Tag Archives: Iron Chef America

Happy hour savings in L.A.

Tasty food and drink specials for happy hour can be found at the Charleston, Drago Centro, the Prince and Urbano Pizza Bar.

by Jessica Gelt
Los Angeles Times
April 6, 2012

Chef Jet Tila, who has battled it out on “Iron Chef America” and opened the buzzy pan-Asian restaurant Wazuzu at the Wynn in Las Vegas, has brought his tasty brand of Asian-fusion comfort food to Santa Monica. Called the Charleston and decked out in snazzy 1930s-era decor, Tila’s new boîte features classic cocktails, live music — including jazz — and short rib tacos. Happy hour, which takes place Mondays through Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m., offers a chance to taste Tila’s food without residual wallet pain. Choose a $7 bacon, egg and cheese flatbread; $2 Korean tacos or $5 Thai sweet and sour hot wings with Sriracha — and more — and wash it all down with $7 craft cocktails or $5 well drinks.

New Nightlife Venue The Charleston Opens in Santa Monica

by Connie K. Ho
Haute Living
March 29, 2012

TheCharleston GrubStreet New Nightlife Venue The Charleston Opens in Santa Monica

With the weekend coming up, get ready to check out new nightlife hotspot The Charleston in Santa Monica. It’s located on Wilshire Boulevard, close to other nightlife venues and a pit stop before the beach. A collaboration by entrepreneurs Mike Lee, Jack M.Y. Lee, and Trey Martin, The Charleston features live entertainment, savory dishes, and special cocktail mixes.

The live entertainment, particularly the dueling pianos, is one of the reasons to visit The Charleston. If that’s not your thing, it also promises to bring back 80’s cover bands, hip hop acts, as well as comedy and karaoke nights. It’s a great way to loosen up after a long week of work.

Not only is there live entertainment, but The Charleston offers an array of food and drink to sample. The new menu was created by Chef Jet Tila and, with stints on Iron Chef America and the Encore Resort in Las Vegas, he brings a multitude of experience to The Charleston. With an ambitious take on flavors, he aims to showcase a twist on American comfort food with a variety of shared plates. There are a number of mouth watering dishes, including the Charleston Burger that’s topped with cheddar, arugula, an onion marmalade sauce, and a sun dried tomato aioli spread. Save room for dessert, with beverages like the Kaffir Lime Pie that’s a mix of Stoli Vodka, Stoli Vanilla Vodka, lime juice, and a touch of simple syrup.