Silverton began her career in a vegetarian kitchen in Sonoma, California. And though she trained in Europe, both at Le Cordon Bleu in London and Lenotre Culinary Institute in Plasir, France, she inevitably brought her talents back to the left coast. In 1989 she opened Campanile on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles, and not long after, La Brea Bakery next door.

Her latest ventures, Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza, have become perennial favorites — five years since opening, you’re still likely face a two hour wait. It’s well worth it, of course, but if you are looking to cheat the system, Silverton has given away many of the restaurant’s secrets in her new Mozza Cookbook, published by Knopf.

We asked Nancy to share a few of her favorite hotels, and she happily obliged. Consider the occasional dining recommendation icing on the cake.

 Sunset Marquis
“Once a year I take a vacation to the city where I live, Los Angeles. My favorite place for this getaway is the Sunset Marquis, located on a quiet street off the not-so-quiet Sunset Strip. Once inside this two-story hotel, it is like you are far away from the hustle and bustle of the town. There are two pools to enjoy and a rocking bar that gets going late at night. The rooms are very large and secluded. So secluded that the Sunset Marquis is as much as hideaway as a getaway.”

Sunset Marquis
West Hollywood's Hidden Gem

West Hollywood, CA-  Tucked away on a discreet and unassuming side street, the Sunset Marquis has been a favorite haunt of rockers and Hollywood royalty since 1963.  The Rosenthal family owned hotel has played home to hit makers such as U2, the Rolling Stones, Green Day,  Aerosmith, John Legend, Mary J. Blige and Justin Timberlake just to name a few. 

You'd never know that you were a stone's throw away from the famed Sunset Strip.  The Marquis's suites and villas are surrounded by verdant landscaping, offering a serene refuge from the chaos above.  For locals, hands down, Sunset Marquis wins in the department of tranquil urban oasis.  No need to trek to the O.C. or Malibu for a relaxing weekend getaway.  Book a suite or villa at the Sunset Marquis and leave your worries behind you...for the weekend anyway.

When it comes to fine dining, look no further than Restaurant, the Sunset Marquis' award winning hotspot.  It's not uncommon to see heavy-weight celebrities and media moguls making deals, or wannabe writer's pitching scripts to major studio heads.  Though Restaurant is as "Industry" as it gets, it's acclaimed Executive Chef Guillaume Burlion's mastery in the kitchen that keeps fans coming back for more.

Burlion, a native of France, has honed his skills working for the likes of uber-chefs Joel Robuchon and Paul Bocuse, so expect daring and innovative surprises such as Bison Tenderloin Carpaccio, Smoked Escargot Sushi, and Peking Style Duck Breast.  The menu is geared towards the most discriminating foodie but not to fear, there is plenty for the the most basic of diners as well:  an 8oz. Center Cut Prime Fillet Mignon; a 32oz. "Tomahawk" 
Prime Chop (for two); Wild Caught Sockeye Salmon; and a Thin Crust Pizette.

Sunset Marquis 
1200 Alta Loma Road
West Hollywood, CA  90069

For those lucky enough to book a stay, there really is no need to have a car.  First of all, the 400 thread count Frette linens and King-sized pillow top bed will make it very difficult to leave your room.  Secondly, your 24 hour room service and concierge will make certain that your every whim is met (legally speaking!).  If you do so desire to venture out of your Zen-like, Mediterranean-styled suite or villa, there are two heated pools, a top rated art gallery, the always happening Bar 1200, the award winning Restaurant, access to Equinox Fitness and even a recording studio if you decided to unleash your inner rocker.

For the more adventurous, the House of Blues, Laugh Factory, and Viper Room are all a  walk or quick cab ride away for you stiletto wearing travelers.  Sunset Plaza, a shoppers paradise, is literally at your doorstep with plenty of dining options and popular shops such as BCBG, H&M, Armani Exchange, H. Lorenzo and Just Cavalli.  If it's a beauty fix you're after there is a Drybar location, Sunset Tan and the celebrity favorite Jessica Nails.

For serious shoppers who are looking to get their Rodeo on, Beverly Hills is less than a mile away.  The Beverly Center, another top-notch shopping destination is also less than a mile away.

Steven Tyler’s world premiere of his first solo single was heard on Monday morning in Los Angeles. The song played on the radio show “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” when Steven Tyler dropped by the studio to explain the background of the song and let the radio audience hear his next big hit.

According to Tyler it only took him two hours to write the lyrics and melody by the pool at the Sunset Marquis hotel in Los Angeles. Considered a creative genius, the opportunity to bring out a new song, especially where he is with his career, has everyone in awe and ready to download the track.

The song definitely had a touch of Aerosmith and draws on the roots of Steven Tyler’s classic work. With the expected screams and contagious sounds, there isn’t any doubt it will be playing often on radios around the country once it is released nationwide.

America will be introduced to the single on Thursday night’ American Idol. As with Jennifer Lopez, the show has been highlighting talent from the American Idol judges with strong performances and premieres. It will be the first time Steven Tyler will perform the new single on television. The song will also be available on iTunes starting Tuesday for fans to download and purchase.

Click Here to download the article.

Los Angeles has set itself apart as the worldwide mecca for street art. LA has the busiest streets, the biggest name artists, and the most local talent. It is widely recognized as the hottest spot for street art in the world.

MELROSEandFAIRFAX has been curating the streets of Los Angeles for over a year, and now we are super excited to be curating our first gallery show.

The show is being held at the prestigious Maximillian Gallery at Sunset Marquis. It is entitled 'What Graffiti is to New York - Street Art is to Los Angeles' and it features a dream team line up of the very best street artists and biggest stories in Los Angeles.

It is going to be epic. This is the show that will define the genre and solidify LA's place in the street art scene to the rest of the world.

Street art in LA is blowing up. From Banksy's latest visit, to the MOCA exhibition, and on every street corner and rooftop in between, the force of this movement is undeniable.

In a similar manner to the way that New York is widely recognized as the home of graffiti, Los Angeles is currently experiencing the same definitive movement in the world of street art. And this art show 'What Graffiti is to New York - Street Art is to Los Angeles' is going to claim the scene. Its going to be epic. This show has the biggest name street artists and brightest stories in the game, and it is being held at arguably the most upscale gallery to ever host a pure street art show (that is, with real street artists who are out on the streets and not artists who dabble with murals on walls). And in 10 years this will be the show, and the artists, that the history books (and blogs) will refer to as making the jump from street to gallery, and defining the street art genre.

Not only does the show have the top street artists getting up on the streets, it also has some of the most fascinating stories. The show features everything from a 9-year old street artist, to a porn star star street artist. And covering everything from an artist who had a flattering interview with Forbes, to a street artist featured on NBC National News for being arrested. This show not only has the biggest ups, but the juiciest side stories and is sure to be interesting on so many levels.

We are also extremely fortunate to have gallery owner, Caradoc, supporting the street art movement. He comes from an amazing art family, his mother is an artist whose work is in The Smithsonian and his grandmother's art gallery archives are housed in the Smithsonian. In his own right, Caradoc has done extremely well with marketing in the business world. His connections and prowess are sure to take the street movement to the next level. The location of the Maximillian Gallery in the lobby of the Sunset Marquis hotel couldn't be better.

We have said many times that street artists are the rock stars of the art world, and the Sunset Marquis plays host to the rock stars of the real world, and this show will have unprecedented exposure to celebrities and affluent art connoisseurs. It is a great opportunity and really amazing to be teamed up with Caradoc and The Maximillian Gallery.

The show is going to feature original artworks from each of the artists, original photos from MELROSEandFAIRFAX, exclusive sticker packs, and, super limited Maximillian Gallery at Sunset Marquis embossed prints.

We have an amazing line-up making up a dream team of Los Angeles street art. With so many artists, and all the activity on the streets it was hard to make the cut, but there is no doubt that this selection is cream of the crop. We got everyone we wanted, and as the blog has shot up to being the #2 street art blog in the world, these are our hand-picked top artists on the scene.

-Alec Monopoly
-Dog Byte
-Free Humanity
-SmogCity
-Bankrupt Slut
-Gregory Siff
-Homo Riot
-2wenty
-Snyder
-KH no. 7
-Desire Obtain Cherish
-Cyrcle & DD$
-Bod Bod
-DeeKay
-Smear

Followers of the blog should recognize all the artists. Feel free to search the blog to see more of each artist's work. The show opens May 28th. See you there.

Stay up~

Click Here to download the article.

The Sunset Marquis adds to its sophisticated-hipster
appeal with Maximillian Gallery. By Victoria Namkung

THE FAMED SUNSET Marquis in West Hollywood has long been a favorite of the rock ’n’ roll set (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Justin Timberlake and members of Kings of Leon have all checked in), but lately its eclecticcool quotient seems to be skyrocketing.

Please click here to see the featured gallery from Star Chefs.