22 Apr 2012
Savor the Fabulous Flavors of the San Fernando Valley
From Ventura Boulevard to the North Hollywood Arts District, the San Fernando Valley has Never Been More Appetizing
LOS ANGELES—(April 22, 2012)—The San Fernando Valley, part of LA proper, is an entertainment destination with more than 100 soundstages producing everything from "The Tonight Show" to the blockbuster film "Jurassic Park." First-time visitors are amazed by its storied history, wide-open spaces, and celebrity connections. Ventura Boulevard, a ribbon of roadway that runs through the Valley and links together the vibrant commercial district, is lined with hundreds of restaurants, retailers and services.
Visitors to the San Fernando Valley opt to dine in restaurants frequented by the rich and famous, sample menu items prepared by a celebrity chef, stroll along the streets of trendy neighborhoods, and busta move like a dancing diva. Just like the Tom Petty song, it's best to move west down Ventura Boulevard and pay a visit to Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks. This family-owned landmark, which opened in 1956, is a favorite stop for taco-loving celebrities like George Clooney, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston, who enjoy on the old-school traditional Mexican fare. Or, raise a salt-rimmed margarita glass to Loteria! Grill and celebrity Chef/Owner Jimmy Shaw, who has been featured on the "Today Show" and between the pages of Bon Appetit magazine. Foodies love Chef Shaw's crunchy tacos, oversized burritos and authentic enchiladas. Celebrities, such as Natalie Portman, have been spotted noshing on flavorful green rice and savory sauces. The cool hibiscus flower tea is Loteria! Grill's calling card.
From food to fine arts, it's onward to the NoHo Arts District (short for North Hollywood), a funky and fledgling neighborhood with a bit of bohemian flare. We'll visit fine arts venue Gallery 800, where works created by artists and professionals of the film and television industry are showcased throughout the year. Housed in the same complex is NoHo Gallery LA, which curates more than 33 art shows a year and fosters the works of more than 1,000 visual artists working in a variety of mediums.
NoHo also has a burgeoning theater district and features an annual Theatre & Arts Festival showcasing the talents of local troupes. El Portal Theatre, which first opened in 1926 for vaudeville then silent movies, is now home to a trio of live performance theaters. The Raven Playhouse, The Sherry Theatre, and NoHo Stages also offer a place for thespians to entertain intimate-size audiences with both classic and experimental theater. Nearby are the statues of television legends Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball and Desj Arnaz, which grace the front of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences at Lankershim and Magnolia Boulevards.
If you want to know what celebrities Britney Spears, Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez have in common, stop into Millennium Dance Complex. This is where A-list divas get their dance on and often rehearse for their next concert or stage appearance.
Contacts:
Casa Vega
13301 Ventura Blvd.
San Fernando Valley, CA 91423
001-818-788-4868
www.casavega.com
Christina Vega-Fowler is the vice president of Casa Vega, the restaurant founded by her family in 1956. Christina and has been featured on The Rachel Ray Show and was named "Top 40 Under 40" for business achievements by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal. T: 818.990.0668 or christinavegafowler@gmail.com.
Loteria! Grill
12050 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
001-818-503-5300
www.loteriagrill.com/locations/studio-city.html
Celebrity Chef/Owner Jimmy Shaw has appeared on the Today Show and is on the radar of just about every LA food critic. And, despite his Irish name and fair complexion, Chef Shaw was born and bred in Mexico City. T: 323.465.2500 or jimmy@loteriagrill.com
NoHo Arts District
Blogger and NoHo aficionado Nancy Bianconi knows the ins and outs of everything happening in the NoNo Arts District. She is the mastermind behind nohoartsdistrict.com and NoHo Tours, which provides guests with an insider's guide to this one-square mile community that includes Gallery 800 and the Millennium Dance Complex.
T: 818.506.3132 or nancy@nohoartsdistrict.com
About The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board is a private, nonprofit business association whose primary mission is to market and promote Los Angeles as the premier site for meetings, conventions and leisure travel. Though not part of City government, Los Angeles Tourism is recognized as the City's official tourism marketing organization. For more information, visit the official visitor information website of Los Angeles at www.discoverLosAngeles.com. Please visit our FaceBook page at facebook.com/LosAngelesFan or follow us on Twitter @discover_LA.
Los Angeles International Pow Wow is supported by the following Premiere Partners; Brand USA, Los Angeles World Airports, and Visit California. The Premiere Event sponsors are Cirque du Soleil, Hollywood & Highland and Universal Studios Hollywood. The Platinum sponsors are The GRAMMY Museum, LA Waterfront, Metro, and Wolfgang Puck Catering.
The Gold sponsors are Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau, CityPASS, Coach America, DFS, Downtown Business Improvement District, The Grove, Hollywood Entertainment District, Merlin Entertainments Group, Miles Marketing Destinations, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Original Farmers Market, Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities CVA, Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau, Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission, Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau, Starline Tours & Tour Coach Charters, Temecula Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau. The Silver sponsors are Beverly Center, The Capital Grille, Citadel Outlets, City of Santa Clarita, Joie de Vivre Hospitality, Malibu Family Wines, Premium Outlets, and Visit Mendocino County. The Bronze sponsors are da Vinci Villa, El Monte RV, Integrated Transportation Services, and Japanese Assistance Network.
Media contacts:
Carol Martinez Beth Brett
Vice President, Communications Director, Communications
phn: 213/236-2357, fax 213/425-1457 phn:213/236-2397, fax 213/452-1497
cmartinez@LATourism.org bbrett@LATourism.org
For more information on Los Angeles visit www.discoverLosAngeles.com
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Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/tourism_LA
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(04/12)
