WTW- E!/Style Network

Yesterday I had a meeting with E!/Style Network... Now I don't like to get too detailed with worky thingies on le blog but I did want to share my outfit
I was going for put together but not coordinated; clean but not country club. It's 90 degrees here this week but I didn't want skimpy.
I went for my men's xxs Whyred sweater, a Stockholm purchase from summer collection, and balanced it out with my fab Old Navy shorts. Shoes were the famous gift from Taylor's mom, the Manolos (on which the talent exec gave a compliment) and the bag was my usual vintage (from MY lovely mother) red Dooney and Bourke. Hair was natural and, save my usual dual necklaces, I forgot to put on any jewelry sooo nothing to report there.

Blue Plate Oysterette

A full review will be in order when I return to a computer (iPhone blogging while out west) but a quick word about Blue Plate Oysterette in Santa Monica which had it's soft launch last night: ROCK! Taylor and I were grateful to score seats at the bar, which looked into the very open kitchen. We ordered a slew of yummies... Let's just say starting with a marinated, grilled, chilled prawn cocktail and ending with banana bread custard. Life is good. The official opening is Thursday, I'll have proper pics up on Monday. Perfect for when you're in LA but want Pearl.

Marmont Avocado Smash

A little celebration platter + Old Fashioned at Chateau Marmont.

Joan's On Third

Everytime I come to LA, I hit up Joan's On Third. Fresh made sandwiches and tantalizing sides n' salads make for the perfect lunch. There's also great cookies, caramels and other tasty extras. My first meal in Cali this time (all split with Mr Taylor) was the oven roasted turkey sandwich with caper mustard - we added brie - and a side each of fennel orange raisin salad, heirloom tomato salad and half an artichoke, grilled and served with a sweet balsamic reduction. Perfection!

BBB

Lucky am I to know the executive chef at Brooklyn Bowl/Brooklyn Blue Ribbon Sushi/Let’s Just Call It The Pleasure Dome. We stumbled in after dinner only to be assaulted with a full-on ten-year anniversary party for insound. Thankfully, some friends had secured some VIP lane couches and chef Dave sent out an illuminated birthday bread pudding. Doused in chocolate sauce and topped with a sphere for sweet vanilla ice cream, I blew out the candles with indie rock and pins crashing in the background. The introduction of another bowling alley to the neighborhood and the premiere Williamsburg access to Blue Ribbon is a very welcome blend of old and new – hip and classic. The menu, the space, the activities… they all mix the old-new quirk to a B!

The Ace Hotel Bar

My birthday began this year at a new spot – so new that it’s not even fully opened yet. The Ace Hotel, that sexy work-in-progress in the weird part of town, has got one “this is the place to be” lobby and bar. A girlfriend of mine took me for a drink around 7pm and after one cocktail, there was Patrick McMullan singing happy birthday – be it not to me – sitting catty corner and snapping pics. The bar is a creation by the Spotted Pig folks and April Bloomfield, though not up and running quite yet in the full-fledged kitchen, is marking her territory with homemade salt and vinegar chips at the bar. $4 gets you a doggy bag with a “hello my name is” sticker slapped on letting you know it’s contents and D.O.B. The snacks are addictive and what was supposed to be one glass of birthday champagne turned into several rounds of booze as well as multiple bags of chips. The lounge has a Miami meets NY feel – inviting you to relax and keep on imbibing.

Hangawi

Hangawi isn’t a new restaurant, but it’s exactly what I wanted on my birthday. It’s that happy paradox of old faithful and special secret. It’s zen and healthy but simultaneously sexy and rich. Hidden away on 32^nd Street behind a wooden door, walking into the space brought me back to a few years prior (good to do on a birthday) when I was frequenting the Korean restaurant a few times a month. We slipped off our shoes to settle into a low table and ordered first a house salad, which, here, comes with a sesame dressing, crisp spinach leaves and julienned beets. It helped ready our palate for the sensational flavors that were soon to come. Watercress and tofu dumplings were a summer special and we were glad we tried them. Four plump pockets of hearty green came with a soy-based dipping sauce. They were equally healthy and decadent tasting, though we knew the later quality was only a perception. Kimchi mushroom pancakes came next and confirmed both of our loves for the spiced cabbage. These I have to guess were a little indulgent. Each bite was crispy on the outside and warm on the inside. Only the spicy dressing by which they were accompanied cut through the hearty flavors of the cakes. Staying in the mood for spice, we decided to share the spicy chili mushrooms. This was a true birthday present because I love mushrooms and can never get enough of them. The dish arrived to our table – an enormous portion of various types of ‘shrooms. They were bathed in a spicy brown sauce that left me needing one more bite. So, I guess then, no big surprise that we finished the platter. After the meal, we lounged around on our pillows for quite some time, taking in the surroundings. Everyone dining seemed to be wholly connected to their dinner friends and fully enjoying the meal. Everyone seemed happy and at peace. The philosophy of the restaurant strives to bring every aspect of um and yang (like yin and yang) into the experience – balancing everything from mind and body to greens and roots. HanGawi serves harmony and this was exactly the place to be while celebrating a milestone birthday and readying myself for what will hopefully be a very productive year.