Restaurant Guide — Summer 2010
BEVERLY HILLS
9021Pho
Nutritious and Delicious Vietnamese Fare to Beverly Hills
Kimmy Tang, the highly praised Euro-Asian chef, opened her latest restaurant, that features delectable dishes of healthy Vietnamese cooking.
9021Pho, named after the famous Vietnamese soup, caters to the health conscious food-lover, with tasty steamed dishes enhanced by the unique and beautiful food arrangements that Kimmy is renowned for. Kimmy set out to discover traditional recipes from Greece, Hungary, Spain, Romania, France, Italy, Germany, and also from her home-country of Vietnam, allowing her to expand her Asian cooking repertoire. We love the Saigon rolls; grilled beef wrapped in vine leaf, crispy on the outside, tastes like roast beef, delivered super hot, with crispy onions. Totally delicious!
Kimmy has fully dedicated herself to her new restaurant, shopping for the freshest ingredients each morning and constantly creating inventive new dishes, sure to satisfy any food aficionado. Located at 490 N. Beverly Drive, will allow food lovers to indulge in a healthy gourmet meal without breaking the bank. Open from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m Monday thru Saturday. (310) 275-5277 • www.9021pho.com
WESTCHESTER
Melody Bar & Grill
If you’re hungry, have some time to spare, or if you’re an LAX staffer just getting off work then head over to Melody Bar & Grill. Located just offsite from the airport on Sepulveda Blvd. (across from In-N-Out Burger), you will discover amazing food, a cool atmosphere and signature cocktails. Established in 1952 and under new management for the past couple years, Melody is an interesting mix of the old and the new. Watch your favorite sports teams on giant flat screens, play billiards in the game room, relax in the mahogany lounge, and get there using the shuttle service to and from the airport. Discounts are offered to day-of-flight travelers and LAX staffers. Additionally, they have comedy and karaoke nights as well as a variety of special events including Guitarology on Wednesday nights. Get there!
(310) 670-1994 • http://www.melodylax.com
MALIBU
Terra Restaurant
Terra Restaurant is raising the bar on exceptional food and wine—as they offered an experience worth remembering. Suzanne Summers, composer Carter Larsen, and Adam Gaynor formally of Matchbox 20 are just a few who enjoy their quality American cuisine in a warm and personable atmosphere with exceptional service. Owned and operated by David Price, Executive Chef Chris Bocchino and his wife Kristine, the restaurant offers three seating areas: the main dining room with a fireplace and a bar with stained-glass windows, high-top tables, and the popular covered patio with an ocean breeze.
(310) 456-1221 • www.terrarestaurantla.com
The Sunset
The Sunset Restaurant and Beach Bar on the beach at Zuma Beach in Malibu has been a lot of different establishments over the years. It’s been a barbershop and a t-shirt shop and changed hands many times. These days the same folks who own Moonshadows — another Malibu beach-based restaurant — own it. Gil Vasquez is the executive chef and they have re-done the menu and the interior. It’s beachy upscale in the upstairs area and beachy tavern on the lower level. You can’t really escape the beachy vibe when you are literally across the street from the beach. We enjoyed a Duck Confit Sandwich with pizza crust bread and a Carrot Orange Soup with orange blossom water — the flavors were delicate and fun. The place is really known for putting on special events — how would you like to get married in front of the Pacific Ocean and then walk over and have a huge celebration at The Sunset — sounds perfect! (310) 589-1007 • www.thesunsetrestaurant.com
SANTA MONICA
Upper West
Santa Monica’s newest hot-spot destination offers a sophisticated wine collection, a long list of tantalizing specialty cocktails and American Cuisine. It has a TriBeCa loft feeling with their urban yet rustic décor and an impressive 27-foot bar, which assures another round of adult beverage for you and your crew quick. It’s a great atmosphere to grab a drink, meet someone new or watch a game.
Owners of Upper West, Elad Benisti and Eyal Raziel, are both professional mixologist and have created a drink list with signature cocktails that have been featured in magazines and won numerous awards. Happy hour (5 – 7 pm) offers cocktails for $6 and PBR for $3.
Nick Shipp, the executive chef who worked under Wolfgang Puck, specializes in creating comfort food with outside-the-box twists. He draws from flavors and tastes of cuisines all over the globe, tying them together in eclectic fusion dishes. We recommend the Burrata Caprese ($11), Chile Spiced Salmon ($20) and the 6 hour Braised Short Rib “osso bucco” style.
(310) 586-1111 • www.theupperwest.com
LAX AIRPORT
Daniels Bistro + Bar OPENING
The recently completed reconstruction project of the arrivals area in the Tom Bradley International Terminal is truly spectacular with the rotating color walls similar to the exterior pylons and the time lapse flat screens — too cool! Front and center of the redone area is Daniels Bistro + Bar, the latest endeavor for airport concession experts, CMS Hospitality. The restaurant is just as cool as it’s surroundings and features a modern design, killer coffee, healthy and delicious food and inspired cocktails. It’s a perfect place to hang out while at LAX.
“CMS Hospitality Corporation brings a unique concept to our growing selection of dining options at LAX,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, LAWA executive director. “It’s great to offer our travelers a taste of California inspired-cuisine when they arrive at our airport or for family and friends waiting for arriving travelers.”
“Daniels Bistro + Bar offers an oasis where travelers can relax, enjoy good food and drinks in a comfortable and friendly environment,” said Clarence A. Daniels Jr., CMS Hospitality Corporation president and CEO. “The Bistro is here to welcome travelers and family and friends waiting for arriving travelers.”
We really loved the Espresso beverages and the California Cobb Salad, however the Proscuitto Pizza was delicious as well featuring Proscuitto, grapes, goat cheese and arugula.
310-215-4215 • www.danielsbistroandbar.com
WESTWOOD
The Glendon
The Glendon Bar & Kitchen is an upscale lounge-bar-restaurant, heavy on sophistication but without the velvet rope attitude located in the heart of Westwood is now open for business.
The décor and ambience epitomize laid back sexy with custom-made chairs and couches (designed by high-end furniture designer Jecco), vaulted ceilings displaying the original wood exposed in an artsy argyle pattern, and dimly lit crystal chandeliers.
The philosophy in creating The Glendon is simple. The founders, three young (and good looking) professionals with restaurant and nightlife backgrounds, kept searching in vain for the perfect “go to” Westside spot — a place to get a drink, take a date, or drop in late night. No problem — they opened it themselves.
The menu consists of California comfort staples with low calorie alternatives. We highly recommend the spicy California Crab Cakes ($12) served with avocado citrus puree, the fresh Prosciutto Asparagus ($12), and the delicious beef Slider Duo ($10) as appetizers. Individually, these appetizers are lite but ordering any two together could easily make a meal. The most unique item on the menu is the Coffee Crusted Seared Ahi served with spinach artichoke puree, Crimini mushrooms and a bed of greens. Again, this is a lite meal… but this means there is plenty of room in your belly for dessert.
Pastry chef Renee Faris of TLC’s “Cake Boss” fame signed on to create sugary confections that have Angelenos drooling. Try the Apple Currant Cobbler or the Flourless Chocolate Cake with rum infused whipped cream. YUM!
HOURS: 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM. Double nightly happy hours (at 4:00PM-7:00PM and 11:00PM). Lunch hours will be added.
(310) 208.2023 • www.theglendonla.com
Filed Under: Food, Wine & Hotel • Restaurant Review
