Duh, right?  It's a brilliant and functional resource that I'm sure took a long minute to put together....but lucky for us that someone did it.

So, for example if you'd like to try a new restaurant, why settle for random stranger's feedback on Yelp...when you can look up Neal Fraser's (owner/head chef BLD, Grace) favorite noodle joint on his list?

Give it a surf, subscribe, you'll adore it.  www.thelistcollective.com

Outdoor dining should be fun, playful and low-maintenance without the pressures of formal dining. After all you couldn't get away with plastic dishware and tea light candles at a formal dinner, but being outdoors sets the tone for a casual and hassle-free meal.

From a design perspective, you can create a comfortable and cozy feel by anchoring your dining space against a wall or hedges. Enclosure on at least two sides helps to create a sense of privacy with your space. If you don't have a wall or fence, you can plant a hedge of hydrangeas, boxwoods, or ficus to create a border and to also block out any distracting views.

An ideal outdoor dining area has a covered space, flat ground, is bordered for privacy, and near your kitchen. Here's a shot from a current traditional ranch project that I'm working on.

Vegan and non-vegan cupcake fans alike lined up for their fix of the gluten-free, agave-sweetened treats at Babycakes downtown, which opened the beginning of this year in the Pacific Electric Lofts at 6th and Main streets (next to Cole's French Dip). At the LA post of New York-based Babycakes, cupcake flavors include vanilla, carrot, chocolate and red velvet, made with chickpea-fava flour or spelt flour.

Other vegan (and kosher) desserts include: scones, biscuits, corn bread, loaves (such as banana chocolate chip, pumpkin spice and lemon poppyseed), muffins, cinnamon buns, crumb cakes, spelt tea cakes, brownies, cookie sandwiches and macaroons. And doughnuts. Also, for those who think a full cupcake is too much cake and frosting "shots" are just too much frosting, there is the genius of the cupcake top (just the "tops" of the cupcakes slathered with frosting).

Hours are currently 10am to 8pm but will later expand to 8am to 10pm daily.

www.babycakesnyc.com  130 E. 6th St. (between Main and Los Angeles streets), Los Angeles | (213) 623-5555

Excerpt from Betty Hallock, LA Times Food Critic

Coincidentally I've known Chris for many years. He's catered a handful of events for us including our Plush Home opening party in 2003. His dishes are always nothing less than exquisite.

More than three years  in the making, Bottega Louie is located in the old Downtown bank district (former Brooks Brothers building). The eatery has 20-foot ceilings, more than 2,000 feet  of brass millwork, marble-tiled floors, custom deli cases and tables, and about 200 employees.

From the moment you walk in, you'll feel like you've transported to the East Coast or even Europe. They've done a great job with lifestyle branding this restaurant and the mid-price point makes it accessible for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

The kitchen handles 600 recipes for the Italian menu and the prepared dishes for the market. The bakers turn out 800  pastries a day; stacks of pastel boxes tied with silk ribbon decorate the windows along Grand Avenue.

There's a full bar, a counter devoted to 20 kinds of breads, a brick oven churning out pizzas and a  carving station. A bevy of managers stroll the floors; at times it takes  three hostesses -- armed with a laminated map of the tables and  stationed at a gilt Baroque-style, curve-legged console in the middle of  the restaurant -- to greet and seat patrons.

My only warning is that the noise level is loud and there are no reservations....so there's often a wait for a table. But, the complimentary bottled water (flat or sparkling water) is a definite plus.

700 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
 (866) 418-9162

]]> http://ninapetronzio.com/blog/2010/03/13/my-favorite-louie/feed/ 0 http://ninapetronzio.com/blog/2009/11/30/living-graciously/ http://ninapetronzio.com/blog/2009/11/30/living-graciously/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:37:00 +0000 Nina http://ninapetronzio.com/blog/?p=123 When it comes to dinner parties or holiday festivities, I am a huge fan of using table linens. Along with well thought out candles, beautiful china, flat & stem ware, great linens will take a special occasion to the next level by making it feel ultra chic.Personally I like to stick with a simple white table cloth and napkins detailed with a hemstitch border. The white solid look allows me the flexibility to change other details without being concerned about them clashing with the table linens....plus there is just something so clean, crisp and elegant about white.

Gracious Style has an amazing selection and custom capabilities which was very convenient for me since our dining table has unusual dimensions to accommodate larger parties.

Shown on the Gatsby Dining Table. Gracious Style Tudor Table Linens with Hemstich Border Detail in White.

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		Nina
				
		
		
		
		

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To satisfy my sweet tooth, my favorite go-to girl is undoubtedly Erin Zabel of Cookie Casa. Her double chocolate brownie and old skool chocolate chip cookies are literally sent from Heaven.  Her gift baskets will make anyone's day.  But I would highly suggest requesting direct delivery....unless you have a strong will to resist the temptation.
MORE FUN DESIGN LINKS:

Back to Nina's Main Blog page

View the Plush Home furniture line

View Nina's Interior Design site

Time to E-Shop!
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