FEAR AND LOATHING ON FILM “Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson” opens July 4 The best documentary of the year goes deep into the psychedelic era of the late 60s and early 70s, when Thompson was at his peak after writing “Hells Angels,” "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail"-- along with numerous screeds for Rolling Stone. Filled with iconic music from the period, Johnny Depp voices much of the film with Thompson's own words, and we hear from voices as varied as Jann Wenner, George McGovern, Jimmy Buffett, Gary Hart, Nixon speechwriter Pat Buchanan, Jimmy Carter, both of Thompson’s wives, his son and Ralph Steadman—the artist who illustrated the heart of the gonzo journalist’s darkness. A must-see, with special resonance during the current presidential campaign. Hunter should have stuck around to see the brighter days after George Bush, hopefully still to come. Directed by Alex Gibney, who brought us another top doc, “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room.”

DAYTIME EMMYS Winning actor Kristoff St. John showing off his pecs …and a Charlie Lapson watch at the Dazzling Daytime Emmy Suite The scene at the Hastens Daydream Style Suite: anything but sleepy, despite all the beds The Young and the Restless with One Life to Live found their Guiding Light to the General Hospital—and on the way, stopped in at a couple of swag suites set up to fete the nominees. At Brite Smile in Beverly Hills, guests were treated to services and gifts like HAI Elite ionic hairdryers and irons, the Charlie Lapson collection of signature handbags, wallets and messenger bags, Sensual Mistique lingerie, sexy stilettos from the Devani Couture Footwear line; high-tech Glo To Sleep masks; Model In A Bottle makeup setting spray and Electric Body facial skin elixir. Guests included daytime Emmy winners Jeanne Cooper (The Young & The Restless), Kristoff St. John (Y&R) and Gina Tognoni (Guiding Light)-- and a couple of hundred others, many of whom came away with a whiter smile. Over at another Daytime Emmy event at the Hastens store on Beverly Blvd., vendors displayed their wares on the ultra-expensive beds sold by the 150-year old Swedish company, and guests partook of new limited edition Votivo candles, Norman Covan jewelry, Antik Denim jeans, Single tops and dresses, eyelash and makeup applications from Platinum Image Services, hair styling with L’Oreal and electro-energy treatments called PTPT (Prevent the Pain Therapy) that left people trembling, in a good way.

A TASTE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN ON LOWER 5TH ilili’s stunning dining room, designed by Nasser Nakib, features amber lighting, candles and a DJ to set the mood If you were under the misimpression that Lebanese food is all about kebabs and hummus, you haven’t experienced this sumptuous cuisine of ilili, where chef/ owner Philippe Massoud takes the Mediterranean dining experience to an entirely new level in a stunning architectural setting that features woven copper in its avant-garde design. The kitchen combines traditional Lebanese dishes with contemporary inspirations, using only the highest quality ingredients for menu items like Manti pasta with spiced lamb, tomatoes, mint and yogurt foam, spiced rare tuna skewered with red and yellow peppers and black cod sautéed with pomegranate molasses and fennel. Many selections, including grilled chicken, beef, lamb, and tuna are designed for sharing, and dishes come in appetizer or entrée portions. The calamari appetizer with garlic, cilantro and Aleppo pepper is served in a small skillet and is one of many outstanding dishes that have keep the crowds coming back for more since the restaurant opened late last year. Service is smooth and polished, and there is an impressive wine list featuring selections not only from the world's top wine-producing regions but from the Middle East. Upstairs, there are two rooms for private parties and the downstairs lounge is a chill place for cocktails. Massoud began his career at a very young age at his family's hotel in Beirut, like, age 8, and is considered a pioneer in bringing Lebanese fusion to the US. Ilili, 236 5th Avenue, New York, 212.683-2929

STONE COLD DAZZLING Sharon Stone rocks some major stones for jeweler Damiani, brand new on Rodeo Italian jewelry house Damiani threw open the doors of its sparkling new Rodeo Drive boutique, and inside, Sharon Stone—fresh off her controversial comments in Cannes--stuck to the script as the line’s new spokesmodel. A new ad campaign features Stone in images inspired by Eve (the one in the Garden of Eden) and Amelia Earhart, (but not Catherine Tramell), shot by Solve Sundsbo. After the photo opp/cocktail party, the lovely Silvia Damiani—a third generation family member and friend of Sharon’s--hosted a private celebration dinner at Mastro’s.

THE RUSSIAN IS COMING Chris Brown serenades Kira Plastinina at her LA opening bash (Photos courtesy Jerami Johnson) She’s only just turned sweet 16, but Kira Plastinina is poised to take the teen fashion world by storm. With nearly 50 stores across Russia, the young fashion designer has already started an empire, funded by her father, who made his fortune in…orange juice concentrate—now a $5 billion business. No expense was spared for the recent LA opening party at a warehouse on La Brea dressed in pink for the occasion, complete with Kira pink label branded water, mini-cheeseburgers and cupcakes with pink icing. Models paraded down a runway before Chris Brown took the stage and in tribute to his galpal, performed “Umbrella.” KP stores recently opened in Soho, and she’s making her mark on LA on Robertson and on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade.

LAST DAYS OF AUGUST

It’s the calm before the storm when after Labor Day, in quick succession, boom boom boom: its Fashion Week in New York, the VMAs in Las Vegas and Emmy Week in LA.
One man is aiming to break new ground at Bryant Park, and he’s not in the schmatta business. Executive chef Andy Pastore wants to feed the fashion masses with his take on Asian-fusion cuisine.  What, you say? Food at Fashion Week? That would be a first. You could drink yourself silly, partake of any one of a number of controlled and uncontrolled substances but not run across a morsel for days and nights on end, save for a couple of chocolate-covered strawberries backstage at the shows.  (At least in LA, you can buy snackies at Smashbox to soak up some of the alcohol.) 
Maybe the California sunshine got to the native Brooklynite, who at press time, was searching for an NYC venue in which to temporarily hang his toque and serve up his delicacies like an heirloom tomato and mozzarella Napoleon, Thai bouillabaisse with Maine lobster tail or grilled Szechuan pepper-crusted filet mignon. Normally you can find him turning these dishes out from the kitchen at Ritual, on the site of the old White Lotus in Hollywood, with its sultry, candle-lit patio and adjacent nightclub. Pastore began his career in New York under some of the greatest names in the business, including Jean-Georges Vongerichten,  before moving West for stints at Wolfgang Puck’s fondly-remembered Granita, Michael’s, the Sunset Room, Sterling Steakhouse and Cabana Club. 
 Chef Andy Pastore wants to cook for the catwalk crowd who normally forego food for fashion at New York’s upcoming Fashion Week
Ritual, 1743 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood 323.463-0060 
 

FASHIONISTAS WHO ACTUALLY EAT FOOD, IN SMALL BITES
 

Teri Hatcher and daughter Emerson party at One Sunset with Mark Badgley + James Mischka

Countless St-Germain liqueur artisanale cocktails were downed and  truffle pizza, mini-crab cakes, tuna tartar and beef tenderloin were snatched up by a tres- fashionable crowd Monday night at One Sunset to honor Teri Hatcher as the new face of Badgley Mischka’s fall campaign.  DH castmates Felicity Huffman, James Denton, Andrea Bowen and Dana Delaney turned out to show their support along with Sama Eyewear’s Sheila Vance and jewelry designer Michelle Roy. One Sunset, 8730 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 310.657-0111

BARON DAVIS + LA STARS = MAGIC

Angie Stone rocks the crowd at the LA Stars “Rodeo Drive Experience” earlier this month, raising money for the charity overseen by NBA All-Stars Baron Davis and Paul Pierce to benefit at-risk youth in Southern California, and furthering work done by Magic Johnson and his eponymous foundation. Always a pleasure to see his smiling face.

MARTINI MADNESS ON RODEO
With the price of a few rounds of “designer” martinis requiring a C-note these days, it’s hard to imagine five for less than $20. But that’s exactly the deal at the Luxe Hotel’s Bar 360 Monday-Friday, 5:30-7:30 pm: $3.60 drink specials include a fresh watermelon martini, or, shades of Sex and the City, a cool Cosmopolitan, both giving deeper meaning to “happy hour.” Small plates like fried green tomatoes and fresh burrata, lobster rolls and lamb lollipops add a little more joy to an after-work respite.
Luxe Hotel Bar 360, 360 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310.273-0300

FROM 818 TO 310: ARCONA ARRIVES IN SANTA MONICA
Long known to Vals as THE place for a results-driven facial, Arcona is now primping and priming Westside punims. Chanel Jenae and Kevin Anderson oversee the legacy of Arcona, who was ahead of her time as a pioneer of holistic skin care. The fab product line uses only all-natural ingredients with high concentrations of antioxidants, plant and extracts, sea vegetables, essential oils, vitamins and minerals and includes the popular Magic White Ice hydration serum and refreshing cranberry toner. Chanel or one of the salon’s estheticians will advise you on a five-product regimen best for your skin type. Trust them. 
The Arcona Studio, 425 Broadway, Santa Monica, 310.458-3800 

YOU WON’T BELIEVE YOUR EYES
It sounds illogical that slapping on a clear eyeliner at night can make lashes grow longer and thicker, but TAR has it on good authority that these potions actually work, with a little patience and a lot of persistence. The best: RevitaLash, which is making some long-lashed believers out of those who use it regularly for 3-4 weeks, when results kick in. Try it yourself, and save the time spent on often over-hyped lash extensions. And there’s a great backstory: ophthalmologist Michael Brinkenhoff originally developed the product for his wife Gayle, who was losing her eyelashes during chemotherapy for breast cancer. A portion of the proceeds of each tube sold ($150) goes to breast cancer research.
www.revitalash.com,  877.909-5274

RIP OF THE WEEK
Don’t fall into this trap: valet parking at the Grove will cost you $20 unless you spend $250 at the plasticine mall. Puh-leeze. One savvy moviegoer gamed the system by purchasing a $300 necklace at Nordstrom and then returned it the next day…at Westside Pavilion.

THERE IS SOME CONSIDERATION FOR GUESTS HERE
Patrons of the Writers Bar and Jaan restaurant at Raffles L’Ermitage in Beverly Hills get free valet parking and customers of the spa at the InterContinental in Century City also park gratis via valet, which TAR awards the best chill-while waiting-for-your-car spot at a hotel in LA, complete with couches, coffee tables, heat lamps and ashtrays. But don’t get too comfortable: they always seem to deliver the cars pronto. Jiminy!

© 2007 Atkin Communications.  Reproduction of material from the Atkin Report without permission is prohibited.  The Atkin Report™ is a trademark of Atkin Communications, Los Angeles, CA.