The much-anticipated China Live, a 30,000-square-foot culinary and cultural concept two years in the making, is slated to open on March 1. Located in Chinatown, the four-story venue from restaurateurs George Chen and Cindy Wong-Chen offers everything from a 14,000-square-foot retail marketplace to a tea emporium. The complex boasts a 160-seat main dining room, and can host intimate parties of 10 seated guests at fine dining restaurant 8 Tables or groups of 30 in the Gold Mountain speakeasy bar and lounge. China Live has also designed a staging-event space on the third level, which will accommodate 200 people. Groups can also take over all three floors of China Live, which has room for 602 seated guests or 825 standing guests.
Hat Trick Hospitality opened Rambler in October, a restaurant and bar within Union Square’s new Hotel Zeppelin. The eatery serves California-meets-Italian fare in a space that was once home to Wolfgang Puck’s iconic Postrio restaurant. Designed by Lori Yeomans, the restaurant is designed into two spaces: a 48-seat brasserie and a 64-seat dining room. Design details in the brasserie include patterned concrete tiles, warm woods, custom metal work, and bubble glass chandeliers, while the dining room is outfitted with gray flannel banquettes, exposed brick, custom metal screens, and the four-seat Zinc Bar.
AccorHotels opened Pullman San Francisco Bay in January in Redwood City. This marks the second Pullman location of the upscale brand in North America, and the 421-room hotel (formerly a Sofitel) offers 17,000 square feet of meeting space with 19 meeting rooms. The largest space, the Grand Ballroom, can hold 700 guests for theater-style events. The Bordeaux Room and the Champagne Room each hold 350 guests for theater-style events, and guests can mingle in the hotel’s two-story, natural light-filled pre-function area.
Finn Town opened in November in the Castro, serving up American comfort food with new takes on San Francisco classics. This is the newest restaurant from executive chef and co-owner Ryan Scott, who is an alum of Top Chef. The tavern’s chic look includes tufted leather seating and warm wood tones. At the 3,000-square foot restaurant, a buyout can accommodate 50 seated or 150 standing. The back bar offers a semiprivate space—separated from the restaurant with privacy curtains—for a reception of 60 guests.
Onsen, a stylish Japanese bathhouse and restaurant, opened in the Tenderloin in November and debuted a private event room this month. The new space offers seating for 12 via Japanese-inspired tatami chairs placed on the floor. Groups can host events in the bath space with its communal soaking tub, steam room, sauna, and cold plunge shower, or combine a trip to the baths with small bites, teas, and sake in the event room.
Kenzo Estates winery owners Kenzo and Natsuko Tsujimoto sought to opening the most authentic sushi and kaiseki experience in the United States with their new prix-fixe Napa restaurant Kenzo. Three years in the making, the restaurant opened in the end of November with a menu developed by Michelin-starred chef Hiroyuki Kanda. Almost all of the fish for sushi prepared by head chef Eiji Onoyama is delivered from the Tsukiji market in Tokyo. Natsuko Tsujimoto designed the 1,600-square-foot space with Japanese teak, cypress, and maple along with Japanese bowls, dishware, and serving pieces. The main dining room has seating for 20 at a sushi bar and tables but can accommodate more for private events. A private room seats seven guests, and the entrance to the restaurant’s interior covered courtyard could be used for cocktails or a pre-dinner reception.
New to San Mateo is Pausa, an Italian restaurant and bar. Led by Steve Ugur and chef Andrea Giuliani, the restaurant showcases its large open kitchen with charcuterie cured onsite, a wood-burning oven, and an exhibition dough room with housemade pastas and breads. The restaurant offers numerous semiprivate dining options with menu options ranging from tasting dinners to cocktail receptions. A full buyout seats 90 guests or holds 125 for receptions, while the Bolle Room holds 32 seated guests or 50 standing guests. There’s also a 10-seat Communal Table and a Chef’s Table that seats eight guests.
Hayes Valley’s champagne bar the Riddler is devoted to all things bubbly, with glam decor like a gold-leaf ceiling, leather banquettes, and a marble topped bar. The 500-square-foot bar can accommodate 40 guests for a standing reception, with food offerings like a serve-yourself caviar station, tater tot waffles, a spread of cheese and charcuterie and desserts. Other group-friendly options include vintages of champagne and a selection of large format wines. The bar, which opened in January, is available for partial and full buyouts.
East Brother Beer Co. opened its brewery and taproom in December in Richmond, with five beers on tap (and more on the way) and food trucks making the rounds out front at the spacious warehouse. East Brother Beer Co. is open to booking private events on Monday or Tuesday, when the brewery is closed, or full buyouts on another day on a case-by-case basis. The taproom holds 200 standing guests for buyouts or groups of as many as 50 guests on days the space is open to the public.
Hyatt Place Emeryville/San Francisco Bay Area opened in November—the first new hotel to be built in Emeryville in 15 years. The 175-room hotel offers flexible meeting space with its 1,440-square-foot Ohlone Room. The meeting room seats 90 guests for theater-style events. In other configurations, it seats 48 guests in a classroom-style set-up, 80 guests at rounds, or 36 guests in a U-shape set-up.
Hotel Karlan San Diego—a DoubleTree by Hilton debuted a contemporary renovation as part of the rebranding of the property in December. The $12 million project touched various parts of the hotel including its 174 guest rooms, spa and fitness center, patios, and pool. The property also added two new restaurants, Asado Grill and Black Horse Pub. Overall, the hotel offers 14,000 square feet of meeting space including a 4,000-square-foot ballroom that holds 400 for receptions and a lawn for outdoor events.
San Marcos’ Lakehouse Hotel & Resort is the home to Decoy Dockside. The spacious two-story restaurant opened in August and features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake San Marcos. The upstairs indoor dining area is 9,000 square feet and can accommodate 250 for banquet-style events; the adjoining 5,400-square-foot dock bar fits 150 guests banquet-style.
The newest member to the Breakfast Republic chain of restaurants opened in November in Encinitas. Specializing in international as well as continental breakfast, the bright and spacious restaurant is 3,500 square feet inside with an additional 700 square feet on the adjoining patio. Reception capacity for the entire restaurant is 160.
Seasons Restaurant at Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara in Carlsbad opened in January. The farm-to-table restaurant features made-from-scratch New American dishes such as buttermilk-fried quail, Hudson Valley foie gras, and Kobe ribeye. The coastal-inspired restaurant spans 1,700 square feet that includes a chef’s table, a private dining room, and an outdoor veranda. The restaurant seats about 200 guests in total.
The fine-dining restaurant Ponsaty’s opened in Rancho Santa Fe in August and serves French cuisine by chef Patrick Ponsaty. The elegant restaurant filled with imported light fixtures houses a main dining room, two separate patios, and a lounge area featuring a wraparound bar. Seating for the entire restaurant is 150.
Carlsbad’s newest entertainment hub is Dave & Buster’s. Open in January, the video game haven includes a wraparound bar and individual tables filling the expansive 40,000-square-foot space. The venue is available for private events and can hold as many as 1,600 guests for a buyout. Its Function Room holds 120 guests, and smaller events can also take over the sports lounge or dining room.
Del Mar’s Flower Promenade is home to Flower Child, a fast-casual restaurant specializing in locally sourced, organic dishes such build-it-yourself sandwiches, salads, and wraps, plus a few gluten-free plates. Open since December, the bohemian chic space features rattan chairs and brightly painted walls throughout the two-floor restaurant that also includes an outdoor patio. The restaurant is 4,500 square feet and total seating capacity is about 200 guests.
Ocean Beach’s new Voltaire Beach House opened in January and serves New American cuisine such as burgers, sandwiches, and bowls. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant features covered patio seating, a wraparound bar, and several flat-screen TVs. The dining space is a mix of counter-height communal tables and single tables with a capacity for 160 seated guests.
Opened in December, El Zarape Mexican Eatery in Normal Heights serves fresh, modern Mexican fare with specialties like street tacos filled with fish, octopus, or steak alongside burritos and agua frescas. The 1,100-square-foot space features exposed brick walls and bright blue galvanized chairs. It seats 40 patrons.
Little Italy’s Herb & Eatery opened in September. Housed in a renovated warehouse, the sibling restaurant to Herb & Wood is a casual concept serving sandwiches, salads, and pastries. The main area is 2,500 square feet with a second floor alcove at 500 square feet overlooking the dining area. French doors connect to an additional 2,500 square feet of galley and event space. Capacity in the main market is as many as 75 for reception or 90 for banquets; the galley accommodates 100 for reception or 80 for banquet.
Returning sponsor Swarovski partnered with production designer Derek McLane to illuminate the stage; this year's design—the brand's 10th collaboration with the show—featured more than 300,000 crystals, the largest number ever used for the ceremony. Eleven Oscar-shaped figures featuring nearly 150,000 crystals served as a focal point.
Academy governor Jeffrey Kurland worked with longtime event producer Cheryl Cecchetto and Sequoia Productions to produce and design this year's Governors Ball, which took place at the Ray Dolby Ballroom of the Dolby Theatre immediately following the ceremony. The night drew 1,500 Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters, and other A-list talent, and was decorated with a “magical transformation” theme, with red, gold, and white colors. Starburst light fixtures and irregular-shaped decor pieces, illuminated with white lights, comprised a cloud-like ceiling installation that served as the evening’s focal point.
Red centerpieces popped inside of the white-draped ballroom. The ballroom’s foyer continued the color palette, with red fabric drapes and red flowers with splashes of white decorating tables. According to organizers, 1,800 yards of white satin, white sequins, red velvet and silk, white and gold metallic print, and white-dotted sateen linens decorated the space.
Around of the edge of the ballroom, touches of gold broke up the red-and-white theme. “As they enter the ball, guests will transition from a dazzling sea of red to a tricolor motif of eye-popping gold and red on an infinite blanket of white,” Kurland said in a statement before the event. “The unique design of the space has been meticulously created to celebrate Oscar gold.”
Mark’s Garden’s floral designs included roses, amaryllis, carnations, and orchids from South America and Holland. Varying angular vessels held flowers and greenery.
For the 23rd consecutive year, chef Wolfgang Puck catered the Governors Ball. Eric Klein, the company's new executive chef, worked alongside Puck to create 50 dishes, from one-bite hors d’oeuvres to small-plate passed entrees. Later, the pastry team of Kamel Guechida, Monica Ng, and Jason Lemmonier offered an array of desserts served at multiple stations, plus a dessert buffet featuring Puck’s 24-karat-gold chocolate Oscars (pictured). In all, 950 service and support staffers worked the ballroom.
Oversize Oscar statues underscored the occasion as Tony-winning singer-songwriter Cynthia Erivo (pictured) performed. The evening's entertainment also included JoJo, music director Rickey Minor, and husband-wife DJs Kiss and M.O.S.
One of the most coveted tickets in town, Vanity Fair hosted its annual Oscars after-party in Beverly Hills on February 26. The event took place in a custom-built space between the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts and City Hall, and was designed by Basil Walter, the longtime architect of the annual party.
The bash began early in the evening, as guests who weren’t attending the ceremony took over a wood-paneled dining room and watched the show on flat-screen TVs while eating a dinner courtesy of French Laundry and Per Se’s Thomas Keller. After the ceremony ended, the dining room was transformed into the Apple Music Lounge, with a wooden dance floor and a rose-gold mirror that created a kaleidoscope effect.
The party was filled with thousands of eskimo white roses, white hydrangea, and areca palm leaves; leftover flowers were donated to several local charities. An 80-foot-long custom chandelier and 1,400 lighting fixtures illuminated the 50-foot-long bar and party space.
For the third year in a row, renowned photographer Mark Seliger created an Instagram studio with a 1920s, art-deco-theme set, shooting elegant portraits of A-list celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, Jon Hamm, and Katy Perry as they entered the party.
This year also marked the after-party’s first live stream, which took place in a studio by the nearby In-N-Out Burger. It was hosted by two Vanity Fair staffers along with comedians Phoebe Robinson and Michelle Collins, and featured celebrity guests such as Emily Ratajkowski and Judd Apatow.
The 25th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party, hosted by the singer and David Furnish, took over West Hollywood Park on February 26 with sponsorship from Bulgari, Neuro Drinks, and Diana Jenkins. The evening raised a record-breaking $7 million and was designed by longtime collaborator Virginia Fout of V Productions.
Alexander Gilkes of Paddle8 conducted a live auction, which featured items such as Bulgari's Diva’s Dream Necklace in white gold with pavé diamonds, a five-day vacation at Steven Tyler’s Hawaiian retreat, and two tickets to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Over the past 25 years, the annual event has raised more than $56 million to help people at risk for or living with H.I.V./AIDS; the Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised a total of $350 million since 1992.
Longtime vendor Crumble Catering worked with chef Gordon Ramsey to prepare some 1,000 five-course meals for the event. Menu-planning started a full year in advance, and 150 servers and bartenders and 70 kitchen staffers worked the evening. Moët Hennessy provided champagne, Domaine Bertaud Belieu provided wines, and Chopin Vodka and Clase Azul Tequila provided spirits.
The magazine hosted its 10th annual Black Women in Hollywood awards on February 23 at the Beverly Wilshire. Intended to honor and celebrate Hollywood's most impactful African-American women, this year's honorees included Janelle Monáe, Issa Rae, Aja Naomi King, and Yara Shahidi. The full gala will be televised on March 5 on OWN.
Essence's Candace Montgomery and Agenc’s Cara Kleinhaut—who have been working together since the event's inception—transformed the awards from a daytime luncheon to an evening gala for the first time this year. “Moving to the evening and making it black-tie … allowed an instant elevation to the event,” said Montgomery. “Time will tell whether or not this will remain an evening event.”
Show development and production—including the overall design and fabrication as well as the eye-catching stage backdrop and set design—was also handled by AgenC in partnership with the Essence event team.
In the main ballroom, the focal point was artwork from visual artist and filmmaker Mickalene Thomas, which flanked each side of the stage. “Integrating Mickalene Thomas was a career high for me because her work celebrates, highlights, and empowers women,” said Montgomery. “She agreed to work with us between museum installations and her busy schedule. It's a testament to how far the event has come and the excitement it attracts.”
In addition, large floral centerpieces were created by R. Jack Balthazar, and dinner was catered by the Beverly Wilshire.
Another new aspect to the Essence awards was a Facebook Live stream of the red carpet, as well as a new Snapchat Discover partnership where fans could follow along live. Agenc and the Essence event team created a teal-colored step-and-repeat adorned with stars, which added a glamorous effect to the arrivals area.
“[We wanted to] put women first throughout every element,” said Montgomery. “Yes, the event and the brand are built on celebrating women, but my goal was to also focus on the production elements being female-first as well—kind of like Beyoncé's all-girl band."
In a lounge outside the main ballroom, attendees could recharge and re-glam at interactive sponsor stations. At the L'Oreal Beauty Bar, guests sampled the new Infallible Paints collection and left messages on the adjacent mirror about "why they are magic." Meanwhile, AT&T offered a spot to recharge cell phones throughout the evening, and sponsor Lincoln displayed one of its vehicles.
Awards sponsor Cadillac hosted its annual Oscar celebration on February 23 at Chateau Marmont, drawing a crowd of celebrities including Naomi Watts, Zoe Saldana, Chrissy Metz, and more. Event Eleven handled production and design, keeping it understated to allow the iconic venue to take center stage. Lighting firm Felix Lighting and audiovisual rental company On Stage also lent their services to the elegant party, and DJ Michelle Pesce spun for the crowd.
V.I.P attendees were escorted to the venue in Cadillac’s CT6 prestige sedans, which also were used to chauffeur guests to the Oscars ceremony and other weekend events. The luxury car brand, an Oscars sponsor for the fourth consecutive year, debuted four new ad spots during the telecast.
Typically held the day before the Oscars, the Independent Film Spirt Awards honor indie filmmakers. This year's ceremony, held February 25 in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, was hosted by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney. Top honors went to Moonlight, The Witch, Casey Affleck (pictured), and Isabelle Huppert. John Calkins handled production design for the awards, which aired live on on IFC.
Environmental nonprofit Global Green held its 14th annual pre-Oscar awards and concert at Tao Hollywood on February 22, honoring Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council chairman David Archambault II as well as other environmental leaders. The awards were the first event inside the new Tao location, which is scheduled to open this spring.
JJLA handled design, production, and management for the event, which took on an Asia-inspired theme to celebrate the venue, with red and gold accents and plenty of greenery and succulents. The event was, of course, eco-friendly, with LED light fixtures, no plastic, and zero food waste; scraps were composted and leftover food was donated.
Atmosphere Productions handled audiovisual production, while Town & Country provided rentals and Seed Floral Couture handled flowers. The evening featured performances by DJ Asha, Cody Simpson, Estelle, and Taylor Dayne.
Women in Film, a professional organization focused on recognizing and promoting the visions of female creators, held its 10th annual pre-Oscar cocktail party on February 24. Hosted by actress Brie Larson and the organization's president, producer Cathy Schulman, the night honored the 46 women who were nominated for an Oscar this year. Attendees included Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, Emma Stone, and Ava DuVernay.
Designed and produced by Event Eleven, the party took over Nightingale Plaza in West Hollywood. Sbe Catering provided passed hors d'oeuvres—which included seared rare filet mignon with horseradish cream, arugula, and baguette (pictured)—as well as plated dinners and a variety of desserts.
The third annual Toast to the Arts, an intimate dinner hosted by rapper and actor Common, was held on February 24 at Ysabel restaurant in West Hollywood. The evening honored filmmakers Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins, Raoul Peck, and Ezra Edelman.
As guests arrived at the restaurant, they were greeted by a custom floral wall designed by Massah David, a partner at MVD Inc. The wall was built by Step and Repeat L.A.
Inside the venue, understated florals by Tic-Tock Couture Florals created an elegant vibe.
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (N.H.M.C.) hosted its 20th annual Impact Awards Gala at the Beverly Wilshire on February 24. The black-tie event, which celebrates positive portrayals of Latinos in media, honored Karla Souza, Jaime Camil, Netflix series One Day at a Time, and other Latino actors, filmmakers, and shows.
“Though the Oscars this year once again fail to recognize the tremendous Latino talent in entertainment today, N.H.M.C.’s Impact Awards Gala seeks to give these creatives the accolades they deserve and excite a new generation of young people,” said Alex Nogales, president and C.E.O. of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, in a press release.
Legendary sitcom creator Norman Lear presented at the event, which featured entertainment by the Louie Cruz Beltran Latin Jazz Quartet, flowers by Julian Designs, and a photo booth by Celebrity Red Carpets. Many of the event’s vendors were Latino- or minority-owned companies.
Event sponsors included the Walt Disney Company, Univision Communications, and Comcast NBCUniversal.
The Oscar Wilde Awards, which celebrate Irish talent in Hollywood, were held on February 23 at J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot studio in Santa Monica. Ruth Negga—who grew up in Ireland—was honored alongside Zachary Quinto, Martin Short (pictured), and others, while Abrams served as the evening’s emcee. The awards were produced by the O'Neill Group, and Senovva handled the audiovisual production.
Portobello Junction created wine-bottle centerpieces (pictured) for the dinner tables, while Kensington Caterers served Irish classics such as beer-battered fish 'n’ chips, mini mugs of lamb stew, mini Irish whiskey coffee shots, and, of course, Guinness.
Vanity Fair's Campaign Hollywood, now in its 18th year, benefits a different charity each night in a week’s worth of events leading up to the Oscars, while also highlighting films and stars from this year's awards season. First up, the magazine worked with L’Oréal Paris for the Young Hollywood party (pictured), toasting the industry's up-and-coming stars at Delilah restaurant on February 21. Hosted by actress Dakota Johnson and Vanity Fair’s executive west coast editor Krista Smith, the evening benefited the Roar Foundation Shambala Preserve and featured poker tables, a balloon-filled photo booth, and cocktails. Vanity Fair held three more parties throughout the week, teaming up with Barneys, Lancôme, Dom Pérignon, and car company Genesis to raise money for the A.C.L.U., St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and more.
Mercedes-Benz held its fifth annual viewing party with Icon Mann—an online destination for black men—on February 26 at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. The evening, which was designed and produced by Sterling Social, offered comfortable seating and big screen TVs, passed hors d’oeuvres, a photo booth, and a makeup station. It drew celebrities such as Tracee Ellis Ross, NeNe Leakes, and Lorraine Toussaint.
The South Austin restaurant Eberly, which opened in October, offers several separate spaces for events within its stunning 15,000-square-foot space. First, there is the dining room with 80 seats underneath brass bowl light fixtures creating warm ambience. The centerpiece bar, the Cedar Tavern, features a piece of New York drinking history in the form of the historic bar, which was restored to its full mahogany glory; it seats 55 or holds 125 for cocktails. Then there is the greenhouse-inspired study with glass ceilings and marble tables, seats 38 guests or holds 50 for receptions. The hidden private dining room features a special quirk: The one-way mirror allows guests to spy on the main restaurant, along with a private entrance, separate bar, and vinyl collection; it seats as many as 40 guest s or holds 75 for receptions. The venue also has an 800-square-foot patio and not-yet-opened rooftop terrace.
