A Taste for ‘Pacific New Wave’

The fourth-annual “Zagat Los Angeles Restaurant Survey” is out, and its editors say that for the first time, Asian-influenced restaurants--or “Pacific New Wave”--dominate the ratings for most popular and best food.

Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois on Main and Matsuhisa, described as “a Peruvian-accented Japanese seafood house,” took top honors respectively for popularity and best food.

The survey, with 2,400 Los Angeles diners participating, covers more than 600 Southland eateries. Its New York counterpart boasts 4,700 participating diners. In addition to categorizing restaurants by best food, best decor, top spots by cuisine, views and service, it offers tips on people watching, power scenes, single scenes and senior appeal.

After ranking the restaurants, the amateur critics also came up with some innovations they’d like to see. Among them: call buttons to summon waiters; comedy waiters; kinder, gentler maitre d’s; cash discounts, and VCR booths.

In New York, diners would like to see caraway seeds back in the rye bread and the return of cafeterias. Los Angeles restaurant goers suggested a 24-hour Spago and strolling masseurs. ‘Natch.

Real Fur Is a Real Obstacle

Instead of: “Excuse me, are those Bugle Boy jeans you’re wearing?” fur lovers such as Sally Friedman of Los Angeles may hear: “Excuse me, is that a real fur you’re wearing?”

And like the interior designer discovered, if the answer is yes, you may be denied admission into facilities such as the Speakeasy, a nightclub in West Hollywood.

On a cold night earlier this month, Friedman said she was wearing her three-quarter-length, dark-brown, silver-tipped fox, as she waited in line with two friends for an evening of fun at the club.

When she reached the door, someone from the Speakeasy inquired about the genuineness of her fur and when she said it was authentic, Friedman was told real fur is a no-no. She and her two friends left in shock.

“It’s no fun to go out in public and feel rejected because of an article of clothing,” Friedman said.

Friedman said there was a time when everyone wore a fur. “This is Hollywood,” she said. But “now, we’re being turned away.”

Friedman said she has mixed feelings about fur, after the club’s animal rights statement. In fact, the night after the real-fur-on-your-body-you’re-not- allowed-in-the-club incident, she said she left her fur coat home before dining at a Hollywood restaurant. Other women wore them, however.