Jaunted

TV Travel / Celeb Travel / The Golden Globes / → All Tags

Celebs Take Over the Beverly Hilton for the Golden Globes

Last night it seemed of all of Hollywood was roaming around The Beverly Hilton, where both The Golden Globes, and most of the show's after-parties, were held.

After the red carpet arrivals and the ceremony—where Michelle Williams, George Clooney, and Meryl Streep, were among the big winners—the stars hit parties at the hotel's pool, on the garage rooftop, and in the Hilton's conference areas. It's almost impossible to miss out on the action in The Beverly Hilton on Golden Globes weekend, and there is a way for the public to be a part of it.

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Travel Snapshot / Travel Snapshots / Beverly Hills Travel / Celebrity Tours / Bus Tours / → All Tags

Spotting the TMZ 'Show on Wheels' Tour Bus in Beverly Hills

We have a little confession. When we rolled up to Beverly Hills yesterday, we came upon a TMZ Hollywood Tour bus, which just launched May 14, on Santa Monica Boulevard. Gossips that we are, we  craned our necks to see what was going on in windowless, half-full bus, and we caught a glimpse of a TV set showing Nic Cage's mug.

Alas, we were so busy gawking and trying to figure out if we were near a Nic Cage landmark (his home? his fave toupee shop? where he hides in shame for starring in the National Treasure films?) we didn't get a chance to snap a photo. But here's what the flashy red bus looks like.

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Party Dispatch Report / Virgin Atlantic / American Idol / BritWeek / Richard Branson / Chris Rossi / Victoria Beckham / David Archuleta / Mel B. / → All Tags

'American Idol' Star David Archuleta Rings in BritWeek 2010

Last night we attended the kick-off of BritWeek 2010 in Beverly Hills, an annual celebration of the accomplishments of Brits in the entertainment industry. Of course, the biggest thing on everyone's mind was the volcanic ash, and there were quite a few ashy jokes being passed around. But eventually folks carried on with the festivities, which included a special singing appearance by David Archuleta, who did a beautiful rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine" as well as an acapella version of "Prayer for the Children," both of which we managed to record snippets.*

One of the major sponsors of BritWeek is Virgin Atlantic and thus Sir Richard Branson was trotted out on stage for a Frost/Nixon style interview, done with actor Michael Sheen who plays David Frost in the movie (he is also appearing this season on "30 Rock"). Frost...er, Sheen interviewed Branson on a wide range of topics from his start as an entrepreneur, to his thoughts on capitalism and even on plans for Virgin Galactic.

But the event wasn't entirely about patting chaps and mates on the back for their work in California...

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Events / Television Travel / Celeb Travel / Beverly Hills Travel / Festivals / → All Tags

Meet the Cast of Your Favorite Show at the PaleyFest in Beverly Hills

PaleyFest 2010, the Paley Center for Media's annual celebration of all things TV, kicks off Friday in Beverly Hills, CA. During the festival, the casts and creators of the hottest shows on Television participate in panel discussions and Q&A sessions with the audience.

Here’s a look at the full rosters of shows participating in PaleyFest 2010: “Modern Family” (2/26), “Lost” (2/27), “NCIS” (3/1), “Community” (3/3), “Dexter” (3/4), “Cougar Town”(3/5), “The Vampire Diaries” (3/6), An evening with Seth Macfarlane and friends (3/9), “Breaking Bad” (3/10), “Flashforward” (3/11), “Men of a Certain Age” (3/12), “Glee” (3/13), “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (3/14).

More stars and details on attending, after the jump!

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Dunkin' Donuts Alternatives / Donuts / Beverly Hills / → All Tags

Beverly Hills Cops Probably Hanging Around Frittelli's Doughnuts

We're trying to expand our quest for a better doughnut outside the NYC area, so obviously, as when looking for all things fancified, we now turn to LA.

One of the dough(NOT DO!)nut shops we've heard the most buzz about is Frittelli's Doughnuts and Coffee, a Beverly Hills bakery with the chutzpah to serve what they call "designer doughnuts." With Swiss chocolate, Tahitian vanilla and fresh fruit filling, they certainly seem to be a step above the Dunk.

They've got high-quality takes on all the classics—strawberry-glazed, sugar-topped, and chocolate sprinkle—as well as more inventive flavors like green apple fritter, latte-glazed, and PB&J-filled. At $2 a pop, they're cheaper than the New York designer doughnuts, although some of the fanciest (think Callebaut Chocolate Glaze Bars Filled w/ Chocolate Bavarian Crème) top out at $3. Still, we think that Beverly Hills cops can probably still afford a dozen doughnuts here.

Any LA readers care to weight in? Is Frittelli's dough worth a trip to the 90210? Let us know in comments below.

Related Stories:
· Frittelli's Doughnuts [Official Site]
· A Doughnut That Will Change the Way You Think About Doughnuts [Jaunted]
· Are Donuts the New Cupcakes? [Jaunted]

[Photo: optionthis]

HotelChatter / Paris Hilton / Kathy Griffin / Beverly Hills Travel / → All Tags

Paris Hilton and Kathy Griffin Have Dangerous Hotel Pool Habits

Our sis site HotelChatter does a bang-up job of covering the latest news and trends in the hotel world. Check in and stay awhile.

· 'D-List BFFs' Paris Hilton and Kathy Griffin Spotted Poolside at Avalon Hotel: Wanna see Kathy Griffin in a bikini? A hotel guest sent in a snapshot of Kathy and Paris by the pool at the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills. But HotelChatter's Jenna brings up a very good point: "why are both of you wearing heels with a bikini? That is inefficient and unsafe. pool areas should have a sensible footwear rule to keep everyone from hurting themselves."

· W Fort Lauderdale Needs a Little Bit More Time: The W Fort Lauderdale was hoping to open next week. But now they will officially miss out on Spring Breakers and Easter vacationers with their new opening date of April 30.

· Hyatt Hotels Around the World are Now 20 Percent Off: Hyatt kicks off a new sale tomorrow that gives guests 20 percent off room rates at nearly every type of Hyatt hotel worldwide.

· Live Out 'Recluse Fantasies' in Belize: If the world is getting to be a bit too much for you, consider the Cayo Espanto resort in Belize.

· What Kind of Internet Can You Expect at Hotel Indigo?: Know before you go that the Hotel Indigo has free internet throughout its hotels.

· Inside the Tune Hotel Kuala Lumpur : Julia Buckley goes inside the super budget Tune Hotel, a sister brand to Air Asia.

Oscars Travel / Oscar Nominations 2009 / Awards Show Travel / Celeb Travel / → All Tags

Oscar Nominations Announced

"We have a new camera focused on the press, so try not to fall asleep," joked Michael Seligman, longtime Academy Awards producer in the waning minutes before this year's Oscar nominations were announced at 8:30 this morning. We're not actually in the room, but we're as restless as a basket of kittens over here. (Go Team Winslet!)

Best Picture: "The Reader" (set in Berlin); "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (New Orleans, mostly); "Frost/Nixon" (London), "Milk" (San Francisco) and "Slumdog Millionaire" (India).

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Wine Tasting / Los Angeles Travel / Santa Barbara Travel / → All Tags

Santa Barbara To Show LA Who's Boss When It Comes To Wines

Thirty of Santa Barbara's most dynamic wineries will be pouring their vintages for Angelenos to sip and swirl Wednesday, Januaury 21st, at the "Stars of Santa Barbara" tasting at the ritzy Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel.

Hosted by Learn About Wine Learn About Wine, wine educator Ian Blackburn’s center for wine classes, trips and events, the evening will feature Santa Barbara vintners like Sea Smoke Cellars, Zaca Mesa Winery, Brewer-Clifton, Ampelos, and rising stars Jonata and La Fenetre. Winemakers will be around to pour tastes and answer questions from 7:00-9:30pm.

Since Santa Barbara is where it’s at these days, especially for devotees of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the tasting is a great way to experience the wines without having to actually go to Santa Barbara for a weekend. It's like a drive-by wine tasting. Now, That's So LA.

Tickets purchased at the door are $99, but if you buy them in advance online from Learn About Wine, you save $20.

Related Stories:
· Wine Travel: New York's Napa [Jaunted]
· Hollywood Roosevelt: Winetasting with Kirsten Dunst [HotelChatter]

[Photo: Chrisamichaels]

The Hills / Heidi Montag / Spencer Pratt / → All Tags

Heidi and Spencer's Wedding: What Kind Of Fakery Is This?

This week's "Hills" had us all watching Spencer and Heidi's drunken beachside ceremony on Spence's video camera. While it seems pretty clear that one cannot just decide on a whim to wed in a foreign country requiring birth certificates and blood tests, clips from next week's episode show the terrible two making it legal. Or are they?

No less august a source than the Associated Press is on the case, discovering that MTV shot in a Beverly Hills courtroom after hours--but a judge was not present. They haven't filed in LA County either, although that's less telling since they could get married anywhere in the state. Maybe there ought to be a punishment for going through with a fake wedding on reality TV... say, for instance, being stuck married to the guy for life, Heidi. Some Patron with that?

Related Stories:
· Heidi and Spencer Get Married in Mexico [Jaunted]
· This Week's Hills: "I'll Show You What A Wife Does" [Jaunted]
· Montag, Pratt Nuptials Questioned [AP]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

Celeb Travel / Motorcycle Travel / Ewan McGregor / Africa Travel / → All Tags

Celeb TV Travel: Bike with Ewan McGregor This Summer

Now here's a reality show we actually want to watch: Actor and avid motorcyclist Ewan McGregor turned up at the Television Critics Association yearly press tour to talk about his new documentary "Long Way Down," which chronicles a ride he took with best friend Charley Boorman from Scotland all the way to South Africa.

The bike trip, which took place last summer, isn't even McGregor's first long race. Being rear-ended, devoured by mosquitos and getting held at gunpoint ensued on a 2004 trip across Europe and Asia and over to New York, but McGregor, currently bouncing between the Canadian set of the Earhart biopic "Amelia" and the Rome set of "Angels and Demons," wasn't deterred. And this time, his wife even learned to ride a motorbike so she could take a stage with them.

To find out what happens when a major star embarks on a "Road Rules"-style adventure, catch "Long Way Down" on August 2 on FOX Reality.

Related Stories:
· McGregor Completes 20-Country Motorcycle Tour [Jaunted]
· Ewan McGregor Returns from Africa, Hair Ablaze [Socialite Life]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Scottish Actors]

Celeb Travel / Gossip Girl / Television Travel / TV Travel / Kelly Rutherford / Connor Paolo / → All Tags

Spotted: E and L Out on the Town

You can tell that Connor "Eric Van Der Woodsen" Paolo and Kelly "Lily Bass" Rutherford aren't mother and son in real life, because he just doesn't look sheepish enough about accompanying her to the Step UP Women's Network Inspiration Awards in Beverly Hills this weekend. (Unexpected bonus: No awkward family dinners where your sister's friend tells Mom you're gay!)

Rutherford was being honored for her work with the charity, which funds women's health programs and professional development for underprivileged girls. So how is Eric spending his summer vacation? Well, given that he attends the Professional Performing Arts high school in Manhattan along with "GG" costar Taylor Momsen, maybe he deserves a break from studying and working. (The school counts Claire Danes and Alicia Keys among its alums.)

Related Stories:
· Visiting The Gossip Girl Set [HC]
· Gossip Girl: Now You Know How Vanessa Hudgens Feels [Jaunted]
· Gossip Girl coverage [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Ocean Up]

Restaurants / → All Tags

BondSt Coming to LA Soon, So They Say Again

After a long wait, The Thompson Beverly Hills Hotel is officially open, though since portions of the hotel are still under construction you may want to wait until everything is completed before stopping in. (That should be about late February/early March.)

One thing we are eagerly anticipating is the BondSt Sushi Restaurant from Jonathan Morr, owner of BondSt in New York and Miami. The restaurant was supposed to open inside the hotel sometime after Thanksgiving but it has (of course) been delayed.

Our sources say January 7th is the new target opening date. Whenever it opens, the restaurant will have 130 seats, outdoor dining and "alluring Japanese cuisine."

In typical Hollywood fashion, the restaurant did open for a sneak peek a few weeks back but only for celebrities and LA A-listers.

Related Stories:
· Beverly Hills coverage [Jaunted]
· Restaurants coverage [Jaunted]