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30
Jun
- Yann Arthus-Bertrand, chefs Bruno Lopez & Sylvain Rivetr with Sophie Gayot
By Sophie Gayot
These are, of course, not my words, but the ones borrowed from President Obama by French Consul General David Martinon, in Los Angeles, yesterday when introducing Yann Arthus-Bertrand and his new movie, “Home.”
A lunch was held before the screening. Chefs Bruno Lopez and Sylvain Rivet, from Amuse Bouche, received special instructions to prepare the meal: it needed to be “green” with organic products, and no animal protein. And yes, Arthus-Bertrand checked with them after the lunch. The pair used organic local vegetables, and replaced the traditional chorizo sausage for the paella with one (a very good one) made of soy and vegetables.
After watching the movie at the Egyptian Theater, I clearly understood Arthus-Bertrand’s request to the chefs. The message of his movie is so significant, actually a matter of life and death, that I feel I need much more space to discuss it than in the few lines I would usually write in the blog.
I will keep you posted when the interview I had with him is on-line. But I wanted to let you know now about Arthus-Bertrand’s activism to try to save the planet for us and our children. Since the movie is commercial-free, you can watch it in HD on YouTube.
27
Jun
- Latoya Jackson with Wolfgang Puck and Sophie Gayot
By Sophie Gayot
The closest I ever got to Michael Jackson was through his sister Latoya Jackson. I had met her at the opening party of Wolfgang Puck’s CUT restaurant in the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Los Angeles, back in May, 2006.
Then, later that year, I had the pleasure to dine with her at CUT while master chef Puck was there. We were only four at the table, so I was really able to appreciate her kindness. Like many of us, fascinated by her genius brother Michael, I was hoping to meet him one day.
Michael, you will forever live in our heart and ears. Thank you for all you brought to music and the world.
26
Jun
Matt Erickson, Director of Operations, with Sophie Gayot
By Sophie Gayot
The lips of our favorite geisha have resurfaced for the fourth time at the newest Katsuya, scheduled to open next Monday, June 29th, at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles.
Last night I got an exclusive tour of the restaurant by Matt Erickson, the director of operations of the four Katsuya restaurants (Brentwood, Hollywood, Glendale, L.A. Live), and a tasting from chef Daniel Elmaleh. I liked the room, decorated like the others by Philippe Starck: it’s large and rectangular, with the sushi in the center. Wherever diners sit, they will not miss any of the action, nor the other photos of the Japanese lady. The cocktails and dishes available are basically the same as offered at the other Katsuyas, except for the Kobe flat iron steak served with wild mushrooms and white truffles, exclusive to this location.
24
Jun
About to board
By Alain Gayot
Take any flight on Virgin America and compute in the cloud with your notebook or mobile phone. Today was D-day for the young airline to offer a WiFi environment for any passenger on every flight in the U.S., the first airline to stake that claim. Sir Richard Branson appeared via an animated video to introduce the program via Gogo technology, along with the flight’s friendly crew. What was special about our 6:00 am flight VA 921 from Los Angeles to San Francisco is that it competed with flight 920 from San Francisco to Los Angeles in The Day in the Cloud Challenge – an online puzzle played in the air and on the ground. Our winning plane earned each participating passenger a nifty and slim HP netbook. The game continued for 24 hours as well, and enabled all top five scorers of each flight to earn A Year in the Cloud package comprised of free flights, free in-flight WiFi from Virgin America, a netbook computer from Hewlett-Packard and one terabyte of online storage from Google. Happy gamers went to work early and connected to Google apps in the clouds to secure information to solve the puzzle.
Continue reading “The Day in the Cloud Challenge” »
24
Jun
- Sophie Gayot in the bakery of Tavern restaurant in Brentwood
By Sophie Gayot
When I went to Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s (Lucques, A.O.C) new restaurant Tavern in Brentwood last week, I had to stop myself from filling up on the bread.
It was so good, but I had to save room for the actual meal. At the end of the dinner, I asked where it had come from. Easy enough: it is baked on premises daily. Every night, three bakers arrive at 8 pm and bake ten different varieties of delicious breads until 5 am. The good news is that they are available for purchase to take home.
We are currently featuring Tavern as the Los Angeles Restaurant of the Week.
22
Jun
- Alberto del Hoyo, General Manager of The Beverly Hills Hotel showing Sophie Gayot the tennis courts before they disappear
By Sophie Gayot
You don’t have to be a hotel guest to serve and volley on the two tennis courts at the famed Beverly Hills Hotel, but you only have until September to play your match.
Last week, during a lunch at the hotel, general manager Alberto del Hoyo declared that the courts will soon be covered by two new guest bungalows. Each will be over 3,000 square feet, with all the luxury and tech amenities imaginable, including a fitness room. The announcement of the new accommodations, which won’t come cheaply, is actually very optimistic news considering the current economy.
The hotel, also known as the Pink Lady due to its coral-pink façade, has made a few of our top hotel lists:
Los Angeles Top 10 Romantic Hotels
Top 10 Brunch Hotels in the U.S.
18
Jun
- Famous star chef Gordon Ramsay with Sophie Gayot
By Sophie Gayot
Famed chef Gordon Ramsay flew into the film capital of the world to celebrate the first anniversary of his fine establishment, Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood. The fabulous evening was fun and filled of fanfare and food.
As a big fan of force of nature Gordon, I asked him to sign one of his books for me. In a friendly manner and in perfect français (French), he insisted to do it for “ton fils” (my son), who he has met when filming “Hell’s Kitchen.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
16
Jun
Chef de cuisine Jorge Chicas from The Bazaar with Sophie Gayot stirring a liquid nitrogen margarita
By Sophie Gayot
More than fifty Los Angeles chefs and restaurants combined their culinary talents last Sunday at Share Our Strength’s annual Taste of the Nation, a benefit to support organizations that feed hungry children.
Guests were able to meet the chefs and taste their dishes, as well as enjoy live entertainment and a special auction. The event, held in Culver City’s Media Park, was supposed to end at 4 p.m., but the ambience was so enjoyable that the crowd stayed much longer.
Continue reading “Coming Together for a Nationwide Cause” »
15
Jun
Jay Leno & Sophie Gayot
By Sophie Gayot
More than three hundred guests attended Vintage Hollywood 2009, a charity event, held at a private estate in Bel-Air, California, last Saturday. Thanks to the hard work of Linda Daly and other members of the organization, many Los Angeles restaurants and wineries from across California as well as from Oregon, New Zealand and Argentina came together in a gorgeous garden. In addition, a silent auction took place.
But the highlight of the evening was the appearance of Jay Leno, who was in charge of the live auction. And trust me, it was an auction like no other. Leno’s celebrated humor was behind each of his words. I just wish there would have been more items to keep the show running. A private tour of the comedian’s “Garage,” guided by Leno himself, went for $29,500 for four lucky bidders. More than $200,000 was raised at this year’s event. Jay’s generosity brought even more support than expected.
Continue reading “A Night Show with Jay Leno for a Cause” »
11
Jun
Chefs Mark Peel of Campanile, Suzanne Tracht of Jar and Rick Moonen of RM Seafood with Sophie Gayot
By Sophie Gayot
Martini & Rossi Rosé was being poured with no limit (if you met the age limit, of course) last night at Campanile restaurant in Los Angeles, during the premiere of Bravo’s new television show “Top Chef Masters.”
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