::: George Christy ::: From the Beverly Hills Courier

Twenty years ago, Peter Morton of the King Midas touch who had created his wildly successful Hard Rock CafŽ in London, opened MortonÕs in Los Angeles. And that very first week of its opening we wrote in the first sentence of our review in our Great Life column in the Hollywood Reporter for my readers to take note of its then- unlisted phone number. My psychic sense knew that MortonÕs was destined to be one hot spot. Located across the street from where MortonÕs now is (the John Varvatos shop took over the space), everything about it was the best fit Ð the long belly-up-to bar, the smartly spaced tables conducive for people-watching yet not privy to a neighborÕs conversation, the Francis Bacon painting on the far wall, and the down-to-earth food. None of that ridiculously overly creative stuff that chefs mess with and that confused critics go gaga over (and leave you hungry). I predicted MortonÕs would be the scene, which it became overnight, and for these many years it has been smoothly and attractively managed by PeterÕs popular twin sister, Pam. I also had good luck in predicting several other restaurants during their opening week, namely Spago in 1982, the Ivy in 1983 and the Ivy at the Shore in 1985. WeÕre now betting on the Pink Taco, which PeterÕs handsome and cowboy-lean, 26-year-old heir Harry Morton is masterminding in the Westfield Century City shopping mall. Peter Morton opened the first Pink Taco at his Hard Rock CafŽ in Las Vegas, and it was realtor Stephen Shapiro who dreamed up the name and dared Peter to use it. It took off, as did the Pink Taco in Scottsdale, Arizona, which Harry Morton created. From what I gleaned during my tour, the Pink Taco will be a hangout, before or after the movies at the AMC Theatres, after shopping, a respite for the CAA and ICM folks, whoÕve relocated in Century City. And for tequila-sipping good-timers who dig a rock ÔnÕ roll attitude, the large rectangular bar is destined for socializing, meeting ÒnewÓ and greeting ÒoldÓ friends. Yes, the Pink Taco will offer a mighty salute of tequilas, and tasty Mexican-food that will be within a walletÕs reach. ÒWeÕre sensitive to pricing,Ó says Harry, adding that good food doesnÕt come cheap, but at the same time it can be affordable. Nathan Slattery, previously with New YorkÕs Rosa Mexicano restaurants, promises that heÕll honor classic Mexican dishes with an updated twist here and there. Among the kitchenÕs features are the rotating grill and handmade tortillas that are patty-caked daily. ÒWeÕll also have communal tables for ten or 20, which are popular in Scottsdale -- regulars often call to reserve them.Ó Look for a dŽcor of low-rider bikes from East Los Angeles, kitschy chandeliers of pattern-pierced tin, walls of old barnwood, floorboards from vintage building beams, and dining tables designed from 100-year-old maplewood, reclaimed from Thomas EdisonÕs phonograph factory in New London, Wisconsin. Outdoor dining, of course, with fire pits and orange umbrellas and pink walls Ð a choice space for birthday parties or whatever. A classmate of HarryÕs from Crossroads School and Harvard Westlake, Spencer Villasenor serves as v-p of marketing and public relations, and notes that Harry, a musicologist, is mixing the hot and sexy music, from Celia Cruz to the Stones. We should mention that HarryÕs mom is the beautiful Pauline Stone, the British model, who wed Peter, actor Laurence Harvey and the late Marc Burns. HarryÕs half-sister is the late bounty hunter Domino Harvey, who director Tony Scott immortalized in the 2005 film Domino, starring Kiera Knightley. PaulineÕs brother, Warwick Stone, who is HarryÕs uncle, designed the restaurants, and among the investors are director Mike Binder, industry heavyweights and NBA players. Opening on Thursday, June 29th, Pink Taco is on the second level of the Century City Mall, near the Container Store. At 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard. Telephone: (310) 789-1000. The day before I checked out the Pink Taco, I joined Jeffrey Godsick at MortonÕs, and what a civilized pleasure lunch at MortonÕs is. Commodious and serene without the craziness one finds in restaurants Ð yes, you can talk easily and not strain to listen to your dining companions. We both ordered the curried chicken salad with the banana muffin and fruit, it was delicious, and we were well-served by our waiter Brett Abbott and hostess Stacy Burka. Jeffrey surprised his wife Pam, whose dad is Ken Murray, with a MotherÕs Day gift of having the Ivy and Indigo SeasÕ Lynn von Kersting design an office for her at home. ÒI want it to look just like the Ivy,Ó Jeffrey suggested, and as weÕve noted in Design Magazine, there are forces of nature and there are forces of talent, and Lynn is the latter. ÒHow did we keep it a surprise? We arranged for Pam to be away that day, Lynn and her crew piled in, and by the end of the afternoon we had an office that was a dream come true.Ó Pam was stunned, and Lynn christened the Godsick abode as Casa Contenta. Jeffrey adds that he and Pam are nuts about LynnÕs La Strada della Dolce Vita book, her family memoir of favorite travels and recipes thatÕs selling out at Indigo Seas. ÒWeÕve cooked the IvyÕs spaghetti and meatballs Ð sensational!Ó Pam Morton explained that MortonÕs will close at the end of the year now that the leaseÕs rent will increase to $80,000 a month, and that the SoHo Club from England will take over the space. But those of us who know capricious L.A. wonder how long a life a club will have. ÒWeÕve had a great twenty years,Ó added Pam, who introduced her daughter Isabella, now studying international relations at Brown University. Pam was departing the next day for a two-week tour of China. Jeffrey was off to catch a screening that afternoon, and we ran into interior designer and long-time friend Leonard Stanley, whoÕs at lunch at MortonÕs every day. That week at MortonÕs, he entertained Peter Duchin and wife Brooke Hayward and Rosemarie Stack, whose beautiful Holmby Hills apartment Leonard designed. The Duchins were in town for Peter to play his sophisticated piano medleys at Margie and Jerry PerenchioÕs 20th wedding anniversary party at their Bel-Air mansionette, where the Beverly Hillbillies was filmed. Willie Nelson and his two sons also performed for an hour. Billionaire Jerry owns Univision, the largest Spanish language television network in the United States. Now president of marketing for Fox-Walden movies, Jeffrey says, ÒWe have a staff of 20, and whatÕs wonderful about this joint venture between Fox and Walden Media, which is owned by Philip Anschutz, is that weÕll make movies that every member of the family can go to. Together! WaldenÕs biggest success is The Chronicles of Narnia, and these PG films resonate and stay in the marketplace longer than most films. WeÕll work with best-selling authors and create stories that will inspire the imaginations of young audiences. In October weÕll release The Dark Is Rising, about warriors fighting the forces of the dark, starring Ian McShane and Frances Conroy. Following that in November is Mr. MagoriumÕs Wonder Emporium about a magic toy store in which everything comes to life, starring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman and Jason Bateman. Next year, Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin will star in NimÕs Island about a young girl whose existence mirrors that of her favorite literary character, the worldÕs greatest adventurer. Both adults and young audiences will find these movies entertaining.Ó During the premiere of Hershey FelderÕs George Gershwin Alone at the Geffen Playhouse, former mayor Dick Riordan, who came with Carol Ferencz, revealed that he and Nancy Daly are separated. More about the ÒsÕwonderfulÓ Gershwin show next week. Online at www.bhcourier.com.