Elise Thompson

Circa 55, our first DineLA lunch, was pure serendipity. After covering the Oscars luncheon at the Beverly Hilton, I wandered downstairs to my old standby, Trader Vics. But my commitment to DineLA soon lured me over to the classy yet casual Circa 55. The design is reminiscent of a mid-century modern living room, uncluttered and airy, with sunlight streaming through the windows. The way the chatty server fusses over you makes you feel like you...

The Dakota is decorated in a style that harmonizes with the old Hollywood glamour of the Roosevelt Hotel, but without the creepiness. The rich chocolate tones keep the room hip and dark but much warmer than the usual black and white decor. The suede chairs are comfortable, although I am still pondering the leather tablecloths. The room is divided by large columns that break up the vastness and give each area a sense of privacy....

Last Wednesday Zune Space LA in partnership with Sony Music's Icon Collectibles presented "The Genius of Miles Davis - the Columbia Years". The photography exhibit contained works by Don Hunstein, Bob Cato, Sandy Speisner, Charles Reilly and Urve Kuusik. The evening was relaxed and elegant. The Davis family is as friendly and welcoming as if they were greeting you in their own home. Mile's Davis' nephew, Vince, is particularly jovial. Then a bunch of South...

Photographer Gary Leonard opened a gallery for his rare archival prints last month. The Apparel News has a mini-profile of the prolific photographer, who has documented most every Los Angeles ribbon-cutting, political ruckus or cool concert since the 1970s. The name of Leonard’s downtown L.A. space is Take My Picture, Gary Leonard, which was also the title of his weekly columns which ran for years in the Los Angeles Reader, New Times and CityBeat....

Last Thursday night "The Masters of Photography Collection" was unveiled at M + B Gallery in West Hollywood. The world-renowned, not to mention charming and hilarious photographer Rankin shot 1,000 unique Polaroids that will each grace 1,000 bottles of limited edition Macallan Fine Oak 30 Years Old. There are only 150 of these bottles in the United States. The primarily black and white photographs were shot on the Macallan estate over six days. The gorgeous...

Last night Zume hosted the opening of a photographic exhibit celebrating "The Genius of Miles Davis...The Columbia Years". Musicians from all genres packed the club, a testament to the wide-ranging influence of Miles Davis. Stay tuned for our upcoming photo essay. For now, listen in as LAist contributors Bobzilla and Mike Watt discuss the photography, the music, and especially the musicians. Video shot by Elise Thompson for LAist...

Early this morning the Cramps' lead singer Lux Interior passed away in Glendale due to a pre-existing heart condition. I was truly saddened to learn of his death, and had I not been in a room full of people I might have burst into tears. Even before my first Cramps gig at the age of 15, Lux Interior had a profound effect on my understanding of music and showmanship. Grimacing and posturing, Lux interior would...

Asia de Cuba in the Mondrian is one swank spot. The table wasn't ready, as we were being squeezed in, so we hung out in the bar. My nephew said, "I don't know if I've ever felt quite this cool before." After trying to seat us in a cramped spot between a hilariously large potted plant and the bussing station outside, we were given a table by the window with a stunning view of the...

Monday The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences held its annual luncheon for the Oscar nominees at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. Approximately 120 nominees were on hand, including Fifteen of the twenty nominees in the acting categories. LAist was invited into the interview room where nominees such as Richard Jenkins, Robert Downey Jr., Mickey Rourke, and Kate Winslet took questions from the press. The interview room was exactly like the presidential...

Today Denny's Restaurants all across America are offering free Grand Slam breakfasts between 6am and 2pm. The only two nonparticipating restaurants are in Baker, CA and Las Cruces NM - spoilsports! Nelson Marchioli, President and CEO of Denny's told the Dallas Morning News that Denny's hopes to recover the market share they have lost, and called 2009 is “the year of the Grand Slam,”