Fogo de Chão Brings Back Popular ‘Best of Brazil’ Menu Offering

Just in time for Spring and warming weather, Fogo de Chão is bringing back one of its popular and highly craved menus!

Fogo de Chão invites guests to experience its Best of Brazil limited-time menu offering that allows guests to spark discovery through all Fogo has to offer including its Market Table with seasonal soups and salads, continuous tableside service of the best cuts of Brazil and signature Brazilian side dishes for only $54 per person. (The Best of Brazil limited-time menu offering is $49 per person. Prices vary in NY, NJ, D.C. and CA areas where the offering is $54 per person.)

The Best of Brazil menu option features a selection of Fogo’s premium fire-roasted cuts of meat that are butchered and prepared in-house and roasted over an open flame through the Culinary Art of Churrasco, including the best cuts of Brazil like the Picanha, the prime part of the top sirloin, and Fraldinha, the bottom sirloin known for its strong marbling characteristics and robust flavor. Brazilian sides are also included in this limited-time menu alongside favorites from the Market Table like plant-based proteins, imported charcuterie, and fresh soups and salads, bringing guests a seasonal variety of nutrient-dense offerings.

In addition to the Best of Brazil, guests can elevate their dining experience with premium cuts including Whole Branzino or Dry-Aged Tomahawk Ribeye and seafood options a la carte, craft cocktails from Bar Fogo, award-winning South American wines, and decadent desserts like the Cheesecake Brûlée or Chocolate Brigadeiro and more to enhance their experience.

While the Best of Brazil Menu won’t be around for long, it’s best to take advantage of it while it is available. Best of Brazil is available at all U.S. Fogo locations.

For more information about Fogo de Chão’s new limited-time menu offering, or to make reservations, visit Fogo.com.

About Fogo de Chão

Fogo is an internationally renowned restaurant from Brazil that elevates the Culinary Art of Churrasco – the art of roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame – into a cultural dining experience. Fogo is famed for its prix fixe Full Churrasco Experience that offers a continuous selection of premium cuts butchered daily by gaucho chefs, simply seasoned and grilled to create a craveable salty bark, then carved tableside. The naturally gluten-free Market Table offers a selection of seasonal salads, charcuterie, exotic fruit, superfoods and more. From celebratory to everyday occasions, Fogo provides selections for every daypart, including All-Day Happy Hour at Bar Fogo, Weekday Lunch, Dinner, and Weekend Brazilian Brunch. Guests can enhance their experience with offerings ranging from a shareable Wagyu New York Strip, South American wines, and more. For locations and to book a reservation to experience the fire of Fogo, visit fogo.com.

Alexsyn Supplements: A New Way to Maintain a Healthier You in 2025

by Dennis Richardson

Sometimes new year’s resolutions go way off track, and that’s okay. We can always correct course whenever we choose to, but Alexsyn Supplements are here to make things much easier with a motivating lineup targeting various aspects of life that could use improvement. Whether or not you’re keeping your healthier you going strong or not, we’re strong advocates for Alexsyn and adding it to your own routine after giving the brand a go!

Alexsyn’s lineup consists of supplements that target Mind & Body health, Vision & Cognitive health, Sleep, and GI Health. In addition, bundles are available for more targeted wellness initiatives that pair and match the offerings for the best results – whether it be fighting against oxidative stress or getting your best sleep.

All photos courtesy of Alexsyn Supplements.

If you’ve fallen off the wagon, now is the next best time to begin looking at your health by eating right and taking the right kind of supplements. Founded by Dr. Edward Simpson, Alexsyn manages to cover the core areas where many have issues, from digestion and focus, to sleep and calmness. We experienced noticeably improved sleep, mental clarity, and stress management during our run with the products. While we did not take all supplements on a daily basis (except for the Sleep gummies), we did take them on an as needed basis. For example, during stressful mornings with brain fog or difficulty concentrating, we tapped into F*OX>VCS™, or Vision & Cognitive Support.

A Full Night’s Sleep

Just in time for the upcoming time change this weekend and World Sleep Day (March 14), we’ve found a new pairing for sleepy time tea!

One 5 mg gummy within 30 minutes of bedtime supplied enough melatonin and vitamin B6 to guarantee sweet dreams in mere minutes. While instructions do permit and suggest slowly working up to 3 gummies if needed, it is completely up to you and how strong you like your dose of sleep. We did not test 3, but did move up to 2 gummies a couple of nights. While 1 did the job just right, 2 gummies felt like more than enough and provided an even heavier sleep, though with a little difficulty to overcome some grogginess and get out of bed the next morning.

Alexsyn’s Livello® Sleep supplements are a great nighttime solution that doesn’t come with negative or detrimental side effects, and we were thoroughly impressed, while looking forward to bed time every night due to just how consistent and well these gummies performed. This was a nighttime routine to fall in love with. The only downside we found was that their flavor was enough to put us in a snacking mood!

Each of these supplements are third party tested, and each serve a purpose that so many as individuals have challenges in. Be it sleep, brain fog, eye strain, muscle soreness and recovery, or just a general “blah” feeling, Alexsyn has a solution for you. We’ll be giving Amend GI and F*OX™ (Fight Oxidative Stress) a more focused try over the coming weeks.

Alexsyn is available on Amazon and Walmart, or directly on their website.

About Dr. Edwin Simpson

They say doctors make the worst patients…

Faithful to the adage, Dr. Edwin Simpson, is one such.

Of course, as the saying suggests, there often exists among professionals a somewhat friendly rivalry. Couple that notion with the “look behind the curtain” only experienced by those in medicine. Now, take this potent mix of boldness and skepticism on Dr. Simpson’s part, (plus a nagging sense that the cure is still too often worse than the disease) and you’ll understand how Alexsyn came to be.

By taking his own advice (in a follow-your-heart kind of way), Dr. Simpson recently moved to his home state of Arkansas to set up shop. It so happened on a particularly fine summer morning, in the sleepy town of Ida, that Alexsyn opened its doors.

Weekend Things to Do: Disney California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival

by Dennis Richardson

If you’re looking for some fun activities over the next month with some repeat value, get ready to snack and sip to your heart’s desire.

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival kicked off on February 28 and will close out on April 21. During this special event, vibrant food hall, Parkside Market, will offer unique specials in addition to an exclusive Sips & Views beverage tasting event every Saturday during the festival.

Throughout the two-month event, Seoul Sister will offer delicious and savory Deconstructed Pork Belly Wraps and Sip & Sonder will serve the Velvet Noir, a cold brew concoction that captures the rich complexity of red wine through deep chocolate tones and vibrant berry syrups.

In addition to these ongoing features will be Vista Parkside Market’s Sips & Views tasting event every Saturday from March 1 to April 19. The ticketed event includes tasting three spirits and Parkside Market bites for $50. Each week will feature a new beverage brand, with tastings from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Partners include Brewery X, Bulleit Bourbon, Don Julio Tequila, Garrison Brothers, Casamigos Tequila, and Ardbeg; each brand will have a tasting expert onsite to provide more background on the spirits.

It’s worth coming back every weekend to take in a new taste and a new experience.

Purchase your ticket here, and check out the full schedule below:

March 1st:
Brewery X

March 8th:
Bulleit Bourbon

March 15th:
Don Julio Tequila

March 22nd:
Garrison Brothers

March 29th:
Casamigos Tequila

April 5th:
Ardberg

April 12th:
Bulleit Bourbon

April 19th:
Garrison Brothers

Artist in Residence: Frankie Payne

by Randy Dunbar

Frankie Payne does hair. You can see his hairstyling on Eva Longoria in “Searching for Spain” which will be airing this coming April, on CNN. This will be the follow-up to “Searching for Mexico”, which will also air in April of this year. But when Frankie is not off with some celebrity making them look good, he paints.

Frankie Payne is a Los Angeles based artist specializing in vibrant portraiture. His works, painted entirely in acrylic, capture a range of subjects inspired by Frankie’s fascination with celebrity and charismatic faces. Most of his work is done on small format canvases and captures the dynamic essence of the subject often through vibrant colors and dramatic lighting. Each painting tells a story on its own, but the paintings, often displayed in clusters, create layered montages of expression and intrigue.

Frankie grew up in the Los Angeles harbor town of San Pedro. He was close enough to the shining allure of LA’s glamorous entertainment industry that, at an early age, he sought to immerse himself in this seductive world of beauty and cache. It was here that Frankie was inspired to launch his career as a hair stylist and would go on to build a successful career styling the trusses of many famous celebrities. But Frankie was also captivated by pop art, enthralled by other artists whose work reflected fascination with popular culture. Artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Keith Haring intrigued him for their subjects, playfulness, and unapologetic uses of bright colors.

Frankie’s early works were more primitive, painting caricatured faces in blocks of color and form, which more closely drew their style inspiration from the early pop artists.

Prior to painting portraits, Frankie’s early works were more primitive, painting caricatured faces in blocks of color and form, which more closely drew their style inspiration from the early pop artists. It was during the Covid Pandemic that Frankie began exploring more articulated portraits, interpreting photographs with more lifelike attention to detail and sophisticated brushwork. Most of Frankie’s paintings are small formats, in the range of 8” x 8” or 10” x 10”, which present as little gems of expression. He has explored larger formats going as large as a 48” x 48” portrait of David Bowie, but for now prefers the intimacy of the smaller size.

Frankie works from his home studio in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles, where he often paints side by side with his husband Don Reich, guarded closely by their goofy pup Zoey. Here, his work is often on display lining the walls with a thousand eyes. Frankie has had two solo shows since the pandemic entitled “FACETIME” which were held at their home studio. An upcoming show is scheduled in Palm Springs on April 12, 2025, at Big Mike Art – Gallery & Studio. But works can be viewed in Los Angeles by appointment and any may be purchased.

Frankie’s portraits hang in homes around the world and across the country. Some celebrity portraits adorn the walls of the actual subjects. Frankie has also done custom portraits of individuals on commission, honoring family members or friends as personal commemorations.

For more Frankie Art visit https://frankiepayneart.com/

The Tony Awards vs. The Oscars

by Contributor

The Oscars and the Tonys are two of the most prestigious award ceremonies in the entertainment industry, each celebrating excellence in their respective fields—film and theater. While both events share an air of glitz and glamour, they have distinct differences in location, audience, style, and even cultural undertones that set them apart.

Location & Industry Focus The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, take place in Hollywood, California, the heart of the film industry. Held at the Dolby Theatre (formerly the Kodak Theatre), the Oscars honor outstanding achievements in cinema, bringing together Hollywood’s elite, from A-list actors to visionary directors.

The Tony Awards, on the other hand, are the premier celebration of Broadway theater and take place in New York City, often at venues like Radio City Music Hall or the Beacon Theatre. Broadway represents the pinnacle of live theatrical performance, and the Tonys recognize the best in plays, musicals, and performances from the past theater season.

Audience & Cultural Differences The Oscars are a global event, watched by millions, with Hollywood’s biggest stars walking the red carpet. Because of its focus on film, it has a more mainstream and commercially driven appeal, attracting everyone from cinephiles to casual moviegoers. The Oscars tend to be more straight-laced, adhering to traditional Hollywood glamour and a broader audience appeal.

The Tonys, in contrast, are often considered a more niche celebration, appealing strongly to theater aficionados and those deeply invested in the performing arts. The Broadway community is known for its strong LGBTQ+ presence, and the Tonys reflect this with a more openly vibrant, inclusive, and sometimes campier atmosphere. It is not unusual to see men call out their husbands and give them a kiss, while the Oscars rarely have men kissing or even being mentioned. While both ceremonies celebrate artistic excellence, the Tonys are widely regarded as the “gayer” of the two, with Broadway being a long-standing safe haven for queer artists and audiences alike.

The Oscars are usually 3.5 to 4 hours long and because of the global nature of films, they have a much larger audience: 15 to 25 million viewer while the Tonys draw around 4 to 6 million viewers.

Fashion & Style of Dress When it comes to fashion, the Oscars are the epitome of high-end designer elegance. The red carpet is a showcase of couture gowns, meticulously styled tuxedos, and bold fashion statements meant to make headlines. Hollywood royalty aims for timeless sophistication, often opting for classic silhouettes and luxurious fabrics. And let’s be blunt, there is a lot more near-nude outfits.

The Tonys, while still glamorous, embrace a more playful and theatrical approach to fashion. Attendees often take more risks with their outfits, reflecting the creativity and flair of the Broadway stage. You’ll see more daring color choices, sequins, and even whimsical nods to stage productions. While tuxedos and gowns are still the standard, there’s an unmistakable theatricality to the Tonys’ fashion choices that set them apart from the Oscars’ polished perfection.

Atmosphere & Entertainment One of the biggest differences between the two ceremonies is the entertainment itself. The Oscars feature film clips and the occasional musical performance, usually from Best Original Song nominees, but the focus remains on awarding cinematic excellence.

The Tonys, however, are a full-blown theatrical spectacle. The ceremony is packed with show-stopping performances from nominated musicals, giving audiences a taste of the best Broadway has to offer. The energy is electric, and the show feels more like an extended theatrical production rather than a straightforward awards ceremony.

Famed Pantry Cafe Closed

by Randy Dunbar

The Original Pantry Café, commonly known as The Pantry, was a legendary diner in downtown Los Angeles that had been serving customers since 1924 and now is closed, for good. Founded by Dewey Logan, the restaurant quickly became known for its generous portions, no-nonsense service, and classic American comfort food.One of its most famous features is its claim to have never closed—not even for a single day—until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary shutdown. Before that, The Pantry had been open 24/7 for nearly a century, earning a reputation as a go-to spot for night owls, early risers, and everyone in between.Over the years, The Pantry has remained a cultural landmark, frequented by celebrities, politicians, and locals alike. It is now owned by former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan, who took over in the 1980s and preserved its old-school charm. Known for its rustic interior, cash-only policy, and famous sourdough bread, The Pantry remains an enduring symbol of L.A.’s rich dining history. The Original Pantry Café, closed permanently on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The closure resulted from a labor dispute between the Richard J. Riordan Trust, which owns the café, and Unite Here Local 11, the union representing its workers. The trust, managing the estate of former LA Mayor Richard Riordan, announced plans to sell the property, leading to conflicts over job security and union representation. Despite efforts to negotiate, the parties couldn’t reach an agreement, culminating in the café’s closure after more than a century of continuous operation.

Sitting on the corner of South Figueroa St. and 9th Street, people would line-up daily for their dose of high carbohydrates. Generous portions of breakfast steaks and chops, with gravy and biscuits got the day started. Dinner was every kind of steak imaginable — Again served with gravy, biscuits, French fries and mashed potatoes. It was a feast and made the usual long wait in line worth it.

There has been dizzy amount of closings as of late:

Bar Chelou (Pasadena, CA) – A beloved local establishment that shut down permanently following the Eaton Fire, which caused widespread displacement and community dispersion.
Sage (Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA) – A plant-based restaurant that closed after 14 years of service.
Catch Steak (West Hollywood, CA) – A notable steakhouse that closed its doors recently.
Piknik (Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA) – A restaurant that ceased operations recently.
Amacita (Culver City, CA) – Chef Josef Centeno’s Tex-Mex spot that closed its doors, with hints of future evolution.
Manzke (Los Angeles, CA) – A Michelin-starred restaurant offering a contemporary style blending French techniques with Californian influences and Asian notes, closed due to increasing costs and financial pressures.
Taco María (Costa Mesa, CA) – A Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant that closed with plans to relocate to a larger space.
Side Pie (Altadena, CA) – A pizza restaurant that began as a pop-up and later moved to a commercial space, destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
Maude (Beverly Hills, CA) – A Michelin-starred restaurant by Chef Curtis Stone, closed to allow focus on other ventures.

These closures reflect the challenges faced by the restaurant industry in Southern California, including financial pressures, natural disasters, and evolving business strategies.