MARK’S RESTAURANT
Two Delicious Decades
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From the day it opened, Mark’s Restaurant has been a West Hollywood oasis, thanks to the vision of co-owners Chris Diamond and Chef Wayne Elias. www.lobelinepr.com/marks Now, after 20 years, that oasis has become an institution – as Mark’s unveils its great new menu, new ambiance and new permanent home for Upright, an L.A. Cabaret. www.uprightcabaret.com
The year long celebration goes hand in hand with the announcement of a Men of Mark’s 2009 Calendar benefiting The Trevor Project, the nation’s only 24-hour crisis helpline for gay and questioning youth. www.thetrevorproject.org
Says Diamond, “It is with tremendous pride and a great appreciation to our community that we are able to celebrate this achievement.” Adds Elias, “It is, after all the patrons that have made this possible and we hope to live up to their expectations for the next 20 years.”
Located on 861 North La Cienega Blvd., Mark’s Restaurant has gained a huge following thanks to innovative menus, elegant interiors and friendly (as well as remarkably stunning) staff. Mark’s is famous for its comfortable ambiance and affordable California/southwestern cuisine. With a newly-completed interior and exterior redesign, dining at Mark’s means an even more aesthetically pleasing experience. The new look features a performing stage and 100-inch video display, upgraded lighting, carpeting and colors, refurbished booths, theater-style marquee and semi-private dining space.
Mark’s ever-changing menu includes main courses ranging from pumpkin ravioli to Muscovy duck breast to Chef Wayne’s famous turkey meat loaf. “The menu has items that have been there for 20 years,” notes Elias. “It is hard at times when you want to create a whole change and introduce diners to new tastes. Then there are your customers who always want the same item they are used to and comfortable with. Food is personal.”
In 1997 Mark’s Restaurant took over the John Anson Ford Theater food service. Then, in 2000, Diamond and Elias officially formed Crumble, a gourmet catering business www.crumblecatering.com One of their first accounts: the NBC/Universal commissary, serving more than a thousand people daily, including the “green rooms” and dressing rooms for the TONIGHT SHOW and ELLEN.
Crumble went on to provide unforgettable spreads for premiere parties for “Chicken Little,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Happy Feet,” “Harry Potter and Order of Phoenix” and “Superman.” For the fourth year running, Mark’s recently prepared a five-course dinner for 700 at Elton John’s 2008 Oscar party, held at L.A.’s Pacific Design Center and benefiting the AIDS Foundation.
Mark’s has also catered corporate events for AT&T, the Pantages Theatre and many more, accommodating guest lists as large as 5,000 diners.
Diamond attributes the success of Mark’s and Crumble to hard work and creative teamwork. “Chef Wayne and I are continually doing research, dining out, traveling, experimenting and trying new menu ideas and different types of presentation to stay current and contemporary.” Mark’s has won West Hollywood’s Outstanding Restaurant Award four times.
Throughout the years, Diamond and Elias have made charity a priority. Whether donating food, gift certificates, restaurant space, money, time and staff, Mark’s gives back to the community. Beneficiaries include organizations like AIDS Project L.A., Aid for AIDS, and Shanti, a Bay Area-based consortium of HIV/AIDS services. “We both have been touched by loss, and are very grateful that there are organizations in Los Angeles to help our brothers and sisters with whatever the need may be,” says Diamond. “We will continue to help all organizations and try to spread our love to everyone.”
Ultimately, the source of Mark’s success lies with the collaboration between Diamond and Elias. Says Diamond, “We have learned how to respect each other and work well together. We both enjoy good food, wine, and the all-around experience of being in our business.”
Adds Elias, “It is a great achievement for Chris and I to still be able to own a restaurant in today’s market, to continue to stay current in food fashion and keep our focus on the community. It is a passion of ours that we have had for the past 20 years and we are proud that we are able to create a space for our community.”
“Chef Wayne Elias, West Hollywood Mayor John Duran and Chris Diamond”
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A CAVALCADE OF STARS AT UPRIGHT CABARET AT MARK'S RESTAURANT
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LOS ANGELES - It's a cavalcade of stars at Mark's Restaurant on La Cienega. The famed eatery is now the permanent home to L.A.'s celebrated Upright Cabaret, featuring Hollywood's and Broadway's hottest talent, both onstage and in the audience!
Recently spotted:
Upright Cabaret takes place the second and last Friday and Saturday of every month with special solo engagements by the hottest stars all month. Please check our calendar of events at www.myspace.com/uprightcabaret. For reservations and more information, call 310-652-5252 or visit: www.marksrestaurant.com, and www.uprightcabaret.com or www.myspace.com/uprightcabare |
