User's Guide

Where to Eat and Watch The Oscars, Depending On Your Hollywood Rank

Magnolia's Oscar cupcake hits the red carpet
Magnolia’s Oscar cupcake hits the red carpet Photo: Magnolia Bakery

Celebrities are already landing at LAX, Wolfgang Puck is prepping, James Franco and Anne Hathaway are rehearsing, flashy restaurants are closing for producers’ private fetes, and even personalities as non-commercial as Exene Cervenka are weighing in on nominees, all in great anticipation of this Sunday’s Academy Awards show. But unfortunately, you know not a Weinstein or Cohen brother and the thought of being bounced from Cecconi’s is too much to bear. Where do you go to grab a bite this Sunday while watching the ceremony? Take a look at six completely different options tuned to your specific station in Tinseltown.

Le Saint Amour: If you’re nostalgic for refined Hollywood glamour and seek a crowd who still might pine for a seductive glance from Alain DeLeon or Jean-Pierre Aumont, bring it on down to this Culver City Frenchie, where The Oscars will be shown alongside the authentic French menu. Need a little more motivation to get out of the house? Everyone gets a complimentary hibiscus flower champagne cocktail and cheesy gougères to start the show with. Reservations recommended at 310-842-8155. 9725 Culver Blvd. Culver City.

Maui & Sons: If you wanna get sloshed and increase the chances that you might bump into Leonardo DiCaprio to belligerently berate him about Shutter Island, this new Hollywood beach-party bar is holding a casual Oscars event right down the street from The Kodak Theater, where The Oscars take place. The show will be displayed on ten flat-screens while the chefs hold BBQ on their patio and volleyball games are held for people who just don’t give a damn about how many awards are being racked up by The King’s Speech. Winning teams (a five dollar entry fee goes to Make-A-Wish) get a free round of shots. Look out, Leo! 6708 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood.

Falcon: If you want to feign like you’re somebody, but don’t have the star-caliber connections to pull it off, you probably want to head for Falcon, where a whole bunch of high-profile, exclusive activities are suggested, though not exactly promised. The Hollywood dinner club is collaborating with F.A.M.E. L.A. and Bel-Air Magazine on a viewing, dinner, and after-party for FAME members. A live viewing of the red carpet procession and screening of the awards show will take place from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. on an array of big screens, while dinner is available during the broadcast. After the show, the space turns into an after-party where A-Listers, Oscar nominees, and Oscar winners are “welcomed,” which doesn’t guarantee they’ll show up. Reservations have been largely snapped up, with tickets are still available online. 7213 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood.

Breadbar Century City: If you’re more of a homebody who downplays Hollywood hype but still wants to get out on Sunday, BreadBar offers a breezier approach, throwing together a “Red Carpet Fizz & Quiz” event this Sunday. Guests will fill out a list of their Oscar picks, then have a drink or bite while the show is shown on eight-foot screens. The bar will offer a special “red carpet fizz” of orange liquer with pomegranate juice, fresh raspberry, and sparkling wine for $8. Once the awards wrap, whoever guessed the highest number of correct Oscar picks takes home a $50 gift certificate. Reservations recommended at 310-277-3770. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. Century City.

Magnolia Bakery: If, like us, you plan to be at home making fun of everybody with your loved ones, Magnolia is offering an ultra-rich Oscar cupcake at $3.25 a pop. The caramel meringue butter cream-drizzled cupcake even comes in a gold wrapper, making a choice party-favor that’s only available at the store on Sunday. 8389 West 3rd St. West Hollywood. 323-951-0636.

Akasha: If you’re a movie buff, but find that watching the films takes precedence to spending hours at the velvet rope in hopes of seeing a faint glimmer of a star, Akasha has a fun menu planned this Sunday inspired by the nominated films themselves. While watching the Academy Awards live at this Culver City locavore restaurant, guests will have menu options like “The Figs are Alright” and “True Grits & Shrimp” to choose from, while happy hour drinks and glasses of wine will be 50% off. See Akasha’s full Oscar nominee menu below and make reservations at 310-845-1700. 9543 Culver Blvd. Culver City.

OSCAR VIEWING PARTY AT AKASHA
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2011

SMALL INDEPENDENTS

THE FIGHTER’S BLOOD ORANGE CRUDO 15
kona kompachi / ponzu / thai basil / avocado / red chile / marcona almonds

RABBIT’S HOLE CARROT BISQUE 7
black quinoa fritters

THE FIGS ARE ALL RIGHT 13
arugula / balsamic figs / purple haze goat cheese / prosciutto / walnuts

BIG FEATURES

WINTER’S BONE-IN RIB EYE / LORD OF THE ONION RINGS 35
twice stuffed weiser potatoes / asparagus

TRUE GRITS & SHRIMP 22
cajun bbq shrimp / bob’s red mill corn grits / greens

TANGLED TAGLIATELLE 16
maitake mushrooms / radicchio treviso / green garlic / parmigiano reggiano

THE KING’S SWEETS

ICE CREAM SOCIAL NETWORK 9
BANANA SPLIT
vanilla / chocolate / strawberry
chocolate sauce / pineapple topping / berry compote / whipped cream / walnuts

BLACK SWAN FLAN 8
dark chocolate flan / espresso caramel / cocoa nib meringues

OSCAR COOKIE PLATE 8

Where to Eat and Watch The Oscars, Depending On Your Hollywood Rank