Of All The Hotels To Meet His Mistress, Why Did Edwards Pick the Beverly Hilton?

If the National Enquirer is accurate — and it’s sure starting to look that way — then John Edwards isn’t looking like a Democratic VP candidate much longer. Here’s the detailed report that he was caught by National Enquirer reporters while visiting his mistress (and love child?) in Los Angeles.

Stupid enough move. But the Enquirer doesn’t even note an even bigger gaffe: Edwards conducted the tryst Monday night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Yes, where the TV Critics Association Press Tour was still taking place. Edwards picked a hotel where journalists from across the country were staying. Uh, oops. Doesn’t sound like any of them spotted him, but that was pretty boneheaded… as if the whole affair isn’t already. Why not just put a press release out at that point?!

Granted, many journos had probably already departed the BevHilton — Monday was the last day of press conferences at the hotel, while Tuesday was devoted to set visits outside the venue. Still, I’m assuming several out-of-town TV critics were still still at the hotel — and quite possibly staying up late, as it was the final night of the tour.

So of all the hotels to quietly meet his mistress, Edwards chose the large Beverly Hilton, which could have been bustling with reporters (not to mention the usual group of Beverly Hills paparazzi)? It’s like he wanted to be caught. On that count, apparently, he succeeded.

Fry It, You’ll Like It

Two huge boxes of Frittelli’s doughnuts made their way to the office the other day… and yes, I sampled.

A big fan of bizarre flavors, I can appreciate Frittelli’s wide selection; and the butterscotch drizzle cake donut (above, left) boasted the right amount of crisp. I also sampled the special orange cranberry flavor (not bad, but wouldn’t try again) and took a bite of a peanut butter-filled one (never again).

Sadly, like most doughnuts, Frittelli’s don’t keep well; I saved one for the next day, but it was a greasy mess by then. When Frittelli’s first opened, the Chowhounders were mixed; one poster took them to task for frying the treats in hydrogenated oil.

Frittelli’s Doughnuts & Coffee
350 N. Canon Drive, #6
Beverly Hills, California 90210

Pity the Gridlocked Westsiders

(Flickr pic by GreenFrog808.)

Traffic, of course, is a bitch throughout Los Angeles. But as LAist recently noticed (and the LA Times’ Bottleneck Blog backed up), it’s much worse west of La Cienega.

It’s one of the nice things about living east. (And I live east of the Los Angeles River, so I can say that.) Even when it’s bumper-to-bumper, the surface street traffic at leasr moves. I dread the few times I find myself in West L.A. during rush hour, because I know I’m going nowhere. Call it poetic justice, as Beverly Hills and the west side have long resisted rapid transit options.

LAist’s Kemp Powers, who brings up the topic while slamming the suggestion that Pico and Olympic go one-way, writes:

It took a relocation east to realize that the city of Los Angeles has been doing a lot of growing up, and making strides in battling those car-addicted, traffic-clogged clichés. I learned we have a subway system and, believe it or not, it’s pretty damn handy as long as you don’t need to go to the Westside.

Traffic east of La Cienega is always a fraction of what it is to the west on most major streets, even though the eastern parts of town are much denser. This one-way plan is about helping merchants and residents on the Westside (particularly the neighborhoods near the 405, where surface roads are the worst) by screwing the merchants and residents in the increasingly more manageable communities to the east. I have to call bullshit on that.

Thank goodness I’m still relatively young — I can still hold out hope that I’ll see a “Subway to the Sea” in my lifetime.

Pity the Gridlocked Westsiders

(Flickr pic by GreenFrog808.)

Traffic, of course, is a bitch throughout Los Angeles. But as LAist recently noticed (and the LA Times’ Bottleneck Blog backed up), it’s much worse west of La Cienega.

It’s one of the nice things about living east. (And I live east of the Los Angeles River, so I can say that.) Even when it’s bumper-to-bumper, the surface street traffic at leasr moves. I dread the few times I find myself in West L.A. during rush hour, because I know I’m going nowhere. Call it poetic justice, as Beverly Hills and the west side have long resisted rapid transit options.

LAist’s Kemp Powers, who brings up the topic while slamming the suggestion that Pico and Olympic go one-way, writes:

It took a relocation east to realize that the city of Los Angeles has been doing a lot of growing up, and making strides in battling those car-addicted, traffic-clogged clichés. I learned we have a subway system and, believe it or not, it’s pretty damn handy as long as you don’t need to go to the Westside.

Traffic east of La Cienega is always a fraction of what it is to the west on most major streets, even though the eastern parts of town are much denser. This one-way plan is about helping merchants and residents on the Westside (particularly the neighborhoods near the 405, where surface roads are the worst) by screwing the merchants and residents in the increasingly more manageable communities to the east. I have to call bullshit on that.

Thank goodness I’m still relatively young — I can still hold out hope that I’ll see a “Subway to the Sea” in my lifetime.

"Beverly Hills Cop," Almost 25 Years Later

Believe it or not, 23 years later, “Beverly Hills Cop” mostly holds up.

I caught a run of the movie on HBO last Sunday night… and wound up watching the whole thing. The movie’s still a lot of fun, and Eddie Murphy is fantastic. No wonder it made him a superstar.

Oh, the Harold Faltermeyer soundtrack is painfully dated. (Although it’s interesting to hear the electronic boop-beep-boop-ba-da-boop of “Axel F” again.) The body count is surprisingly high for a comedy (I don’t even think Jerry Bruckheimer — who co-produced the film with the late Don Simpson — would show such a big body count in a comedy today, given the changed environment). The pre-”NYPD Blue”/”Shield” cops are played straight and uncomplicated. And the storyline is neat and tidy (in a 2007 version, there would be a few more twists and turns).

But because it refrains from contemporary references or even clothes (cops still look the same today, and Murphy wears jeans and a t-shirt throughout) you almost can’t tell it was made in 1984. (Although, funny enough, I bet Murphy’s foul-mouthed cop was a bit more edgy in 1984. Now, it’s almost quaint.)

Here’s what did throw me off: It’s “Beverly Hills Cop,” yet most of the movie takes place in Los Angeles.

First off, Murphy stays at the Biltmore (which, granted, doubles for a fictional Beverly Hills hotel in the movie):

Murphy and a Beverly Hills cop at the Biltmore

The front of the Biltmore, as seen in the movie

A pre-famous Damon Wayans plays "Banana Man," a Biltmore employee who comps several free bananas to Murphy

OK, here we go, an actual Beverly Hills setting: City Hall

But wait a sec, Murphy is arrested by Beverly Hills cops for disturbing the peace near the Wiltern Theater. Isn't that far outside their jurisdiction?

"Beverly Hills Cop," Almost 25 Years Later

Believe it or not, 23 years later, “Beverly Hills Cop” mostly holds up.

I caught a run of the movie on HBO last Sunday night… and wound up watching the whole thing. The movie’s still a lot of fun, and Eddie Murphy is fantastic. No wonder it made him a superstar.

Oh, the Harold Faltermeyer soundtrack is painfully dated. (Although it’s interesting to hear the electronic boop-beep-boop-ba-da-boop of “Axel F” again.) The body count is surprisingly high for a comedy (I don’t even think Jerry Bruckheimer — who co-produced the film with the late Don Simpson — would show such a big body count in a comedy today, given the changed environment). The pre-”NYPD Blue”/”Shield” cops are played straight and uncomplicated. And the storyline is neat and tidy (in a 2007 version, there would be a few more twists and turns).

But because it refrains from contemporary references or even clothes (cops still look the same today, and Murphy wears jeans and a t-shirt throughout) you almost can’t tell it was made in 1984. (Although, funny enough, I bet Murphy’s foul-mouthed cop was a bit more edgy in 1984. Now, it’s almost quaint.)

Here’s what did throw me off: It’s “Beverly Hills Cop,” yet most of the movie takes place in Los Angeles.

First off, Murphy stays at the Biltmore (which, granted, doubles for a fictional Beverly Hills hotel in the movie):

Murphy and a Beverly Hills cop at the Biltmore

The front of the Biltmore, as seen in the movie

A pre-famous Damon Wayans plays "Banana Man," a Biltmore employee who comps several free bananas to Murphy

OK, here we go, an actual Beverly Hills setting: City Hall

But wait a sec, Murphy is arrested by Beverly Hills cops for disturbing the peace near the Wiltern Theater. Isn't that far outside their jurisdiction?

Trader Vic’s is Gone. Long Live Trader Vic’s!

Flurry of both bad and good news yesterday regarding the Beverly Hills landmark Trader Vic’s.

As reported throughout the day by Eater L.A., the Beverly Hilton location — first opened in 1955 — shut down over the weekend without warning.

Of course, we all knew the Trader Vic’s location was living on borrowed time — as we <a href=”http://franklinavenue.blogspot.com/2007/01/exclusive-trader-vics-will-look-for.html
” target=”_blank”>wrote in January, the new Waldorf Astoria set to be built next to the Beverly Hilton would put an end to the Mai Tais at the intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica.

But given how long it will take to get the proposed hotel approved, I think everyone figured Trader Vic’s still had at least another year left in its normal spot.

Then came this weekend’s sudden shut down. Now, the semi-good news: It may not have the same kitsch value that 50 years in the same spot had, but Trader Vic’s at least will still have a presence at the Beverly Hilton. The restaurant/bar is being located (and downsized, unfortunately) to a new poolside lounge in the hotel.

Eater LA again has the scoop:

The new Trader Vic’s Lounge will be located next to the new Circa 55 restaurant and the Aqua Star pool area. The menu will feature Trader Vic’s signature drinks including the world-famous Mai Tai, invented by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron, the Scorpion Bowl and appetizer plates that are ideal for sharing with friends. The press release continues…

“We are pleased that the popularity of Trader Vic’s continues to grow around the globe,” said Robert Davies, President and CEO of Trader Vic’s. “Our loyal patrons and hotel guests can be assured that while the atmosphere may be more casual, our new Beverly Hills offering will continue to reflect the finest of our company’s island-style service and culinary quality.”

By “more casual” he must mean smaller and less, um, tiki. Sure, some of the decor will be moved over, but it’s still basically a renovated lounge filled with Trader Vic’s memorabilia. Nonetheless, the new lounge will reopen on May 3. We’re told GM Chai Rojana will still be running the show, and many of the bartenders will move to the new digs. Upside: The move will only take three days. Downside: Losing the separate entrance to Vic’s, losing Vic’s itself, and having to self-park in that crazy parking garage or hit the hotel valet. And if/when there’s an event at the Hilton—pretty much always—getting to the tiki lounge will be downright aggravating. Still, the loss of the original 52-year-old institution doesn’t taste as sour anymore.

I wonder if this is a temporary fix, or will be Trader Joe’s home for the forseeable future. In January, I asked John Maatta, the chief operating officer of The CW network, who just happens to also sit on the board of Trader Vic’s (and is the former chairman of the board). He told me that Trader Vic’s was actively searching for another location in Los Angeles:

Trader Vic’s is having a big re-birth. This year we opened in Scottsdale, and Seattle. We are about to open in Dallas and Las Vegas will open in the Fall —- at a great location on the strip. Trader Vic’s Shanghai opened on New Year’s Eve. Trader Vic management is actively working LA, although nothing specific is lined-up yet.

Check out all of our past posts on Trader Vic’s — including our Rate-A-Restaurant item from New Year’s Eve 2003 — here.

Trader Vic’s is Gone. Long Live Trader Vic’s!

Flurry of both bad and good news yesterday regarding the Beverly Hills landmark Trader Vic’s.

As reported throughout the day by Eater L.A., the Beverly Hilton location — first opened in 1955 — shut down over the weekend without warning.

Of course, we all knew the Trader Vic’s location was living on borrowed time — as we <a href="http://franklinavenue.blogspot.com/2007/01/exclusive-trader-vics-will-look-for.html
” target=”_blank”>wrote in January, the new Waldorf Astoria set to be built next to the Beverly Hilton would put an end to the Mai Tais at the intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica.

But given how long it will take to get the proposed hotel approved, I think everyone figured Trader Vic’s still had at least another year left in its normal spot.

Then came this weekend’s sudden shut down. Now, the semi-good news: It may not have the same kitsch value that 50 years in the same spot had, but Trader Vic’s at least will still have a presence at the Beverly Hilton. The restaurant/bar is being located (and downsized, unfortunately) to a new poolside lounge in the hotel.

Eater LA again has the scoop:

The new Trader Vic’s Lounge will be located next to the new Circa 55 restaurant and the Aqua Star pool area. The menu will feature Trader Vic’s signature drinks including the world-famous Mai Tai, invented by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron, the Scorpion Bowl and appetizer plates that are ideal for sharing with friends. The press release continues…

“We are pleased that the popularity of Trader Vic’s continues to grow around the globe,” said Robert Davies, President and CEO of Trader Vic’s. “Our loyal patrons and hotel guests can be assured that while the atmosphere may be more casual, our new Beverly Hills offering will continue to reflect the finest of our company’s island-style service and culinary quality.”

By “more casual” he must mean smaller and less, um, tiki. Sure, some of the decor will be moved over, but it’s still basically a renovated lounge filled with Trader Vic’s memorabilia. Nonetheless, the new lounge will reopen on May 3. We’re told GM Chai Rojana will still be running the show, and many of the bartenders will move to the new digs. Upside: The move will only take three days. Downside: Losing the separate entrance to Vic’s, losing Vic’s itself, and having to self-park in that crazy parking garage or hit the hotel valet. And if/when there’s an event at the Hilton—pretty much always—getting to the tiki lounge will be downright aggravating. Still, the loss of the original 52-year-old institution doesn’t taste as sour anymore.

I wonder if this is a temporary fix, or will be Trader Joe’s home for the forseeable future. In January, I asked John Maatta, the chief operating officer of The CW network, who just happens to also sit on the board of Trader Vic’s (and is the former chairman of the board). He told me that Trader Vic’s was actively searching for another location in Los Angeles:

Trader Vic’s is having a big re-birth. This year we opened in Scottsdale, and Seattle. We are about to open in Dallas and Las Vegas will open in the Fall —- at a great location on the strip. Trader Vic’s Shanghai opened on New Year’s Eve. Trader Vic management is actively working LA, although nothing specific is lined-up yet.

Check out all of our past posts on Trader Vic’s — including our Rate-A-Restaurant item from New Year’s Eve 2003 — here.

Los Angeles: Ad Town (One in a series)

Here’s a nice change: A Los Angeles-set commercial that isn’t an automobile advertisement shot in downtown. Here, in the latest MasterCard “priceless” entry, a woman gets a pedicure — and then buys shoes to show off that pedicure. Then a dress to show off the shoes. And so on. She finally stops at the sight of an out-of-her-league piece of jewelry in Beverly Hills. (Perhaps from Tiffany & Co., which makes a cameo).

At one point, the Beverly Wilshire Hotel serves as a backdrop to her spending spree (above). Priceless.