Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer got his start by landing a role in Spike Lee’s 1995 film “Clockers” after attending an open casting call. He went on to star in such movies as “8 Mile” with Eminem while doing the small-screen thing on NBC’s “ER.” But it’s Phifer’s work as executive producer that really has him excited these days. His new movie “This Christmas” just opened in theaters (he also stars), and then there’s his other recent producing project: a baby boy, Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr., born Oct. 30 to fiancee Oni Souratha.
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LUCKY DUCKS On a nice weekend day we like to have a picnic at Balboa Park. We might stop and fill up a basket with food from P.F. Chang’s, but my lady really likes to cook, so we might just stop off at Whole Foods and prepare a nice lunch. Then we get to the park and there’s a lake where you can feed the ducks, and there’s bridges to walk across and you see people rowing boats, riding bikes and roller-blading. Very family-oriented, which I like. ROMANCE, WITH GARLIC We love dinner at Crustacean in Beverly Hills. Great atmosphere, elegant but not stuffy, with really top-notch food. You’ve got to get the garlic noodles, and the crab and lobster are always lovely. PUMP AND PAMPER I like to work out at 24-Hour Fitness in Sherman Oaks, lift weights, maybe play some basketball, and then right next door is Burke Williams, where I’ll take a steam and maybe grab a massage on the fly. QUIET ZONE In the summer we like to go to the movies at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It’s almost like a drive-in; you lay out a blanket, bring your own chairs, candles and a picnic basket and then watch the old movies they play on a big white wall. It’s actually very romantic. THE SPREAD You can’t beat the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills for Sunday brunch. I love the smoked salmon and all the garnishments, and the sushi’s great and so are the made-to-order omelets. The service is excellent, and you can have a nice mimosa and just relax. JAZZY SUNDAYS My friend Danny Masterson has a Sunday night thing at a place called Guy’s, right off Beverly in L.A. You go out and maybe have a nice dinner with friends at Mr. Chow and then head to Guy’s for a night of great jazz.
-- Mark.Sachs@latimes.com