DINING BEAT : WU CLOSING THE GARDEN.Byline: Larry Lipson After 37 years as a restaurateur res·tau·ra·teur also res·tau·ran·teur n. The manager or owner of a restaurant. [French, from restaurer, to restore; see restaurant. , Madame Sylvia Wu is saying ``Au revoir.'' Owner of Madame Wu's Garden, 2201 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. , the longtime dining diva of the Westside, the charming, sophisticated Wu, a friend and confidante con·fi·dante n. 1. A woman to whom secrets or private matters are disclosed. 2. A woman character in a drama or fiction, such as a trusted friend or servant, who serves as a device for revealing the inner thoughts or intentions of movie stars and statesmen, has authored best-selling cookbooks, published a memoir of her friend Madame Sun Yat Sen, the former first lady of China, and taught cooking classes. Her pal for many years and one of her most vociferous food fans was actor Cary Grant Noun 1. Cary Grant - United States actor (born in England) who was the elegant leading man in many films (1904-1986) Grant . Wu began her restaurant career in a little spot down the street from her current palatial pa·la·tial adj. 1. Of or suitable for a palace: palatial furnishings. 2. Of the nature of a palace, as in spaciousness or ornateness: a palatial yacht. facility that is now occupied by celebrated Italian chef Celestino Drago and his Drago Ristorante. She was the first woman to receive the Restaurateur of the Year award from the California Restaurant Writers Association. And I remember Madame Wu's fondly as the first restaurant where I tasted traditional Chinese winter melon soup. And I hope to do that at least one more time before she shutters her famous restaurant in February 1998. As always, Madame Wu understands dramatic gestures, so she will close her place with a fitting finale, the upcoming Chinese New Year Chinese New Year (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: Chūnjié), or Spring Festival celebration. Reservations: (310) 828-5656. Budding business ``When will we be discovered?'' That's the ongoing question Lawrence Casperson had been asking since early this year when he took over the very visible cafe on the southwest corner of Van Nuys and Ventura boulevards in Sherman Oaks. He mistakenly named it Kings Road 818, thinking he could get mileage out of his already successful Kings Road eatery in West Hollywood West Hollywood A community of southern California northeast of Beverly Hills. It is mainly residential. Population: 36,600. . But Sherman Oaks residents had never heard of the original Kings Road and apparently weren't enamored en·am·or tr.v. en·am·ored, en·am·or·ing, en·am·ors To inspire with love; captivate: was enamored of the beautiful dancer; were enamored with the charming island. with a breakfast, lunch and dinner facility that had no wine and beer license. So, despite its good food, Kings Road languished until Casperson changed the name to Bistro 818, lowered its prices somewhat, changed it to strictly a dinner house, and began serving well-chosen wines from a wonderfully consumer friendly wine list soon after the license was finally approved. Now, of course, Bistro 818 finally has been discovered. Reservations: (818) 789-9044. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Madame Sylvia Wu Westside dining diva |
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