Jet Set Life
Wine: Meet the Queen of Burgundy
There are legends born every day. But sometimes it's not until after they're gone that we appreciate their greatness. Fortunately, there's one heroine in our midst who is very much alive and with us. She’s responsible for some of the best winemakers in the heart of one of the wine world's most prestigious regions. Her name is Jeanne-Marie de Champs, and for those who know her, she is truly the Queen of Burgundy. For this amazing woman, it's not about power. It's not about money. It's all about having the greatest wine in the world. And as Jeanne-Marie will tell you, there's only one way to accomplish that. "In Burgundy, the secret is in the vines!" Read More »
Parties: The Los Angeles Epicurean Festival Brings Gourmet Goodies to Vibiana Cathedral
Most food, booze, and wine events in Los Angeles feature highly regarded restaurants offering generous samples from their menus. The Los Angeles Epicurean Festival changes things up by bringing together some of the gourmet vendors that supply many of those top restaurants, as well as retail shops and discerning consumers. They also feature a wide variety of premium wineries and spirits. The event was held on Sunday, August 26, 2012 in the majestic Vibiana Cathedral in downtown LA and attendees browsed through booths featuring gourmet foods, boutique wines and high end liquors over the course of two sessions. Read More »
Restaurants: Guy Fieri Swings into Manhattan
On the evening of October 9, 2012, Guy Fieri’s signature shining-red late-1960s Camaro convertible pulled alongside the curb of the New York Times building in the heart of Manhattan’s buzzing Times Square district. Fans of his string of Food Network hits including "Guy’s Big Bite" and "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives" knew something big was up. The normal throngs of theatergoers, foodies and bewildered tourists that cram the entertainment-on-steroids West Forties found themselves working their way around the long line of hip revelers piling in to experience the grand opening of Guy’s American Kitchen and Bar at 240 West 44th Street. Read More »
Restaurants: Casa Azul Cantina Offers Stylish Design and Great Food
The team behind the respected Frida restaurants has another winner with Casa Azul Cantina in Westwood Village. Vicente Del Rio is the heart and soul behind the restaurant. His dedication to authentic Mexican cuisine in a setting that celebrates the culture of his homeland has made Casa Azul a culinary destination in the Los Angeles area. Read More »
Parties: The Luckyrice Asian Night Market is a success in Culver City
New York City based marketing and media company Luckyrice held an Asian Night Market themed event in Culver City on August 4, 2012. The night of star chef food creations and mixologist designed custom cocktails was sponsored by Bombay Sapphire EAST with Sang Yoon (Father’s Office and Lukshon) hosting. It was the inaugural event in Los Angeles after three years of successful events in New York. The sold out food and booze extravaganza was a smashing success that will hopefully launch a series of events in LA. Read More »
Life/Parties: The Luckyrice Asian Night Market is coming to Los Angeles
What started in New York City in 2010 as a spotlight on Asian culinary culture, the Luckyrice Night Market is making its debut in The East Asian Design Warehouse at the Helms Bakery Building in Culver City on August 4, 2012. The night of star chef food creations and mixologist designed custom cocktails is sponsored by Bombay Sapphire EAST with Sang Yoon (Father’s Office and Luckshon) hosting. Bombay Sapphire and Sang Yoon held a pre-party at Luckshon on July 10, 2012 to launch the new gin and raise awareness for the upcoming Night Market event. If the amazing food and cocktails served during the pre-party are any indication, the Luckyrice Night Market is going to be a soaring success. Read More »
Restaurants: Ortega 120 launches Tequila University Summer School
South Redondo Beach is the place to go for a very special summer school program. Ortega 120 is offering monthly classes called Tequila University Summer School. Each class offers an amazing in-depth guided tasting of tequila and other Latin inspired spirits led by owner Demi Stevens, accompanied by a custom paired menu by co-owner Tommy Ortega. The restaurant held a pre-launch party on June 27, 2012 featuring Pura Vida tequila. A small group of lucky folks sipped the tequila straight, tasted some fresh cocktails and sampled authentic food while learning about the tequila. Read More »
Restaurants: Nic’s Beverly Hills launches summer pool party series
Nic’s Beverly Hills, the hip bastion of all things vodka, has decided to spice things up by transforming their backyard parking lot into a luxury poolside outdoor lounge. No one seems to care that there is no pool – the vibe is definitely Beverly Hills poolside chic. They kicked off the new theme with a party that featured some inventively tasty vodka cocktails, bite size upscale munchies, a 60-foot tall video installation and party tunes presented by KCRW DJ Mario Cotto. The proceeds of the event went to the L.A. Regional Food Bank, so everyone involved had a blast and did a good deed. Read More »
Restaurants: West 4th and Jane’s New Spring Menu and Fine Brews
West 4th and Jane is a brew pub in downtown Santa Monica that just celebrated their third anniversary. They have a reputation for excellent craft beer selections and now have a new chef who has overhauled the menu. A recent Spring Menu Launch Party was the perfect opportunity to check out what has changed at this hip Westside hangout for beer lovers. Read More »
Restaurant: Mercado in Santa Monica Was Worth the Wait
If a restaurant has its opening delayed for more than a year and the proprietors have a well earned reputation for high quality modern Mexican cuisine, expectations run high when it finally opens. Mercado, the new restaurant on 4th Street in Santa Monica is the brainchild of owner Jesse Gomez and co-owner/Chef Jose Acevedo. Gomez and Acevedo also have a successful restaurant called Yzta Cocina Mexicana on the east side of downtown Los Angeles. Mercado features the same sophisticated cooking using only the best farm fresh ingredients and complements the food with professionally mixed cocktails. The market for upscale Mexican cuisine is pretty crowded on the west side of Los Angeles, but Mercado definitely has the right formula for success. Read More »


