Elise Thompson

Last night we couldn't get to the valet parking stand outside of Mozza because there were paparazzi all over the place. Naturally I jumped out of the car and joined them. Jerry Seinfeld was waiting for his car and good-naturedly chatting with the paps about how long some of them have been around. So I joined in the conversation. Me: You're my very first street paparazzi-ing. May I take your picture? (He poses for...

Today Pizza Fusion, a fresh, organic, and vegan-friendly pizza chain will celebrate the grand opening of its new location in Santa Monica. The chain boasts hybrid delivery cars, in-store recycling, LEED certification, wind energy offsets and organic kid's classes (Yum! They serve children? Bet that's not on the vegan menu). What more could you want? Howzabout free beer? And food too, of course. The official grand opening of Pizza Fusion's new home at 2901...

Photo by Elise Thompson for LAist Put on your sneakers and suncreen! Fill your pockets with Tums! Today marks the opening day of the LA County Fair, which will run from Sept. 5-Oct. 4th this year, a week longer than usual. You can sample 300 "culinary delights" at the Fair. This year the ever-popular Chicken Charlie is creating the "Zucchini Weenie". It's a zucchini hollowed out, stuffed with a hot dog, then battered and...

Ariel Contreras, HK6 Contestant (Photo courtesy STK) In spite of the occasionally cringe-worthy dishes on Top Chef and the bumbling and blubbering of Hell's Kitchen, you know you're insanely jealous of those judges. Well, now you have the opportunity to eat like the judges--yes, even the actual recipes they picked apart like bits of carrion on the small screen. Every Wednesday, STK Todd Miller's reinvented steakhouse for the "young sexy market" will serve a...

LAist recently hit Hornitos' Mischieve in the Garden of Agave event at The Hollywood Forever Cemetary. The party was held in the cemetary-adjacent 1931 Masonic Lodge that was recently restored by Jay Boileau. The original tilework and wood detailing make it obvious why Los Angeles Magazine named it Best Lodge Revamp in this year's "Best of" issue. Mischieve is a Sauza-coined term for switching out the traditional liquor in cocktails for tequila, drinks they have...

The cobblestone lane of Two Rodeo Drive is often used to represent "the good life" in movies and television. Last Saturday at “Simply diVine: A Summer Soiree for the Senses” to benefit the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center everyone truly got a taste of the good life. A happy and super-friendly crowd of 500 partied down while enjoying wines, cocktails and treats from some of the best restaurants in LA. The memorable offerings included a...

Photo by Elise Thompson for LAist If you are a tequila enthusiast, there is only one place to find the smoothest, most exquisite tequila in Los Angeles. Rivera, Chef John Rivera Sedlar's pan Latin restaurant in downtown Los Angeles offers Seasonal Tequilas on Tap™. Rivera produces its own house tequila, with agave specially grown and distilled in Jalisco, Mexico. The house anejo is more like a fine cognac, rich in flavor without any of...

The word Recess brings back memories of freedom and play. Chef Sevan Azarian, private chef to the stars, late of Fury Rok & Rol Sushi Lounge, had exactly that vibe in mind when he opened up this little coffee house/cafe/charcuterie in Glendale last weekend. The atmosphere is relaxed and easy and the menu is dotted with playful touches - plus there are giant cookies!

Tomorrow The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center will be bringing European café culture to the cobblestone lane at Two Rodeo in Beverly Hills from 8pm - 10:30pm for the 4th annual Simply diVine: A Summer Soirée for the Senses The event is all-inclusive, offering delicacies from local restaurants, premium wines, SKYY vodka, entertainment and a silent auction. Some of the exciting items up for bidding are a weekend at the Palms in Vegas,...

Photo via Bravo The "supersized" sixth season premiere of Top Chef airs tonight at 9 on Bravo. 17 new contestants will be battling it out at The M Resort Spa & Casino in Vegas this season, including local culinary rising star Michael Voltaggio. Padma Lakshmi returns to preside over the judges' table alongside head judge Tom Colicchio, and judges Gail Simmons and Toby Young. Guests this season will include Wolfgang Puck, Todd English, Natalie...