As someone who spends at least three months a year in New York City, I’ve always appreciated Restaurant Week. Although it began in 1992, I never heard of it until the winter after 9/11. (Which happened in 2001, for those of you lucky enough to forget the details of the tragedy.) I, erroneously, thought it had been invented to try to get shell-shocked New Yorkers out of their houses and spending money again, while getting back into life. It actually did help many whom I knew.

As a restaurant critic, whose dream is to eat at every restaurant in New York and L.A, if not the world, this seemed like a great time to try as many different ones as possible without breaking the bank or getting my friends into debt over the more expensive eateries. (For those unfamiliar with the concept, I’ll tell you how it works in a second.)

But, since I live here in LA for the other nine months, I always wished that someone would bring the concept to this city. I had actually thought of doing it myself, but I already had too much on my plate. (Figuratively and literally!)

Then five years ago, dineLA was born! Yay! I always hate L.A. being behind NY, (in anything other than sports teams; I love the NY ones, if you get my drift,) but, better late than never. And, in an effort to make it “our own,” the lunches and dinners come in three different price ranges, which seems only fair, since so do the actual restaurants! (The list features everything from cafes and diners to steakhouses and proposal-inspiring hotel dining rooms.)

The two-week event began yesterday and goes through February 3, so let’s get started already!

I’ve tried dining at a bunch of the participants over the years, with varying results. Some are hits, some misses. But wouldn’t you rather miss for $16 than for $30??? I know I would. And the $16. lunches are truly hard to beat.

So, as promised, this is how it works: about two hundred Los Angeles-area restaurants offer set menus for the two weeks of DineLA. (They all skip Saturdays, and some places choose to continue the special menus after the main promotion is done, so be aware of that.) The smartest thing to do is to go to the site (below,) and look at the menus of places you’re interested in. I basically check them all out, because I’m a picky eater, as most of you know. And, in a way, Mr. X is even pickier! (He prefers to eat salmon almost daily.) There are some places I’m dying to try, but their dineLA menus are not to my liking, even though I can find something on their regular ones, so I pass on those choices for now.

Most dineLA menus have three choices in each of three courses, so there’s usually something for everyone. For the people who want to get the best deal, and have the time, you can always look-up their regular menus and see how much those three courses would cost on the other fifty-two weeks of the year. Sometimes the savings are incredible, other times they’re not much; you just have to do the research if that’s important to you.

But overall, dineLA is a great way to try many restaurants. If you’re cautious, you can always begin with the least expensive ones, and occasionally move up a dollar sign.

I’m happy to have tried even the not-so-good ones, just to have that knowledge. Three of the stand-outs I’ve found over the past five years are Luna Park, Simon LA, and 2117, a place I really had no high expectations for. But, I recommend skipping Wolfgang Puck’s Red Seven in the Pacific Design Center and La Sandia in Santa Monica Place; those two are beyond duds. [Note: you can read my review of the latter here: www.itsnotaboutme.tv/news/2011/10/28/dining-la-sandia, and the former here: www.beverlyhillspeople.com/pages/Out_To_Lunch_050808.html]

The whole two weeks are so much fun for dining adventurers, like I! I attended the kick-off recently, at the W Hotel in Westwood, and it was interesting to see so many chefs there, relaxed and mingling. A bit too relaxed, perhaps, because we couldn’t hear the speeches! But, I believe they did make us aware of a promotion with American Express, which gives you a rebate if you try three restaurants, (or something like that,) so check-out that info on the site, as well.

And Happy Dining!!! On your mark, get set, GO!

www.discoverlosangeles.com/restaurantweekv2/index.html

The holiday season is upon us again, which means two very important concepts come up on a daily basis: shopping and, if you have even a modicum of humanity in you, charity.

I’ve always prided myself on spending too many hours to count on making personal goodie bags for all my business contacts, which, from the feedback I’ve received through the years, are greatly appreciated. But last year, with no time and being out of town for most of December, I instead broke down and donated to a charity. (Finding one who would send out cards to my recipients proved to be difficult, so I had to go with not letting my peeps know, and just being content that I was doing good for someone somewhere.) [Note: by “broke down,” I, of course, didn't mean there was anything wrong with giving to charity. I just like to show my associates how special they are to me by spending all that time on their gifts.]

So, I want to let you know about an upcoming almost-week-long event that combines the two chief concepts of the holidays, and has the added attraction of fun! It begins on December 7, and is in its twentieth season(!,) but I, like I’m sure most of you, had never heard of it before, although, in one of my Gift Ideas columns, I have suggested donating to Project Angel Food, which this event benefits.

This is what it is, according to the press release: “Project Angel Food’s Divine Design is an all-out fashion extravaganza featuring an assortment of luxury fashion mini-boutiques, all for a good cause. The Beverly Hills event will feature fashion from Kenneth Cole, Laura Gambucci, Hanky Panky, Sanctuary, and many more, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Project Angel Food.” [Note: I love Hanky Panky thongs, and used to have to go all the way to Aspen to get them!]

For those of you who are not familiar with Project Angel Food, the release goes on to say that it’s “the only organization serving all of Los Angeles County dedicated to providing nutritious hot and frozen meals on a daily basis to people with HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses.”

Hope to see you all there. Maybe even buying a gift for me!

Here are the deets, with more info available at: www.divinedesign.org
Opening Gala: December 7, 2011 (with a few special surprise guests, at the Beverly Hilton–I think it will be wonderful!)
VIP Shopping Cocktail Party: December 8, 2011
General Admission Days: December 9-12, 2011
9900 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills (formerly the Robinson’s next door to the Beverly Hilton.)

For you magic and/or little theatre fans, I have an event for you this coming week-end. (December 2,3, and 4, 2011, in case you’re too crazed this season to even know what date we’re up to!) My favorite magician, Jeanine Anderson, is producing, and hosting, an evening of magic at Theatre West, a theatre company near Universal where she’s a longtime member.

Those of you who’ve been lucky enough to visit the Magic Castle over the years should recognize her from her long tenure as an official hostess at the private magic club. She’s also an actress, (with a recurring gig on Glee, a fact that I’m most impressed with,) playwright, self-taught magician, and has her own children’s party-performer company. Whew! (No wonder I never get to see her anymore!)

In Theatre West’s Millennium Magic XII, which is an annual event, Jeanine will be joined onstage by some of her Magic Castle colleagues, many of them award-winning performers.  The line-up of magicians will vary at each of the three performances, so, if you’re a real magic (or Theatre West) fan, you can attend all three shows and be treated to new acts each time!

The list of each show’s performers is on their website, along with all the other pertinent info. I hope I’m still in town for it, because, especially having been in a circus, I really love illusions. Hope to see you all there!

www.theatrewest.org/magic12.html

While I had many attractive reasons to continue my already-two-month stay in the Big Apple, (including spending more time with my recuperating little mo,) I had even more incentives to get back to L.A. Chief among them was the pull of the annual Macy’s Passport Fashion Show, once again entitled Glamorama, that’s scheduled for this Friday night, September 23, 2011.

Sharon Stone, shown here at the 2009 event, will be paying a return visit this year.

This twenty-ninth edition, ARTRAGEOUS, is being staged at The Orpheum Theatre in Downtown LA for the second year in a row, which last time marked a definite departure from the runway-style show of the previous years.

In addition to showing the latest collections of designers such as Armani, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse, Papi, Tommy Hilfiger,and Tracy Reese, the main attraction, for me, is the musical guests. And the organizers have outdone themselves this year with Ceelo Green! I love me some Ceelo. I’m really a fan of just his music, but he’s also known throughout the entertainment world for his outrageous stage gear, which fits right in with the theme of the show. Also performing will be stylish electro-pop quartet Far East Movement who are always entertaining.

I expect a highlight of the evening to be a tribute to the late Elizabeth Taylor, a long-time AIDS activist, presented by Sharon Stone who shared the former’s passion in the fight against the illness. (The proceeds from this event benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles and Project Angel Food.
)

And for VIP ticket holders, there’s an after-party at the cavernous CalMart, the likes of which even this jaded party-goer has rarely seen, judging by last year’s soiree. I never use the word “amazing” unless something is, and that fete was amazing! You can read my review of the 2010 event here: www.itsnotaboutme.tv/news/2010/09/20/event-macy’s-passport-presents-glamorama/

So, I hope to see you all there. Come say hello…unless I’m gushing over Ceelo and comparing outfits, that is!

For info and tickets: blueroomevents.com/glamorama

In case you’ve been shunning all media, or media-savvy friends, for the past couple of months, I’m here to remind you that the Royal Wedding, of Prince William to Kate Middleton, will be happening on what is officially tomorrow morning, but what’s really very late tonight. (As they say, check you local listings.) For us on the West Coast, that means we have to get started at around midnight and go to about 6 or 7AM to catch every second of the festivities. Many stations will repeat it all tomorrow, but I’m really hoping to watch it live.

All I’m hoping for, besides the post-wedding kiss on the balcony, is good weather and safety for all in attendance. I doubt that almost thirty years ago, when Princess Di married Prince Charles, anyone even gave a second’s thought to what crazies might be planning. It’s a shame how scary our world has gotten.

But, maudlin thoughts aside, I’m here to give you some clues of how to get the most enjoyment out of watching the nuptials and attending ceremony. I was hoping to be in New York already to watch with my little mo and some fun friends, but then I realized that none of my pals are that much fun, and want to get up that early even less than they want to have fun in general! (And some of them actually have jobs.) So, I’m staying put and hoping that Mr. X will join me, which I think he will. At least until he falls asleep. But, since he can stay out krumping all night once a week, maybe all I’ll have to do is put on some back beats. Fingers crossed.

So, here are just a few suggestions for Royal Wedding watching in the comfort of your own home:

ATTIRE: You absolutely must wear gloves and a hat! It’s mandatory. And not just an ordinary hat–it must be a milliners’ dream. The half hats, that stick close to your head, with tasteful flowers, are the order of the day. The only problem I find for the actual attendees is that everyone’s hat will obstruct another guest’s view! Lucky thing that that won’t be a problem in our own private homes, so go for it. And don’t forget the skinny gloves. Even if the rest of your ensemble is pajamas and a bathrobe. (Don’t forget to take pictures.)

REPAST: As many of you know, my real area of dining expertise is Afternoon Tea, and I’m very serious about it. I was originally going to suggest doing one for the wedding, but could just not bring myself to suggest it at such an improper time. And then I remembered elevenses. It’s actually a meal that’s akin to my precious afternoon tea, but eaten in the morning instead. (At 11-ish AM, to be exact. Hence the name “elevenses!” Duh.)

It can have several courses and varieties of food, but should always include cake/biscuits and tea/coffee. As with tea service, I recommend at least scones with clotted cream and jam (my mouth is actually watering as I write that,) and tea with milk and honey. Scones are very filling, so, with all the accoutrements, they should get you though at least the first few hours of coverage. You can supplement them with a basket of fresh strawberries and cream, in any form, and be happy that at least you’re getting a fruit portion in early in the day. 

And, for today’s purposes, don’t forget the champagne and wedding cake. And make sure to pick-up your teacup with your pinky out to the side!

EXTRAS: I suggest you have at least one big box of tissues handy, just in case. You may think you’re above the emotion of it all, and are just watching for the history of it, but trust me, I think we’ll all get a little teary-eyed.

And, since this is England we’re talking about, and we want to keep up their traditions for this special occasion, you don’t even have to brush your teeth for the wedding! I’m just saying.

AFTERMATH: I assume that, after staying up overnight, hopefully, to watch the proceedings, I won’t have strength to write a column tomorrow. But I’ll do my best to review the all the pomp and circumstance, and the attending coverage, next week. But don’t expect my humorous bon mots for sure–I take my royal weddings seriously!

Whether you watch live, with me, or later on re-caps, have a fabulous Royal Wedding Day. Remember, they’re few and far between, so enjoy. Ta-ta for now. Cheerio!