Latest news with #BluestoneLane
Eater
26-06-2025
- Business
- Eater
Displaced by Wildfires, the Palisades Community Finds a Slice of Home as Cinque Terre West Reopens in Venice
As the Palisades Fire burned through the Santa Monica Mountains on January 7, 2025, Marlo and chef Gianbattista 'Gianba' Vinzoni were on a flight approaching Los Angeles International Airport. They watched massive plumes of smoke darken the sky from the window of their plane, which was the last flight allowed to land before the airport closed for the night. Since the devastating fires, the couple, who previously lived with their two children in the Palisades, relocated their family to multiple temporary rentals before settling in Venice. They were forced to close their longtime Palisades restaurant, which was severely damaged, and eventually operated out of Venice ghost kitchen the Colony on Lincoln Boulevard. But as of June 23, the Vinzonis have reopened their locally loved restaurant Cinque Terre West at 523 Rose Avenue in Venice, in the space previously occupied by Bluestone Lane. For Palisades wildfire survivors, Cinque Terre West's reopening is a welcome sight. Displaced Palisades resident Andre Ulloa was instrumental in helping the Vinzonis bring their restaurant back to life. Ulloa, who works in the financial sector and formerly served as CEO of Yamashiro in Hollywood for 15 years, invested in the restaurant so the couple could reopen. Ulloa finds it comforting to see Cinque Terre West's return. 'Marlo and Gianba were able to make deep connections with the Palisades,' says Ulloa. 'The new location still has that aura they captured in the Palisades. With so many residents relocating to Venice, they're providing a slice of nostalgia because it was such a special space for the many generations who lived in the Palisades.' Regulars will find the same menu with branzino and tuna shallot crudos, grilled octopus salad, pan-seared Chilean sea bass, pizzas, and Gianba's homemade lobster pasta. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily brunch and lunch include a classic American breakfast as well as omelettes, Italian croissants and focaccia made by Gianba, breakfast sandwiches, and salads. Gianba also makes Cinque Terre's gluten-free pizza crust and focaccia, and serves gluten-free pasta as an alternative to the standard pasta he and his team make in house. The two transformed the former Bluestone Lane into their own personal space. The 1,200-square-foot restaurant seats 50 with a sunny patio on this busy stretch of Rose Avenue next to Venice Beach Wines and modern Mexican restaurant Chulita. The couple took weeks to clean out the space, repaint, and add distinctly coastal Italian artwork to make it a bright, inviting dining room with a deep ocean blue exterior. They're working with the city in hopes of adding the established al fresco sidewalk dining space, but also have the front patio with new floors for diners to nest on. Before opening on Monday, Marlo and Gianba found a loyal stream of customers who continued to ask them when they would open. Many of these regulars either moved permanently or are waiting for repairs on their Palisades homes. The Vinzonis won't be able to move back into their Palisades condo for at least a year. Both believe they persevered in these last six months because of the inherent up-and-down nature of restaurant ownership. 'We always find a way to keep going and restarting,' says the Italian-born Gianba. 'I always tell everybody that if I ever have a heart attack, I'm not going to die right away.' 'I'll clean the plate, cook, serve, and then I can just collapse on the floor,' he adds, laughing. Cinque Terre West is open for brunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at 523 Rose Avenue, Venice, CA, 90291. Dinner is 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday until 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. See More:
AU Financial Review
22-05-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Aussie coffee has conquered LA – now here comes brunch
he US speciality cafe scene is moving quickly – and the headwinds of change are blowing in from Down Under. This includes not only Melbourne-style espresso-based coffee but also good ol' Aussie brunch. This is according to Bluestone Lane, the darling of exporting Australian coffee culture to America. More specifically its CEO, former AFL player Nick Stone, who is driving the ascent of brunch in the US.
Forbes
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Check Out This Sweet Tea-Inspired Mint Julep Riff At This Louisville Bar
Donerail spirted-free cocktail at Moonsong. In Louisville, Kentucky, a city synonymous with bourbon and Southern hospitality, a new kind of Mint Julep has arrived—and it's just in time for the Kentucky Derby. At Moonsong, the restaurant and bar inside Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLu, in Kentucky, guests are sipping on an innovative twist on the traditional Derby Day drink. Dubbed the 'Donerail,' this cocktail reimagines the iconic Mint Julep by blending it with another Southern staple: sweet tea. 'Since there is no 'Derby Day' without a Mint Julep, we wanted to provide our Tempo by Hilton properties with a few options when it came to the signature drink,' says Kevin Quinn, Director of Brand Food & Beverage Programs for Hilton. 'The name is an ode to the 1913 Kentucky Derby winner–the biggest longshot victory in Derby history–and we chose to honor this legend by crossing the Julep with a sweet tea, the beloved beverage in the American South.' The Donerail is available in both 'Spirited' and 'Free-Spirited' (non-alcoholic) versions, part of a larger program designed by Tempo by Hilton to ensure that every guest—drinker or not—enjoys a premium cocktail experience. 'For us, providing a unique bar program that enables guests to flex between spirited and free-spirited cocktails is one of the many ways we strategically built the Tempo brand to meet the needs of today's modern traveler,' he says. Kentucky Derby-inspired cocktails. The boozy Donerail features black tea-infused Maker's Mark bourbon, oleo saccharum, and fresh mint. The tea used is Bluestone Lane's Melbourne Brekky Tea, a full-bodied, organic Ceylon blend. 'This drink is a great example of our collaboration with Bluestone Lane,' says Quinn. 'It's a smooth, full-bodied and malty blend that pulls into the bourbon infusion perfectly.' But what really sets the Donerail apart is its spirit-free counterpart. Crafted using Lyre's American Malt, it's a zero-proof option that doesn't skimp on complexity or mouthfeel. 'We've found a very happy home partnering with Lyre's,' says Quinn 'We really could not find another alcohol-free alternative that would better enable us to mirror our 'Free-Spirited' drinks to their 'Spirited' counterparts.' (Original Caption) Churchill Downs, Kentucky: Roscoe Goose, 70, (L) describes his 1913 Derby win on ... More Donerail to Jimmy Winkfield, 79, who rode Derby winners in 1901 and 1092, finished third in 1900 and second in 1903. Goose's win paid the largest mutual in Derby history, $184.90. Winkfield, now a Paris trainer, finished in the money every time he rode in the Derby. To replicate the boldness of the tea-infused bourbon, the team simply brews the Melbourne Brekky Tea with more potency. 'We utilize the same tea but brewed with more strength than if you were to enjoy it on its own,' says Quinn. 'We do this to mimic the strong notes of black tea that is pulled through in the bourbon infusion.' Guests can find the Donerail at Moonsong in both the Louisville and Raleigh Tempo by Hilton properties, as well as at Highball in New York and Lovelorn Lounge in Nashville. It's part of a special Kentucky Derby menu running from April 21 through May 3, which includes three Julep options: the classic Mint Julep (with spirited and non-alcoholic versions), a Peach Julep, and the star of the show, the Donerail. Donerail spirited-free cocktail. And yes, it's served in a traditional julep cup. 'The Donerail, while not a traditional Mint Julep, should still be served in the traditional Julep, naturally,' says Quinn 'I am thrilled that the Donerail, as well as our other 'Free-Spirited' Mint Julep offerings, can fill a white space that currently exists for revelers that want to celebrate Kentucky Derby festivities without imbibing alcohol,' says Quinn. 'It is truly important to us that the 'Free-Spirited' selections mirror the 'Spirited' cocktails in every way – presentation, flavor profile, mouthfeel, and sophistication.'
