Saddle Peak’s Reins; Fund-Raising Plans

A New Man in the Saddle: Warren Schwartz recently took the reins at the venerable Saddle Peak Lodge (departed chef Alex Scrimgeour is opening his own restaurant in Citrus’ old space at the end of this year). Last year Schwartz planned a restaurant where Georgia had been on Melrose Avenue, but that never opened because of investor problems; now, after a brief stint at Felt in West Hollywood, he’s back in the saddle. Schwartz, who once worked with Bradley Ogden at Lark Creek Inn in Larkspur, Calif., says, “I really like to push the American thing.”

At Saddle Peak, he offers both an a la carte menu and a monthly tasting menu; the current tasting menu is four courses for $55 ($75 with a flight of wines).

Dishes on the a la carte menu are heavy on game, but there are seafood and steak options as well. Rack of venison is crusted in the West African spice known as grain of paradise ($32). A Sonoma lamb loin is mesquite-grilled and served with “melted” (so the menu says) Swiss chard ($29). A wild boar chop from Texas comes with mashed potatoes, cider-braised cabbage and an apple ($33). For vegetarians, there’s ravioli filled with corn and mascarpone cheese and topped with roasted tomato ragout ($24). Saddle Peak Lodge is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday.* Saddle Peak Lodge, 419 Cold Canyon Road, Calabasas; (818) 222-3888.

Fund-raisers on Oct. 11: Many restaurants across the nation are holding fund-raising dinners Oct. 11 to support the victims of the Sept. 11 disaster and their families. With the help of generous purveyors, some restaurants are able to donate all their proceeds for the day; others will give a percentage of the day’s take. Still others (through the Dine for America campaign) are matching donations you may choose to add to your lunch or dinner tab. New restaurants are still joining these causes (which benefit the Windows of Hope Relief Fund and the American Red Cross); check with your favorite places to see whether and how they are involved.

These restaurants have joined the Windows of Hope Relief Fund, which aids culinary workers and their families involved in the World Trade Center attack:

In Santa Monica and nearby: Melisse, Josie, La Serenata de Garibaldi, Rockenwagner, Border Grill and Rosti; Joe’s, the Canal Club and James Beach in Venice; Rock in Marina del Rey.

In L.A. central: Campanile, Ammo and Sonora Cafe; La Cachette in Century City; Mako and Mistral in Beverly Hills; Rosti in L.A., Beverly Hills and Brentwood; the Regency Club in Westwood; Ciudad downtown; La Conversation Bakery-Cafe in West Hollywood.

In the Valley: La Loggia and the Bistro Garden in Studio City; Mistral and Sisley Italian Kitchen in Sherman Oaks; Rosti in Encino; and Border Grill in Pasadena. The following restaurants are part of the Dine for America campaign, which matches patrons’ donations.

If you dine in these restaurants Oct. 11 and give to the Red Cross (through your lunch or dinner bill), the eatery will match your gift. Some places will also donate a portion of their proceeds for the day.

Multiple location restaurants: Outback Steakhouse, Roy’s, Fleming’s Steakhouse, Chili’s, T.G.I. Friday’s, Red Lobster, the Olive Garden, Palomino.

In the South Bay: Chez Melange, Kincaid’s Bay House, Michi, Aioli, the Depot, Torrance Bakery, La Rive Gauche, Chez Allez, Sixth Street Bistro, Gina Lee’s Bistro, Aimee’s, the Admiral Risty, Coyote Cantina, Restaurant Christine, Too Chez, Palos Verdes Inn, the Bottle Inn, Hennessey’s Tavern, H.T. Grill, Breadstix, the Whale and Ale.

*

Reach Angela Pettera at (310) 358-7647 or pettera@prodigy.net