California Dreaming

BON APPÉTIT RODEO DRIVE!
Visitors to Rodeo Drive have that certain joie de vivre, and when the bon vivants crave French Mediterranean cuisine, Salades de Provence is soon to be the choice. Opening this fall, owner Richard Makinadjian brings his native recipes to Beverly Hills 90210 inside the West Coast flagship salon of fellow-countryman and renowned style-maker Frédéric Fekkai. Salades de Provence dishes up an exclusive entrée menu consisting of fifteen diverse salads composed of organic baby mixed greens, chicken breast, salmon, lamb, smoked duck breast, sun-dried tomatoes and imported cheeses from France.

Seating nearly 40 guests at its savory new 440 North Rodeo Drive location, Salades de Provence serves breakfast, lunch, and brunch Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. out on the salon's elegant bougainvillea-lined terrace. Makinadjian originated the restaurant in 1995 with his family-owned Papagayo in Aix-en-Provence in the South of France, and opened the first Salades de Provence in West Hollywood. Operating since June 2007, the popularity of the neighborhood restaurant prompted the extension of an outdoor patio to seat an additional 24 guests on La Cienega, and the expansion of the restaurant to Fekkai's Rodeo Drive location.

"Frédéric and I both come from Aix-en-Provence – the city of Cezanne, art and style," says Salades de Provence creator Makinadjian. "The marriage of Fekkai and Salades de Provence make the perfect pair."

Whether it's Saveurs Méditerranéennes (grilled eggplant, zucchini and bell peppers served with organic seasonal salad, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, polenta, shredded parmesan, pine nuts, fresh basil, fresh tomato sauce and olive oil), L'assiette Cezanne (Organic curly lettuce and lamb's lettuce served with a tartine of Poilâne loaf with Saint Marcelin cheese and rosemary, smoked duck breast, roasted potatoes, candied raisins, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, pine nuts, shallots, olive oil vinaigrette, cider, and provencal honey), Tarte Tatin avec sa crème fraîche (famous French caramelized apple pie) or Tartine de Cassis (Smoked salmon, dill crème fraiche served on toasted Poilâne bread tartine), Crêpe du Luberon (Scrambled eggs, bacon Emmental cheese wrapped in a crepe) or pain au chocolat with café au lait to whet your appetite, the tastes from the South of France are procured at Salades' two locations in Los Angeles.

Situated in the heart of the world's luxury capital, Salades de Provence offers mouth-watering, rich yet healthy delicacies in the elegant and refined setting of Frédéric Fekkai Beverly Hills. Aix-en-Provence is considered the little Paris – very fashionable, youthful and artistic. The West Hollywood location designs itself after this jewel of the French Riviera with a décor highlighted by saffron yellows, Mediterranean prints and Provencal style in an intimate, bistro setting.

About Salades de Provence

Salades de Provence originated from the family owned restaurant, Papagayo Aix-en-Provence, located in the South of France, where it has been serving gourmet organic salads, quiche, crêpes, various desserts and an exquisite French menu for more than a decade. The restaurant serves one of many delicacies such as the Parisian Sourdough bread "Pain Poilane" baked in a wood-fired brick oven in France, the fashionable Mariage Frèsres tea and the famous café "Richard" imported from Paris. Owner Richard Makinadjian brought the family recipes from the South of France to California. Created by his partner and cousin, Eric Martirossian and chef Alain Kalandar, the savory meals and desserts use only natural and finest ingredients available locally and imported from Europe. The first Salades de Provence was opened in June 2007 at 1040 North La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood and serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner every day from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. with free parking. Opening summer of 2008, the chain expands to 440 North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and offers its fine cuisine Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are not required but recommended by calling (310) 657.9696. For more information, visit www.saladesdeprovence.com.

SAVE THE DATE: THE LARGEST HALLOWEEN PARTY TO HIT THE WESTSIDE
WHAT: "The Joker"- The largest Halloween party to hit the Westside.

Come experience elaborate and frightening decorations on Wokcano's gorgeous outdoor patio. Guests are invited to dress in their best costumes, dance, drink and dance the night away under the moonlight to the sounds of award-winning Garth Trinidad from KCRW. Costume Contests include: Best Joker, Sexiest, and Best Overall Costume. Hosted signature apps from 9-10pm

WHERE: Wokcano Santa Monica, 1413 5th Street (at Santa Monica Blvd)

WHEN: Friday, October 31st, 2008

ADMISSION: $10.00 with costume, $20.00 without costume

OTHER: (21 +) Call today to reserve a VIP table on the patio (310) 458-3080


ABOUT WOKCANO:
Wokcano Restaurants invite you to enjoy the Asian-inspired vibe with modern, hip décor while customers enjoy the distinctive fusing of traditional and nontraditional Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines along with an impressive sushi bar selection. With six locations, Wokcano is one of the fastest growing Pan Asian restaurants in Southern California and is now expanding to Long Beach. The new Santa Monica location features a gorgeous 2-story interior with chic Asian decor and a huge multi-level outdoor patio with exposed brick enclosing the courtyard giving it a hip New York vibe. Live DJs spin an eclectic mix of music on the patio lounge every weekend. VIP table and bottle service are available. Hours are from 11am to 2am and Delivery and Take Out are available. For more info visit or to book an event go to www.wokcanorestaurant.com or call 310.458.3080.

WOKCANO HISTORY

Wokcano Restaurant & Bar is one of the fastest growing Pan Asian restaurants in Southern California. With locations in Pasadena, W. Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Burbank and Long Beach, Wokcano is quickly expanding and has plans to open in all major metro areas in California within the next five years.

Wokcano is the life-long dream of brothers Michael and Marcus Kwan. Born in China, the Kwan brothers arrived in the U.S. in 1989, and learned the restaurant business from the ground up by bussing tables at a restaurant in China Town. In Dec. 1995, the Kwans opened their first restaurant on 3rd Street in Los Angeles called The Islands. After a successful six years, they decided it was time for something fresh and new, and decided to combine traditional Chinese cuisine with a modern twist and offer unique sushi selections. It was then that the concept behind Wokcano was born. In 2001, they turned The Islands into the first of many Wokcano restaurants which they proudly built with their own two hands.

Wokcano distinctively fuses traditional and nontraditional Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines. Many of the dishes are derived from recipes the brothers experienced while growing up with their mother's authentic Chinese cooking. Great pride is taken in providing each individual guest with a modern, culinary Pan Asian experience they will enjoy time and time again.

In addition to the delicious food, Wokcano's hip décor captivates the interests and tastes of customers of all ages. It is one of the few uber-chic restaurants that is open from 11am to 2am, and provides a fast-paced delivery service that caters to its local area.