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The location was perfect for the SPLASH bash: the new Tengu Santa Monica on Ocean Avenue! The party air was electric both inside and out.
There may as well have been a red carpet, but nature set an even more perfect stage outside the Westside' most talked about new hot spot. The weather had a hint of spring balminess. Waves lapped against the manicured beach. Even the colored lights of the Santa Monica Pier ferris wheel across the street seemed to wave a welcome.
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A waitress offers a special dessert; Journalist Aimee Tang and friend
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The fireball of sun dropped into the ocean, leaving a dark velvet sky. Inside of Tengu the spectacular signature ornate lantern anchored at the center of the restaurant warmed buzzing guests with its alluring glow
Inside lively hosts and glam gorgeous hostesses greeted party goers all evening. Even the dynamic Tengu entrepreneur owners surrounded publisher Lawrence Davis to welcome guests. How much more attention can a host lavish on guests than hosting a spring fling at the end of winter at Tengu?
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Splash Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Lawrence Davis and Editor Susan diRende
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Splash Magazines Worldwide publisher Lawrence Davis chose carefully when he planned his Journalist Appreciation Night. The generous offer of Tengu to close the restaurant during its usual Hours of Mischief evening cocktail hour made the high style insider's private party even more special.
Lawrence's high energy thank you to writers, photographers, editors and staff who are transforming the LA SPLASH website into SPLASH WORLDWIDE at such an astonishingly fast pace filled the air. SPLASH has reached an ever-wider readership of over 20 million hits a monthly over 20 worldwide magazines and growing, in cities that include Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, London, Tokyo, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona. "It's so easy to network here," said Lori Peters, a writer for SPLASH. And the delicious drinks and mouth watering Tengu sushi are positively motivating.
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A Splash writer enjoys herself
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"This is a fantastic wonderful opportunity to meet with other journalists and affiliates," beamed Catherine Teniente. The ambience is perfect: the music, cocktails, appetizers and the sociality of it all. I enjoy Tengu so much I would love to return with friends and family. Hopefully everyone can meet again sooner rather than later."
Only a few minutes outside the bustle of L.A., Tengu feels worlds away. In addition to offering outstanding sushi and pan-Asian cuisine, Tengu boasts fine sakes, signature cocktails, live DJs, and a spectacular ocean view.
For SPLASH writer Emma Mishel, the party became a week-end in the middle of the week. Emma came straight from school. "After a long day of long classes, the Tengu party with its laid-back and cheerful ambiance is the perfect relief!"
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Partygoers celebrate
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Writers, photographers and staff could be heard exclaiming over their meeting in person for the first time after connecting online. Manoj Gera "loved" this aspect of the party. "The event was a vibrant gathering of eclectic tastes and personalities associated with LA Splash", he exclaimed, "it just blended perfectly for an enjoyable evening."
"The exciting part is matching the faces to the bylines in the magazine, and getting to know the personality behind the names", Manoj said, "plus being able to make inquiries about the subject matter--it's so refreshing to meet so many enthusiastic and capable, talented people who are part of the creative team at LA SPLASH.
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With Tengu, Franklin Studios reinterprets the traditional Asian aesthetic with a contemporary flair
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A live DJ played a variety of hip hop and other music styles, adding just the right amount of dash with dancing to mingling. That didn't take away from the cuisine, however. One partygoer was overhead saying, "The sushi is so amazing and the food is Rock Star Good!"
Mishel applauded the excellent service and treatment. "I love the flow of it. Servers are bringing around delicious plate after delicious plate. My favorite has been the steak, perfect to munch on with the white grape cocktails! I already made friends and new acquaintances by mingling around the open bar. I'm already looking forward to the next one!"
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Splash guests converse over complimentary martinis and cocktails
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But back to work & for a minute. Added Peters, I met a friendly photographer, who I can cover events with, and I loved meeting Alex (Editor Alex Palmer) in person and seeing Lawrence!
Another beauty of the Tengu space is the classic Spanish courtyard right outside the door with plenty of space around the tables to take in a different ocean view. Party guests leisurely enjoyed plates of food there amidst more quiet conversation through the evening. Lawrence held court smack dab in the middle where everyone could easily find him. Seated at a table and biting into Tengu's mizore sushi, Aimee Tang looked over the buzzing crowd.
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Publisher Lawrence Davis with two Splash writers
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"What a stimulating, talented crowd these editors of SPLASH turned out to be!" she observed. This party is definitely a highlight of the season and a sassy way to say goodbye to winter, even our L.A. version of it.
"I was transfixed on the Indian marble and modern black-n-white Asian dÃcor, she added. But it's the oceanfront view of the Pacific and the pear sake that is keeping me here till the very end of the event. Cheers to Lawrence for his sophisticated party planning!"
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Writers, photographers, and guests mingle
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Franklin Studios helped when it recently developed the site from its original home as the famed Ivy at the Shore. Known as the hottest young firm in town for its ability to keep the integrity of a space while bringing it up to the best of its contemporary image, architects Frank Medrano and Steve Brabson of FS showed off their latest "baby".
The young dynamic entrepreneurs who hired them and put the concept together do business under the name Choice Hospitality Group. They are the ingenious creators of the original flagship Tengu Westwood Village, Nacional, Nine Thirty and The Backyard at the W Hotel, Holly's and Holly's West.
Guests were toured through the renovated rooms and around back to watch the finishing touches put on Adobe. Guide Medrano explained the FS vision: "We wanted to blur the line between the interior and the seascape along the enclosed Ocean Avenue patio, opening the FacÃade and bookending the matching liquor bar and the sushi bar that anchor out onto the it." Please visit: www.tengu.com
With Tengu, Franklin Studios reinterprets the traditional Asian aesthetic with a contemporary flair. With its dramatic black-and-white palette, sculpted coffered ceilings, lavish use of Indian marble and travertine, and bleached wood parquet floors, the feeling is of a grand Japanese palace though it steers clear of traditional Asian design aesthetics.
"The sculpted ceilings of both Tengu and Abode (still a work in progress to open in April) connect the two aesthetically", he adds, "along with organic color and texture to complete the design."
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A live DJ played a variety of hip hop and other music styles
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Brabson described their vision for Abode restaurant behind Tengu as "an off the path gem in an intimate courtyard that we wanted to make into a cozy corner." Its refined atmosphere is inspired by the sophisticated glamour and abstract geometries of late-sixties design, distinguished by a rich, earthy color palette with patterned stone slabs.
The hammering and bustle of workmen have kept neighbors and bloggers alert to the rebirth of the Tengu and Abode space for months. Photos crop up on the internet weekly. At Lawrence's party, guests lingering throughout the long courtyard could peek into the Abode windows. Dramatic ceiling pendants serve serve as a spectacular focal point for the center room. The lighting elements open like daffodils exploding with yellow color.
"We activated the main dining room by giving the walls real depth, explained Steve." Water runs over one 26-foot travertine marble wall with an overlay of hand hewn timbers. "Very dramatic," he laughs. "What we had in mind is a warm, hang out with unpretentious, organic materials to complement the high end comfort food cuisine. We energized it even more by opening up the patio with operable windows, a fire pit and a lounge area."
A trained engineer and architect with a background in sculpture and drawing makes it natural for Steve to state, "I love sculpture. Our buildings are like giant sculptures, very expressive and very streamlined in a very sophisticated, visual language." http://www.franklinstudios.com
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A mix of readers and journalists
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Partygoers also had a rare opportunity to meet the culinary visionary at Tengu Santa Monica, the extraordinarily gifted and model gorgeous-- Executive Chef/Sushi Master Shunji Nakao of Matsuhisa and The Hump fame, usually too busy to talk behind the sushi bar.
A protege of legendary sushi master Nobu Matsuhisa, Shunji worked closely with Nobu at Osho restaurant as well as at the signature Matsuhisa restaurant in Beverly Hills. Before arriving at Tengu, Shunji opened his own sushi restaurant, Asanebu, in Studio City, and later served as Executive Chef at the highly acclaimed sushi restaurant The Hump, overlooking the Santa Monica Airport.
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Splash Publisher Lawrence Davis with a friend
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Michael Kowrach summed it up perfectly. "The party at Tengu shows how well-connected Splash is", he said. "Hundreds of pretty people were dressed to kill, packing the house with mirth, hitting the open bar and laughing it up as the sushi which passed by on a tray every minute or so. The only problem I see is that the next party will need a bigger place as Splash takes over the world!"
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