May 13, 2008 archive

SEX GOES GLOBAL

SJP rocks a glamorous green Philip Treacy hat at the SATC London premiere

Charlotte, er, Kristin Davis, previously promoting SATC and posing pretty in Moschino

New York, one of the main characters, will just have to wait its turn. The hotly awaited and hugely hyped “Sex and the City” movie premiered in London Monday night, with what the girls were wearing taking centre stage and giving a few Brit designers a worldwide spotlight. Sarah Jessica Parker wore a green Alexander McQueen with a fabulous matching hat. (Pity those who sat behind her trying to watch the film!) Kim Cattrall sizzled in a red Vivienne Westwood get-up. Cynthia Nixon traversed the red carpet in a black, slit up to there Calvin Klein gown and Kristin Davis chose a vintage fuchsia ensemble. A couple of notable no-shows: Chris Noth and Jennifer Hudson. The fabulously fashionable four next hit Berlin before the big night in New York right after Memorial Day.

LE EXCELLENCE IN CENTURY CITY

A real find: The charming interior of La Cachette is surpassed by its cuisine

It’s Cannes time, and since we couldn’t be on La Croisette, our thoughts turned to La Cachette, one of LA’s best kept restaurant secrets-- recently blown wide open by being named the eighth best place in town by Los Angeles magazine. La Cachette translates to “the hideaway” and it is a little tricky to find, entering through an alley on a residential street west of Century City off Little Santa Monica.

Chef-owner Jean François Méteigner opened the place in ’94, after 10 years at the recently departed L’Orangerie and he still jumps between the kitchen and the customers, making sure everything is magnifique. Put yourself in his capable hands for a decadent tasting menu with pitch-perfect wine pairings (about $150 pp). If you like endangered foie gras, this is the place. Try it done three ways: grilled, with brioche and in pate. The flavor of a fish soup starter will knock your socks off. Jean Francois sold us on the frogs legs—which he gets from Louisiana and serves with a light pesto. Less adventurous diners have their choice of more typical fare like salmon and lamb, all perfectly done. And if you’re looking for a place to have an intimate conversation, look no further—but be sure to call for directions.

La Cachette, 10506 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, 310. 470-4992

ANOTHER REASON TO DRIVE TO MALIBU

New at the Country Mart: Sigerson Morrison’s glistening store

Veuve Clicquot and lobster appetizers were on the menu as footwear label Sigerson Morrison threw open the doors to its flagship store recently. Beach babes snatched up brightly colored patent leather flats, glossy oversized tote bags and woven leather cuffs. If they don't have your size in any of the silver boxes lining the walls, they’ll order it for you.

Sigerson Morrison, 23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu 310. 317-6868

BEAUTY SLEEP, SLEEK AND SMOOTH

Slumber into sweet dreams with Branche Beauty’s satin bed dressing

We’ve been traveling everywhere with a new silk pillowcase, billed to keep your hair in place while you sleep and to prevent those icky creases that come with high thread count territory when you wake up on cotton sheets. Guess what? Branché Beauty’s silk charmeuse pillowcase really works and, we’re told, is a bedtime favorite of leading ladies including Jade Pinkett Smith and Reese Witherspoon. Available in silver, ivory, blush, blue, sage, and gold, you can find them at Palmetto, Planet Blue, C.O. Bigelow, and the full list online. www.branchebeautysleep.com

AND FINALLY

Outside the set of HIMYM

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!

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