Table20.com Launches Hospitality Jobs Site

By Celebrating The City’s Best

Table20.com introduced itself to LA’s hotel, bar and restaurant industry by celebrating the myriad of talented professionals that staff our favorite nightspots.  Last month, the site launched LA’s Best Bartender contest.  The first winner, named by popular online voting, was the creative Matt Biancaniello, of Library Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.  Matt comes to the finalist round, joined by the talented bar men and women selected by a committee of cocktail loving bloggers, writers, and industry professionals. For three weeks, judges Caroline on Crack, Kevin Eats,Vixens LA Happy Hours, Food She thought, and Liquor.com will circulate through the bars of the six finalists tasting specialty cocktails, scribbling notes, and enjoying the gifts of the Table20.com finalists, culminating in THE TABLE20 EVENT – an evening celebrating the top IN the city, at the top OF the city.  On Monday, October 4 each bartender finalist will create an offering of rum punch, served alongside the sushi creations and stunning Penthouse views of downtown’s TAKAMI RESTAURANT.  No tickets will be sold, however, and no entrance invitations will be sent.  All guests will be awarded entrance via our judges websites, media partners, and online and television competitions.  The winning bartender will be announced at THE TABLE20 EVENT.

Table20 recognizes that there is truly no “best” in this industry.  The “magic of the bar” is discovered through the personal interactions a great bartender enjoys with his guest, the laughs that are enjoyed on a nightly basis, the ability to create a beverage that we love and remember, and the exceptional evenings that make life in Los Angeles an unparalleled experience. There is clearly NEVER A BEST.  There are, however, many brilliant men and women working behind the bars of our favorite haunts. To them all, we raise a glass of thanks and congratulations!

We are pleased to introduce the Table20.com Best Bartender Finalists:

Matt Biancaniello – People Choice Bartender Winner
Library Bar at Roosevelt Hotel | Hollywood, CA

Joseph Brooke
The Edison, Downtown LA

Max Diaz
Cicada Club, Downtown LA

Devon Espinosa
Tasting Kitchen, Venice

Dee Ann Quinones
Susan Feniger’s Street, Hollywood
The Parlour Room, Hollywood
Phillipe Chow, West Hollywood

 
Alex Straus
Suite 700 at Hotel Shangri-La, Santa Monica
Hemingway’s Lounge, Hollywood

We try to live and work by an ethical code of conduct.  That is a very unusual quality in Public Relations.  Our goal is to project a spotlight onto our clients, not ourselves.  We even have a policy of stepping out of the picture, so that the glossy magazine spread will be for our clients to enjoy and benefit, not our own egos.  That’s the goal.

The goal, however, became blurred today, as we were quoted in an LA Weekly story about Rick Bayless’ new Red O Restaurant on Melrose Avenue.  We arrived last weekend to a very busy, highly publicized restaurant without a reservation.  What were we thinking?  We were thinking that we could nab a seat at the bar, have a few bites, and see the new spot – a tradition that we enjoy with every restaurant that opens in LA.  Unfortunately, a few dozen others had the same idea, and they all managed to arrive before us, leaving us to be turned away at the door.  We tweeted, and we moved down the avenue a few blocks to another great restaurant. The night was salvaged and I tasted THE MOST DELICIOUS spinach & crab dip EVER, as a result.

The next day, we found that we had received quite a few responses to our tweet.  Others in the food world had arrived at Red O and were similarly turned away by the doorman.  Their experiences, however, were clearly much more dramatic than our own.  A few hours later, an email arrives from a writer with LA Weekly, asking for a comment. 

Having been turned away at the door, I suspect that my comments were surprising to the writer.  And we shared several emails back and forth while the story was being written.  Since no one ever cares to quote a publicist – and, frankly, WHY WOULD THEY? – I was simply giving my honest thoughts on the situation.    Today, the link to the story arrived.  And there, against all of our desires to NOT become the story, we were, in fact, very deeply entrenched in the story.  LA Weekly did contact the restaurant’s PR firm for comment, and I do believe that the writer showed fairness to everyone involved.  However, our two quotes, in which we essentially agreed with the restuarant’s policy, were actually only a very few words that were shared.  Here, we provide the full answer that we gave.  Our answers did not condone the restaurant for somehow managing to alienate customers (including a restaurant professional that we know, and respect, very well), but we did attempt to provide some answers that might have otherwise slipped by.

Our response, in it’s entirety:

Hey Caroline,

I did stop into Red O this weekend with a small  group of people.  And, we did run into the very large gentlemen guarding the doors.  However, I must say that everyone did NOT view the door policy the same way…

I really WAS NOT OFFENDED by the guys being there, or by how they handled the “door policy.”  However, I do understand why they were forced to position these gents at the door. It does seem to be a contradiction for a restaurant to have doormen, but it is not new and it WILL happen again in LA, just by virtue of LA’s celebrity culture.  Trust me, it is SO EXPENSIVE to hire that many extra full time employees, there is NO PLACE IN TOWN that would do so if it weren’t necessary.

I might note that the exact same thing happened with the opening of Cecconi’s.   As soon as the bar filled up, they had to position doormen to stop letting people in.  Legally, there are only so many people that can come into a space at one time, and there are only so many guests that any bar/restaurant is capable of serving.  Also, a space that opens as a restaurant must legally serve a specific percentage of food to be licensed as a restaurant…if everyone only wants to drink, they do have to somehow deal with it, either with food minimums, or by controlling the number of people in the bar area. When a space opens white hot in LA, it will happen every time.  (I remember sending Chef Mirko several messages that “we stopped by but couldn’t get in.”) The fact that it is a restaurant is unusual, but it does happen fairly often.  When I began working with Falcon on Sunset, they also had doormen, for several reasons.  Just like Red O, they had to guide guests that had dinner reservations past the crowds (which Red O DOES DO…the doormen at Red O DO ASK if you have a reservation and escort those diners directly to the hostess) and they had to control the number of people that can get into the bar area.  (No one, including us, that wanted to go to the bar had a reservation!) The problem in LA is that everyone assumes that “if there is a doorman, they must be deciding who does/does not get in” and that some people will be automatically be insulted, simply by virtue of the fact that the doorman is there.  I know firsthand that that was never the intention of anyone at Falcon – to choose WHO gets in – but rather to control the NUMBER of people getting in.  It appears to me that the doormen at Red O were doing the same thing, as best they could.  In LA, however, after you’ve finally gotten a group to agree on a place for the night, driven to the space, found parking, etc…no one wants to hear the word ‘NO.’

It is important to note that a bar/restaurant can NOT CHOOSE IT’S AUDIENCE.  The audience chooses you.  If Red O were not busy, they would not have this problem.  (The bar was full 15-20 minutes after they opened at 6pm! 6PM!!!).  Although they might have intended to open as a serious restaurant with a menu by Rick Bayless, the bar crowd has clearly chosen them as a cool place to hang out, and they are forced to deal with this huge influx of people as best they can.  Same with Cecconi’s, same with Falcon, with all three intending to open as a restaurant, with a serious chef committed to cooking good food.  For foodies, the same could be said for the opening of Pizzeria Mozza – long lines, everyone doing whatever they could to get in, and the poor hostesses taking the heat for MONTHS after they opened on how they handled the “door policy”…and this was a restaurant opening by some of the country’s most seasoned restaurant professionals.  It is never easy.

The huge downside to all of this bar popularity?  Foodies get angry.  Foodies are not used to lines, and they are not accustomed to dealing with doormen, much less being questioned by them or, worse, being sent away.  People WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE RESTAURANT made comments about the quality of the food and drinks ON YOUR FACEBOOK!  Food blogs that allow anonymous comments tend to encourage people to make snap judgments on how a restaurant handles situations like this, without a full understanding of why it happens.  From Your own FB – Quote: “I haven’t been and don’t intend to go…” That’s a pretty quick judgment, huh?  And, that’s a shame because it could very well be an excellent restaurant.

I would only finish by commenting on your statement “especially in this economy.”  In this economy, Red O is busy from the minute that they open the doors.   Even though they did not “choose” a bar crowd, they are busy because of them, even “in this economy.”  I say “good for them!”   Interestingly, the exact same thing has happened at Michael Mina’s XIV…drive by on a Sunday afternoon and see hundreds of kids buying bottle service, with lines out the door waiting to get in…and this, at the restaurant of one of LA’s most celebrated chefs!  It’s just the nature of the business, and they, too, are likely grateful for the sales.  Although it did throw a wrench into our plans a bit this weekend, I’ll definitely be back when I am smart enough to plan in advance by making a reservation, or when that bar crowd moves on to the next hot spot.  It’s just how it works in LA, and it likely always will. 

Hope this helps,

DC

Postscript: And, FOR THE RECORD, we would love to go back into Red O.  We await your invitation, Chef Bayless!

With One Week $3 MENU of Food, Cocktails, Wine & Sake

Breathtaking food and delicious views – The secret to THREE YEARS of unbridled success in downtown Los Angeles!  TAKAMI Sushi Restaurant and ELEVATE Lounge will celebrate this milestone with our guests for an entire week, beginning Sunday, August 15, 2010.  Lunch and Dinner menus will be supplemented by a Special Anniversary Menu of Sushi, Cocktails, Beer, Wine and Sake – a gift and a very special THANK YOU to the loyal customers that have arrived every week to celebrate birthdays, weddings, bar mitzvahs, promotions, the end of the work day, the beginning of the weekend, and…Anniversaries! 

 Located in the Penthouse Suite at 811 Wilshire Boulevard, TAKAMI soars twenty one stories above ground, with the most extraordinary sweeping vistas of the Los Angeles skyline.  The classic menus of Chef Ota’s sushi, robata and entrée selections will remain available throughout the week.  However, the party comes to an end on Saturday, August 21, and reservations are booking quickly for the Anniversary Menu! (Our mailing list received an advanced announcement!)  It will be an entire year before it returns, and – YES! –  It will cost one dollar more next year!

TAKAMI The $3 Three Year Anniversary Menu

(available from August 15 thru August 21) 

SUSHI

Salmon Roll

Spicy Tuna Roll

Sushi Trio

Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna

Japanese Taco’s

Robata Flank Steak

WINES OF ARGENTINA

SANTELMO, Torrontes

(deep fruit accented by light notes of melon and oak) 

SANTELMO, Cabernet Savignon

(light, well balanced, deep berry notes and sweet tannins) 

FEATURED COCKTAILS

Absolut LA

Healthy Shot of Absolut Blueberry-Acai, splash of

St. Germaine & Pama Liquor topped with Fresh Lemon Juice 

Bellini Cocktail

Nice pour of De Valier Prosecco with fresh Peach Puree

Lychee Saketini

Deep pour of “Rock” Negori Sake &

Fresh Lychee Juice

SAKE

Ginban 50

Junmai Dai Ginjo, 1.8L, Souschu 10/95

Yuki No Bosha

limited release Junmai Ginjo, 1.8L Kunsu 12/115

Kasumi Tsuru

Nama Genshu, 720ml, Junshu 16/62 

BOTTLED BEER

Sapporo

Kirin Light

Franziskaner Hefe Weisse

TAKAMI Sushi Restaurant

811 Wilshire Blvd 21^st Floor | Los Angeles, CA | 90017

213.236.9600 | www.takamisushi.com | www.OpenTable.com

You’ve seen the type: Head down, ignoring everyone else at the table, feverishly pecking into a smart phone his/her location, offering a detailed, rapturous list of the ingredients of his cocktail as it’s being prepared and the farm that produced the mint garnish, providing a minute-by-minute pictorial update of each morsel of food that arrives at the table.  These people are OBSESSED, while the world of mere mortals waits anxiously to discover their next pithy text, tweet, re-tweet, status update, blog post, check in, tip, badge accumulation and Mayorship.

WE LOVE THESE PEOPLE!  (Ok, truth be told…maybe we actually ARE these people???) And, we’ve created a little summer fun to keep their twitter fingers active and motivated…and well fed.

Beginning Monday, July 26, The Edison begins #FF@TheEdisonLA:  Follow us on twitter @TheEdisonLA and friend us on FaceBook (The Edison) and THEN just give us some #FF@TheEdisonLA love!  (And, it doesn’t have to be on a Friday…we enjoy hearing from you any day of the week!   The more you mention us with a #FF, the more times your name is entered into the weekly drawing!)

Each Friday (beginning 7/30) at 5pm we will draw two random winners from the list of tweeters that gave us a #FF (Remember to follow & FRIEND beforehand!).  The first name drawn will enjoy DINNER & COCKTAILS FOR TWO (value $100.00) & the second name drawn will enjoy THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER FOR TWO (Two Beers & Two Dogs w Rings. Available Wed-Fri; 5pm-8pm). Winners will be announced and contacted via twitter.

We only ask that the winners put their phones down and enjoy their evening with us!  ….Orrrrrr, just tweet away!

The rules:  1) Follow & Friend us. 2) #FF us. 3) Enjoy your evening at The Edison – with our compliments!

THE EDISON is located at 108 W. 2^nd Street | LA, CA | 90012

213.613.0000 | www.EdisonDowntown.com

Most Tuesdays, Wednesdays  and Thursdays throughout summertime, we buy the cheapest seats possible at the Hollywood Bowl and let music flow over us.  We buy seats for ourselves, seats for our food, seats for our wine, and seats to keep our neighbors at a safe distance from our dessert.  The Hollywood Bowl is one of LA’s greatest treasures.  If you’re in the house, stop by the cheap seats and have a glass of wine with us. We have plenty.  And, you CAN NOT miss us!

And, for you “box snobs,” you can hear the music just fine from the upper levels.  And, instead of spending $500.00 on tickets, you will undoubtedly spend it on good wine, instead!  We do!

Ahhhhhhh, the good life!

OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST BARTENDERS

Andrew Meieran’s RADIO ROOM AT THE EDISON:     

“Celebrating Manhattan”

Tuesday, July 13 brings the return of Radio Room to downtown’s ultimate pleasure palace, The Edison.  In celebration of the impending debut of The Edison New York City, Radio Room brings the tastes of Manhattan to downtown Los Angeles with a new and unique offering.  Edison COO Barbara Jacobs and Director of Spirits Joseph Brooke have selected one of their favorite haunts for upscale Manhattan cocktail innovation – WARD III – and have delivered the entire trio of Owner / Bartenders to The Edison for one extraordinary evening of mixology miracles.  Says Edison owner Andrew Meieran “Ward III excels at the exact same philosophy that we strive to achieve at The Edison.  It is all about the experience and the history, but primarily it’s about having fun.  I love the Ward III approach to experimentation and quality…of adding a heightened dimension to a night out.  They realize that the evening is about social engagement, not just the cocktail.”

And, the New York Press agrees:

New York Magazine
Where to Drink Issue 2010: Cocktail Den

Serious Eats NY
“Ward III…is a bar without equal in New York City. One that, quite honestly, deserves even more praise than it’s attracted.”

New York Magazine
“(The Partners) work the bar with ruthless and mesmerizing skill.”

Paper Magazine
Bar of the Week …”any libation your imagination can conjure.”

Tasting Table
“Ward III’s bartenders excel at creating bespoke drinks based on whatever suits your mood.”

H-Monthly
“Ward III is something remarkable, something ingenious and kinda mind-blowing all at the same time.”

Shecky’s
“…a lovely TriBeCa tavern that stands out impressively in a neighborhood chockablock with lovely taverns.”

CitySearch
“The first-rate bartenders hail from cocktail paradises Grace Bar, Ella, the Odeon and Macao Trading Co.”

Thrillist
“…fix me that drink from that time with that stuff.”

Martini Boys
“These guys know how to make a drink…”

Metromix
“…the bar’s vibe is more casual-comfortable and ‘vintage Tribeca’ than Intimidating Cocktail Palace.”

eateryROW
“…the bacon dates were, with all honesty, holy-s*** amazing…” 

The Edison is proud to introduce

the visiting bar men of Ward III, NYC:

Michael Neff

Born and raised in Southern California, Michael Neff discovered the bar business in Seattle and has been behind the stick ever since. A journeyman bartender, Mr. Neff has opened ten bars in three States, either as Bar Manager, Team Member, or Consultant. His current project, Ward III in Manhattan, is the culmination of fifteen years creating cocktails. He and his partners have been featured in numerous publications, including Time Out New York, Paper Magazine, New York Magazine, The Village Voice, and H-Monthly.

Kenneth McCoy

Mr. McCoy was literally raised in the New York bar business; his father owned four bars in Manhattan in the 70’s and 80’s, and Kenneth began his career working in them. With over eighteen years in the business, he has worked at some of the most renowned spirits bars in New York, including The Bridge Cafe and Dylan Prime. Currently a partner at Ward III in Tribeca, Mr. McCoy is quickly gaining notoriety for his brown-spirit cocktails, particularly those made with Single Malt Scotch. This year, he holds the title of Iron Bartender 2010, which he intends to defend at next year’s New York Whiskey Live.

Abdul Tabini

Born in Casablanca, Mr. Tabini immigrated to New York City and procured a position as Barback at one of New York’s most storied bars, The Odeon in Tribeca. Within six months, he had earned the title of Bartender, and spent the next fourteen years as The Odeon’s primary bartender and mixologist. He currently brings his years of experience to Ward III, where he is a co-proprietor with Mr. Neff and Mr. McCoy. His cocktails have been featured in books and articles, and he has won cocktail competitions with Stoli Ohranj, Gran Marnier, and 10-Cane Rum. 

Live Musical entertainment for this special New York edition of Radio Room features Paulie Cerra and his Jazz Orchestra.

 
RADIO ROOM AT THE EDISON

“Celebrating Manhattan”

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

8pm

$10 cover

For Pre-Sale (No Wait) Tickets, please visit www.EdisonDowntown.com

108 W. 2^nd Street | Los Angeles, CA | 90012 | 213.613.0000 

 Please visit our guest bartenders at Ward III

On Tuesday, September 1 DCPR learned that the burial reception for pop icon Michael Jackson would be located at Pasadena’s Villa SORRISO Restaurant. One of three restaurants owned by Jack Huang, Villa has long been considered a private retreat by the Jackson family. The implications of Villa hosting such an event, however, were mind boggling.  Furthermore, the entire event was to be planned in complete secrecy.  All in less than 72 hours.

An event of this caliber arrives once in a lifetime for both restaurant  and PR firm.  Clearly, the eyes of the entire world would be upon this event.

The city of Pasadena was notified, as well as all local law enforcement agencies.  The logistics of the event were staggering.  Two hundred-fifty guests, all arriving immediately following the service at nearby Forrest Lawn.  Security would be foremost, with the actual planning of the event immediately leaping into over time.

As DCPR was bound to the privacy constraints of the estate, no press was to be contacted. Planning for the event consumed every minute of every day.

Approximately fifteen minutes following the contractual agreement between the estate of Mr. Jackson and Villa SORRISO – signed ONE DAY before the event – TMZ called the restaurant.  Now released from all restrictions of privacy, the public relations aspect of the event lept into overtime.

Of utmost importance to the owners of Villa SORRISO was that proper respect be shown to the occasion and to the Jackson family.  No private details were to be released to the press.  Only the time, location, and pictures of the space were to  be offered, in addition to the following statement:

“Members of the Jackson family have been valued guests of Villa SORRISO and Bar Celona for many years.  We are sincerely touched and flattered that they are entrusting us with such an important gathering of friends and family.  In respecting the privacy of the Jackson family, however, employees and management of Villa SORRISO and Bar Celona will be offering no public comments whatsoever.  The ‘Celebration of Life’ scheduled for Thursday, September 3 is by invitation only, and will be closed to all public access.  Please direct all media inquires to DAN COX for public relations | 323.481.0983 | DAN@DANCOXPR.COM.”

Within a period of twenty four hours, however, that information had been released to hundreds upon hundreds of local, national and international press outlets.  All business telephones were redirected to quiet offices, where a bank of operators could field calls from around the globe.  The offices of DCPR granted tours to television crews from around the world prior to the event, with online and print articles arriving immediately at a rate of approximately one dozen per minute.  That estimate is merely the alerts that were forwarded to our office, with actual press hits numbering into the thousands during that same period.

Thursday, September 3, 2009.

The burial of The King Of Pop, Michael Jackson.

The guests invitations, all created by hand, included a message at the bottom of the invite:

Reception to follow.  Villa SORRISO Restaurant.  Pasadena, California.

Approximately 750 photographers and journalists from around the world lined the streets just across Colorado Boulevard, representing every celebrity news agency in the United States, CNN, the AP and every LA based paparazzi agency.  Although historically large and tragic fires raged within miles of the restaurant, the skies were suddenly cool, calm, and clear.

While awaiting our guests arrival, DCPR and the management of Villa SORRISO walked across the street and met many of the journalists that had waited patiently for hours and hours.  Television trucks, antennas extended, lined the Boulevard for blocks.  Photographers and paparazzi were corralled by local police behind retaining walls across the Boulevard.  In addition, hundreds of Michael Jackson fans lined the Boulevard in all directions.

Guests began arriving at approximately 10pm.  This would clearly be a very late evening.

The event, “A Celebration of Life,” was a complete success.  Guests arrived easily, unencumbered by traffic or photographers.  The Jackson family was allowed to relax in complete privacy, amongst family and trusted friends and associates from the world of entertainment.  A “Who’s Who” of the life of Michael Jackson arrived to pay respects to the family.  Dinner was served.  Guests were at ease.  Memories were shared and cherished.  The life and career of one of America’s most prolific and historic entertainers was remembered and celebrated, all the while maintaining the dignity of this solemn occasion.

It will take weeks, if not months for the entirety of the press to be assembled for Villa SORRISO.   Print media, television, and radio the world over came together in historic Old Town Pasadena for a once in a lifetime event.  Press mentions will likely extend into the tens of thousands.  And through it all, the staff and management of Villa SORRISO provided long time valued customers the respect and privacy that such an event demands.  That is, quite possibly, the greatest accomplishment of all.

Villa SORRISO is located at 168 West Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California | 626.793.2233 | www.SORRISOpasadena.com.

PostScript One Year Later: Today, the management and staff of Villa Sorriso remember fondly the integral role that they played in the remembrance of the artist, Michael Jackson.  Dozens of scrapbooks have been assembled by artists, archivists, and professional clipping sevices, which will be enjoyed as the staff pauses together today to reflect and remember, along with family and friends of the Jacksons.  The press clippings numbered into the hundreds of thousands, with internet, televison, cable and radio coverage of the restaurant extending into untold and unrecordable millions.   The whole world was watching.

For One Night Only

Walter Manske: The Breadbar Hatchi Series

For one night only, the team that brought hordes of foodies rushing into downtown’s hidden recesses returns.  Acclaimed Chef Walter Manske, Barman & Neve Ice protégé Michel Dozois, and Sommelier Adam Vourvoulis will together create an evening of dining enjoyment.  A whirlwind departure from the predictable, here is the first sneak peek of Thursday evenings’ menus:

Around the world in Eight Dishes

Mexico

Yellowtail ceviche, jalapeno, tomatillo sorbet

Thailand

White corn curry soup, mussels, coconut tapioca

Spain

Santa Barbara spot prawn, garlic, sherry

Vietnam

“Banh Mi” pig’s feet sliders

Italy

English pea ravioli, soft egg, Parmesan

France

Tarte flambe, caramelized onion, bacon, gruyere

Philippines

Leche flan, pandan, coconut sorbet

Japan

Chocolate fondant, Bing cherries, black sesame ice cream, green tea

Bread Bar Epi

with French Echire butter 3

with foie gras butter 8

And, the cocktail pairings, created by Michel Dozois, featuring Neve Luxury Ice:

Untamed Cherries

A delightful summer drink, made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, cherries,  and yellow chili peppers, mixed with an amazing organic rum – Crusoe from the Greenbar Collective,  Served on a giant Névé rocks ice cube.

 Evan’s Julep

You’ve probably heard of the Mint Julep, well, this is its’ more tropical cousin.  A little mango to smooth out a long day, and some amazing Evan Williams Bourbon to soften the edges.

Hidden Secret

So you haven’t had a long day? Well please share your secret with us Then, enjoy a slightly daring concoction, served on Névé Collins cube that chills the drink from top of glass to bottom.  It includes freshly squeezed lemon juice, grape tomatoes, maraschino cordial, and True organic Gin. It will surely liven things up.

On June 24^th, BREADBAR | Century City and Ironnori welcome Walter Manzke and his suite of 8 dishes, Around The World. Formerly the executive chef at Church + State, Manzke has worked in some of the most renowned kitchens of Europe and America. Among them were Le Louis XV in the Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo under Alain Ducasse, Spain’s famed high-tech training ground, el Bulli, under Ferran Adrià, and Patina in Los Angeles, where Manzke developed his signature style under the guidance of Joachim Splichal and earned the restaurant three stars from the Los Angeles Times.  In addition to re-opening Bastide in 2006, Manzke also opened three successful restaurants in Carmel: Bouchee, Cantinetta Luca, and L’Auberge Carmel, which was one of Gourmet’s Top Fifty Restaurants in America in 2006.

This event is sold out. For wait list information,

Please dial (310) 277-3770

For press, please contact DAN COX for public relations

323.481.0983 | DAN@DANCOXPR.COM

However, when you wake up late in New York City, wander down the hotel elevator, pick up the New York Times food section at the host stand, slide into a bar seat and order a delicious cappaccino…life will force you to pause for a moment and smile. 

When you wander down the elevator, pick up the Times, slide into a bar seat and order a delicious cappaccino at Danny Meyer’s newest restaurant, Maialino, life will force you to pause for a moment and smile…and realize that you are truly expericning one of this city’s – this LIFE’S – greatest treasures – a dining experience that exceeds your greatest expectations. 

A week in New York City for a foodie is akin to the fat kid in a candy store!  You just can’t get enough.  And this city appears to continually offer one exceptional experience after another.  In a matter of seven days, we visited well over two dozen restaurants, bars and lounges.  We poked through menus, quizzed hostess and bartenders, tormented waiters over ingredients, and made a point to visit dozens of kitchens, coat check rooms, host stands and restrooms. 

On day two of our trip, we played one of our favorite games.  Go to a great restaurant, have a seat at the bar, order an appetizer and a drink, and then ask the bartender for a recommendation for our next destination.  We began at Momofuku, David Chang’s inspired interpretation of Asian-fusion cuisine.  The steamed buns with pork belly were delicious, but we were most impressed by the bartender’s creation – a coffee cognac manhattan.  Words will never do this cocktail justice.   We humbly recommend that you simply make an airplane reservation as soon as possible, land at some airfield close to Manhattan, summon car service, and find yourself delivered to the bar of Momofuku.  Order this cocktail and the steamed pork buns.  Repeat as necessary. Then, return to the airport and immediatley begin reflecting upon how great your life is and just how lucky you are and how charmed your life truly is.  If you can stay for a while, ask the bartender for a recommendation for your next stop, as well.

One week in New York.  We walked for approximately six hours per day, and still managed to gain six pounds. We visited 20-30 bars, restaurants, diners and shacks.  We took notes on our iphone.  We posted pictures to Facebook and tweeted amazingly delicious dishes.  We carefully watched our servers and took pains to tip generously after interrogating our bartenders. 

On day seven, it occurred to us that we had yet to see Times Square.  We had not seen a single Broadway show, an off-Broadway show, an opera, or a concert.  We came, we tasted, we watched, and we learned. 

We arrived home exhausted.  And smiling. 

We can see Times Square anytime!

(It’s a summer of travel.  Stay tuned for dispatches from San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Paris!)

WE LOVE BRILLIANCE!

And, the good folks at Hillside’s Foster Care Center have come up with the most brilliant idea EVER for a charity benefit!

FOSTER SOLES is an online auction of autographed celebrity shoes, and it is the primary fundraising activity designed to support the Hillsides Children’s Foster Care Center.  This year, almost ONE HUNDRED FIFTY celebrities graciously sent us autographed shoes – from Joan River’s fuschia Manolo’s, to Ryan Seacrest’s clean white tennis shoes, to Elton John’s exotic, zippered yellow slippers.  The outpouring of support was heartening, especially in a year in which the Center has discovered itself in financially difficult circumstances. 

Jack & Karen Huang, two of Pasadena’s most committed philanthropists, once again offered their little culinary jewel, Bar Celona, as the host restaurant for this year’s event.  The red carpet kickoff event was hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky, and was covered by tv’s immensely popular celebrity expose – EXTRA, as well as every noteworthy local television news outlet.  By 5pm, the news trucks were already lining the streets of Old Town’s Colorado Boulevard, with reporters filing segments for all late night news casts.  As well, local coverege of the event was immense, with every local media group sending along a representative to cover the event for print media.  The happy result?  A SOLD OUT EVENT, with hundreds of guests enjoying tapas and sangria, and moving from display to display, including entire casts – from soap operas, to “Dancing with the Stars” – to Ellen’s crisp white converse, to Tim McGraw’s well-worn cowboy boots.  The booze was removed from above the bar, revealing vast displays of celebrity shoes, alongside the 8×10 glossy photos of the shoe’s former owner.  And all for a good cause…

Please visit Hillside’s for more information, or to offer your time and your talents.

For more information on this event, or to bid on the autographed celebrity shoes, please visit Clothes Off Our Back .

Pasadena’s Bar Celona Restaurant was proud to once again host this BRILLIANT event! 

…A very special thanks to the gracious generosity of Jack & Karen Huang for making this event a reality…even in the land of Hollywood stars…

And our very BEST WISHES for great success to the dedicated staff of Hillsides!  You Are BRILLIANT!