Celebrity Soup With Jill Garneski

By Jill Garneski

Los Angeles is the land of celebrity restaurants and parties. If you are not away on vacation this month, you might want to check out some of the ‘secret hangouts’ of the stars.

Chef Onil Chibas of Elements Kitchen brings a “New American Cuisine” to Pasadena (and anyone who wants their meals catered) that combines classic European preparations and flavors ranging from Southwestern and Asian to Caribbean. The menu combines the freshest, organic, locally grown produce—daily specials inspired by a local Farmer’s Market. The Chef’s passion to delight the palate and spirit are deliciously presented to patrons like Mary J. Blige, Heart and Neil Diamond.

Elements Kitchen 626-440-0100
107 South Fair Oaks Pasadena, CA

If you were a devotee of Chai Dynasty in Downtown Los Angeles, you were probably disappointed to find its gone! After 21 years of some of the best Chinese chow in L.A., government officials, celebrities (they are QT on name dropping!) and locals will be happy to know they’ve moved to trendy Los Feliz. You can still get your fab favorites! Their phone number is the same and they still deliver.

Chai Dynasty 323-667-3388
1813 Hillhurst Avenue Los Feliz, CA

Le Petit Bistro is open until midnight most nights serving up traditional French cuisine. Yes, there’s an alternative to a late night hot dog in L. A.! If you want a good steak and martini… that’s on the menu too, along with Blue Crab Cakes and the Bistro’s famous Onion Soup Gratinee. They opened the patio which adds to the ambience. Georges & Robert Lachkar and Albert Emkies own this little hideaway that entertains the likes of Robert Foster, Suzanne Somers, Salma Hayek, Dyan Cannon & Sean Connery.

Le Petit Bistro 310-289-9797
631 N. La Cienega Bl. Los Angeles, CA

Next door…famous John & Pete’s Fine Wine and Spirits. Stars, agents, producers, music moguls and locals stop in regularily. Have John & Pete’s bar at a party, or call John & Pete’s for that special gift. Opened in 1938 by John Pene and Pete Burra it’s one of the most successful wine and spirit shops in L.A. There’s parking in the back—a rare treat in L.A.

John & Pete’s Fine Wine and Spirits
621 N. La Cienega Blvd. 310-657-3080

Also, don’t miss all the stars and goodies at the new Pavilions in West Hollywood. Peter Dills was there on August 15 doing his chef thing with the help of BOA Steakhouse! It was total yum!