HOTTER IN HOLLYWOOD

THIS WEEKEND: LAZY MALIBU SUNDAYS

Hot cuisine alert!

As summer dwindles and fall approaches there is no place we would rather be than sipping a mid afternoon cocktail at a beachfront Malibu hangout while enjoying the chilly breeze and admiring the courageous surfers on the horizon trying to catch a wave before the night settles in. But it looks like we'll be stuck in Hollywood this Sunday and won't be able to head out to the beach. So how about it? Join us this weekend for Sunday Roast at Ammo, and let's pretend that we're all hanging out along the coast. The best part is that we don't have to cook.

Make sure to try the bay scallops and cucumber salad...

Ammo 1155 N. Highland Ave. (323) 871 2666

By now, it's not surprising to hear Angelenos rave about the hidden wonders that are starting pop up around downtown L.A. We know about the comfort food heaven that is The Nickel Diner. We've been wooed by the retro chic vibe of the cavernous Edison. And we've experienced what it feels like to party under the stars at LoftSeven.

Allow us to reintroduce you to The Alexandria at 5th and Spring. The newly renovated micro-loft-style residences also house a couple of up-and-coming hotspots. First up is The Gorbals, a sleek, urban gastropub that serves - get this - Israeli-Scottish fusion cuisine. Founded by Top Chef's season two winner Ilan Hall (pictured above), the eatery is tucked away in the lobby of the historic building and offers a new menu Every. Night. HIH had the absolute pleasure of meeting the 28-year-old wunderchef and sampling some his divine dishes.

The entrance to The Gorbals in the lobby of The Alexandria.

The Ironic Plate of the Night Award went to the bacon-wrapped matzoh balls which were placed in a Pepto-pink pool of horseradish mayo (beyond yum). Other scrumptious items included the red wine braised cabbage with caraway and apple and the beef marrow, adorned with king oyster mushrooms and walnuts. It was an unforgettable trip for the taste buds.

 
As for dessert, Ilan's sous-chef, Jesse, brought out the big guns for us: Sticky toffee pudding with coffee ice cream and a pinch of maldon salt, a lemon posset (think: smooth custard), and a steamed chocolate porter cake that would give any hard-boiled critic a total foodgasm. 

After the meal, we took a trip to the second floor of The Alexandria where we checked out The Mezz Bar, a speakeasy-like venue that is probably downtown L.A.'s best kept secret. Known to host a few jazz bands and an occasional burlesque show, The Mezz is dark, but not seedy, ultracool, but not sickeningly hip. There's no doorman, there's no cover, there's no bitchy brouhaha. Just you. A bartender. And some tunes you'd be hardpressed to find anywhere else in the city.

We can't wait to go back.

H.M.

DOWNTOWN DISCOVERY: THE GORBALS

By now, it's not surprising to hear Angelenos rave about the hidden wonders that are starting pop up around downtown L.A. We know about the comfort food heaven that is The Nickel Diner. We've been wooed by the retro chic vibe of the cavernous Edison. And we've experienced what it feels like to party under the stars at LoftSeven.

Allow us to reintroduce you to The Alexandria at 5th and Spring. The newly renovated micro-loft-style residences also house a couple of up-and-coming hotspots. First up is The Gorbals, a sleek, urban gastropub that serves - get this - Israeli-Scottish fusion cuisine. Founded by Top Chef's season two winner Ilan Hall (pictured above), the eatery is tucked away in the lobby of the historic building and offers a new menu Every. Night. HIH had the absolute pleasure of meeting the 28-year-old wunderchef and sampling some his divine dishes.

The entrance to The Gorbals in the lobby of The Alexandria.

The Ironic Plate of the Night Award went to the bacon-wrapped matzoh balls which were placed in a Pepto-pink pool of horseradish mayo (beyond yum). Other scrumptious items included the red wine braised cabbage with caraway and apple and the beef marrow, adorned with king oyster mushrooms and walnuts. It was an unforgettable trip for the taste buds.

 
As for dessert, Ilan's sous-chef, Jesse, brought out the big guns for us: Sticky toffee pudding with coffee ice cream and a pinch of maldon salt, a lemon posset (think: smooth custard), and a steamed chocolate porter cake that would give any hard-boiled critic a total foodgasm. 

After the meal, we took a trip to the second floor of The Alexandria where we checked out The Mezz Bar, a speakeasy-like venue that is probably downtown L.A.'s best kept secret. Known to host a few jazz bands and an occasional burlesque show, The Mezz is dark, but not seedy, ultracool, but not sickeningly hip. There's no doorman, there's no cover, there's no bitchy brouhaha. Just you. A bartender. And some tunes you'd be hardpressed to find anywhere else in the city.

We can't wait to go back.

H.M.