Spotlight

TARANTINO LIVE

• By ARLENE WINNICK
• Photo By For The Record

Tarantino fans, get ready for the ultimate live inperson tribute experience. Fox Force Five & The Tyranny of Evil Menis an adrenaline-fueled Broadway-style musical combining the most iconic scenes from Quentin Tarantino’s Cinematic Universe with live rock ‘n’ roll renditions of songs from the movies’ soundtracks including Reservoir Dogs, Inglorious Basterds, and Django Unchained.

Tarantino Live – part musical theater/part rock concert staged in a unique venue (Hollywood’s The Bourbon Room) – was created by For the Record’s Shane Scheel and Anderson Davis who have produced an unconventional series of live soundtrack concerts in LA and beyond. I have attended previous shows featuring the scores of Baz Luhrmann, The Coen Brothers, John Hughes et al and they were truly original, unforgettable immersive events.

The show follows the Fox Force Five, a group of fierce female superwomen (popularized by Pulp Fiction) as they join forces to fight the Tyranny of Evil Men against a backdrop of hitmen, gangsters and assassins singing classics like “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Stuck in the Middle With You,” “Bang Bang,” and more. This newest iteration includes hits from the 1960s-era Once Upon a Time in Hollywood so enjoy some “California Dreamin’,” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” when the newest villain Charles Manson comes on stage.

Make it “Quentin Tarantino night!” an arrive early and enjoy themed cocktails and The Bourbon Room’s dining menu. For tickets, click here.

The Pie Room by Gwen

• By Arlene Winnick
• Photo By Gwen Restaurant

A confession: my idea of a savory pot pie was a frozen one from Banquet (in a red box). But all that changed with a visit to The Pie Room by Gwen, the genius creation of chef Curtis Stone and his pastry chef Amy Taylor. First thing, forget everything you think about the runny tasteless pot pies made in the US.  At The Pie Room, the crusts are thick, flaky, almost magical and the meat-centric filings are thick with a depth of flavor culled from hours simmering on the stove. The flavor stays with you like a fine wine. The menu includes Chicken & Leak, Oxtail & Beef Cheek, Cottage (topped with mashed potato) and others in individuals and large sizes. Try them with one of their specialty relishes like Stone’s homemade piccalilli with mustard.

Naturally, The Pie Room also has a wide selection of sweet pies – most popular are the Salted Caramel Apple Pie and Triple Berry Pie (sour cherry, boysenberry & raspberry). There are a number of cream pies – coconut, banoffee (vanilla/toffee) and chocolate espresso plus other pastries, sandwiches, drinks….and wines from Australia, of course.

Chef Taylor is a romantic at heart and likes to think of each pie as a hug – filled with memories.  The best ingredients simply make the best pies – “it’s undeniable,” adds Taylor.  Step out of your comfort zone and sample a savory pie, mate.

Located at 212 S Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills. Click here.

SALT

• By Nina Sventitsky
• Photo By Paige Petrone

Brunch by the sea is a cliché – but we can do it year-round. It’s one of the first activities that opened up for us this year. Brunch reservations are still hard to come by – so finding a place with great food AND enough outdoor space is a challenge. SALT at the Marina del Rey Hotel overcomes the challenge and serves up a stellar brunch menu. Brunch is difficult for chefs – like Mother’s Day or Thanksgiving, it’s not a meal that showcases a chef’s unique talents, nor does it allow for culinary creativity. SALT changes that cliché very well. Every dish ordered was done well and featured seasonal ingredients. A recent brunch started with a rich and creamy Blue crab dip, a welcome change from guacamole. The Breakfast Burrito was light and fluffy, and super tasty with a bit of chorizo, and the Eggs Benedict with pork belly was just right, with an expertly done hollandaise and just poached eggs. The Buttermilk Pancakes stood in for dessert, again these were light and fluffy, dusted with sugar and a blueberry compote. What makes SALT also a winner is the setting – seating is offered on both sides of the pier, so there is literally no table without a marina view. Eating open air is what we need right now, SALT offers a great brunch experience. Perfect for families.

SALT is located inside the Marina Del Rey Hotel.

CATALINA ISLAND

• By ASHLEY HALVERSON

September may mark the end of summer but it’s actually a lovely time of year to take a trip to Avalon on Catalina Island. The weather is perfect for spending the day on a chaise lounge at Descanso Beach Club.  Thrill seekers will enjoy Zip-lining through eucalyptus tree groves in Descanso Canyon.  Treasure seekers will love to peruse the boutiques along Front Street (aka Crescent Ave) or tucked in the Metropole Marketplace.   And history buffs will love to learn about how William Wrigley developed Catalina into a destination for his Chicago Cubs and the Hollywood elite.  

Of course, no day would be complete without an excellent meal and Avalon has some amazing restaurants. The Avalon Grille which specializes in steak, seafood and burgers is centrally located and offers spectacular harbor views. This is California coastal cuisine at its finest paired with creative handcrafted cocktails like the Wrigley Martini or island famous Buffalo Milk.  A few blocks down you’ll find the M Restaurant with their exquisite seasonal, organic and sustainable menus – my top choice for a special date on their oceanfront patio or if you’re planning a special event, they can accommodate up to 150 guests.     

Whether you go for the day, the weekend or a whole week, this little slice of paradise is only a short ferry ride away. 

For more, click here.