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Why Did You Eat That: Malibu Brunch

By |November 8th, 2010|Los Angeles, Why Did You Eat That?|

A couple of Sunday’s ago, I spent the day exactly how every Sunday should always be spent: with a Bloody Mary overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Le fiance wanted to take me somewhere to celebrate a month of engagement and Gladstone’s Malibu couldn’t have been a more perfect choice. The weather was perfect, so the drive to Malibu alone, was pleasant, but after valeting, our view only got better.

We were seated at a table outside overlooking the sand and the surf. There is an indoor section, though, I’m not sure why you’d bother… Our waitress asked if we were visiting, so I assume this must be a bit of a tourist stop, but I can’t imagine a local Angeleno not taking advantage of this beautiful locale. Anyway, we immediately ordered two Bloody Mary’s, clam chowder, and crab cakes. Each of which was more delicious than the next. They also brought us a monstrous hunk of fresh sourdough bread. Quite honestly, we didn’t really need to bother ordering anymore food, but like true gluttons, we ordered the fried fish sandwich (I’d pass) and the spiced crusted tuna (a must).

We certainly over ordered, but everything was delicious… and being stuffed is the perfect time for a sun nap on the beach…

Gladstone’s Malibu

17300 Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Palisades, CA 90265

310-454-3474

Brunch is always a tricky time to get dressed. You want to look casual without looking hungover or sloppy. (Check out my old “brunch attire” tips). For a lovely Sunday by the beach, it’s all about layering:

3.1 Phillip Lim Asymmetrical Draped T Dress, $350

Chloe Wayfarer, $240.95

Splendid Lofty Cashmere Professor Cardigan, $278

Comme des Garcons Low Top Canvas Sneaker, $100

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: South of the Border

By |September 20th, 2010|Los Angeles, Why Did You Eat That?|

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Last week one of my besties came from New York to visit me here in sunny Los Angeles. After launching into a diatribe about the amount of fedoras she had seen with in her first five minutes of being here, she then made a very poignant statement. She said, “Call me crazy, but I feel like everyone here tries really, really hard.” She couldn’t be more right. So, rather than take her to the typical sh*t show restaurants of Hollywood, we opted to take her somewhere a bit more low key.

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Since my pal was in dire need of cocktail and craving Mexican,  El Compadre seemed like the obvious choice. Modeled after a traditional Mexican hacienda with dim lighting and live entertainment from some muchachos with guitars, it is the perfect place to enjoy some delicious food and great company… not to mention it is home to the famous “Flaming Margarita.”

l-1I really love this restaurant because it is zero glitz and glamour, but serves up totally authentic (and yummy) Mexican (though it will never replace Benny’s Burrito). There’s a reason that El Compadre has been around for thirty plus years and it probably has quite a bit to do with their enchiladas. Most plates are fairly large and could probably be shared between two people (but no one will judge you if you don’t).

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El Compadre

7408 W Sunset Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90046

323-874-7924

So what does a girl wear to a laid back dinner in while still looking chic (and leaving enough room for tacos)?

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Free People Chiffon and Lace Slip, $68

Screen shot 2010-09-20 at 5.11.41 PMWe the Free Navajo Cardigan, $168

Screen shot 2010-09-20 at 5.37.31 PMGianni Bini “Gigi” Cross Body Bag, $59

LDS15213Frye Melissa Button Boot, $288

Hasta la vista, baby

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: Just Another Restaurant

By |July 26th, 2010|Los Angeles, Why Did You Eat That?|

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Before heading down to Temecula for our early Saturday morning adventure (more to come on that), we stopped at The Grove to pick up some essentials (read: Kiehl’s). Seeing as I haven’t been to a “mall” in quite some time, I had forgotten the type of people who frequent malls on a Friday nights. That being said, we opted not to dine in The Grove and headed to a place suggested by a friend called Jar.

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When we walked in, I hadn’t been sure what to expect being as I’m not from Los Angeles and I really never know what the hell to expect here. I was pleasantly surprised to see a warm and sexy room that had a Boogie Nights (sans mass amounts of drugs and girls on rollerskates). I felt a little underdressed because I’d just planned on being in a car for two hours and had just thrown on a jersey maxi dress and flip flops. The room was large and surprisingly empty for a Friday night.

lWe were seated at a nice table along the wall and our waiter came over promptly with the cocktail menu and a smile. It seemed possible that he would break into song and dance at any moment, but thankfully I appreciate overzealousness. We started off with the crab deviled eggs which were absolutely unbelievable. You had me at deviled eggs, but adding the crab really took them over the top. There were a lot of them for just two people, but since they were so delish, we had no trouble polishing them off.

slide_02For our main, we shared a porterhouse steak with roasted asparagus and mashed potatoes as sides. The meat was sliced for us upon serving and was cooked to our specification. The meat was juicy and delish and they offered several different sauces, but they really weren’t even necessary. The asparagus was fine, but unremarkable. The mashed potatoes were creamy and pure, not overly seasoned.  There was more than enough food for two (which is good news for Smitty who was stashed in his bag below the table).

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Despite being totally stuffed, we couldn’t resist the brownie and ice cream for dessert. Luckily, it was the perfect size after gorging yourself on steak. It was just enough to get a taste of chocolate without combusting onto our singing waiter.

I would certainly go back again for a good, quiet dinner with friends or date with a cute boy. (This is not a “scene” if that’s what you are looking for).  So trade in your sequin mini for your elastic waist pants and head over to Jar for your next special occasion.

Jar

8225 Beverly Boulevard

323-655-6566

Screen shot 2010-10-12 at 2.01.23 PMSplendid Cotton Racerback Maxi Dress, $125

Screen shot 2010-10-12 at 2.37.18 PMKensie Drape Front Cardigan, $68

AntikBatik-Tipi-Black_325Antik Batik Tipi Sandal, $210

Screen shot 2010-10-12 at 2.21.45 PMKate Spade Metallic Macdougal Alley Thomas Crossbody, $185

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: Not Just Another Meatball

By |July 19th, 2010|Los Angeles, Why Did You Eat That?|

C_LA2-2_1While in Los Angeles, I have been lucky enough to dine as some of best places the city has to offer. Last Thursday night, we went to Cecconi’s in West Hollywood. My girlfriends had been telling me this was one of their favorite places to eat in LA and upon arrival, I could see why. We passed through the terrace into the bar and main dining area. The room was aesthetically pleasing both with the decor as well as the clientele. I shouldn’t have been surprised seeing as Cecconi’s comes to you from the same folks as Soho House.

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We started with the goat cheese and summer truffle pizza and when I tell you it’s to die for, you’re lucky I’m here to type this. This was no dainty pizza either. It could have easily fed four, but we went ahead and left room for our entrees. By far one of the most delicious white pizzas I have ever had.

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For entrees, we ordered tuna tartare, which they bring to the table so that you can instruct them as to how you’d like it prepared. Also ordered was the halibut with lemon and chili rainbow chard. It isn’t often that a side is even better than the main, but this was one of those instances. I could have eaten an entire bowl of that chard.  The crab ravioli with saffron sauce did not disappoint either. I love any type of ravioli, but this one was especially good. The pasta was homemade and the crab was so moist that there was not even need for sauce.

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We didn’t stick around for dessert, but I hear that the wood oven baked pear gratin with cinnamon ice cream is worth saving room for.

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I can certainly say that this will be somewhere I return. Perhaps I will throw a little dinner party in the private Butterfly room. It’s not a cheap night out, but would certainly impress a date and is worth the splurge if you are looking an incredibly delicious meal.

Cecconi’s West Hollywood

8764 Melrose Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90069

310-432-2000

So what does one wear when dining in one of the prettiest places in LA? How about this:

NIGH-WD66_V4Nightcap Clothing Victorian Dress, $303

Screen shot 2010-10-12 at 1.33.36 PMNicholas Kirkwood Burma Slingbacks, $740

Screen shot 2010-10-12 at 1.38.32 PMRebecca Minkoff Clutch, $345

xx,

WhyDid