I was a waitress during college—and I was great, if you're the type who doesn't mind ice water in your lap or an occasional cocktail down your backless dress. I even tried, in a true gesture of friendliness, to remove a chocolate spot from a customer's face. You can imagine my terror when I realized it was a giant mole!
Here's where you'll find a changing list of where I've been eating these days... you're also going to find some of my all-time favorite places to eat around the world—I promise that I'll be just eating. Not serving!
LA
The Bar at The Hotel Bel-Air
701 Stone Canyon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90077
310.472.5234
http://www.hotelbelair.com
I feel like I'm having an affair with my husband when we go to the bar at The Hotel Bel-Air. Very chic, cozy, and romantic. It's so nice to have dinner near the fireplace on the couches. They have the best tortilla soup, truffle fries, and rose champagne by the glass.
Hotel Bel-Air writes:
options are numerous to suit your mood—have a formal evening in The Restaurant, book the exclusive in-kitchen Table One for you and your closest friends, or conduct a business lunch in the California sunshine on The Terrace.
Rustic Canyon
1119 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.393.7050
I just ate here for the first time a few days ago and had a fabulous pan-seared Brook trout stuffed with cabbage over lentils. It was very tasty...and had a lovely Duckhorn Merlot by the glass...Rustic Canyon is a no fuss, straightforward restaurant with a good vibe and good service.
New York City
La Goulue
746 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10021
212.988.8169
http://www.lagouluerestaurant.com
La Goulue makes me feel like I'm in Paris. It's cozy with great food, great service, great people watching. Love it for lunch, love the tuna tartar. I can't say enough good things about this restaurant. You'll just have to check it out!
Washington D. C.
The Capital Grille
601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
202.737.6200
http://www.thecapitalgrille.com
The back room is my favorite place to have steak. They have a terrific wine list, and it's perfect for eavesdropping.
Capital Grille writes:
We want The Capital Grille to be "your place." The spot you most want to come to, whether for a special occasion or just the perfect dinner out. Of course, we strive to make every occasion special here. We start with the food. Dry aged steaks that have earned high praise from the nation's toughest food critics. An award-winning wine list. Mouth-watering appetizers, fresh seafood, chops. Irresistible desserts.
More to come really soon!
Chateau Haut Leriveau - 2003
$25.99
Bordeaux - a good choice to bring as a hostess gift to a dinner party
Chateau Cap de Faugeres - 2003
$19.99
Bordeaux - a great table wine, goes with everything about winter
Marques Riscal Reserva
$19.99
Love this Spanish wine, very earthy, lots of layers, great with lamb!
Rosenthal Cabernet - 2000
$30.00
A merlot lover's cabernet. This wine is a great value. It drinks like a $75 bottle
Puligny - Montrachet
A wonderful classic white, perfect with steamed mussels, clams,
or seafood risotto!
Life's too short to be drinking bad wine! Cheers!
