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TOMAHAWK STEAK was the entree when Betsy and Chris Blakely dined at Taylor’s Steakhouse. Here they are shown Photo by Bill Devlin talking to waitress Dori Pike.
AMERICAN NATIVE Marketplace is coming to the Autry. Page 4
SWING to jazz at these legendary supper clubs. Page 10
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Dining & Enter tainment Guide Fine wines paired with fine company at The Ebell Enjoy fine wines from around the world paired with scrumptious hors d’oeuvres at The Sip on Thurs., Nov. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Ebell of Los Angeles, 741 S. Lucerne Blvd. The Ebell’s historic setting will set the mood as craft beer and small-batch spirits will also be poured and paired with foods prepared by Ebell chef Louis Pechan. Proceeds from the event help continue preservation efforts at the Ebell in its collaboration with Larchmont Village Wine and Cheese Shop. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Parking is free. Tickets are $35 per person. The VIP Sip at $75 per person features older vintages, limited editions and hard-
SAMPLE bottles from around the world at The Sip Nov. 5.
to-find wine and spirits. On a literary note PLAYdate at The Ebell presents “One Night/One Play: The Other Woman” in participation with a one-night nationwide theater reading Mon., Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The one-act play is adapted
from five essays. The cost for the event is $10 for Ebell Club members and $12 for nonmembers. Proceeds from the event will help the Ebell Rest Cottage Association Charity for women in need. Silent era echoes Author and historian John
Bengtson will lead a multimedia tour of silent-era locations, some just steps from the Ebell and in Larchmont Village, at a luncheon Mon., Nov. 16. The event, “Hollywood’s Silent Echoes: Los Angeles History Told Through Its Silent Movies,” will begin at 11:30 a.m. Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd are among legendary stars in classic movies filmed on local streets. Bengtson uses archival photographs and vintage maps to determine filming locations and track the changing face of Los Angeles. For more information events at The Ebell of Los Angeles go to ebellla.org.
NICKODELL’S MENU listed filet of sole, liver steak and lobster thermidor.
Menus detail history of eating habits Two hundred menus from Los Angeles restaurants, some dating back to the 19th century, are in “To Live and Dine in L.A.: Menus and the Making of a Modern City.” The 222-page book by Josh Kun features menus from the extensive collection of the Los Angeles Public Library. As Kun writes, “Menus help us understand the making of neighborhoods and changing population demographics.” Menus from former eateries such as Robaire’s, Nickodell, Carolina Pines, Don the Beachcomber and Chasen’s will stir memories of meals enjoyed in days gone by. Paramount devours Nickodell Many local residents remember what is now a tall hedge on Melrose Ave. was the popular Nickodell restaurant and bar. From the 1920s, it was not only a haven for studio actors and technicians, but a hangout for local residents who would greet one another while seeing stars from the adjacent RKO Studios, Desilu and, finally, Paramount. That was, until the restaurant was closed and demolished in 1993 for Paramount expansion. The book is $45 and available at Chevalier’s.
Hollywood site for Berri’s Kitchen Berri’s Kitchen has opened in Hollywood at 7123 Hollywood Blvd. The new restaurant is a smaller version of Berri’s Café, 8412 W. Third St. Both locations offer gourmet pizzas, flatbreads, sandwiches, salads and desserts. The new location also has beer and wine. The original café was created in 1996 by Raphael Berry and his wife, Hortensia Magana. It serves customers in a European-style venue with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and stays open until 4 a.m.
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M a r a t D a u k a y e v B a l l e t Th e a t r e Attend the Performance
See the Film
Nutcracer 2015
GettinG to the nutcracker
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A documentary film by Serene Meshel-Dillman
Airing on PBS SoCal
The Luckman Theatre
5151 State University Drive Los Angeles 90032 (CalState LA)
Tuesday, November 17 • 7-8:00pm Saturday, November 21 • 4-5:00pm
A behind the scenes view of America's best loved ballet featuring the students and families of The Marat Daukayev School of Ballet. Marat Daukayev School of Ballet
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Friday, December 11 • 7:00pm Saturday, December 12 • 2:00pm and 7:00pm Sunday, December 13 • 12:30pm & 4:30pm
Buy Tickets at MaratDaukayev.com
323-965-0333 | 731 S. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles 90036
Marat Daukayev Ballet Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit California corporation.
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Dining & Enter tainment Guide
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Fall in love, dance at the Music Center
The Second City production described as “lively, charming and absolutely absurd.� For tickets call 213-972-0711.
Take a risk. Let yourself go at “The Art of Falling� west coast premiere Fri., Nov. 6 to Sun., Nov. 8 at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon on Sunday. Five choreographers, four writers and 30 dancers and actors are involved in The Hubbard Street Dance Chicago +
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American Indian Arts at Autry
Works by more than 200 contemporary and traditional Native American artists from 40 tribes, demonstrations, theater, food and film will be featured Sat., Nov. 7 and Sun., Nov. 8 at the American Indian
Arts Marketplace at the Autry National Center of the American West. Pottery, beadwork and basketry will also be for sale at the 25th annual event. Children’s activities, performances by Native dancers and storytellers will be on site. Visit theautry.org.
Art+Film Gala at LACMA
Grammy-award winning singer Sam Smith is set to perform at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s 2015
INSPIRED BY the French royal court, Le Salon de Musiques plays in an intimate setting at the Music Center.
Art+Film Gala Sat., Nov. 7. The event honors artist James Turrell and filmmaker Alejandro Inarritu and is co-chaired by museum trustee Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio. Visit lacma.org.
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Romantic works at Salon de Musiques
Hear a stage-free concert by Le Salon de Musiques, inspired by Queen Marie-Antoinette in Versailles, the group—on violin, viola, cello, piano and featuring a soprano—perform three Romantic works by Richard Strauss. The program “Metamorphosis of a Young Prodigy,� is on Sun., Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, fifth floor. A Q&A with the artists, French champagne reception and high tea gourmet buffet catered by Patina follow. Visit lesalondemusiques.com.
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Science + Cocktails mix at NHM
Citizen scientists—that’s you and me—are invited to participate in the Urban Nature
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Research Center to learn about reptiles and amphibians among us—some known and some not so much—at the Citizen Science + Cocktails: Fall Series at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Thurs., Nov. 12. Entomologist Brian Brown and herpetologist Greg Pauly discuss BioSCAN (Biodiversity Science: City and Nature) and RASCals (Reptiles and Amphibians of Southern California). Reception is at 6 with the lecture at 7 p.m. Free. Cash bar; complimentary appetizers. RSVP at nature@nhm.org.
fest, 13 Film Central American style The first Central American International Film Festival will launch Fri., Nov. 13 to Sun., Nov. 15 at USC. Cuttingedge and modern movies and premieres will screen at the free event. In addition to films from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala films, works by this year’s guest country Mexico will also be shown. For listings visit centralamericanfilmfest.com.
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Thelonious Monk ‘AllStar Gala’
Herbie Hancock, Seth MacFarlane, George Benson and Andy Garcia are among the lineup at the 2015 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Vocals Competition Finals and All-Star Gala Concert Sun., Nov. 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood at 7 p.m. Quincy Jones will receive the Institute’s 2015 Herbie Hancock Humanitarian Award. Tickets are $40. Visit monkinstitute.org/gala, or dolbytheatre.com.
Harpsichordist joins Baroque Orchestra
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) opens its five-concert Baroque Conversations series with an evening led by Iranian-born harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani Sun., Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at
Larchmont Chronicle
NOVEMBER 2015
Dining & Entertainment Guide Zipper Concert Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave. The program includes works by Erlebach, Telemann and Bach. A wineand-hors d’oeuvres reception start the program. Visit laco. org.
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Discover the Fantasy
World premieres ‘Made in L.A.’
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Auto show to rev into Los Angeles
Some 30 world debuts will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show Fri., Nov. 20 to Sun., Nov. 29 at the Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St. Among them are Jaguar’s first luxury SUV and Hyundai’s Elantra. Attendees can test drive nearly 100 of the latest models. For details, tickets and more information visit laautoshow.com.
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Paul Anka at Saban Theater
Singer and legendary songwriter Paul Anka (he wrote “My Way”) comes to the Saban Theater Sun., Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. No longer having to sneak into clubs—like he did before he recorded his first song at 14, he went on to record hit singles “Lonely Boy” and “(You’re) Having My Baby.” The teen idol of the 1950s will take the stage at the Beverly Hills theater located at 8440 Wilshire Blvd. Visit losangeles-theatre-com/theaters/ sabantheater/paul-anka.php.
Dining & Entertainment Guide is published annually by the Larchmont Chronicle
AT ZIPPER HALL, Mahan Esfahani.
30 Climate change in Arts Fest forecast VisionLA ’15 Climate Action Arts Festival will be held at venues citywide Mon., Nov. 30 to Fri., Dec. 11. Timed to coincide with the United Nations 21st Conference of the Parties
Photo: Bernhard Musil
on Climate Change in Paris, the event is in association with ArtCOP21 and So Cal Climate Action 350. Tree People and the Hammer Museum are among participants. The latter will host a lecture, “Thriving in a Hotter Los Angeles,” on Wed., Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Visit visionlafest.org.
The not-so-ordinary Thai Restaurant
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323-467-1052 • Fax 323-467-8013 310 N. Larchmont Blvd. (North of Beverly Blvd.)
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Los Angeles Master Chorale and “House of Cards” Emmyaward-winning composer Jeff Beal will launch premieres at “Made in L.A.” The concert is on Sun., Nov. 15 beginning at 7 p.m. at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The event kicks off a multi-year initiative to champion area-based composers. Visit lamc.org.
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Dining & Enter tainment Guide Residents reveal their sweet tooth indulgences In spite of all the attention paid to the organic, local, healthy, gluten-free, veganfriendly lifestyle, we Americans are indulging in dessert
in ever-growing numbers. Look at any list of favorites and the same few make the top 10: apple pie, ice cream, chocolate cake, and, believe it
or not, Jello. I fall squarely in the pie camp and am delighted that go get em tiger implemented a Pie Happy Hour. Daily from 4 to 8 p.m. patrons
Jazz at LACMA Enjoy prime seating as you experience Chef Viet Pham’s three or four-course dinner that changes weekly, highlighting variety and the freshest in season, some picked right from our own backyard.
HIGHLIGHTS Antipasto Angolotti Waldorf Salad Wood-Grilled Hanger Steak
VIEW MENUS AND RESERVE AT RAYSANDSTARKBAR.COM
Jazz + Picnic = Fun Or, pre-order a picnic basket for pick-up in just 4 easy steps. VIEW MENU AND PRE-ORDER AT patinagroup.com/LACMACAFE
LACMA I 5905 WILSHIRE BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90036 I 323 857 6180 RAYSANDSTARKBAR.COM
can pair a slice from a changing selection with one of their excellent coffees for $7.50. I like the blueberry pie with a cappuccino! go get em tiger. 230 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-380-5359. We asked other sweets fiends to reveal their favorite sweet tooth indulgences. A vocalist with both the Hollywood and Ebell Chorales, Jane Martin sings the praises of the “Unbelievably good” apple tarte On the tatin from Taix. She regularly Menu eats there and by inevitably orders Helene the tarte, which Seifer she says has “deeply caramelized apples and a flaky crust.” Served warm with ice cream, Jane swears it’s the “best I’ve ever had!” Taix. 1911 W. Sunset Blvd. 213-484-1265. Creamy frozen desserts top the list for ninth-grade twins Elizabeth and Thomas Feirstein. The Hancock Park residents love the selections on Larchmont Blvd., but have different favorites. Elizabeth thinks Salt & Straw’s single origin Amadeus vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone is “really, really, good!” Thomas prefers a cup of watermelon or tart-flavored frozen yogurt at Twirl. Salt & Straw. 240 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323.466.0485. Twirl. 121 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-466-3399. Harpist Angie Kelly admits she “needs chocolate,” an urge often satisfied by the chocolate cake at Nue Studio & Café, which incongruously combines a restaurant with a hair salon and boutique. Angie
walks there with her husband, so of course, she burns off all the calories earned by eating the “cake your mother would make.” Nue Studio & Café. 5156 Melrose Ave. 818-314-3578. USC student Katie Hogan is enthused about Milk. “Not only do they offer some of the tastiest ice cream, but they fulfill all of our creative foodie desires by serving gigantic, face-size ice cream macarons!” Another fave is Magnolia Bakery. “There is something so mystically perfect about their baked goods — perhaps it’s the perfect portion of sweet frosting on top of scrumptious cake, or maybe it’s the beautifully elegant designs and colors.” Milk. 7290 Beverly Blvd. 323939-6455. Magnolia Bakery. 8389 W. 3rd St. 323-952-0636. Peggy Giffin is no stranger to sweets, having been the home cook recipe tester for every single dessert in Valerie Gordon’s cookbook, “Sweet.” Aside from favoring the chocolates at Valerie Confections, however, she frequents Susina, which Peggy describes as “a beautiful old French café.” There she gravitates toward “anything hazelnut.” She loves their hazelnut tart and is especially fond of the gianduja mousse – a chocolate hazelnut delight. Valerie Confections. 3360 W. First Street. 213-739-8149. Also in Echo Park and Grand Central Market. Susina Bakery & Café. 7122 Beverly Blvd. 323-934-7900.
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“For Over 30 Years” • “Mi Casa Es Tu Casa"
Oct. 31-Nov. 2 Full altar display. All Mole dishes, goodies & Nov. 1 Day of the Dead Costume Contest
Family workshops among programs at Broad
TOP PHOTO: CHILDREN view a work by Takashi Murakami at The Broad. Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
laphil.com/tickets. Programs for families November 14 and 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the first of The Broad’s “Family Weekend
Workshops” will take place. These events at the museum are scheduled four times a year. The programs offer fami(Please turn to page 14)
7470 Melrose Ave. • (323) 658-9060 Open Tue-Sun, 11am - 11pm; Closed Monday antoniosonmelrose.com
Ulysses Voyage
The Original Flavors are Back! A Culinary Odyssey in Traditional Greek Dining!
Owners Hana & Peter Welcome You! Enjoy a romantic Greek dinner on our patio among the olive trees and twinkling lights or at a fireside table inside.
Try our outstanding Greek cuisine in many flavors!
Brunch on Sat. & Sun. • Lunch & Dinner Daily • Full Bar Live Music Fri. & Sat. Nights
In the Farmers Market • 3rd & Fairfax 323.939.9728 • www.ulyssesvoyage.com
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By John Welborne November marks the beginning of a full menu of programs available to the public at “The Broad,” the new contemporary art museum adjacent to Walt Disney Concert Hall on Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles. The programs include seminars, performances, film screenings and family events. “This fall, The Broad will be launching four new series to animate the themes and ideas explored by artists in the Broad collection,” announced Ed Patuto, director of audience engagement at the museum. Patuto added: “We’ve invited guest curators who are doing some of the most innovative work in their respective fields to create programs that engage the public with the collection in unique ways.” Patuto warned that seating at the November and December programs is limited, and tickets may sell out in advance. The next season of programming will be announced in January. Details are on the internet at thebroad.org/programs. Eli Broad and the architect One program, on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m., is co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and will take place in Walt Disney Concert Hall. Titled “Designing The Broad” and moderated by former architecture critic for “The New Yorker,” Paul Goldberger, the program features a discussion about the design process that resulted in the “vault-and-veil” style of the new museum. Elizabeth Diller, architect in charge from Diller Scofidio Renfro, will be on the panel with museum founder Eli Broad and the museum’s founding director Joanne Heyler. Tickets are $15, available at
© LC1115
Outstanding Traditional Mexican Cuisine
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Dining & Enter tainment Guide La Brea Ave. watering hole Little Bar turns 10 By Sondi Toll Sepenuk “Hey, Ryan, you want an Asahi?” bartender Katie asks as a patron walks through Little Bar’s front door.
Katie has just finished telling me how much she loves bartending here, because “just like in [the television show] ‘Cheers,’ everybody knows
your name.” In fact, this is about the fourth person Katie has called out by name since I sat down at the polished wooden bar 20
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minutes ago. And by the looks of it, she knows the other 20 patrons by name as well. “I’ve never been here when I don’t see someone I know,” another regular, Adrienne, chimes in. When Angelo Vacco opened Little Bar ANGELO VACCO tends the bar where evon La Brea, south of eryone knows your name. Wilshire, 10 years show up at the door and say ago, the area was a desolate landscape of tired busi- ‘anybody order a pizza?’” Owning a bar was never nesses and empty lots. Vacco’s original dream. He “At the time, there were no bars or restaurants below hails from New Haven, Conn., Wilshire,” says Vacco. I would where he bartended before drive from Hollywood to the coming to Los Angeles to purPico area and not see a single sue acting (still ongoing and bar on my route, so I knew that successfully, by the way). His the neighborhood needed this.” bartending work caught the Vacco opened the bar at 757 eye of Madonna—yes, that S. La Brea Ave. in 2005. The Madonna—and he ended up neighborhood response was serving as her private bartender for house parties, shows immediate. “People walked in the door and special events. and said, ‘thank you!’” smiles “I had to show up with all of the equipment, the set-up and Vacco. The bar only served beer and the product. It felt like I was wine in the beginning—and running my own business, so no food—but the neighbor- it gave me the idea to open a bar,” says Vacco. hood didn’t seem to mind. “I think that’s what origi- Friends thought he was cranally made it such a tight-knit zy, but he went ahead and took community bar,” says Adri- out loans from friends, banks, enne. “People who stopped in savings and credit cards. for hard liquor were out of “I was surprised by the lack luck and had to keep moving.” of traditional east coast and Three years ago, Vacco Midwestern neighborhood secured the full liquor license, taverns out here, so I knew it so patrons can now enjoy 15 would work.” beers on draft in addition to a Creating the right atmosphere was the first challenge. fully loaded bar. Vacco envisioned an old Irish But there’s still no kitchen. “Since we don’t have food, we alehouse like the famous have a book of take-out menus McSorley’s in New York, with that people can order from,” oil on the bar, sawdust on the says Vacco. “It’s not uncom- floor and the smell of kerosene. (Please turn to page 14) mon to see a delivery person
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Dining & Enter tainment Guide Supper clubs where diners can also enjoy entertainment Here is a list of clubs featuring entertainment, as selected by songstress Jan Daley. CATALINA’S BAR & GRILL 6725 Sunset Blvd., Ste 100
323-466-2210 Jazz to TV stars perform here. (Steve Tyrell to Linda “Wonder Woman” Carter to Dianna Reeves).
VITELLOS E SPOT 4349 Tujunga Ave. 818-769-0905 Studio City Sheila E opened this new
Winner Top 10 Best Italian Restaurant in L.A.! -Citysearch
EST. 1978
SWING and dress to the nine's at the Cicada Club.
Half price bottles of select wines all day Friday thru Sunday! Wine-Down and relax at Louise’s… RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE YOUR SERVER FOR DETAILS.
PRIX FIXE MENU Start your week off right with a delicious, 3-course dinner at a great price. Monday-Wednesday | 4:00-Close | $16 per person
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anywhere. You will see 20 to 80-year-olds “tearing up the rug,” as they used to say in the “20”s! You don’t even have to dance, just watching the people is fun. Food is excellent! More fun with big parties or to celebrate a special occasion. Go to the website to see who is performing. VIBRATO GRILL & JAZZ 2930 Beverly Glen Circle Bel Air, 310-474-9400 Herb Alpert owns this beautiful club and many legendary artists play here.
‘Charlotte’s Web’ holiday adventure at L.A. Theater “Charlotte’s Web The Musical – An Adventure for the Holidays” will get young and old in the holiday spirit. The Nine O’Clock Players production will be performed on Sat., Nov. 21 and Sundays, Nov., 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. at the Assistance League of Los Angeles Theater for Children at 1367 N. St. Andrews Pl. in Hollywood. The story by E.B. White tells of a young farm pig hoping to escape the slaughterhouse, and a clever spider who comes to his aid. It is adapted for the stage by Carol Weiss. The Assistance League auxiliary has been adapting children's literature for the stage since 1929. Tickets are $12. Visit ninoclockplayers.com.
Ristorante Join the Marino family for traditional Italian cuisine complemented by a fine large wine list.
Come enjoy our private dining room available for all your Holiday events or contact us for catering. 323-466-8812 • www.marinorestaurant.net 6001 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, Ca. 90038
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and exciting club two years ago. (Tujunga Ave. is quaint like Larchmont Village.) Easy parking and good neighborhood. 15-20 minute ride from our neighborhood. CICADA CLUB 617 S. Olive St. 213-488-9488 Live big bands and dancing. This is where you step back in time where everyone is dressed to the nines. It’s an historical 1920’s building with Lalique chandeliers and elegance you don’t see today
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Dining & Entertainment Guide
A Landmark for Over 60 Years
DRESDEN
Ulysses Voyage gets fresh, new look
Restaurant & Lounge
LA’s most beautiful and unique dining room
dine in casual elegance and enjoy delicious steaks and a full menu.
Featured Exclusively
serving thanksgiving dinner! For Over 60 Years
american and continental cuisine
TRADITIONAL, chalk-painted chairs are one of the new eyecatching features of the Ulysses Voyage remodel.
“We’re most famous for our lamb shank,” says Teddy. “It slow roasts all day in vegetables, tomatoes and spices and it just falls off of the bone into the gravy.”
Ulysses Voyage provides many gluten-free and vegan options as well. The owners searched high and low for an authentic pita (Please turn to page 12)
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By Sondi Toll Stepenuk Locals and regulars will be happy to hear that the Ulysses Voyage of old is back—back with colorful chairs, back with traditional white Greek wrought iron, back with the much-loved menu, and most importantly, the owners are once again front and center. “Family obligations forced them to pull back for seven months, but now Peter and Hana are back every day,” says Teddy Margas, the restaurant’s general manager. Peter and Hana Carabatsos opened Ulysses at the Farmers Market 12 years ago. Peter took the recipes of his Greek grandmother, known as Mama Voula, and created a menu that remained the same for over a decade. But after so much time, and during the Carabatsos’ brief absence, changes did start to creep into the menu. With the original menu back on track, they decided to spruce up the indoor/outdoor dining space. “People would come in and say ‘I’ve been to the Farmers Market every day for years and didn’t even know you were here!’” To remedy the situation, the owners made the restaurant lighter, brighter and more authentic. They painted the chairs and window frames in green and blue chalk-paint, a method used throughout Greece and the Greek islands. The wrought iron was whitened and allowed to weather naturally. Inside, new lighting was added to highlight the beloved Greek wall mural, and the grout on the stone fireplace is being lightened up to mimic the stone floors of Santorini. “What we love about Greece is the combination of the old and the new—the ancient ruins juxtaposed with the newness of 2015,” says Teddy. The regulars will also be happy to hear about the return of the live musicians on Friday and Saturday nights, and of the return of the original menu and recipes. The meze (Greek word for tapas) is on one side of the newly designed menu layout while the entrees are now on the other—a much cleaner and more readable display. The meze includes traditional Greek items such as calamari, mussels in light cream sauce, fried whole shrimp, cucumber/yogurt tzatziki dip, hummus and Greek caviar, called taramosalata. Entrée items include handcarved gyros, moussaka, lamb/ beef/chicken skewers and pastas.
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Reservations Recommended
(323)665-4294 Mon - Sat 5 - 11pm Sun 5 - 10pm
Marty and Elayne in the World-Famous Lounge
1760 N. VermoNt AVe. IN Los FeLIz VILLAge (valet Parking) • www.thedresden.com
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Larchmont Chronicle
Dining & Enter tainment Guide Rhodes School of Music takes lessons to next level By Billy Taylor A local school is turning music lovers of all ages into trained musicians by providing music education in a comfortable, well-equipped studio on Larchmont Blvd. “I opened Rhodes School of Music in November 2012 because I wanted to set up a dedicated space for focused learning,” says David Rhodes, a composer, pianist and founder of the school.
He had a lot of students from the neighborhood and wanted to open a well-equipped studio to provide instruction without the distractions that come with in-home lessons: “there wasn’t anything like this in the city.” Located at 606 N. Larchmont Blvd., the school spans two floors, with five large studio rooms and two lounge areas. Each studio is equipped with a piano and a library
of music to allow teachers immediate access to materials. There are 17 teachers on staff, and Rhodes says he has some of the best local talent available: “We only feature dedicated performing arts degree holding teachers.” As for Rhodes, he holds a Masters of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts performer-composer program. The average age of a stuSTUDIO ROOMS are fully equipped to maximize the time teachers have with students.
dent, according to Rhodes, is between 7 to 12. “We also have a lot of adult students, who take lessons for the pleasure of it,” he says, adding, “but for our young students, we expect them to do recitals, which we hold several times a year.” For kids under five, Rhodes says he launched a program called Mini-Music, which gives young kids the opportunity to explore a variety of instru-
ments, noise makers and basic musical concepts. “It’s a great way for parents and kids to figure out what instruments they like, before they’re ready for a rigid practice schedule.” Most classes run from 2 to 7 p.m. during the week, and all day on the weekends. For more information, or to schedule a lesson, visit rhodesschoolofmusic.com or call 323-464-1154.
Petersen Museum racing to its Dec. 7 opening By Suzan Filipek Buckle your seat belt and hold on to your hat, the Petersen Automotive Museum is scheduled to re-open Mon., Dec. 7. The Miracle Mile museum marked its 20th anniversary with a 13-month, $125 million renovation. A red-and-grey racy exterior with stainless-steel ribbons on the façade welcomes visitors at the western gateway to Museum Row. Inside, 25 new galleries feature the latest in interactive technol-
ogy, including Microsoft Xbox Forza driving simulators, panoramic video walls and Disney/Pixar Cars Mechanical Institute. An opening gala fund-raiser party is Sat., Dec. 5, followed by an exclusive Preview Day Sun., Dec. 6. The museum opens to the public on Mon., Dec. 7. For more information, visit Petersen.org.
ULYSSES VOYAGE
(Continued from 11) bread recipe and came up with a whole-wheat recipe that is both healthy and traditional. The restaurant also serves frappes, a popular Greek blended coffee and sugar drink as well as pure Greek coffee. “If you drink that pure Greek coffee on Friday, you won’t go to bed until Thursday,” laughs Teddy. “We’re Greek owned and operated, many of our ingredients come straight from Greece.” With Peter and Hana back on site, the locals will be thrilled to know that it’s the Ulysses Voyage they’ve always known and loved.
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Dining & Entertainment Guide
Open 24 HOurs The Original 24-7-363
Revolution eye-opener,'Walk' plods wood Ten would be proud. But even they would need some NoDoz to get through its 140 minutes. Knock Knock (0/10): In this gothic horror film two
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young women seduce happily married Keanu Reeves and then torture him for being a pedophile (which he isn’t), claiming that they are underage, and destroy his home and ruin his family life. It’s hor-
rible and fatiguing to watch and has no redeeming social value. Director Eli Roth stunningly says he wants the audience to “sympathize with the women,” which says all you need to know about Mr. Roth. Truth (0/10): Even worse than Robert Redford’s laughably dreadful performance as Dan Rather are the deplorable political bias of the film and its unashamed misrepresentations. It spins two disgraced, prejudiced journalists as victims instead of the scoundrels they were when they’re reporting about President George W. Bush’s National Guard service. If you want to know the real truth, go to the report of the CBS independent investigation, not this reprehensible movie.
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Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom (10/10): This is one of the more astonishing, action-packed, eyeopening films I have ever seen. Director Evgeny Afineevsky has remarkable footage of almost every moment of the 93-day winter 2013 Ukrainian revolution that was virtually ignored by American media. The videos are from his two cameras, but also from the phone and GoPro cameras, of some of the hundreds of thousands of revolutionaries (of whom 82 died and 1,100 injured), and from TV crews. The result is a view of the revolution from the ground as it is happening. It is an astonishing production. The viewer becomes a part of the revolution. The films he got are shocking in the violence they show and in the courage of the people. Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon (10/10): “The National Lampoon” was the magazine that satirized virtually everything. This documentary tells how it was started from scratch by Doug Kenney and Henry Beard, with lots of interviews and archival footage. Myriad examples of its irreverent humor, sure to offend multitudes, are included. There are a mass of jokes, anecdotes and information in this film. I was captivated. The Walk (5/10): This is a plodding retelling of Philippe Petit’s high wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. But the last 45 minutes still presents exceptional visual effects and wonderful cinematography. It is so realistic that people with a fear of heights will have a hard time sitting through it. The 2008 documentary, “Man on Wire” doesn’t have the amazing cinematography, but it’s a much better movie. Bridge of Spies (4/10): In addition to being deceptive, Director Steven Spielberg’s film creates a moral equivalence by spinning KGB spy Rudolph Abel (Mark Rylance, who gives a bravura performance, the main reason for seeing this movie, equaling his work as Thomas Cromwell in the TV miniseries “Wolf Hall”) as “just another guy working for his country.” Well that’s what Hitler and Dr. Mengele were, too. I don’t have space to list all the troubling distortions and slants of this movie (one of which defames the U.S. judge in Abel’s case as no better than Nazi judges in prejudging a case before the trial began). This is an insidious film of which the blacklisted Holly-
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Larchmont Chronicle
Dining & Enter tainment Guide George Takei, ‘Allegiance’ to open on Broadway
Local school gives aspiring Little Bar (Continued from page 8) sitcom actors an edge so unique is that it’s the only school in the country that focuses on purely sitcom acting, using both multi-camera and single-camera techniques,” says Rudy Solis, a student and outreach officer. Solis swears by the program because “it’s both comprehensive and challenging." For more information, visit actorscomedystudio.com.
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After months of rehearsals and previews in New York, the new American musical, “Allegiance,” opens on Broadway Sun., Nov. 8. Starring native Angeleno, local resident and “Star Trek” celebrity George Takei, the musical is based upon his and his family’s odyssey, including the years of wrongful imprisonment in two different concentration camps during World War II. The cast also includes Lea Salonga of “Miss Saigon” and “Mulan.” For information on tickets and performances at the Longacre Theatre in New York, please visit allegiancemusical. com.
GEORGE TAKEI as Sam Kimura in the musical "Allegiance."
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“I had my own ideas, but then ‘The Antonio Treatment,’ an HGTV makeover show, asked to style the bar,” says Vacco. “They came in and gave it an east coast seaport vibe with a few bursts of ‘interesting décor.’” Those interesting pieces include a rocket ship, wine barrels, pressed-tin wall tiles, and a mermaid. The Little Bar is also known for its popular Saturday Night Trivia and Monday Karaoke night. “People love coming for the Sunday football and the dart tournaments, too,” says Wes, a local restaurateur and 10-year Little Bar patron. “This bar’s got such terrific hospitality and a friendly atmosphere and great craft beers. It all works.”
(Continued from page 7) lies with children three and up activities and workshops to engage with the art and architecture of The Broad as well as with Timothy Hollingsworth, chef of Otium, the new restaurant next door to the museum. Like the inaugural programs for adults in November, there is limited availability for the Family Weekend Workshops, and only reservations will guarantee entrance (thebroad.org).
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By Billy Taylor An acting school is shaping the next generation of sitcom actors with a program that prepares students for auditions and live audiences. The Actors Comedy Studio (ACS), located at 7461 Beverly Blvd., is dedicated to fine-tuning the skills needed for working on a television sitcom. “What makes this program
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Dining & Entertainment Guide Guards at the Taj by Rajiv Joseph (author of “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo”) takes place in Agra, India in 1648. The titular guards Humayun (Raffi Barsoumian) and Babur (Ramiz Monsef) have been given the task of guarding the recently completed Taj Mahal. Based on a dark and savage myth surrounding the emperor, what ensues is a sometimes wildly comic, a sometimes philosophical discussion of where power lays. It is ultimately the test of friendship against unquestionable adherence to duty. Director Giovanna Sardelli manages the more intriguing aspects of this play and keeps what could be static scenes electric. Mr. Barsoumian and Mr. Monsef are perfect together and share the comradery of lifelong friends. Through Nov. 15. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave. 310- 208-5454. geffenplayhouse. com. 4 Stars *** Something Truly Monstrous by Jeff Tabnick is a dramatization of one of Hollywood’s apocryphal stories. The year is 1942. Peter Lorre (Amir Levi) and Humphrey Bogart (Jason Paul Field) steal the corpse of John Barrymore who has just died. It’s a plot to get the attention of Jack Warner. Add Paul Henreid (Jilon Van Over), “Casablanca” is still filming, plus some drugs du jour and you have an absolutely wonderful, very funny one-act romp. Directed with style by Daniel Henning, we get the essence of these famous icons without them falling into caricatures. Through Nov. 8. 2nd Stage Theater, 6500 Santa Monica Blvd. theblank.com. 4 Stars *** Carrie: The Killer Music Experience, book by Lawrence D. Cohen, music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, is based on the novel by Stephen King. The historic downtown Los Angeles Theater has been changed into the infamous high school gym complete with bleacher seats. Scenic design is by Stephen Gifford. Billed as immersive theater, director Barry Schwind has put the audience in the middle of the action and the excellent young cast. Carrie (Emily Lopez) who is tormented by classmates and tortured at home by her messianic mom (Misty Cotton) finally
Book signing Filmmaker Liz Goldwyn discusses her book “Sporting Guide,” interlinked stories that evoke a lost world on the margins of Los Angeles society in the 1890s, at The Huntington Wed., Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.
wreaks havoc using her “gifts” to take revenge. What happens next is some amazing, perfectly executed stagecraft including actors flying, objects moving, pyrotech-
Theater Review by
Patricia Foster Rye
nics, and of course the infamous pig’s blood. Through Nov. 22. Los Angeles Theater, 615 S. Broadway. 888596-1027. ExperienceCarrie. com. 4 Stars ***
Hound of the Baskervilles by Tim Kelly is based on the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It’s the turn of the century in Devon, England. That pesky canine is causing a ruckus at the Baskerville estate, and Sherlock Holmes (Curt Bonnem) himself has been called in to put things right. A very likeable Watson (Carles Constant) is left in charge as Holmes carries on elsewhere…or does he? On a moody set by scenic designer Nicholas Acciani, complete with mist from the moors, this energetic cast manages the upstairs and downstairs characters competently. Director Moosie Drier keeps the pace “afoot” and the necessary expository dialogue interesting. Through Nov. 22. Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. 323-462-8460. ActorsCo-op. org. 3 Stars
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