The Tourist

THE TOURIST is Frank (Johnny Depp), a naïve American who is nursing a broken heart on a spur of the moment trip to Europe. On a train to Venice, a mysterious beauty, Elise (Angelina Jolie), approaches him in what he wrongly assumes is a chance encounter. He is soon in the grip of a passionate romance that suddenly erupts into a deadly game of cat and mouse played out on the streets of Paris and the canals of Venice. If you prefer to be in the grip of culinary passion, an equally exciting, if less lethal adventure awaits closer to the canals of Venice, California.

Follow the trail we have mapped out for you, below.

VENICE — THE LOBSTATRUCK launches on December 3rd, during Venice’s “First Friday” festivities on Abbot Kinney. Owner Justin Mi got the idea when he returned from a vacation in Maine and decided it was time that Los Angelenos had lobster shacks like the ones he had discovered on that other coast. He uses only fresh New England lobster and crab meat, which he piles onto toasted traditional split-top hot dog-style rolls. The Traditional is lobster meat mixed with a dab of mayo; the Plain uses just a splash of drawn butter. There will also be New England-style clam chowder, fresh squeezed lemonade, Cape Cod Potato Chips and Maine Root sodas. Don’t leave without a whoopie pie from BAKING WHOOPIE. Roxy Rubell nurtured her New England childhood love affair with whoopie pies by taking the classic dessert to a gourmet level with high quality ingredients such as Callebaut Chocolate and Vermont Maple Syrup. She even got a thumbs up from her master chef husband, Dave Rubell (who has cooked for everyone from The Boss to five American Presidents), for her Red Velvet; Peanut Butter and Salted Caramel Crème; Meyer Lemon; Belgian Chocolate with Mocha Crème; Four-Spice Cake; seasonal Pumpkin Pie Cake with Vanilla Marshmallow Crème; Vanilla Strawberry Crème (with fresh berries); not to mention The Classic — chocolate cake with vanilla marshmallow crème filling. Order at www.bakingwhoopie.com or 866-632-0508. And follow the Lobsta Truck on Facebook (Lobsta- Truck), Twitter (LobstaTruck), and www.lobstatruck.com.

HOLLYWOOD — The TASTY AWARDS, a broadcast awards show that recognizes the year’s best achievements in food, fashion, and home lifestyle programs on television, in film, and online, take place on January 13th, 2011, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Portions will be filmed for broadcast on national television, as well as on Hulu.com and partner sites. Nominees include Jamie Oliver, Tyler Florence, Anthony Bourdain, Top Chef, Project Runway, Style.com, and Guy Fieri. Host is Zane Lamprey of the Travel Channel and HD Net. Special Achievement Awards will go to Niecy Nash, Gordon Ramsay, Mario Batali, Joan Rivers, Tyra Banks, Ryan Seacrest, Cat Cora, Heidi Klum, Martha Stewart, and Gail Simmons, among others. Participate in the Viewers Choice voting, or see the full list of nominees at www.TastyAwards.com. Categories include: Best Drink or Beverage Program; Best Food Program; Best Food Travel Series; Best Chef in a Series; Best Fashion or Design Program; Best Newspaper or Magazine Program; Best Green or Organic Program; and Best Film or Documentary. Tickets and Info: www.TastyAwards.com. (Venice’s Chow Baby is a judge.)

DOWNTOWN ADJACENT— On December 18th, Phillip Dane launches a monthly Saturday FLEA MARKET AT DODGER STADIUM (1000 Elysian Park Avenue, LA 90012) with gourmet food trucks (Slice Truck, Canter’s Deli, No Jodas!, Coolhaus, India Jones, Border Grill, Komodo, Mandoline Grill, and more), live music, a kids’ play area with a blow-up slide, rock climbing and face painting, and a V.I.P. option that includes early-bird entry and preferred parking, a shaded lounge area with complimentary drinks and spacious executive toilets, and a service to carry purchased items to the car. There will be a section for nonprofit organizations and staffing by Homeboy Industries, which helps at-risk youth through job placement, training and education. Expect about 400 vendors selling designer and vintage clothing, collectibles, antique furniture, quality crafts, home and garden items, and sustainable, eco-friendly goods. Monthly future dates will be announced at www.thelafleamarket. com. Info: http://www.pdmarkets.com or call 866-966-9495.

WEST ADAMS — TO THE MANOR REBORN, West Adams Heritage Association’s (WAHA) annual Holiday Historic Homes Tour and Progressive Dinner, happens on Saturday and Sunday, December 4th and 5th, when seven beautifully decorated grand manors of Westmoreland and Hobart Boulevards, in Harvard Heights, open their doors to visitors. A century ago the area was home to business leaders, real estate investors, descendants of California’s pioneer families, and even a musical star or two. Today you can explore their original oak and mahoganypaneled formal rooms, grand Reception Halls, and stunning leaded glass details as a guide leads you course-by-course and house-by-house, from appetizers and champagne, to brandied roasted carrot and beet soup, salad, a waiter-served roast beef main course, and, for the first time, dessert made by students from LACES Magnet School. Saturday: 3pm through 6:30pm; Sunday: 3:30pm through 5:45pm ($85). There’s also a self-guided tour on Sunday without food ($30). Info and reservations: www.West-AdamsHeritage.org; Tours@WestAdamsHeritage.org; 323-732-4223.

DOWNTOWN — 200 YEARS OF MEXICO’S CUISINE takes place Saturday, December 4th (5-6pm VIP and press. 6-7pm, open to the public), at the beautiful and historic Cathedral of Saint Vibiana (214 S. Main Street, Downtown). This bicentennial celebration is the inaugural event of The Taste of Mexico Association (www.thetasteofmexico.org), whose founding members, all natives of Mexico, are L.A.’s leading traditional Mexican food purveyors — Frida Mexican Cuisine, Guelaguetza, La Casita Mexicana, and La Monarca Bakery, whose owner, Ricardo Cervantes, is president of the organization. All are dedicated to enhancing and promoting the ingredients, flavors, and traditions of Mexico’s cuisine and to using only authentic Mexican recipes. Attendees can partake of unlimited quantities of dozens of regional Mexican dishes, plus premium tequila, beer, and mezcal tastings. Oaxacan dancing; a silent art auction and exhibit; and live Mexican music and mariachi band performances. Tickets: (presale $75; $100 at event) at www.thetasteofmexico.org and all participating restaurants. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Heal the Bay. 􀀀

Happy Holidays from our kitchen to yours!