De Mori, Bosc: An Artistic Vision

McCadden’s the Place: Silvio De Mori and Jean-Pierre Bosc--owner and chef, respectively, of Mimosa on Beverly Boulevard--have just taken over Cafe des Artistes (1534 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood). The cafe is closed for now, but De Mori hopes to have it open by the end of the year. Bosc will, of course, do the menu. But don’t expect anything froufrou. Their mantra is “no tablecloths . . . no reservations . . . no dress code . . . no hassles.” . . . Nobu Matsuhisa is expanding his sushi empire next year with a San Francisco Nobu, probably around the same time (April) that a Nobu will open in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He already has restaurants bearing some part of his name (either Nobu or Matsuhisa) in Beverly Hills, New York, London, Tokyo and Aspen.

New Traxx: Tara Thomas has opened a quick and cheap restaurant in the telephone room of the bar across the corridor from Traxx, her stylish restaurant in Union Station. It’s called Fast Traxx, natch, and promises lunch in less than 40 minutes. Salads run $5-$8, all sandwiches are $6.75.

* Fast Traxx, 800 N. Alameda, L.A.; (213) 625-1999.

December, the Tea Month: The Four Seasons Hotel is serving afternoon tea Monday-Saturday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in its newly renovated Cafe. The old banquettes have been replaced by wooden tables and chairs; marble flooring has replaced carpet; and the formerly fabric-papered walls have been painted pale yellow. The tea menu consists of open-faced sandwiches, tea breads, French pastries and scones; $19.50 per person.

* The Four Seasons Hotel, 300 S. Doheny Drive, L.A.; (310) 273-2222.

For the entire month of December, holiday tea will be served daily in the Sunset Lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel. From 2 to 6 p.m., tables will be set with sandwiches, scones and pastries, accompanied by pots of tea, flutes of Champagne and glasses of eggnog; $23 a head.

* Sunset Lounge, the Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 276-2251.

Geri Gilliland serves two teas at Jake & Annie’s in Santa Monica every year. The Holiday High Tea takes place at 3 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 19; it’s tea sandwiches, sausage rolls, Elizabethan pound cake, shortbread, scones, gingerbread, tea and a glass of Sherry, plus caroling; $15.95. Children are invited the following day (also at 3 and 4:30 p.m.) for the Kids’ Christmas Tea of peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches, cupcakes, butterfly buns, gingerbread cookies and shortbread. Santa will give out ornaments. Adults can have the high tea at the same time. It’s also $15.95 for adults and children alike. Quick note: The Elizabethan pound cake, chocolate-caramel shortbread, plum pudding, chocolate-espresso brownies, truffles, biscotti and other baked goodies are available for takeout from all of Gilliland’s restaurants (including Lula’s in Santa Monica and the Washington Street Bar & Grill in Marina del Rey).

* Jake & Annie’s, 2702 Main St., Santa Monica; (310) 452-1734.

Speaking of serving your own high tea (but not baking for it), pastry chef Tobi Sovak has put her goods out for sale at Derek’s in Pasadena. You can call ahead to place your order, or just walk in the restaurant and take a look at the bread pudding, tarts, cookies, brownies, truffles, toffees, caramels and marshmallows waiting to go home with you.

* Derek’s, 181 E. Glenarm, Pasadena; (626) 799-5252.

To Heck With Tea: Jozu is having an omakase (grand sake dinner) Monday. It begins at 7 p.m. and costs $60, plus tax and tip. Each dish (kampachi sashimi, mushroom consomme, braised short ribs, Asian pear apple strudel) is paired with a premium sake.

* Jozu, 8360 Melrose Ave., L.A.; (323) 655-5600.

Christmas Breads Italiano: The Il Fornaio restaurants in Beverly Hills, Pasadena and Santa Monica have special breads this time of year in their bakeries. Look for pane di zucca (pumpkin bread), pane di zenzero (moist gingerbread with spice glaze) and Yule logs.

Chalone Zabaglione: Vincenti in Brentwood is hosting a winemaker dinner tonight led by Larry Brooks of Chalone Wine Estates. Brooks will discuss the Chardonnays, Pinot Blancs, Pinot Noirs and the Zinfandel Port served during the six-course meal. Gino Angelini will be cooking pastry stuffed with shrimp, artichokes and cheese for the reception; scallops with white polenta and baby squid risotto as appetizers; rotisserie pigeon with leek and Pecorino ravioli for the main course; and Port Zabaglione with prunes for dessert. The price is $100 per person.

* Vincenti Ristorante, 11930 San Vicente Blvd., L.A.; (310) 207-0127.

A Tisket a Tasket, a Holiday Basket: The Il Gift baskets full of edible goodies are available from Urban Epicuria in West Hollywood, (213) 848-8411, and BG to Go, the take-away arm of the Bistro Garden in Studio City, (818) 366-3246. Usually you only need a few hours notice to have a basket made up. Call for details. Your favorite restaurant may also be willing to make up a basket of desserts, wines, caviars or other such goodies for you; just ask.

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