Melody Nazarian | April 11, 2011 8:06 amEvery year, when my birthday month rolls around, I go on a massive hunt to find the coolest spot to host my party. Each time the vibe changes depending on my mood, but what remains constant is it can't be a spot that people have already killed, and it doesn't necessarily have to be new, but it has to have some buzz. During this year's search, I came across a handful of the coolest spots to host your birthday in 2011.Read More
Melody Nazarian | April 7, 2011 8:06 amHollywood's newest late-night spot Cafe Entourage (1600 Vine St., 323-467-4200) — Jessica Biel celebrated her brother's birthday there — opened in March, and it just announced an exciting addition: a happy hour menu. You can go any weeknight between 4 and 7 p.m., but I recommend popping in on Wednesday, April 20, right before catching Ellie Goulding — who did that amazing acoustic version of Rihanna's "Only Girl in the World" — at The Music Box (6126 Hollywood Blvd., 323-464-0808) a block away.
Start the night by sipping on cocktails like the red veil (fresh lemon juice, homemade simple syrup, vodka, and a float of red wine) for $6 and Entourage fizz (blue- and blackberries, gin, homemade simple syrup, champagne) for $7, then munch on bar bites like the Entourage burger for $12 and the prosciutto panini for $8.Read More
Melody Nazarian | April 7, 2011 8:04 amClub L (6507 W. Sunset Blvd., 323-466-0265) has been around since '09, but it recently got a very special, and very sexy, visit. Victoria's Secret celebrated the launch of its SWIM collection there, bringing out hotties like Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Miranda Kerr.Read More
Melody Nazarian | April 4, 2011 8:02 amIf you're into the LA club scene, you know how it goes: a hot new club debuts, is the talk of the town, then it cools off just as quickly as it burned up. Trousdale (9229 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-274-7500), Brent Bolthouse's endeavor after leaving SBE, opened exactly a year ago to a huge celebrity following.Read More
Melody Nazarian | April 1, 2011 8:04 amI don't normally pay attention to the brochures left in the lobby of my apartment building, but while waiting for the elevator after the Vivienne Westwood boutique bash, this particular flier caught my eye. A guardrail cocktail bar service? I guess it's not a bad idea for people who have a lot of parties on their balcony — or the brochure says it can be used for placing potted plants.Read More
Melody Nazarian | March 31, 2011 8:08 amIt was unfortunate when Test Kitchen closed, but we're about to get two restaurants, plus a private dining space, in its place. Picca will open in the future on the main floor, and yesterday, Sotto (9575 W. Pico Blvd., 310-277-0210) debuted in the underground level.Read More
Melody Nazarian | March 21, 2011 8:06 amThere's no doubt that the earthquake and tsunami in Japan was devastating. And though we can't turn back the clock, we can show our support locally in small ways. One way is by shopping at Tadashi Shoji at South Coast Plaza (3333 Bristol St., Level 2, Costa Mesa, 714-438-0056) now through mid-April — 10 percent of storewide sales will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.Read More
Melody Nazarian | March 17, 2011 8:06 amIt's Thursday night — clarification, it's St. Patrick's Day — and if you need a break from pubs, here's a more posh way to spend it. First head to Neiman Marcus (9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900) from 6 to 8 p.m. to meet Mick Jagger's daughter Georgia May Jagger at the contemporary sportswear department on the third floor.Read More
Melody Nazarian | March 17, 2011 8:04 amYou may have heard about Shia LeBouf's latest bar altercation, which went down at one of Shia's favorite local hangouts, Mad Bull's Tavern (14649 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-379-9511). But I swear, that's not why I went there Monday night. It was a friend's going-away party, plus it's not too far from my pad.Read More
Melody Nazarian | March 16, 2011 8:02 amGuinness and beer cocktails are the popular way to get plastered on St. Patty's Day, but I want to take a new, albeit festive approach. Don't get me wrong, I love me a cold beer on a hot day, but this year I'll be sipping on green cocktails with cute names like Naughty Leprechaun, TY-Klover, and Kiss Me Mojito. All three are made and created by green-colored Asian spirit TY KU, mixed with the likes of club soda, lemon, fresh mint, and citrus soda.Read More