Art Events

Gagosian Beverly Hills has welcomed local artist Alex Israel for his first show in a decade running until March 22. The “Noir” exhibition features new paintings of iconic Los Angeles locations at night from the Troubadour to a tattoo parlor. Israel’s hometown is LA, and this exhibition is a celebration of the city he loves and draws inspiration from. He is donating a portion of the sale proceeds to the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund. This fund was set up by the J. Paul Getty Trust to provide critical emergency support for artists and arts workers impacted by the fires. 

Other institutions such as the Hammer Museum, as part of the Mohn Art Collective alongside LACMA and MOCA, have also joined the J. Paul Getty Trust in the creation of the $12 million LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund. Frieze Los Angeles (Feb. 20-23) at the Santa Monica Airport, is a founding contributor to the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund and will help in aiding recovery efforts. Maison Ruinart is supporting Frieze’s efforts, alongside the “Conversations with Nature” debut, artist Sam Falls has created limited-edition collectibles including hats and books available in the Ruinart Art Lounge with 100% of proceeds going to aid this cause. Visit frieze.com for tickets.

ArtWalk returns to the West Hollywood Design District on Feb. 19, for an evening of support for the local community by raising funds for those affected by the LA wildfires. Take a stroll while shopping, dining and gallery hopping on Melrose, Beverly and Robertson corridors before and after dark with extended hours. Visit westhollywooddesigndistrict.com for more information.

Chef’s Unite 

Beverly Hills has launched “EAT. DONATE. LOVE” now through Feb. 15. The dine-out-to-help campaign will take a portion of the proceeds at participating Beverly Hills hotels, over 20 restaurants and bars to raise a total of up to $175,000, which will support Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts for the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu and Pasadena, and the California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund.

Participating hotels include The Beverly Hills Hotel, the Beverly Hilton, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, The Maybourne Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Beverly Hills and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Check lovebeverlyhills.com for more information.

CHEFS ❤ LA is an all-star fundraising benefit bringing together the biggest names in food, hosted at Lawry’s The Prime Rib in Beverly Hills on Feb. 27.

The driving forces behind this event are producers Brad Metzger, a former waiter at The Grill on the Alley and Jacqui Leanza, hosted by “Somebody Feed Phil” creator Phil Rosenthal, along with auctioneer Billy Harris. With 100% of proceeds directly benefiting Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care, Andres’ new Mexican-inspired Butterfly in Culver City is also participating in the event, along with chefs including Daniel Boulud, Ludo Lefebvre, Michael Cimarusti, Suzanne Goin, Josiah Citrin, Nyesha Arrington, Jordan Kahn, Burt Bakman, Jon Yao, Curtis Stone, Jeremy Fox, Michael Voltaggio, and Sherry Yard among others.

The event will also honor a distinguished group of community heroes, including chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, who have gone above and beyond to support those affected by the wildfires.  

“Food has the power to bring people together, and the hospitality industry is built on community and giving back. Hosting this event is an honor,” said Ryan Wilson, CEO of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Visit ChefsLoveLA.com for details.

Chefs Walter and Margarita are hosting Los Angeles Rise Up on Feb. 24 in partnership with Big Sur Food and Wine and Global Empowerment Mission at République on La Brea Avenue. This benefit event is dedicated to supporting those in the hospitality and service industry who are recovering from the LA fires. Participating chefs include Dominique Crenn, Nancy Silverton, Chris Bianco and more. Tickets available at losangelesriseup.ticketsauce.com. 

Cocktails For a Cause

Ola Sol Benefit Cocktails: Sip for a Cause is an ongoing initiative around LA where some of the top restaurants are creating specialty cocktails with Ola Sol premium agave wine. Sip and support at Cobi’s and Father’s Office in Santa Monica or Butchr Bar in Echo Park. When a drink is purchased, a meal will be donated to the LA Food Bank to feed first responders and displaced Angelenos.

For something alcohol-free, Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Wellness Smoothie will be available at Erewhon tonic bars through March 5. Featuring plant-based Almond Malk, a portion of proceeds will benefit the Altadena Girls charity, which is working with teenage victims of the wildfires.

Pampering and Fitness

The Beverly Wilshire has teamed up with Isaac Boots, who will lead workout classes that combine body resistance, dance conditioning and targeted reps from Feb. 20 to March (Thursday through Sunday each week) with 100% of ticket sales benefiting World Central Kitchen. Bookings can be made at isaacboots.com.

Entertainment 

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts will hold The Wallis Delivers: A Benefit Evening to Support Wildfire Recovery on April 30 at 6 p.m., hosted by Jane Fonda.  

“The recent Los Angeles wildfires ravaged far too many of our communities, neighborhoods and homes, but they could not dim our hearts,” said Wallis Annenberg. “The outpouring of help and support has been truly extraordinary and a lot more is needed. That’s why we are dedicating this special evening to helping Los Angeles rise from the ashes of the Eaton and Palisades fires.” 

The event also honors philanthropy and the extraordinary generosity of the Annenberg Foundation and Ms. Annenberg. Dominic Ng, Chairman and CEO of East West Bank, a recognized community leader, will be named the first recipient of The Wallis Icon Award, for his visionary leadership in the realm of corporate philanthropy.  For tickets, visit thewallis.org.

Staycations 

The Ranch at Malibu has donated $25,000 to the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation Community Brigade, which works closely with the L.A. County Fire Department. This volunteer organization helps communities recover from natural disasters.  As an additional way to show support, through Feb. 17, when you reserve a stay at The Ranch Malibu, it will donate $1,000 from your reservation to the Brigade.

Malibu Beach Inn will be offering discounted room rates for short or long-term stays to those displaced or evacuated. To support the LA dining community, Carbon Beach Club will offer a 20% discount on food to anyone affected by the wildfires in this community and looking to support the hotel’s recovery. All guests have membership-level access to CURE Wellness Center’s fitness and spa facilities, in addition to mental health and telehealth resources. 

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“While many participants came from career technical education pathways such as fashion, journalism, TV production and audio media production, others applied because they were eager to explore areas they may not typically have access to,” said Rebecca Starkins, Executive Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives for the Beverly Hills Unified School District. 

“I didn’t realize prior to this day that there was a great amount of work done behind the scenes to create a polished and seemingly effortless show day,” said Aunaleah Ellis, a 12th-grade student at BHHS. “The Beverly Hilton was a beautiful hotel, and it was amazing how it was transformed for the ‘Hollywood’s Party of the Year,’ the 2025 Golden Globes. I loved seeing the different roles in the production and the individuals focused on their work. It was inspiring to see the production staff work together to create this beautiful event.”

With support from Golden Globes executives, city personnel, crew and celebrities, students developed their talents and gained invaluable insight into journalism, event production, fashion design, marketing, and public relations. 

On the first day of the program, 22 students were selected to participate in the ‘Golden Globes Insider’ portion and tour the Beverly Hilton Hotel as it was being transformed. The group had the chance to see how the red carpet was constructed, tour interview booths and media trailers, and learn the technical elements of producing a globally broadcast event. According to the Golden Globes, the 82nd annual awards show ratings surpassed 10 million viewers and had 40 million social media interactions. 

On the second day of the program, nine BHHS students had the chance to interview key behind-the-scenes players, including Rick Pizante, Senior Vice President of Dick Clark Productions, Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes President, and Sam Kim, Hotel Manager of the Beverly Hilton. Additional interviewees included Golden Globes Executive Producer and Showrunner Glenn Weiss, Golden Globes Head Engineer David Crivelli, Golden Globes Art Director and Red-Carpet Designer Zeya Maurer and more.

The program culminated on the day of the Golden Globes, where six BHHS students, dressed in black tie, were strategically placed on the red carpet to attract the attention of celebrities and conduct interviews on the scene. Students spoke with over 30 Hollywood stars, including Kerry Washington, Nicole Kidman, Adam Sandler, Glenn Close and Jennifer Coolidge. 

“She was so open and genuine,” BHHS student Nora Nikfarjam said regarding her interview with Glenn Close. “She talked about the importance of perseverance in a creative career, and I’ll never forget her saying that failure is just another step toward success.” 

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Dinner and Dancing

The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills has recently debuted a speakeasy concept, Veil & Velvet, that has transformed the former bar-lounge into a sexy venue inspired by old-school piano bars and A-list private dining clubs.

Rich wood paneling, leather seating and velvet banquettes are perfect for a cozy night with the martini menu and a Wagyu burger “Royale with Cheese” served with thin truffle fries. The most playful and indulgent addition is the “press for caviar button” that can be found inside a small silver jewel box on the table. The options are full Petrosian service or just a bump served on a pearl spoon in an ice crystal vessel. Decadent desserts from new Executive Pastry Chef and Food Network personality Riccardo Menicucci include a banana split or Napoletano with gold dust.

Venture back to the Roaring ‘20s with the Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec. 31 from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. (minimum spend per table of two is $400) that includes live entertainment and midnight Champagne toast.

Live Entertainment

For a stunning rooftop skyline setting, Dante at the Maybourne will offer a cocktail party evening on New Year’s Eve from 8 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Enjoy signature libations, passed canapés and gourmet food stations, along with live entertainment ($295 per person).

If you’re in the mood to boogie, head over to the New Year’s Eve Disco Ball party at Espelette at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. The night will feature live entertainment, passed canapés, and an open bar with cocktails, wine and beer ($275 per person). The Rooftop Beverly Hills will offer an á la carte brunch and three-course prix fixe dinner ($275 per person) and party, featuring the flavors of East and West.

If a multicourse, seated dinner is more your style, AVRA Beverly Hills is offering a five-course New Year’s Eve dinner with seatings beginning at 9 p.m. The special menu includes Chilean sea bass, prime New York strip and lobster pasta, paired with fine wines. Guests will enjoy live music, a DJ, party favors, a photo booth and Champagne toasts throughout the evening ($275 per person).

Jade on Canon Drive is offering an array of prix fixe dining and live entertainment options beginning with seatings at 4:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. to a late-night party starting at 10 p.m. ($150 per person). There is also a VIP table experience from $250 per person that includes sushi specialties, a bottle of Taittinger Champagne, plus premium bottle service. Or you can opt for open bar tickets starting at $125 for entry at 10 p.m. or $75 for late entry after midnight.

On New Year’s Eve, BOA Steakhouse on Sunset Boulevard will serve a special prix fixe menu featuring hamachi tartare, grilled lamb lollipops and a maple leaf duck breast by Executive Chef Brendan Collins. Festivities also include a Champagne toast at midnight, a live DJ and party favors. (First Seating 5-7 p.m. for $125, Second Seating 7:30 p.m. for $215).

Sunset Plaza Drive seafood destination Saltie Girl will ring in the New Year with Champagne, oysters and live music. With a minimum spend of $90 per person, guests will receive a complimentary Champagne toast and hors d’oeuvres for the table. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., the dining room will morph into a piano bar, and they encourage guests to have their song requests ready.

Elegant Dinner Options

Celebrate like a star at The Beverly Hilton’s CIRCA 55. On Dec. 31, guests are invited to “Start the Night in Style” with premium cocktails from 6-9 p.m. From 5-10 p.m., enjoy a grand five-course dinner and sparkling wine, complemented by live jazz ($164.26 per person). Enter the New Year with the “Glam & Groove” package from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., while enjoying premium cocktails, an open bar and DJ.

Costa Covo Osteria at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills is offering its first season of holiday dining menus. Ring in the New Year with a choice of two seatings (6-8 p.m. $175 per person) and late (9 p.m. to 12 a.m. $275 per person) with an array of options including a three-course meal with blue crab éclair or beef tartare, and options of goose liver terrine, butter-poached halibut, Rohan duck breast and Black Hawk Farms Wagyu New York strip. Festive holiday cocktails and mocktails will be curated by Moët Hennessy.

For an unforgettable sushi experience, Sushi by Scratch Restaurants at SLS Beverly Hills will offer its signature 17-course omakase with special one-night additions ($285 per seating). A $100 enhancement can be added, which includes exclusive truffle and caviar additions to the restaurant’s unique nigiri pieces. The evening includes a complimentary Champagne toast to close out 2024.

Affordable Newcomer

Marea Beverly Hills, currently in a soft-opening phase, will serve dinner starting at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. A festive evening will ensue beginning at 9 p.m., for a very reasonable $125 per person. This exclusive ticket includes passed canapés in the bar and lounge, complemented by a welcome cocktail and a glass of prosecco for toasting at midnight.

Early Birds

Lawry’s The Prime Rib Beverly Hills will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve for a limited menu featuring its legendary roasted prime ribs of beef, carved tableside from silver carts. Other seasonal options include roasted butternut squash soup and salmon Rockefeller, to name a few, all while enjoying the roaming Christmas carolers in the dining room. For a toast, opt for a decadent house-made eggnog crafted from Heaven’s Door Ascension Kentucky Straight Bourbon, with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

A.O.C. on Third Street is ringing in the New Year with a lively New Orleans-style celebration starting at 6 p.m. Suzanne Goin has crafted a festive multicourse NOLA-inspired menu, along with “Boozy Big Easy” cocktails and a Champagne flight curated by Caroline Styne ($150 per guest for food and one glass of sparkling wine). 

For something low-key, just a few doors down on Third Street, Cesare Ristorante is a new romantic, hidden gem, showcasing family recipes from meatballs to pasta, along with whole grilled fish and meat, and a fine wine selection. Restaurateur Cesare Vietina hails from his family’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Forte Dei Marmi, Italy before he helped to open Giorgio Baldi in Beverly Hills, and he co-owned the legendary Madeo, along with his wife Pamela, who makes everyone feel at home. Reservations are open from 5:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. 

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What’s a holiday dinner without pie?

Australian chef Curtis Stone is back with his sweet and savory pies in the old Maude space on South Beverly Drive and this time, they are here to stay.

The Pie Room by Curtis Stone has morphed from pandemic pop-up bakery into a permanent bistro-style, all-day menu with not only pies, but an assortment of pastries, puddings, tarts and sandwiches. The vast talent to help execute Stone’s vision includes Maude and Spago alum chef Serkan Çetinarslan, head pastry chef Mitzi Reyes who has worked for José Andrés and Dominique Ansel, and head baker Luis Flores, who hails from the kitchen of Thomas Keller in Las Vegas.

The Pie Room is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for gourmet sandwiches (don’t miss the duck leg confit) and bistro fare available for dine-in or to-go. In the evening, the space transforms into a romantic, European-style wine bar with charcuterie boards from Gwen, Stone’s Michelin-starred butcher shop and restaurant in Hollywood; a selection of farmhouse cheeses, and daily specials such as loup de mer and duck ragu gnocchi—and, of course, a sweet section for dessert. 

New on South Robertson Boulevard, the acclaimed Lodge Bread brings artisanal whole-grain sourdough, house-made pastries, and a menu inspired by Middle Eastern flavors to the area. Holiday offerings include pecan pie topped with whipped vanilla ganache and toasted pecan pieces, or pumpkin pie topped with whipped chai ganache ($46 each).

For even more holiday temptation, Mastro’s Steakhouse will feature a pecan pie on the menu for a limited time, as well as a special cinnamon and pecan butter cake—a twist on its famed butter cake, which is a must after any meal there. Both available now through Dec. 30.

Let them eat panettone 

Gucci Osteria is kicking off panettone season early this year. The Michelin-starred establishment on Rodeo Drive (and select locations around the globe) is partnering with legendary Italian specialty bakery Pasticceria Tiri 1957 for the traditional sweet Christmas bread. 

Typically shared with family and friends over the festive period, Gucci Osteria’s limited edition panettone reflects the Gucci brand’s spirit of ornate decadence. The bread goes through three kneading phases during a 72-hour production, before it is elegantly packaged in a limited-edition tin with historical iconography from the Gucci Archive. It’s a stunning keepsake and great gift that will keep the product soft, fragrant and flavorful for weeks to come ($140).

Gift baskets and more

The holidays are all about hosting—and being hosted by—family and friends. Thoughtful gift baskets are a always a great way to show your appreciation. Haute Mess, the market and café on Beverly Boulevard, is offering a limited-edition, pre-order gift basket that includes artisinal and imported items, such as wines, premium anchovies, imported olives and homemade biscotti. 

Now that the weather is cooler, and nights are longer, why not host an at-home movie night? It’s the perfect excuse to tuck into some famous Neiman Marcus gourmet popcorn. Holiday tins of sweet and salty favorites include honey butter, almond pecan and cashew almond toffee. Available in-store and mail order ($32).

Hanukkah sweets

Susie Cakes in Brentwood and West Hollywood offers an assortment of red velvet, good old vanilla, or chocolate with white and blue sprinkled borders in a Hanukkah-themed cupcake box (serving 4 for $23.96). Also available is a cake decorated with a Menorah, frosted star-shaped sugar cookies (also available as a platter) and gingerbread people individually wrapped with a blue ribbon. For a fun family gathering, order a Hanukkah cookie decorating kit that includes two tubs of buttercream and four different sprinkles.

Frozen finds

After a hard day of holiday shopping, why not treat yourself (and the ice cream lover in your life) to a little holiday-themed indulgence? Shake Shack’s Limited Edition Holiday Shakes have arrived at the South Santa Monica Boulevard location of the popular outpost, and they are worth the calorie splurge. Back again is the classic Christmas Cookie Shake, featuring sugar cookie frozen custard topped with whipped cream, crumbled shortbread and holiday sprinkles. The Chocolate Yule Log Shake combines chocolate frozen custard hand-spun with chocolate cake, topped with whipped cream, cake crumbles and festive sprinkles. And the Apple Cider Donut Shake features apple cider donut frozen custard topped with whipped cream and cinnamon donut crunch.

If you prefer to celebrate the “Merry Dairy” season at home, pick up some pints at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on North Beverly Drive. The scoop shop’s Splendid Holiday Collection includes new limited-edition flavors such as Iced Molasses Gingerbread, a spiced molasses cream with gingerbread cookies and white icing swirl, and Seven-Layer Bar with bittersweet chocolate pockets and brown sugar crumble in coconut-scented toasted caramel cream. Returning favorites include White Chocolate Peppermint, with swirls of pink and white peppermint dotted with white chocolate. 

Hands-on holiday hotel experiences

Local hotels are beckoning visitors with unique holiday-themed activations. Back by popular demand, the Fairmont Century Plaza’s Swiss Chalet “après-ski” dining experience is live through New Year’s Day. The back patio off the lobby has transformed into a chic winter wonderland. Sample cheese fondue and other Alpine favorites, along with winter cocktails and an interactive make-your-own hot chocolate experience​​.

Nearby, the hotel’s Lumière restaurant will feature a different crème brûlée flavor each week for the month of December, including eggnog, Valrhona chocolate and roasted sweet potato with cranberry. 

The lobby of the Peninsula Beverly Hills is filled with holiday cheer this time of year. Highlights include carolers (Dec. 20-24), a visit from Santa (on Christmas Eve) and the Polar Bear Gift Shop (Dec. 1-26). Additional holiday activities include curated events such as cake and cookie decorating for children.

On Dec. 3 at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, little artisans can build and decorate their own gingerbread house for a chance to have their creation on display in the lobby during the month of December ($25 per person).

At the Maybourne Beverly Hills, the Gingerbread House Decorating Class is perfect for children of all ages. Led by the in-house pastry team, two sessions of the class are set for Dec. 21. Participants will receive a decorating kit, a personalized apron, hat and takeaway box for their creation ($125 per person). 

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Art, fashion and wine concierge company UOVO hosted a cocktail party at Lanvin on Nov. 12 to celebrate Rodman Primack and Rudy Weissenberg’s new book,” Love How You Live: Adventures in Interior Design,” published by Phaidon.

UOVO has recently opened its Los Angeles hub, which offers a unique concierge service to manage art, design, fashion and wine collections. Their Long Island City location has been notable for archiving work by Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger as well as being longtime host to Oscar de la Renta’s archive. 

Raising a class to the new West Coast outpost and design book were interior designers Richard Petit, Jamie Bush, and Oliver Furth; fashion designer Clare Vivier, Anita Gatto from House of Harlow and art advisor Graham Steele.  

Also on the same night, AGCF, the purpose-driven luxury fashion house founded by Alexandra Gucci Zarini, hosted an inaugural art auction event at the brand’s Rodeo Drive boutique to kick off LA Fashion Week presented by N4XT Experiences. The event featured the artworks of four talented female artists, Alex Wasson, Jerri McDorman, Monica Ahanonu and Shelley Kensler—each offering a unique interpretation of AGCF’s signature “Unità”symbol, illustrating AGCF’s commitment to creating meaningful social impact.

All proceeds raised during the auction will be donated by AGCF to The Mama Bear Effect, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building stronger families and protecting children. Through this important cause, AGCF furthers its commitment to bring purpose to the world of luxury fashion and beyond. As a means of continuing the brand’s responsibility to enact and inspire positive change, AGCF pledges 20% of annual profits to organizations dedicated to protecting young women and children globally.

On Nov. 9 at the Pacific Design Center, the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala Presented by Paul Mitchell honored Charlize Theron with the “Giving Tree Award” for her work as a champion for vulnerable women and girls around the world. The star-studded evening raised more than $17 million to support the national nonprofit organization that provides basic necessities to children living in poverty.

The event featured a performance by Nelly, who brought Kelly Rowland onstage for their hit song “Dilemma.” Attendees included Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Anna Kendrick, Ashanti, Heidi Klum, Ciara, Jennifer Garner, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jessica Alba, Julie Bowen, Katy Perry, Mindy Kaling, Erin Foster, Nicole Richie Madden, and Paris Hilton, who all dined on food from Beverly Hills restaurants Funke, Mr. Chow, Jon & Vinny’s and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, among others.

The city’s new private club concept, Gravitas on Camden Drive, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 18 attended by Mayor Lester Friedman, Vice Mayor Sharona Nazarian and Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Johnson. Gravitas co-founders Seth Glassman and Brandon Steven hosted the local crowd for a toast on the ground floor bar immediately following the ceremony.

“Gravitas has been a labor of love, to say the least, and having our doors open to our members feels truly surreal,” Steven told the Courier. “It’s an honor to be in the heart of Beverly Hills and we look forward to continue getting to know the incredible community around us.” Friedman praised the team for keeping the integrity of the building and integrating seamlessly into the city. Nazarian commented, “This is exactly what we needed—a forward-thinking, exclusive, place that our city has never really had. Beverly Hills is the place to be.”

Givenchy on Rodeo Drive, celebrated the opening of it’s permanent Beverly Hills flagship location along with C Magazine on Nov. 20. The historic Frank Lloyd Wright structure dating back to 1954, is a multilevel white building punctuated by a central spiral slope dotted with greenery and nooks with seating areas, flanked by a men’s store and a separate two-story women’s boutique. The trio of spaces were filled with guests shopping, mingling, dancing to the DJ, and enjoying vodka martinis, along with President of Givenchy Americas, Valerie Leon.

Down the street, Armani held a bash that was spilling out into the streets where the new Giorgio Armani Fiat 500e was parked on a red carpet. VIPs, top influencers, and celebrities, including rapper will.i.am, “Emily in Paris” star Ashley Park, James Kennedy from “Vanderpump Rules,” Crystal Minkoff, actors Jamie King, and Giancarlo Esposito, were all invited to preview of the new vehicle, along with a set by DJ Shai, while sipping Champagne. 

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The initiative’s diverse range of communal experiences should entertain all walks of life. They range from a runway fashion show in collaboration with the Autry Museums featuring futuristic creations by Indigenous designers at the Getty Center to the Wende Museum’s commemorative rocket launch of a replica of the Sputnik satellite, and an evening of deep-space communication hosted by comedian Reggie Watts and organized by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“Designed for people of all ages and backgrounds, these programs will ensure that everyone can find something in “Art & Science Collide” to excite, illuminate and engage,” said Katherine E. Fleming, President and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust. And, luckily for us, most of these events are sticking around for months to come. 

A press preview panel at the Getty on Sept. 10 featured New Mexico artist Cannupa Hanska Luger and Turkish-American new media artist and designer Refik Anadol and offered a glimpse of upcoming exhibits. 

On Sept. 13 at the Hammer Museum, “Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice” unveiled a groundbreaking indoor-outdoor exhibition that drew over 4,000 people for the opening weekend. It focuses on environmental art practices addressing the climate crisis and anthropogenic disasters, which lead to issues of equity and social justice. Curated by artist Glenn Kaino and guest curator Mika Yoshitake, it features more than 100 artworks by 25 international artists and will be on view until Jan. 5.

The “Breath(e)” preview was preceded by a presentation by the UCLA Film & Television Archive on their PST ART film series “Science Fiction Against the Margins” screening in the Hammer’s Billy Wilder Theater from Oct. 4 to Dec. 14.

Other art openings surrounding the citywide events on Sept. 12 included Phillips in West Hollywood with a collection of figurative collage works “Yesterday Was Hard” by YoYo Lander in collaboration with Superposition Gallery.

Across the street, Hauser & Wirth’s group exhibition of “L.A. Story” was inspired by the 1991 film. It was co-organized by Ingrid Schaffner, senior curatorial director, and Mike Davis, senior director, in dialogue with the film’s writer and star Steve Martin. “I’m thrilled that ‘L.A. Story’ is the focus of so many wonderful artists and a wonderful gallery, Hauser & Wirth, which is just across the street from the Troubadour, where I first stepped foot on Santa Monica Boulevard, which began my L.A. sojourn,” said Martin in a statement. On display until January, do not miss this cross-generational array of works by artists depicting the celebration of Los Angeles as a place unlike any other.

The Sycamore area in Hollywood has also become a hotbed for visiting high-profile independent galleries such as Jeffrey Deitch and the sequel to his 1990s ahead-of-its-time “Post Human” collective show with dozens of artists from Jeff Koons to Paul McCarthy, and Mike Kelley who reveal how technology will change our bodies in the future. Lisson Gallery and Carpenters Workshop are also within walking distance.

Nearby in Hollywood, The Aster hotel has a new art gallery program, The Aster Art Initiative, curated by L.A.-based artist Nora Shields, which unveils a new contemporary collection of diverse California artists spanning over two floors. 

While the La Brea Tar Pitts is featuring interactive workshops for families, as part of PST, the Academy Museum next door will open “Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema & Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema” on Oct. 1.

Also in October, the free Beverly Hills Fall Art Show taking place on the weekend of Oct. 19-20 will transform four garden blocks into an outdoor gallery, with works of 235 artists from around the globe. 

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For the second time this year, The Maybourne Beverly Hills hosted a BAFTA tea party. While the January fete earlier this year toasted film winners from across the pond and stateside, this affair on Sept. 14 was all about the television nods.

“We are thrilled to be back after four years to celebrate the amazing talent and to be the home to highlight the TV awards in London in May and the Emmys in L.A.,” Joyce Pierpoline, Chair of BAFTA North America, told the Courier. 

On the hotel’s terrace, Owen Bang from “SNL” was spotted near the ivy-covered wall where participants were asked to “ring a bell for Champagne,” and a white-gloved hand appeared from the greenery holding a glass of bubbly for delighted guests. Nearby, Sheryl Lee Ralph chatted with Jodie Foster. 

“One of the best days I ever had was in Beverly Hills,” Ralph told the Courier. “I was asked to perform for the holiday event [in 2023]. I thought it would be a small gathering, but when I came out on the stage, all of Rodeo Drive was packed from Wilshire to Santa Monica, and I thought, everyone in L.A. should see what this looks like. It was such a special evening, but what really got me was the kids that showed up that night, and they were all in the front. I never knew Beverly Hills could be like this. It was so wonderful.”

Other guests, including Quinta Brunson, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jonathan Pryce, Tom Hollander, Ella Purnell, Cosmo Jarvis, Takehiro Hira and more were mingling while nibbling on cucumber and salmon tea sandwiches, mini lemon scones with clotted cream and cocoa nib rochers.

“Many people don’t know that BAFTA is a year-round 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is working to advance the creative industries,” said Courtney LaBarge Bell, Executive Director of BAFTA North America. “We prioritize investing in talent, giving them that support that they need, leveraging the BAFTA name, and most importantly, our members, who are committed to giving back. We’re cultivating our community to help push the next generation of artists forward.”

On the evening of Sept. 15, in Century City, Emmy nominees and presenters, along with some of the most powerful entertainment industry influencers, joined together for the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s (MPTF) 18th annual “Evening Before” benefit.

Co-Chaired by Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers, Jon and Anna Osceola Hamm, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, the event raised $2.5 million.

“This incredible organization raises crucial funds and provides a host of other services for our industry family when they need it most,” said Hamm. “I’m excited to celebrate everyone’s great accomplishments while supporting a cause that helps many generations.”

Funds raised from the event will be used to support industry members and their families who benefit from MPTF’s charitable programs and services such as financial assistance, crisis counseling, caregiving support and residency on the Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills, “home” to television and film veterans alike. During the recent work stoppages, MPTF received over 13,000 calls for aid and provided over $8 million in charitable financial assistance.

The “Evening Before” fundraiser was designed as a relaxed town square atmosphere by Studio Komorebi with specialty food provided by Carmelized Productions by Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo.

Among the celebrities who attended this year’s event were Alison Brie, Alan Cumming, Zooey Deschanel, Laura Dern, Ayo Edebiri, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Johnny Galecki, Allison Janney, Diane Lane and more.

The gifting suites were also back in Beverly Hills this year with GBK + MEND at the Beverly Wilshire with Viola Davis and Alan Cumming on the garden roof terrace with Incognito cannabis cocktails and a live performance by Grammy winner Elijah Blake. Debbie Durkin’s Eco Lux Lounge benefiting Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue Ranch was held at a private estate on Carmelina Drive where we spotted Gilles Marini, Sofia Milos and Joseph Gatt sipping Uka Sake.

Following the ABC telecast, the Walt Disney Company after-party continued the celebration with Jimmy Kimmel and the cast of “The Bear” who toasted with Johnnie Walker Blue Label cocktails and burgers inspired by cast member and Emmy-winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach and culinary producer Courtney Storer’s recipes. And the San Vicente Bungalows once again hosted the HBO + Max bash where the cast of “Hacks” dined on lobster biscuits by Michelin-starred chef Tim Hollingsworth’s CHAIN. 

The post The Emmy Scene—Leading Up to Television’s Big Night appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

While we wait for Jeff Klein’s Westside outpost of the members-only San Vicente Bungalows to take over the top floors and rooftop of the Water Grill building, there are plenty of other reasons to celebrate this coastal city.

Adding an artistic allure to a beachside location, the bohemian-chic new hotel Sandbourne Santa Monica offers an artist-in-residency program and a chance for guests to explore their creativity as well.

The 175-room escape housed in a white minimalist, almost brutalist structure on Ocean Avenue, was designed by acclaimed Icelandic-born, local architect Gulla Jónsdóttir (Kimpton La Peer in West Hollywood.) Walk past the double-height lobby sprinkled with original art, a surfing video installation, and white concrete sculptural columns that lead the way to an ocean view and the signature restaurant Marelle.

Santa Monica native and celebrated chef Raphael Lunetta’s latest restaurant translates to “star of the sea.” Try Hamachi crudo in jalapeño kefir lime ponzu or California sea bass grilled in banana leaves. The airy eatery holds sculptures separating the main dining room for a private table experience and white ceramic pendant lamps handmade in Oaxaca, Mexico.

The hotel will feature a series of live ceramicists onsite, and guests will also have the chance to try their hand at creating art with weekly pottery classes by the pool that will focus on smaller pieces using air-dry clay to take home as one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

Right next door, Regent Santa Monica Beach opens this fall with upscale accommodations designed by AvroKO and Wimberly Interiors. It will feature a Guerlain spa and a new concept by chef Michale Mina called Orla. “This is a dream restaurant for me because it’s an elevation of all the food I grew up eating,” the Egyptian-born chef told the Courier. “It’s not just mid-eastern or Egyptian but heavily Greek influenced food.” This includes harissa grilled lamb chops with fava bean hummus, grilled shrimp with mangos and classic Greek salad. In addition, Ayesha Curry and her lifestyle brand, Sweet July, will offer products, pastries, coffee and tea that celebrate her Jamaican roots.

Closer to the Santa Monica Pier, the historic 1933 Art Deco Georgian Hotel has retained the aquamarine exterior, but the interior is unrecognizable after a remodel by leading UK-US design firm Fettle. In its old Hollywood heyday, guests included Carole Lombard, Clark Gable and “Bugsy” Siegel who would feel right at home in the speakeasy-style basement restaurant and piano bar.

The new indoor-outdoor, all-day restaurant, Sirena, has views of the foot traffic on Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park. The culinary program is led by Osteria Mozza alum and Executive Chef David Almany with an extensive wine list curated by award-winning sommelier Kristin Olszewski, and a dessert and pastry program by chef Thessa Diadem.

Start with their already famous croissant French toast soufflé for breakfast or brunch, and move into paninis and salads for lunch. The aperitivo hour starts at 3 p.m. with fried olives and a frothy house Sirena Sour cocktail, which can lead right into a sunset dinner with ingredients flown in weekly from around the world, such as burrata from Puglia, Italy. Other standouts include bucatini with refreshing lemon, chilis and basil, or a simple grilled branzino. “We will be highlighting the simple dining style that both Los Angeles and the Amalfi Coast are known for,” said Almany.

Other changes on Ocean Avenue include the former Shangri-La Hotel transforming into Sonder The Beacon with a new signature restaurant and rooftop bar. Boulevard Hospitality Group and chef Chris Sayegh opened Layla, as an ode to kitchen-loving grandmothers (including his own) who create nightly feasts for their loved ones. The family-style dishes celebrate Middle Eastern favorites from smoked eggplant dip to kebabs and lamb mansaf prepared using French techniques. After dinner, take the elevator up to the roof for panoramic views of the shore and cocktails at The Coco Club.

Nestled on the North end of Ocean Avenue, in one of the area’s most coveted neighborhoods, Oceana Santa Monica is a suites-only boutique hotel that recently received a $25 million transformation by Hilton Luxury Brands and LXR Hotels & Resorts.

The one and two-bedroom suites have ocean view terraces, coastal décor and Bottega Veneta toiletries. The three culinary concepts include signature restaurant Sandpiper, which is now open to the public serving local farm-to-table fare.

Hotel guests can take advantage of the Beach Butler starting with morning beach yoga classes, daybed setup on the sand, food and beverage delivery, bike reservations, and cocktails on the Sunset Terrace at the end of the day.

For an outdoor patio, Mon Ami on Ocean Avenue is another Mediterranean hit eatery with brunch, happy hour and dinner options for large groups. The food, such as mezze platters and Moroccan spiced chicken tagine, is also party-ready.

Just off Ocean Avenue, chef Sean MacDonald of Bar Monette next door has opened a romantic Parisian burger concept, Burgette. The dimly lit small plates restaurant and wine bar was fashioned after a chic out-of-the-way spot you might find off a side street in Paris, but this one serves smash burgers and bubbly. In addition to Wagyu with tomato jam, raclette and bone marrow butter, there is a smoked salmon belly burger, a crispy chicken Cordon Bleu and fried Maitake mushroom option to try.

The international flair continues down the street at Spanish tapas spot Xuntos. They recently launched a new brunch served every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spanish-inspired items such as the Morcilla waffle, almejas con chorizo, churros con chocolate and chef Sandra Cordero’s famous tortilla Espanola are all hits.

The Surfing Fox is the signature open-air restaurant at The Pierside Hotel, which opened following the property’s multimillion-dollar renovation. Located on the ground floor, the all-day dining destination has a view of the Santa Monica Pier next to a sprawling bar open from coffee to cocktails and now for weekend brunch. Helmed by Executive Chef David Yamaguchi, following his most recent role at Michelin-awarded Chulita in Venice, he is tapping into his Japanese and Mexican heritage for twists on familiar classics from fish tacos to lobster rolls.

For an easy stroll on the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park has an array of new fun food offerings for the entire family. Sackville features five new dining options of reimagined concepts by Michelin star chef James Kent (Saga Hospitality Group). The handheld treats include Smashie’s Burgers with loaded hot dogs, and Mr. Nice Fry, serving fried potatoes with dipping sauces and seasonings. Other beachy bites include Churrita Churro, Scoops Creamery and Cosmic Funnel Cake, which can be topped with strawberries, whipped cream, or even a scoop of your favorite Lappert’s premium ice cream.For something higher-end, Casa del Mar has a new Caviar Tour menu available for happy hour on Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Terrazza ocean view restaurant and lobby lounge. The Caviar Tour features a sampling of Osetra Caviar in three distinctive styles from French with buckwheat blini, crème fraîche and chives to Spanish with focaccia, ricotta and Ibérico to American with bagel crisps, lemon cream, red onion and smoked salmon.

Nearby on Main Street, Edgemar is a new modern American bar and restaurant housed in a 1980s Frank Gehry-designed development. This is a good option for a drink after a day on the beach or an eclectic dinner from British chef Jared Dowling worked with Gordan Ramsey in London and Japanese chef Junya Yamasaki. Those early influences shine through with tempura oysters served with yuzu tartar, Caledonian curry spiced prawns, Munak Ranch tomato salad and lobster fried rice with English peas. Save room for the chocolate mousse with tangerine and salted whipped cream.

Notable upgrades to the dining scene in neighboring Venice include the talents of Executive Chef Ray Garcia (asterid at The Music Center) who has taken over the all-day kitchen at The Rose in Venice. Order signature mussel escabeche, duck leg confit and crispy potatoes.

South American Si! Mon took over the old James Beach spot serving outstanding pupusas stuffed with pork and refried sea island peas, and Afro-Caribbean shrimp dumplings with coconut bisque.

Last seen at Olivetta in West Hollywood, chef Michael Fiorelli has a pizza garden on Abbott Kinney with a wood-burning oven popping out pies in the afternoons. Just down the street, Chef Jason Neroni has taken over the kitchen at Paloma with a new late-night menu serving Israeli fried chicken. And, award-winning chef Nancy Silverton has expanded her Triple Beam Pizza empire to an outpost on Main Street.

Gran Blanco has a new Japanese-inspired menu with seaweed salad and chicken katsu curry. Winston House across the street has morphed into Mama’s Boy featuring classic Italian American cuisine.

Hotel Erwin’s revamped rooftop lounge High has the best views from Manhattan Beach to Malibu and a menu with comfort food favorites such as fried chicken sliders. Or, you can also order a pie from Pizza Girl (daughter of D’Amore owners in Malibu) on the ground floor while you wait for your car at the valet.

The Vitorrja Hotel is an excellent boutique option for an overnight stay nestled in a historic building. Many rooms are more like apartments with kitchens that can be stocked with Gjusta goods from the nearby grocer such as fresh bread.  For more picnic provisions, head to the famed Florentine Italian sandwich shop All’Antico Vinaio on Abbot Kinney Boulevard or Breadhead on Montana Avenue for ample-sized muffulettas just like in New Orleans.

The post The Staycation Scene: End of the Summer in Santa Monica appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

From crashing waves on the Pacific Coast of Mexico to jungle sounds in the Costa Rican Rainforest, here are two newer destinations dedicated to modern wellness (with two unique uses for cacao) that can help you reach these goals.

ZihFit in Zihuatanejo, Mexico

When you think of heading down to Mexico for a break, tacos and tequila usually spring to mind, but this will be a different kind of journey, more of a physical and nurturing spiritual experience immersed in nature and Indigenous ceremonies, but no less fun and in many cases more rewarding. 

ZihFit is nestled into an eight-bedroom cliffside villa overlooking the sleepy Zihuatanejo fishing bay. Almost two decades ago, J. Ben Bourgeois, the Los Angeles-based art collector and event producer for top global brands and institutions, such as The Wallis and the city of Beverly Hills, hired one of Mexico’s top architects, Zozaya Arquitectos, to create a private modern estate with sophisticated local artisan artifacts. 

Blending his event experience with wellness to create a sanctuary that celebrates personal growth, Bourgeois opened ZihFit earlier this year. ZihFit’s six-night curated retreats weave in locavore cuisine and daily curated exercise regimens from LA-based fitness programmer, Brazilian-American Eduardo Penteado, who led Bourgeois on his own fitness transformation when he turned 60.

Penteado changed Bourgeois’ life and now he is sharing his story with the world. “The biggest surprise is how positively this [retreat] has affected our guests,” Bourgeois told the Courier. “That propelled us to do more, but this is not boot camp. We make it comfortable and luxurious, but you can really push your mind and your body here.”

Unlike other wellness retreats, this one embraces the ancient Mexican culture and authentic Indigenous traditions of the region with a sacred cacao ceremony and the transforming Temazcal “sweat lodge.” “These rituals are not just practices but are powerful means to inner healing, emphasizing the importance of having a connection with Pachamama, Mother Earth,” says Penteado.

The connection to nature can also be found in the property designs. Spanning 20,000 square feet, Casa Fiesta has sleek, modern lines, neutral palettes and locally sourced materials such as stone, tiles and wooden accents. Most of the eight rooms are separated by walkways and winding staircases leading to three different parts of the grounds for privacy—which you will need when taking an outdoor shower. The main open-air living-lounge area has an infinity pool and picture-postcard views, but if you are feeling adventurous, a “grotto” pool carved into the hillside on the lower level feels like a hidden secret once you find it. 

Your time at ZihFit is split between two compounds or “Dos Fiesta,” and a staff of 12 between “the Casa” and “the Playa.” The private beach club, Playa Fiesta, was constructed by Andrés Saavedra who also designed the THOMPSON Zihuatanejo, and includes a dramatic cave-style entryway with a small water Labyrinth in the center of the polished concrete flooring, leading to an open-air vista right on the sand, with a large lap pool and plenty of hammocks hooked up to coconut trees swaying the salty breeze. 

Mornings at Casa Fiesta begin with a 6 a.m. chime awakening at your door, followed by sunrise yoga sessions on one of the decks. After breakfast, the group is transported to “the Playa” where you will do most of your daily activities. This includes a two-hour beach walk, a range of fitness and dance classes from high-intensity Tabata and Zumba to bachata and salsa dancing, and an evening one-hour sunset beach walk.

Along the way, a private chef whips up a total of 1,500 calorie meals per day that were conceived by nutritionist Sara Verboonen, which include four electrolyte-heavy mocktails per day made with on-site coconut water, mango with lemon and rosemary and hibiscus-infused water to name a few.

This is not a deprivation diet either—you can drink caffeinated coffee or tea and have a few carbs along the way. The food is surprisingly filling utilizing fresh local fruits and veggies, along with seafood and Mexican favorites from mahi mahi ceviche and guacamole with baked tortilla chips to mushroom enchiladas in a green sauce topped with pico de gallo. Other satiating menu favorites included lentil soup, vegan paella, fish-stuffed Poblano peppers and shrimp skewers with red onion and zucchini. 

Every afternoon, post-lunch, full-body massages take place in a private outdoor area that range from soothing head and neck treatments to lower back and hip adjustments or table stretching. This is a key element in the recovery process during your stay and a welcome break. 

Experts from the local community are brought into the daily programs for the welcoming group drum-singing ceremony and a blissful, blindfolded floating pool sound bath that fosters both letting go and listening to your inner voice. “Now more than ever, individuals seek to reconnect with themselves,” said Penteado. “We have worked with the local community to create authentic shamanic and spiritual experiences.” 

On the final day, the group gathers around one last time in a circle for a heart-healthy “drink of the gods” ceremony.  A spiritual healer leads the group in a meditative chant while copal (incense for the gods) is burned. After a personal smudging, everyone drinks a concoction with cinnamon, chili, vanilla, sugarcane and pure cacao—a superfood with magnesium and calcium. The drink offers a bit of euphoria and an endorphin kick— especially after not having anything decadent for the whole week. The ceremony ends after more mindful practices lying on a yoga mat, then awakened by chimes. 

This is a great program for people wanting to kick-start a wellness plan, or to add a little spice to your existing one. It is also a great team-building retreat for corporations who are looking to whisk away C-Suite executives. “We are on this journey together,” said Bourgeois. “This is not competitive and it’s a boutique setting where we can all gather around the table for meals.”

“We are open to all levels of fitness, and we encourage everybody to be a better version of themselves each day they are here,” said Penteado. “Come with an open heart and an open mind and let the retreat guide you. Everyone has a different experience.”

If you do push it too far out of your comfort zone, there is a doctor on call and Penteado can always guide you through personal stretches to work out any kinks – or whip out the Theragun. “This is a safe place,” Penteado told the Courier. “We encourage you to show up, and maybe you will break through some fears.”

Rates for the six-night sojourn are $7,900 per person (meals, massage, yoga and activities, laundry and round-trip airport transfers included). Private four-night retreats can be customized as well. zihfit.com

Origins Lodge in Costa Rica

Another Latin American spot that takes wellness—and cacao—seriously is at Origins Lodge in Costa Rica. This sustainable holistic haven is enshrouded in the dense jungle setting of Upala with only seven luxury villas amidst 111 acres of verdant rainforest and the cascading Oro waterfall. All this can be reached in just 1 1/2 hours from Liberia Airport in Alajuela. 

Each accommodation is an eco-lux tree house featuring a private deck with a warm plunge pool heated by a wood stove. As you soak or lounge on the daybed, the expansive jungle view is the closest thing to an African safari you will experience on this side of the world. Cicadas lull you while colorful Toucans perch on trees that also swing with howler monkeys, against a chorus of croaking frogs. 

For another type of submersion, the Lake Tii Spa Suite offers a traditional cacao treatment where the actual beans grown on the property are used. You start by sipping a hot ceremonial cacao beverage to cleanse the chakras and let the energy flow before the body exfoliation with cacao and coffee beans for detoxification. Then you are covered in volcanic clay and wrapped in anisillo leaves. The finale is a soothing cacao-coffee moisturizing massage.

As for dining, your multi-coursed meals will be served at the open-air El Sato restaurant overlooking the infinity pool and jungle vista. The kitchen staff can pluck much of the fruits and veggies for the seasonal menus from the on-site organic gardens where 250 different species of local plants and medicinal herbs grow freely. Costa Rican chestnuts and l’araza, a fruit used in juice or marmalades, are among the bounty.  Fifteen beehives provide Mélipona honey that is considered the best in Costa Rica surrounded by 10 lakes where fish such as tilapia and sardines are sourced. 

This is the only culinary program in the region that is overseen by European Chef Yann Berger, who has worked in many Michelin-star restaurants from France to Norway. While this area is not typically known for its cuisine, Chef Berger is changing that with his vision of sustainable, healthy fine dining and Central American cuisine blending Portuguese and Spanish influences. His traditional carnitas pork dish is influenced by Nicaraguan cooking, and he is also a master of soups made with fresh veggies from the garden, plus his showstopping mushroom risotto is made without cream. “I think we should go to the forest, not the pharmacy,” he told the Courier. “You can bring me any produce and I know what to do with it after I taste it.”

Beans, rice, and corn are grown locally in abundance and can be found in many of the dishes, but signature staples include sweet potato pancakes, coffee ground smoked trout, roasted pumpkin with papaya, avocado and grilled pistachio, roasted rack of lamb with plantain puree and lemon grass braised chayote, and quinoa stuffed tomato, cooked cabbage in ginger and red wine with passion fruit sauce. You can have wine with dinner, but rum is the national drink of choice, and the rustic wooden bar also overlooks the jungle where drinks are mixed with fresh mint from the garden. 

While the dining here is a draw, there are plenty of trails to hike on the property after a meal, including a nocturnal walk near the pond. At sunrise, head to the yoga pavilion surrounded by jungle flora for a class. During the day, a trek to the waterfall on the property, followed by horseback riding, paddle-boarding, kayaking, or rafting on the Nicaraguan River will keep you active. 

This property is great for a group buyout or anyone looking to escape with a digital detox and plenty of natural distractions. Due to popular demand, Origins is expanding to add a family-friendly second location on the grounds for group travel in 2025.

Double rates start at $2,416 for a two-night minimum. originslodge.com  

The post The Wellness Scene from Mexico to Costa Rica appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Burton House Beverly Hills, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is a high-end lifestyle collection by Marriott Hotels that officially opened on May 8. The hotel name pays homage to the “Father of Beverly Hills,” oilman and real estate developer Burton Edmond Green, who co-founded the Rodeo Land and Water Company in 1906 and named the city Beverly Hills in 1914. 

Following a multimillion-dollar transformation overseen by the property’s Asset Manager Seaview Investors, LLC (a privately-owned hotel investment firm based in Newport Beach), the hotel (which is actually Beverly Hills-adjacent) holds 193 guest rooms and 1,000 square feet of meeting space. The property is managed by Azul Hospitality Group, a San Diego-based hospitality management platform.

While the hotel moniker has a storied past in the city, the new property has modern, cutting-edge amenities such as a robot butler.  “Beverly (the robot butler) is used for guest deliveries and is an additional tool for the front desk team to help guests get items quickly, in a fun and interesting way,” General Manager Steve Dodaro told the Courier. 

On the same note, realizing the need to offer more wellness options to its guests than just a gym with treadmills and Peloton bikes, a yoga and Pilates studio was added to the basement fitness space. Dodaro noted, “Guests and non-guests can book our schedule of classes at mindbodyonline.com. The rate is only $15 for a 60-minute class and $5 for 90 minutes of valet parking.”

For an energy pick-me-up on your way to the parking garage, the coolest hotel amenity is the large Sprinkles vending machine in the lobby that holds a good variety of cupcake flavors and chocolates for purchase, just like the original shop in Beverly Hills. 

The Emerald Lounge is a social hub and a nod to Beverly Hills’ beautiful greenery, which is divided into three sections: a reception counter, a coffee bar serving espresso drinks and pastries, and a central bar offering a selection of libations and lite bites. The 35-seat indoor-outdoor California-Mediterranean restaurant will offer breakfast and light fare, as well as in-room dining. Signature dishes include flatbreads, salads, plant-based dishes and meat options, next to an onsite market offering fresh snacks, sandwiches and meals to go.

And no lobby bar-lounge trying to make a name in the city would be complete without a signature cocktail. The “Beverly Skyline” features Beverly High Rye, green chartreuse, lime and salted cashew orgeat. “We take great pride in supporting the Beverly Hills community and curating unique experiences within it,” Andrew Borenzweig, Founder and CEO of Beverly Spirits, who produces Beverly High Rye, told the Courier. “Burton House Hotel is a welcomed addition to the community that is led by a welcoming and passionate group of people. Drawing inspiration from the lush aesthetic of the Emerald Lounge, we designed a special cocktail to celebrate this exciting new opening.” The brand has also provided Mastro’s steakhouse and the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, among others, with creative cocktail collaborations. 

Look for future community activations for locals and a variety of guest experiences such as wine tastings, happy hour, and the hotel is working to develop a guest experience with a local lab-grown gem company.

The overall design of the property was completed by Wimberly Interiors evoking a 1930s casual glamour meets chic modern era. This was completed by using historic architectural details and comfortable furnishings with warm tones and natural materials for a residential feel. The design firm collaborated with Eaton Fine Art (in Austin, Texas) to curate the art collection found throughout the suites and public spaces. Characteristics of both Hollywood Regency and Art Deco styles can be found throughout the property with mirrored wall treatments, lacquered and metallic finishes on the furniture, and the signature use of black and white, such as a checkerboard floor in the lobby’s dining area.  

As for the rooms, the hotel features oversized suites, from king to queen and extended stay suites, along with one and two-bedroom suites. Each accommodation feels like an urban apartment with separate sleeping and living areas, a sofa bed, and 55-inch TVs. Kitchenettes come complete with convection-microwave ovens, refrigerators, coffee-tea service, and sitting areas.

Graphic wallpaper framing the bed was inspired by the natural topography of Southern California, while the furniture in the suites reflects a lot of the Art Deco and post-war Modernism that was prevalent during Burton E. Green’s time. From the lighting to the dining chairs, each piece of furniture was curated and designed to mirror the essence of that time.

Burton House should appeal to a budget conscious traveler—not to mention, longtime fans of Factor’s Famous Deli across the street on Pico Boulevard. This is not a 5-star property in the Golden Triangle, but a more casual option that should attract business commuters or out-of-town guests and family who want to stay for a month and not wear out their welcome in your guest room. And the property is dog friendly with a deposit of $150 per pet, per stay.

Rates will vary based on the day of the week and seasonality, starting at $220 per night for a standard queen room. While they do not offer monthly rates, an extended stay rate will be calculated based on the average of each nightly rate. Check www.marriott.com for the best deals.

The hotel is located at 1177 South Beverly Drive, Los Angeles. For more information, visit burtonhousehotel.com. 

The post Burton House Beverly Hills Opens on South Beverly Drive appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Pieces in the Kathy Hilton x Anna Zuckerman collection range from “diamond” studs to pendant necklaces, bracelets, bands and cocktail rings. 

The designs are made by repurposing salvaged lab-grown diamonds and gem materials that would otherwise go to waste. Zuckerman’s innovative approach extends the life cycle of existing materials, such as Diamond Crystalline™, a man-made gem that is so similar in appearance to a genuine diamond, that it apparently takes a trained eye to spot the difference, while contributing to a more sustainable future for the industry.

“I am a jewelry lover first and foremost,” Hilton told the Courier. She also noted that the pieces are perfect for taking on vacation. 

“This is my travel jewelry,” said Hilton. “If something happens you are not going to lose sleep over it. We have insurance, but you never want to use it.”

Hilton, who operated a successful retail home store on Sunset Plaza Drive for close to a decade, and a fashion line sold in Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, also acknowledged the rise of thefts in Beverly Hills in recent years. “I put my jewelry away during the pandemic,” she said. “I wasn’t going anywhere and don’t want to live in fear or to be a prisoner of my possessions.” 

Zuckerman added, “After the pandemic, we are smarter and more careful about investment pieces. This is not a big investment in the same way other luxury pleasures like art and designer bags, which retain resale value, but not fine jewelry. This way you can wear a new piece every day and it will not break the bank.”

The duo hopes this new line will empower women to treat themselves without spending the big bucks. 

“I do not buy myself large expensive pieces anymore, said Hilton, “But this is something you can afford to treat yourself to.” 

The post Kathy Hilton Launches Affordable Jewelry Collection appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The globally recognized design fair took place from May 16-20 on the grounds of the massive 30,000-square-foot mansion once owned by Sidney Sheldon and Max Azria of BCBG retail fame. 

Design Miami CEO Jen Roberts said, “2024 is a year of evolution for Design Miami, as we continue to reach wider audiences through our expanding programming and ever-growing creative network.” Designed by Henrik Purienne, Global Creative Director for 2024, Design Miami LA’s concept was based on “Living with Design.”

As a testament to California’s rich design heritage, from the post-war mid-century design boom and car culture to the entertainment industry and space-age engineering, the fair was curated by Ashlee Harrison, who successfully bridged the gap of the past with the present, while exploring how the city continues to inspire global design conversations. “This edition of Design Miami LA was centered on the themes of eclecticism, imagination and nostalgia that have informed the city’s design landscape, bringing together some of the world’s leading international design galleries and voices,” said Harrison.

Some of the top exhibitors who came from Melbourne to Monaco, and took over almost every inch of the estate from both floors of the main dwelling to the pool house, included Carpenters Workshop Gallery, London/Paris/New York/Los Angeles; Gallery FUMI, London; Galerie Negropontes, Paris; Lebreton, Monaco; and Nick Thomm, Melbourne/Los Angeles. Popular local galleries included The Future Perfect, Los Angeles/New York; Southern Guild, Los Angeles/Cape Town; and James de Wulf, Los Angeles.

Iconic works that have rarely been seen were handpicked by Harrison and included George Nakashima’s 1985 Sanso table, represented by Moderne Gallery in Philadelphia, and Nacho Carbonell who works with industrial materials in an organic iteration such as the welded steel tree structure lamp, presented by Carpenters Workshop Gallery; and the stuffed-animal chair collaboration between KAWS and Estudio Campana, represented by local gallery Friedman Benda, which has never before been shown in Los Angeles.

New collections included Wexler Gallery’s exhibition, “Unleashed Creativity” with local LA designer and artist Gulla Jónsdóttir and her Puzzle Table, along with the debut of G U L L A jewelry. Inspired by her own architectural projects, the jewelry pieces are sculptural in their form, translating it into wearable art.

Making its West Coast exhibition debut, Todd Merrill Studio (New York), who had one of the most Instagrammable canary yellow curved sectional sofas featured from his exhibition, commented, “We were very happy that this fair was created by the new management at Design Miami, specifically because there has never been a good design fair in Los Angeles. Los Angeles has one of the best real estate markets in the country, with amazing homes that continually appreciate. We have many clients in LA but no fair venue, so this is a wonderful opportunity to bring the best of high-end design to LA from our studio.”

Friedman Benda (New York/Los Angeles) presented a group exhibition, with an emphasis on LA-based design practices highlighting works from Darren Romanelli, Carmen D’Apollonio, Farrell Hundley, Misha Kahn and Samuel Ross.  Marc Benda told the Courier, “We believe LA is a major center for showing and contextualizing contemporary design. Design Miami Los Angeles is an opportunity to engage with a community that has enormous potential.” Continuing that theme after the first day of the fair, on May 16, behind the Chateau Marmont, Friedman Benda’s also had an opening cocktail reception for two standout shows at its private gallery space for Carmen D’Apollonio and Jake Clark.

The new MC+ Design Studio in West Hollywood (in the original Spago building above Sunset Boulevard) showcased new work with Twentieth Gallery from lighting to sculptures. Founded in California in 2023 by the visionary minds of Mattia Biagi and Cardenio Petrucci, the dynamic, full-service design studio with a global footprint, is drawing from extensive expertise in residential, retail and hospitality projects.

As for the booming at-home spa-wellness sector, ATRA introduced the MORPHUS Lounge Chair. This sensory seat comes with headphones for a musical journey and LED light therapy goggles which sync with vibrations in the cushions, offering benefits like stress relief and pain management.  “We are bringing biohacking to a new home audience, and California being a wellness culture, it’s a natural fit between wellness and design,” said Managing Partner James Williams. “It’s making it much more accessible, which a lot of developers and designers are seeking now.”

Sponsors and collaborators included producer Ryan Murphy, designer Kely Wearstler, Kohler and Sainte Marguerite en Provence, the exclusive rosé sponsor of the fair, who poured both the Symphonie and Fantastique 2022 selections to the guests over the weekend.

Other Parties Surrounding the Fair

Curator of the Arts at Hotel Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel, Jim Hedges has acquired more Andy Warhol photography than anyone else in the world. Hedges also curated the Warhol rare photography exhibit at Design Miami LA and hosted a welcome cocktail reception for the fair on May 14 at the Polo Private Room at The Beverly Hills Hotel.  “This was a great opportunity to welcome the community; we want to be supportive of all the arts and cultural initiatives that are coming to Los Angeles,” Hedges told the Courier. “The city doesn’t have anything like this, but we have such a great design and architectural heritage.” As Hedges pointed out, “It was a great collaboration since Paul R. Williams designed the Crescent Wing [at the hotel] and even the font for the signage.”

On the eve before the Design Miami LA launch, a curator and collector dinner, hosted by the Wall Street Journal, was held on the grounds of the William’s estate on May 15, which brought out participating artists, designers and gallery owners for an alfresco, candlelit gathering.

On the same evening, over at The Wallis, The Rosewood Residences Beverly Hills, held a launch party (hosted by Compass Development Group), after the UPFRONTS event property presentation hosted by The SOCIETY Group and also sponsored by The Wall Street Journal. The crowd got a peek at the new Rosewood  Penthouse A (one of four in the Estate Collection, designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen), along with other global properties such as the OWO Residences by Raffles in London. In attendance at the event  were Kurt Rappaport, Fredrik Eklund, Linda May,  Matt Altman, Paul Lester and Lea Porter, among other local real estate dynamos who noshed on Wolfgang Puck catering while sipping on mini-COUP Champagne bottles. And, the upshot is LA now has a world-class design fair to help fill some of these new residences coming to Beverly Hills. 

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The Maybourne Beverly Hills

One of the most pleasant ways to spend an afternoon in Beverly Hills is sitting at The Terrace overlooking Beverly Gardens Park. This Mother’s Day, The Maybourne Beverly Hills will present a mezze-style brunch, with crunchy crudités and dips, along with Mediterranean starters and entrées. For extra indulgence, try the Fruit de Mer platter, with optional caviar service. Sharable desserts will also be served. The price is $195 per person. For reservations go to opentable.com.

Before or after the brunch service, mom can also visit the spa for a special menu honoring her. It starts with complimentary Champagne for all the mothers on Sunday, along with a beautiful floral arrangement to take home. Treatments range from Dr. Sturm’s anti-aging facial and Knesko mask to hot stone massage with aromatherapy. Prices start at $275 for 60 minutes. To book, visit maybournebeverlyhills.com/the-spa-at-the-maybourne/.

Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel

This year, brunch at THE Blvd includes three courses with indoor and outdoor seating options and views of the action on Rodeo Drive. Brunch will run from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., but if you want to enjoy the live jazz band, book from noon to 3 p.m. The prix-fixe menu by Chef Rafael Alcala comes with fruit and yogurt for the table as well as coffee or tea and juice. First course options include, among other salads on offer, the signature fluffy pancakes,  huevos rancheros or smoked salmon. For the second course, Maine lobster eggs Benedict, mushroom ravioli, Dover sole, wagyu flat iron steak or the avocado elote and crab toast are among the bevy of choices. Finish the meal with Chef Riccardo Menicucci’s impressive pastry and dessert buffet. A station will be set up for children to create Mother’s Day cards, and moms will also receive a beautiful, small flower bouquet to take home. The price for the brunch is $175 per person and it can be booked at exploretock.com/theblvd/.

After brunch, why not treat mom to some additional pampering in the hotel’s spa? Every mother will receive a complimentary Rose Gold Mask enhancement to any facial or massage service enjoyed on Mother’s Day. They will also have access to the spa facilities, which include a tranquility lounge, eucalyptus steam room, ice fountain and experience shower; as well as the Mediterranean-style pool and jacuzzi, bi-level fitness center and complimentary valet parking. To book, go to na.spatime.com/fsbw90212/17443453/home.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and The Beverly Hilton

It would be an understatement to say that the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills has a lot to offer moms this year. The Astor Ballroom will feature a grand buffet brunch with live music. Acclaimed Chef Steve Benjamin and the culinary team will present multiple chef-led food stations featuring fresh seafood, a sushi bar, meat carving, an assortment of sweets, along with a mimosa and Bloody Mary bar. The first seating is at 11 a.m. and second seating is at 2 p.m. Prices start at $165 for adults and $60 for children under 12. For reservations, visit eventbrite.com.

Also at the Waldorf Astoria, Espelette will celebrate with a three-course, farm-to-table and land-to-sea chef’s curated brunch menu from noon to 4 p.m. Prices start at $135 for adults and $55 for children under 12. For reservations visit opentable.com.

Meanwhile, in the lobby, Mother’s Day Afternoon High Tea is available throughout the month of May on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. It features an exclusive TEALEAVES tea blend crafted for mom’s big day, along with Champagne from Veuve Clicquot and live music. From $110 per person, you can make reservations at opentable.com.

On the beauty side, acclaimed British facialist, Adeela Crown launches an exclusive residency at the hotel’s La Prairie Spa from May 10-24. The celebrity facialist will bring her customized luxe treatments to the five-star spa with a menu of new treatment options incorporating La Prairie products. Guests can choose one of the popular facials, including White Caviar, Gold Radiance and Platinum Rare, to be performed by Crown herself in the hotel’s spa, which is the only La Prairie Spa in Southern California.  Reservations are by appointment only and can be made by emailing hello@adeelacrown.com.

Next door at The Beverly Hilton, spectacular views are on the Mother’s Day brunch menu. The venue is Circa 55, now located on the hotel’s rooftop. The expansive menu offers a wide selection of classic favorites and specialty stations from build-your-own omelet to sushi or sweet and savory beignets. Available on May 12 only from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The price is $155+ per person and $60 for children 12 and under. For reservations visit opentable.com.

Hotel Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel

It’s always a treat to walk over the bridge across a swan-filled pond for a tucked-away meal on the patio, or by the fireplace of The Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air. New Culinary Director Joe Garcia, whose background includes Bicyclette and The French Laundry, is crafting a menu of modern California cuisine with an influence from the Mediterranean. Available Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the weekend brunch menu includes classics such as huevos rancheros and buttermilk blueberry pancakes. 

Just a stone’s throw from the dining room, treat mom to an afternoon of relaxation at The Spa. A new Oxylight facial is designed to transform skin one session, using Valmont products combined with LED, oxygen, microcurrent, resurfacing and ultrasound. The treatment is $850 for 90 minutes. 

At sister property The Beverly Hills Hotel, there is also exciting new food news. Chef Ashley James has returned to Los Angeles and is now the culinary director at the hotel. Expect a special prix fixe menu for lunch and dinner at the Polo Lounge on Mother’s Day. The price is $240 per person, and menu highlights include zucchini blossom veloute soup, Maine lobster risotto, and mushroom, spinach-baked lasagna to name a few standouts. 

You can also treat mom to a Marilyn Monroe massage in the hotel spa featuring CBD products and Himalayan salt stones, priced at $500 for 90 minutes. To book any of the experiences above, visit dorchestercollection.com. 

Fairmont Century Plaza

The Fairmont Century Plaza will celebrate mothers throughout May beginning with a brunch on May 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the French brasserie, Lumière. Menu highlights will include avocado toast, buttermilk pancakes, shakshuka and chicken and waffles. In addition to the à la carte menu, the brunch will feature gratitude stations for moms including flower crowns, tarot reading and a watercolorist. For reservations visit, Lumiere.com. 

The hotel’s award-winning Spa will offer numerous Mother’s Day treatments throughout the month of May. Options for mom include a “Moment for Me” massage, a “Matahari Mom” massage and facial, the “Goddess Treatment” massage, and a “Mani. Pedi. Mama.” Book at fairmontcenturyplaza.com. 

More Dining Options Around Town

If you have a day of shopping planned on Rodeo Drive, Gucci Osteria Beverly Hills will offer a special Mother’s Day Brunch on May 12. Priced at $145 per person, the experience will feature four distinct courses composed of standout dishes such as spinach-filled crepe with bechamel, crispy pancetta and sage, crispy enoki mushroom with seaweed aioli and bubu arare, and a Monte Bianco pavlova with chestnut, rum and chocolate. And, do not skip the Champagne cart. For reservations visit Gucciosteria.com.

Ocean Prime on Wilshire Boulevard only offers brunch three times a year and Mother’s Day is one of those special occasions. The team wants to offer a toast to all the mother figures who raised us. Opening at 11 a.m., the brunch menu at the surf and turf eatery will feature crabcake eggs Benedict, brioche French toast and smoked salmon latke. To pair with the sweet and savory brunch menu, specialty cocktails include a dragon fruit mojito, mango tequila sour or classic Bloody Mary. Make reservations at Ocean-prime.com.

On Canon Drive, Mastro’s Mother’s Day special includes a brunch with an iced seafood tower, steak-carving station, live entertainment and a decadent dessert display. The brunch is only offered on May 12 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The price is $135 per person, and reservations can be made at mastrosrestaurants.com. 

Beverly Hills’ only Mexican steakhouse, The Hideaway, will offer a three-course menu for $85 per person from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Mother’s Day. Favorite offerings include the tuna tartare pequenitos and pescado zarandeado, as well as one-day-only specials, such as cured salmon potato tostaditas, honey-baked ham and eggs Benedict, and guava cream French toast. Make reservations at thehideawaybeverlyhills.com.

More Beauty in Beverly Hills

Modern Esthetics on Canon Drive is a family-owned, cheerful and convenient day spa that features cutting-edge modern medispa treatments. They also specialize in bespoke facials by French skincare brand Biologique Recherche ($250 for 60 minutes) or Keravive for a scalp hydrofacial. Either one would be a great idea to gift mom this year. The spa is open Tuesday-Saturday, and reservations are available at modernesthetics.com. 

After a recent star-studded launch party at the rooftop spa at the Waldorf Astoria, celebrity dermatologist Dr. Ava Shambam has launched Althea Skin, a new brand that has targeted skincare through research on circadian rhythm and clock genes. The Cara is the next-gen beauty device designed to help absorb the products into your face and neck. To book an appointment at her Santa Monica Boulevard office, visit avamd.com.

For a pampering foot massage right on Beverly Drive, BAO Foot Spa specializes in foot reflexology with treatments utilizing this ancient Chinese art. The result will increase blood flow and rejuvenate the nerves all over your body. Prices start at $40 for 30 minutes. To book, visit baofootspa.com. 

For an elevated nail salon experience, make plans to visit Townhouse with your mom when it officially opens on May 23. Launched by Juanita Huber-Millet, founder of the “5-star nail service” in London, the brand’s flagship U.S. location will be in Beverly Hills just off Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard. 

With 40 locations currently open in the U.K., celebrity fans of Townhouse include Margot Robbie, Drake, Kim Cattrall and Emilia Clarke. This upscale salon features everything from hard gel extensions to nail art and more. “When it comes to nails, in the beauty industry, we have been left behind,” Huber-Millet told the Courier.  

The nail brand plans to revolutionize the U.S. industry with its “better for you” products, the latest technology, and offering European-style benefits (including 28-day paid holidays) for their staff to truly nurture their craft and growth.  But, the best part might just be, as part of the “Flawless Finish Guarantee,” if your gel manicure is damaged within 7 days, it will be fixed for free. Also, look for future collaborations with brands such as Chanel and Givenchy. Manicure prices start at $54, and appointments are available now at townhousebeauty.com. 

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Honorary Chairs Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks, along with Gala Chairs Jamie Alexander Tisch, Kelly Chapman Meyer, Quinn Ezralow, Anastasia Soare, and Co-Chairs NJ Falk, Tom Ford, Kris Levine, Judy and Leonard Lauder, Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson and Richard J Stephenson, Steve Tisch and Lori Kanter Tritsch and William P. Lauder, were all in attendance. The evening featured several honorees as well as tributes to cancer survivors and the memory of those impacted by cancer.

“There isn’t a person in this room who has not been touched by this,” said Hanks before he took the stage.

The Beverly Wilshire ballroom was decorated in mauve and lavender hues with red rose floral arrangements by Eric Buterbaugh who was in attendance with Melanie Griffith. Guests dined on Scottish smoked salmon carpaccio, Mary’s organic grilled chicken, and a mixed berry salad with lemon yogurt semifreddo. 

Philanthropist Wallis Annenberg received the 2024 Unsung Hero Award, presented by Jamie Alexander Tisch and Rita Wilson, for her dedication to fighting cancer through the Annenberg Foundation. Wilson introduced Annenberg as an “unsung hero, a dear friend, longtime supporter and visionary force for good in our community and world today.” During her acceptance speech, Annenberg said, “Information has the power to heal, to transform, to revitalize—that is why we all need to band together, to work together, for the Women’s Cancer Research Fund, to keep the information coming.” Annenberg also announced her gift of $1 million dollars to support the WCRF.

A Special Tribute video from actor and producer Michael Douglas announced a $500,000 pledge to the Women’s Cancer Research Fund in honor of the late Anne Douglas.

Actress Demi Moore, in a black Gucci gown, received the 2024 Courage Award, also presented by Rita Wilson, for her support and dedication to raising awareness for breast cancer. Moore, who came to the event with her Aunt Deanna, a breast cancer survivor, said during her acceptance speech, “This award is truly for the sisterhood of incredible women who have shown me what courage looks like. Women like my aunt who survived breast cancer and has been free of it for 18 years. As women, we don’t get to be courageous just once. We have to do it every damn day. And we cannot, will not, do it alone.”

Grammy Award-winning artist Sting, clad in a black mock turtleneck and high-top sneakers, sat on a black stool while singing “My One and Only Love” acapella before playing his electric-acoustic guitar and dedicating “Fields of Gold” to his wife Trudi Styler, and his mother whom he lost to breast cancer over 30 years ago. He also performed a heartfelt version of “Every Breath You Take.”

Other guests in attendance included Sofia Vergara, Nia Vardalos, Ashley Greene, Carly Steel, Chord Overstreet, Crystal Kung Minkoff, Cynthia Bailey, Jesse Johnson, Jonathan Simkhai, Justin Sylvester, Kathy and Rick Hilton, Josh Flagg, Gigi Gharai, Kayla Ewell, Keni Silva, Kyle Richards, Lisa Rinna, Lori Loughlin, Monique Lhuillier, Martin and Kelly Katz, Rachel Zoe, Alina Cho and Tanner Novlan.

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A 15-foot-tall Airedale Terrier robotically sculpted out of resin, towered over guests as they arrived and mingled on grass-inspired carpeting dotted with daisy sculptures. Staff wore floral brooches and carried trays of fruity cocktails and Champagne. 

The immersive springtime fantasy transformation of the space was an interpretation of Tyler, The Creator’s House Codes, a nod to the recurring motif and the artist’s visual universe. Other standout décor props included a mid-air propeller plane and a soap box derby car constructed from a Louis Vuitton trunk, covered in the Craggy Monogram, hand-drawn by the artist, in shades of chocolate, vanilla and patisserie pastels. 

Upstairs, music from DJ Blondie Beach entertained the crowd watching artisans hand paint logos on a monogrammed hard-sided trunk.

L.A. Laker Jarred Vanderbilt, donning a pair of shades from William’s first collection, bought a sweater and admired accessories from trunks and bags to hats. “I came to look at this dope collection!” he told the Courier. “Tyler, The Creator, and Pharrell did an amazing job. I wanted to come and see it in person and give support.”

The collection brings together the signature preppy aesthetic of Tyler, The Creator—who most recently composed the soundtrack for the Fall-Winter 2022 Men’s Show, and Louis Vuitton, along with Williams’ signature elegant approach.

In a statement, Williams said, “This collaboration is unique to Louis Vuitton because it’s a natural extension of our LVERS philosophy, building on our network of incredible artists and creatives. There are so many elements specific to Tyler built into these pieces, and it’s been inspiring to see him hone in on his craft and collaborate with him for this Spring collection.”

Currently on display at the Rodeo store, the collection includes chunky gold jewelry, leather goods, sports-inspired pieces such as Sac Golf and a mini cross-body golf bag, ready-to-wear from aviator to varsity jackets, knitwear, denim, raincoats, and shoes including loafers, along with a traveling chess board.

Guests explored the colorful parklike setting of this unique to Beverly Hills activation, while enjoying tray-passed bites including some of Tyler, The Creator’s favorite comfort foods such as Tater Tots topped with caviar, cheeseburgers, fries, waffles and donuts.

“My main focus was making things I would wear all the time,” said Tyler, The Creator in a statement released by Louis Vuitton. “I dress the same in a meeting as I do a performance or grocery store trip, so hand drawing the monogram felt like the perfect balance to me. The chessboard is one of the greatest things I’ve made and is definitely my favorite thing from the collection.”

Celebrity attendees included Donald Glover, Barry Keoghan, Steven Yeun, Jaden Smith, Peso Pluma, Julez Smith Jr., Cam Hicks, Paul Downs, Lionel Boyce, A$AP Nast, Travis Bennett and many more. 

Filmmaker Andrew Panay, last seen seated next to Beyonce at the Louis Vuitton Paris show in February, told the Courier, “I love the brand and have been a fan for as long as I can afford it! All joking aside, I love Pharrell and I think the work is spectacular. They walk a fine line between edge and elegance. For men, the fact that they are getting into this brand is really special. It was incredibly emotional to watch someone like him transcend into a different world—from being a musician.”

Panay who works with some of the world’s largest brands from T-Mobile, Microsoft and Google and was responsible for three Super Bowl commercials this year, along with hit films such as “Wedding Crashers” and “National Lampoon’s Van Wilder,” was also gaining creative inspiration from the color palettes and displays. “I will probably shop more and get a few fun pieces. There is a lot happening tonight.” 

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As soon as the last award is given at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony this Sunday, March 10, guests from Bradley Cooper to Margot Robbie and Steven Spielberg will head to the Governors Ball where Master Chef Wolfgang Puck and his team of 120 chefs will cater a lavish spread with small plate food stations, tray-passed treats and a buffet of sweets.

Puck has been throwing this party for the past 30 years and for over a dozen years, his 29-year-old son Byron Lazaroff-Puck has become an integral part of the event as well.  What is new this year? “Byron is cooking,” quipped Puck. All jokes aside, “Not even close! You need a good team to execute something at this high-level for this many people,” Lazaroff-Puck told the Courier. “And my dad, of course.”

“It can get a little nerve-wracking during those final moments,” Lazaroff-Puck told the Courier. “But whether you are at the ballroom in Hollywood or at Spago in Beverly Hills, the execution and quality is the same,” he added.

“We always do something traditional and then we have new menu items,” added Puck. New on the menu this year is an international array of Spanish paella, Peking duck, and Wagyu beef, plus the Iberico ham carving station will be back.  

Of course, a few favorites from black truffle chicken pot pie to cacio e pepe macaroni and cheese, along with the English pea agnolotti will be back by popular demand. “We always have the smoked salmon Oscars with caviar,” added Puck.  And what would an Oscar celebration be without the famous pizza? This year, the options include a mushroom truffle and a pepperoni with Calabrian honey, to name a few standouts. 

Every sweet tooth will be satisfied with the Norie Reserve Chocolate Oscar pops “spray-painted” with gold, and filled with vegan Scotch Ganache, along with chocolate cigars, bars and eclairs.

Partners for the event include Chefs to End Hunger, Weiser Family Farms and Harry’s Berries to name a few. “With a great team, we can do anything,” said Puck.

Culinary matters aside, Puck is rooting for “Oppenheimer” to win, and his son is excited to hopefully meet Cillian Murphy this year. “I was always a huge fan of ‘Peaky Blinders,’ said the young chef. And to finally see him have the leading role and the way he conducted himself in ‘Oppenheimer,’ getting to feed him will be a treat.”

As for wines, the crowd will be toasting with the newly released Petite Fleur de Miraval, from the only Champagne house exclusively devoted to Rosé, Brad Pitt’s, Château Miraval estate in the South of France. This vintage will be available after the festivities at Dante at Maybourne Beverly Hills.

For the second year, Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Chairman and CEO of Clarendelle Wine will be on hand pouring wines from his fourth-generation family company, Domaine Clarence Dillon. If you will not be attending the ball this year, but hosting an at-home gathering, the premium Bordeaux wines can be found at Wine.com and K&K, from the red and white varietals to a rare La Clarté  de Haut-Brion 2017 and La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion 2010 and coming soon to the wine list at Spago in Beverly Hills.

“Hopefully, they will have some wine left for us, so when it’s over, we can sit down with the whole team,” said Puck.

Don Julio partnered with the Academy for the Governors Ball again this year, with non-alcoholic options from Seedlip. Globally acclaimed mixologist Charles Joly and Mexico Bartender of the Year Israel Barón spent countless hours preparing the cocktail experience—including the 1942 Encore, Round of Applause, and It’s Showtime—made from different tequila expressions.

The drinks will require nearly two tons of watermelons, 12,000 leaves of epazote, over 18,000 kernels of corn, 27,000 sprigs of coriander and enough tarragon to stretch the length of three Olympic-sized pools just to satiate the crowd.

Following the Ball, back in Beverly Hills, pizza will again play a leading role at the Vanity Fair party this year presented by Nespresso. Held at the custom-built venue at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Chef Evan Funke and his Funke in Beverly Hills is catering the star-studded affair. 

Winners and nominees will dine on the award-winning chef’s signature thin-crust pies that will include a classic Buffalo mozzarella margarita, and a citrusy Meyer-lemon Amalfitana with a zing of peperoncino, among others, offered at the chef’s pizza bar, along with ricotta-stuffed zucchini blossoms, fried artichoke, and meatballs. 

An hour-long livestream of the event will be available on both vanityfair.com and Vanity Fair’s YouTube channel. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the 96th Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on March 10 at the new time of 4 p.m. 

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Hyper Local Romance

The first Cipriani in California has opened on Camden Drive, bringing the Italian brand’s classic glamour, Murano chandeliers and Venetian dishes to Beverly Hills. Designed by Florentine architect Michele Bonan, it features polished wood interiors with sophisticated black-and-white fashion photography throughout the space.

Yes, you can order the world-famous Bellinis from sister property Harry’s Bar in Venice, the baked tagliolini with ham and fluffy vanilla meringue cake, but this location also features a Jazz Café with old Hollywood flair. The café is open Thursday-Saturday showcasing a grand piano, zebra-print fabrics and palm tree décor, while the main dining area is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

“We are very excited to open in the heart of Beverly Hills,” said Maggio Cipriani, fourth generation of the Cipriani family and President of Cipriani USA. “In an area that sees many prestigious art and entertainment neighbors, we are looking forward to serving local and international customers alike.” cipriani.com

Sushi Note Omakase is a hidden gem located on the lower level of the Rodeo Collection. The intimate 14-seat hideaway—decorated with imported wood from Japanese Hinoki trees—feels like a secret find on your walk through an alley in Tokyo. A two-hour dining experience includes exceptional imported Japanese market fish prepared by master Head Chef Kuninobu Saito. Selections can range from white shrimp with caviar to scallops with yuzu zest and black truffle salt. And, while you can order premium sake and even a rare bottle for $8,000, the team likes to pair the 20-course omakase meal with an in-depth European wine list. sushinoteomakase.com 

French winemaker and owner of Heritage Fines Wines on Canon Drive Jordane Andrieu has recently expanded to West Hollywood with a full-service European restaurant. Arden on Santa Monica Boulevard features an open-air dining and bar area surrounded by roses from the walls to the ceiling setting a romantic tone. Top entrees include lobster risotto with truffle, Champagne and edible flowers, but they are also offering a special three-course prix fixe dinner on Valentine’s Day, accompanied by a glass of Champagne and a rose. ardenweho.com

If you would like to keep the evening going, grab a nightcap just a few doors down at the intimate new bar Holy Water, designed by Thomas Schoos and co-founded by Woody Harrelson (who also co-owns The Woods next door) serving conscious craft cocktails with a kick. holywaterweho.com

Across the street from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Amour is a new brasserie on Beverly Boulevard that has several different dining experiences. Choose from an indoor tasting menu at La Salle à Manger, à la carte menus on Le Patio, or Le Jardin is another outdoor option.  Chef Dani Chavez-Bello’s (El Bulli, Bouley at Home) menus marry a mix of classic French dining such as traditional boeuf Bourguignon, and lighter options such as steak tartare, sole Meuniere or lavender duck breast. amourweho.love

Local Art Pursuits

For a truly unique outing with loved ones of all ages, Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, located just east of the DTLA Arts District is the first-ever art amusement park. Originally conceived in Hamburg, Germany in 1987, the exhibit features rides, attractions, and interactive installations such as a full-size Ferris wheel by Jean-Michel Basquiat, a carousel by Keith Haring, and Enchanted Tree, a pavilion by David Hockney. Other iconic artists’ works on display include Roy Lichtenstein and Salvador Dali. This radical collaboration of artists from a wide range of notable art movements was transported to Los Angeles by Drake’s entertainment company DreamCrew. Lunaluna.com  

For an equally diverse dining adventure, head to Level 8 at the Moxy/AC Hotel just across the street from the Crypto Arena for a one-of-a-kind dine-around by brothers Jonnie and Mark Houston, who are known for quirky and clever nightlife themes around Los Angeles.

You can keep the carnival atmosphere from Luna Luna going with the Golden Hour carousel bar by the pool; then move on to Mr. Wanderlust cocktail lounge with a live piano player that rotates on a stage from behind the bar, and nibble on hot pots from Lucky Misu reachable by a secret entrance from the bar-lounge. The French-Japanese teppanyaki cuisine at Maison Kasai is overseen by Chef Joshua Gil (formerly Mirame in Beverly Hills) along with Mother of Pearl, an alfresco oyster and ceviche bar. South American live-fire grill cooking from Qué Barbaro and Brown Sheep Taqueria on the terrace are both helmed by Chef Ray Garcia. Sinners y Santos is a cathedral-inspired nightclub with a speakeasy entrance encased in golden skulls.  So, plenty of entertaining options and many are offering Valentine’s Day specials. level8dtla.com

Also downtown at the Convention Center, the LA Art Show will take place from Feb 14-18 with seven participating art institutions for their non-commercial platform, DIVERSEartLA. The solo projects, exploring the intersection of memory, humanity, and AI include MOAH’s “Repairing the Future,” from Osceola Refetoff, AAL Museum (Santiago, Chile) presenting “Be Water” led by contemporary artist, Antuan and Red Line Contemporary Art Center (Denver) presents Laleh Mehran’s Entropic Systems. www.laartshow.com

Closer to home:

The Skirball Cultural Center in Bel Air is showcasing “Common Ground,” a community-activated artwork by Los Angeles–based artist-in-residence Adam Silverman that celebrates American diversity and human connection through shared meals and collaborative installations.

With the help of over 100 participants, Silverman collected clay, water and wood ash from all 50 American states, and the five inhabited U.S. Territories (Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands). He then combined these materials to make a single, fully integrated, new material, to reimagine the country as a single, unified place. The result is a tableware set of 56 plates, 56 bowls, 56 cups, as well as 56 ceremonial pots, which are like one another in form, size and composition, yet each is intentionally unique—just like each human being.

In collaboration with foodways scholar Dr. Scott Alves Barton and supported by local chefs as well as Skirball’s Executive Chef Sean Sheridan, the cultural center will host a series of communal gatherings during this yearlong exhibition, bringing people from different communities together. “The only thing you need to do to be qualified to touch this work of art is eat. It is radically inclusive,” said Skirball Cultural Center President and CEO Jessie Kornberg. “Plenty of artists talk about engaging audiences. Adam literally brought hundreds of people together to make this work and now invites thousands more to be a part of the project through food and conversation.”  

Sheri Bernstein, Skirball Cultural Center Museum Director added, “In presenting ‘Common Ground,’ we hope to help bridge political, cultural and socioeconomic differences by bringing people together through the universal language of food.” “Common Ground” is free and open to the public, on display in the Ruby Commons, adjacent to Zeidler’s Cafe.  

skirball.org/museum/common-ground

At UCLA’s Hammer Museum in Westwood, “Only the Young: Experimental Art in Korea, 1960s-1970s,” is the first exhibition in North America to explore the groundbreaking shifts made by a generation of artists following the Korean War (1950–53). The exhibition features approximately 80 works across various mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, installation and film. 

Before or after the exhibit, you can dine alfresco at iconic food activist Alice Water’s first L.A. restaurant, LULU. The market-driven eatery led by long-time collaborator chef David Tanis, advocates for school-supported agriculture, and former First Lady Michelle Obama was an early guest for the rotating three-course prix fixe menu. You can also sit at the bar and order à la carte amid the tables of fresh produce and fruits that will likely show up in your garden lettuce salad or fruity cocktail. On Valentine’s Day, they are hosting a special prix-fixe dinner with Scribe Winery in Sonoma celebrating their newest releases, including the 2023 SCRIBE Rosé, paired with a 5-course menu.
hammer.ucla.edu/restaurant

Worth the Drive

San Ysidro Ranch celebrated its 130-anniversary in 2023 and continues with a new “Romance at the Ranch” package offering a four-course candlelit dinner, in-room Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, chocolate-covered strawberries, one dozen roses, along with a couple’s activities including horseback riding, bicycle rentals with a to-go picnic basket, an in-room wine tasting with charcuterie, or a couples massage with oils made from citrus grown onsite. You can also book the Kennedy Cottage where JFK and Jackie spent their honeymoon in 1953.

If you just want to go for lunch or dinner, The Secret Cellar is a new seasonally inspired tasting menu by Executive Chef Matthew Johnson taking place amid candlelit in the 14,000-bottle wine cellar. Right next door is the 1920s-style The Speakeasy at Plow & Angel where you can listen to live jazz music with a mix of libations named after famous speakeasies of the past. They also offer an interactive absinthe service with a traditional tableside fountain or rare flights including a bourbon tasting with Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year, and Colonel E.H. Taylor.  

When you need a break on a drive from L.A. to Santa Barbara, consider stopping for a meal at newcomer Ox and Ocean inside Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, an all-suites ocean front resort and part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. The restaurant is led by Executive Chef Damien Giliberti (formerly of Santa Barbara’s Finch & Fork), who incorporates flavors from American, Hispanic, and Asian cuisines with staples like beer-battered fish tacos with chipotle aioli, or eggs benedict with corn fritters and chipotle hollandaise. For Valentine’s Day, there will be a seafood paella and ribeye Tomahawk special. With Oxnard being famous for its local strawberries, the chef pays homage to the region with a signature strawberry hand pie dessert and an elevated take on a childhood staple pop tart with McConnell’s vanilla bean ice cream, and dulce de leche. An expansive indoor-outdoor bar sets the scene for the venue’s perfect sunsets and a selection of local beer and wine. zacharidunes.com

If you are driving down south to catch an early glimpse of the famous flower fields at Carlsbad Ranch, which had an early bloom this year, the Beach Terrace is a newly refurbished hotel right on the sand in the area known as the “Village by the Sea” just outside San Diego. The boutique 48-room property features an oceanfront Shorebreak Pool with firepits and is the only hotel in the area where you can fall asleep and wake up to the soothing crashing waves. Check out the “Celebrate Us” package for the long weekend with a gourmet gift box and other treats. beachterraceinn.com 

The post Celebrating February appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

On Jan. 12, TCM celebrated its 30th anniversary at The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. The crowd of heavy hitters included Steven Spielberg, Paul Thomas Anderson, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group executives Pam Abdy, Mike DeLuca, and David Zaslav, along with TCM Hosts Jacqueline Stewart, Ben Mankiewicz, Alicia Malone, Eddie Muller, and Dave Karger. 

On the same night, the cast of “Succession” met for a dinner at Spago in Beverly Hills to celebrate the previous weekend’s Golden Globes wins and to gear up for the festivities ahead. Emmy-winner Sarah Snook was signing autographs outside of the restaurant for eager fans. 

On Saturday morning, actress Ariana DeBose hosted a brunch at the Mandarin Oriental Residences in Beverly Hills to celebrate Eva Longoria’s directorial debut for Hulu’s “Flamin’ Hot” and her Casa Del Sol tequila. Guests included Jessica Alba, Julianne Hough, Diane Warren, Wilmer Valderrama and Henry R. Muñoz. Longoria, Warren, and Hough were also spotted immediately afterwards at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Tea Party at The Maybourne Beverly Hills. 

The BAFTA Tea Party celebrates talent, contenders, and members in the run-up to the EE BAFTA Film Awards in London on Feb. 18. The garden terrace of The Maybourne was filled with red roses, tea sandwiches, flowing Champagne, and plenty of star power from Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, Julianne Moore, Carey Mulligan, Rosamund Pike, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, America Ferrera, Fantasia Barrino, Greta Gerwig, Cillian Murphy and Paul Giamatti. Other television nominees, Critic’s Choice and Emmy award-winners enjoying the festivities included Brian Cox, Ayo Edebiri, Elizabeth Debicki, Maria Bello and Quinta Brunson. 

First-time attendee, comedian and actor Seth Rogen mingled and posed for selfies with fans. “The flower arrangements are incredible and the Brits dress very nicely,” he told the Courier. “It’s impeccable and, I will never turn down the invitation to somewhere that has little sandwiches, because I’m not crazy,” he quipped.

At the same time, the official Giving Suite at the 75th Emmy Awards Performer Nominee Celebration was taking place at the JW Marriot at L.A. Live downtown. The suite, by Karen Wood and her company Backstage Creations, offered presenters and nominees a selection of luxury goods, and also raised funds for the Television Academy Foundation. Attendees Angela Bassett, Geena Davis, Lorraine Bracco, Niecy Nash, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman and Kelsey Grammer all showed support, along with top vendors Lush Africa Safaris, MORITEK Beauty, Purdori Skincare, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel and more. 

To cap off the three-day weekend in style, HBO | Max held a post-Emmy reception at San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood. Emmy-award-winning cast members of “Succession,” “The White Lotus,” and “Last Week Tonight,” among others, noshed on Caviar Kaspia cones, Italian sandwiches by All’Antico and creative Jell-O Shots by Solid Wiggles. Many guests hit the dance floor late into the night with beats by DJ Este Haim and DJ Mike Taylor. 

The post Celebrating the Return of Awards Season appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The 67-story elegant resort holds a staggering 3,644 rooms and suites, 150,000 square feet of gaming space, an Urs Fischer art gallery, luxury retail shops, a vitality-enhancing spa, beach club and LIV nightclub.

During the black-tie opening night, the lobby was overflowing with red roses by celebrity florist Jeff Leatham (Four Seasons Beverly Hills) and buzzing with “Bleau Carpet” arrivals of A-list celebrities from Lenny Kravitz, Jessica Biel, Eva Longoria and Sylvester Stallone. 

Cher walked hand-in-hand across the casino floor with boyfriend music executive Alexander Edwards while Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston sipped tequila, and 15-time Academy of Country Music Awards winner Keith Urban performed for the crowd.

While thousands of guests mingled amid some of the 36 first-to-market culinary concepts from acclaimed chefs, many of the high-profile attendees were crowding into booths at the Rome-inspired Mother Wolf by Evan Funke (of Funke in Beverly Hills) for pizza, pasta dishes and negroni cocktails. 

Other celebrities, dignitaries, and VIPs checking out the vast offerings included Alice Cooper, Axel Rose, Tyga, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, Las Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, Food Network’s Gail Simmons, Gigi Gorgeous (Getty), and the onsite LIV club resident DJ John Summit.

While the hotel ushered in a new wave of sophistication – there are no neon signs on the property exterior – 10-time Grammy Award winner Justin Timberlake brought “Sexy Back” by opening the Bleaulive Theater with a surprise performance around 10:30 p.m. In the crowd were Kim Kardashian and Kendal Jenner who jetted in for the opening night performance, which included the pop stars repertoire from “Suite & Tie” to “Cry Me a River,” and plenty of smooth dance moves which sparked rumors of an upcoming residency. 

Legendary Paul Anka opened for Timberlake with a set that included a rendition of his hit song “My Way,” along with nostalgic tales of performing at the original Miami location, his time working with Frank Sinatra and hanging out with the “Rat Pack” back in the day, bringing this new legacy full circle.

Following the performance, Timberlake was joined by football icon Tom Brady, Fontainebleau Development Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Soffer and President Brett Mufson in the high-limit salon to make history by rolling the first dice, signifying the official opening to the public. 

“The Fontainebleau era in Las Vegas begins now,” says Soffer. “This magnificent resort is a testament to our 70-year commitment to excellence, a catalyst that will change the way the world views luxury hospitality and design on the Strip.”
fontainebleaulasvegas.com  

The post The Las Vegas Scene appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Here, we introduce a few of these women, each representing a different facet of the colorful mosaic that comprises The Wallis. Debbie Allen, who needs no introduction, has been instrumental in bringing dance to the center and to the community of Beverly Hills and beyond. As a board member of The Wallis, Executive Director of the Annenberg Foundation (and the right-hand woman to Wallis herself) Cinny Kennard exerts her influence behind the scenes, keeping in close contact with The Wallis Executive Director and CEO Robert van Leer to ensure the institution receives the support it needs from the foundation. Last month, Daphna Nazarian was named Executive Vice Chair of the board of directors at The Wallis. She has been one of the key figures helping to raise the necessary funds to keep the center’s many community outreach educational programs going and expanding.

Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen’s contribution to the world of dance is indisputable and immeasurable. 

To many, she might best be remembered for her award-winning performances as the hard-nosed principal choreographer at a fictional performing arts school in the hit ‘80s TV show “Fame.” But Allen has worn many hats in her career: actress, dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, director and producer. She has won six Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe and five NAACP Image Awards, among many others.  Allen was appointed by President George W. Bush to represent the United States as a Cultural Ambassador of Dance. She has the distinction of being named a Kennedy Center Honoree with an artist in residence there for over 15 years.

Allen has long been a leader in the arts and has taught and mentored generation after generation from communities that otherwise would not have the support to pursue dance. She also sits on the board at The Wallis and has played an important role in bringing people from every age and background to the city of Beverly Hills together in celebration of dance.

In fact, her influence at The Wallis was there from the very beginning when it was still a post office. Wallis Annenberg had invited her to an initial meeting where conversations were centered around the architecture, and what was going to go where. Allen sat back and listened before chiming in, “The architecture? Where is the dance studio?”

Years ago, Allen’s sister, actress Felicia Rashad, introduced her to Annenberg. The pair later met for lunch and over the course of that meal, Allen shared her plans to build a dance school that would focus on underserved Black and Latino communities. By the time the check came, Wallis had offered a grant to help make it possible. In 2001, Allen opened the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. (Last year, the Academy moved into a new facility inside the Rhimes Performing Arts Center in Mid-City. The 25,000-square-foot space was donated by TV powerhouse Shonda Rhimes.)

Annenberg and Allen remained close over the years, and when plans for The Wallis were taking shape, Allen was asked for her input. 

“I think that for me, the most fulfilling thing was to help them understand that the footprint has to be open to the community,” Allen said. “When you go to Europe and places all over the world, there are squares everywhere that are busy with people drinking tea or sipping wine while they enjoy performances around them. The Wallis has that footprint in that wonderful terrace that opens itself up to the whole community.”

After The Wallis opened, and Allen joined the board, the question was—what to do with that terrace?

Allen, inspired by those bustling European squares, came up with an idea. She offered to lead a series of free dance lessons covering dance from all parts of the world, like salsa, African, flamenco and hip-hop to the public on the terrace. And Dance Sundays with Debbie Allen and Friends was born.

“We started that program, right out of the box, with no real funding and no real planning. Sometimes that moment of spontaneity in creativity is lightning in the bottle,” said Allen. “And I started teaching those classes, and I was out there in that hot sun sometimes. I was out there on Mother’s Day. My family was so mad at me. They said, ‘Nobody’s going to come!’ That day, I had around 250 people that had bused in from all over to be with me on Mother’s Day.”

Allen encourages all to dance, even when everyone is watching. “For me, the spirit of the dance lives inside everyone. And they just have to let it come out. Let it come out!  Don’t be afraid to touch it,” she said. “Dance is the most original of all the art forms. Before man could make an instrument, we were dancing. Before we had language, we were stomping on the ground, jumping and leaping and celebrating life, births, deaths or begging for good weather.”

Dance Sundays remains an enormously popular part of The Wallis’ free summer programming on the Promenade Terrace, which has been expanding ever since. Events like Sunday Funday, a series of family-friendly entertainment such as puppet shows and children’s musicians are now held in the outdoor space. “This is all at no cost to the community other than their time, their interest and curiosity,” said Allen. “That’s what you have to pay. And it doesn’t get much better than that.”

And though The Wallis has its own independent committee responsible for its dance programming, and Allen praises them for their diversity, she certainly has had influence. Allen said she pushed to bring in Black choreographers like civil-rights activist and dance visionary Alonzo King, the gifted Crenshaw-based Lula Washington and Camille A. Brown, whose work, a combination of contemporary and ancestral styles, often explores themes surrounding African American identity.

But for Allen, dance is more than an art form, she truly believes it can save the world. 

“I believe dance can lead to solving some of the problems in the world right now,” she said. Then, as if channeling the no-nonsense character that made her famous, she added, “If I could just make everyone dance, I could straighten this mess out, bring them all to the ballet bar and make them ‘hold, and hold, and move’ until they do it right.”

As funding is increasingly slashed from school arts programs, she said now more than ever we need to fill in those gaps left by the lack of political will to prioritize arts education. “This is why we can’t survive without somebody like Wallis Annenberg, and the Wallis Annenbergs of the world, and the Shonda Rhimes of the world, and the people who will help make things possible that the government just doesn’t do,” she said.

As a Culture Ambassador of Dance under President George W. Bush, Allen was tasked with traveling the world from China to Brazil to Cuba to define cultural diplomacy. She discovered that no matter where she went, no matter the issues that were dividing the people of that nation or dividing nation from nation, dance was a common language that transcended everything. It allowed for communication, for people to sit at the same table and begin to understand one another. 

“I remember when I was a little girl growing up in Houston, Texas, I couldn’t be in ‘The Nutcracker’ because everything was so segregated. It was the middle of the civil rights era,” she shared. “So, I have an understanding of the price of freedom. I watched all the people, who were my elders, marching in the streets and saw things as a kid that no kid should see. And now it’s happening again. Just when we think we have reached a point of another plateau of success, we slide backward. So, this is why The Wallis is so important, and what we’re doing at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy is so important. What we do has to be measured by the change it makes in people’s lives.”

Cinny Kennard 

For the past nine years, Cinny Kennard has served as Executive Director of the Annenberg Foundation, and unofficially, as CEO Wallis Annenberg’s right-hand woman. She is also a member of the board at The Wallis.

Her relationship with Wallis Annenberg goes back decades.

“I’ve had the great blessing to work with Wallis on different projects on and off for probably 20 years,” Kennard said. “It’s been a tremendous opportunity to actually learn, working beside her, about philanthropy,  impact and leadership. And she’s a great mentor, as well as the boss.”

It was largely due to Wallis and the Annenberg Foundation that The Wallis was willed into existence, thanks to generous grants and donations from both. So, it’s no surprise that the foundation considers the performing arts center one of its key projects.

“The Wallis is its own entity with phenomenal leadership helping to secure amazing artists and entertainers,” explained Kennard. “But Wallis and I sit on the board. We keep very, very close to The Wallis to ensure that Beverly Hills has a flagship enterprise around the arts. The close relationship is something to which Robert van Leer, Executive Director and CEO of The Wallis, can attest. Kennard regularly checks in with him and the pair maintain a close partnership.

“The Wallis and the Annenberg Foundation is a deeply important relationship. And it goes way past the funds that the Annenberg Foundation has given us,” said van Leer. “It is a truly symbiotic relationship, where we both want the best for the center and for its future in all dimensions. And Cinny, in her role at the foundation and as a member of the board, is an important leader in the broader cultural community and as part of The Wallis in Beverly Hills.”

For Kennard, what distinguishes The Wallis from other cultural institutions is its experimental and innovative approach to the arts. The center is often referred to as “the Kennedy Center of the West” because of its multidisciplinary programming, which includes theater, music and dance. Even comedy has a place on its stages. But it’s also somewhat of an incubator where established and emerging talents are given the freedom to explore new ways of expression.

“The Wallis tries to do things that are different. In a lot of ways, it’s a laboratory. It’s a place to try things. And I think that’s what makes it distinct from other places,” said Kennard. “Beverly Hills is known, certainly for its greatness around the world, but honestly it hadn’t been known for its cultural footprint. The Wallis changed that. It is a cultural epicenter right in the middle of Beverly Hills.”

And though it’s located in Beverly Hills, Kennard points out that The Wallis has tentacles that reach far beyond the city’s borders.

“I think what everybody’s most proud of is that on any given day you can see school buses ringing the courtyard around The Wallis, bringing in kids from underserved neighborhoods and communities of color from all over the city for the GRoW program to learn about theater and music,” she explained. “So, it’s not just sitting here serving one community, it’s serving a cross-cultural group of people from all over our region.”

Kennard said the foundation is also particularly proud of The Wallis’ Creative Aging programs, where classes in creative writing and playwriting, tailored to older adults (age 55+), are offered year round. In these group classes, students are guided through a series of short assignments intended to help them excavate memories and life events, learning the power and importance of finding and sharing their voice. The classes culminate in students reading a selected work on stage at The Wallis.  “We’re really proud of the effort to draw in the aging community to that theater,” said Kennard. “It becomes something much more than just a community theater; it becomes something very powerful, offering relevant and powerful programming for the community on a regular basis for all people from all walks of life.”

Ensuring female voices are amplified at The Wallis is equally important, said Kennard, but as you might imagine at a foundation run by two formidable women, it’s not a directive, it’s part of the DNA of the organization. “It’s an instinctive part of our thought process to ask, what have we done for women? And what are we doing to make sure women are valued and not devalued?” she said.

Make no mistake, Kennard is a powerhouse in her own right. She began her career in journalism and was a CBS News correspondent in Los Angeles, London and Moscow and won an award for her coverage of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, where she was boots on the ground in Baghdad and in Israel. “I did what so many women in my generation did, which was to just push through it and not let anything stop me. I put my head down and did the work,” she said.

For her part, Kennard is willing to do what she has always done, put her head down and do the work, alongside her mentor and boss. “We are two women working together in this enormous analog universe,” she said. “And I’m extremely proud of being part of a duo that’s female.”

Daphna Nazarian

Daphna Nazarian had a long successful career as an architect before joining the board at The Wallis. She worked for a firm specializing in the revitalization and preservation of historical landmarks in Downtown Los Angeles and later helped develop and remodel residential estates in Bel-Air, Brentwood and Beverly Hills. In 2012, she started her own interior design company.

Recently, Nazarian was named Executive Vice Chair of the
board of directors. Van Leer said he is pleased Nazarian accepted the role, “Daphna has been instrumental in her fundraising efforts, and she is deeply passionate and committed to The Wallis and the Beverly Hills community, as a longtime resident,” he said. “Following her years
of service and dedication as Co-Chair of Development on the board, we’ve decided to expand Daphna’s role with the position of Executive Vice Chair.”

Nazarian was first approached and asked to join the board at The Wallis during the pandemic. For her, the decision to devote her time to the arts center was a deeply personal one. 

“I was asked to join the board at a very challenging time in my life. It was a time when I didn’t have a lot of my own passions and creativity that I had when I was a driving force within my field,” she explained. “Surrounding myself with people who had the passion and excitement for their art, and surrounding myself with people who are talented in areas that I’m not, such as music, really became a healing source for me and gave me the strength to find my balance in life.”

Nazarian is largely tasked with raising the essential funds to ensure the center is maintained and can implement its most important and fundamental programs like GRoW, which includes outreach to about 50 community schools all over L.A. County each year.

Once a year, Nazarian spearheads an annual gala, but despite the fanfare and glitz, fundraising means asking people for money. “I used to be very shy and initially I thought there was no way I could do it,” said Nazarian. “But I believe so strongly in the mission of The Wallis so there was no way I could say no.”

Nazarian not only took on the responsibilities, she found she was really good at it. After all, raising money for causes is something that Nazarian grew up with as her family has a rich legacy of philanthropy.

She was 11 years old when her family fled Tehran, Iran during the revolution of 1979. They escaped to America and settled in Beverly Hills. “When we moved here, it was supposed to be very temporary. And within a short while, it became very evident that because we were Jewish, we could not go back,” she said. “Iran was our home, then all of a sudden, we weren’t accepted. We didn’t belong. Sadly, this issue of antisemitism is still relevant all around the world.”

In Iran, her mother was heavily involved in charity work from helping the women’s suffrage movement there to raising money for orphanages. Once in this country, both her mother and her father wanted to give back, and they focused their efforts on the arts and aiding Jewish organizations. Her father started several different foundations. One gives free loans to Israelis coming out of their compulsory military service so that they can afford college. 

Her parents also instilled in her and her siblings a deep appreciation for the arts. She recalls her father once telling her, ”You don’t have to become a musician or a concert pianist, but music is there for you when you need it. If you’re upset or hurt, music is going to be your companion.” When she started Girl Scouts in Iran, her father gave her a gift, a book by Marc Chagall. “As an 8-year-old in Iran, what did I know of Marc Chagall? But that became my first introduction to the world of the arts,” she said. “And he wrote in it, ‘Whatever you do in life, make sure you always take in the beauty that life affords you around you.’” 

Nazarian used these anecdotes to underscore what she feels is perhaps one of the most important missions of The Wallis, exposing children to the arts, especially as arts programs are cut from schools all over the country. “Through the arts, children and young adults are exposed to subjects like social justice and racial issues. They learn new ways to deal with pressures within their communities from lack of education to police brutality or antisemitism. They are also exposed to different cultures. And [The Wallis] does more than expose other cultures, it celebrates and values them. All of this makes it easier for me to go out and say, ‘We need help, we need support. Everyone’s support adds up.’”

Ultimately, for Nazarian, what these programs do is create a healthier and more tolerant community. “Hopefully, we’ve given these children an outlet, they won’t drop out of school, they won’t resort to violence. They’ll learn to express themselves in healthy ways and accept and embrace other cultures, and they will extend it to other people so it becomes a ripple effect. And that’s the purpose of The Wallis, to create bigger and bigger ripples.” 

The post The Women of The Wallis appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Pumpkin Carving

For a hands-on experience, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills will be holding its first Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest at the Rooftop by JG. Taking place on Oct. 30 from 5-6 p.m., you and your family will be able to create a one-of-a-kind Jack-o’-lantern while taking in panoramic views of Beverly Hills. Winners will receive a grand prize, but everyone wins with 15% off for dinner on the roof afterward. The cost is $110 per group, up to 4 guests per pumpkin. Decorations, carving tools, and pumpkins will be provided for each family. Book this event via opentable.com.

Pumpkin Patch 

If you just want to pick up the perfect pumpkin to carve at home, Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Culver City is the perfect spot. They have set up a complete Pumpkin Village with giant rocking horses for the kids. There is also a family petting zoo and a pumpkin decorating station if you’d rather be creative on the spot. While you hunt and play, expect live entertainment, food and drinks. Open until Oct. 30, visit mrbonespumpkinpatch.com for details.

Movie Night 

It’s time for the return of Scary Movie Month at Melrose Rooftop Theatre for the month of October. Throughout the month, grab your friends for the Halloween-themed line up featuring favorite seasonal screenings, including classics like?”Scream” (10/27), “Get Out” (10/21), “Nightmare on Elm Street” (10/25) and?”Hocus Pocus” (10/28 and 10/30). Together with a killer backdrop of the Hollywood Hills, a dinner-and-a-movie menu and specialty cocktails, this is a cool, only in L.A. outdoor cinema experience.

Choose between two viewing options: a general admission VIP seating ($30 per person), and a complete dinner and a movie VIP package?with a seasonally driven three-course tasting menu from E.P. Restaurant ($65 per person).

Screenings will begin at sundown with most films running from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. In addition to the wireless individual headsets provided to guests to maximize the cinema experience via a state-of-the-art Da Lite 16′ x 19′ screen, the theatre offers a concession stand with all beloved movie snacks, including popcorn, candy, ice cream, and a cinema cocktail program to pair. Visit Melroserooftoptheatre.com for more information.

NFTs and the Metaverse

Deadfellaz, the global NFT ecosystem that has rapidly become one of the most culturally prominent projects born from the Web3 space, is hosting their biggest live event yet taking place on Halloween weekend: DEADZONE LA. The one-night, ticketed event is a celebration where the Deadfellaz community (known as The Horde, which includes Odell Beckham Jr., Reese Witherspoon and Lionel Richie to name a few) gathers for one big bash in the real world and the metaverse featuring a multi-sensory experience with DJs, immersive theater, live art, gallery art, food and beverages all curated by world-renowned party throwers EMO NITE. The event takes place Oct. 29 in L.A.’s Arts District at Skylight ROW DTLA. Visit tokenproof.xyz/events/deadzonela for details.

Downtown LA ART

Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition that honors those who have passed like our elders, our community, and our heroes by welcoming them home for a day. Mexican culture believes death is a positive part of the life cycle, and this holiday is a true celebration of life. Traditionally, ofrendas (altars) are decorated with loved ones’ favorite possessions, photographs, food and beverages, calaveras (sugar skulls), and many more meaningful items.

This year, FIGat7th is partnering with local artist, Dalila Paola Mendez, a first-generation queer Central American artist based in Los Angeles to build the ofrenda and carry on this beautiful Mexican tradition. Through Nov. 2, Dalila and FIGat7th’s Dia de los Muertos altar will be on display for the community.  

The Natural History Museum of L.A. County in Exposition Park holds a Spider Pavilion where you can learn about some of nature’s most fascinating and chilling creatures. The Spider Pavilion houses hundreds of orb weaver spiders that you can view in an open-air area. If being face to face is too close for comfort, try checking out the spider den where the spiders reside safely inside their little habitats. Open through Nov. 27, visit nhm.org for details.

Family Fun 

Head to Topanga Canyon for the festive Haunt ‘O Ween where you will find trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, face painting, carnival games and more. Children can explore the Pumpkin Tunnel and also concoct their own potions at the Moonlight Magic DIY Potion Bar. Food and beverage will be available throughout the whole evening. Event continues through Oct. 31, with details at socalhauntoween.com.

For colorful carved pumpkins and showstopping Halloween lights, head to the King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas for the 5th Annual Nights of the Jack and wander through a nearly one-mile journey. Children can travel through the brand-new jungle scene to have their favorite animals face painted and collect candy while trick-or-treating on select nights. Adults can pop by the Spookeasy Bar and the whole family can grab a bite to eat from the food trucks on site. Open through Oct. 31, details are available at nightsofthejack.com.

Take a spooky stroll through the L.A. Zoo in your best costume and visit the Extinct Animal Graveyard, the LAIR, the Weird and Wild and Wonderful Tour. The whole family can also watch the “Spooktacular Science” show and also go trick-or-treating for sweets throughout the whole zoo. This event is available now through Oct. 31, with details at lazoo.org.

Another favorite Halloween actively every year, the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park will take you on a trip to the fictitious Midnight Falls town with multiple horrifying attractions, including the dead among the living. If that is too scary for the kids, trick-or-treat in Midnight Falls’ town square, past the Midnight Mortuary and through the clown ridden Laughterhouse. Through Oct. 31, visit losangeleshauntedhayride.com for more details. 

Fun in the O.C.

If walking through a few spooky mazes is your idea of terrifying fun, Knott’s Scary Farm will open the park where visitors will come face to face with creepy clowns, lurking ghosts and vengeful witches. Knott’s Scary Farm is also putting on a series of Halloween-inspired live shows like the Carnaval Du Grotesque, which features scary carnival acts. Through Oct. 31 in Buena Park, visit knotts.com for more information.

If you’re heading down to Disneyland, Black Tap Anaheim’s October “special things” menu is featuring a Pumpkin Spice Burger throughout the month made with prime beef, brown sugar candied bacon, and a smokey pumpkin cream cheese sauce that is worth the detour.

Take a Drive Down the Coast 

From Oct. 25-31 the oceanfront rooftop bar Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach will be transformed into a Haunted Treehouse lounge with tricks, treats, and festive fall décor. You’ll be transported to a world full of tombstones, large overflowing cauldrons, and a ghostly fog that settles into every crevice of the bar. The centerpiece life-size tree will be festively decked out in lanterns, giant spider webs, and floating witch hats. Specialty cocktails will be available, including Trick-or-Treat Yo’Self – a fiery infusion of rye whiskey, garnished with candy corn, and Witches Cauldron with Syrah wine and vodka, among others. And don’t miss the Paséa’s Put a Spell on You Halloween party (21+) hosted by the Haunted Treehouse Lounge on Oct. 29.

Ghoulish Treats in 3D

From Edelweiss to Sugarfina there are plenty of spooky sweets to be found for the Halloween holiday. For something a little more edgy, the tech nerds and crazy chefs at Sugar Lab have decided to “take back pumpkin spice” and 3D print it in the form of Pumpkin Spice Latte Chocolates. These 3D-printed sugar shells are in the shape of little paper coffee cups and filled with a pumpkin spice latte ganache made from real espresso. ($24.99 for 6)

The Sugar Lab printers have also created beautifully colored Day of the Dead Glitter Skulls ($21.99 for 6), which hook comfortably to the edge of any cocktail glass and, once you plop it into your drink, adds a touch of lime, sweetness and edible, sparkling glitter to any beverage. All of the confections are available online and ship nationwide. sugarlab3d.com

Local Imbibing 

Toast to the ghosts at the House of Spirits for a Haunted Cocktail Soirée. Enjoy games and music as you cross over into the spirit realm and witness a chilling tale of betrayal and intrigue. Converse with the spirits of the house, learn their stories and sip on themed cocktails. The event takes place Thursdays through Fridays until Oct. 31 at 1828 Oak St., Downtown Los Angeles. Details are available at houseofspiritssoiree.com.

The W Los Angeles in West Beverly Hills is offering a signature Spooky Holiday Cocktail, The Green Goblin, over Halloween weekend. This spirited libation is a refreshing vodka-based and slightly spicey drink available to purchase at the hotel’s chic Living Room Bar from Oct. 28-31. 

Bring your Pooch

Grab your dogs and head to Wag Hotels in West Hollywood for the Annual Haunted Howl-o-ween Party on Oct. 27. This year, 100% of ticket sales and silent auction proceeds will be benefiting Hearts for Paws Rescue. You and your pooch can visit a haunted hotel, with tricks and treats. The event takes place from 6–8:30 p.m., and more details are available at waghotels.com.

Farmers’ Market

The Fall Funtastic Harvest Festival at the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market will take place on Oct. 30. Wear your favorite costume for this family-friendly celebration with a Scarecrow Contest, Pumpkin-Carving and Decorating Contest, Arts & Crafts, Kids Zone, Petting Zoo and unique selfie opportunities. Visit lovebeverlyhills.com/things-to-do/view/beverly-hills-farmers-market for more information. 

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Marina del Rey 

Sail away from the record-setting heat from the always-popular Marina del Rey. Its large harbor holds a host of sailing options for everything from whale watching to watersports, parties and sunset cruises. To charter one of these vessels, GetMyBoat has over 130 rentals and water experiences ranging from pontoons and wind power sailboats to luxury yachts. But cruising the California coast isn’t all the company offers, jet skis, kayaks and stand up paddle boarding are also available.

The average cost of a boat charter is about $250 per hour in Marina del Rey, but you can find boating experiences on GetMyBoat for less than $100, and most of the boat rentals are charters that come with a USCG-licensed captain, so you can kick back and relax while cruising around Marina del Rey.

According to Val Streif, Marketing Manager of GetMyBoat, “Boating is a top activity right now because it’s bringing people together to enjoy the outdoors in a relaxing way and it’s the perfect multi-generational family activity.” In addition, she sites Marina del Rey as a top location because there’s always a good chance you’ll see wildlife, including dolphins, whales, and sea lions. “Seeing a sunset from a boat is also a special experience, and you can cruise up to Santa Monica or venture to Venice Beach, two popular locations that are easily accessible by boat from Marina del Rey,” she said.

Before or after your chartered cruise, stop for brunch, drinks or dinner at the newly revamped SALT restaurant overlooking the harbor where you can order oysters, caviar and cocktails. Other recent local dining developments include KazuNori for sushi, HiHo burgers and UOVO for pasta, plus Alfred Coffee from Beverly Hills and West Hollywood is opening nearby.

Another popular summer activity is bike riding near the beach, and just up the coast in Santa Monica, Shutters and Casa del Mar hotels offer bikes for their guests. Cruise along the boardwalk which is easily accessible and the staff will even set up a picnic lunch right in the sand with cushions, tables, umbrellas, charcuterie snacks, sandwiches and real coconut water – among other treats.

If you desire a hit of wellness, Malibu has a new destination, Rafi Lounge, for sound baths, meditation and classes, but you must be a member to enjoy the Pacific Ocean views from the lawn. 

Santa Barbara

Of course, you can rent boats and bike ride along the California coast in Santa Barbara. Make sure to visit Stearns Wharf, California’s oldest wooden working wharf. The wharf celebrates its 150th anniversary with a festive party on Oct. 8 (if you want to plan ahead), or be sure to visit during Wharf Wednesdays on the first Wednesday of each month, to take advantage of special restaurant deals and live music.

Over the summer, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden opened The Backcountry, a four-acre outdoor adventure space for kids. Located along Mission Creek, it features activities such as fort building, fallen log obstacle courses, waterfalls, a maze, hikes through different habitats and herb gathering.

If you’re up for a hike, try the Mesa Trail near the new visitors center with informational kiosks opened within the UC Santa Barbara North Campus Open Space. Here you can explore a vast 136-acre coastal wetlands area that includes grasslands to ocean bluffs. This area has a free public parking lot, open from dawn to dusk, at 6975 Whittier Drive in Goleta.

Also, earlier this year, the Santa Barbara Zoo opened the Australian Walkabout, a 15,000-square-foot habitat designed to transport guests “Down Under,” where they can walk among the wallabies, kangaroos and emus.

If interior design and shopping is your passion, the Summerland area has become a go-to destination for chic home decor and antiques, including Field + Fort, The Well, Porch and Garde. Recently, a new outpost for British-born designer Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic, a new Home Crush showroom (an extension from its downtown Santa Barbara shop and design studio), and a new takeover of The Big Yellow House by Big Daddy’s Antiques featuring custom furniture, rugs and rotating art.

For wine tasting, you will not need a designated driver for the nearly 30 member wineries, many within walking distance of each other and downtown beaches, on the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail. At least six new tasting rooms are opening and three others are on the move or expanding as of 2022. Frequency Wine Co. moved to a historic courtyard surrounded by Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and lush foliage in the Presidio Neighborhood. Kunin Wines has a new location in downtown Santa Barbara with a focus on sparkling wines and rosé, along with education and cheese pairings in partnership with The Cheese Shop.

Santa Barbara Winery, the oldest winery in Santa Barbara County, moved to a new tasting room location in the Funk Zone and Pali Wine Co. opened a second location in this area as well, and you will not need a designated driver to explore this area on foot. 

For dinner, Rare Society is a new throw-back steakhouse (also in the Funk Zone) inspired by Las Vegas that features large format steak platters for sharing and craft cocktails. At the Kimpton Canary Hotel just off State Street, Finch & Fork has been revamped with a sleek modern look and a pedigreed new executive chef Craig Riker who makes upscale comfort fare. If you find yourself in Montecito, a new sushi experience just opened at the Rosewood Miramar hotel. AMA Sushi is an intimate 13 seat bar offering one omakase pairing seating each evening or an à la carte menu with outdoor seating as well. 

Huntington Beach

Head down the coast to Huntington Beach aka Surf City USA where you will find 9.5 miles of sandy flat beach and great waves due to the currents around Catalina. This area is also home to the International Surfing Museum, the Paséa Hotel & Spa right next to the pier where you can schedule an exfoliating body treatment with ginger oil at the Balinese spa, have rooftop drinks at the Waterfront Beach Resort or listen to music and mingle at The Bungalow by the same owners as the original in Santa Monica. Think of this area as a more accessible alternative to Laguna Beach and it’s also closer to L.A.

Oceanside 

After decades as just a pit stop on the way to San Diego, the profile and popularity of this once overlooked beach town is booming. There are destination hotels, museums, Michelin recognized restaurants, a buzzing craft-beer scene and close proximity to the beach and LEGOLAND in Carlsbad, which is continually a top draw for families year-round. 

“Oceanside’s approach to self-improvement over the last decade has been about celebrating its history, preserving its unique character and introducing thoughtful new experiences that highlight the creativity and innovation of its locals,” said Leslee Gaul, CEO, Visit Oceanside. “The combination [of new experiences] has made this a place where people want to come, hangout and immerse themselves in the Oside vibe.”

The Surf Girl Pro Championship competition is held each fall on the beach near the Oceanside Pier right in front of the new surf-themed Mission Pacific Hotel and sister property The Seabird Resort with a Cape Cod esthetic. On the grounds, a draw for film buffs is the 1887 bungalow, known as The Graves House, that was used as a key location in the original “Top Gun” movie. The space is now a HIGH-pie concept serving gourmet sweet and savory hand pies made with fruit or cheese and choice of dipping sauce. You can also find memorabilia from the movie, including a refurbished Kawasaki Ninja ZX90 0 Motorcycle, identical to the one Tom Cruise rode in the film. Other nostalgic Americana touches include vintage furniture, one-of-a-kind needlepoint installations from artist Mary Lou Marks.

For dining on-site, try the new Chef’s Table experience at Valle, a Guadalupe Valley Kitchen, helmed by one of Baja’s most acclaimed Chefs, Roberto Alcocer. Upstairs, The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific has also launched a new menu of shared plates and locally inspired cocktails, with a portion of sales of “The Jetty” cocktail, named for one of Oceanside’s most iconic breaks, going to benefit USA Surfing’s elite training programs.

If that activity is a little too rambunctious for you, walk over to the new poolside sound baths at The Seabird Resort.
Or, take advantage of the new vintage Rambler camper and Surf Concierge service set up on the beach providing guests with beverages and snacks, sand toys, water activities, umbrellas, towels and lounge chairs for the perfect beach day.

If you did come for the surf, check out the incredible art collection curated by the Oceanside Museum of Art across both hotels before signing up for a surf valet experience and private lessons, with North Country Surf Academy for an opportunity to surf alongside professional surfer and third-generation Oceanside resident, Duran Barr.

A short stroll away, there are a few cool developments in Oceanside for coffee and boutique shopping such as the The Rising Co. – A Maker’s Collective or Tremont Collective, which has surf shops, Communal coffee and flower shop, along with Shootz Fish + Beer for local brews and tacos. 

Around town, The Plot has recently introduced the Thursday Night Live Music series. Every Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., guests can enjoy an evening of free live music on the patio, surrounded by the restaurant’s regenerative garden. The goal is to share a no-cost experience to provide a space to connect with neighbors, expand cultural experiences and support local talent, all the while enjoying a delicious plant-based fare from the restaurant.

At award-winning Wrench & Rodent —the unorthodox sushi and Japanese izakaya focused on total utilization — Chef-owner Davin Waite and his team have launched a dry-aged fish program, which ensures a responsible and sustainable model with minimal waste. Expect traditional dry-aging techniques with various species such as Bluefin, Pacifico bass, kampachi, and salmon. 

Just over the Buena Vista Lagoon, which separates Oceanside from Carlsbad, State Street siblings Campfire and Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie have just released new summer menus under the creative direction of Executive Chef Eric Bost. And if you find it hard to snag a reservation at Jeune et Jolie, try the smaller rotating Menu du Bar, available at the bar and lounge where walk-ins are welcome. 

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The 94th Academy Awards ceremony took place on March 27 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Hosted by Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes, the event was overshadowed by a slap heard and seen around the world. That did not, however, prevent attendees from enjoying what is traditionally Hollywood’s biggest night. Here are some of the Courier’s top photo selections from the evening.

Photos by Alex J. Berliner/ABImages

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From Tesora to Tiffany and TASCHEN, this is where to find the perfect last-minute gifts for your host or hostess in Beverly Hills.

It’s been dubbed the city’s best gift shop – and with good reason. Tesoro means ‘treasure’ in Spanish and Italian and that is exactly what you will find here – a treasure trove of unique items for every age group. Owner Tara Riceberg has curated a celebration of function and beauty in her small shop next door to Umberto on Canon Drive. The diverse bounty ranges from ANNA New York gilded crystal agate serving platters to Ron Robinson’s Apothia line, eucalyptus shower tables and almond foot balm.

Yet some of her go-to favorites for hostess gifts are Christian Lacroix stationary or a puzzle. “Maybe I’ve never been to your house, and I don’t know if you are vegan or drink,” she told the Courier. “These are amazing gifts for a 90-year-old to a 30-year- old.” For a kitchen favorite, she recommends the Gastro Obscura with salt from Sweden. “You hand grate the salt and pepper over the food. This is for someone who lives North of Sunset,” she added. Riceberg also recommended something unique for unwinding: Lavender dryer sachets. “You pop your PJs in the dryer with these before bed and the scent aids sleep. It’s $20, and great for a girlfriend.”

Every gift over $20 can be packaged in hand-painted custom gift-wrapping paper on request. “It elevates the gift-giving experience,” she said. “All hostess gifts are pre-wrapped for grab and go.” And, you can’t beat the valet parking right in front during this hectic last-minute shopping season.

We know that Gearys is a local staple for high-quality gifting and you can find lovely candles and diffusers past the jewelry cases, but for something with a little more flair, look no further than the Georg Jensen collection. This brand is loaded with sleek and stylish hostess gift ideas, such as stainless steel Champagne stoppers for $39, a fancy deck of cards in a silver case, $59, and simple photo frames starting at $69. Another great gift find upstairs at Gearys is a Baccarat Biseau Budvase for $170, which would look lovely in any home.

For great gifts for your host or hostess to enjoy after the party, The Beverly Hills Hotel carries branded sleep masks, pillowcases, coffee mugs and PJ’s with a pink and white stripe. This is also a gift for friends and family that you might be traveling to visit around the holidays. Who wouldn’t want to receive a little piece of Beverly Hills that you can only get from the famed “Pink Palace.” Prices start at just $36.

If you know the person you are visiting is planning a trip soon themselves, head to Scandia on Beverly Drive for a Down Travel Attache?. This gift looks like a pillow but unfolds into a plush, throw-sized comforter filled with European white down and finished in a cotton sateen that’s available in seven colors for $270 each. The brand also offers Scandia Home 100% cashmere blankets and throws produced in one of Italy’s finest family-operated mills. Each is beautifully gift-boxed ranging from $598- $1,785. Hand towels for the powder room are also a wonderful gift idea, and Scandia carries an array of 100% linen versions with hand embroidery for $48 each.

If you know your host or hostess likes to use name cards for dinner guests, Paper Source on Brighton Way is the place to find packages of up to 50 in all the popular colors for $7.95. They also stock Sugarfina candy cubes with gummy bears from rose to Champagne flavors for $9.95 and small votive candles including the popular Roland Pine, which also make great table setting gifts. You can also go whimsical and bring a small stocking stuffed with holiday sunglasses adorned with antlers or trees, along with novelty ornaments that have the likeness of RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) to Betty White for $22.95.

Conceived by celebrated French designer Philippe Starck, TASCHEN in Beverly Hills is the store’s first outpost in the U.S. It continues to thrill with showstopping coffee table books. Current bestselling tomes include

“Portrait of a City,” a tribute to Los Angeles with photos going back to the 1800s; “The James Bond Archives” – a historic look at all the films – or the Pucci book wrapped in vintage fabric. And, depending on your hosts’ interests, there are books on everything from fine arts to architecture and sneakers to car collecting. A standout is “The Library of Esoterica, which covers the history of witchcraft, and before you give this one the side-eye, the store manager told us they can’t keep it on the shelves. Prices range from $40 to $250 and up.

Although they are known for jewelry and trinkets, tried and true Tiffany gifts include the Elsa Peretti Bone candlesticks and cake plate ($3,000 and $500, respectively). New this year are simple, yet elegant crystal ornaments that evoke a tree or bell shape for $375 per set, along with Modern Bamboo single old-fashioned glasses for a whiskey on the rocks by the fire.

One of the perennial holiday joys is browsing through the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog for over-the-top purchases, but you can also pick-up a few last-minute hostess gifts at the Wilshire Boulevard store. Best- sellers included the Jonathan Adler Botanist Backgammon game ($395), which is exclusive to the store; Versace Kitchen Apron ($395); a Jo Malone Dining Candles Collection, $70 for a set of four; or Nest Fragrances Holiday Classic Candle & Diffuser sets start at just $7.

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On Nov 18, The American Cinematheque hosted the 35th Annual American Cinematheque Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel honoring Scarlett Johansson and Participant.

Johansson received the American Cinematheque Award, while Participant was honored with the Power of Cinema Award, accepted by Participant CEO David Linde. The event is an annual fundraiser for the non-profit organization that continues its year-round programming, including at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood with a grand reopening scheduled for 2022.

American Cinematheque’s Board Chairman Rick Nicita, and President Mark Badagliacca kicked things off, welcoming guests, before Jon Favreau, Andy Richter, Abbie Cornish, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Feige, and Thomasin McKenzie each took to the stage throughout the night to toast Johansson.

Favreau reminisced about meeting her for the role of “Black Widow” and discussed her incredible sense of professionalism, while Cornish remembered being moved by Johansson’s performance in “Lost in Translation.” Curtis stepped onstage in a unique costume, entertaining the audience with a skit, while Feige highlighted Johansson’s talent as both an actress and producer. Finally, Jeremy Renner presented his “favorite human and superhero,” Scarlett Johansson, with the 2021 American Cinematheque Award.

Johansson, in a white Versace suit, joked about “joining the circus” and thanked her brothers who were both present and her husband SNL’s Collin Jost “who makes the whole country laugh every Saturday night,” and was by her side for the event. She also thanked her mother (who was not present) for taking her to movies and musicals starting when she was just three years old growing up in New York.

Additional attendees included Gwen Deglise, Alexandre Desplat, Hunter Johansson, Bryan Lourd and Bruce Bozzi. Veronique Bonnie, co-owner of event sponsor Cha?teau Malartic-Lagravie?re, presented Johansson with an engraved magnum that the actress signed. The bottle will be auctioned with proceeds to benefit Solar Responders, founded by her twin brother Hunter. Other sponsors included Amazon Studios, Hill Valley, Morgan Creek Productions, Variety, Champagne Fleur De Miraval, and LavAzza.

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The spirited party shores of Ibiza are a long way from the well-heeled streets of Canon Drive, but Spanish import TATEL, has finally arrived from a slew of MABEL CAPITAL partners headquartered in Madrid. They include Manuel Campos Guallar, Abel Matutes Prats, Rafael Nadal and other high-profile athletes from Cristiano Ronaldo to Pau Gasol. 

Count on being entertained from the minute you walk through the doors, with a front bar that features live music nightly and luxe décor that was inspired by the roaring 20s. 

This type of supper club was missing in the area and the owners had solid reasons for opening their U.S. flagship in this location. “Beverly Hills is a great food and beverage spot where the best restaurants are,” U.S. Director, Brando Juris told the Courier. “There is a synergy [with our brand] and a high standard here.”

Chef Luigi Fineo has brought over a dozen signature dishes, including traditional paella with prawns served tableside to the finest Iberico ham (with a special slicer). The Spanish tortilla comes covered in shaved truffles, as an add on for the 90210 crowd.

Every hour, a 20-minute performance takes place, so it’s not too invasive for diners. Selections might include a roving jazz trumpeter, violinist or a singer on the main stage near the bar. Order a flaming Belvedere coconut cocktail or choose from an outstanding global wine list and enjoy the show. 

Bringing the West Bank to the Westside, Walter and Margarita Manzke of the beloved Republique on La Brea, recently opened French-themed Bicyclette Bistro on Pico right behind Mr. C’s hotel. Just like its sister restaurant, it can be challenging to book a table at Bicyclette. But the owners are expanding soon to an upper level of the building for a fine dining tasting-menu concept. For now, top dishes include the Burgundy escargot en croute, caramelized onion tarte tatin (that takes four hours to prepare) and an earthy duck breast with barley and cherries. The cocktail list is a mini book that you can flip through while tearing off pieces of crusty baguettes to enjoy with salty Normandy butter. 

For a nightcap, The Maybourne has flipped the old Ten Pound space upstairs from the main restaurant into a Cigar and Whisky Bar. The program showcases whiskey from around the world, including Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan and Canada, along with a small-bites menu. The built-in humidor houses up to 3,000 cigars from The Caribbean and Central America.

For another cool rooftop, The Melrose Umbrella Company owners (who also consult for Bottega Louie and sbe) have brought a trifecta of new concepts to the Sixty Beverly Hills Hotel. The Umbrella Social Club on the roof is a public bar and bites space with fireplaces, city views and piña coladas. The Umbrella Swim Club is an invitation-only lounge concept by the pool, but the downstairs is where the new Umbrella Supper Club will welcome diners in the old Caufield’s space. 

“This place has really good bones and a little bit of an edge for Beverly Hills,” co-owner Austin Melrose told the Courier. The previously dark space is now enveloped with a cheery white décor, a sleek central bar with vintage photography and guitars on display. The food will feature a California-centric sustainable organic and vegan-friendly menu (along with pasta, fish and steak) and a wine shop with natural options such as hard Kombucha to-go. “Leave it to a global pandemic for people to care about what they put in their bodies,” said Melrose. Soon they will add live music and a Sunday jazz brunch. “Beverly Hills is becoming hip and cool, it’s a movement,” he added.

Nearby, globally acclaimed star of “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto has opened pan-Asian Sa’Moto on the ground floor of the Doheny Room in a partnership with DRG (Disruptive Restaurant Group) and founder and CEO Sam Nazarian of sbe. This is an ideal location sandwiched in between two Santa Monica Boulevard institutions: Dan Tana’s and The Troubadour. 

The focal point of the dining room is a central bar flanked by plush banquettes and a small sushi bar in the back of the house with a rotating photography screen. You can expect sushi roll options but there are also steaming bowls of chicken wonton noodle soup, duck tacos and panko fried dishes that make great bar snacks. A showstopper is a trio of smoked ceviche in small domes that pairs with a yuzu, sake, plum wine cocktail. After dinner, head upstairs to a lively nightclub. 

Keeping the lively spirt going, the team behind Olivetta on Melrose Avenue is now firmly planted (from pop-up status) as the new flagship restaurant, Issima, at Kimpton La Peer. The Mediterranean beach club feel features grilled whole fish, pastas and salads by the pool and on the roof with a DJ booth for late-night cocktails under the stars.  

Over on W. 3rd Street, the latest project from the duo behind Sherman Oaks’ renowned Sushi Note and Augustine Wine Bar, Andy Paxson and Dave Gibbs, have opened cozy Melanie Wine Bar. The goal is to encourage guests to explore new wine regions and varietals with a focus on French and Italian offerings by the glass that are reasonably priced from $12-20. Jansz Brut Rosé from Tasmania, Australia is a rare find and complements the small plates that include Spanish octopus, stone fruit toast and steak frites.

Another opening in the news is Fanny’s at the Academy Museum  of  Motion  Pictures, with Executive Chef Raphael Francois (from Tesse on Sunset) and mixologist Julian Cox bringing an old Hollywood sensibility. And, even with these additions, there are still notable openings to look forward to. Among them, the legendary Daniel Boulud, who is coming to Beverly Hills, as well as the steak-centric Maple + Ash from Chicago whose sister restaurant Etta just opened in Culver City.  Bon Appetit! 

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On Sept. 25, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures hosted an opening gala co-chaired by Jason Blum, Ava Duvernay, and Ryan Murphy. The event honored Haile Gerima and Sophia Loren, along with Bob Iger, Annette Bening and Tom Hanks. 

Guests walked the green carpet decorated with large floral installations to a cocktail hour on the Wilshire Terrace, before entering a whimsical Hayao Miyazaki-inspired “tree tunnel” for a sit-down dinner by Wolfgang Puck catering and Piper-Heidsieck. Lady Gaga surprised the crowd with a performance that began from her seat. 

The event raised more than $11 million for the museum dedicated to the arts, sciences, and artists of moviemaking. As Spike Lee noted, “This is not just a museum for Los Angeles but for the world.”

Some of the notable guests included J.J. Abrams, Judd Apatow, Angela Bassett, Warren Beatty, Colleen Bell, Selma Blair, Cher, Eva Chow, Darren Criss, Benedict Cumberbatch, Barry Diller, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Tiffany Haddish, Lydia Hearst, Kathy and Rick Hilton, Jennifer Hudson, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Michael Keaton, Anna Kendrick, Regina King, Billie Lourd, Bob Mackie, Frank Marshall, Marlee Matlin, Christopher Nolan, Sarah Paulson, Zac Posen, Questlove, Issa Rae, Olivia Rodrigo, MJ Rodriguez, David O. Russell, Meg Ryan, Jurnee Smollett, Aaron Sorkin, Holland Taylor, Guillermo del Toro, John Waters, and Rita Wilson.

The following Tuesday, Sept. 28, was a low-key donor reception sans red carpet or media that started on the ground floor, then migrated up to the rooftop view for Wolfgang Puck’s famous smoked salmon pizza. Beverly Hills locals Tom Blumenthal from Geary’s, Agnes Lew from East West Bank and Courier Publisher John Bendheim mingled with the museum’s interior architect Kulapat Yantrasast. 

The final blow-out event on Sept. 29 was co-hosted by Vanity Fair with co-chairs H.E.R. and Robert Pattinson in attendance. Guests included Gia Coppola, Amanda Demme, Zooey Deschanel, Josh Lucas, Rebel Wilson, Sydney Sweeney, Evan Ross, Elizabeth Jagger, Alex Israel, Jason Wu, Jeremy Scott, Alex Prager, Simon and Niki Haas, and Kate and Laura Mulleavy. 

The evening began with guests crossing over the Barbara Streisand Bridge for a cocktail reception on the top floor under the stars of the glass dome on the Dolby Family Terrace. Later in the evening, the museum opened all of its five floors for the guests who took selfies in front of Dorothy’s iconic ruby red slippers from the “Wizard of Oz,” as if to remind themselves, “there is no place like home.” 

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The evening was supported by presenting sponsor, Gilead Sciences, Inc. with additional support from BVLGARI and American Airlines.

During his speech, Billy Porter shared, “I came out in 1985. It was at the beginning of the AIDS crisis. We’ve been fighting for our lives ever since and I am proud to stand here, and I promise to be a warrior in the fight to end AIDS for as long as I have breath in my body.”

Additional VIP attending the seated dinner and live auction with live auction with Christie’s included Jacqueline Bisset, Christine Chiu, Paris Jackson, Rita Ora, Rodney Peete, Darren Star, Quinn Tivey, Justin Tranter, Taika Waititi, Laela Wilding, Naomi Wilding, and Tarquin Wilding.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. The Host Committee included Dr. Gabriel and Christine Chiu, Colin Farrell, Aileen Getty, Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Ireland, Earvin “Magic” and Cookie Johnson, Daniel O’Day, Elizabeth Segerstrom and Barbra Streisand.

The Benefit Committee included Wallis Annenberg, Angela Bassett, Carole Bayer Sager, Kate Burton, Alexandra Daddario, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Danai Gurira, Paris Jackson, Christian Lacroix, Judith Light, Catherine Opie and Julie Burleigh, Zac Posen, Zachary Quinto, Lorraine Schwartz, Omar Sharif Jr., Kerry Brown and Stacey Sher, Darren Star, Kimberly Steward, Lauren and  Benedikt Taschen and Vanessa Williams. 

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Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” real estate broker Josh Flagg and husband Bobby Boyd threw the first fete of the season at their Beverly Hills home in honor of grand dame Nikki Haskell’s 80th birthday party. This also marks the first party coverage for “The Scene” since March of 2020.

Haskell has a storied career from Wall Street stockbroker to film producer, artist and inventor but is probably most well-known for her role as a Studio 54 regular and her eponymous talk show interviewing everyone from Andy Warhol to Clive Davis and Gene Kelly (which you can now revisit on Amazon Prime). Haskell is currently working on an adaptation of her life with Ben Jones York that’s a cross between the “Amazing Mrs. Maisel” and “Sex in the City,” and she’s invented the Star Shooterz lighted phone case with a built- in self-stick that The Beverly Hills Hotel is currently selling in the gift shop. 

Haskell met Flagg through their philanthropic efforts at Project Angel Food and have been best friends ever since. For the bash, Flagg and Boyd transformed their Beverly Drive home into an alfresco St. Tropez white party scene a la Nikki Beach. From the entrance to the pool area, bejeweled cabaret- burlesque-style showgirls pranced around wielding feather fans and boas while saxophone player Jake Brown serenaded the crowd along with a DJ.

People were certainly in the mood to celebrate. “I think everyone is thrilled to finally not have a mask on and go out for the first party of the year,” said Flagg.

Guests flew in from Miami and New York, such as skin-care guru Peter Thomas Roth, but many of Haskell’s long-time Beverly Hills friends were also on hand, including Stephanie Powers and Candy Spelling. Powers described Haskell as “an extraordinary survivor in a world where we have to reinvent ourselves constantly.”

The evening started with passed trays of New Zealand lambchops and hand-made gnocchi, followed by caviar blinis, flowing Champagne and rosé.  A seated Mediterranean-style dinner was catered by Chef Giuseppe Accardi of Mr. G’s in Newport Beach, which included grilled langoustine, roasted seabass, steak au poivre with frites culminating with a three-tiered cake. 

Flagg prepared a video tribute from Haskell’s life and days as a talk show maven. “We are 45 years apart but are total kindred spirits, and strangely enough, we roll in the same social circles. She is the most fabulous person on earth and I really think she is a pioneer and led the way for so many women,” he said of Haskell.  

Some of those women included songwriter Carol Connors who sang at the event. 

Melissa Rivers, whose podcast “Melissa Rivers Group Text” is about to become a television show, came to pay her respects and see old friends. “Nikki was a dear, dear friend of my mothers,” she told the Courier. 

Sonja Morgan of the Real Housewives of New York was in town and wearing an original Edith Flagg dress made by the host’s late grandmother. Morgan has known Haskell since the Studio 54 days. “I used to see her there with all these characters from Halston to Beverly Johnson. In a room among stars, she really lit up the room,” said Morgan. But it wasn’t all party-party even though Haskell is a renowned socialite. Her sage advice to Morgan back then, “Have a good time but have a plan. The rug can be ripped out from under you at any time.”

Heather McDonald, a newer friend of Haskell’s, called her the Queen of Beverly Hills. “She has the greatest stories and I love her philosophy on life;  it’s so positive, smart and unfiltered. That’s so entertaining today.”

Celebrity Chef Alex Hitz (The Beverly Hills Kitchen) has been friends with Haskell for 38 years. “She never met anyone she didn’t like and she’s never been to a bad party,” he said. And, when someone is known for being a party-girl, one soirée will just not do. The Beverly Hills Hotel also threw a bash for Haskell last week and a Studio 54 party at another friend’s home on the night of her actual birthday, May 17.

Others in attendance at the Flagg party included Wendy Stark, Suzanne de Passe, Kelly Day, Barbara Thornhill, Marc Scarpa, Lisa Bacon, Teran Davis, Nina O’Hern, Estella Provas, Jo Champa, Jorge Perez, Jr., Frank Bowland, Steven Boggs, Mayer Roshan, Celeste Hodge, Karim Amiryani, Megan O’Brien, Corrine and Fred Buckley, David Divona, Joan Schnitzer, Ann and Franklin Johnson and Denise Hale. 

The evening wrapped up with poolside dancing to disco classics by Diana Ross and Blondie shortly after the fire dancing performances concluded. 

The post Josh Flagg Throws a Beverly Hills Bash to Honor Nikki Haskell appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Hotel Options for Easter

The new outdoor restaurant at Beverly Wilshire, THEBlvd Prive is offering à la carte Easter brunch on April 3 and 4 (from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) complete with eggplant Parmesan and eight-hour lamb shoulder. For added seasonal flair, the grade school students from Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles have decorated Easter eggs that line the hedges of the restaurant’s entrance.   

The Maybourne patio is offering Easter all day from 12 to 10 p.m. The tasting menu will include Claridge’s Severn & Wye smoked salmon and slow-roasted leg of lamb with mint chimichurri, ending with a custom Easter egg or carrot cake for $165 per person. 

Easter Brunch at Avec Nous in the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills will feature Eggs Benedict with free-flowing Champagne ($60 per person) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $110 per adult and $55 per child (12 and under.)

At the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, The Rooftop by JG is offering a three-course family-style Easter brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that includes an Easter basket for each child for $160 per person and $80 per child. For Easter dinner, Jean-Georges Beverly Hills downstairs will offer its popular eight-course tasting experience from 6 to 10:30 p.m. 

The Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge brunch will take place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for $185 per person with a traditional ham dish and an Easter Basket cocktail with Butterfly Pea Flower Infused Tito’s Vodka. Sister property Wolfgang Puck at the Hotel Bel-Air is holding an Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that ends with a choice of a decadent chocolate Easter egg, lemon meringue bunny tail or sticky toffee carrot cake ($225 per person).

Le Petit Belvedere Terrace at the Peninsula will include a three-course Parisian brunch, complete with edible “Fabergé eggs” and a roving Easter bunny delivering treats. The cost is $150 per person from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. An Easter Afternoon Tea on the Verandah Terrace is also an option for $130 per person on April 3-4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

New and Improved Options

Opening to the public on April 2, the Pendry West Hollywood hotel will also be debuting Ospero, the casual street-side European style café. The relaxed, all-day menu including salads, handmade pasta, vegan dishes and Wolfgang Puck pizza. The restaurant offers an outdoor terrace overlooking a beautifully landscaped piazza with views of downtown Los Angeles with a full bar and takeaway offerings as well. Currently only open for hotel guests or members of The Britely private club on the grounds, Merois is the rooftop option with open-air views and a menu that showcases Chef Wolfgang Puck’s blend of Asian and French-California cuisine. The Bar at Merois is a modern space anchored by a central fireplace for evening cocktails and small bites.

Tucked away in Beverly Glenn Canyon, nine-time Grammy-winner, Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill might be a famous jazz-supper club but they have also recently launched a jazzy Sunday brunch on the patio just in time for Easter. Expect activated charcoal waffles topped with Jidori fried chicken and eggs Benedict with lobster or crab on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Take-Out Treats

Gwyneth Paltrow has added home-delivered healthy meals from goop Kitchen as the latest arm of her successful lifestyle-wellness brand. The menu offers deliciously prepared dishes from Chef Kim Floresca (whose training includes El Buli in Spain), with salmon bowls, Japanese sweet potato soup and mezze platters. The westside, including Beverly Hills, Brentwood and Westwood are on the delivery route. 

order.goopkitchen.com 

Former Matsuhisa and Nobu chef Brian Ogawa is now operating an omakase to-go experience from a West Hollywood ghost kitchen. Home-a-kase is a premium experience for $400 per person, that includes a fully catered meal from menu creation to clean-up.  Add-ons include sake pairings and a dessert bar. Soosh.la  

Bakeries and Sweets

For cute confections, the Flour Shop on Santa Monica Boulevard has Hops the Bunny rainbow vanilla explosion cakes with cream-cheese frosting in midi, maxi or mega sizes, cake pops or colorful crates of chocolate eggs. Over on Brighton Way, andSons has cases filled with upscale jewel-faceted chocolate eggs, hand-painted bunnies made with Valrhona dark chocolate and a variety of cookie bunnies. Neighboring teuscher is offering its famed Don Perignon Champagne truffle eggs and decorative Easter egg boxes you can custom-fill with various treats. And, no Passover or Easter celebration would be complete without the Edelweiss dark chocolate-covered Matzoh sheets with fruit and nuts, pectin jelly beans, speckled malt balls or chocolate-dipped marshmallow peeps.  

The post The Easter Scene in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Despite the current restrictions, there have been crowds on Canon Drive and customers waiting online at many of the popular standbys. It’s clear that people want to be out experiencing a change of scenery and mingling a little with the community. Here are some options, from casual outings to date night dressy. 

Opened This Week

On Feb. 8 celebrity Chef Curtis Stone and pastry Chef Amy Taylor opened The Pie Room by Gwen in the Maude space on South Beverly Drive. The savory and sweet offerings range from a trio of sizes, including English cottage pies and traditional American caramel-apple with picture-perfect flaky crusts. Tarts and steamed puddings are also in the mix, along with house-made condiments. Within the coming week, they will add side dishes, frozen offerings and a special Valentine’s Day assortment. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. gwentogo.com

Patios, Parklets and Rooftops 

The Rooftop by JG at the Waldorf Astoria is accepting reservations along with the ground floor fine-dining Jean-Georges signature patio restaurant and the newer Waldorf Café by La Colombe. Next door at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, a special Valentine’s Day dinner can be booked poolside at MERCATO. If you want to make a weekend out of it, special packages (rates from $494) include the newly renovated cabana poolrooms with dinner and Champagne on your own private terrace while a classic film is projected on the outdoor media wall. www.beverlyhilton.com

Culina Ristorante at the Four Seasons on Doheny is welcoming guests back to the front and back patios, along with a special multi-course Italian themed menu offering from Feb. 12 – 14. culinarestaurant.com

Heritage Fine Wine on Canon Drive has reopened with a secret garden rooftop overlooking City Hall. The Paris Tokyo concept is accessible through the Visitor Center building off Canon Drive Thursday through Sunday evenings. Expect rosé Champagne flowing and premium custom sushi boats (with 80 to 160 pieces) from Azai Sushi in a romantic setting with day beds and table seating under the stars. Book via Instagram @paristokyo_bh.

The Palm Restaurant has partnered with Garrison Brothers Distillery and Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson on Feb. 14 to create a five-course meal, paired with handcrafted bourbon cocktails and wine from Woodson’s Intercept Wines. Dinners are $350 for two but virtual options with home delivery are also available. thepalm.com

New in West Hollywood 

The Fairfax district is booming with a trio of new options: Madre (madrerestaurants.com) is a Oaxacan-themed eatery with chicken mole and well-balanced cocktails from their 400-plus bottle collection, the largest in the country. Grain Traders (graintraders.com) is a healthy Singaporean transplant with grain-based dishes, baked goods and coffee options under a side patio. The long-awaited plant-based Taco Vega from Chef Jared Simons and Jared Meisler has a back patio space for sipping horchata and snacking on potato taquitos, cauliflower tacos and Ironman bowls.  tacovega.com

Theia is a contemporary Greek restaurant-lounge in Beverly Grove with an open-air patio serving flaming halloumi with ouzo and lavender crème brulee that’s perfect for a weekend brunch date. theia-la.com

The 1933 Group’s historic Formosa Café in the shadow of The Lot Studios is finally utilizing the upstairs patio to its full potential with Taiwanese-American fare served daily from 5-9 p.m. And, just a few blocks away, Chef Nicholas Peter from the currently closed The Little Door can be found at Harlowe serving a French-Moroccan menu on the two patio options.  1933group.com

For old favorites, Craig’s on Melrose has added another parklet-patio to the front of the restaurant, to help with overflow from the back alfresco option, just in time for the long weekend dinning demand. (craigs.la) And, Olivetta is back for their “on holiday” residency at Kimpton La Peer just around the corner with rooftop and poolside dining options. olivetta.la

Latest in Culver City and Westside

STK Steakhouse has moved poolside at the W Hotel in Westwood and will be offering Valentine’s Day specials throughout the weekend including a seafood platter for two ($69) and love potion cocktails, along with bottomless brunch options. stksteakhouse.com

Citizen Public Market is open in Culver City with upstairs and downstairs patios for dining on Good Boy Bob’s duck confit with goat cheese chapatis, links and burgers from the Weho Sausage Company and pizza from Nancy Silverton of Mozza. citizenpublicmarket.com

Jordan Kahn, of  Vespertine and Destroyer fame is offering a Valentine’s Day Picnic Box ($55) that includes artisanal cheeses and house-made delicacies such as foie gras parfait with green sage plum and pink peppercorn.  Pick-up or delivery is available Feb. 12 – 14, or you can also dine on the patio and admire the Haden Tract area architecture.  destroyer.la

Kahn is also offering a special five-course Valentine’s Day version of its “Vespertine at-home” sensory experience menu for $165 per person with a 15-hour slow-smoked prime beef rib for two with esthetic serving vessels. vespertine.la

Chef David Myers, who earned a Michelin star at his former flagship restaurant Sona, and was last seen in this country opening Hinoki + the Bird in Century City, has opened an excellent pop-up burger patio in Venice on Abbot Kinney. The surprise here is not the return of a modern version of the beloved Comme Ça gourmet burger from his former West Hollywood haunt (that The New York Times crowned the best burger), but the inventive milkshakes such as green matcha and white chocolate. adriftburgerla.com 

Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica is slowly opening patio dining but don’t overlook Interstellar – a new low-key daytime coffee shop with a small patio offering an ocean view, and a menu spanning Korean galbi bowls to lobster rolls and a surprising sake selection. interstellarla.com 

The post Dining for Valentines and Presidents appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Mobile Mixology from Maybourne

The Maybourne Beverly Hills is bringing hand-crafted cocktails from some of London’s finest hotels (and fellow members of the Maybourne Hotel Group family) right to your door. The Mobile Mixologist program incorporates a large black SUV with a portable bar set up in the back. It arrives to your home, ready to serve a menu of classics that include The Connaught Martini and Claridge’s Flapper plus a local Maybourne Margarita. Bar snacks include olives, mixed nuts and cheese crisps, with additional food items such as cheese and charcuterie or caviar available as well. While the white-gloved mixologist is preparing your drinks, sip a glass of Champagne, which is also provided from the roving bar. Order within a 10-mile radius of the hotel on Canon Drive every Wednesday through Sunday for $150 per person. maybournebeverlyhills.com

The Finishing Gourmet

In the past year, ho-hum delivery in plastic packaging has morphed into inventive meal kits. The Finishing Gourmet is a step above both concepts. The company delivers a fine caliber steakhouse experience from Bocuse d’Or Chef Robert Sulatycky. Meticulously pack- aged steaks, seafood, salads and sides arrive with condiments organized in servable glass jars. Boxes also include cooking utensils and a quality knife to slice into a juicy 38-ounce cowboy steak (should that be your cut of choice). All you need to do is quickly sear the meat, open a bottle of wine and light the candles. Prices start at $125 per person. thefinishinggourmet.com

Chocolate Tasting Classes

The old-fashioned heart-shaped box of chocolates with a red bow is a perennial favorite, but why not try a more creative option this year? Impress your love with a virtual chocolate tasting or chocolate making class by chocolate expert Ruth Kennison of The Gourmandise School and The Chocolate Project. Spend an hour learning about the origins, craft-making process while eating rare, small-batch chocolates from around the world or Zoom into her two-hour livestream classes where you’ll make “The World’s Best Chocolate-Caramel Tart” and other treats. The chocolate trivia challenge adds a competitive twist for some fun with other couples or friends. Prices range from $100 per household (ingredient lists are ordered separately) or group classes (with tasting kits sent in advance) starting at $35 per person. chocolate-project.com

If you’d rather opt for store-bought confections, try the rare but increasingly popular ruby chocolate, crafted from ruby cocoa beans. This newer, pink-hued option was created by Belgian-Swiss company Callebaut in 2017, but you can find it closer to home now at Compartes in Brentwood or West Hollywood. compartes.com

Flower Arranging Class or Club

Instead of gifting a single Valentine’s Day arrangement, extend the gesture for an entire year with a monthly subscription from the Bouqs in Venice (bouqs.com), which start at under $50 for a variety of peonies, roses, lilies, orchids, and sunflowers. Or gift a flower arranging class from Alice’s Table (alicestable.com), featuring farm-fresh flowers delivered nationwide to your door before a virtual class ensues. Tickets start at $65 each.

For a floral pièce de resistance, add a one-of-a-kind hand-blown vase from Saban Glass. Owner and philanthropist Cheryl Saban handcrafts the works of art in over 22 colors at her local studio. After taking a recreational class and falling in love with the artistic process of glass blowing, Saban’s “hobby” became a full-time endeavor with partial sales from her highly sought-after works of art supporting various charities. “Valentine’s Day has always been a special day for me, beginning in grammar school, with the sweet hand-written Valentine notes we giggled about, and the colorful candy hearts we gave one another,” said Saban. “As adults, Cupid still inspires us to declare our love. One special way to do that is by giving your loved one the gift of beautiful flowers in a colorful vase. Our Flora vase is the perfect shape and size for your Valentine’s bouquet.” Prices start at $150. SabanGlassware.com. (Allow at least three weeks for delivery.) The vases are also available through Sonny Alexander florists on Pico Boulevard, known for their stunning rose arrangements. Sonnyalexanderflorists.com. Anthropology also carries a small assortment of Saban’s best-selling drink wear and tabletop items if you are on the hunt for more items quickly.

Pen a Love Letter Contest

Find your inner Shakespeare or Neruda with the Peninsula Beverly Hills and award-winning artisanal tequila Mijenta. The pair have teamed up for the “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” cocktail collaboration and the “With Love” social media campaign. The public is invited to submit a letter to or from someone they love. The prize is either a stay for two at the hotel, dinner at The Belvedere or a couple’s spa treatment. For more details, visit www.instagram.com/thepeninsulabh, then e-mail your love letter to marketingpbh@peninsula.com to be considered. Three winners will be announced on March 15.

Sensory Perfume Experience

Instead of simply presenting your beloved with a bottle of their favorite scent, book a private appointment at the renowned French fragrance house that opened a museum-worthy boutique at Two Rodeo. Parfum Henry Jacques embraces the concept of building a fragrance wardrobe from 50 signature scents that are housed in chic bottles and custom-designed collectible boxes of wood, fabric and lacquer. Prices start at $500. parfumshenryjacques.com

Couples Massage in Malibu

A drive out to Malibu is a relaxing and romantic pursuit any time of year. CURE is a private medical wellness center situated just across the road from Nobu Ryokan on Pacific Coast Highway. This healing spot offers guests expansive deck cabanas and couples treatment rooms with ocean views for massages from reiki (perfect if you prefer no-touch therapy) to reflexology. Of course, gloves and masks are worn by the therapists. Massage prices start at $210 per person. curedaily.com

Dining at Sea in Santa Barbara

If you’d rather get out of town, head north to the Santa Barbara Sailing Center for a new Dining at Sea excursion. The nautical experts have partnered with Spanish eatery Loquita for a three-hour outing with Chef Nikolas Ramirez. This private dining experience is held on an open-air yacht in the Santa Barbara Harbor with the restaurant’s specialties from tapas to paella with wood-grilled seafood. Sip your signature gin and tonic as panoramic views of the American Rivera float by at sunset. Prices start at $275 per person. sbsail.com/dining-at-sea-2/

Take a Romantic Stroll

If you’re looking for a romantic place to take a stroll, consider the tranquil Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine. It’s a hidden 10-acre garden in Pacific Palisades for meditation and self-reflection, and it’s free. You can walk the peaceful grounds hand-in-hand with a pathway that surrounds the lake dotted with statues and small waterfalls. You can also get a workout in by hiking up 105 steps to the temple with a stunning panoramic view. Who couldn’t use a little bit of inner peace and healing in nature after 2020? Parking is available in front and reservations are required at yogananda.org. And, if you’re longing to get back to familiar haunts, Will Rogers State Park, Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon hiking trails are open, but make sure to abide by social distancing requirements.

Create an Artistic Card

For a fun and creative family pursuit, you can join a Zoom art class to make Valentine’s cards. The Brentwood Art Center is hosting a one-hour free Valentine’s Day card workshop on Feb. 13 at 1:30 p.m. The positive Manifesto of London-based artist Lakwena Maciver serves as the inspiration for the class and instructor Kira Lynn Caine invites you to use some of those messages (found on the website registration link), but now is the time to add your own personal sentiment to your one-of-a-kind creation. You will need to have handy colored pencils, markers, a glue stick, scissors, construction paper and old magazines for creating collages, and graphic patterns. Your kids will love it and it might even take you back to your old school days. A hand-crafted card will mean so much more to the recipient than the generic store-bought variety this year. brentwoodart.org/workshops/valentinescards-workshop

The post Creative Ideas for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

It’s been a challenging year and with stores open at only 20 percent capacity, shopping could also be tricky this holiday season as well. If you missed Black Friday and Cyber Monday, here are some inventive gift box ideas for everyone on your list.

For the Travel Connoisseur:

Assouline Publishing is known for producing stand-out volumes. This holiday season, they are packaging a colorful set of coffee table travel books ($95 each) featuring scenes from Comporta to Capri. In addition, “Travel by Design” was just released this fall with images of more than 100 locations in 60 countries, from exotic islands to global cityscapes, ancient civilizations, luxurious resorts, and more. You can find them in Beverly Hills at Gearys, Neiman Marcus or Assouline.com.

For the Art Aficionado:

MoMA Museum has teamed up with celebrity favorite cool-kicks brand Vans for a one-of-a-kind sneaker collaboration with artistic motifs from its collection starting at $80. The shoes have become canvases with Pollock, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Monet and more. The gift boxes can be ordered with a matching sweatshirt for the full casual-cool lounging look which have all embraced this year. Vans.com

For Dark Chocolate Lover:

The owners of popular Porch Gallery in Ojai have launched Beato Chocolates. The artisanal 72 percent dark chocolates with fleur de sel feature the artwork of world-renowned sculptor Beatrice Wood who made Ojai’s Happy Valley her home and studio. You can also buy the large assorted bars (four for $48) inspired by Wood’s Dadaist work with unique combinations of roasted marcona almonds and smoked paprika, and a bar that also pays homage to the town’s famed pixie tangerines with artistic packaging. beatochocolates.com

For the Gluten-free Baker:

Many of us have taken up bread baking during the pandemic. Newly-opened Breadblok of Santa Monica will do the heavy lifting for you by producing gluten-free loaves of chestnuts sourdough bread available for nationwide delivery. They are packaging this along with other carbs in a holiday box for $149.99 that includes Provencal olive oil and fig jam. breadblok.com

For the Coffee Addict:

Beverly Hills mainstay coffee shop Alfred’s is always adding interesting merchandise to the mix, including this season’s make-your-own vanilla latte DIY kit. The package includes espresso beans, oat milk, vanilla syrup, stainless steel straws, a to-go tumbler and tote bag for $70 that will make 20 drinks.  Available at Alfredla.com. And, for a gift of coffee for a good cause, the Southern California-based Special Needz Coffee provides opportunities for adults with special needs and/or mental illnesses to work in the community. Their medium and espresso roast whole bean and ground coffees can be included in gift baskets along with customized mugs, face masks, T-shirts and other merchandise that supports the work of the organization. www.specialneedzcoffee.com.

For the Tequila and Rosé fan:

Everyone’s favorite sugar-gummy store, Sugarfina in Beverly Hills, has a new Candy Bento Box collaboration featuring Codigo 1530 signature Rosa tequila (aged in French oak barrels) with Tequila Grapefruit Sours and Top Shelf Rosé Roses candy. The box retails for $35, and because this is the first time, they have combined alcohol and candy in the same package, it’s being sold on ReserveBar.com.

For the Foodie:

Goldbelly is a national gourmet food service that will box up and ship your favorite meals to your door. If your significant other is missing mushroom lasagna from Gramercy Tavern in New York, Commander’s Palace turtle soup from New Orleans, or your kids are craving Hattie B’s fried chicken in Nashville or Pike Place chowder from Seattle, surprise them with a holiday delivery. The company also offers live Zoom cooking classes with top chef partners. Prices start at $45. Goldbelly.com

For the Beginner Home Cook:

For something hyper local and vegan-veggie friendly, CropSwap is offering a Golden State Papayas Pizza Party Box for $40 that includes fruits and vegetables from local farmers, the pizza dough, Drake’s Family Farm goat cheese and a jar from The Count of Monte Pesto. These new experimental subscription boxes also include a breakfast kit and pantry staples. cropswap.com

For the Fun Wellness Guru:

There is a plethora of CBD products on the market but this is a sparkling hemp-based CBD-infused craft cocktail pack featuring limited edition original artwork from Collective Project, which supports the global art community. Available starting at $17.99, flavors include Raspberry-Hibiscus Rooibos, Cucumber, Lemon-Lime and Mango, Pineapple-Coconut that will all mix well with your favorite at-home spirits. collectiveproject.com

For the Fitness Expert:

Since we can’t frequent the Shape House in West Hollywood right now to rid our bodies of all those toxins (who couldn’t use a pre-or-post-holiday detox?), while running into local celebs, MiHigh is a portable infrared sauna blanket packaged in a black gift box. This magic blanket claims to burn up to 600 calories in a 30-minute session while elevating your heart rate and calming the mind.  And, you can do this while lying on the sofa watching Netflix for $499. Mihigh.com

For the Fashionista:

Local celebrity stylist and designer Rachel Zoe has launched a seasonal bespoke subscription box of upscale fashion and lifestyle accessories. The collections features jewelry, scarves, handbags, sunglasses, home and beauty products. CURATEUR memberships start at $349 per year or $99 per box. curateur.com

For the Hair Care Fanatic:

Pureology has undergone a renovation with new formulas that are 100 percent vegan, and is now offering them in gift boxes at Sephora.com or in the Beverly Hills store. Known for helping hair color last far beyond the salon, (and with salons being closed, we all need that right now), Pureology Holiday Kits for men and women are $70 and include brightening, strengthening, volumizing, and smoothing themes.

For the Eco Beauty Buff:

With at-home pampering in high-demand, LOVEGOODLY is a new LA-based bi-monthly box that delivers 100 percent toxin-free and cruelty-free, products. Expect clean mascara by EVIO, vegan collagen night cream from London-based Professor Herb, a nourishing eye serum packed with cranberry seed oil for an antioxidant fix, and an orange and tea tree hand sanitizer that also fits in your handbag. Each purchase (starting at $40.00) also gives back to animal welfare non-profit, Farm Sanctuary. lovegoodly.com

For “High Maintenance” Skin Care:

For a more intense approach, West Hollywood’s luxury beauty hub Violet Grey, owned by Cassandra Grey, has just released a Violet gift box of “best sellers” including 111 Skin Y Theorem Bio-Cellulose Mask, U Beauty Resurfacing Compound and Westman-Atelier Lip Suede Les Rouges. The box contains over 13 products valued at over $1,000 for $425. Violetgrey.com

For Ringing Out 2020:

Petrossian caviar on Robertson is crafting special gift boxes this year that include varieties of products for picnics and at-home celebrations such as blinis and crème fraiche with mother of pearl spoons. You can also add Champagne, chocolates and appetizers from the $300 to $700 dollar range. Petrossian.com

The post The Gifting Scene in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

NEW ON THE SCENE

When you need a break but can’t leave town, these debut dining ventures all evoke a strong sense of place and a much-needed dose of escapism.

Damian, Arts District DTLA

Mexico City Michelin-starred Chef Enrique Olvera has opened his long-awaited restaurant across the street from Bestia in the Arts District. The industrial chic patio with abundant foliage is perfect for social distancing and any intimate gathering. Order the grilled lobster, uni tostada and tamal de elote with a range of over 40 agave spirits. They are closed on major holidays and booking is about one month out, but opt for a waitlist if you can be flexible on the date.

https://www.damiandtla.com/

Cara, Los Feliz

Dean McKillen of Ysabel and Laurel Hardware restaurant fame has gone into the boutique hotel business. High-end hospitality is in his blood. His family owns and operates the U.K.-based Maybourne Hotel Group, which recently opened its first U.S. property in Beverly Hills. For Cara, McKillen has chosen Los Feliz and a Mediterranean vibe, with three different dining patios. The  menu by Chef Michael Patria includes a whole roasted branzino and lemon fettucine. Book one of the 60 chic white guestrooms if you drink too much from the stellar wine or cocktails list. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

https://www.carahotel.com/

The Barish and Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Mozza-plex queen, Nancy Silverton, has opened a romantic Italian steakhouse at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The palm tree-lined patio serves lamb chops, Creekstone Farms New York Strip, grilled abalone mushrooms with porcini butter, pizzetta and even a rolled “lasagna” all cooked over an open flame. Make a night of it and enjoy a fruity poolside cocktail while playing a game of Mad Libs, before or after dinner at the newly reconfigured The Spare Room and you will feel like you’re on vacation.

www.thehollywoodroosevelt.com/

Fellow and The Galerie, Westwood

The brick walls of this Westside spot located in a historic 1935 building are lined with an exhibition of rock-n-roll greats in collaboration with Mr. Musichead Gallery. Now serving on a new sidewalk patio, the tasting menu by Executive Chef Mazen Mustafa (who worked with three-Michelin-star Chef Michel Troisgros, Daniel Boulud and David Chang) includes salmon with sorrel and cream sauce, smoked oat milk panna cotta with eggplant and grilled avocado with pistachio and coconut. The wine list is from Sommelier Scott Lester from Eleven Madison Park and The French Laundry. A  special New Year’s Eve menu is planned.

www.fellow.la

Lucky Steakhouse, Malibu

This famed Montecito classic steak spot has come to the Malibu Country Mart (opening Dec. 1) just in time to celebrate Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in style. Best known for USDA prime steaks, don’t overlook the shrimp cocktail or other fresh seafood dishes helmed by Executive Chef Michael Rosen, and the extensive wine list by Larry Nobles is strong on Bordeaux going back to 1929.

https://www.luckysmalibu.com/

OSPI Venice

Celebrated Chef Jackson Kalb has taken over the old Canal Club space near the Venice Boardwalk. With a pedigree from Melisse and Joel Robuchon, you will want to order every pasta on the menu. For the first time, Kalb is also making fully fermented breads for sandwiches and wafer-thin pizzas to-go, or to dine on the temporary sidewalk space, and you can stroll along Venice beach after your meal.  A special holiday menu will be available with Mary’s Turkey (to-go only).

https://www.ospivenice.com/

NUEVA, Venice/Marina del Rey Border

Take a trip to Baja on two expansive patios with food by famed Chefs Vartan Abgaryan and Mesraim Llanez. Try the chicken tinga burrito, shakshuka ranchos or the smokey Caesar at brunch and the unique range of tacos from falafel to Mediterranean octopus, tempura sea bass or pork belly chicharron at dinner.

https://nuevavenice.com/

BACK ON THE SCENE IN BEVERLY HILLS

Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura

This intimate second story patio above the Rodeo Drive store will be serving on Christmas Eve only for the holiday season, but the original menu with the famed tortellini with Parmigiano Reggiano cream executed by Chef Mattia Agazzi is still available any other day or night.

www.gucci.com/us 

Il Pastaio

One of the most buzzworthy corners in town will only be open for the holiday of Christmas Eve day, so book your patio or parklet spot soon if you’re craving the pasta dishes.

www.ilpastaiobeverlyhills.com

Mastros

Thankfully, Mastros is always open for every holiday and that has not changed this year. So, decide how you want your steak cooked on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas or New Year’s Eve and save room for the seasonal butter cake.

www.mastrosrestaurants.com

Mr. Chow

For Christmas Eve, Mr. Chow is serving its regular Chinese menu, so you can indulge in the chicken satay, Beijing duck and noodles. New Year’s Eve will bring a set menu and late seating with a band or a DJ.

www.mrchow.com   

The Palm

Expect a traditional turkey dinner for Thanksgiving and prime rib for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with white tablecloth sidewalk seating.

www.thepalm.com

Porta Via

Open outdoors for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Canon Drive apart from Thanksgiving and Christmas. Seasonal items to get you in the mood include pumpkin cauliflower lasagna.

https://portaviarestaurants.com/beverly-hills/

Ocean Prime

This longstanding surf and turf hang-out will be celebrating the end of 2020 on their enclosed patio for New Year’s Eve this year so check back for more details on seating times.

www.ocean-prime.com

Mirame

Sip mezcal on the patio or parklet while owner-chef Josh Gil prepares a pre-Hispanic feast for Thanksgiving that includes kamote sweet-potato and cocoa corn flan. While you’re there, grab some holiday gifts including rare coffee and artisan pottery from Oaxaca.

https://mirame.la/

Wally’s

The wines are exceptional and perfect for any holiday gifting and the patio on Canon Drive is one of the hottest tables in town. Wally’s is also offering special menu items for Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve for dine in, to-go, or delivery.

https://www.wallywine.com/

Lawry’s The Prime Rib

Leave the cooking and silver carving cart service, to this La Cienega family-style favorite this year on Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve in their new outdoor patio space.

www.lawrysonline.com

TRIED AND TRUE HOTEL SCENE

Beverly Hills Hotel

The beloved pink-hued patio of the Polo Lounge with be open for a three-course Thanksgiving brunch this year. Christmas Eve brings a four-course dinner followed by a Christmas Day brunch. You can ring in the New Year as well during a three-course New Year’s Eve menu, and it’s never too early to order an eggnog souffle.

www.dorchestercollection.com

Hotel Bel-Air

There are plenty of celebratory options this year on the cozy patio of Wolfgang Puck’s signature restaurant including a three-course Thanksgiving dinner. Christmas Eve features a four-course menu with a beignet holiday confection tree and a three-course family-style Christmas day meal. New Year’s Eve features an a la carte menu for the first seating and a five-course menu with champagne and party favors.

www.dorchestercollection.com 

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Jean-Georges Beverly Hills terrace is back offering one of the most elegant eight-course tasting menus including caviar, King crab risotto and a ribeye cap with wine pairings. A traditional family-style turkey dinner awaits on Thanksgiving, and curbside pickup is available on Nov. 26. Look for a new Latin-fusion themed brunch menu on Sundays and a Waldorf Cafe by La Colombe pop-up.

https://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com /

The Beverly Hilton Hotel

This year, the iconic hotel is offering Thanksgiving dinners to-go that feature roasted whole turkey breast with citrus brine and herb butter, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, butternut squash and brussels sprout hash, kale Caesar salad, and petite pumpkin pie or pecan pie. You can dine poolside year-round at their new casual café MERCATO.

www.hilton.com/

The Peninsula

Le Petit Belvedere and Chef David Codney are whipping up a special Thanksgiving menu with a French flare, including veal cheek bourguignon, that will also be available to-go (orders must be placed by Nov. 22). With any luck, guests will also be able to enjoy the Christmas and New Year’s Eve menu partially indoors this year.

www.peninsula.com

The Maybourne

The Terrace restaurant at the City’s newest hotel offers a special three-course European meets California coastal menu with hors d’oeuvres by longtime Beverly Hills Executive Chef Kaleo Adams. Available for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

www.maybourne.com/

West Hollywood and Westside Scene

Sunset Tower will be open on Thanksgiving Day for lunch and dinner with a special turkey dinner menu that starts with roasted butternut squash soup and ends with pumpkin pie a la mode. And, you can enjoy jazz on the terrace any Tuesday through Saturday night.

www.sunsettowerhotel.com

The London’s signature restaurant Boxwood will be serving Thanksgiving dinner on their beautiful outdoor marble terrace, but with a twist. Yes, you can order a free-range turkey dinner with sage stuffing, but also butter-poached Maine lobster rolls, New England crab bisque, and in keeping with their British roots, beef Wellington and sticky toffee pudding.

www.thelondonwesthollywood.com

The Edition West Hollywood hotel by Ian Schrager has reopened just in time for the holidays with a revamped rooftop and spectacular West Hollywood city views. Here you can dine on a Peruvian inspired menu featuring sweet potato taquitos with red mole or lomo saltado with beef tenderloin. Open at 5 p.m. every day until the end of the year.

www.editionhotels.com/weho/

Olivetta at Kimpton La Peer holds the best hotel residency to ever hit town with Italian specialties by Chef Michael Fiorelli that can be enjoyed poolside or on the rooftop overlooking the hills. So far, they are planning a big bash for New Year’s Eve.

www.lapeerhotel.com

A.O.C. Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s Mediterranean eatery is still going strong on the original patio, with more outdoor space added by the front entrance for sipping wine, eating charcuterie and Spanish fried chicken. Holiday booking options include Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

www.aocwinebar.com

Melisse x Citrin Michelin-starred Chef Josiah Citrin has morphed his landmark Santa Monica restaurant into an outdoor dining experience and they will be serving a full Thanksgiving dinner this year with to-go options as well for other holidays.

www.citrinandmelisse.com 

TO-GO SCENE

Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel 

While the hotel dining venues are currently closed to the public, they are doing a traditional Thanksgiving-to-Go this year. To place your order, call 310.275.5200.

Nate ‘n Al’s

This historic deli is still standing on Beverly Drive after a roller-coaster year. A new outdoor patio with acrylic dividers will hold up to 60 people just in time for holiday shopping and lunching in the area. Christmas and New Year’s Day brunch specials are being finalized, but they will also be open every day for take-out, including holidays.

www.natenals.com

Ludobab

Michelin-star Chef Ludo Lefebvre has recently flipped his fine-dining location in Hollywood into a delicious wood-grilled kebab take-out format perfect for a home feast just before or after the holidays.

https://www.ludobab.com/ 

Craig’s

While you can’t have a martini at the bar, you can sit in the newly constructed back patio on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve this year, or better yet, order the popular honey truffle fried chicken to-go.

https://craigs.la/

Republique

The weekly Monday night suppers to-go by owner-chef Walter Manzke have a cult following and you can also sit on the newly reconfigured patio for a cappuccino from morning to night while you wait.

www.republiquela.com

Capital Seafood

Located on La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills, this is probably the best dim sum on this side of the San Gabriel Valley. They will be open every single day for the rest of 2020.

www.capitalseafoodca.com

Xi’an Beverly Hills

This Canon Drive staple for Chinese food for the past several decades will be open for Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner, plus New Year’s Eve.

https://xian90210.com

Daughters Deli

If you want the same quality of pastrami from legendary Langer’s, this is your Westside spot (and, yes, this is the owner’s daughter). Cater any holiday gathering with three to four days’ notice since they will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

www.daughtersdeli.com

Eataly

For something a little different this Thanksgiving or Christmas, preorder platters of salumi, cheese, pasta and Italian wine. You can also buy a precooked apple cider-braised heirloom organic turkey with focaccia stuffing. Must order by Nov. 20 for pick up on Nov. 23-25.

la-guestrelations@eataly.com

Baltaire

Thanksgiving dinner packages to-go by Chef Travis Strickland include a 10-pound Mary’s free-range turkey along with other special orders such as black truffle mac-and-cheese, caviar supplement and Bourbon croissant pudding. E-mail hello@baltaire.com for pick up on Nov. 25.

The post Holiday Dining Scene – Who is Open, What’s on the Menu and How to Book appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The big news just in time for holiday bingeing, Bottega Louie from downtown L.A. finally opened on Nov. 9, in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard. The famous fancy French-style tarts, cupcakes and pastries are now much closer, and you can order your croquembouche macaron tree for the holiday table.

www.bottegalouie.com

Ladurée Beverly Hills: Who doesn’t love a colorful, bite-size French confection? Especially when they are vegan macrons inspired by wellness guru Matthew Kenney. Most recently, Ladurée has partnered with Paris-based world-renowned Michelin-star chef, Jean François Piège to create a special holiday collection. The message is simplicity while sharing with our loved ones, inspired by his famous dessert, the Blanc Manger.

www.laduree.us

Sprinkles: Candace Nelson might be best known as the award-winning cupcake queen of Beverly Hills, but she is now offering her skills this holiday season for a virtual pie baking pop-up class. And, the Courier secured a hot tip from Nelson ahead of the class. “Pull your pumpkin pie before it’s fully baked so it doesn’t over-bake and lead to a cracked top. The filling should still have a gentle jiggle in the middle 4 inches of the pie when you remove it from the oven.”

www.piepopup.com

Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air: If you lunch at the Polo Lounge during the holidays, visit the new pop-up pastry shop for scones, cake-pops and bagels, open Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. And, the outdoor Fountain Coffee Shop room is also offering sweets to-go (including their signature chocolate-coconut cake). For something a little more rustic, sister property Hotel Bel-Air offers a picnic under the stars with fire pits and s’mores kits.

www.dorchestercollection.com/ 

Chaumont: For some of the best cinnamon, raspberry, blueberry pastries and pain au chocolat croissants in town, this Gallic spot on Beverly Drive will need a few days’ notice for any large holiday orders. They also offer a flourless almond or chocolate cake so be sure to plan ahead. And, you can also order beurre D’Isigny A.O.P cow’s milk unsalted butter from Isigny, France.

www.chaumontbakery.com/

The Cheesecake Factory: Sometimes you just need a good old-fashioned cheesecake and having a choice from over 30 types on Beverly Drive is not bad. Staples include red velvet, strawberry and Oreo cheesecake. They will hold a cake for up to two weeks in advance, which is a good idea this time of year. The pecan or the pumpkin can run out quickly. For Christmas, the Peppermint Bark cheesecake is in high demand starting in early December.

www.thecheesecakefactory.com/

Clementine, Century City: If you want your home to have that fresh-baked pie scent wafting through the kitchen, but don’t want to do the heavy lifting, family-owned Clementine bakery has a bake-at-home apple pie that seems like the perfect order this Thanksgiving. While you’re there, get a few back-ups like a pumpkin or chocolate cream in the event that you still accidentally burn the crust.

www.clementineonline.com

Violet Bistro in Westwood will be offering a range of patisserie from a chocolate bundt cake with brown sugar méringue to a caramel pumpkin chiffon cheesecake or a French apple streusel pie with a vegan crust. Place orders by Nov. 21. And, if you would like to learn how to recreate one for Christmas, sign-up for one of their online cooking classes.

https://violetla.com/

Valerie Confections: Valerie Gordon has a special skill for recreating nostalgic L.A. cakes such as the coffee crunch cake from Blum’s Bakery, Brown Derby grapefruit cake and Chasen’s banana shortcake. She also bakes seasonal pies and pumpkin petits fours, but you don’t have to trek to Echo Park thanks to the beauty of online ordering and delivery.

https://valerieconfections.com/

Winston Pies: If size is an issue this year, this pie-house offers full to bite-size, which makes it fun for trying a variety of freshly baked goods without preservatives from Carolina classic cherry to caramel chess. Many of their pies can be made vegan, gluten or sugar-free with 48-hours notice, and they will deliver up to 5 miles from the West Hollywood or Brentwood locations.

catering@winstonpies.com

Café Gratitude: Vegans should try their raw and gluten-free pumpkin pie, chocolate coconut cream and baked apple all available for pre-order. Or, for something completely different, try the pineapple raisin tamales from their sister restaurant on Melrose, Gracias Madre.

www.graciasmadre.com

Lady M Boutique is offering a decadent splurge this holiday season. Their signature  mille crepe cake with micro-thin layers of crepe sandwiched with sweet cream can be ordered in holiday flavors, including  Earl Grey and pumpkin cheesecake (until end of November). Pre-order for in store pick-up by Nov 24. For the first time, they are doing an advent calendar for Christmas starting on Dec. 1 with bon bons such as crème brulee or matcha crunch. And, you can order a seasonal marron cake with chestnut, dusted with powered-sugar on top by Dec. 23 for pick-up on Dec. 24.

www.ladym.com

Republique: Award-winning baker Margarita Manzke is offering her pies ranging from pecan to pumpkin and Pink Lady apple until the end of November. You can also pop by the bakery counter for Basque cheesecake, salted caramel chocolate cake, banana cream pie or berry tres leches for the rest of year.

https://republiquela.com/

Milk Bar: What would any holiday celebration be without a famous “crack pie” from Milk Bar in West Hollywood? New this year are peppermint truffles and back by popular demand is the peppermint bark cake and peppermint bark snaps, plus they will deliver to your door.

https://milkbarstore.com

Akasha in Culver City has an impressive array of pies this year from classic pumpkin to the famed chocolate bourbon-pecan, key lime and blueberry for pre-order on Nov. 19 for pick-up on Nov. 25 and 26. Be sure to add the apple hazelnut crisp for any vegan holiday guests and a pint of coconut whip topping.

catering@akasharestaurant.com

Little House Confections: This light as a feather olive oil cake, sprinkled with powdered sugar, comes in a variety of sizes and is already a celebrity favorite from the Kardashians to Olivia Wilde. The cakes and simple packaging make a nice hostess gift with additional flavors of chocolate and pumpkin, and can be delivered or picked-up at the Platform in Culver City.

www.littlehouseconfections.com

Clarke Street Brentwood: If it’s great bread you’re after, Clarke Street (of Echo Park fame) has just opened a West Side location in Brentwood for country loaves, Challah, monkey bread and also Kouign-Amann or snickerdoodle cookies.

https://clarkstreetbakery.com/

Tartine: Another fan favorite for bread and tarts with six L.A. locations is flipping to pumpkin, pecan and apple pies for the season, as well as teacakes. Pre-orders are underway with pick-up the week of Thanksgiving.

https://tartinebakery.com/

Huckleberry: For great DIY home kit options to bake with the kids this year, look no further than this Santa Monica favorite. Here you can find baking projects featuring “Take & Bake Treats” from coffee cake to cinnamon roll scones and pies, plus baking mixes for pumpkin bread and whole-wheat chocolate chip cookies. And, if the bread-baking pandemic binge has not worn you down yet, they have a sourdough starter kit as well. For the December holidays, they will be offering a gingerbread house kit to assemble at home.

www.huckleberrycafe.com

On a charitable note, Sofitel L.A. will offer a pecan pie at check-in to Cedars-Sinai doctors and nurses staying at the hotel the evening of Thanksgiving. A special thank-you note will express gratitude to the frontline heroes serving the community since the pendemic began.

The post Beverly Hills’ Best Bakeries for Holiday Cakes and Pies appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Celebrities from Margot Robbie to Natalie Portman have all embraced this pre-owned fashion statement over the past few years for the red carpet. Who can forget that groundbreaking moment of Julia Roberts winning an Oscar in 2001 while donning vintage Valentino?

Beverly Hills and surrounding neighborhoods are a treasure trove for collectors and sellers alike. But, how has the business been fared under COVID-19 restrictions? What are people searching for and how are store owners and customers safely navigating the thrill of the hunt?

Director of Retail Sales and Development at What Goes Around Comes Around on Brighton Way Julian Guevara has seen an uptick in virtual shopping. “Since reopening, we have seen a decrease in foot traffic versus this time last year,” he told the Courier. “Most of our walk-in clients are locals, but we are still seeing new faces every week.”

In-house stylists now offer a virtual shopping experience for clients who might be a little apprehensive. For those who do shop in person, the team follows strict safety protocols. Employees and customers are all required to wear a mask and social distance, and there are temperature checks at the door. “We are continuously cleaning all high touch surfaces and disinfecting all garments after being handled,” said Guevara.

What Goes Around Comes Around is not a consignment store. They don’t go into people’s closets or take drop-offs at the store. Rather, they work with a select group of private collectors and auctions around the world.

Interestingly, they are seeing more buyers than sellers. One hot item coveted by Chanel collectors is the Karl Lagerfeld-designed Lait de Coco (Coco’s Milk) bag from the 2014 fall-winter supermarket themed runway show. “It is a limited edition, silver metallic, crossbody milk carton bag that is the perfect piece for a Chanel collector,” Guevara told the Courier.

Another noteworthy piece is a Hermès Rose Scheherazade Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 25. “Not only is it one of the most coveted Birkin sizes, but the color is the epitome of Hermès true craft,” said Guevara. “Everyone is always on the hunt for a neutral colored Birkin but Hermès creates the most stunning colors,” he said.

Another place to look for a hard-to-find bag is Fashionphile, now located inside of Neiman Marcus on Wilshire Boulevard. The busy “selling studio” is a conduit for high-end designer handbags that are flying off the shelves from a Chanel caviar quilted grand shopping tote to accessories and jewelry from Van Cleef to Cartier. Due to COVID-19, appointments must be booked at fashionphile.com to drop off an item to sell or pick-up a purchase from the online store.

Known for a robust online resale business from the start, The RealReal opened a brick and mortar store on Melrose in 2018. The spacious modern loft outpost is currently limiting the amount of people on-site, closing the fitting rooms, and cleaning surfaces hourly while offering curbside consignment drop-offs. You may also consign by scheduling a free virtual appointment with a Luxury Manager. (The company has performed over 25,000 of these since COVID-19.) They will also arrange for a complimentary pickup following your appointment, or you can still mail in your items for consignment.

Despite the new safety protocols, the business is still seeing a 27 percent increase in new consignors. And, 37 percent of all new consignors in Q2 were Gen-Z and Millennials. Spring cleaning aside, what are people actually buying?

According to Sasha Skoda, Head of Women’s for The RealReal, “Despite the quarantining during COVID-19, handbags are still in high demand. In the first half of the year, we saw demand for Louis Vuitton handbags rise 38 percent and Gucci 24 percent.” Limited availability of some popular Louis Vuitton styles may be contributing to increased resale value. “We’ve seen with the Noe bag and its 11 percent resale value increase since March,” she told the Courier. “With Gucci reintroducing their signature horsebit hardware, we’ve seen a rise in interest in both current and vintage styles, resulting in a 29 percent increase since March.”

Skoda has also noticed high value purchases. “It’s been interesting to see where shoppers are choosing to invest during the pandemic, particularly millennials as a generation known for investing in experiences, which are heavily restricted in our current climate,” she told the Courier.

To that end, the company has seen high-value handbags rise in popularity, particularly from brands like Hermès, whose Kelly bag saw a 42 percent increase in year-over-year search demand last quarter. “Millennials actually purchased more Hermés handbags last quarter than any other demographic,” said Skoda.

And, since people are spending more time at home, understated classic pieces are also selling like hotcakes. “We’re also seeing a gravitation towards understated styles in handbags. Classic investment bags are timeless and proving their staying power now more than ever. The Louis Vuitton Neverfull and Gucci Marmont Matelassé Shoulder Bag are examples that are always in demand and command high resale values in our marketplace.”

Trove in Westwood opened about four years ago. The two-story building is currently bursting with inventory, according to store manager Julian Middleton. Sellers are bringing in more inventory, which is promptly sanitized with a water, vinegar and essential oil spray before it is placed and essential oil spray before it is placed on racks. Buyers are primarily searching for shoes or bags and authentic jewelry from names such as Cartier, Tiffany and Hermès.

LILY et Cie on Burton Way in Beverly Hills has supplied Jennifer Aniston with many vintage pieces from Dior to Galanos for her awards season looks, and Kim Kardashian West with the famed 2003 Oyster dress by Alexander McQueen for the Oscars after-party earlier this year.

Owner Rita Watnick saw the pandemic and subsequent closures due to looting as an opportunity to revamp the store. “The collections are all better than ever,” she told the Courier. “We have refined it to a high art. We literally took out every piece of clothing and all of the accessories that had been in the store and put in all new inventory and remerchandised and reorganized. It was an amazing opportunity.”

Part of the consistent interest in vintage stems from an environmental standpoint. “I have always considered LILY et Cie the most responsible and progressive way to shop,” said Watnick. “We have a long history of red carpet ‘best dressed.'”

Watnick notes that the pandemic has downsized the scale of important gatherings, such as weddings. “We missed the Met Gala, people do not go to work anymore so there is not a necessity for important day clothes or going out to dinner,” she said. “There are definitely less places to go, however, people still want beautiful things.”

Known as the “King of Vintage Couture,” Cameron Silver of Decades on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood is usually hunting the world for luxury finds for his A-list clientele. Actresses from Michelle Williams to Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Lopez are fans.

The pandemic has made business more complicated.

Decades is now open shorter hours, weekdays only from 12-5 p.m. or by appointment. “Most people coming in are desperate for conversation with someone new while looking at something beautiful,” said Silver. “Maybe they will find a blouse or a dress but they are coming in with a purpose. We are social creatures and it’s all about community.”

Once an item is tried on by a customer, it is put into a “quarantine” that includes ultra-violet light and a disinfectant wand. “You can’t just put on a jacket and throw it back on the hanger now and I can’t be as hands on with clients anymore,” said Silver, “I need to keep a distance.”

While foot traffic is down, there has been an increased emphasis on studio services, music videos, film and television as more productions return. Much of Silver’s daily outreach has been to costume designers returning shows or productions starting up.

Silver has also been getting a lot of calls from people who want to clean out their closets during the pandemic, but he is sensitive to what people want to buy right now. “The desires of the current consumer don’t necessarily balance with someone who wants to sell a bunch of evening gowns,” he said.

While the world has become a little more casual while cocooning at home, Silver refuses to completely cave in. “You don’t want to be in sweats all the time,” he said. “It’s ok to put on something that makes you feel good. We are all dealing with a lot of heaviness in our world. I call it a ‘fashion distraction’ and it doesn’t have to be fancy. It could be a nice pair of jeans with a t-shirt and good blazer,” he adds.

For Silver, some good investment pieces that retain value include vintage Halston, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. “There is also a surge for items that are not super old such as a great Row or Rick Owen’s jacket.”

“In this circular economy people are no longer uncomfortable buying something that is pre-loved or a few seasons old. It’s chic to repeat,” is a phrase coined by Silver. “True style is how you take something in the back of your closet and mix it with a more recent acquisition for a distinctive look.”

Newer on the scene, Bon Chic boutique on South Robertson Boulevard opened in March of 2019 with a contemporary vintage flair.

Portuguese-French owner and architect Monica Evans is a long-time Beverly Hills and Bel-Air resident who has spent the past 20 years renovating and decorating homes and saw a similar trajectory into the vintage fashion business.

Closed for three months, Evans has reopened with a new sterilization lighting tool also used in hospitals. She shines it on clothing for 15 seconds. “It’s so strong that I need to leave the room,” she said.

Evans focuses on clothing but is not running a consignment shop. In keeping with the new trend, her pieces are no more than 10 years old. Her clients are looking for prestigious items such as Oscar de la Renta dresses, as well as Valentino, Chanel, Dior and Tom Ford-era Gucci.

“People don’t have anywhere to go, but it’s still an investment,” she told the Courier.

The post Vintage Clothing in High Demand in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Normally, the streets of neighboring West Hollywood are lit up with décor and costumed crowds on foot celebrating into the wee hours. This year, The City of West Hollywood Recreational Services Division is hosting its annual youth Halloween event at Plummer Park. “Trunk-or-Treat” has been reimagined as a drive-thru event on Oct. 24 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Yes, there will be trick-or-treating but all from the safety of your car with social distancing. And, cars are taking center stage, decorated in various Halloween themes parked along the perimeter of the parking lot for viewing as participants drive-thru  at their registered time.

Kids will be able to see a pumpkin patch while listening to Halloween music provided by a West Hollywood DJ, and will take home craft activity kits, swag items, prizes and most importantly, the candy, which is limited to commercially packaged non-perishable treats.

To select a time slot and pre-register, visit West Hollywood Recreation online. A dashboard pass will be provided to registered participants during event check-in. In accordance with safety protocols, face coverings are required during this activity along with appropriate physical distancing. All ages are welcome, but patrons must remain in their vehicles during the drive- thru event, which is limited to 50 vehicles at one time.

If you’d like to get a jump-start on setting the spooky tone this year, currently happening now through Halloween night, the Andaz West Hollywood overlooking Sunset Boulevard is showcasing a late-night drive-in with a ghoulish theme. The Friday and Saturday night screenings include “The Hills Have Eyes” (Oct. 23), “Halloween” (Oct. 24), “Suspiria” (Oct. 29), “An American Werewolf in London” (Oct. 30), and a Halloween Night double feature of “Young Frankenstein” and “Braindead.”

Pricing is $56.25 for each car. The Andaz will also make your car picnic easy by offering food and beverages for purchase. The “Date Night Bag” is equipped with a half-bottle of house wine or Champagne, charcuterie, insulated cooler bag, two glasses and a Pashmina blanket.

For a scary line-up with a little comedy thrown in, The Hollywood Roosevelt is hosting “Spooky Sundays,” a drive-in theatre experience in the landmark hotel’s valet parking lot, which can also be a little scary in itself. The double features are “Ghostbusters” and “The Exorcist” on Oct. 18, and “The Addams Family” and “Halloween II” on Oct. 25.

Complimentary popcorn is available for every guest along with a full bar and food menu for purchase. General Admission is $55 per car and $65 for VIP Front Row, with discounted pricing for double features. Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite.

To keep the comedy theme going, the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood–long deemed haunted by many members–has debuted “Magic Asphalt,” a new COVID-safe stand-up comedy show by the producers of The Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard. The bi-weekly show can be viewed from your car in the shadow of the castle and has featured notable comedians like Jay Pharoah, Bill Burr, Michael Rappaport, Iliza Shlesinger and Doug Benson.

Tickets are $125 and allow up to five people per car with food and drinks available for purchase from the castle kitchen. The next events are taking place Oct. 23-25.

The L.A. Zoo is also getting in on the action by transforming its parking lot into  “Halloween Drive-In Movie Nights” starting on Oct. 29, featuring “Clue,” “Goosebumps” (Oct. 30), “The Addams Family” (Oct. 31) and “Poltergeist” (Nov. 1).

The movie events include photo ops, treat bags with candy, and food for purchase via mobile ordering. There will be a pre-show video presentation featuring favorite Zoo animals and trivia challenges. Guests are encouraged to dress in costume and decorate their vehicles.  Pricing is $100 per vehicle for up to two guests, and $140 per vehicle for three or more guests. Members can save $15 with a discount code.

For digging deeper into the architectural history of the Southland, a non-profit preservation group that celebrates the diversity of architecturally significant homes, Friends of Residential Treasures: Los Angeles (FORT:LA) has put together a self-guided driving trail of five witch houses or storybook style homes to celebrate the Halloween weekend.

The self-guided tour is a fun, socially-distanced scavenger hunt of sorts that helps local residents discover a variety of architectural styles and neighborhoods only found in L.A. The trail starts in Culver City and ends in Burbank. Highlights include Humphrey Bogart’s old house, a storybook ‘castle’ where Ben Affleck and Matt Damon wrote “Good Will Hunting”, the Hlaffer-Courcier house inspired by Tam O’Shanter restaurant, a row of Hobbit homes in Culver City designed by a Disney artist in 1922, and the Columbia Ranch Dwarf Houses in Burbank.

To add more intrigue, the trail was specifically selected by producer, director and actress Amber Benson, known for her portrayal of Tara Maclay on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Every month FORT:LA chooses a trailblazer to select a theme and create a map of interesting homes designed in a particular architectural style.

For a drive to the outskirts of Pasadena for a magical experience, “Halloween at Descanso” has morphed the famed gardens into a pumpkin-filled extravaganza where guests can safely wind their way through socially-distanced, pumpkin-themed displays in the most popular sections of the gardens. Highlights include a pumpkin house and children’s hay maze, a pumpkin arch, scarecrows and pumpkin mandalas.

Children 14 and under are invited to wear their costumes with masks as they explore. The Kitchen at Descanso will also be serving warm, fall-inspired drinks and soups, along with seasonal favorites such as caramel corn and churros. On Halloween night, extended hours will be reserved for Descanso members at the Family Plus level and above. Advance ticketing is required for non-members and can be purchased at the Descanso website. Admission is free for members.

The family-friendly “Nights of the Jack” is a drive-thru Halloween experience with thousands of hand-carved and illuminated Jack O’ Lanterns. Located at King Gillette Ranch on Mulholland Highway in Calabasas, the one-mile driving trail features larger than life pumpkin installations as well as detailed artist depictions of movie stars, sports heroes and animated characters. Pricing is $69 per vehicle (up to 7 people) with a $20 large vehicle add-on for 8-12 people.

As long as you are in the west valley, you can drive by the HAUNTOWEEN LA which is an immersive, interactive, and safe drive-through experience, open daily until Oct. 31, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills.

This one-of-a-kind event comes to families from Experiential Supply, an award-winning company to which the Hollywood movie industry turns for large-scale, immersive experiences.

Keeping the traditions and excitement of Halloween alive in a safe format is the priority at HAUNTOWEEN LA. If car windows are down, masks must be on. This is a kid-friendly, non-scary community adventure with door-to-door trick-or-treating, installations, scenic paths, vehicle video ops, lots of candy and a sanitized pumpkin to take home. And, don’t skip the Jack-O-Lantern tunnel with over 1,000 pumpkins.

“Our kids are facing so many challenges right now, and we didn’t want the pandemic to ruin Halloween,” said Experiential Supply Founder & Chief Experience Officer Jasen Smith. “We decided to create something relevant and exciting that could bring the whole L.A. community together,” he said.

The post Halloween Events and Safety: Drive-Thru or Drive-In appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

One development keeping foot traffic alive is the parklet concept. Currently, there are 18 parklets built in the City with several more to be installed in the next few weeks. According to Laura Biery, Marketing & Economic Sustainability Manager for the City of Beverly Hills, “The program has been very well received by the business community and is a part of our OpenBH initiative, which has assisted over 91 businesses with moving services outside during this time on the sidewalk, in parking lots, or in a parklet.”

One popular business that took advantage of the lifeline was Urth Caffé on South Beverly Drive. “We have a lot of demand but we are still hurting,” owner Shallom Berkman told the Courier. “We only have a few tables and chairs, 14 rather than our usual 100, due to social distancing,” he said. “But the good news, the City is so very responsive and has agreed to let us do a parklet.”

If you see people standing and waiting for up to one hour for certified organic coffee during peak hours or at lunchtime, the parklet should be up in a few weeks to help alleviate the problem.

Berkman and his team also launched a pre-order and delivery site that has become a major part of the business and source of revenue since March. “I’m very proud,” he said. “When this is over and done, this will make us stronger as a company.”

For 25 years, Tutto Bene on Crescent Drive has been a go-to spot for lunch with a loyal local following that included commuters into the City.

“Many of our customers are not in their offices right now,” owner Robert Zenga told the Courier. “Law firms, real estate agencies and surrounding business buildings in the area are not working or have reduced staff. This was our customer clientele and it hurt us a little bit. We have stayed open our full hours but just have fewer customers,” he said.

Zenga also feels that the next tier of reopening indoor dining at 25 percent occupancy would not affect the business too much in terms of an uptick. “We have a very nice patio. My personal feeling is I don’t like inside dining too much right now as it would be a danger to us and our customers. The older clientele is scared. It’s safer outside and I don’t want people to come back inside too soon,” said Zenga. On a positive note, they are seeing more locals who live in the area stopping by. “This makes us very happy,” he said.

But what about longstanding businesses that don’t have ample outdoor space in which to expand for customers? Brighton Coffee Shop has been a corner mainstay since 1938 but is currently only seeing 30 percent of sales since COVID-19 restrictions.

“We are trying to survive but we only have room for seven tables outside,” owner Saeyoung (aka Sara) told the Courier.

The coffee shop, known for omelets during breakfast service and burgers at lunch, has also reduced operating hours to Monday through Friday only and is now closed on weekends. “There is no more tourist business,” she added. “We are mostly serving locals now.” This includes to-go orders such as salads and deli-style sandwiches.

Alessandro Jacchia, owner of new-comer Fatamorgana Gelato on Beverly Drive, has seen 30 places for lease since March just on the stretch of South Beverly Drive, from Wilshire Boulevard down to Olympic Boulevard. This includes retail, restaurants, coffee-shops and cafes.

“This has been an exceptionally hard season for us with the extreme loss of tourism,” said Jacchia. “What has not been fully analyzed yet, is the double-whammy of the nearby empty high-end offices for agents, banks, doctors and lawyers,” he added.

Since opening last year, the café has been steadily serving the community over 66 flavors of gelato (including 24 vegan options) all made from scratch with real ingredients. Jacchia and his team have been fortunate as one of the few businesses on this stretch of town that has never closed, except for a few days during the riots. This has resulted in being discovered by a large number of locals, even if they can only allow a few at a time into the shop. “We look at this with gratitude and something positive that came out of this disaster. We will make it and tourists will come back,” he concluded.

Until then, Jacchia is already eyeing expansion and also operates several cloud kitchens serving K-Town, DTLA and Hollywood which he sees as the wave of the future. “There has been a tremendous shift in public habits. You can still go out for dinner but why spend $300 to have dinner at Spago and sit on the sidewalk? It can be fun once but it can’t substitute the experience of a nice restaurant. Delivery apps and take-out are not going to change so quickly [even when we go back to indoor dining] they are here to stay.”

One newcomer to town has shifted to take-out for a majority of their lifeline. Xenia is a fast-casual Mediterranean pop-up operating inside of Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill on North Beverly Drive and is somewhat of an insider secret.

Ample plates with kebabs, rice pilaf and salad have been such big hits, not to mention the freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies, that they are already looking to expand operating hours from just weekends after 5:30 p.m. to mid-week and also lunch.

Other establishments have become more creative with servicing longstanding customers such as award-winning chocolatier and confections Edelweiss on Canon Drive.

Thanks to the City of Beverly Hills and support from council member Lili Bosse, the shop which has been an integral part of the local community since 1942, was deemed an essential business and allowed to remain open during the early pandemic closures.

“It’s comforting and people want chocolate in a crisis,” said current owner Madelyn Zahir. “Local customers have been supporting us and we are so glad.”

Known for assorted flavors of marshmallow filled confections and chocolate covered pretzels, they have shifted from curbside pick-up only to allowing two customers at a time into the store with a red velvet rope.

In preparation for increased holiday demand, they are installing a take-away window in front and a mobile office in the back-parking lot to help facilitate on-site orders. They will also messenger members of the community or ship over 90 different chocolate selections.

And, Halloween is not canceled at Edelweiss. “We have doubled our Halloween sales so far, which is an indication of how people are wanting to celebrate,” said creative director Danny Zahir whose family has owned the confectionery for the past two decades. He has been working in the shop alongside his mother and sister on and off since high school.

Another longstanding family-owned business, Mickey Fine Café, has had to find new ways to increase traffic. Owner Jeff Gross and his family have operated the space, formerly a Schwab’s Pharmacy counter, since 1995.

The combination coffee shop and dinner are still fully functioning, but hours have been reduced. Since the diner is hidden inside the pharmacy, they have moved a few tables outside to lure customers strolling by and are still offering to-go and delivery orders. According to Gross, “People are not going to their doctors as much right now. They are not having elective procedures or getting allergy medicines before trips.”

Gross has also noticed an increase in problems with cognitive functions due to lack of exercise, disruptive sleep, diet and stress, which leads to people being more forgetful. So the next time you want one of their famous malted- chocolate milkshakes, you can also get a cognitive functioning test at the pharmacy with a new service they are just starting to roll out.

“At the end of the day, we need the local support to help the local businesses, otherwise you’ll miss us when we are gone,” said Gross.

Other independently owned businesses who have had to pivot out of the City include the temporary space for beloved Italian eatery Madeo on Camden. The owners had recently put up two outdoor spaces in front and back and had to suddenly close a few weeks ago due to a landlord dispute.

While the ground floor business remains open, Heritage Fine Wine had to close their recent rooftop expansion on Canon Drive due to City regulations and have moved to a larger location in downtown L.A.

The post Beverly Hills Small Businesses Are Resilient appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

From Compton to Couture. From learning in sweat shops to presenting on the biggest Fashion Week runways around the world, Johana Hernandez is a Latinx millennial sensation. Creator and owner of GLAUDI, known for her wedding gown, special occasion, red carpet haute couture designs, Ms. Hernandez, is launching her first men’s collection. Due to the pandemic, instead of launching her collection in late September at the Ritz during Paris Fashion Week as she usually does for 2020, Johana has pivoted. As a new member of our business community, she has brought Paris to Beverly Hills by premiering, in this Beverly Hills Courier world exclusive, her “first men’s and women’s bespoke suits” campaign.

Johana Hernandez’s meteoric rise began at her parents’ knees. The two El Salvadorian immigrants shepherded their daughter to their jobs in the factories producing garments for global brands, including Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. As a young girl, with familial generations of humble garment makers before her, Johana learned clothing construction and manufacturing processes. In her early teens, she began designing as a hobby with her mother. Attending FIDM, she was plucked by Bebina Jeans and quickly became a head designer. At 19, she was featured in the Wall Street Journal for her designs, which included casual sportswear. Leaping to international brands, she landed at Seven7 Jeans for several years as a knits and jeans designer as well as a designer for plus size retailer Lane Bryant.

In 2011, at age 24, without financial backing, she founded the family business “GLAUDI,” named after her mother Gladis. Driven by her early childhood experiences, and her devout Christian faith, Johana built a company where she implemented a culture for her employees to be compensated fairly and treated with respect. She also insisted her company be guided with the purpose to help others. It’s no wonder the moment California was mandated to shut down earlier this year, Johana turned her factory of design into making masks. Thousands of GLAUDI masks were donated to hospitals for frontline workers, the LAPD, and security officers and their medical teams at L.A. County prisons.

GLAUDI’s flagship stores are in Beverly Hills and Downey, with additional ateliers in Downey, Chicago and Istanbul, Turkey.

Johana also addresses the needs of the underserved from Compton to El Salvador, having funded the construction and supplies for a school in El Salvador. Her thinking, “If your goal is to just become rich and famous, it’s super empty. But if your goal is to give work to people, to build schools, to give back to the community, that’s leaving a legacy. And that’s my dream for our brand.”

After fifteen years of hard work, vision and innovation, Johana shines as a confident, energetic, phenomenally creative young woman who credits her faith for her success. As a hopeless romantic, she oozes positivity and passion in everything she does. She goes as far as blessing each dress, if her clients welcome her to do so, and she signs each GLAUDI wedding dress sketch with “What God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9.

Mentored by Nichole Richie and John Varvatos, she was featured on NBC’s “Fashion Star.” In 2013 she was nominated to be part of People Magazine Espanol’s one of the 25 most powerful Latinas. In Latina Magazines’ 30 Favorite stars under 30, she joined Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez. As a judge on “The Fashion Hero” airing worldwide and on Amazon Prime, Johana searched for everyday models of all shapes and sizes to become GLAUDI ambassadors, focusing on taking the rejected to be respected.

Besides adorning some of the world’s most beautiful women, a multitude of Latina superstars, and international celebrities, she has been featured on CNN, Fox News, Spectrum 1, ABC 7, Telemundo, Univision and in the New York Times, Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s Bazaar. On Sept. 19, the host of the Creative Arts Emmy’s, Nicole Byer, Netflix’s series host of “Nailed it,” chose to wear Johana’s creation to present the awards on the international telecast.

Johana’s goal is to inspire, “I came a long way from Compton to Beverly Hills. If I can do it, you can do it, too!”

September is Hispanic Heritage month, and we are living in unprecedented times. Let’s refresh the conversation. Please join us as we celebrate a young, accomplished fashion designer in our community, who, with an uplifting voice, helps us celebrate the happiest moments in our lives.

Lisa Bloch: Our world is filled with uncertainties. Is this the right time for wedding celebrations? How has your business been affected?

Johana Hernandez: It’s true about our world, but ‘love is not cancelled.’ It never is. Weddings are being done. They’re just smaller. Or they’re doing virtual ceremonies and the bride wants, more than ever, to look beautiful on her special day. Or they’re planning small, out of town weddings and we make dresses that fit the location. They’re still booking me because it takes about six months to a year for custom dresses, and three to six months for our collection dresses. I just don’t know how we’re going to handle next year when I have so many weddings all at the same time.

Why did you choose to open your boutique in Beverly Hills?

It’s the capital of fashion. I’m the youngest designer business owner in Beverly Hills of Salvadorian descent. I’m the first Salvadorian-American to do Fashion Week, six seasons already, at the Ritz in Paris. I like to do things that are different and to bring something new for everyone to love.

Known for your exquisite bridal collections, why have you decided to design a men’s collection?

I’ve always wanted to launch a men’s line, but it was never the right time. My dad died two months ago. His short name was “Rey.” In Spanish it means king. I want to respect and honor men like my father. So, I felt it was the perfect time after losing him and feeling how important men are in our lives. As women, we need to love them. As a female designer, I can help to empower men, as I appreciate them and honor them. It’s time to get back to business. I want to empower men through the men’s suits, the same way I do women with women’s suits and gowns.

Please tell us about your power suits.

GLAUDI’s suits are custom and comfortable. They are made to fit every shape and size. All of us have different shapes. Fit is so important. I embrace all body types. For guys too. Men come in every shape and size. Every suit is made to measure.

You know when you are wearing a suit that doesn’t feel right. At GLAUDI we believe that if you are not comfortable, you won’t be able to achieve what you’re trying to do through presentations or to enjoy your event. Choosing the right fabric and making it fit right is the only way to go. I have stretch in some of my fabrics. They are soft and fresh and breathable, so you don’t feel hot in them. They fit correctly so that when you sit down, nothing is bulging. It makes you feel good about your body. It makes you feel confident and bold so you can focus on what is at hand.

Women can be strong and successful, and at the same time, beautiful and feminine in a GLAUDI suit. A man is strong and successful and gentle in a GLAUDI suit. It all shows in how the suit fits. That is why we spend time customizing each suit for each client. We have tons of patterns, but my goal is to make suits that are comfortable to wear, are flattering, and reflect a bold, confident person. I know so many amazingly successful men who have businesses, or who are getting married, and they want something from me. But for a girl to make a man’s suit is not normal. Usually men design for men. It’s beautiful to be able to respect men and give them what they want.

For women’s suits, I definitely add more tailoring to shape women better, instead of looking boxy. My pants are higher waisted to bring attention to the right places and to be more complimentary. I’ve created special shoulder pads that are not too high, but give you a strong structure, yet don’t make you look tired with bad posture. These are the little details that make a difference.

What is special about the GLAUDI bridal dresses?

Everything is special for our GLAUDI brides as our dresses take thousands of hours to create. All are handmade. I sketch and design in front of the brides who choose to do custom gowns and the brides who shop from our collection, they get to have a personal bridal stylist. All designs are made to fit each bride perfectly.

At GLAUDI brides never settle for a dress. I make their entire fairy tale wedding come to life as we also have dresses for bridesmaids and mother of the bride. When it’s complete, it brings joy to all of us. And now that COVID is here, I know a lot of brides are having smaller weddings. We are launching our bride tuxedo suit in white with this campaign. Bridal suits are so polished and elegant for women.

You would schedule an appointment online or over the phone with our stylist or with me. In our first meeting, I sketch in front of my clients, so they see everything coming to life. They get a dress that is made for them. We do tricks with corsets and bras inside of the dresses to help women look their very best on her wedding day. Most girls cry when we photograph them in the dress for the first time as they can’t believe they look so beautiful.

And your GLAUDI Men’s “Rey” collection?

With our new men’s tuxedo suits to complement the bride, we are doing some new things. When men get married in their tuxedo, they want to dance and have fun. It’s a real celebration. So, I think about the fabrics I use to make them feel comfortable to be able to move. I add stretch to their suit. This is super exciting because no one has done this. It still looks structured and beautiful, but they can easily move. We are also making for grooms the ability to tell their love story with printed photos in the lining of their blazer. It’s really fun.

Please tell us about your red-carpet collection, as well as the fabrics you choose.

This is the collection I always show at Paris Fashion Week. It is designed for women who are bold and not afraid to shine. When she walks into a room, she doesn’t have to say a word. Her dress speaks for itself. This is the girl who is noticed on the red carpet. It is worn by the woman with confidence.

We use the best fabrications from all over the world, Italian laces, silks from Paris and Italy, and made in our atelier in Istanbul.

I noticed in one of your big fashion shows you employed a young, energetic model with Down syndrome. Can you tell us about her and your decision to include her in the show?

It was New York fashion week this past February 2020. When she came out on the runway, everyone was cheering. It was really special. I added her to the collection because I feel every girl could feel beautiful no matter what. She is now modeling all over the world. I think there’s a lot of girls that need to see that there are girls like them achieving their dreams. It’s empowering. I feel like we are all made to be equal and to just be uniting, loving and kind. Anyone can achieve anything.

Did you dream about one day designing a luxury brand?

I always wanted to design clothes that would help people. We give work to a lot of people because we make all of our garments by hand. We don’t mass produce. So, when you get a suit or a dress, it’s all hand made. You’re giving work to people that are here in the U.S. mainly, or in other countries, people who are humble. We are helping families through fashion.

Your faith is very important to you. You do regular Bible studies in your store. During COVID, are you doing them virtually? Tell us about “God is Fab.”

It’s my Instagram handle. I created it to mentor girls and inspire women to get their confidence back through faith. I love to empower women to help them find purpose and God given talent no matter what religion we are from.

Who’s your mentor?

Hmmm, my parents and God, to be honest.

What’s your biggest challenge?

I’m usually the only Hispanic in the room as a luxury fashion business owner and designer. Being a Latina designer, I put in triple the work. Unfortunately, there are still people that feel Latinos aren’t made for this, when my family has been in fashion for generations. Sometimes I don’t get opportunities because of my skin color, because I’m Latina. Now I have decided to let my work speak for itself.

When I was younger, I didn’t notice it was weird. Until my assistant, one time, said something to me. She was like, did you see that everyone looked at us? We were like the only Hispanics. She made me open my eyes. Sometimes I literally feel like I’m Rosa Parks and that feeling inspires me more to succeed, to bring everyone together through fashion.

And in Beverly Hills, since you have arrived, how has it been?

My neighbors have been really great to me. And we’ve been helping each other out during COVID. I feel like Beverly Hills, once you get in and people get to know you, it’s like a little family and they want to help. There are some (neighbors) who have been around for many, many years. They’ve been super welcoming. We talk about lots of things. As a millennial, I have strengths in places where I didn’t even know. Like they need help on social media which I’m happy to help them. It’s what I love about being here. There’s a community, especially with the business owners. The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce has so many services to help us. And that’s really great to have because you feel you’re a part of something.

I imagine you may be feeling conflicted. As you just shared, you have experienced inequalities and injustices in your lifetime, and understand the Black Lives Matter message. And yet you’re also a business owner, who has worked hard to open a boutique in Beverly Hills, only to be thrust into a position of having to protect your valued business. Are you caught between two worlds?

I grew up in Compton. My friends were super diverse, like me. We’ve always mattered to me. Originally, I thought it was a bad thing being born and raised in Compton, but now I’m grateful for it as I am making a difference. We were very conservative Christians. We had nothing to do with gang violence or crime. As I grew older, I’ve come to embrace that part of my story. People need to know that it doesn’t matter where you come from, we should treat one another with love and respect.

Now I am really glad I can share my story. It’s not about where I came from or the color of my skin. We’re here to make everyone who wants to feel empowered and beautiful, to feel and look that way. And I’m just excited that it’s a place where you get to meet people from all over the world.

International travel has been curtailed. How has this changed your business model?
I don’t target tourists. I don’t target celebrities. They find me. My brand has a look. If the client is local, they visit us in the store. I love to have good relationships with my clientele. If the client is from out of town, we work through emails and through zoom.

What was the reaction from the Latino world when you opened in Beverly Hills?
Oh my Gosh. Everyone was super proud and excited. We were in all of the Latino media. Like it went viral. Even the president from El Salvador sent a message on social media about it. It’s very inspiring. I love being that designer who makes you feel like, why not?

What inspires you?

I’ve traveled around the world, designing. And in every country, in every language, I meet the same girl. Like me, a woman who’s confident and who wants to achieve goals. Even the guys. Like they all want to fall in love. They all want to achieve their dreams. They just speak different languages. GLAUDI is for everyone. Don’t look at me just as a Latina designer. I am a designer. Don’t see color. See the beautiful collections and wear them and feel confident. I want to unite everyone. You know what I mean?

I sure do. Where do you see yourself in five years with GLAUDI? What do you hope to have accomplished being a part of the Beverly Hills community?
I want to continue here in Beverly Hills, of course. I want to present my designs internationally. I’m already showing in Paris and I’m going to Italy, to Milan. Across the United States, I really want everyone to get a little piece of what we do. I want it to always be about empowering people and taking them to the moon to celebrate the most special events. We design for the happiest moments in your life. That’s the time where you come for a dress or a design. I want to be able to help you celebrate, and not let it be about this year’s color. It’s about feeling good. It’s about you.

Johana Hernandez, this has been an honor and a pleasure. You are one extraordinary young woman, a role model and an inspiration. As the wedding and red carpet emperadora (empress), Beverly Hills is lucky you have chosen our City to be GLAUDI’s home. Congratulations for being the Beverly Hills Courier STYLE’s first Fashion icon! And welcome to our community!

With respect and appreciation,

Lisa Bloch

www.glaudicollection.com

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8-lxxfZkjw[/embedyt]

Instagram @GLAUDIbyJohanaHernandez

9608 Brighton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

The post A Fashion Phenom in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

While hair salons can now open at 25 percent capacity, and you might be thrilled to reunite with your stylist, many of the other beauty industries are still left in the lurch.

Spring Place in Beverly Hills has decided to hold some pampering pop-ups on their rooftop space on Wilshire Boulevard. The first one in September was with Flybrow guru Suzie Moldavon, who started the business by making “office calls” to tame the brows of busy working women all over town. It was such a success that they have already booked the next event for Sept. 23, and more will follow in October.

“Since women don’t go to their offices anymore, we’ve had to come up with new ways to still be in varied neighborhoods all over LA.,” Moldavon told the Courier. “We’ve had to pivot and adapt as rules and regulations in the beauty industry have dictated. We’ve found new partners with similar clientele and a desire to try to reinstate some sort of self-care and ‘normal’ back into people’s lives,” she said. www.flybrow.com/

Hot 8 Yoga, with branches from Pasadena to Santa Monica, has been holding virtual classes during the COVID-19 fitness shutdowns, but has started offering outdoor classes since late-August in locations including Beverly Hills.

The instructor-led, 60-minute group classes are physically distanced on outdoor terraces. They are still providing mats, towels and all the props to clients, but you must bring and wear a mask at all times. Book a single class or commit to a package of five to ten outdoor sessions. For more information on the Wilshire location schedule in Beverly Hills contact info@hotyoga.com.

Speir Pilates of Santa Monica was set to open its second studio in West Hollywood this past March on Santa Monica Boulevard and King’s Road. Now you can work out on one of their five rooftop machines overlooking the Hollywood Hills with owner Andrea Speir, who is also an instructor.

Kickstart your day with reformer classes or wind-down with a sunset evening class. “We wanted it to be very spaced out,” Speir told the Courier, “So there is a distance of 7 feet between machines. You’re on our own little island so it’s very safe.”

Even with the unhealthy air-quality of late, Speir has not seen much of a slow-down as none of the classes take place in the middle of the day. “We have actually been selling out about two weeks in advance,” she said. “This is a great way to be back in the community again with human connection and interaction with a safe distance.” www.speirpilates.com/

To work out a few of those kinks from all the new exercise classes, The Peninsula Beverly Hills has been offering rooftop massages, along with highly coveted manicure-pedicures, in cabanas. Anyone in town is welcome to book, including non-hotel guests through spapbh@peninsula.com.

And, the hotel has been experiencing so many guests who want to work from the rooftop cabanas, they have updated services in place that includes Wi-Fi, and Apple TV where guests can connect their laptop and have a mini-meeting, take appointments, give small presentations with up to four people. Cabanas run $450 during the week and include a non-alcoholic stocked fridge and on-demand waitstaff from the Roof Garden restaurant.

Known for networking with powerful women from Diane von Furstenberg to JLo, The Allbright women’s members’ club has recently reopened their West Hollywood location, along with the newly redesigned outdoor rooftop space by lauded “Architectural Digest” 100 designer Brigette Romanek.

Overlooking Melrose Place and the Hollywood Hills, the space will supply the backdrop and stunning views for yoga, sound baths, cooking and cocktail masterclasses, workshops, and dining on spicy tuna wonton nachos or vegan poke bowls with watermelon.  The club has also just launched a new wellness center, Dr Refresh, that will include vitamin drips and other facial services and cosmetic treatments.

Prospective members can visit the club and check out the programming before signing up or you can opt for a free two-week trial digital membership to check out the weekly activations. www.allbrightcollective.com.

Tennis anyone? The Luxe Hotel on Sunset Boulevard has opened its tennis courts, on the upper level of the parking structure, previously for guests only, to the public. According to executive manager Sarah Clark, “I have had a few tennis instructors also use the tennis court to bring their own clients to train them.”

You can also arrange a class with Natural Pilates of Brentwood who has set up their outdoor studio in the parking lot with tents. “It’s a beautiful and welcoming atmosphere that their clients and our guests have really enjoyed,” Clark told the Courier. “They are also hosting a yoga retreat in October.”

For something a little more entertaining on the upper level, the Luxe Sunset is also offering monthly date night or family night movies for up to 25 cars. You can order food on your cell phone and have it delivered,  from popcorn and candy to cult favorite Pizza Wagon of Brooklyn, lobster rolls, Caesar salad, cocktails or wine.

“With every movie we show, we curate the menu and create a memorable experience with fun treats and small takeaways,” said Clark. “This has been a popular neighborhood activity, and where else can you go in your pajamas for a night out?”

For Pilates on the Westside before a little shopping or lunch, The Studio (MDR) has set-up on the roof of the PLATFORM in Culver City.

The classes started at the end of August and will be ongoing until further notice. “The Studio (MDR) doors have been closed since March 15th due to Covid-19,” co-founder and CEO Lisa Solomon told the Courier. “State and County guidelines are now allowing fitness studios to open outdoors, so we were very excited for the opportunity to partner with them. We have our regulars and many new faces filling up the classes, which is very exciting,” she added.

Classes are 45 minutes seven day a week from 7 a.m. to noon and with high demand, signing up beforehand is highly recommended. “We have smaller machines than we do in our normal studios.  Microformers vs. Megaformers, which work perfectly with the outdoor setting and are 8 feet apart to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Clients still get the signature (MDR) Lagree workout but in an open-air setting.”  www.thestudiomdr.com

If you’re planning to attend any of the L.A. Design Festival installation kicking-off on Sept. 24 at the ROW in DTLA, the outdoor complex is also offering morning yoga classes on the roof with a cityscape view from Sanctuary Fitness. https://sanctuaryfitness.com/

And, if you are missing your weekly Soul Cycle spin classes, newly formed SoulOutside offers options at Santa Monica Place and Olive Street downtown L.A. locations. www.soul-cycle.com/soulconnected/souloutside

For an overnight rooftop getaway, The Beverly Wilshire will be reopening on Oct. 1 and has set a new bar for a glamping staycation on its expansive rooftop. Accessible through a wrought-iron staircase off the Veranda Suite, a 10-foot-tall tent awaits complete with a Four Season’s queen-size bed, a crystal chandelier and fur rugs. This romantic escape above Rodeo Drive includes a fireplace on the terrace for sipping cocktails before the eight-course meal with Ossetra caviar and wagyu beef, followed by 24-karat gold s’mores or a Champagne flight. Greet the morning sunrise with a private yogi-session that can also be arranged on the private terrace. Only in Beverly Hills.

The post Exercise, Wellness and Pampering has Taken to the Rooftops appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

There have been positive changes at the Kimpton La Peer Hotel that include Olivetta restaurant on Melrose. Thanks to “Olivetta on Holiday” you can now dive into Executive Chef Michael Fiorelli’s signature pasta dishes poolside at the hotel and wood-fired pizzas, along with specialty cocktails from Melina Meza on the private rooftop. The residency will run Monday through Saturday from 6 p.m. until midnight until at least the end of October.

Teaming up with the neighboring hotel seems the right move for the brand until indoor dining is back on track in L.A. “Our Olivetta site on Melrose Avenue, unfortunately, doesn’t allow for ample outdoor dining, which is what L.A. restaurant operation guidelines require for right now,” co-owner Marissa Hermer told the Courier. “We wanted to offer our loyal guests a respite from the world – if only for cocktails and dinner–and have a responsibility to keep our restaurant family employed.”

The team was also able to transport and recycle all of the indoor furniture designed by Tom Parker at sister restaurant The Draycott and the original Olivetta, and reuse it outside at the hotel. As you lounge on one of Parker’s mid-century inspired sofas, savor a dirty bleu martini with Grey Goose vodka and bleu cheese infused dry vermouth; a yuzu G&T or the healthy tinged tequila and rainbow carrots with Casamigos. Pizza options include a simple tomato pie with Sicilian oregano; shishito peppers with rosemary ham or the exotic duck egg with pancetta potatoes. Don’t skip the olive oil, chocolate chunk cookies with sea salt before you take the elevator back down to the lobby.

Héritage Fine Wines on Canon Drive might not be hosting fetes with John Legend playing his piano in the main lounge anytime soon but owner Jordan Andrieu has opened a new Mediterranean restaurant-lounge on the roof.  Here you will find a view of City Hall along with comfortable sofas and small tables evoking a St. Bart’s beach vibe serving cheese, charcuterie and mezze with silver buckets of rosé wine and Champagne. “Members” opened in August and has been word-of-mouth so far but this “secret” spot is already so popular, you need to book two weeks in advance. If this sounds like your kind of scene, DM their Instagram page (@members_bh) for a reservation and hope for the best.

French bistro Avec Nous, on the ground floor of the Viceroy L’Ermitage on Burton Way has opened an annex on the rooftop just steps from the pool area. The al fresco restaurant is open from Wednesday through Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Now you can enjoy your eggs Benedict or caviar service with panoramic views of Beverly Hills, Hollywood and downtown L.A., and you might just catch a micro-wedding terrace celebration on your way to dine.

If smokey mezcal margaritas are on your mind, and you like the idea of cocktails that give back, Madre Oaxacan & Mezcaleria (with three locations in L.A., including West Hollywood), will be in residence at Terra every Thursday in September.  The rooftop lounge at Eataly Westfield Century City, is serving three of Madre’s most popular cocktails to go along with the restaurant’s Italian fare from 5-9 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from each drink sold will be donated to Restaurants Care, which provides financial relief to restaurant workers all across California.

“Mezcal is one of the finest spirits in the world and people should be introduced to it in the right way with the correct selection,” Madre owner Ivan Vasquez told the Courier. “I have made it my responsibility and passion to do this because I care about the culture and history behind the spirit. With this pop-up, we are reaching a new demographic and the more people that learn about mezcal and develop an appreciation for it, the better.”

Up on Sunset Boulevard, Harriet’s Rooftop of the 1 Hotel West Hollywood reopened a few weeks ago with a new menu for light bites and cocktails at sunset, dinner and weekend brunch from executive chef and Bravo “Top Chef” contestant Chris Crary. Expanded items include California and spicy tuna rolls, selections from the grille with Mediterranean chicken skewers, and Mahi Mahi fish tacos.

The h.wood Group owned and operated venue still preserves the values of an old-fashioned cocktail lounge designed by John Sofio of Built, Inc., (The Nice Guy and Delilah) and draws inspiration from the decadence of the 1920s, with white tassel lamps, striped booths and marble accents.

“Our new outdoor dining options paired with the unparalleled panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline is an ideal setting for both hotel guests and locals alike,” Crary told the Courier. “We welcome reservations, which are required, and have recently seen a lot of bookings come through Angelenos enjoying a staycation at the hotel.”

If your rooftop fantasy includes a morning view of the beach, Èlephante in Santa Monica is now open daily at 9 a.m. for brunch seven days a week. Some new menu items curated for this special occasion are ricotta hotcakes, banana bread and even a breakfast pizza. Since this new menu continues to 3 p.m. they have added canestri pasta with vodka sauce and a juicy burger.

Owner Nick Mathers, also of The Eveleigh restaurant on Sunset, took over the 2nd Street rooftop over the Laemmle Cinema in Santa Monica in 2018 and it’s been a top westside nightlife and dinner spot ever since. The restaurant was named after the Arco dell’Elefante, a beautiful elephant-shaped rock structure just off the coast of Pantelleria–the island off the coast of Southern Italy and Tunisia which served as the inspiration for the food and décor. Relax on the deck made of Brazilian tiger-wood any time of day for a true ocean view and dreamy escape during these times.

The post On the Roof in Beverly Hills and Beyond appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Lunch on The Terrace at The Maybourne

Luxury British brand The Maybourne Hotel Group, of Claridge’s and The Connaught fame in London, has recently reopened in the old Montage space on Canon Drive. For dining, The Terrace still has the ample patio space overlooking the garden square and Mr. Brainwash sculpture.  Local Executive Chef Kaleo Adams, who has a pedigree from the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Proper in Santa Monica, was brought in to spearhead the kitchen and Mediterranean-inspired comfort menu.

“I’ve spent the better part of the last two decades fostering close relationships with some of the best producers in California,” Adams told the Courier. “Locally-sourced ingredients are the foundation of this menu. To celebrate the incredible bounty we have at our fingertips, I’m excited to be serving fresh, seasonal dishes that guests and locals want to enjoy every day,” he said.

To that end, they serve  Half Moon Bay crab and peaches, smoked trout salad with Carpinteria avocados and grapefruit, a decadent homemade corn agnolotti with black truffle, whole branzino or Snake River Farms filet mignon with black garlic butter. Start the meal with a Beverly Hills G&T that includes St. Germain and Laurent-Perrier Champagne or a glass of rosé from their own wine label, Chateau La Coste in Provence and you will feel magically transported to France.

Dinner and a Movie Under the Stars

If the drive-in movie trend is not for you, the Westfield Century City has embraced the open-air movie concept in its atrium plaza with a big screen in a plant-filled setting.

Social distancing is on point with chic yellow cabanas dotted around the space where the “Come See” movie series runs through Sept. 11. Book a cabana for the family and ticket holders will receive a complimentary goodie bag from Pixi Beauty and Sugar Factory, face masks, a no-touch tool key and hand sanitizer, plus a $25 surprise dining gift card to go towards a picnic-style dinner during the movie (some of the options include Eataly or HRB sushi).

And, to keep the family fun going, Trivia Nights will also be coming to the cabanas later in September once the movie series ends.

Expert Sushi in Robertson Plaza

Across the street from the Chanel boutique on Robertson, Sh?wa Hospitality has brought Sushi TAMA to Los Angeles. The premium offerings were curated by Chef Hideyuki Yoshimoto of the world-renowned Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. When indoor dining is allowed again, there is a sleek wooden counter-bar for watching the action, but for now, this spot on the edge of the Robertson Plaza offers outdoor patio and sidewalk seating along with a robust to-go menu.

The menu of freshly caught fish includes a rotating selection of sashimi, maki, temaki and nigiri constructed into dishes with high-quality nori and rice from Japan. Carryout offerings are simple preparations designed to travel well, including donburi rice bowls topped with pristine cuts of fish and a do-it-yourself temaki kit featuring a variety of sashimi with fillings such as ikura and cucumber, portioned sushi rice and toasted nori. An omakase nigiri set (10 pieces) is also available for $45. They also carry a small but excellent selection of sake by the bottle or a refreshing lemon and soju cocktail to go.

Pints on a British Pub Patio

Michelin-star Chef Brendan Collins of Fia in Santa Monica has gone back to his British roots with Market Tavern at the Original Farmers Market.

Acclaimed musician and bar owner, Gary Twinn, teamed up with Collins to bring his “fantasy pub” to life and change the misconceptions about British cuisine on their sizable patio. “My vision was to combine the contemporary London gastropub experience with the sex appeal of a hip L.A. eatery, throw in a bit of rock n’ roll music, sports TV, and situate it at my favorite place to hang out,” said Twinn. “And, where else can you get a Michelin-star chef making your fish and chips?”

Pub dishes with a California twist include savory pies, such as the vegan-veggie friendly “Impossible Shepherd’s” or bangers and mash with “Beyond Sausage.” And, those fish and chips are a hearty portion of beer-battered rock cod (large enough for two) and hand-cut potato chips with house-made tartar sauce. For dessert, Chef Collins also rolls out a rich sticky toffee pudding cake topped with caramel ice cream or a lighter, fruit-forward Eaton Mess. For beer, expect plenty of specialty imports from across the pond, along with the debut of Market Tavern Lager, developed in partnership with Figueroa Mountain in Santa Barbara.

Collins also brings back his famous Sunday Roast from 12 to 4 p.m. every Sunday with roast beef and horseradish, roast chicken with sage and onion stuffing, or lamb leg and mint sauce with all the trimmings, including Yorkshire pudding.

Don’t miss the giant wall collage that pays homage to 60s and 70s British musical greats such as The Rolling Stones, The Clash and the Sex Pistols shot by iconic photographer Dennis Morris. “It has everything I love about a good pub–the food, the ambiance, a great pint, and a friendly face,” said Collins.

Champagne Cart Courtyard at the Beach

Shutters on the Beach has been a major draw for a Santa Monica escape for decades. The Courtyard at 1 Pico has the same seaside appeal. The newly opened venue features cozy sofas and small tabletops strategically placed in the central tree courtyard, surrounded by romantic hanging lanterns and candlelight.

Chef David Almany and Corporate Food and Beverage Director Franck Savoy (son of three-star Michelin Chef Guy Savoy) have completely transformed the hotel entrance, which is reminiscent of a breezy patio at a stately home in Martha’s Vineyard.

“Our guests as well as our local customers are loving the number of alfresco options we now have between Shutters on the Beach and [sister property] Hotel Casa del Mar. It was my goal that each outdoor venue would have its own unique personality, menu, and ambiance. They had to be true culinary experiences,” said Savoy.

A roving Champagne cart brings kir royale cocktails to the table or sparkling rosé to accompany whole fish entrees, pasta dishes or lighter plates of grilled prawns on a bed of Greek eggplant or Hamachi crudo garnished with jalapeño. The chef’s popular salted caramel popcorn sundae also makes an appearance on this menu for an indulgently sweet summer ending.

The post Labor Day – New in Beverly Hills and Beyond appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

While many of the area’s top restaurants are not blessed with outdoor patios, some have expanded onto the street, in alleys and parking lots. In early June, the City was already discussing the option of utilizing the public parking meter spaces in front of the sidewalks to build parklets, offering restaurants more outdoor dining space for customers.

As part of the OpenBH program, businesses are allowed to apply for special event permits with the City,  which include expanding to the parklet. It’s a 30-day permit with no fee. After this trial period, businesses can extend as long as the parklet is moved up to the sidewalk. Greek restaurant Avra was one of the first to try the extension at the street level and it has been so successful, they are planning to move up to the curb level as early as next week.

Now Canon Drive resembles a grand European boulevard with pop-up dining spaces holding tables and chairs enshrouded in greenery including newcomer MÍRAME, who is doing a brisk business with its new wooden parklet enclosure. “We ultimately decided to move forward after seeing the success of our neighbors like Il Pastaio and Porta Via utilizing the extra seating,” co-founder Matt Egan told the Courier. “We are grateful to the City for streaming the permitting process as we have seen a notable increase not only in revenue, but also visibility, which is important as a new restaurant,” he added.

Even though there might be less parking, the initiative is helping restaurants bring back customers. “It’s a positive thing because it adds seating for us and reduces the wait time,” said Il Pastaio Manager Nina Chua. “Saturday night is the busiest time and the wait could be two hours before the parklet,” she added. As for business, Chua feels they are back to about 60 percent capacity now prior to the March shutdown. “The community seems to be really enjoying it, and our neighbors are doing it too.”

Popular breakfast and lunch spot, Croft Alley, has expanded onto the sidewalk on Brighton Way. It also has big plans brewing for the space in the next few weeks. Adam Rubin, co-owner of the crowded café, has applied for a parklet permit with the City. The extra 14 seats will house their debut dinner menu and expanded hours launching on Sept 10. “The City has been amazing,” he told the Courier. “Over the top accommodating and doing anything they can to help.”  The new menu will feature a peri-peri South African chicken dish, plus beer and wine for the first time.

Il Fornaio was one of the first to add a booming sidewalk scene with verdant pods safely separated by plexiglass, but they also felt the need to expand even farther to a parklet on the Dayton Way side of the building. Now they can seat an additional 32 people, which brings them to operating at a little over 25 percent capacity which is a boost to the bottom line.

Beverly Hills celebrity institution Mr. Chow has never offered patio dining of any kind until restaurants were ordered to close indoor dining for the second time a few months ago. Now the sidewalk in front of the space has bushes to conceal the famous clientele, special lighting, music and even heaters for when the weather turns chilly in the evening. Plastic glass separates the tables for extra safety. According to manager Ricardo Amorim, the locals are fully supportive of the outdoor shift. “People love it!” he told the Courier. ‘The customers are telling me when we reopen in indoors, we should keep it like this, it feels like Europe.”

Neighboring Madeo is still occupying a temporary space in town until their original Beverly Blvd. space in West Hollywood reopens late this year or in early 2021. The first area of expansion was the front of the restaurant with tables and outdoor seating which has expanded down Camden Drive and they have plans for a parklet already in the works. “We enjoy working with the City to come up with creative ways to stay open and be safe in these unusual times,” co-owner Gianni Vietina told the Courier. It seems that plenty of long-time local regulars still wanted to join them for a meal, especially on the converted parking lot patio in the back. It’s exclusive and intimate with handmade rugs, colorful umbrellas for shade and it’s blocked off with walls of greenery for privacy.  “People are looking for comfort, security and some type of normalcy,” said in-house representative Ash Castro. “They can see familiar faces, some of the staff has worked here for 30 years. It’s like seeing family again, even in a parking lot at six feet away.”

Other local restaurants who will be revealing parklet spaces in the coming weeks include The Cheesecake Factory, e.baldi, Cantina Frida and Caffé Roma who will be sharing the space with next door neighbor Xi’an.

Hotels Accommodating Weary Home Workers

On the hotel front, The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills has hatched a new plan for home workers who can’t escape to their usual private club and need a change of scenery.

“Offices at The London West Hollywood” is a new concept in remote working. This new offering is the brainchild of Greg Velasquez, director of sales and marketing at the property, who anticipated a demand for an office alternative with so many people working from home now. “We have seen an uptick in long term stay requests for business travelers. We try to anticipate our guests’ needs and we think that temporary, controlled office environments might be the next area of demand,” he told the Courier.

The concept is broader than simply hanging out by the pool with your laptop or ordering a room service “working lunch” in your suite. The beds are actually removed from the rooms. What remains is a large desk, chair, furniture and wall-mounted television.

This service will also accommodate businesses who are unable to open their L.A. offices or are not fully prepared to accommodate social distancing requirements. Individuals and companies can lease the hotel’s spacious, secure guest rooms on a monthly basis without the hassle of an annual lease agreement and deposit required by most commercial spaces. It beats working at the kitchen table.

It’s also cost-effective for the hotel. “Because these rooms are converted hotel rooms, the additional staffing required is minimal. The beds are removed from the offices and periodic janitorial and cleaning service is provided by our existing staff,” Velasquez told the Courier.

The rents start at $242 per day or $5,000 per month for a 725 square foot guest room that has been converted to a fully usable office space. “Because each of our rooms also has a private bathroom and a private balcony, we consider this a very competitive and attractive rate,” said Velasquez. Additionally, The London’s Executive Chef Anthony Keene has created a special culinary menu for guests who have an office at the hotel, called “The Commissary Menu.”

The hotel sees this as a stepping-stone solution. “We certainly hope that we can all return to more ‘normal’ operations sooner rather than later, but if the need for this service remains, we are here to provide it,” added Velasquez.

Other local properties such as Hotel Bel-Air and Beverly Hills Hotel have also opened up some of their guest rooms for a new “Work from Hotel” alternative accommodations. Amenities include an on-call IT concierge for any tech issues, complimentary snacks from the mini-bar, plus the ability to order from any of the restaurants as well as use the pool facilities.

The rooms or suites have ample space to meet clients or host video conferences with desks, stationary supplies, high-speed Wi-Fi and discounted parking. The rooms are available at both iconic properties from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, starting at $875.

The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills also offers a special “office” day rate that is considered on a case-by-case basis. It includes access to the pool and private fitness suite with a Peloton bike and other equipment that is now replacing the gym. For provisions, the patio at Vinoteca is back open seven days a week.

The post Beverly Hills Pivots to Parklets and Hotel Offices appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Lauren Kay, executive editor of the wedding planning website, “The Knot,” said 42 percent of couples registered on the site are postponing to 2021. Seven percent are canceling, and 51 percent are continuing with their nuptials using a “Plan B,” which might be a virtual receiving line. “This tells us most people still want to celebrate even with social distancing,” she said during a recent Zoom webinar hosted by Wedding Salon. She noted that many couples are still planning an additional, larger wedding later in 2021. “Weddings will prevail and events will come back,” said Kay. “This is a temporary hiccup. Just stay strong and positive. You will get married!”

Additional popular options include micro-weddings on a farm, winery, boat or private island, according to Michelle Rago,  who has been an international wedding and event planner for 20 years. “People need to think outside of the box with pocket dance floors that are elevated, smaller speakeasy-style clubs or seating pods,” said Rago.

Other shifts in the process might include a pre-plated tray rather than a buffet or a standing cocktail party outside.  In some cases, couples are insisting on temperature checks for guests or advance testing, especially if there is an older member of the family attending.

Rago is seeing private plane charters on the rise as well.  “I think of it as eloping but inviting a small group of people to join a beautiful event,” she said. “Micro-weddings are all about pivot and innovation. If you can achieve what you want with a smaller intimate party, great. You can still have photos, the dress, a room design and spend more time with the guests.”

For Jason Rhee, owner of the Rheefined Company based in Los Angeles, “A micro-wedding does not have to be a micro-effort. This is the best opportunity for you to be really personal without having the concern of who will you offend or have to courtesy invite,” Rhee told the Courier.

Rhee also advised a virtual alternative. “Aside from being able to invite anyone from all around the world, look into the webinar options versus regular Zoom accounts. You are able to create more of an experience by paying the reasonable additional fees to get more functions like breakouts and other fun interactive ways to include your guests and their participation.”

In Beverly Hills, hotels have felt the backlash of the pandemic cancellations, but are carrying on with alternatives.

“It’s still an important milestone and one to be celebrated,” said Christopher Preston, director of catering and events at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. “Couples still want to be married, and they want close family and friends to share in that important moment,” he said. The hotel provides an outdoor patio area for the couple to utilize with their officiant. “The couple arranges their technology, often with a laptop or iPad, to connect via the platform that works for them, such as Zoom. From there, family and friends can witness their ‘I Do’s’ and be connected to their special day,” explained Preston.  “Following the ceremony, we arrange for an outdoor space for the couple to sit so they may personally connect and speak with their family and friends, while enjoying a glass of champagne to toast the occasion.”

And, if you think the traditional church wedding is canceled, this is not the case at the Church of the Good Shepherd.  On Aug. 7, the Catholic parish on Roxbury Drive celebrated the first outdoor wedding in its 97-year-history. It was held in the small courtyard of the church, with a dozen people in attendance, all wearing masks. On Aug. 8, another micro-ceremony with seven people took place. While September looks quiet, the church has other ceremonies booked in October, November and December. All are al fresco, until further notice.

According to celebrity event planner Bonnie Walker, who counts comedian Kevin Hart among her many A-list clients, “This has been a challenging time for sure but with every hardship, there are always silver linings if you are willing to look for them.”

One of her favorite positives that’s emerging from the explosion of virtual events is the level of participation and engagement of guests.  “Traditionally, aside from the ceremony, dinner, band and perhaps a photo booth, guests were largely in charge of entertaining themselves,” Walker told the Courier. “With a virtual event, there is much more attention paid to the guests’ experiences. What can we offer them to keep them engaged, interested, and make them really feel like they were an important part of the big day?”

Suggestions from Walker include sending guests a curated box full of wedding “essentials,” which goes a long way in adding to the virtual experience. “We can send a gardenia candle to emulate the scent of the flowers, a small elegant wedding cake so that the cake cutting can be shared or a signature cocktail, so they can toast the special moments along with our couple,” said Walker. “This is always popular and usually results in a lot of zoom toasts that can be shared across the platform. The resulting zoom dance party or contest after these cocktails are consumed can be beyond epic.”

This gives family and friends watching from home a front row seat for some very personal intimate moments that are usually not captured. “We often tell our couples, ‘don’t stress too much over your personal food choices, as you will be too busy to eat.’ However, with virtual events, it is the opposite. The couple has a chance for a lot of facetime with their circle of family and friends and the audience ends up with a more close and personal experience. Zoom is easily recorded so these stories and memories can be captured forever,” said Walker.

If planning a micro-event, Walker advises to add a handful of virtual elements to create a hybrid event that can be shared with a greater guest list at a later date.

One of Walker’s biggest challenges with micro-events is integrating different families and groups that have been quarantining in one location. “We have had great success sending doctors to the various households involved to get everyone tested before the big day. The tremendous comfort level that this provides to all involved is priceless,” she said.

“In general, COVID 19 has really turned our industry on its head,” added Walker.  “We challenge ourselves daily to create clever solutions to the very real limitations caused by the virus. In spite of it all though, innovation and creativity are soaring, and that perhaps is the best silver lining.”

The post Zoom and Micro-Weddings, Beverly Hills Style appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The bucolic grounds of the Hotel Bel-Air, with swans floating by the entrance bridge, has always been an ideal spot for an escape. The property is offering a new staycation experience with a relaxed check-in and check-out time based on guests’ schedules. “We have seen a large increase in reservations from drive markets and many are booking our staycation offer, which allows guests to check-in and check-out at their preferred times,” General Manager Denise Flaunders told the Courier.

According to Flaunders, guests like to maximize their time on the property lounging poolside or relaxing on their private patios with landscaped gardens. To add to the specialized experience, visitors can now order a bespoke picnic basket, have a romantic candlelight dinner in their room and even order ingredients to leisurely mix up their favorite cocktails. The staff will also arrange in-room wellness amenities with a bubble bath experience, yoga instructor on the patio or an aromatherapy treatment. “Our guests do not have to travel far to feel like they are truly getting away for a much-needed vacation,” added Flaunders.  Of course, the Wolfgang Puck-helmed patio restaurant is available anytime to outside guests as well.

Former CEO of GBK Productions, Gavin Keilly, who produced VIP/celebrity gifting suites every awards season, has channeled his talents into GBK Brand Bar at the Kimpton La Peer. The shop features everything from bathing suits to CBD sundries, doggie-duds by Chanel and Badgley Mischka, to designer masks from Gucci and Prada.

While you’re shopping, sip wines by the glass or selections from the coffee bar. Food options include caviar, vegan cheese and rosé all-day on the first Saturday of the month. Taco Thursdays bring $2 tacos and complimentary drinks with a street party scene.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Brian Ogawa, the former executive chef from Nobu, makes sushi which you can take to go or eat in on the back-patio of the hotel.

If you’re craving a more urban atmosphere, missed during your annual culture trip to New York, downtown L.A. has new skyline offerings.

While many downtown hotels are temporarily closed, the London and Williamsburg, Brooklyn import, The Hoxton, reopened in late July on Broadway. The Pilot rooftop restaurant is a cozy spot for an all-day menu featuring black truffle pasta, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza or Spanish paella for two (weekends only). After 5 p.m., order the Olive Oil Gin martini with grappa and St. Germain. Should you have one too many, a staycation is not a problem. If you’d like to have a small gathering with close friends, colleagues or family, “the apartment” on the second floor is also available for rent with a private kitchen and conference-screening room.

Another mid-century modern newcomer drawing an artsy, eclectic crowd, The Wayfarer opened in early August on Flower Street with an enviable skyline view from The Rooftop bar and lounge that specializes in Tiki cocktails. Currently, they are open for dinner Thursday through Sunday and brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For a little more culture wrapped up in a historic building, the Hotel Figueroa is celebrating 94-years on Aug. 14. The hotel was originally opened as a safe haven for women travelers in 1926, and today is continuing its ongoing Featured Artist Series?partnership?with Society6, showcasing the works of local, independent female artists.

For complete seclusion, Nobu Ryokan Malibu is accepting reservations for only eight of the 16 luxury ocean view accommodations, complete with deep teak soaking tubs and indoor-outdoor fireplaces, to allow for full social distancing. You can also have Nobu sushi and sake delivered in-room from the famous restaurant thanks to a special menu for guests.

There is no need to leave your personal space or the soothing waves unless you feel like taking a sunset walk along the shore.

The post Getaway for a Day, Close to Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

One such example is the Peninsula Hotel, which has reimagined its ground floor flagship Mediterranean restaurant into Le Petit Belvedere.

Taking advantage of a spacious patio off the former Belvedere dining room, the new eatery features classic French fare by Executive Chef David Codney. “I did Paris fashion week two years ago in a partnership with the Peninsula Paris and we wanted to bring some of that back home, since people can’t really travel right now,” Codney told the Courier.

While the signature charred Caesar remains on the menu, new standouts include chicken crepes with wild mushrooms, steak au poivre, crab croquette salad and a fluffy souffle for dessert. This type of cuisine has been sorely missed in this neighborhood since Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro closed on Canon several years ago. “I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel,” said Codney, “I just want good simple food. People need to get out of the house and have something to look forward to right now. You realize what a small community it is.”

Le Petit Belvedere has also embarked on a Champagne partnership with Laurent-Perrier where every evening at 8 p.m. the diners will engage in a complimentary toast to make up for some of the lost celebratory moments since the COVID-19 shutdown.

Currently, the entrance to the new restaurant is through the lobby but the team is installing a walk-through art gallery in the old Belvedere dining room so guests can enter while viewing museum-quality works. The LOVE sculpture, the hotel’s second piece by Robert Indiana, was just installed on the terrace this week, which should go well with the piped-in retro-French 60’s music. “Why didn’t we do this four years ago?” quipped Codney.

The Beverly Hills Hotel has also recently engaged in a new alfresco collaboration with fine art photographer Gray Malin. Cabana One has been redesigned by Malin in a partnership with Serena & Lily to revamp the poolside space with a pink and white striped canopy, coastal California furnishings and a nod to the iconic design and history of the hotel with CW Stockwell’s signature Martinique banana leaf wallpaper, first installed in 1949.

In collaboration with Nocking Point Wines, Malin also launched Getaway Rosé on Aug. 1, an all-day wine for summer picnics, relaxing poolside, or simply dreaming of your next getaway. This Provence-style blend of mourvedre and syrah is not on offer at the hotel yet, but hopefully in the near future.

Il Fornaio is celebrating 40 years on Beverly Drive this year. The local favorite has added cool foliage lined plexiglass pods outside of the restaurant, creating a European sidewalk dining experience with the same great food and service.

Manager Maria D’Auria, who hails from Rome, has worked at this location for 20 years. “We thought of safety first but we can seat almost the same number of people as before. Everyone loves it because they feel safe and protected,” she told the Courier.

The Sugar Factory is blessed with ample patio seating designed by Gulla Jónsdóttir (who also designed the Kimpton Le Peer) on the top floor of Westfield Century City. This Vegas and San Diego hot spot was scheduled to open in March and was sidelined after the COVID-19 shut-down. While you can order grilled lobster tails and steak, stick with the fun finger foods such as mini-rainbow bun burgers and the outrageous spiked milkshakes after an afternoon of shopping.

On the same floor of the outdoor mall, Eataly has launched a “build your own gin & tonic” on their rooftop Terra restaurant. For the summer menu, you pick the gin from a classic style or contemporary botanical flair, and the tonic with unique flavors such as yuzu, elderflower, and grapefruit. Then choose from fresh herb garnishes like rosemary, sage, and thyme along with seasonal fruit or cucumber for a customized creation. Their mixologists suggest pairing your cocktail with wood-grilled dishes like the pesche e burrata or a shareable Wagyu Tomahawk Ribeye aged 45 days from Snake River Farms.

On La Cienega, The Silver Cart Terrace at Lawry’s debuted on Aug. 4, offering an outdoor dining experience for the first time in its history. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. and takeaway continues on those same days from 3 to 7 p.m.

The Sofitel is reopening its newly designed Cattle & Claw patio on Aug. 13. The alfresco eatery is now cash and contact-free with the famous 10 oz. burger, lobster roll and vegetarian options. Aidan Demarest is back in action with Riviera 31 cocktails starting at $8 with DIY decoration kits. “We will add bands and DJs the minute the Governor says we can,” said Demarest.

Until then, private cabana packages for groups up to six can and spend the afternoon with crafted picnic baskets, wine, cheese and charcuterie platters to share.

Just a few blocks away, E.P. & L.P. has taken a new section of their open-air rooftop space (originally intended for an outdoor movie theater) and opened Las Palmas featuring food and drinks inspired by Tulum. The Yucatan flair includes lobster quesadillas, carne asada skewers and aguachile.

Changes are also in the works at a Westside institution, The Brentwood. Owner Bruce Marder is flipping the concept into an upscale Mexican eatery, Baja Norte.  Marder made his mark decades ago with a similar style of cuisine at Rebecca’s in Venice and the West Beach Café before Capo in Santa Monica became a mainstay.

If you’re missing Chef Michael Fiorelli’s cooking at Olivetta on Melrose, just take a drive down Sunset towards the Palisades to The Draycott, Marissa and Matt Hermer’s California brasserie. Fiorelli is now culinary director of the restaurant and has added new dishes on the dinner and brunch menus from Weiser Farm’s toybox melon and prosciutto to seared Diver scallops atop creamless creamed corn which can be ordered on the outdoor terrace, on the Palisades Green or for curbside pick-up.

Melina Mezaf from ink. and Broken Shaker has been appointed as the beverage director. She oversees the cocktail program, which includes the weekend Lawn Libations stand with made-to-order mason jar cocktails or a bottle of wine to consume on the Green between brunch and dinner, 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

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If you plan to head west, a beach picnic is a natural choice. While the beaches are open, some nearby parks, such as Will Rogers, are closed for picnics. Palisades Park along Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica is walking distance from many great food options and provides a view without venturing down to the sand. There are even some picnic tables on the north end past the rose garden.

If a drive up the coast sounds more appealing, the dog-friendly Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu near the county line is about 28 miles from Santa Monica. The area is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is first-come, first served unless you make a reservation for a campground spot.

Heading south, the often-overlooked Marina Beach is a manmade sandy spot built in 2018 with a view of the Marina del Rey harbor boats. The half-mile area near Admiralty Way and Via Marina allows for kayaking and windsurfing plus picnics near the shoreline.

As for the right food to accompany your outing, year-old Lanea on Broadway in Santa Monica is making beach or park picnics for National Tequila Day on July 24, and throughout the weekend. The Fiesta Meal Picnic Pack includes tacos, chips, pico de gallo, handmade small-batch cocktails that are canned in-house with Jaja Tequila and Cazadores Tequila, a Mexican serape blanket along with a deck of UNO game cards or a party piñata.

On 7th street in Santa Monica, Esters Wine Shop & Bar offers a variety of beautiful meat and cheese platters in different sizes that come on bamboo plates that are placed inside a box, with a sticker on the inside of the lid that explains the content origins. All the orders include accoutrements such as crostini, cornichons, corn nuts, olives, chutney and honey. They have a huge selection of wine to pair with your order and a variety of curated canned wine packs created for quarantine, such as the “Tastes Like Summer” with rosé.

Esters Co-Owner and Rustic Canyon Family Wine Director Kathryn Coker makes no excuses for the canned wine. “There are so many canned wines out there right now and it’s so great to have an alternative to beer for a casual occasion,” she told the Courier. “Unfortunately, great packaging doesn’t always equal great wine inside, but in this case, it does. I’m obsessed with the packaging and the quality of the product behind all the cans in this pack.  Plus, they’re all from chemical-free vineyards – so you can feel so good about what you’re drinking.”

For an alfresco dessert party, Sweet Rose Creamery in Brentwood is now offering an Ice Cream Sundae Party Pack that includes six pints, a jar of hot fudge, two toppings, spoons, cups, napkins and a dry ice-filled freezer bag. It’s portable, picnic-friendly and available for curbside pickup, takeout or delivery if you’d rather just enjoy an ice cream social in your own home garden.

If the hills are more appealing for your jaunt and you are missing the summer concert series at The Hollywood Bowl, you don’t have to miss out on the excellent food and day-drinking wine selections from Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne. Order a full three-course meal, such as the famous Spanish fried chicken (from A.O.C. and Tavern), which comes with a salad and dessert, or a BBQ meal for two, among other fish and meat menu favorites. Pick-up is available through lot A and picnicking is still offered  on-site, just north of the Bowl in designated areas, or you can take it on the road.   

Not too far away, Griffith Park is another great picnic location. The Vermont gate is open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and picnic options include the Old Zoo on Crystal Springs and Amir’s Garden, which is a hike from the Mineral Wells area.

If you’re already in Hollywood, and a last-minute planner, head to the Franklin Village Oaks Gourmet Market and café. This spot at the bottom of the hills is known for charcuterie platters, burgers, sandwiches, and picnic baskets that include bottled water and wine, along with glasses and a corkscrew, so you have everything you need in one spot.

Heading East to Pasadena, the Arlington Gardens is a botanical oasis in the middle of the city where you can roam with your dog (on a leash) and picnic with social distancing from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Chado Tea Room in Old Town has become an L.A. institution and they are now offering an afternoon tea experience to-go, specifically created for picnics with friends or family. Choose from over 300 global teas, along with finger sandwiches, salads and pastries in pretty boxes tied with a bow for your excursion.

Also, in the Old Town area, Chef  Tachibe (formerly of CHAYA) can be found at Osawa in Pasadena creating bento boxes with miso-marinated grilled salmon and soy-glazed black cod, plus eight-piece sushi combos for outings–and don’t forget their sparkling sake. If you’re craving a meat feast, Gus’s BBQ on Fair Oaks will whip up a southern-style picnic platter with a mix-and-match selection from ribs to fried chicken, along with sides, salads and beer.

Closer to Beverly Hills, grab a signature comfort food picnic from Joan’s on Third. The box includes everything from homemade soup, mac and cheese, granola, chicken enchiladas, potato chips and Nutella loaf bread, and you can add a bottle of red, white or pink wine to your order. Beef up your pre-order with fried chicken or baby-back ribs, but be sure to check the daily menu for specials before you order.

For a casual lunch, Clementine in Century City is a great bakery and coffee pit-stop, but they also offer an off-menu item called “Clementine in a box” that was created specifically for events and picnics. This includes their popular smoked turkey and avocado or tuna salad with watercress sandwich, a Caesar or green salad, and the famous chocolate-chip cookie. Add their house-specialty, ginger lime-aide or tropical iced-tea drinks to your order. They will need one day’s notice and beware they are closed on Sundays.

If you want to enjoy the outdoors but don’t want to venture too far, Coldwater Canyon Park is open and you can picnic on the grass. (Picnic tables are taped off for now.) The Franklin Canyon Park trails are also open, but you need to reserve a table and picnicking requires a permit, so you just might want to recreate the scene with one of these gourmet outdoor meals in your own backyard.

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Probiotic Labs, Inc. launched VitaBowl and VitaJuice on July 1. The pre-made nutritional meals are designed to nourish and heal on a cellular level, taking calories, sodium, salt and sugar into consideration for each dish.

Co-Founder, CCO and Chef Christopher Arellanes hails from the kitchens of Eleven Madison Park and Per Se in New York.

The specialized menu is available online www.vitabowl.com/ and on-demand with dietary restrictions and personal needs from diabetes to high blood pressure, post-chemo and other conditions taken into account.

“It’s a lifestyle and quality of product in a plant based-style that no one has really seen before,” Arellanes told the Courier. “We are not just another salad bowl.”

The menu spans ingredients from India, Korea, California, Mexico and the Mediterranean while utilizing global superfoods such as moringa leaf, matcha powder, jackfruit and monk fruit sugar that doesn’t fall on the glycemic index level.  Other antioxidant ingredients are used to reduce inflammation in the body, promote a healthy gut, and boost both mood and immune systems.

“We use the whole plants with no waste,” he said. And, while COVID-19 might have slowed them down a bit, the team is in the process of securing other superfoods from around the world for future recipes. And, they are not stopping there but planning to grow the business to reach schools, gyms, grocery stores and hospitals.

“Our ultimate goal is to be backed by health insurance and we are beginning clinical studies,” Arellanes told the Courier. The team of scientists, doctors, nutritionists and tech gurus – one of the founders is Silicon Valley entrepreneur Charles Michael Yim who invented the Breathometer, which measures alcohol content on your smartphone – to integrate this meal plan into hospitals and assisted living facilities.

Equally important to the group is the non-profit arm they are developing for people suffering financial hardships due to the pandemic and can’t get affordable and nutritious meals, especially children.

Look for soups, snacks, VitaBaby and VitaKids coming soon to the menu offerings.

“People like to cook at home but during this pandemic, people just want to keep it easy and have healthy food come to them,” said Arellanes.

Another local brand getting into the game is sbe Entertainment Group, which has added Plant Nation to their recent ghost delivery-only concepts under the C3 (Creating Culinary Communities) subsidiary of the company.

The menu is centered around plant-based cuisine, but they have also created alternative options with vegetarian dishes using cheese and dairy products. Selections include not only healthy salads and grains, but also pizza and a vegan version of Sam’s Crispy Chicken sandwich.

“Vegetarian and vegan food has gone mainstream – we developed Plant Nation to show our guests how we use modern culinary techniques to create a memorable and seemingly indulgent experience for our guests,” said Chef Heierling. “We love sharing Plant Nation’s inventive dishes and innovative partners with our community – whether they’re plant-based, or not.”

Plant Nation is available for order on delivery platforms such as UberEats, Postmates, DoorDash, GrubHub, and Caviar.

The healthy meal box delivery trend has even crept into corporate America. Chef and founder of California based Nybll, Kristen Thibeault, created a corporate catering company that specializes in home delivery for groups hosting virtual meetings and conferences along with Fortune 500 companies from BuzzFeed to Netflix and championship sports teams.

Nybll Connect will deliver the same dinner or special care package for groups or families who want to dine together while apart. Specializing in business meetings, brainstorm sessions or special events, the 24 rotating menu options range from plant-forward, super-charged power breakfasts, mid-day wellness breaks with superfood snacks and even individual quarantini’s for happy hour. The menu offerings are shipped overnight and broken down by length of meeting from under three hours to an all-day collaboration that includes stretch break bands and pick-me-up bites.

Additionally, with every purchase, Nybll gives back, supporting those who are food insecure through its charitable arm, The Patra Project. For more information, visit https://www.nybll.com/virtual-catering/.

If you would rather drink your nutrition but find juicing too sweet, Bonafide Provisions is a new California company making bone broths, soups and keto broths that are a comforting solution. CEO and Clinical Nutritionist Sharon Brown created flavors from organic beef, chicken and turkey that help support immunity, brain function and joints, along with nourishing hair, skin and nails.

“Bone broth provides collagen and amino acids which support the gut lining and immune system. Up to 85 percent of your immune system is in your gut and bone broth supports the immune system by feeding these cells,” Brown told the Courier.

She cautions to steer clear of some juices that are loaded with fruit sugar. “Sugar in any form can shut down the immune system for up to three hours, so when trying to build immunity, sugar should be avoided at all costs.  Instead of adding fruit sugar to smoothies, add a ½ cup of bone broth. You won’t be able to taste the broth, and you will reap the benefit of the immune-boosting, no-sugar properties it offers,” she said. You can find the broths at Whole Foods and Bristol Farms and also for delivery from www.bonafideprovisions.com/.

For a drink with a kick that also keeps sugar content in mind, Owl’s Brew is a new line of craft cocktail mixers made from fine tea and botanicals for healthy summer cocktails. The goal here is not deprivation, but how to enjoy drinks with less sugar.

The founders, Jennie Ripps and Maria Littlefield, are tea experts. Ripps is a tea sommelier who has worked on beverages programs for Momofuku and Soho House to name a few. Their concoctions are not just mixers but ready to drink cocktails made with 100 percent real ingredients.

Ripps and Littlefield believe that, “Liquor is a Trojan Horse for sugar and chemicals.” Their latest creation, Boozy Matcha is blended with real pineapple and chamomile, is gluten-free and vegan with no added sugar and only 110 calories.

According to Ripps and Littlefield, “Matcha contains 127-times more antioxidants than green tea and is known to boost metabolism and increase energy. Antioxidant-rich, it has anti-aging properties and is excellent for the skin and can now be enjoyed at happy hour too.” More details available at https://www.theowlsbrew.com/home.

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Weitz is a gala co-chair for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Chrysalis, and president of the Saban Community Clinic, so he has David Foster and Clive Davis on speed dial. But this virtual phenomenon actually started with Weitz’s 17-year-old -daughter Demi who caught the philanthropy gene early on, along with a Chicago piano player named Dario. 

This “quarantunes” story that has been spreading like wildfire thought the community over the past several weeks. The invite-only events started with Weitz looking for a fun way to celebrate his daughter’s birthday during the shelter in place. “My Dad hired his friend Dario [from a piano bar in Chicago] to do a little surprise party for me and my friends on Zoom.” 

According to Demi, “My friends were not so into it.” As it turned out, a group of teens didn’t want to hear “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Weitz said, “Give me an hour and I’ll get some friends to jump on. This included Debbie Gibson, followed by John Mayer.” “They started talking, sharing stories and playing music,” recalled Demi. “John Mayer sang me happy birthday-it was an awesome end.” 

The Weitz family decided to through another virtual party just for fun, “Dad got Rick Springfield,” Demi told the Courier. “The Hollywood Reporter picked it up and it got bigger and bigger. I said ‘Dad, we need to raise money for charity. A lot of people need our help and we have this platform we should do something.'” 

Demi immediately went to work putting together a GoFundMe page. “I thought we were going to raise $10,000, but my Dad said, ‘go for $30,000.’ We were at $33,000 be the end of the three hours. My dad said, ‘let’s try and go to $50,000.'” That call raised $100,000. 

According to Demi, “We started going deeper into who needs the help and we wanted to make it more informative.” The plight of the Zoom calls shifted, “It was no longer just about what celebrity we could get on the phone, but how can we do good and bring a sense of community,” she said. The Weitz’ have also teamed up with United Way, the Wells Fargo Foundation and everyone’s favorite MC Billy Harris, on project “Room Key” which helps to take people off the streets and give them a wellness-kit with essentials.

To date, the family has raised close to a million dollars for benefactors such as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the New York public hospital. 

“This has been the most humbling and eye-opening experience ever,” Demi told the Courier. “I never want to stop giving back but it’s not about me or the celebrities. Everyone is the same when you’re on the call.” 

So far, some of the talent mix on the calls has ranged from Cyndi Lauper, Barry Gibb, Barry Manilow, Boy George, Billy Ray Cyrus, LL Cool J, and Jewel but even with that bevy of talent transcending many genres Weitz is still keen to book Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Madonna, Lionel Ritchie, Phil Collins, and Dolly Parton. 

Weitz feels that as long as people are still quarantined, this form of entertainment will be the norm. Weitz has virtual events coming up this June with the Saban Community Clinic.

There have been other living room concerts with celebrity hosts and superstar guests but the Weitz events are not pre-recorded. “It’s exclusive to the extent that you need to know me or be involved in helping us to be invited, but everybody from my hairdresser to a valet or waiters that I know from restaurants can be on the call. It’s not elitist, it’s inclusive,” concludes Weitz. 

With all these high-profile attendees, getting a slot on the call can be tricky. “When we jumped from 500 to 750, I didn’t invite the same people over and over again,” said Weitz. “I don’t want to max out because when an artist wants to come on and they can’t join, I can’t have them not be part of it.” 

“It all blends into work for me but it’s been a humbling and amazing experience because I get to talk to the artists, managers and agents whether they are WME clients or not,” said Weitz. “It’s all for one and one for all. I don’t have to represent them but a bunch of people have gotten jobs from this,” he adds. 

“It’s been so phenomenal and it’s skyrocketed,” said Demi. “I wouldn’t change any of it for the world and we love Dario.” 

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Designer Jonathan Simkhai and actress January Jones hosted a shopping fundraiser at Simkhai’s flagship store on La Cienega in support of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ 5th Annual Make March Matter campaign. VIP guests including actress Tammin Sursok and The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Meghan Edmonds shopped with 15 percent of proceeds from the evening going to CHLA’s March campaign, which raises money to maintain the hospital’s life-saving programs. Photo by BFA 

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John Legend brought his artistic abilities to the Beverly Hilton in honor of those who bring awareness and funds to help the Foster Parenting families and programs supported by the Alliance for Children’s Rights. Honorees Karey Burke and Susan Saltz were feted by Anthony Edwards, who played as Emcee and surprise musical guest. Photos by ABImages/Alex Berliner 

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Over 500 members and guests gathered including Visionary Women co-founders, best-selling author Angella Nazarian, newly re-elected Beverly Hills City Council member and two-time former Beverly Hills Mayor, Lili Bosse, president Shelley Reid, board members and notable attendees Nury Martinez, Los Angeles’s first-ever Latina City Council President, and former Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel. 

Fonda said in her acceptance speech, “Throughout my life, I’ve always spoken about issues near and dear to my heart. I applaud Visionary Women’s efforts for bringing attention to important issues that women face today and for encouraging women to join in the notion of challenging convention.” 

Event sponsors included Petrossian Caviar, Veuve Clicquot, Casamigos, Sprinkles, Sweetgreen and House of AN. Photos by Stefanie Keenan 

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L.A.’s own and only professional classical ballet company, Los Angeles Ballet, celebrated its Season 14 Gala on Friday, February 28 at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. After a performance of Balanchine’s “Black and White,” guests retreated to a reception and dinner catered by Wolfgang Puck. Hosted by Nigel Lythgoe, the honorees were producer, director, choreographer Kenny Ortega, who received the Industry Excellence Award. Designer, creative director and philanthropist Gelila Assefa Puck was bestowed with the Global Impact Award, and Anastasia Soare, CEO and founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills, was honored with the Angel Award. The event raised $1.1 million dollars through a silent auction during the evening. 

Photos by 2020 Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging 

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“Our new home for Casa Perfect LA is my favorite house yet,” said David Alhadeff, founder of The Future Perfect. “The Casa Perfect concept for me has always been about utilizing incredible architecture – in this case a jewel that has been virtually untouched since 1971 – as a backdrop for our contemporary program. I’m particularly proud of the work Matthew will debut with us; his playful designs – impressively engineered and beautifully handworked – will help set the stage for a bright year in our new home, appropriately beginning during Frieze LA.” 

In keeping with its commitment to offering a unique experience, the new Casa Perfect Los Angeles will also serve as a dynamic platform and destination for events, exhibitions, panels, partnerships, collaborations and more. The new house will also become a tableau for artist-based activations. 

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Photos by Alex J. Berliner/ABImages, Getty Images for Cadillac 

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Photos By Scott Downie/Celebrity Photo Agency 

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Coming full circle, Demi Moore posed with daughter Rumer Willis in front of her iconic nude pregnant “Vanity Fair” cover image (with Rumer in utero), from the 1990s at the opening party for Vanity Fair: Hollywood Calling– the Stars, the Parties, and the Powerbrokers. The magazine is opening its famous archives for this star-studded exhibition at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City, which runs through July 16, and features 130 images captured by photographers from Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton and Herb Ritts. The evening was co-hosted by Wallis Annenberg and presented by The Ritz-Carlton. Photo by Carole Dixon 

The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising paid tribute to the five films nominated for Oscars this year by inviting guests and the designers to a soriée for a closer look at the costume work surrounding the films from “Joker” to “JoJo Rabbit.” Photo by Alex Berliner ABImages 

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Robert Downey, Jr. as Dr. Dolittle
Robert Downey Jr. was on hand this past weekend in Westwood for the Universal Pictures premiere of “Dr. Dolittle.” Rami Malek also stars, as a gorilla, in the classic tale. Selena Gomez lends her voice for the film and was busy signing autographs and taking selfies with fans at the premiere. Photos by Alex J. Berliner/ABImages 

AARP Movies for Grownups Awards at Beverly Wilshire 

AARP The Magazine’s 19th Annual Movies for Grownups® Awards were held Saturday night at the Beverly Wilshire hotel celebrating 2019’s standout films with unique appeal to moviegoers 50-plus and recognizing the inspiring artists who make them. Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Billy Crudup, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Diane Ladd, and Linda Ronstadt were some of the stars in attendance. The show will air on Jan. 19, on PBS. Photos by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AARP and Rob Latour/AARP/Shutterstock 

The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced the winners of the 25th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards live from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Jan. 12. A serious mix of film and television icons attended the gala, which aired on The CW Network and was hosted for the second year by Taye Diggs. 

In the film categories, “Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood” took home four awards, the most of the night, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Brad Pitt, Best Original Screenplay for Quentin Tarantino, and Best Production Design for Barbara Ling and Nancy Haigh. “1917” followed closely behind, winning three categories. Photos by Kevin Mazur and Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association 

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Golden Globes 

AFI Awards Lunch at Four Seasons As a leading supporter of AFI and its programs for the past 16 years, Audi presented the AFI Awards, celebrating the year’s most outstanding achievements in the art of the moving image – with 10 films and 10 television programs deemed culturally and artistically significant. Honorees, Laura Dern, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Ray Romano, Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, Ava DuVernay, Saoirse Ronan and Kit Harington were greeted by the all-electric Audi e-tron in front of the Four Seasons Los Angeles. Photo Courtesy of AFI and Audi/Araya Doheny 

Gold Meets Golden at Virginia Robinson Gardens Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Chris Evans, Rami Malek, Jon Voight, Taron Egerton, and Ginnifer Goodwin joined the 7th Annual Gold Meets Golden brunch at the Virginia Robinson Gardens on Saturday, January 4th. The event brought together some of the greatest athletes to celebrate during Golden Globes weekend and to wish good luck to the athletes of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Gold Meets Golden benefits Angel City Sports in L.A. which fosters young athletes with disabilities. Other sponsors include Coca-Cola and Beverly Hills BMW. Photo by Phillip Pharaone 

BAFTA Tea at Four Seasons One of the most anticipated events of the season, the BAFTA Tea Party was held at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 4. The event was presented by American Airlines, BBC America, and Jaguar Land Rover. A-List attendees included: Pedro Almodóvar, Patricia Arquette, Karen Allen, Awkwafina, Antonio Banderas, Sacha Baron Cohen, Brian Cox, Daniel Craig, Ted Danson, Robert De Niro, Laura Dern, Zoey Deutch, Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Driver, Lisa Edelstein, Taron Egerton, Isla Fisher, Elton John, Ben Platt, Billy Porter, Jonathan Pryce, Mary Steenburgen, Quentin Tarantino, and Bernie Taupin. Photo by Getty Images – Kevork Djansezian 

Vanity Fair and Amazon at San Vicente Bungalows Audi partnered with Vanity Fair and Amazon Studios to celebrate the big 2020 Awards Season kick-off at the San Vicente Bungalows. Notable attendees included Awkwafina, Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Brian Cox, Billy Eichner, Jeremy Strong, Sian Clifford and more. In support of Audi of America’s sustainability efforts, guests were chauffeured in Audi e-tron vehicles. Vanity Fair, Amazon Studios and Audi worked with the San Vicente Bungalows on their commitment to the environment by using eco-friendly products including reusable straws, glasses and linens. Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Vanity Fair 

“1917” Sam Mendes Big Win Following the ‘1917’ Best Motion Picture Drama win at the Golden Globes, NBC/Universal/Focus Features/DreamWorks animation hosted an afterparty at Jean-Georges restaurant in the Waldorf Astoria hotel for Sam Mendes and the other filmmakers. Photo by Alex Berliner 

CAA Post-Party at Sunset Tower As celebrities trickled from the Beverly Hilton for after-parties, CAA hosted a post-Golden Globes party at the Sunset Tower. Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Laura Dern, Reese Witherspoon, Robert DiNiro, Zoe Kravitz, Taylor Swift, Andrew Scott, Ana de Armas, Daniel Craig, Margot Robbie, Chris Evans, and many others were in attendance. Photo by Alex Berliner 

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The 77th Annual Golden Globes award cer- emony took place on Jan. 5, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. It seemed that every bankable A-list star was walking the carpet this year and one dress was more glamorous than the next. Here are some of our favorites from the red carpet, which transformed the portecochere into a hob-knobbing world stage with Moet Chandon.

Photos by Celebrity Photo Agency / Scott Downie

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Last week, Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures presented the Los Angeles premiere of the new Sam Mendes WWI film “1917.” Stars George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman and Andrew Scott were in attendance. A series of special screenings for the dramatic film were held in L.A. from the Landmark Theatres to CAA.

Rock of Ages Preview Party 

Hollywood’s rock ‘n’ roll legends, celebrities and entertainment pros came together recently to celebrate the first preview of “Rock of Ages Hollywood.” The 5-time Tony-Award nominated 80s rock Broadway musical hit previewed at the Bourbon Room on Hollywood Boulevard. Celebrity guests included Zach Braff, Donovan Leitch, Darren Criss, Frankie Grande, Deniece Williams, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Courtney Reed and more.

Legend Honors Fathers. Last Friday night at Heritage Fine Wines in Beverly Hills, John Legend hosted an intimate gathering with the fathers from his children’s pre-school. Many of the guests donned ‘ugly holiday sweaters’ and enjoyed the singer’s signature LVE wines.

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Last Sunday, the Montage Beverly Hills held the “The Baby2Baby Holiday Party Presented by FRAME and Uber.” The event brought together celebri- ties and business leaders such as Jessica Alba, Kelly Rowland, Busy Philipps, Molly Sims and Rachel Zoe for a special holiday celebration for the children living in poverty that Baby2Baby serves. The event was designed to create an unforgettable experience for children who would not otherwise have a holiday celebration of any kind.

Jingle Ball. The highly anticipated KIIS-FM concert series kicked off this December at the Forum with Billie Eilish, Katie Perry, Lizzo, Sam Smith, Camila Cabello, BTS, and French Montana. Also at the Captial One sponsored event, Ryan Seacrest, Kyle Richards, Tanya Rad, Teddi Jo Mellnecamp with her children, Brooke Burke, Brad Goreski, Catherine Agro and Hannah Brown.

Spotify with Harry Styles 

On December 11th, Spotify gathered an intimate group of Harry Styles’ biggest fans for a private listening party, in which Harry personally shared his new album “FINE LINE” for the first time in Los Angeles. Fans were transported to the magical land of Eroda, a fictional destination that took the Internet by storm in a teasing of the singer’s recently released track, “Adore You.”

Bombshell at Lionsgate 

Lionsgate and Bron hosted a special screening and Q&A with the Bombshell filmmakers. Ashley Levinson, Jay Roach (director), Suzanne Todd, Karen Kramer, Charles Randolph (writer) and Joe Drake were in attendance. The film stars Academy Award winners Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Academy Award nominees Margot Robbie and John Lithgow and is based on the real-life sexual harassment scandal at Fox News.

Star Wars is Back 

The Force was back in all it’s glory to celebrate the new “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” For the L.A. premiere, Disney invited the film makers along with plenty of friends of the series. Director J.J. Abrams was joined by Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Daisey Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Naomi Ackie, Kelly Marie Tran, Anthony Daniels, Keri Russell, Billy Dee Williams among many others.

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Nutcracker Tea at Waldorf Astoria

Los Angeles Ballet, the city’s own and only professional classical ballet company, had their annual Nutcracker Tea recently at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Guests including Lori Milken, Bari Milken Bernstein, Molly Simms and Charlize Theron were all in attendance with their children. The guests dined on tea service and then were treated to a performance from “The Nutcracker.” The Los Angeles Ballet will open the 14th season with the return of the holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” later this month through the end of the year.

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Motown Celebration with Berry Gordy at The Waldorf

The Ryan Gordy Foundation celebrated 60 Years of Motown at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills by honoring Motown music legend Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. Comedic great Chris Tucker emceed the evening along with co-hosts Sheree Zampino, Frances Robinson (also the event chair- person) and Ira Dewitt. Performances by soul pioneers Thelma Houston and Mary Wilson rounded out the night’s entertainment. Other Special Guests included Sean “Diddy” Combs, Sugar Ray Leonard, Eric Benet, David Foster, Katherine McPhee, Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble, Debbie Allen, Johnny Gill, Nelly, Omarion, Bill Bellamy, and Brooke Burke.

WildAid Honors Lupita Nyong’o at Beverly Wilshire WildAid, the global conservation organization leading the fight to end the illegal wildlife trade, held its annual fund- raising gala, “A Night in Africa,” at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel. Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o and CEO of Angermeyer Cruises, Fiddi Angermeyer were honored as this year’s Wildlife Champions for their partnerships with WildAid in support of the organization’s message, “Poaching Steals From Us All.” Gala sponsors included Elegance Brands Inc., Chantecaille, Moon Hollow Estate, and Kelleher International, all of whom support WildAid in its mission of wildlife conservation.

EDITION Hotel opening with Lenny Kravitz and Chaka Kahn Ian Schrager’s first West Coast EDITION property; The West Hollywood EDITION, officially opens with a VIP dinner at Ardor and rooftop party. Upon arrival, guests were welcomed in the hotel’s grand lobby which features a Sterling Ruby hanging sculpture. Later that night, Sunset, EDITION’s late-night venue opened for another wave of guests; including a performance by disco legend, Chaka Khan, who performed iconic tracks including “Ain’t Nobody” and “I’m Every Woman” along with an all- night set by legendary DJ Harvey.

“Queen & Slim” Screening Universal Pictures hosted a screening of “Queen & Slim” at CAA. Filmmakers Melina Matsoukas, Lena Waithe, Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith were introduced to the screening guests by Natalie Portman.

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PHOTOS BY ALEX BERLINER/ AB Images

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PHOTOS BY ALEX BERLINER/ AB Images

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The red-carpet luncheon kicked-off with a silent auction featuring fine jew- elry and designer handbags, followed by three elyse walker runway fashion shows showcasing her new jewel-toned silky pantsuits and dresses during the awards ceremony. Shelley Cooper (Women’s Guild President), along with co-chairs Jody Lippman and Linda Lippman were on hand along with honorary co-chairs Atoosa Nehorai and Pary Mosenifar. 

For more than 60 years, the Women’s Guild has supported world-class health- care through research and innovation. Women’s Guild members have raised nearly $50 million in support of Cedars- Sinai’s most critical work, including the Women’s Guild Chair in Gastroenterology, Women’s Guild Simulation Center for Advanced Clinical Skills, Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Saul and Joyce Brandman Breast Center–A Project of Women’s Guild at Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, and the recently announced Women’s Guild Neurology Project. 

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Held on Oct. 24 at The Water Garden in Santa Monica, the evening honored Larry Ellison, Co-Founder, Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Oracle for his generous support through the years, with a standing ovation. Lynne and Marc Benioff hosted the gala, while James Corden emceed with live performances from David Foster with Pia Toscano and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and up-close magical acts by David Blaine. 

Notable guests included Ashton Kutcher, Sara Foster, Barry Manilow, Lorna Luft, Elisabeth Shue, Linda Ramone, Mitchell Hoog, Jai Rodriguez, and more. 

Ellison was celebrated with the first-ever Rebels With A Cause Award, designed by Chopard. Prior to honoring Ellison, Dr. Agus praised his friend, stating “[He’s] one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. Every day I thank him for his love for discourse to push for knowledge and truth. I thank him for allowing me to learn from him. Cancer continues to affect us all and we’re obligated to think outside of the box. “ 

Slated to open later this year, the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC’s new state-of-the-art facility is located at 12414 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles. 

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Dan Bucatinsky and Don Roos presented Gwyneth Paltrow with the amfAR Award of Courage, speaking about “her capacity for love, and generosity, and courage” in all aspects of her life. In her acceptance speech, Gwyneth Paltrow shared her appreciation for receiving the honor, and said she will continue to strive to live with courage and to support causes that make the world a better place. 

Others in attendance included Christine Chiu, Eva Chow, Brad Falchuk, Lukas Haas, Cheyenne Jackson, Victoria Justice, Gilles Marini, Alexander Von Furstenberg, Rumer Willis, and Parson James who performed on stage with only one day’s notice. 

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“We had a dream 10 years ago,” said world-renowned Argentine polo player Nacho Figueras in a Ralph Lauren navy blue blazer before he donned his polo gear for the game. “I’m proud to see what we have accomplished here and how Angelenos are loving polo as much as we do.” 

Spectators, including Julia Roberts, enjoyed a fast-paced match with Team Veuve Clicquot, captained by Figueras, taking on Team Will Rogers, captained by Mariano Fassetta. Figueras played alongside his wife, Delfina Blaquier, who was deemed “Most Valuable Player,” and brought Team Veuve Clicquot to a victory. Other highlights from the day included the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band’s performance of the National Anthem and divot stomp celebration, music by DJ2GAYTHER, and the ceremonial ball toss thrown in by event veteran Rachel Zoe. 

For the first time ever, Veuve Clicquot introduced the exclusive La Grande Dame Garden. Guests enjoyed prestige cuvées La Grande Dame 2008 and La Grande Dame Rosé 2008 bottle service, a gourmet champagne lunch and luxurious seating with prime field-side views. 

Always a star-studded event, celebrities Regina Hall, Christina Hendricks, Rachel Bilson, Ali Larter, Wilmer Valderrama, Lake Bell, Jaime King and Camilla Belle were seen under the tent and on the field. 

Photos by BFA

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The name is derived from the Madeline Albright quote “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” (The extra ‘L’ was added to the club name so they didn’t get sued for Copyright infringement.) 

According to Wosskow, a former tech entrepreneur from London, “At the heart of it all, we feel if you can create this monster sisterhood of connected kick-ass women globally, then you can change the world. If Soho House had an ethical baby, it would be us.”

For the three-story L.A. club, even the $1.5 million-dollar art collection is by female artists, but men are welcome as guests of the members. “No men in the building didn’t make any sense since we all have men in our lives,” says Wosskow, about the philosophy, shared by partner Jones, who is a former CEO at Hearst Media. “We can let men in but on our own terms.” 

To date, the club has attracted notable founding members including Olivia Wilde, Naomie Harris, Jameela Jamil, Meg Whitman, Adele Lim, Ruth Wilson, Maha Dakhil, Mary Katrantzou, and Maria Bello. 

Celebs pouring into the chic, modern Built Inc. designed space on opening night included Rebel Wilson, Kaitlynn Carter, Jamie Chung, Charlotte McKinney, Delilah Belle Hamlin, Amelia Gray Hamlin, Christa B. Allen, Cody Horn, and Derek Warburton. 

Guests were treated to an incredible range of cocktails and experiences throughout the glass-enclosed ground floor event space, second-floor restaurants and open-air rooftop, including a live performance from Swedish Electropop duo, Icona Pop. Refreshments on tap featured signature cocktails by Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker, Kim Crawford Wines, a Veuve Clicquot Champagne cart, that paired nicely with the caviar service and a Ladurée macaron bar. The first-floor spa (which will be open to the public), was loaded with NARS make-up specialists doing touch-ups, nails, and facial treatments by celebrity facialist Georgia Louise, plus percussive (muscle) therapy sessions from Theragun. 

The dynamic duo plans to continue the expansion to New York and Washington, D.C. next year and has plans for a pop-up later this November in Hong Kong. For now, the focus is in California. “We are also building an online empire for women with motivational books and classes but so happy to get the doors open. I’ve heard a lot about the good city of Los Angeles,” said Wosskow. And, they even received a nice letter from Ms. Albright. 

Visit: www.theallbright.com for membership enquires and further information. 

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The Courier kicked-off the star-studded weekend by covering the red carpet at the Wallis Annenberg Emmy nominee party on Friday evening before heading to the BAFTA tea at the Hilton on Saturday afternoon. The annual tea celebrates the wealth of cross-over talents from L.A. and across the pond who came together for a spot of tea (read: champagne), cucumber sandwiches and scones with clotted cream. 

Spanning over two-days before the awards, nominees, and attendees attended the Official Emmy Gifting Lounge at L.A. Live for exotic trips and 24K infused skin-care by RevealU. Back in 90210, the Eco-Lux Lounge at the Beverly Hilton was all about CBD oils and sustainable beauty over a simple brunch and mimosas. 

After the awards on Sunday evening, the masses headed to the Governor’s Ball on the event deck adjacent to L.A. Live which was turned into a glittering fantasy tent by Sequoia Productions complete with live performances along with passed trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Outside, Nick & Stef’s steakhouse catering continued the post-show meal with chicken parmesan sliders and beef tenderloin. After the winners had their Emmy awards engraved everyone dispersed to the various studio parties around town but the hottest ticket was the HBO bash at the Pacific Design Center. The highlight – besides seeing the GOT winners all in one place, was Chris Bianco from Tartine Bianco who rolled up in a food truck and served breakfast sandwiches and croissant monkey bread to the hungry and happy guests into the wee hours. 

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Inspired by the brand’s sustainability efforts, the fete featured eco-friendly design elements and products that will be reused and recycled following the party to reduce the carbon footprint. The climate crisis was on everyone’s mind – even on the carpet. “Anything we can do to save Mother Earth,” commented nominee Milo Ventimiglia from “This is Us.” 

The all-electric Audi e-tron SUV was on display, while VIPs including Elizabeth Banks, Laura Dern, and LaKeith Stanfield as well as Brett Gelman, and Marti Noxon were chauffeured in the 2019 Audi Q7 and A8 vehicles to and from the hotel. 

At the party, guests including Todd Gurley and Charlie Barnett, posed in the black and white portrait studio and enjoyed music by Reggie Watts and Alexandra Richards with JB Smoove showcasing some dance moves. In addition to passed trays of pizza and meatballs, guests nibbled on Sugarfish sushi – apparently, a favorite on the “This is Us” set. 

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Hosts chef Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne (The Lucques Group), and David Lentz all hit the stage during the auction, along with MC Billy Harris to raise more than $1.2 million. Items auctioned included a trip to Tuscany with a dinner and lunch at chef Nancy Silverton’s villa and a movie night with “Everybody Loves Phil” host Phil Rosenthal at his home before a flight to Mexico City for an eating adventure. Even pop-star Pink was part of an auction item to personally pour her Two Wolves Estate wines at a Rosewood Montecito dinner with Michelin-starred L.A. chefs Michael Cimarusti and Josiah Citrin. The Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl’s Back Beat BBQ party at a legendary recording studio with Food Network chef and fellow musician Bruce Kalman brought in approximately $70,000. 

Return supporters in attendance included Joe Mantegna, Timothy Olyphant, Laura Dern, Nolan Gould, Camilla Belle, andKirstenVangsness. Long-time supporter, talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel took to the stage and donated a chef’s dinner at his home with Adam Perry Lang, Christ Bianco and Marc Vetri. The bidding raised $80,000 before Kimmel and wife Molly McNearney added an extra $20,000 to keep consistent with their past record of raising $100,000. 

The Courier spotted the Beverly Hills Hotel crew and chef Michael Santoro, who were handing out an interesting combo of beet and blood orange soft serve to help ease the 90-plus-degree heat. Ludo Lefebvre was not at the Montage for the final days of his residency but at the event. He handed out a crispy parmesan treat for the crowd and posed for selfies with fans. Chefs Brian Rigsby and Andrea Shirey were serving Colman pork with bourbon peaches and pecans before gearing up to cook this Saturday for the FX Networks and Vanity Fair Emmy Awards bash at Craft in Century City. 

The Courier also caught up with chef Michael Fiorelli grilling skirt steak. He is about to open his new Italian venture, Olivetta, on Melrose Avenue this fall with U.K. restaurateurs and Bravo-lebrities Matt and Marissa Hermer (who was spotted there, braving the heat), and a restaurant designed by the famed Fettle of London. The afternoon of fantastic fare also included two tents with cocktails for a cause, an array of wines spanning the globe, children’s activities, silent auctions, branded shopping, and an amazing soundtrack playing everything from Aretha to Joplin and Bowie to Morrissey. 

For additional information about Alex’s Lemonade Stand, visit https://www.alexslemonade.org/.

Photo by Cody Rappaport ABImages

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Held at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, close friend Alana Stewart, who is the president and CEO of the foundation, claimed during her speech that “Farrah had the strength of a warrior.” 

In its third year, the Tex-Mex Fiesta was co- chaired by actress and former “Charlie’s Angel’s” co-star Jaclyn Smith and Dr. Lawrence Piro. Host Billy Baldwin led the live auction followed by a special musical performance by GRAMMY-winning music legend Thelma Houston. In addition, there was a touching tribute to the late wife of Fred Willard, the philanthropist and writer Mary Willard. 

“Desperate Housewives” star and cancer survivor Kate Flannery commented, “Farrah was very brave and wonderful in so many ways, such an inspiration and will always live in our American culture.” 

Cancer Survivor and “Beverly Hills 90210” actress Shannen Doherty on the red carpet. 

Marcia Cross was looking radiant in a shimmering pale pink gown as she snuggled with former co-star Eva Longoria on the red carpet before being honored at the event. Also, spotted in the crowd: Ryan O’Neal, Dianne Keaton, Frances Fisher, Melanie Griffith, Nigel Lythgoe, Carole Bayer Sager, John Savage, Doug Savant, Judy Tenuta, Cheryl Tiegs, and Joanne Worley. 

The mission of the Farrah Fawcett Foundation is to provide funding for cutting edge cancer research, to support prevention and awareness, and to help those struggling with cancer today. Farrah Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. 

For more information, visit www.thefarrahfawcettfoundation.org. 

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In addition to cooking demos, conversations, live music and interactive games, there were cocktails by top mixologists, wine tastings, and artisanal beer flowing on tap. The festive street vibe – which drew sold-out crowds in its 10th year, ended harmoniously by also benefiting two local charities: The Collins College of Hospitality Management and L.A. Regional Food Bank. 

Photos By Devin Berko 

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