Although I have visited about 25 of the 50 states of our great nation, I can’t believe I’ve never written about my experience at any of the eateries in those states. I apologize for that, readers! My close friend Stephanie asked me to partake in a drive up to Oregon and at first, I was reluctant just because of my lack of knowledge on the state and for my severe lack of funds (funemployment can do that to you). After perusing some websites and blogs, I accepted her offer joyfully and started the road trip plans. Needless to say, I was enlightened - in a way – about the plethora of interesting places that are located in this beaver state of 3.8 million people(a little more than the population of Los Angeles proper).

When I heard the words “Eugene, Oregon,“ my pop culture-obsessed brain flashed back to a 2004 episode of The Simpsons where Lisa portrays Sacagawea and Lenny & Carl are Lewis & Clark, discovering the Pacific Northwest. Yes, I know this is non-sequitur to the post, but I love this show so much that I wanted it to be a part of it. Enjoy!

Alright, back to business. Not knowing that Yelp in Oregon is underused, I originally passed over Sweet Life due to its 124 reviews and less-than-detailed user reviews. Thankfully, I’ve learned from fellow bloggers to never take Yelp seriously and do a double take by going on other websites. By simply hitting up their facebook fan page, I found that they had over 13,000 likes and over 500 check-ins. From this, I witnessed the imbalance of certain websites in different states and how social media plays a huge role with a small business like SLP. There are many a review of the history behind Sweet Life and how it came to fruition from two sisters in a garage to the present location so to change things up, the purpose of my post will be of my specific experience only and the sweets I consumed.

The facade of Sweet Life.

After coming in contact with one of the managers, Aaron W. on the day of my departure, I was exposed to some great Oregon hospitality which I never knew existed especially in a college town like Eugene (GO DUCKS!). I was told to just stop in whenever I arrive in Eugene and they would take care of us. After our 12-hour drive up the Interstate 5, showering and dining nearby, we went to Sweet Life and witnessed some of those 13,000 likes in real life. There were over 30 people in line just minutes before closing time! Who knew Eugenians loved their dessert? I was immediately exposed to bright colors, scintillating aromas and lots of attracting visual displays. Dessert has always been able to make a stranger in a strange land feel at home and walking into Sweet Life was no exception.

Tiramisu – espresso-rum-soaked sponge cake filled w/ tiramisu rum cream & chocolate shavings w/ chocolate ganache & topped with rum cream ($4.50-4.75).

Fruit Tartlet – Shortbread crust filled w/ custard topped using seasonally available fruit ($4.75).

Cloud 9 (White Russian) Cake – chocolate cake layered & topped w/ whipped cream, frosted w/ ganache ($4.50-4.75). 

Sour Cherry Cheesecake – vanilla cheesecake w/ graham cracker crust, sour cream & cherries on top ($4.50-4.75).

 Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Cookie ($3.25).

The chocolate caramel shortbread cookie was by far my favorite plated dish of the night. The shortbread was buttery and flaky and just right with layers of caramel and chocolate adding to a texture paradise in my mouth. The cakes were all delicious, with the Cloud 9 leading the race for my tastebuds. Honestly, all their desserts as well as the items I gazed upon in their 20-foot long display had my head reeling with a sugar high. From the service to the desserts to the atmosphere, my friend and I had a great experience at Sweet Life. If you ever find yourself at a Ducks game or driving on through Eugene, make sure you stop at Sweet Life and pick up some eats to go. Believe me, you will not be disappointed. Now to order my dry ice, Fed-Ex delivery for my birthday next month…

More photos from my night at Sweet Life can be found here(link also on sidebar) – Sweet Life

Sweet Life Patisserie
755 Monroe Street
Eugene, OR 97402-5135
(541) 683-5676

- gmangoman a.k.a. hemang

Okay now that I have your attention, read on!

Beer Belly LA - Jimmy Han

Reminiscent of the “Cash for Clunkers” program that sprouted back in the summer of 2009 by the government to persuade Americans to trade in their pollution-exuding eyesores of automobiles(using the term loosely here) for money to put towards those Prii that you now see everywhere, the folks at Beer Belly LA are hosting their first ever “Craft for Crap” beer party. What does that mean for you?

Come in on Sunday, August 28 to the Western Avenue brewery with any one can, bottle, mini-keg, WHATEVER-sized capsule of “crap” beer (per person) in exchange for a craft brew that is being offered by the fine people from Cismontane Brewing.

*According to the CA ABC, Beer Belly LA cannot give out “free” beer so now when you trade in your crap beer, you will have to shell out the crazy sum of  $0.01. YES. One penny. Deal with it!*

The Cismontane brews available for the night will be:

• Citizen steam lager
• Black’s Dawn Imperial Stout
• Coulter IPA

Need help figuring out what exactly is a crap beer? If it starts with Bud, Millers or Coors… then you’re on the right track. In my opinion, Natural Light and Caguama win the race for crap beers. I don’t think I’ve ever posted so many swear words before in one post but I guess I am just very passionate about my readers having the opportunity to get their tastebuds on some high-quality, craft brews!

If you’ve already been lucky enough to enjoy the art of the craft beer, bring along your friend (we all have one… or more) that loves the aforementioned crap beers or will never buy a beer on draft besides the nightly special at the local dive establishment. It is 2011 and the people you socially interact with in public should not embarrass you with their crap beers.

Aren't you thirsty now?

Bring the beer and the friends to Beer Belly and enjoy a taste of the Cismontane brews amongst other Craft Beer enthusiasts as well as the owner, Jimmy Han. I’ll be bringing some extra ones just in case you forget yours!

For more information or details, check out the official Facebook event page here: Craft for Crap: A Beer Belly Event

See ya then!

Beer Belly LA
532 S. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 387.2337
Twitter: @BeerBelly_LA

- gmangoman a.k.a. hemang

If you were one of the few people at Old Town Pasadena in the early hours on June 18th, you might have noticed a line of people outside of a restaurant with some security guards standing…well, guard. Most likely than not, you thought nothing of this and had no idea that one of the Los Angeles Lakers players was to be serving lunch as part of a grand opening celebration. That’s right, you heard me, serving lunch. Which superstar athlete was going to be doing this on busy Colorado Boulevard just steps away from the soon-to-begin Make Music Pasadena Festival? Why none other than The Athlete Formerly Known as Ron Artest, now known as Metta World Peace.

Fans began to line up as early as 8AM and came from as far away as Riverside. 

What is Saladish you ask? A fast casual eatery designed to please the diverse and health-conscious palettes of Angelenos and Southern California residents alike. With success at their Rancho Palos Verdes location, demand and hype brought the healthy restaurant to the San Gabriel Valley. From dark wood walls to faux foliage and ivy on the ceiling, the decor focuses on everything eco-friendly in a clean and sophisticated manner. Seating is limited, which is expected with a fast-casual, but the venue is quite large and is a nice place to people watch from the large glass windows facing the bustling Old Town area.

Aeroponics at work. Tomatoes sustained mid-air constantly sprayed w/ nutrients.

They focus on using aeroponics, an agricultural technology that involves growing produce stationed in mid-air with water and nutrients being directly applied to the roots that produce fast-growing and organic ingredients on site for the diners to enjoy. Customers can experience this technology as they enter Saladish and can enjoy the locally grown ingredients from a lengthy L-shaped bar as they watch the salad artists make their dishes come to life.

Just a small section of the various fresh ingredients offered in the salad/wrap bar.

The fine folks at the Pasadena location invited me in a full hour early to experience what Saladish has to offer. I was given the option of wraps or salads and I chose salads. To me, the ingredients in wraps are sometimes hidden and not often appreciated (oh and eating the extra carbs doesn’t help me out either). I asked for sample sizes of the soups and salads mind you, so don’t take the photos to heart in correlation to the prices listed. You get a lot more bang for the buck. Photos of Ron Artest, fans & the mayhem that pursued are after these food photos.

Chicken Tortilla Soup (10 oz for $3.95)

Minestrone Soup (10 oz for $3.95)

“The Classic” baked potato – sour cream & chives ($4.95)

“Loaded Potato” – bacon, sour cream, chives, tomatoes & cheddar cheese ($6.95)

Blooming Apple – apples, chicken, bacon, candied pecans, blue cheese (Salad: $9.95, Wrap: $8.95)

Roasted Portabella – cherry tomatoes, avocado, mixed greens mozzarella & portabella mushrooms (Salad: $9.95, Wrap: $8.95)

Southwestern Chicken – tomato, black beans, corn, tortilla strips, cheddar cheese (Salad: $8.95, Wrap: $7.95)

Glendale Mayor Laura Friedman meets w/ Ron Artest

Ron’s youngest daughter, Diamond, helped out behind the counter. Adorable.

Ron doing his part in getting as many autographs as possible for all his fans! 

Outside with the hundreds of fans lining Colorado Boulevard.

Ron Ron went to the Saladish booth @ the Make Music Festival to see the staff/fans.

Hundreds of plates of food were served, autographs & photos were signed and taken and the fans were pleased. As one can see with the photos above, the people in Pasadena loved Mr. Artest. So much so that policemen and policewomen working the festival were redirected to escorting Ron Ron to the Saladish booth and back to his blinged out car to get a smooth getaway.

Now that the organized chaos that was the grand opening lunch is over, hurry on down to Old Town Pasadena and check this place out. It’s healthy, it’s a fresh concept and they’re doing their best to buy local and help out in the community.

My amateur video editing is taking me longer than usual, so stay tuned for an addition when I finish it!

There will also be a ron artest giveaway, with more details to come. Stay tuned!

Enjoy the rest of my pictures from the grand opening here: Saladish Grand Opening (link also on the sidebar).

Saladish 
12 W. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 304-3100
Twitter: @Saladish

- gmangoman a.k.a. hemang

Sometimes the best food comes from places of a simple demeanor.

Ming Wa Noodle House in Alhambra is a Cantonese eatery situated in a nondescript strip mall on Valley Boulevard that my family has been eating at since I was born over 22 years ago. The owners, a lovely married couple, have been consistently churning out memorable food with a large customer base and, on days like Father’s day, lines out the door. I cannot even describe what else is in the parking lot with over 10 tenants because every time I park, my eyes and body go straight to the door to score a table. Ming Wa is a place where I can call up my brother who works nearby or a friend and get a bite while catching up without having to deal with reservations, pompous employees and a strict dress code. Here’s what we ate that day, from soup to noodles to fish, everything was just as we always expect: delicious!

Easy-to-read menu at some easy-to-swallow prices.

Tasty & Cheap! Hot & Sour Soup w/ water chestnuts, egg & tofu ($6.25, 6 cups)

Their famous Sauteed String Beans (sans pork) ($6.25)

Fresh, festive & full of flavor: Three Ingredient Vegetable Chow Mein ($6.25)

Delicious & Spicy, not-your-Panda-Express Kung Pao Chicken ($7.55)

A 1st for me, spicy & crunchy w/ a great sauce base! Hot Braised Fish Fillet ($9.75)

Not pictured is the $2.25 scallion pie, a turnover-esque fried patty with freshly chopped scallions inside (you can, however sneak a peek at this Yelper’s post here). Every table was full at lunch and each had that pie on their table as a quick, hot appetizer before their food arrived.

Before arriving to Ming Wa, some arrangements must be made. Firstly, the shop is not open on Tuesday and secondly, they only accept cash. I know that my readers (like most people today) carry little to no cash on a day-to-day basis. This place is so worth a trip to your local bank or ATM, however, so put some effort into getting down to Alhambra and enjoy your meal!

For more pictures from my dinner, check it out here (link also on sidebar): Ming Wa Alhambra

Ming Wa
1227 W. Valley Blvd, Unit #105
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 458-8338

- gmangoman a.k.a. hemang

Talk about a wonderful dining experience in one of the most recognizable locations in Los Angeles. As the flagship restaurant of the Patina Restaurant Group (PRG), Patina has been serving up wonderful dishes under some notable chefs since 1989 (when I was just a wee lad of 1). Age being placed out in the blogosphere, I was, for a lack of fancier words, excited to be eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant for the first time. Pulling up to the world famous Walt Disney Concert Hall, I noticed that the facade of Patina blends seamlessly with Frank Gehry’s expressionist design that has enthralled Angelenos and tourists alike since 2003.

The simple, yet balanced exterior right off of Grand Ave.

It was my father’s birthday and I decided to take him somewhere special and out of his comfort zone. The minute we stepped in the door, we were treated to amazing hospitality and a celebrity spotting of highest caliber. Dame Judi Dench herself was finishing up a meal before watching the LA Philharmonic play in the concert hall with what seemed to be her extended family. Born into a family of James Bond fans, I waved at the Dame and we “appropriately” smiled at her as she walked out. If this were any other restaurant, location or event, I would have been in crazy paparazzo mode. Alas.

The staff were very helpful in guiding us to a delicious meal, always checking in on us to help answer any questions we might have about a word in a description. Mind you, Hindu families are not usually known to venture out into California-French restaurants, so many a question were asked to our hosts. Those questions were answered with ease and no embarrassment. I took Spanish in school, not French, so 1/3 of the menu was a blur to my brain.

Amuse Bouche: Lentil Truffle Oil Soup

Loaf 1/3: Green Olive

Loaf 2/3: Pain epi

Loaf 3/3: Seven Grain

Seasonal Glazed Vegetable Mosaic: Jus De Cuisson & Lemon Oil ($22)

A quick Yelp search for Patina and one can instantly notice that the “Vegetable Mosaic” is a winner with just about every “critic” on the site. It was the first thing my strictly vegetarian mother noticed and wanted, so without hesitation we ordered the dish. Each item on the plate above was meticulously prepared and plated, so that the diner had an interesting kaleidoscopic view in front of them. The lemon oil added enough tart to make the flavors pop. In this case, my picture is not worth a thousand words at all. There was one issue I had while photographing out plates: the lighting. After checking out some older posts from other bloggers, it seems to be an issue that has lasted for many years. The almost butter-yellow lighting in the ceiling tended to inflict a warm hue to almost everything I documented.

Parsnip Agnolotti with Sweetbread Meunière,  glazed pearl onion, chlorophyll jus ($25)

I will admit I am a novice when it comes to “California cuisine” and that I had never eaten a sweetbread dish, which apparently is one of the classic items that come to mind when one speaks of this cooking style. The Agnolotti was muted but delicious as the sweetbread pieces and the chlorophyll jus made my tastebuds work for the flavor. This plate was definitely something I had never tried before so pardon my amateur description.

The Art of Truffle Shaving

Black Truffle Risotto with Crunchy Celery & Shaved Black Truffle ($50)

Originally I had planned on booking reservations for their black truffle pairing night but was unable due to my travels in India. Lucky for me that they still had one truffle item on their menu.  I was always a fan of truffle oil, which according to critics around the world, is a cheap imitation. Cut to my eating Chef Tony Esnault’s interpretation of a classic Italian dish covered in shavings of pure black truffles and tears rolling down my cheeks (if only). The art of risotto is in the preparation of the rice and the Patina team had no problem perfecting that art. Each morsel was soft and fluffy and the shavings of black truffle added a rich flavor. I was impressed.

Seared Day Boat Scallops with contrast of cauliflower, crostini, capers ($40)

My first scallops dish ever. I had restricted seafood from my diet since birth due to my strict upbringing and fear of mercury poisoning. Growing up in LA, however, makes it difficult for me to get by without friends wanting to hit up the local boiling-crab shack-schmick’s eatery and my interest soon began to grow. Each scallop was caramelized and seared to (what I think is) perfection. The melange of cauliflower and crostini added for a nice visual and flavorful combination with the scallops. Consider me sold on scallops from now on!

Prime Beef Tenderloin Glazed Short Ribs with Contrast of Celery ($44)

Hazelnut Panna Cotta meyer lemon, gianduja sablé ($14)

Like mixing the richness of ferrero rocher, nutella and pure chocolate into four small pieces of dessert, the hazelnut panna cotta was by far one of the most memorable desserts I have ever had the opportunity to consume. It looks cold and heavy but in actuality it was lightly whipped and had just the right amount of sweet.

Warm Brioche Beignet with creamy banana, espresso mousse & almonds ($14)

I never thought bananas and beignets would work well together, but Chef Esnault brought it to my attention that it can with this hot/cold dessert. Add a spoonful of the espresso mousse and I felt as if I were on a patio of a Parisian cafe drinking coffee and having breakfast.

Mandarin Glacée vanilla crème, salted butter crumble tarragon meringue ($14)

Light Milk Chocolate Mousse cocoa nib cake, sassafras ice cream ($14)

Green Apple And Yogurt Battera Crispy Meringue ($14)

Happy Birthday Mignardises for my Dad: Chocolate brownie mini-cups w/ gold leaf, Meyer Lemon Gels, White Chocolate Coins w/ fruit & nuts

With over a dozen dishes devoured from amuse bouche to the array of desserts (with some amazing wine pairings by the sommelier of course), my family and I could barely get up and walk out the door. A few weeks later, I had attended a release event at the Willliams-Sonoma store in Beverly Hills where Patina was catering. It goes without saying that the food and desserts served at the event were just as satisfying and scrumptious as the ones my family enjoyed at the restaurant.

Definitely visit Patina if not for dinner, then for a pre-orchestra drink and snack. They have a separate bar area and the drink menu does not disappoint. Patina has raised my expectations of similar restaurants in California and anywhere else I may venture.

The rest of my pictures from this family affair are here (link also on sidebar) : Patina Restaurant

Patina Restaurant
141 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-3331                                                                                                                      Twitter: @PatinaDTLA

- gmangoman a.k.a. Hemang

The entrance is sleek & colorful with a helpful hostess at the counter.

Arizonians love this place. With over 12 locations throughout the grand canyon state, I was pleased that the Pita Jungle family decided to place their California flagship in Pasadena. There seems to be a new phase of restaurants hitting Old Town Pasadena in the last year or so, with Pita Jungle being the latest. To me, it’s an eclectic take on Mediterranean food with dishes from similar regions that can please many palettes without hurting the wallet and the waistline. Situated on Colorado Blvd a door or two down from Intelligentsia, where I wrote about their soft opening many months ago, (click here to read up on that), Pita Jungle has a brightly-colored sign and outdoor seating that make the community notice it’s there and that it’s not kidding around.

Over two nights, the folks at Pita Jungle gave a carte blanche, that is to say, free choice as to what guests would like to drink from the bar and order from the menu. Needless to say, I was ecstatic. Growing up eating Gujarati and Marathi food (from regions of West India), there has always been a Mediterranean undertone to the dinners consumed at my home. From pita bread to tzatziki sauce, the cuisine is anything but a stranger to me and I was thrilled to have a restaurant that brandishes the motto “the art of eating healthy” so close.

Russ, the GM, graciously attended to each and every table both nights, making sure that his guests and customers were attended to and brought attention to their needs or concerns. It was nothing short of excellent service on his part and that of his many servers, busboys, hosts and waiters throughout the evening.

Over both nights, my friends/family and I tried eighteen different and delicious plates. Therefore I will just showcase the few of the many that I loved devouring. From a Mediterranean-inspired quesadilla to a monstrous piece of sweet baklava, Pita Jungle has a myriad of appetizers, entrees and desserts to keep every food enthusiast full and satisfied.

Delicious Margarita & a look at the Tapas Happy Hour Menu! Nothing over $3!

 Roasted Bell Pepper, Tahini & Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus Platter ($6.59)

Gambas Con Ajo – Sauteed Shrimp w/ Pesto & Cheese Pita Slices ($8.99)

Spinach Four Cheese Lavosh Bread Quesadilla ($7.99)

Pesto Lavosh Turkey Wrap w/ Greek Salad ($8.89)

Roasted Garlic & Portabello Wood-fired Pizza ($9.19)

Wood-fired Mahi Mahi w/ fresh pita chips ($9.99)

Seared & Wood-fired fresh salmon w/garlic mashed potatoes ($14.59)

Amazingly fluffy and sweet Baklava ($2.89)

Like I had written earlier, this is literally only half of what I sampled at Pita Jungle. The other nine dishes are just as wonderful and creative, but I found these to be the most memorable and tasty.

The Arizona-based chain has gotten me hooked and they will see me frequent their outdoor seating on warm summer days in Pasadena, margarita in hand with some good grub on my table. I hope you find this appetizing enough to head down there soon because the jungle is hopping with people after only being open five days! Remember there is free 90-minute parking throughout Old Town, plenty of time to stop by Pita Jungle for a drink and some food!

The rest of the dishes I tried and more (link also on sidebar): Pita Jungle Pasadena

Pita Jungle: Pasadena                                                                                                                   43 East Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91105
626-432-7482                                                                                                                               Twitter: @PitaJungle

- gmangoman a.k.a. Hemang

On Saturday, April 2 from 11:00am – 5:00pm, the Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia (my hometown), will be having its SECOND food truck festival!

BIGGER and BETTER than it’s predecessor, the second festival will host 80 gourmet food trucks! Enjoy the day at this historic venue by dining & drinking, all the while watching the thoroughbred racing that goes around you! For kids, there will be moonbounces, pony rides, face painting, playground and carnival games, so there’s no excuse not to bring the whole family!

List of Food Trucks Participating:

Ahn Joo LA, Almoosal, Auntie’s Fry Bread, Barbies Q, Baby’s Badass Burgers, Bool BBQ, Border Grill, Cheeseball Wagon, Chef Che’s Argentine Cuisine, Chunk’n Chip, Clean Street Food, Coolhaus, Crepes Bonaparte, Da Munch Box, Dante Fried Chicken, Dogtown Dogs, Don Chow Tacos, Dosa Truck, Flavor Rush, Flying Pig Truck, Fresh Fries LA, Frysmith, George’s Greek Cafe, Germany’s Famous Bratwurst, Go Country 105 Chuck Wagon, Great Balls on Tires, Greenz on Wheels, Grilled Cheese Truck, Gringos Tacos, Hungry Nomad, India Jones, Jogasaki Burrito, Kabob ‘N Roll, Knockout Tacos, Komodo, Krazy BBQ, Lake St. Creamery, Lardon Truck, Lee’s Philly, Lobsta Truck, Longboards Ice Cream, LouksToGo, Ludo Truck, Mac N Roll, Macho Nacho, Mandoline Grill, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Maui Wowi Hawaiian, Meet N Potatoes, Naan Stop, No Jodas Cuban Kitchen, No Reservations, No Tomatoes, Nom Nom Truck x 2, Pita Pushers, Ragin’ Cajun, Rosa’s Bella Cucina, Shrimp Pimp, Slammin’ Sliders, Smokin’ Willies BBQ, South Philly Experience, Streets of Thailand, Ta Bom, Tapa Boy LA, The Boba Truck, The Feast Truck, The Greasy Wiener, The Sweets Truck, The Yummy One, Tropical Shaved Ice, Tornado Potato, Uncle Lau’s BBQ, Vesuvio LA, Vizzi Truck, White Rabbit Truck, Willoughby Road, Wrap Me Silly

••••GIVEAWAY TIME••••

The good folks at the Santa Anita Race Track have given me THREE (3) pairs of admission tickets to the festival not including parking.

You have THREE ways to enter:

1. Follow me on Twitter @gmangoman AND tweet: “I want tickets to the @santaanitapark food truck festival on 3/31, @gmangoman! RT to enter & click here for more info: http://wp.me/sDlWY-415” [one entry].
2. Comment on this post saying you’ve tweeted or if you don’t tweet(which is scary), then just leave a post here. [one entry].
3. “Like” my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/gmangoman [one entry]

So there you have it! Simply follow these two easy steps to get your three maximum entries into the giveaway. I will announce the winners on Thursday, March 31st @ 9PM! Your pairs of tickets will be under your name at the entryway.

For more information on the festival itself, click here.

Good luck and I’ll see you at the festival!

-gmangoman a.k.a. Hemang

Over 2,000 people lined Vine Street to get into Avalon for the show!

Walking the red carpet and into Avalon Hollywood, a popular venue that I had many an opportunity to check out but never could, made me as excited for the experience I was about to have as well as for Reneta and her new line! Every one of the buyers, fans, consumers and sponsors were eager to see what the up and coming designers had to offer to LA Fashion Week as well as the musical performances, art exhibits, cocktails and cupcakes.

Reneta J in front of her Honey Lounge meet & greet booth

For those lucky enough to score a press or VIP badge, the Honey Lounge was open an hour early for a meet and greet with all five designers with an open bar sponsored by Absolut Vodka and with a smorgasbord of cupcakes provided by TastyCups. Frederick’s of Hollywood and Carlton Hair also set up shop, advertising their products and impact on the show for the evening.

The Project Ethos Runway lit up and ready for the designers to show off their new lines!

The many anxious attendees packed inside Avalon.

The party was sponsored by Vitaminwater Zero, a fact made obvious with the hundreds of bottles strategically placed all over Avalon, giving every attendee the opportunity to snag a few and sample all the flavors that were available. Vitaminwater’s “Flavor Fashionista Challenge” had all five designers come up with a garment inspired by a randomly selected flavor of Vitaminwater. Throughout the show, guests were given the opportunity to see the garments on the runway and then were able to vote by texting their favorite designer. Over 1,500 votes were cast by the end of the evening, the majority of them going to none other than Reneta! I was so proud of all the hard work she put into the line not only as a friend but as a consumer, the garments were spectacular. She told the press that “I was inspired by the color. I created an ombrey red maxi as I wanted to fuse the boldness of the flavor with the lightness” of the Vitaminwater flavor XXX.

Reneta J’s Vitaminwater Flavor Fashionista Challenge-winning Dress!

The Robotanists pumped the crowd up before the fashion show.

The line by Ermelinda Manos on the runway.

The emerging designers then debuted their lines, some of which I were a fan of and some… not so much. Which designer I like or didn’t like is of little importance to my readers, rather, their achievement of being in the show was enough for me to keep my two cents to myself. From versatile knitwear to retro-dresses to creative uses of colors and fittings, each designer had a clear point of view and design aesthetic. Seth Aaron Henderson of Project Runway fame concluded the fashion show with his never before seen ready-to-wear line. Fellow Project Runway alum, Mila Hermanovski with her boyfriend, also sat front row in support of her ex-competitor and friend. Along with Mila sat buyers, representatives, art collectors and a variety of members of the press all analyzing each garment as it went down the runway.

Seth Aaron Henderson closed the fashion part of the evening with his new line!

As the show ended and the runway structure was quickly disassembled, attendees sprawled out amongst the many areas of Avalon to mingle and congratulate designers, models, stylists and socialize. Oh did I forget to mention that the DJ duo behind the nightlife hit “We No Speak Americano,” Yolanda Be Cool, were the artists that kept the dance party atmosphere thriving after the show ended? I myself tried to find Seth Aaron to no avail and enjoyed my time with Reneta and her friends/family that came from all over to attend. I decided to check out the many art exhibits on the upper levels and then called it a night.

The DJ duo known as Yolanda Be Cool mixed music all night long.

With their eleventh show under their belts, the people at Project Ethos organized and produced an evening filled with fresh fashion, captivating music and exciting art, as well as plenty of libations and eye candy. Needless to say, the overall exhibition that was inspired by the Carpe Diem theme was apparent and memorable. Kudos to Project Ethos, the designers, musicians, artists and the stylists for making me (and I’m assuming every other attendee) wanting to get to the next event.

- gmangoman a.k.a.  hemang

For the rest of my pictures from the show, click here: Project Ethos LA Fashion Week, (link also in the sidebar).

*my first fashion post! ill be working on more personal ones to come soon, with my friend Rhonda from DotLash!*

The 90210 mansion decked out in Nivea blue & the “Look Like You Give A Damn” slogan.

Like the unexpected results of the Grammys, I had no idea what I was getting into when I drove to Beverly Hills to attend Nivea For Men’s 5.0 Grammys Afterparty. With parties in LA, Las Vegas, Dallas and at Sundance already under their belts, the folks at Nivea For Men continued their Look Like You Give A Damn series with a spectacular celebration of the Grammys at a private Beverly Hills mansion perched high above the valley. With shuttles running nonstop from a parking lot near the Hilton to the manse on a precariously narrow road, traffic slowed to a glacial pace. That being said, those who came early (as told many a time by the party planners) enjoyed a swift and easy entrance into the mansion. The next day I heard that A-list celebrities like Akon, Kanye West, Diddy and even the Biebs himself were turned away from the party by the LAPD, surprisingly capable of doing their job and not being starstruck. When a police helicopter circles above the party and Grammy winners are being turned away, the caliber of the party spoke for itself.

The limitless cupcake table and main floor, filled with guests and celebrities.

The “manscaping” area as it was coined throughout the night, with hot shaves & haircuts.

With the Look Like You Give A Damn slogan in different sizes, shapes and colors lit up and positioned all over the property, I knew I was in for a party made for a real man. Two steps in and I found myself staring at an alcove with bright lights, barber chairs, tatted-up barbers and the sight of an old fashioned hot shave commencing, all from The Proper Barbershop. Unfortunately I had shaved beforehand and every time I ventured over for a haircut, the line was always over an hour. It wasn’t meant to be for me, but I knew the lucky guys in the chairs were having an awesome time.

The infinity pool looking out onto LA with the “Look Like You Give A Damn” slogan.

A first for me to witness: an informative tequila tasting booth, pretty ingenious.

Omelettes and crepes at 2AM? Yes, please!

Pass the cupcake table that never got empty and the live band area, I walked outside to one of two patios to find the dj, amazing lights and sound, a tequila tasting booth, Coca-Cola/Honest Tea stations and my favorite part of the first floor: the omelette/crepe station. What better to represent the “First Annual Grammy Breakfast Club” that was scheduled to stay popping until 5 in the morning(that, I don’t know, because I left by oh-so-early 2:30AM) than lots of carbs and early morning chow, made fresh by master chefs.

The Red Bull VIP Lounge – BEFORE

The Red Bull VIP Lounge – AFTER

Downstairs at the lower patio were tens of seating arrangements and plenty of booze booths waiting for patrons to stop by and pick up a cocktail or two. I walked through the glass doors into what my friend Jon called the “Red Bull Lounge,” due to its large logos, buckets and buckets of red bull cans and a large bar in the back corner. This ended up becoming a VIP-only, reserved table area later in the evening that had all the celebrities (and some unknowns) partying it up like it was a Saturday night in Las Vegas. Here I bumped into Brandy, Ray J, Asher Roth and The Situation aka Mike Sorrentino.

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino himself smiling with his fans.

Brandy herself enjoyed the lounge downstairs with her brother Ray J and table neighbor, Asher Roth.

My favorite moment of the evening was seeing LiLo herself for a split second before she ran out the front door with four bodyguards to get into her Audi SUV and “sped” off down the traffic hell that was Benedict Canyon (see photo here). Why she decided to come and then leave is up to debate. Did she get mobbed? Were there not enough celebrities there at the time? Or did she just not find her dealer friends? Considering the party was sponsored by Nivea for Men, maybe the gifting lounges didn’t appeal to her. Whatever the reason, it was a moment to remember to see the train wreck of Lindsay in living color.

Thanks, Nivea for Men, for all my swag!

Speaking of gifts, did I forget to say that the house was literally decorated in Nivea for Men swag? I think I scored enough shaving/hygiene care for over a year. Needless to say, I’m a happy camper and I cannot wait until the next soirée to come. Congratulations to the folks who worked so hard to pull this event off, it was an evening to remember.

-gmangoman a.k.a. hemang

More photos from the afterparty (link also on the sidebar) can be seen here: Nivea Grammys Afterparty

I’ve been a little under the weather so excuse my delay in posting for this event. Growing up a mile or so away from this historic race track for most of my life, I jumped at the opportunity to do a giveaway on my blog and attend the festival without any hesitation. Like any other food truck festival in recent history, the first attempt is always experimental and is bound to have many ups and downs. This one was no exception from that trend.

Hordes of people flooding the gates of the food festival.

On an unexpectedly warm day in January, I arrived promptly at 11 in the morning to drop off the tickets of my giveaway winners and get in before the crowds arrived. Little did I know, the masses were already there before me. The race track was flooded with ticketholders and eager, last-minute food truck junkies waiting to see if they could get into the festival, located at a fenced-off portion of the famous infield.

Watching the horse races from the infield.

As a seasoned food truck festival enthusiast that came well-fed, I was in no rush to jump in the already lengthy lines and wait. Instead, I went around snapping away and asking questions to patrons patiently waiting for a taste at the food. Oh and placing a bet (or two) at the betting windows, which ironically came out on the positive side for me, didn’t hurt my day at all.

NaanStop’s masala fries ($2)

I did make one stop at my friend’s Samir & Neal’s grand opening of NaanStop (check out my post from their preview event) to grab a NaanWich and some Masala Fries, which were delicious like always. They had an amazing grand opening and I wish nothing but the best for them in their food truck-ventures!

The Spazmatics brought the house down and allured crowds.

The Spazmatics brought many people to the stage, alleviating the stress from the lengthy lines for a little over 20 minutes, which was a nice change. Their funky attire and renditions of classic 80s music lightened up the atmosphere and got people in the mood to have fun.

A shoddy attempt at a panoramic shot of the long lines for the trucks.

Overall, the feedback was a mix of positive and negative and some indifferent comments. Although there were over 25 food and dessert trucks ready to serve, a gastropub, cigar booth and plenty of drink booths, the long lines seemed to be the #1 criticism for the event. On the other hand, many patrons said they loved the idea of the event, the location and the races and that they would definitely come back if the kinks are all worked out.

Groups of latecomers were directed away from the festival due to the large crowds.

I am a believer in “second’s times the charm” when it comes to these waves of food truck festivals, so here’s to the folks at Santa Anita on an even better second festival, to come soon (or so I hear).

- gmangoman a.k.a hemang

More pictures of food, trucks, booze and more here: Santa Anita Food Truck Festival < Enjoy!