated due to irreconcilable culinary differences), make lemonade (as in a new chef and team creating a special test menu that changes its offerings, wines, and cocktails every week until things setttle down).

  Venice, Food & Drink, Neighborhood Gem

November 17, 2008

The Bazaar by José Andrés Los Angeles

It really is. The over-the-top Starck-designed restaurant, bar, lounge, and patisserie mash-up is a perfect fit for José Andrés’s molecular gastronomic adventures.

  Beverly Center, Food & Drink, Light Bites