Beso to Boast Contemporary Cuisine, Signature Cocktails
and Breathtaking, Innovative Design

LOS ANGELES, CA (XXX, 2008) -- Celebrity Chef Todd English, actress Eva Longoria and restaurateurs JT Torregiani and Jonas Lowrance have partnered to open Beso, a Hollywood eatery that will feature up-scale contemporary cuisine. Beso, English's first LA restaurant and Longoria's first-ever, will open in March 2008. The 150-seat restaurant and bar will boast an eclectic and universally-appealing dinner menu, and an "adult juice bar" with a cocktail list that showcases exotic fruits. The menu will feature colorful and tasty dishes from all around the world.

  

“I'm extremely proud and excited to be working with Eva Longoria to open my first restaurant in Los Angeles," said Todd English. "Beso's menu will feature signature dishes that blend Eva's favorites with my culinary technique of layering flavors in a really creative way. It will be an exciting addition to L.A.'s thriving restaurant scene.”

   

The focal point of Beso's dining room will be the dramatic open kitchen, which will allow diners a peek into the culinary "theater" of the chefs creating their magic. The wood-burning oven, custom designed to Todd English's specifications, will fire-up nightly, and the full ceviche bar will serve up creative preparations of the freshest
fish. Diners will be tempted nightly with flavorful dishes such as artichoke
guacamole, English’s twist on the Mexican classic, as well as his
signature Paella with and lobster and chorizo.

 

"I'm not simply attaching my name to Beso," said Eva Longoria. "I genuinely
love to cook and plan to feature several family recipes on this exciting
menu that I'm confident will appeal to L.A. diners."

"We have both been involved with a number of venues around town and, with Todd English's unparalleled and unsurpassed culinary talents, are confident Beso will be the most desirable new dining experience in Hollywood," said Lowrance and Torregiani. "Eva brings her love of cooking and a few of her classic recipes, adding a unique
twist to the menu and a universally appealing nuance for diners." 


Flat Bread with Honey Humus

A prominent open bar is a striking accessory to Beso's dining room, and serves up a menu of fresh, authentic cocktails that complement Beso's vibrant cuisine. Loosely interpreted as a "juice bar with a strong shot of alcohol," Beso's concoctions
will feature fresh tropical juices, such as papaya and guava,
mixed with traditional cocktail ingredients.

 
Tequila Spa                                               Champagne

Tracie Butler of Tracie Butler Interior Designs is the creative eye behind the décor
at Beso. In the dramatic, upscale restaurant/lounge, Butler blends luxurious materials, eccentric accessories, hand painted walls and floors and high voltage colors and patterns to create a passionate atmosphere. Custom drapery lines the restaurant
while black leather tufted oversized dining chairs and beige
crocodile booths fill the dining room.

Butler's use of crystal chandeliers adds a touch of glitz, and her
candle-filled Italian stone wall in the bar area brings a rustic finish. 

 
Artichoke Dip with Pita Chips

We started at their sexy and comfortable bar, where the Hollywood scene is truly incredible. Their drinks are truly an experience that you can’t miss. The bar
serves amazing Caipirinhas, as per my surprise, and they are fantastic!


Ahi Tuna with Watermelon

Our experience was simply magnificent, we loved the entire dining experience, the restaurant is gorgeous, and the food was superb. We started with a selection
of appetizers that were to die for! The Artichoke, za’taar pita chips is truly one
of a kind and I would certainly recommend to anyone that loves Artichoke!
I also tried the Ahi, Watermelon Cojita with black olives, check it out,
really delicious and fresh, is was one of the many great
items from the Shellfish Crudo menu. 

 
Cripy Softshell Crab Taco                     Lobster & Corn Empanadas

From their Taqueria menu,I tried the most delicious Maine
Lobster & Corn empanadas, this was one of the best
empanadas I’ve ever eaten, simply delicious! 

 
Crispy Lamb Ribs               Hearts of Palm Salad

And the Cripy Softshell Crab Taco, pickled cabbage and caper aioli! Another great creation from their amazing Chef is the Shaved hearts of palm & artichoke salad, I saw every single table in the restaurant requesting one of that salad, it was to die
for! The Crispy lamb ribs with peanut-chipotle and jicama, is one of the best
starters from their menu, we loved it. The Chef also sent us a small portion
of their Jumbo Sea Scallops, with cripy confit duck risotto and succotash.
Great entrée and the scallops were perfectly cooked and fresh.


  Jumbo Sea Scallops

We were read to try our entrees which allow you to choose from their
meats and seafood, I honestly was not sure what to try, since
everything from their menu looks and tasted great.


40oz Porterhouse Steak

My guest’s choice was the Porterhouse for 2, which truly
captures the spirit of American generosity!


Lobster Paella

I was also told not to miss their Beso Paella, with Saffron Rice, Lobster, Roasted Chicken, Shellfish and Chorizo. This is the paella all your family and friends will beg you to eat again. It has the true flavor of Spain and we really, really enjoyed.


Sides of Tater Tots and Cream Corn

Also, you can’t miss their most decadent desserts. The pastry chef surprised us with four fenomenal desserts; The Beso Chocolate Souflle with Bitter Chocolate sorbet, dark chocolate sauce is one of a kind, if you love chocolate, you can’t miss this one. Beso is also very famous for their Churros & Ice Cream Sandwiches with Dulce de Leche and Spicy Chocolate sauce, this is one of the those desserts that you wish you did not try, because you can’t stop eating them. The best Churros in town!

 
Chocolate Souflle with Bitter Chocolate Sorbet

The Banana Cream Tart with Banana Crunch Sorbet, Passion Fruit
Caramel and Candied Pecan, I just can’t describe how delicious and
different this tart is, I am not kidding, this is the best Banana Cream
Tart you will ever have in your life! Please, go and try!


Banana Cream Tart
And the Crème Brulee special that was not on
the menu, but we also tried and loved it.


Crème Brulee

In addition to the main dining room, Beso will feature an upstairs lounge complete
with its own dining area, outdoor patio, and full bar which serves to entertain
private cocktail parties, large dinner parties and other special events. Service wassuperb and ambiance simply divine! Beso is certainly a classy
restaurant that I must say will be there for many years to come!
                       
Churros & Ice Cream Sandwiches


About Todd English
Todd English is a celebrity chef, restaurateur, author, entrepreneur, and television star based in Boston, Massachusetts and New York City. Chef and owner of Olives in Charlestown, Massachusetts since 1989, English has gone on to established Olives as one of the most prestigious names in the nation by opening other locations around the world: Olives New York in the W Hotel in Union Square, Olives Las Vegas at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Olives DC in the heart of Washington, DC, Olives Aspen at the St. Regis Hotel in Aspen, Colorado, and Olives Biloxi at Beau Rivage. A three-time James Beard Award winner and inductee into the James Beard Foundation's "Who's Who in Food and Beverage in America," English was also named one of "People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People." Some of English's television credits include the national public television series, Cooking Under Fire, Iron Chef USA, Martha Stewart Living, Opening Soon, Bobby Flay's Food Nation, Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kelly, and The Today Show. In January of 2007 his 13 episode international travel and cooking series, Food Trip with Todd English, debuted on PBS. Todd has authored the critically acclaimed cookbooks, The Olives Table, and The Figs Table and The Olives Dessert Table, published by Simon & Schuster, and in 2005 his line of cookware and lifestyle products, The Todd English Collection, debuted on HSN, breaking electronic retail records in the house ware category.

About Jonas Lowrance
Lowrance is no stranger to conceptualizing and creating fine dining and nightlife destinations. A native of Chicago, Lowrance was responsible for such notable nightclubs as Moda and Zentra and created the highly popular restaurant Grace. Once an active promoter at the famed nightclub, Limelight, Lowrance established himself as a major player on the East coast, where he eventually settled in Miami. While in South Beach, he wasted no time in making his mark with the ultra-hot nightclub and lounge Rokbar Miami. With partner Tommy Lee, Lowrance hosted the who's who of the nightlife scene including Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Colin Farrell, Sean Penn and Kid Rock. Now in LA, he looks forward to reaching new heights with his latest offering, Beso.


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