Bites: June 12-18, 2008
By Richard Foss
La la la Rondine ... Opera and fine dining have so much in common: elements of refinement, showmanship, and creating a spectacle for the senses. Those who enjoy both should consider the LA Opera’s dinner and show packages for performances of Puccini’s La Rondine or Tosca. Italian opera is best complemented by Italian food, so special pre-show dinners have been arranged at Tesoro Trattoria. The three-course prix fixe menu starts at $40, and if you’re there at least an hour before showtime, they guarantee you’ll make the curtain. Dinner and a movie? A night at the opera sounds much more romantic, even though romance didn’t work out too well for the courtesans in Rondine … .
Hop on, Pop ... I’ve been deluged with press releases about Father’s Day events in all styles and prices, and I’m amused by the variety of experiences. At the downscale end, several places offer a second beer at half price when you buy the first one at the regular price. The announcement doesn’t say whether they keep going and the third beer is a quarter of the price, the fourth an eighth, et cetera. You see where this is going, and it wouldn’t be pretty by the end of the evening. Since my dad doesn’t like beer, I’d be more likely to take him to the Border Grill, where he could enjoy a special Father’s Day brunch for $32 or dinner with cocktail pairings for $42. Unlike the people who take Dad to the burgers-and-cheap-beer bashes, I won’t have to carry my father to the car at the end of the meal, and he will actually remember something about the day. On the other hand, if your dad really is a burger-and-beer kinda guy but is open to adventures, maybe you should visit Breadbar, where guest chef Noriyuki Sugie has a very elastic definition of just what a burger is. Like your burger with Japanese wagyu beef? How about black cod sliders, or lamb meatballs? Chef Sugie’s eclectic selections are apparently on offer at both the Century City and downtown Breadbar/Crudo Bar locations, so wherever you are it’s not too much of a drive. Check their website at breadbar.net for more info, and enjoy the day with dad … .
Tokyo’s Rose ... All-you-can-eat sushi places usually use low-grade ingredients so they can make a buck. But I’ve just found one that I must visit – the problem is, it’s only open for one day each month. Tokyo Table, a high-style Japanese restaurant that I reviewed in these pages a few months ago, has started a monthly sushi and sake night – for a mere $45 you get unlimited sushi and sake. Not only that, they have a sake challenge – correctly identify two sakes in a blind tasting and you can win a $200 gift certificate to the restaurant. It’s another reason to visit this place, in case you needed one. The restaurant is in Beverly Hills, the next event is Wednesday June 18, and the phone number is (310) 657-9500 ... .
Sweeter Than Wine … I was reading about the wine dinner with Presidio Vineyards at Ciudad when I noticed the line “Vegetarian Menu Also Available.” Until I read that, it had never occurred to me that wine dinners with vegetarian options are something of a rarity. Bravo to Ciudad for realizing that many people who don’t eat meat do still enjoy the other fine things in life. If you’re one of them, that dinner is June 26, and you can reserve by calling (213) 486-5171. Oh, and the omnivore menu looks good too.
We accept tips: RichardFoss@eathlink.net.
Published: 06/11/2008
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