Silent Auction Restaurant descriptions
Yujean Kang’s – Chinese
Yujean Kang
The best-known Asian house in Pasadena’s Old Town, deserving of its many
accolades. Serves gourmet food on white tablecloths to a regular lunch and
dinner crowd for prices that belie the quality. There is an extensive menu and
dishes are subtly seasoned, allowing the fresh ingredients to assert their natural
flavors.
Border Grill – Mexican
Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger
A boisterous, bright and funky grill set on a tree-lined block near the Third Street
Promenade shops and the Santa Monica Pier. Flavors speak boldly here, in well
composed bocaditos (small bites) and platos especiales (special plates) that
shine a spotlight on modern Mexican cuisine.
Drago Centro – Italian
Celestino Drago
Food and family figure prominently in the epicurean philosophy of Celestino
Drago, who originally hails from Sicily. At Drago Centro he introduces his latest
concept rediscovering local Italian dishes, which are revisited with the aid of
modern cooking techniques and inserted into a modern context. The menu is
representative of the cultural diversity of Italy. It emphasizes fresh, high quality
ingredients reflecting old flavors that have defined Italian cuisine for centuries.
Michael’s – Californian
Michael McCarty
With a smart gallery look, a seasonal menu of “modern Californian cooking” with
high-quality ingredients, a well -trained staff and smart promotion, this restaurant
was boosted into orbit 30 years ago and has remained little-changed, attracting a
long-standing, well- heeled following of regulars.
Melisse – French
Josiah Citrin
Named for a lemon-scented Mediterranean herb, Melisse deliciously highlights
the natural flavors of the market’s best products and each of Chef Citrin’s
d’oeuvres reflects a refined hand and a thoughtful composition. (?????)
Melisse was recently awarded a two-star Michelin rating and has been rated LA’s
best restaurant for three of the past four years by the Zagat Survey.
Campanile – Mediterranean
Mark Peel
Chef/Owner Mark Peel invites you to his restaurant, a beautiful, sunlit Italian-style
1920s building originally created for Charlie Chaplin, where the vibrant CaliforniaMediterranean cooking expresses the season's and bounty of local farmers.
Open since 1989, the restaurant has been the recipient of numerous awards and
nominations.
Spago – Californian
Wolfgang Puck
Spago Beverly Hills continues to set the standard for cuisine, service and style,
and is consistently recognized as the ultimate in fine dining. It features
imaginative seasonal menus that showcase the best of California’s produce and
products. The menu includes Spago classics and a daily-changing selection of
fish and produce of the season.
Mako – Asian Fusion
Makoto Tanaka
In a fine but low-fuss dining atmosphere, local come to get away from the tourist
crush and to share small plates, especially market-fresh sushi and sashimi at
small tables or the kitchen bar. Tanaka describes his cooking style as “his own
Asian-style” which is a combination of contemporary Asian cooking with his own
personal touch. Using fresh, high quality ingredients, Tanaka creates clean,
flavorful Asian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence.
Vincenti Ristorante – Italian
Maureen Vincenti
Vincenti Ristorante combines sophistication and elegance with warmth and
comfort. Owner Maureen Vincenti charms you at the door, and eases you into
one of their stylish booths or private back–room tables. Chef Nicola Mastronardi's
cuisine emphasizes freshness. Ingredients are imported directly from Italy or
gathered from only the finest local organic producers.
Anisette – French Brasserie
Alain Giraud
Chef Alain Giraud writes a new chapter in his culinary playbook with his casual
brasserie, offered in a grand space on the ground floor of one of Santa Monica's
historic Art Deco landmarks, The Clock Tower. All the dishes are made with very
fresh ingredients including farmer’s market organic vegetables. Giraud's famous
lavender ice cream and meringues are among the desserts. The extensive wine
list emphasizes small producers from France and the U.S.
Pizzeria Mozza – Pizza
Nancy Silverton
Pizzeria Mozza is a bustling, urban, burst of flavor and color. Open noon to
midnight, seven days a week, Pizzeria Mozza is a perfect atmosphere - whether
it be a business lunch or late night snack. The wine bar provides a vibrant venue
for sampling from a selection of 50 Italian wines at $50 and under, but don't
forget about the ample offerings of salumi and pizza.
Street – International Street Food
Susan Feniger
Not willing to rest on her laurels, this “one hot tamale” travels beyond her Latin
beginnings and starts a new culinary adventure by exploring the street foods of
the United States and other cultures around the world. Chinese, Indian, and Thai
dishes mingle with those of such exotic places as Moldavia, Okinawa and the
Ukraine, resulting in new and familiar international tastes. Street recently opened
and has been an instant success.
Crustacean – Vietnamese/Asian Fusion
Helene An
Executive Chef Helene An and the gracious An family offer simple, refined and
light Vietnamese fusion cooking in an elegant and celebrity-studded environment
where the balance of Yin and Yang define quality food that also happens to be
healthful. Be sure to try the crab and garlic noodles, one of Crustacean’s most
beloved dishes.
Ciudad - Nuevo Latino
Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feninger
This downtown veteran has stood the test of time and remains a popular place to
dine before attending a concert or play at Disney Hall or the Taper. Mary Sue
and Susan have conquered the flavors of the new Latin cuisine and continue to
provide pleasantly spicy and seductive dishes that excite the taste buds. The
“wacky” design and free shuttles to various downtown entertainment sites are
two additional pluses that draw both neighborhood denizens and Westside
travelers to this beloved culinary bastion.