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New Luau in Beverly Hills? |
GROG
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Jun 21, 2006
Posts: 6261
From: Tujunga
|  Posted: 2008-08-13 08:40 am Permalink
[ This Message was edited by: GROG 2008-08-13 08:41 ]
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2008-08-14 12:08 am Permalink
Instead of taking one's out-of-town guests to Spago, one can pass by and go to the Luau.
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Bora Boris
Mr. Unreasonable
Joined: Mar 25, 2005
Posts: 2416
From: Boogie Wonderland
| Posted: 2008-08-26 1:59 pm Permalink
Posted Today on Eater LA.
Eater Progress Report: Luau Beverly Hills
Tuesday, August 26, 2008, by Lesley Balla
After numerous reader inquiries, we finally popped over to check out the status of the forthcoming Luau on Bedford Drive and noted lots of progress. Although this is Andy Hewitt's (concert promoter and owner of Il Sole) contemporary take on the classic Beverly Hills restaurant that was celeb-spotting haven on Rodeo Drive in the 50s and 60s (it closed in 1978), Luau won't be some kitschy ode to tiki. The colors of the former Colors on Bedford have been covered with an earthy brown, thatched awnings and bamboo lined patio (that one "local" found to be the perfect cover for an afternoon nap), and although the windows are completely papered over, we understand the inside is coming along nicely.
In the September issue of Vanity Fair, designer Loree Rodkin said she and Hewitt wanted to create a "Zen-like retreat," which translates to Balinese-inspired decor (wood, stone, water elements, Buddha relics, Turkish lanterns). Chef Makoto Tanaka (current chef/owner of Mako, opening chef of Chinois on Main) plans a Pacific Rim menu, things like macadamia-crusted lamb, braised pork spring rolls, and a pupu platter with Wagyu meatballs and firecracker shrimp among others. This might be the only real throwback to the original: Renown tikiologist Jeff Berry recovered many of Luau's original cocktail recipes (he literally cracked the code) and plans to serve some of the rum-centric signature drinks in hollowed out coconut and pineapple shells. The magazine says the restaurant will open in September, it's looking more like October.
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TikiJosh
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 01, 2005
Posts: 735 | Posted: 2008-08-26 2:55 pm Permalink
Thanks for the update, Boris! I saw the blip in the Sept Vanity Fair, and was almost ready to make the trip. Guess I'll have to wait a bit longer. The whole balinese thing didn't sound so great, but the Jeff Berry cocktails will hopefully be able make up for it.
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tikiyaki
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2677
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
| Posted: 2008-08-26 3:03 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2008-08-26 13:59, Bora Boris wrote:
Posted Today on Eater LA.
Eater Progress Report: Luau Beverly Hills
Tuesday, August 26, 2008, by Lesley Balla
After numerous reader inquiries, we finally popped over to check out the status of the forthcoming Luau on Bedford Drive and noted lots of progress. Although this is Andy Hewitt's (concert promoter and owner of Il Sole) contemporary take on the classic Beverly Hills restaurant that was celeb-spotting haven on Rodeo Drive in the 50s and 60s (it closed in 1978), Luau won't be some kitschy ode to tiki.
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Grrrr!!!! Frikken writers!
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croe67
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 05, 2003
Posts: 1020
From: Land of Cheese & Beer
| Posted: 2008-08-26 3:26 pm Permalink
yep - here's the Vanity Fair blip referred to that I scanned, but hadn't gotten a chance to post.....it's good they are getting some wide-read press 
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2008-08-26 8:40 pm Permalink
That is excellent press.
Hopefully it will open while the weather is still warm.
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spy-tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 11, 2003
Posts: 702
From: glendale, ca
| Posted: 2008-08-26 10:17 pm Permalink
Think it'll be a snooty place that'll look down on Hawaiian shirts?
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Tom Slick
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 26, 2005
Posts: 1083
From: The Beaches of South Bay, SoCal
| Posted: 2008-08-26 10:50 pm Permalink
Anytime i see words like "inspired" or "fusion", I reach for the neutral button up collar shirt and black slacks..... 
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2008-08-27 12:23 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2008-08-26 22:17, spy-tiki wrote:
Think it'll be a snooty place that'll look down on Hawaiian shirts?
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I think we can plan on $7 valet parking, entrees that run from $25 to $35, Beachbum Barry inspired drinks that cost $12 & more and an after work crowd.
Chances are most of their patrons will not be decked in Aloha garb, even on Fridays.
However, that does not mean that they won't appreciate those who are.
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bigbrotiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 10599
From: Tiki Island, above the Silverlake
| Posted: 2008-08-27 10:37 am Permalink
"They" will appreciate diddleysquat when it comes to classic Tiki. Why I ask you do they choose a clearly Hawaiian name, associated with Polynesia, to grace a "Balinese-style place with Buddha statues and Turkish lamps", and how is that a "contemporary version of the iconic favorite" (meaning the Beverly Hills Luau?) The Luau was a Tiki power place, a temple of Tiki culture, filled with unique artifacts. You can get that Balinese/Buddha/Turkish lamp crap at any Cost Plus/World Market or Asian garden supply store nowadays...but it is soooo much more tasteful than Tiki!
[ This Message was edited by: bigbrotiki 2008-08-27 10:37 ]
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tikiyaki
Grand Member (5 years)
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2677
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
| Posted: 2008-08-27 1:15 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2008-08-27 10:37, bigbrotiki wrote:
"They" will appreciate diddleysquat when it comes to classic Tiki. Why I ask you do they choose a clearly Hawaiian name, associated with Polynesia, to grace a "Balinese-style place with Buddha statues and Turkish lamps", and how is that a "contemporary version of the iconic favorite" (meaning the Beverly Hills Luau?) The Luau was a Tiki power place, a temple of Tiki culture, filled with unique artifacts. You can get that Balinese/Buddha/Turkish lamp crap at any Cost Plus/World Market or Asian garden supply store nowadays...but it is soooo much more tasteful than Tiki!
[ This Message was edited by: bigbrotiki 2008-08-27 10:37 ]
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That's the part I don't get....just call it something else.
One thing I do notice lately is how trendy Buddha is. Just walk along the canals of Venice and every rebuilt, Modern, rich persons' house (no doubt some entertainment attorney or sitcom writer) has a Buddha in the yard. Being that my Taiwanese fiancee' prays to buddha pretty much every day in the house (there are 2 little "temples" in the house) I'm guessing that these people don't really know the significance, and are just chasing some misguided, Hollywood idea of "Zen"...it's kinda funny...but it's really Trendy right now to have a Buddha in your yard, house, etc....
So, naturally after seeing the Balinese/Asian/Buddha theme at all these people's houses (The Luau is owned by some big "Industry" people) they are catering to these people no doubt.
The Good news is, Bamboo Ben is hopefully putting the little Boo's through college with these big jobs from fat Hollywood Cats.
Go Boo !
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bigbrotiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 10599
From: Tiki Island, above the Silverlake
| Posted: 2008-08-27 3:49 pm Permalink
So is Jeff Berry. I appreciate it. More financial power to them. But don't expect their names to make up for the lack of authenticity.
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Joe Banks
Grand Member (4 years) 
Joined: Aug 02, 2007
Posts: 524
From: Hollywoodland
| Posted: 2008-08-27 4:37 pm Permalink
I'm with you bigbro.
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Howland
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 30, 2006
Posts: 749
From: Folly Beach, SC--'Follynesia'
| Posted: 2008-08-27 10:16 pm Permalink
Buddha, Bali and Turkey could all be considered 'exotic', but why keep the name 'Luau' (like Tikiyaki said) which is strictly rooted in Hawaii, for an establishment that will never have anything close to a mid-century/poly-pop style luau event.
What could possibly follow in the future? If this fusion thing really starts taking off and getting out of hand yet accepted, It could be the beginning of the complete devolution of all singular cultures (or become something like 'modern Americanized exotic pop culture cuisine'). I'm thinking the next move might be....hmmmmm... Bar mitzvahs with Pinatas and Margaritas?.... Gelfite taco, anyone?
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