Burgers, Latin Vibes, A Date & A Non-Date

I'll Take You Out & Buy You A Burger

We just had another birthday. Mauro, my hot, Colombian, fabulously fantastic friend turned 26! I told the birthday boy I would take him somewhere special. When he asked what we were having for dinner, my answer was a burger and his jaw just dropped. I'm thinking he expected Mickey Ds... Boy was he wrong.

25 Degrees at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood specialized in Burgers. These are no ordinary burgers, they use top-quality ground sirloin and their signature burgers are stuffed with ingredients such as crispy proscuiito, pesto, crescenza, burrata cheese amongst other delights. There's also a section in their menu that allows you to put together your own creation and the bonus, French fries sprinkled with parmesan and parsley that totally rock!

Latin Flava'

On Saturday night, we joined the birthday boy's brother and some friends for a more formal dinner at The Original Cha Cha Cha in West Hollywood. They serve Latin fused meals in a festive environment. We ordered a pitcher of Sangria and drinks with names like Latin lover and Cha Cha Politan. My friend and I shared the Paella Valenciana, overflowing with succulent shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels and fish and our friends ordered the Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Mango Chicken. Everything looked and tasted great. That, and the restaurant's decor set the mood for celebration!

The Date

Tinto just opened in West Hollywood, a Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar that stresses upon authenticity and quality. Everything is from Spain, the wines, cheeses, chef and owners! We had a great wine (I'm just mad at not remembering its name), the cheese platter and some tapas.

I have to say I liked the food. My date on the other hand, found it to be bland, except for the cheese platter, which we're both madly in love with! Also, their establishment is rather small (but very cozy, decorated in deep reds, leather and brick) so reservations are strongly suggested.

The Non-Date

Club Owner and friend N accompanied me to the Derby to watch Paris Love L.A. in an intimate performance. I was wonderfully delighted by their performance. Fantastic!

Scandal! Glamour! Sex! The French Pop Culture of 1960’s Paris swings back into life with Paris Loves L.A., Los Angeles’s sensational new revival of the songs of Serge Gainsbourg and Bridgette Bardot. Adele Jacques, French-born singer and actress, plays and sings Bardot with such skill and feminine guile, one finds oneself looking back over their shoulder during the performance, expecting to find Godard shooting in 16m. Together with the pianist, Russell Rinker, and a live, jazz-ensemble of L.A. ’s best session players, Paris Loves L.A. is a paroxysm of French Sexiness and Cocktail Cool. No cigarette required.

-MySpace/ParisLovesLA