03/30 What's Cookin' Today
Executive Chef Richard Hodge BLVD 16 RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE AT THE HOTEL PALOMAR IN WESTWOOD
New Executive Chef Richard Hodge Takes the Helm and Launches a Westside Spin to American California Cuisine Re-designed Bar and Lounge Creates Friendly Neighborhood Gathering Spot BLVD 16, the restaurant at Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar located in the heart of the Wilshire Corridor in Westwood, is well positioned for a fresh re-launch. New Executive Chef Richard Hodge is now at the helm of the kitchen, and his introductory fresh and seasonal menu combined with an updated vibrant lounge and bar living room area, makes BLVD 16 the ideal spot for a range of guests seeking a new go-to restaurant in the center of the city, including: the traffic-fatigued commuters idling along Wilshire Blvd, the local neighbors seeking a hideaway within walking distance of their homes or the friends looking for the perfect restaurant in the middle to meet between their eastside and westside locales. With Hodge on board, BLVD 16’s culinary direction has been re-energized. “I’m excited to bring a bit of my Northern California roots to Southern California,” notes Hodge. “The ingredients will change seasonally and I’ll make my selections based on what I find inspiring at the farmers market. We want our guests to think of BLVD 16 as the type of restaurant where they can pop in one night for a burger and bourbon and then come another time and really explore the ‘Land,’ ‘Sea’ and ‘Pasta’ selections. We have designed the restaurant and the menu to feel like a great neighborhood gathering place—whether you live in the neighborhood or not.” Pasta highlights from the new menu include Mushroom Fettuccine with black truffle pasta, mushroom ragout, herb broth, pecorino and House-made Gnocchi with green garlic, mushrooms and spring onions. The Sea selections on the menu include, the Scottish Salmon, which is perched atop caramelized cauliflower, lentils, and served with tomato bread sauce.. From the Land, Hodge features both a Ribeye Steak, grilled to succulent perfection, topped with parsley salsa Verde and thick cut paprika fries, as well as delicate Lamb Chops served with cauliflower “couscous", grilled asparagus and pine nut pesto. Sure to become a BLVD 16 house favorite is the Bourbon** Burger** Beer. Delight in a Rogue Dead Guy Ale, a pour of Bulliet Bourbon and an organic beef burger with bourbon onions, smoked tomato, jack cheese, and black pepper aioli for $20. Atmospherically, BLVD 16 has been designed with an urban, contemporary ambience featuring warm wood accents, deep rich colors, soft lighting and an eclectic music. The cozy lounge now has the look and feel of an inviting living room with its comfortable sofas, sultry suede couches, high-back leather chairs and a view of the shimmering 25 foot long main bar. Guests enter the restaurant from the stylish hotel lobby, which features a central fireplace and lush sectional seating setting the tone for a warm and friendly dining environment. Although just a few feet away from the bustling Wilshire corridor, BLVD 16 provides the perfect serene setting for cocktails or intimate dining.
Silas Weir Mitchell ("Monroe" on NBC's "GRIMM"
Silas Weir Mitchell stars in NBC's new drama series "Grimm" as Monroe, a reformed Grimm-creature, who is Nick's reluctant informant. Mitchell has worked steadily during his time in Los Angeles, making over 100 television appearances, including "My Name is Earl," "The Mentalist," "Numb3rs," "Burn Notice" and "Prison Break." He has also appeared in many feature films. One of Mitchell's enduring passions is the theatre, where he has directed, produced and starred in numerous productions of classical, as well as new, works in Los Angeles and around the country. He has also spent some time behind the camera, helming a short film last year, "Song in a Convenience Store," which appeared in several film festivals around the country including the Athens Film Festival, where it won Best Narrative Short. Mitchell hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He moved to Los Angeles after graduate studies in theatre arts at the University of California, San Diego. Fridays 9/8c ON NBC
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