It could have been just another tweet, one of thousands that spring forth from an iphone.  This tweet in particular, however, received an answer from Chef Diana Stavaridis at BLD Restaurant that read “CONGRATULATIONS.  YOU HAVE WON THE BLD TWEET A DISH CONTEST.  YOUR CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS WILL BE SERVED THURSDAY, APRIL 29.”  Another (kind of tacky, gloating) tweet followed immediately: “I WON! I WON! I WON!”

I wouldn’t say that I “coerced” BLD into choosing my Chicken N Dumplins, but that is probably precisely what they would tell you.  When my dish was not selected the first week, I began an all-out twitter-assault campaign, begging others to re-tweet my dish on a daily basis.  And THEY DID!  The days before the dish was actually served, my campaign climaxed to a point of relentless harrassment!  Tweet after Tweet after Tweet: “I just ran into Starbucks for a quick pick-me-up and the kid looked at me like I was crazy when I ordered CHICKEN N DUMPLINS!” ….or “I have walked up and down the ailes of Pavillions, and I cannot find where they keep the CHICKEN N DUMPLINS,” ….and even “OMG!  CHICKEN N DUMPLINS just topped Justin Beiber on trending tweets!”  One friend begged for an end, at which point I chose to use rhyming clues, such as “There is something missing from today’s food section of the LA Times, and it rhymes with PICKEN AND CRUMPIN!”  To their great releif, an end was soon in sight.

The winning prize was a three course dinner for two at BLD.  Before we arrived, the restaurant manager sent me a text that said “We are about to sell out of chicken and dumplings!”  We arrived at BLD to find my name and dish displayed on the menu, as well as several local food bloggers that arrived to taste Diana’s creation. The restaurant did indeed sell out, but thankfully saved an order for me and my guest – a giant bowl full of warm chicken broth, big juicy pieces of dark, rich meat, and those pillowy little dumplins that make this dish a southern tradition, and a personal favorite.

Just before I left for dinner, a friend asked “What are you going to do if it’s not good?”  Thankfully, that was never an issue.  It was not only delicious, but Chef Diana and her staff were gracious hosts.  It was an usually cold and windy night in Los Angeles, perfect for this dish, and likely the reason for it selling out so quickly.  Or, as I said to @BLDchefd in a thank you tweet: “New menu item?”

This night was one of the primary yearly fundraisers for Project Angel Food, a group that is dear to our hearts.  For many years, I delivered food to PAF’s clients twice a week, good people that were in need of healthy, life saving meals due to debilitating illness.  Originally the group served homebound HIV/AIDS patients, but has since spread its wings to include many other neighbors in need.  The evening, “Dining Out For Life,” is a annual collection of good hearted restaurants that graciously donate 25% of the evening’s proceeds to the group.  Especially during these difficult economic times, this is a very large financial commitment on the part of the participating restuarants, and we were delighted to cast a bit of “PR light” upon this very worthy group.

For more information, or to donate your time and talents, please visit Project Angel Food or Dining Out For Life LA.

NIGHTS WITH NÉVÉ

Popping Up For One Night Only At Osteria La Buca

Osteria La Buca owner Graham Snyder has a few surprise announcements to make.  What better opportunity to do so than to throw a cocktail party?

Bar Man Michel Dozois brings his bag of (bar) tricks and Luxury Ice to the second incarnation of NIGHTS WITH NÉVÉ.  Aptly titled “The DRINK AS ART,” Nights with Névé presents an evening of dangerously delicious mixology, food, and arts entertainment.  Along with La Descarga General Manager Steve Livigni, the duo will offer a menu of four specialty cocktails that speak to the “Italian Gypsy culture” of Osteria La Buca.  Chef Alberto Lazzarino will prepare delicious bites to pair with the beverages, alongside the talents of visiting musicians, artists, and artisans.

NIGHTS WITH NEVE is Tuesday, April 27, 2010, with cocktails commencing at 7pm. A charge of $30.00 per person includes all food, entertainment, and each specialty cocktail.  Additional cocktails are available for $8 each.  Please note that space for this event is strictly limited.  Advance RSVP  & confirmation is required.

WIN TICKETS FOR TWO TO THIS EVENING FROM CAROLINE ON CRACK!!

For reservations, please contact Michel Dozois | Neve Luxury Ice

md@neveice.com | www.neveice.com

NIGHTS WITH NEVE

“The DRINK AS ART”

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

7pm – 10pm

Osteria La Buca | 5210 Melrose Ave | LA, CA

323.462.1900 | www.OsteriaLaBuca.com

I had just finished reading a blog entry by Gastronomy about the next incarnation of Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s LudoBites – the astonishingly popular “Pop Up Restaurant” that was debuting at Gram & Papa’s downtown.  The blogger waxed poetic, and was clearly the #1 Fan in the Chef Ludo Fan Club.  The descriptions were mouth-watering, the pictures were beautiful and, best of all, to the envy of bloggers all across the city, she got the post up first.

An hour later, I recieved a message on my Facebook page from a downtown blogger, Albert Domasin, inviting me to join his group for opening night at LudoBites.  It took me about three seconds to respond:  “HELL YES!”

The reservation was for 9:15pm.  I arrived before the rest of the group and immediately noticed that an unusually large number of guests were bringing their own wine.  At first, I assumed it was allowed, probably since the restaurant is really a gourmet sandwich shop that is only open for lunch service.  As our group began to assemble, I finally brought myself to speak the dreaded words: “This is not BYOB, is it?”  Oddly, no one else seemed particularly concerned by the idea, and no one (besides myself) seemed partiuclarly upset when we later heard from the hostess:  “Yup.  It’s BYOB.”

Although the others were unphased, I went into instant panic mode and set off on a texting rampage.  If I was about to drop $100 on dinner, I was going to do so with a nice bottle of red.  I texted everyone that I knew downtown.  Nothing.

Of course, we were seated quickly, and I had no time to go shopping for anything in a red bottle (or a bottle with anything red in it)!  I began my first dining experience at LudoBites gently sipping  a nice glass of TAP WATER.  OY.

As I am often tempted to do, I sent out an innocent little tweet.  Actually, a couple of tweets.  The first read “Holy Sh*t! LudoBites is BYOB?! Was THAT mentioned in the press?”  And…what the heck, if you’re going to do something foolish, you should give it all you’ve got… I later tweeted a picture of a painting by Chef Ludo of a wine bottle that hung on the wall directly in front of me, along with the words “WARNING: the ONLY wine at LudoBites!”  (The picture, by the way, recieved MANY responses on twitter…most laughing hysterically at my unfortunate situation.)

Ten minutes later, the lovely blonde working the room arrives at our table and says “You know, that’s not the only bottle of wine in the restaurant.”  I immediately assumed that we had misunderstood the whole BYOB thing, and lept at the chance to order of bottle of wine. 

Not a chance.

The lovely blonde then says “You must be Dan?” 

“Yesssssss,” I offer, a bit nervously.

Turns out, the lovely blonde working the room is Krissy Lefebvre, wife of chef Ludo, and she WAS IN THE BACKROOM READING EVERYONE’S TWEETS.  IN REAL TIME. 

BUSTED!

Fortunately, Krissy and Ludo laughed along with us.  Turns out, we were the only guests in the room that didn’t read about the BYOB.  (In our defense, the blogger tasting the night before WAS paired with wines from Domaine LA, and Gastronomy had not mentioned the BYOB, although it was clearly plastered all over their website.) 

@chufLudo and @FrenchChefWife couldn’t have been more gracious, even offering us a little sip (out of pure sympathy) at the end of the night.

As we drove home, we did speak of the food, but mostly we laughed – hysterically, actually – at my being BUSTED! on twitter.   By the chef’s wife.  While still in the restaurant!

LudoBites 4.0 sold out two solid months in eighteen hours.  It is a brilliant idea by an extraordinarily talented chef.  If you didn’t get a reservation, act a little bit quicker when they announce 5.0, or do as I did and take advantage of someone else’s reservation generosity.   I’ll leave the breathless descriptions and the crystal clear photography to the hundreds of bloggers that will be attending over the coming weeks.  You’ll likely be hard pressed to miss them. 

Thanks for your hospitality @FrenchChefWife! 

Picture courtesy of "What's Up With Albert" blog

Although I will be in Paris this summer to celebrate my birthday, this little ditty was, alas, simply an April Fool’s joke.  We thank the dozens of well wishers and offers of congratulations.  And, we’re happy to know that so many of you enjoy our blog.   We’ll do our best to keep you informed and entertained, and we will most certainly offer a little glimpse of our dining adventures in the City of Lights in June!  Bon Appetit!!!

To say that our greatest foodie dreams have just been realized is an understatement.  To say that we are honored to be working with our new European Account Executive Phillipe Guern is an understatement.  To say that we are covered in goosebumps at the thought of flying to Paris every three months for meetings and dining…well, it’s simply surreal.

Paris has always been one of the great dining desinations in modern history.  The United States is now home to many of France’s greatest culinary talents, many with businesses that cross the waters that divide us.  Their talents, however, are enjoyed and respected worldwide.  The opportunity to connect these cities, these talented chefs, and the world of restaurants that they encompass is the ultimate honor for a boutique public relations firm.   Interestingly, Paris is also the sister city of San Francisco, California, which hosts our most recent office opening with Account Executive Jamie Sammons.

Phillipe will be arriving in Los Angeles next month, at which time biographies and client announcements will be made.  Until that time, please pardon our enormous smiles and sudden outbursts of joy.

RADIO ROOM RETURNS TO THE EDISON  MARCH 30, 2010

The Most Celebrated Night in Contemporary Cocktail Culture

 The Edison’s Absinthe “Green Fairy”

 Downtown Los Angeles is the epicenter of cocktail innovation and The Edison proudly continues to serve this community of talented bartenders.  Radio Room brings the best and brightest mixologists from around the world to share their knowledge and talent at one bar, for one night only.

On Tuesday, March 30, Radio Room returns to The Edison with Joseph Brooke (Edison Director of Spirits & Winner of national $100,000.00 Best Bartender Contest) and his guests Don Lee (Momofuku Restaurants, NYC), Simon Ford (Pernod Ricard, London & NYC), Zane Harris (Rob Roy, Seattle), and Giuseppe Gonzalez (Dutch Kills & Painkiller, NYC). Acclaimed for their own unique vision and distinctive drink profiles, each barman brings to The Radio Room menus that include both signature beverages, cocktails created solely for this event, and a specialty beverage featuring our Radio Room sponsor, Pernod Ricard. 

This Radio Room has evolved in a manner that will effectively feature each Mixologist’s cocktail creations and specialty menu.  Each visiting bartender will be stationed in individual serving areas, and will offer ONLY their special drink menus.  Drink tickets for visiting bartenders will be sold to guests at ticket locations or can be bought from servers. This will ensure that each guest enjoys a more intimate experience with each visiting bartender. The Edison staff will serve ALL other cocktails, food and beverages.

Radio Room is noteworthy not only for the stature of the visiting mixologists, but also for the audience that the event draws each month.  Every leading bartender, bar chef, mixologist, bar owner, and nightlife entrepreneur in southern California is certain to arrive for Radio Room.  The forward thinking creativity of each visiting bartender is on the line – and they bring their “A” GAME!  The brainchild of Edison owner Andrew Meieran, Radio Room has become one of the most significant means of spotlighting contemporary cocktail culture in the United States.

Radio Room also features the extraordinary culinary talent of Matre Ecailler, Chef Christophe Happillon.  Chef Happillon presents an exceptionally luxurious oyster experience, “Meroir: A Sense of the Sea.”  The evening’s specials offer a veritable bounty of the sea, including freshly shucked oysters and crab claws. 

Entertainment by The March Fourth Marching Band features 24 talented musicians, including 12 horn players.  (www.marchfourthmarchingband.com). Also featured is the resident Edison DJ, DJ Jonny spinning throughout the evening. 

Radio Room is proud to join forces with our sponsors,

The O Hotel (www.ohotelgroup.com)

and Pernod Ricard (www.pernod-ricard.com). 

Pernod Ricard will be featured in the cocktails created by the visiting mixologists. Plymouth, Jameson and Absolut 100 will be key ingredients in our specialty cocktails.

The O Hotel and The Edison are providing complimentary VIP entrance to all O Hotel guests who show their room key. 

Please contact the O Hotel at 213.623.9904 for special RADIO ROOM package pricing.

The Edison offers a variety of taxi and delivery services for your convenience, available immediately upon request. 

RADIO ROOM AT THE EDISON

Tuesday evening, March 30, 2010 | 8pm

108 W. 2^nd Street #101 | Los Angeles, CA | 90012

www.edisondowntown.com  | 213.613.0000  

Recession? You wouldn’t know it from San Francisco’s restaurant scene. Just try getting a table for four on a Saturday night with less than 24 hours notice.

Unreasonable? Maybe, but what about spontaneity? Admittedly, the spontaneity was a result of my forgetting to make a reservation, but we could have been being spontaneous. Either way, over the phone or on OpenTable, the answer was NO, unless we were willing to eat at 5:45 or 10:30.

Fortunately, one of my favorite restaurants, Garcon, a charming French bistro in the Mission, offered to squeeze us in and my crisis—looking like a self-centered jerk—was averted. If we arrived by 8, the hostess promised to squeeze us in. We arrived at 7:30, had a cocktail and a nice bottle of wine at the bar, and watched as countless others were turned away.  By 8:15 we were sitting at a cozy table, had a great meal, and a perfect evening.

So why did Garcon make room for us? Maybe it was because I sounded so pathetic on the phone, but most likely it was because I eat at the bar at least twice a month, and generally once a month, I stop in with friends for a late-night dinner.

While it’s tempting to always try the latest and greatest, the tried and true need love too. There’s just something special about eating at a restaurant where the food is really good, they know you, and are happy to see you. Not that you get special treatment, it’s just nice to feel a part of the fabric.

And if you do become a regular, when the time comes and you really need a favor, most likely they’ll give you one of those tables they save walk-ins only or someone “special,” because that’s who you will be.

Tips for Making Your “Go To” Restaurant:

• Go on slow nights. Everyone from the chef to the busboy will remember your face when the restaurant is slow.
• Eat at the bar. The hostess, the bartender, the manager, and the chef, all make a stop at the bar on slower nights.
• Compliment the chef, tip well, and make sure the manager knew you were happy when you left.
• Stop by at least two-three times a month.
• Bring in people with you.
• Recommend the place to friends.
• Be accommodating. If you’re asking for a special favor, say a table at 8:00, take the 7:45 or 8:15 if that’s where they can fit you in, and be on time.
• Call instead of showing up at the door.
• And don’t abuse it. Special favors should be for just that, special occasions when you really need a table.

DCPR has officially opened our San Francisco offices, and we are thrilled to finally welcome Jamie Sammons, Senior Account Executive.  Please take a quick look at Jamie’s background, or better yet just give her a call (415.225.3404) – she’d love nothing more than to get to know you over a cup of coffee, or a 12 course tasting dinner.

Our new Bay Area clients will be announced next month, along with profiles of our new chefs, owners, designers, and media partners. 

The expansion of DCPR is a dream fulfilled.  We are so fortunate to once again be a part of this restaurant rich city, and we look forward to sharing the talents of Northern California’s most gifted culinary stars.

Please stay tuned…

EDISON ABSINTHE FAIRY

RADIO ROOM RETURNS TO THE EDISON

The Most Important Night in Contemporary Cocktail Culture

Downtown Los Angeles is the epicenter of cocktail innovation and The Edison proudly continues to serve this community of talented bartenders.  Radio Room brings the best and brightest of this growing community to share their knowledge and talent at one bar, for one night only.

On Tuesday, February 23, Radio Room returns to The Edison with Joseph Brooke (Santa Monica’s Copa d’Oro Bar [www.copadoro.com]; Winner of national $100,000.00 Best Bartender Contest), Brian Miller (New York City’s groundbreaking Death & Co. Bar [www.deathandcompany.com]), and Erick Castro (Bourbon & Branch Bar, and most recently San Francisco’s RICKHOUSE Bar [www.rickhousebar.com]).   Acclaimed for their own unique vision and distinctive drink profiles, each barman brings to Radio Room menus that include both signature beverages, as well as cocktails created solely for this event. 

Radio Room is noteworthy not only for the stature of the visiting mixologists, but also for the audience that the event draws.  Every leading bartender, bar chef, mixologist, bar owner, and nightlife entrepreneur in southern California is certain to arrive for Radio Room.  The forward thinking creativity of the each visiting bartender is one the line – and they bring their A GAME!  Radio Room has become one of the most significant means of spotlighting contemporary cocktail culture in the United States.

Radio Room also features the extraordinary culinary talent of Matre Ecailler, Chef Christophe Happillon.  Chef Happillon presents an exceptionally luxurious oyster experience, “Meroir: A Sense of the Sea.”  The evening’s specials include freshly shucked oysters, accompanied by Organic Habanera Vodka for two.  As well, live jazz entertainment is offered by The Vagabond Opera throughout the evening.  Please note table service is by reservation only.

RADIO ROOM AT THE EDISON

Tuesday evening, February 23, 2010 | 8pm

108 W. 2^nd Street #101 | Los Angeles, CA | 90012

http://www.edisondowntown.com/  | 213.613.0000

NEVE - CHANGING THE WORLD ONE COCKTAIL AT A TIME!

Introducing A NIGHT WITH NÉVE 

A Pop Up Bar of Delicious Proportion

Each month, barman Michel Dozois will bring his luxury ice, his talented mixologist friends from around the city and country, and the cutting edge of cocktail creativity to A NIGHT WITH NÉVE.  One month, the event might be hosted by an area restaurant, the next in a discreet alleyway alongside a famous LA Taco Truck, the studio of a local artist, a Hollywood Hills garden patio or perhaps atop the stage of a major opera production.  The location will be announced via LA area food and cocktail blogs, with RSVP’s strictly limited to an intimate number, allowing for up close and personal contact with the bartenders, the specially sourced and curated products, and… the drink.  At the center of each evening will be the ice products of Néve, the single ingredient that will forever change the cocktail as you know it.  Each event scenario will vary, from ‘Social Meet & Greets,’ to ‘Cocktail Preparation & Instruction,’ to ‘Movie Night’ or ‘A Peek Backstage.’

The inaugural NIGHT WITH NEVE will be held at the Charcuterie Bar of Pasadena’s Bar Celona Restaurant.  Attendees and invited guests may RSVP to md@neveice.com. Please note that attendance for the first event will be strictly limited and guests must receive reservation confirmation.  Hors d’ oeuvres and paired bites will be served with each course of cocktail.  The first event will be charged per cocktail, with future event pricing dependent upon location and cocktail production.

NIGHTS WITH NÉVE

Thursday, February 25, 2010

7pm until 9pm

Bar Celona | 46 E. Colorado Blvd | Pasadena, CA | 91105

The vast majority of those that bravely gave voice to a New Year’s Resolution have already abandoned those promises by the third week of the New Year.  As we now enter the second month of 2010, Chef Eric & the kids at SEED Restaurant are at the ready with a helping hand and a sympathetic ear – a second chance to set realistic goals for your life…and, this time, to succeed.   If your goal was to lose weight, eat healthier, find love or find a new career, SEED offers a few helpful insights.  And, best of all, there’s no lectures or preaching; No attempt at converting followers to vegetarianism; No lifestyle changes that doom you to failure and fatigue.  This year, SEED offers a series of classes, daily thoughts and tips, cooking instruction, and special events to assist you in gently, and purposefully, achieving your goals. 

Let the New Year begin – Again!

First, Chef Eric and his wife – holistic/macrobiotic counselor Sanae Suzuki – offer a series of complimentary classes, seminars, and cooking demonstrations.  Scheduled approximately once every two weeks, these classes might cover “Cooking with leftovers,” to “Realizing your life’s goals and dreams,” to “simple substitutions for fast food.” Class schedules are listed on the SEED website and are always posted in the restaurant for upcoming weeks.  Most classes are held at the restaurant’s communal table, although many cooking classes/book signings are scheduled for bookstores and markets throughout Los Angeles over the coming weeks.

Secondly, SEED offers tips for a better life via our blog and our FaceBook page.  These brief, insightful messages appear daily, and might include a cooking tip, an affirmation, a product recommendation, or a joke – all designed to focus the reader, if only for a couple of minutes per day, on achieving small realistic goals. The daily messages will run continuously for sixty days, after which time SEED will host in-house events for all of our followers to discuss successes and failures, and how to move forward productively and positively.

Thirdly, each week Chef Eric and Sanae will give away SEED DINNER FOR TWO’s, personalized copies of the couple’s own cookbooks, complimentary cooking classes, and complimentary counseling sessions to our followers.  Prizes will be awarded via our facebook page, the SEED blog, and via local food bloggers.

Lastly, Chef Eric and Sanae will draw one name each week, with all winners invited to attend the finale to Happy New Year (Part Deux!) – AN EVENING WITH THE CHEFS.  Offered with our compliments to celebrate OUR FIRST BIRTHDAY, guests will dine, mingle through the kitchen, watch cooking demonstrations and enjoy entertainment and readings, and meet leading cookbook authors and lifestyle experts.  And, of course, the topic of conversation will be “Making Small Changes That Matter – The New Year’s Resolutions That Lasted.”

For more information, please visit us at SEED Restaurant

1604 Pacific Ave. | Venice, CA | 90291 | 310.396.1604

http://www.seedkitchen.com| On Facebook: Seed Kitchen

THE EDISON RETURNS TO THE DCPR FAMILY!

My previous PR firm had the pleasure of opening The Edison more than two years ago AND DCPR HAS NOW BEEN INVITED BACK!  Selected as one of “the world’s greatest bars,” the Edison remains the quintessential LA night spot.  And, quite frankly, it has no peer – whether in design or night life offerings.  DCPR will be working with The Edison on targeted projects, specifically designed to reclaim the illustrious repuatation that The Edison enjoyed throughout its opening.  Bars, restaurants and nightclubs have come and gone in LA, with some actually atttemping weakend copies of the orignal.  None has come close, nor will those currently in the works.  The Edison remains one of the singular shining lights in downtown Los Angeles’ historic core that has the capacity to attract a wide range of guests from throughout the city.  It is an extraordinary adventure that simply must be experienced to be believed. 

DCPR looks forward to sharing these special events with you over the coming months. 

For information on events soon to arrive at The Edison, please feel free to contact DCPR, or visit The Edison.