Busy Times At Marks

February 1, 2007 - Ryan Gierach, West Hollywood

Marks chic and contemporary dining room. Photo Credit: Erhard Pfeiffer

Marks Restaurant, a perennial West Hollywood favorite, has announced an all-new bistro style menu; integrating their Monday night reduced prices into a new Tuesday through Sunday night dinner menu. Just before their famed Sir Elton John’s Oscar Party.

According to the brains and finesse behind Marks success, Chef Wayne Elias and co-owner Chris Diamond, say the move makes dinner out more accessible to people throughout the week. And they had to do it sometime; why not now after the (very expensive) holiday season?

“It’s the best of both worlds,” Chef Wayne Elias said. “Whether you are in the mood for a gourmet meal or a more economically priced casual bistro-style fare, Marks has something on the menu to suit everyone's tastes, seven nights a week.”

WeHoNews went to try out the new taste delights and rediscovered an up to the moment cutting edge ambiance to the place and a friendly, charming staff. And then they dazzled our palette with a menu inspired by the fresh and abundant flavors of California . Chef Wayne Elias has created an assortment enticing appetizers, tantalizing entrees and scintillating desserts custom created for the Southern California palette.

Photo by Carlocapomazza.com.

With the new Bistro Menu he builds upon such perennial favorites as “Mark’s Famous Salad,” “Chef Wayne’s Turkey Meatloaf”, the Basil Garlic Rigatoni and the ever-popular “Surf and Turf combination,” with all new delicacies that include:

PRETZEL CRUSTED CHICKEN BREAST with an orange mustard sauce with candied orange peel and balsamic syrup

MISO GLAZED FILET OF BEEF in lettuce cups with asparagus tips & watercress and a rice wine vinaigrette

GRILLED ARTICHOKE AND TUNA PANINI with olive tepenade

Their ever popular “Half Price Monday” menu will continue along with Wednesday night’s Live Maine Lobster Dinner Special for just $23.95.

Marcus Fant, our business director and main food tester, took the palate tour and dined on the “Trio of Tastes” appetizer, containing Jumbo Coconut Shrimp with a deliciously sweet rock-candy coating, a steamed chicken dumpling in teriyaki sauce and carne asada with guacamole and freshly made salsa.

"Those shrimp were amazing," he said, "They were crunchy sweet outside and tender and succulent inside."

Mr. Fant also enjoyed the Fresh House Ground Kobe Beef Cheeseburger. "Oh my god,” he reported, “it was the tenderest, softest, most flavorful meat I ever had. If you've never tried Kobe Beef, this would make the first introduction to it a joy; it's like nothing you've ever tasted, really."

Succulent grilled jumbo prawns atop heirloom tomato/ fava bean salad. Photo Credit: Erhard Pfeiffer

We like to think Chef Wayne blushes when he reads this stuff.

Finishing off with a sinfully choco-flourish, Marcus rolled his eyes in ecstasy throughout his entire Warm Flourless Belgian Chocolate Cake.

For reservations or more information, call: 310-652-5252 or visit marksrestaurant.com.

For the third year running, Chef Wayne and his “Crumble” catering team will be exclusive caterer for Elton John’s annual Oscar soiree. From its humble beginnings in 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation gala has distributed over $55 million in grants worldwide – Marks and Crumble take pride in playing a small role.

“It’s one of the challenges we look forward to each year,” said Chris Diamond. “It’s definitely a labor of love for us.” Preparations for Sir Elton’s bash begin two months in advance, with Chef Wayne working hand-in-hand with his business partner of over twenty-five years, Chris Diamond.

When the 1,100 celebrity guests arrive after sitting through the ceremonies, they’ll undoubtedly be famished. An army of more than 150 servers, bartenders and kitchen staff will be on duty throughout the night to keep them fed and happy.

Sir Elton John and Marks co-owner Chris Diamond. Photo Credit: Erhard Pfeiffer

For anyone else, an event of this magnitude might be intimidating and overwhelming; but Crumble currently provides all food services for the NBC Studios Commissary in Burbank, serving up over one-thousand daily meals for the network’s workforce in addition to on-set catering for “The Tonight Show,” “Ellen” and other hit shows.

Over the years, Crumble has catered hundreds of A-list events, including the World Premieres of “Happy Feet” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

To Chef Wayne, every person he serves on a daily basis, whether at Marks or in a studio or on location, is equally important. He said, “When guests depart with the many delicious flavors of the night pleasantly etched on their taste buds, it makes it all worth-while.”