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A Changing of Hats at the Getty Center

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SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Gwen Says Goodbye, Getty: Gwen Gulliksen has left her post as chef of the restaurant at the Getty Center. Her departure has prompted the Getty to restructure its culinary hierarchy. “The position of executive chef no longer exists,” said Cathy Klose, food and event services manager. Instead, there’s a general manager, Jim Dodge, who began his career as a pastry chef, and a chef de cuisine, Helene Kennan. The restaurant still serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday and brunch on Sunday. Dinner is available Thursday and Friday, the nights the museum is open late.

Not a Drive-In Window: Over the weekend, a silver Ferrari drove through the plate-glass window of Jozu. Owner Andy Nakano wants his customers to know that his place is still open for business, even though it’s boarded up. Jozu is at 8360 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles, (323) 655-5600.

He Left His Mojo: Chef David Slatkin has left Mojo, the Nuevo Latino restaurant in the W Hotel in Westwood that he helped open in January. He’s now pan-roasting whitefish for Fenix at the Argyle Hotel. Why the switch after all the positive reviews he’d gotten at Mojo? “When I was at Mojo I was doing fun food,” Slatkin said, “but now I want to kick it up a couple of levels.” He grew particularly weary of cranking out as much bar food as Mojo served. Some of that serious food, which debuted on his new Fenix menu this week, would be charred, rare yellowfin tuna with saffron-coconut-rum rice ($28) and a grilled center-cut pork loin with whipped fingerling potatoes ($25). Appetizers run from pan-roasted quail with Maytag blue-cheese butter ($14) to lobster, saffron, and Maui onion potstickers ($15). Fenix will also be hiring a new general manager soon. Fenix is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and for brunch on Sunday.

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* Fenix, in the Argyle Hotel, 8358 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; (323) 654-7100.

Let the Brunching Begin: Cezanne, the French restaurant inside Le Merigot Santa Monica Beach Hotel, has begun serving Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Buffet and made-to-order menu items include Pacific Northwest oysters, chicken-apple sausage, braised veal short ribs and poached eggs Benedict. The price is $55 for adults, $25 for children. It’s at 1740 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. Reservations: (800) 926-9524. . . . Cafe Mirabeau, located on the third floor of the Frederic Fekkai salon, has also joined the brunch fray. Its offerings, served Sundays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., include smoked chicken and mushroom quiche ($9), chilled pea soup with mint ($4.50) and a grilled steak sandwich ($10). It’s at 440 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 271-1995.

To Whet Your Appetite: Nico’s, the Italian restaurant owned by Christy Bono, hosts a wine-pairing party Thursday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. About 10 different wines are available by the glass ($4 to $8 each) and come with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Nico’s is at 5760 E. 2nd St., Long Beach; (562) 434-4479. . . . Traxx, the restaurant at Union Station in downtown L.A., has election-themed lunches and dinners to woo Democratic convention-goers. The Lobbyist’s Lunch ($22) consists of a tomato and mozzarella short stack, a choice of pan-roasted halibut or fennel-crusted chicken breast, and a berry tart. The Delegate’s Dinner ($33) is two appetizers, a choice of grilled New York steak or grilled salmon filet, and crunchy chocolate truffle torte. Traxx, open to voters of every stripe, is at 800 N. Alameda St., L.A.; (213) 625-1999.

Back in the Saddle: Saddle Peak Lodge chef Alex Scrimgeour has invited his pals Sang Yoon (formerly of Michael’s), Andre Guerrero and Jan Purdy (chef and pastry chef of Linq) to his place to cook on Monday night. The six-course meal, revolving around a peppered elk loin, will be paired with seven wines. Other dishesinclude a medallion of Maine lobster on gooseberry compote and pancetta-wrapped hare loin with wild cherries. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. The tab is $98 a head.

* Saddle Peak Lodge, 419 Cold Canyon Road, Calabasas; (818) 222-3888.

Listener Dinner: The hosts of “The Restaurant Show,” broadcast Saturdays from 4 to 6 p.m. on talk radio station KABC-AM (790), will hold court at the Dal Rae restaurant on Tuesday. Mario Martinoli and his wife, Amy Strong, are hosting a listener dinner. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 6:30 p.m. The four-course meal begins at 7:30 p.m. The price is $65; and $15 to add wine with each course.

* The Dal Rae, 9023 E. Washington Blvd., Pico Rivera; (562) 949-2444.

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Angela Pettera can be reached at (213) 237-3153 or at pettera@prodigy.net

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