Elise Thompson

Bowls are all the rage right now; it seems like every fast food joint has some kind of bowl. There are even weird-ass breakfast bowls. If we can't pop it, dip it or wrap it, goddammit, we're gonna put it in a bowl! The KFC bowl almost sorta kinda works. The mashed potatoes and gravy are the standard, then the addition of corn is OK; a lot of people mix their corn into their...

Last weekend the LA Winefest rolled into town with a carnival of vintners, liquor, and lots of bright shiny things. The popular event, held at Raleigh Studios drew a huge crowd. We often had to peek over shoulders and elbow our way up to the tables. In spite of the bacchanalian drinking, many of the things that caught our eye and our palate were low-octane drinks, nibbles and interesting contraptions. We especially dug the SanTasti,...

Convicted killer and former Manson follower Susan Atkins was due for another parole hearing May 28th after being denied a compassionate release last year. According to Associated Press, the parole hearing was abruptly postponed until September. The debate over Atkins' potential release has been raging. After all avenues to request compassionate release were exhausted, the bid for parole appeared to be Atkins' last chance at freedom. Last summer Atkins was given a year to live, so maybe it is just a matter of biding time.

I have often walked down this street before, but there was no Kaya toast or Moldavian meat before... Finding Susan Feniger's Street is a little bit like the headiness of a new romance. Your friends love it, your mom loves it, they can go from casual to fancy, they give you exactly what you want when you want it, and they are always full of surprises. The high ceilings make the room feel open and...

LA Winefest will be taking place at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood this weekend. Along with countless wines, sakes, beers and spirits available for tasting, there will be a number of presentations with speakers including Anthony Riboli and Ken Volk. The Winefest is pouring a wide variety of imported wines as well as the kosher wine Hagafen. Microbrews from Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Karl Strauss Brewing Company will be featured. The event will offer the high end ginjo and daiginjo sakes. All tequilas will be 100% agave.

Yesterday to gear up for the annual Beastly Ball, the LA Zoo hosted a special event where the California bears were treated to special preparations by chefs from top L.A. restaurants. Chefs included Jason Park, chef, Yamashiro Restaurant; Erik Ritter, chef, Malo; Calogero Drago, chef/owner, Celestino Ristorante; Jack Rogers, chef, Spitfire Saloon; Patrick Luechai, chef, Typhoon; Akira Hirose, owner/chef, Maison Akira; Gerardo Ochoa, chef, El Cholo; Francoise Koster, La Poubelle, and Gloria Pink, Beverly Pink...

Exene Cervenka released a statement on her website yesterday that she has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Usually abbreviated as MS, Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the nerve cells, affecting communication between the spinal cord and the brain. Although there is no cure, there are treatments to lessen the possibility of disability. It is not life-threatening although it can be debilitating. Other public figures who have...

OK, it's not really. It's Norwegian for "apple" but that is just too obvious. Èple's fun fruit stand at The Original Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax is definitely not limiting itself to pedestrian fruit like apples, though. Dragonfruit, cherimoyas, and a variety of other exotic fruits are the stars of the show. And employees assure us that in spite of being owned by Pinkberry, there are no mystery ingredients -- everyday they are peeling...

Despite the fact that he is by far the most well-known and successful avant-garde film maker in the United States, David Lynch is rather notorious for sidestepping questions about any deeper meaning—or even the very basic logic—of his films. For example, Lynch described his last release, Inland Empire, as "a mystery about a woman in trouble,” which is far beyond an understatement, considering that the film arguably out-convoluted Mulholland Drive. This very pared-down synopsis, not to mention to the lack of director commentaries on his DVD releases, should tell you what kind of responses to expect from Lynch when faced with any common query—What’s in the box? What’s with the rabbits? What happened to Agent Cooper? Details should not be expected.

Sipping tequilas have come into their own recently, evidenced by the release of Maestro Dobel's Diamond Tequila and Centenario's hibiscus-infused Reposado. LAist decided to host an evening of tequila-tasting and get the low-down on some of the new products. Careful notes were taken, which eventually degenerated into Hunter Thompson-like scribblings. Apologies for the Zagatesque quote writing, but when we get to bat country, you will be amazed Zagatness was even possible. Tequila is distilled from...