Two Big Brands Make the Los Angeles Party Scene Hop

 It was a big night in Southern California on July 11, as two iconic brands celebrated with fabulous parties.

Uggie had a blast at the Abercrombie & Fitch bash.

First, Abercrombie & Fitch (http://www.abercrombie.com) went all out to present their “2013 Stars on the Rise,” this year’s fresh faces chosen to represent the company’s moose-logoed brand for their back-to-school push. Those ranged from actors Scott Eastwood (Clint’s son, he of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D” fame), Lily Rabe from “American Horror Story,” “Glee” star Jacob Artist, Ashley Hinshaw of “Chronicle” and our favorites, Uggie the dog from that fantastic Oscar winner “The Artist,” along with Popeye and Julio, those skateboarding bulldogs.

Scott Eastwood went to the dogs at the A&F party at the Grove.

Lily Rabe of "American Horror Story" at the A&F bash.

 

Uggie got into the skateboarding act, too, out front of the Abercrombie & Fitch store at the Grove, while inside the massive three-story shop guests sipped moose-inspired cocktail concoctions and nibbled on crab cakes and quesadillas while checking out the piles of new clothes all ready for school shopping. It was a night for giving, too, as all profits from the evening’s sales went to No Bully (http://www.nobully.com/), the organization dedicated to ending bullying in schools – and everywhere.

Who doesn't love dogs on a red carpet? Uggie, Popeye and Julio stole the show!

 

Over on Rodeo Drive, Porsche Design (http://www.porsche-design.com/)  took over the Two Rodeo hillside street and, along with Vogue magazine, invited guests for a peek at their newly renovated flagship store and their Fall/Winter 2013 collection.

Outside the newly renovated Porsche Design store.

 

The well-heeled crowd didn’t see to mind the miniscule appetizers, but the poor waiters carrying them were mobbed every time they emerged; it seems that even the super-skinny, super-rich still want a bigger bite when they hit a cocktail party.

The new look of the Porsche Design Store in Beverly Hills.

 

And speaking of heels, tennis star Maria Sharapova was sporting sky-high spikes that sent her up to nosebleed height; she looked down on actors Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Alexander, Sanaa Lathan, Udo Kier and Porsche Design CEO Juergen Gessler. German actor Ralf Moller, who stands 6’6”, was the only guy in the place that could actually look her in the eye.

Maria Sharapova towers over Janie Bryant at the Rodeo Drive Porsche Design store opening party.

Patrick Dempsey looking dapper at Porsche.

Big man Ralf Moeller and Udo Kier brought a German flavor to the Porsche Design party.

“Mad Men” costume designer Janie Bryant hosted the bash, and musician Austin Paul warbled out a few tunes as many mourned the Porsche sunglasses and footwear that had been encased in ice. So sad to see such beautiful designs ruined forever!

Porsche shades on ice. Sob!

 

Vino California Celebrates Fine Italian Wine – and Food, Too

 What’s the best thing to happen in Southern California in May? If you’re a lover of Italian wine and food, then there is nothing better than Vino California, the annual celebration of Italy’s finest. This year it happened from May 13-17, at venues all over town.

The 2013 third annual event started off with a bang at the Skirball Cultural Center, where the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West (IACCW) and Blue Lifestyle, along with The Tasting Panel magazine, organized the huge Vino California Grand Tasting. More than 100 Italian wine varietals from 18 regions were poured, including the luscious Statti Greco Calabria IGT 2012, and tasty bites were served, from sponsors ranging from Italian Magic Olives, PreGel, Bindi, Ferrarelle, Pasta Mia, Academia Barilla and Il Fornaio.

 The Grand Tasting at the Skirball Center

 

Plenty of fun was had by all, but that was just the beginning. Then Vino California took to the neighborhoods, doing a series of tasting dinners (a total bargain at $60, including four- or five-course food and wine pairings at some of L.A.’s top Italian eateries.

The crowd formed at Avantine Hollywood, Valentino, Ca’ del Sole, Osteria Mamma, Laconda del Lago and Enoteca Drago in Beverly Hills. That’s the spot where we enjoyed a convivial evening that began with a perfectly fried crispy zucchini blossom stuffed with ricotta truffles paired with a 2010 Le due Querce Luis Franciacorta DOCG and ended with a to-die-for white chocolate panna cotta with strawberries and basil. There were melt-in-your-mouth scallops crudo paired with a crisp Sardus Pater Terre Fenicle 2012 Vermentino from Sardinia and Osso Bucco stuffed Agnolotti with a truffle glace that was so good it was almost criminal. The 2011 Cantina Braschi Sangiovese DOC washed it down in style, too.

In between courses, Letizia Miccoli, the executive director of IACCW, explained the impetus behind Vino California. “Italian wines are extremely popular in California and we are thrilled to expand the knowledge of such experienced wine consumers.”

By the end of the Enoteca Drago meal, we staggered out of the restaurant dreaming of next year’s Vino California – and ready to shop for some Italian wines, too, despite living in the heart of the California wine world.