FRED SEGAL, YOU'RE MY FRIEND.

So this past weekend was the Fred Segal annual sale (at the Santa Monica store). I try to go each year and check out what's good. For the most part, the men's wear is usually full of that Hollywood-esque crap, which I cannot stand. I hate shirts and pants with funky embroidery, bling, and other weird things on them; definitely not worth spending money on. But each year I try to at least cop a good pair of jeans and a jacket. Two years ago I scored a pair of Rock & Republics for just under a hundred bucks (back before they embellished their "R" pocket logo), and also went home with a cool army-green jacket/blazer by Sixty.

This year, I rummaged through the sale items and almost came away with three pairs of jeans. But I had to scale back. I loved how this pair of True Religions fit, but the horseshoe was obnoxiously painted on the back-pocket. Annoying. That left me with two pairs of R&Rs. One of which I had to squeeze into a little. I gave up on those figuring that it still wasn't worth having to squeeze in and out of those buggers -- for 50% off. So I stuck with one pair, and was content. I went back the following day with my Godsis and Godbro, and between us we grabbed another two pairs of jeans (the Godbro got a pair of Trues and Sevens), a jacket, and three pairs of shoes (one for my Godsis, and two for their friends' kid).

All in all, FS' annual sale wasn't a complete wash. I got my jeans, and I am a happy camper.

COMME CI... COMME CA...

French food, through the ages, is known to have evolved into one of the world's trendiest (and, in a way, pompous) cuisines. Its reputation as haute cuisine is one that transcends all sides of the foodie spectrum; it is viewed as artful by connoisseurs, and minimalist/insatiable by the less-discerning. No matter what side of the fence you're on, one thing is certain: French cuisine has truly evolved through the generations. Due in part to the various socio-political movements, as well as the collaboration of great French cooks and chefs, the cuisine of France has become an artform; an esteemed contribution to the culture of L'Hexagone.

Los Angeles has, through the years, welcomed French cuisine with open arms often times relishing in the chic meshing of haute cuisine and haute society. Award-winning chef David Myers (Sona, Boule) has a masterpiece in West Hollywood in the form of Comme Ca. Barely a year old, Comme Ca captures that fine marriage between all things trendy and classic with regard to French food, and the ever-moving social landscape of L.A. The brasserie itself is dark and cozy, with three separate dining areas. The colors (grays, whites, and blacks) are drab, but are reminiscent of a 1940s/1950s film noir. The restaurant has a small bar area, perhaps to keep it from having that loungey feel at night, but that doesn't stop visitors from crowding around, sipping on $13-cocktails until their tables are set. At dinnertime, the restaurant is packed, and loud. I'm not sure I even recall music playing in the background. What I do remember was the staccato of different conversations bouncing off the walls of the space. I had read reviews condemning Comme Ca for its louder-than-life "noise," but oddly enough I found much to love about it. It reminded me of being in one of those "power" restaurants that I often frequented back in D.C.

The dinner menu offered all of the usual suspects in French cuisine: fruits de mer, fromage, charcuterie et vin. Plenty of vin, in fact. The hors d'oeuvres menu included tuna nicoise, steak tartare, escargots, moules frites - which I had been craving for days before. The moules frites was our instant choice, and we reveled in the perfectly-cooked mussels and fries.

Main courses included bouillabaisse, sole meuniere, and the ever-French coq au vin. Between my friends and I, an array of dishes graced our table: roasted pork chop (with a Swiss chard gratin), salmon with gnocchi Parisienne, steak frites, and paleron of beef bourguignon - which was divine. I dove into my dish not knowing what to expect. What I experienced was sure bliss; the beef was so tender and flavorful that it melted in my mouth just as decadently as ice cream. My dining company similarly enjoyed their dishes, and we had to think twice about dessert... sort of.

Before dessert we ordered off the restaurant's "9:58" menu --which is sort of like a "happy hour" menu that offers a list of specialty drinks and Comme Ca's lunch-time burger starting at 9:58PM. One of my friends and I decided to partake in the libations, and each came away with a negroni cocktail (made with Campari) and a White Russian - each for $9.58. This paved the way for our final taste of the evening: a brioche pudding & ice cream - a perfect fusion of freshly baked, chocolatey goodness with cool, vanilla ice cream.

The night could've gone on and on, but the experience sent us ready and willing for bed-time... with many sweet dreams sure to linger in our heads. Each dish was well-executed. The place, itself, was a beautiful hybrid of casual chic and classiness. And the experience -- priceless.

Comme Ca is officially one of my favorite things.
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Comme Ca, 8479 Melrose Avenue (cross street: La Cienega), Los Angeles, CA 90069, 323.782.1104

PLEASE PASS ME MY "MURSE"

I am a "man-bag" man.

I always have been a "man-bag" kind of guy. I think it started back in high school when I decided that I was over the Jansport backpack thing, and I went for the more in-style messenger bag. Ever since, the messenger has sort of become one of my trademarks. And I've had me some messenger bags through the years. My current bag was a birthday gift (or was it Christmas?) from one of my dear, old friends some years ago. It's a now-classic Jack Spade, and it has served me well.

But with the new fall air blowing in, I decided that this would be the year to put Jack to rest, and get a new murse. I went to Century City after work today with one goal in mind: to find the ultimate man-bag.

I totally got side-tracked and tried on a hot Diesel trench coat, which I came super-super close to getting. But with the new coats/jackets that I just got myself last winter, I figured that spending $300+ on a new coat would be a bit too pre-mature. I have too many things on my "to get" list for the season, and I wasn't ready to splurge right then and there. So instead, I walked back to the (man) bag section in Bloomingdale's, and gave one of the bags another look.

Moments later, I was walking out of the store with this:
Say "hello" to my new Tumi T-Tech Adventure Small Flap Body Bag...! I decided to go for a sportier messenger, and I was enamored by all of the pockets and compartments inside.

Out with the old; in with the new! (You gotta love Bloomie's for their $25-off --purchases of $100 or more-- coupons + a gift card that was tucked away for safe-keeping. HA!)

MISS JANET: ALL NITE (DON'T STOP)

I'm still reeling after going to Janet Jackson's concert this past Wednesday at Staples Center. In all my years of being a fan, I always missed her concerts for one reason or another. I wasn't going to make that mistake again. From what I remember of her past concert videos and TV appearances, I was a little shocked that this concert was less theatrical in terms of heavy sets, out-of-control lighting, and super-big costumes. Instead, the stage was minimal, using videos and just enough lighting to make the point that something cool was about to take place. And that's exactly what happened. There weren't any over-the-top outfits or costume changes, nor were there things flying from the ceiling, or too many little things going on all points of the stage. Instead we had only Janet and her dancers, which was all we needed.

J did all of her hits, opening with Pleasure Principle, and then ending with Runaway. She added some of her newer hits in-between numbers, or as part of medleys, and the crowd bought it. I pretty much stood up and danced the whole night; hardly ever sitting down except for those brief moments when videos were flashing across the screens, or when J sang her string of ballads. After the opening number (PP, then segueing into Control, What Have You Done For Me Lately, & Feedback), she asked Los Angeles, "Do YOU want THIS?!" And from there, we knew what to expect. She did a snippet of You Want This, and then the rest trickled through like clockwork: M.I.S.S.You Much, Come Back To Me, Let's Wait Awhile, Again... All Nite, Escapade, Love Will Never Do... If, Rhythm Nation... all of her best, with a dusting of her lesser known tracks.

Things really started for me when she did All Nite (Don't Stop), one of my favorite dance tracks. The strumming of the bass in the beginning, and then the quick-paced beats that follow, gets me worked up all the time. The feeling came back again later on in the show; I turned to my friend and said, "I think I smell IF..." And sure enough she sang it, and went right into Rhythm Nation. It was over at that point, and the crowd went crazy.

Anyway. I'm glad I finally got to see Janet in concert. I almost missed out again, but friends of mine couldn't go at the last minute, and thankfully they thought of me. I was on those tickets like a hungry hostage!

It wouldn't have happened any other way.

Here's a video of J's All Nite (Don't Stop). Again, this is my favorite post-The Velvet Rope Janet song/dance routine ever. I'm still working on solidifying my list of favorite Janet tracks, but until that's finalized know that this will definitely be one of them.

HAND-SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED: LEMONADE

When life throws you a couple of lemons, you’re supposed to make lemonade. But when life throws you a couple of lemons (1) while you’re hungry, and (2) in Beverly Hills, then you’ve gotta take your lemon-thrown ass to Lemonade, a cozy (and uber-cool) little lunch spot just a stone’s throw away from 90210. Chef Alan Jackson decided that Downtown L.A. wouldn’t be the only place to squeeze the sour yellows, so he’s opened another spot in West Hollywood; literally on the outskirts of Bev Hills.

Chef Jackson does an amazing job bringing together the classic feel of the “school cafeteria” and the hip and yum flavors that modern-day foodies know and love. Revelers can opt to dine in-house, or take their food and run. The basic drill is one that we’re all familiar with: you grab a tray, start at one end of the line, and work your way down. But instead of being served by scary old ladies with hair-nets and hairy moles on their faces, you have a slew of fellas coiffed in real-deal chef gear (yes, including those super cool chef hats) dishing out food that is not-at-all reminiscent of your high school lunch line. The menu includes several Cold Portions (purple potato/dill/sherry, quinoa/butternut squash/whole orange vinaigrette, seared ahi tuna/whole citrus ponzu), Sandwiches (braised chicken/mozzarella/pesto on ciabatta, tender beef/horseradish/arugula on ciabatta, grilled cheddar/smoked ham/quince on Millstone rye), and Hot Portions served in pots which could’ve almost been swiped from my mom’s own kitchen (short rib pot roast in red miso, lemongrass chicken, soup selections). The food is flavorful, and the servings are enough to prep you for the rest of your day at work. You won’t leave this lemonade stand feeling over-stuffed (that is, of course, unless you get your hands in the cookie jar).

Speaking of which, their dessert selection is yu-hummmm! You can choose from cookies and macaroons, buttercups and cream cheese bars, mini-cupcakes and brownies, and even a generous slice of cake (or cheesecake if you’re feeling nasty). There’s also a fridge of bottled sodas, water and juices… and the store’s main draw – the true stars of this corner-sideshow – the lemonade. Choose from four (4) freshly brewed and blended every day ---hand-shaken, not stirred.

The place itself is as inviting as can be. The décor is retro-chic, with bright “citrus”-based colors highlighting the interior. The outside patio of the West Hollywood location is made up of a wooden deck that makes you feel like you’re grabbing a bite at a café in the Outer Banks (the bad L.A. area drivers moseying along Beverly are notwithstanding, though). It isn’t until you’re done, and you’re headed back to the office, that you realize: “Oh. Still in L.A.”

Once you blow this lemonade stand, however, you’ll more than likely find yourself coming back for more.

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Lemonade, 9001 Beverly Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310.247.2500

CUPCAKES & CONFECTIONS: VANILLA BAKE SHOP

There are days when I crave a good cupcake. It’s just unfortunate that when those days come, it’s usually over the weekend when I’m completely not in the mood to drive into BH to wait in line at Sprinkles, or to bring home those huge hunks of cupcakes from Crumbs. Even worse –rolling out of bed and driving myself to the nearest Ralph’s for something out of the bakery section (which isn’t absolutely unfortunate, but still not quite the same). I’m a person who craves novelty. I enjoy the mystique behind a cupcake from a full-throttle cupcake/bake shop.

In Santa Monica, there’ve been a few to pop-up. My personal local SaMo favorite is Vanilla Bake Shop on Wilshire. Owners Amy and Jeremy Berman consider their mother as the inspiration for all the confections at Vanilla. They consider their mom’s thoughtfulness, and their inherent “sweet tooth,” to be the cornerstone of the Vanilla Bake Shop experience.

And it works.

Walking up Wilshire from the Promenade, VBS meets you almost as if it’s a little boutique shop along Montana Ave. The store’s awning is a mesh between Victorian pomp and modern chic. As you walk in, it’s almost as if you’re walking into bakery heaven: everything seems to be stark-white. In actuality, everything probably isn’t exactly white, but there is enough white in there to make your inner-child want to grab a Crayon and start coloring all over (because we all carry Crayons in our pockets). Nonetheless, the room is like a clean-freak’s dream-come-true; the color emanating from the glass case of yummerific cupcakes.

VBS offers a daily menu of six cupcake flavors: Vanilla Bean, Southern Red Velvet, Bittersweet Dark Chocolate, Mom’s Birthday Cake, Black & White, and Chocolate Vanilla Bean. Alongside these daily staples are “rotating specials” that are specific to the day of the week. For instance, on Wednesday’s VBS offers an “Old Fashioned” that is made with bourbon dark chocolate cake, whip cream center, vanilla bean frosting, white chocolate sprinkles, and a cherry on top. Then on Saturday’s you’ll find a “Meyer Lemon Raspberry” made of yellow butter cake, lemon curd center, vanilla bean frosting and raspberries.

Cupcakes at VBS run you about $3.25 each. There are also “cupcake babies” which sell for three (3) for $5.00. VBS also whips up whole cakes that look like they’ve come straight out of a cartoon – vibrant colors with simple, yet modern, embellishments. With 48-hrs notice, you can order a cake to serve anywhere from 4-8 to 40-60 people. This little bake shop also offers assorted sweets in old fashioned Mason jars: Dirt Cake (layers of bittersweet Callebaut chocolate mousse, crushed dark chocolate crumbles and sweetened fresh whip cream blended with crushed Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans) and Amy’s Tiramisu (freshly baked golden lady fingers soaked in sweetened Italian espresso, layered with Mascarpone whipped cream and Valrhona cocoa), to name a couple. Large jars serve four at $20.00, while a small jar costs you $10.00. There are also a rotating list of seasonal flavors of French Macaroons, and assorted cookies and bite-sized tarts.

Passion Fruit Creme Cake

Strawberries & Creme Cake

Have your confections gift boxed for a little extra, and/or place your orders for weddings and other special events. The VBS experience is one that is sure to leave you with a smile on your face, and the need for a nap. The flavors are sweet, but not excessive. The desserts are dainty, and not over-complicated. And the shop is cozy enough for a quick bite, and a laugh (or two).

BACK TO DC: MARVIN & TANGYSWEET

Returning from a “Summer” long-weekend escape from the DC area always leaves me with a mix of emotions. As usual, I am back in L.A. absolutely missing my family and friends; especially my niece and nephew, who are both extremely adorable. Yet at the same time, it has been a blessing to return to SoCal weather, which is unabashedly humidity-free… well, it was actually a little humid when I flew in last night, but it definitely doesn’t come nearly as close to the humidity of the East Coast. My feelings about family and weather aside, I definitely had a great time nonetheless.

I couldn’t visit the city without a trip down “Foodie Lane.” My buddy, Leah, was (of course) on hand to share in the foodie-festivities. Originally, the plans were to visit Todd English’s Olives restaurant in DC. While we had planned to meet up for an early dinner on Labor Day Monday, we found out later that Mr. English’s spot isn’t actually open on Mondays. Boo on that. Next on the list: Michel Richard’s Central. But of course, as many celeb chef spots go, it was pretty much impossible to get a reservation in at the last minute. Instead, Leah made the suggestion to try out a place in the U Street corridor called Marvin.

Luckily, Leah had been to Marvin before. I, on the other hand, was to experience it for the first time. The restaurant is situated in the very trendy area where U and 14th streets collide; an area known for it’s hip furniture shops, hot clothing boutiques, and excellent restaurants and bars. Marvin is a spot that fits into the mold quite perfectly. Its specialty is Belgian fare, but the place itself is an homage (of sorts) to Marvin Gaye (I found out later that Mr. Gaye went to Belgium on a personal retreat when things were going a little ‘crazy’ for him in the States…); an interesting mix to say the least. The restaurant is small, yet roomy, and filled with dark furniture reminiscent of a classic prohibition era brasserie. The room is decorated lightly; the main focus being a large portrait of Marvin himself. The front of the room welcomes you with a fully-stacked bar, and tables fill the inside dining area, with booths situated on both sides.

The menu offers classic Belgian fare, with the highlight being their moules et frites. We quickly decided that we had to have that as our starter, and we chose the mussels in a curry sauce. The frites were nicely crisp, and not overly greasy. They were accompanied by three dipping sauces: a wasabi mayo, ketchup, and another sauce – if I recall correctly, it was a garlic aioli sauce… all three complimented the frites nicely. The mussels were cooked in a very flavorful sauce, however a good number of them were undercooked, which worried us a little. But despite that, we were fairly satisfied since we had more food to come. I decided to try their take on the Chicken and Waffles dish, which was truly worlds away from Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. A plump “Belgian” waffle was placed on top of cooked, saucy collard greens. And on top of that was a golden-brown free-range chicken breast; its skin fried to a "southern-style" crisp. The dish came with a side of maple syrup, and made up a culinary masterpiece that only I could appreciate (well, between Leah and I). Leah ordered a side of cheese grits with shrimp, and a dandelion salad – which was a little too bitter. It probably would’ve worked more if it were mixed with more greens. Her meal was definitely more on the “interesting” side. Our meal was capped with wine and cocktails, and then we were off to find dessert elsewhere.

Our first choice for dessert happened to close early because of the holiday, so we missed out on that. But then we headed towards Dupont Circle to hit up Tangysweet, The District’s answer to Pinkberry. Located in a conspicuous spot almost directly across from Café Japone, and doors down from DC Café, Tangysweet is a chic, little place that offers a simple and no-nonsense menu of Pinkberry-esque frozen yogurt. As we entered the shop, we found ourselves in a minimalist room with stone floors and walls, with little table-tops extending from the left side of the wall. Along part of the right side of the space were a few tables lined up in what looked like a well-lit space where customers could gather around and hang out. The menu had three staple flavors: classic, green tea, and raspberry-pomegranate. They also featured a “flavor of the month,” which was a peachy-something (it escapes me). Toppings ranged from granola and other dry cereals (including something that looked like Trix), to freshly cut fruit. As we had our little taste test, I kept referring to it as “Pinkberry,” and the owner kept correcting me… I had to profusely apologize for messing up that way! I ended up getting a small classic with raspberries, and Leah got the peachy flavored one with raspberries, too. It was a nice way to cleanse our palate after a delicious dinner, and perfect to help us cool off despite the humidity that lingered way into the evening.

Thankfully, I enjoyed another taste of the ever-changing foodie landscape of the DC area. It’s definitely one that I am proud of.

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The real highlight of my trip, however, was visiting my family... most especially my adorable niece, Lexi, and her new-born baby brother, Noah. These two are truly my hearts.