ROD’S TABLE #2
An Insider’s
Guide To Los Angeles
Ratings are on a
scale of five:
***** Must
Visit **** Excellent *** Very Good ** Good * Not so good
IL PICCOLINO
*****
350 N. Robertson
Blvd.
West Hollywood,
CA 90048
310 659 2220
Photography by Norman Moore and Rod Dyer
What can I say?
This is some of the finest cuisine in L.A. I have known Eddie Kerkofs since he
opened Le Dome with Michel Yhuelo on Sunset. I created their logo, menu
designs, dinner plate designs, and more. Le Dome was the ultimate celebrity and
Hollywood-style restaurant with diners like Elton John, Rod Stewart, Mick
Jagger, Pink Floyd, and movie stars one after another. Eddie now owns Il
Piccolino with Silvio DeMori, whom I’ve known for years and is an extraordinary
restaurateur. Their menu is extensive and first class. I give it a 5+. My
design partner, Norman Moore, and I did their new website, including the
photography. It’s one of our favorite restaurants. They never miss a beat.
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MAKE MINE A
RICKEY (From mixologist Josh Curtis)
Although it’s
been awhile since 1894 when “Colonel Joe” Rickey first asked a bartender at
Shoemaker’s Bar in Washington, D.C. to make this thirst-quenching cocktail,
it’s as timely as ever. Originally made with rye, the most popular version is
made with gin. The version below is made with vodka to bring the fruit flavors
forward.
Photo: Rod Dyer
CHERRY LIME RICKEY
aka: sparkling cherry limeade
1.5 oz Broken Shed Vodka
2 regular maraschino cherries
or Luxardo maraschino cherries
2 lime wedges
.5 oz simple syrup
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
Fill with club soda
Muddle two lime wedges and two Maraschino (mer-uh-skee-no) cherries. Pour the simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and vodka over the citrus and cherries. Shake it up and pour all the contents into your desired glass. A highball works well. Top with club soda and swizzle with a barspoon to mix the ingredients. Drink it.
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GOOD VIBES
I designed an album cover for a set that
featured him on vibes, creating an image of him that represented his movement
on mallets, then I turned the image into a giclee print. I also created a
postcard and business card for him with his drum set displayed in his head—and
on his mind. He is one of the most talented and loveable people I know. If you
like jazz, you’ll love Ndugu.
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CATCH A FIRE
Speaking of album
covers, I’m a big reggae fan and created the album graphics for Bob Marley’s
“Catch A Fire” album using a Zippo lighter. It was chosen by Rolling Stone
Magazine as one of the best album covers of all time. One problem: the grommet
used to fasten the top of the lighter to the bottom tended to damage the edge
of the album. Sorry about that.
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FOR ARTISTS BY
ARTISTS
For the last four
semesters I’ve been teaching at The Academy of Art in San Francisco with
colleagues Roland Young, Craig Butler, Tommy Steele, Jay Vigon and Tom Pope.
Tom and I created an Entertainment Advertising course, which we teach together.
The students learn from us, and we learn from them.
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_________________________________________________________Aliona Sazonova Art Director
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A NEW BOOK
My
friend and fellow teacher at AAU, Tom Pope, has written a novel for which I
designed the cover. Originally based on one of his screenplays, it’s the
story of an L.A. anchorman whose plane goes down in the Pacific Northwest, and
he begins a journey into consciousness that forever alters his perception of
the world and his place in it...
ANOTHER NEW BOOK
I’ve also
designed The Cork Game, written by
Tom Pope, with illustrations by Andy Engel, about a bar game played by the
Gambino Family wiseguys while waiting for a call to go whack somebody. It was
introduced to the regulars at Pane by writer/director Harvey Keith, who used to
shine Gambino’s shoes at age 10 on the streets of Bath Beach. We played it
often at the round table on the patio. All you need is the cork from a wine
bottle. Uncork the bottle, pour a glass, and let the game begin. The Cork Game is the ultimate Bar
Book—how to kill time while waiting for your party to arrive. We’re hoping a
publisher will step up to the bar.
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IS COOL
Several months
ago I designed a logo for a website called “The History Of Cool,” containing
objects and ideas people think are cool. So, be cool—check it out.
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The TEAK Fellowship
Created by Justine Stamen Arrillaga Founder & Co-Chair fifteen years ago in memory of Teak Dyer and DeWitt White. Mission: The Teak Fellowship helps talented New York City students from low-income families gain admission to and succeed at top high schools and colleges. Along with academic support, TEAK provides leadership training, exposure to the arts and outdoors, mentoring, career experience, and assistance with the high school and college application processes. All contributions are tax-deductible as provided by law. 16 West 22nd Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10010 Telephone: (212) 288-6678
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THE TOFF
I’m originally
from South Africa where sharp-dressed men are called Toffs. My friend Billy Dee
Williams and I are both Toffs. I’ve designed neckties, suits and accessories,
while Billy has created his own line of colognes and clothing. Recently I came
across a men’s fashion designer I really like, Aitor Throup. He considers
himself a product designer rather than a fashion designer and has an art
exhibit at H. Lorenzo at Sunset Plaza. He is brilliant and always carries the
most extraordinary fashion lines for men and women.
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Q. Why do the majority of bartenders slam an empty bottle into trash & scare the shit out of customers in the vicinity?
A.?
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