GATEKEEPER OF COOL, LARRY NICOLA,

INVITES L.A. TO “DIVE IN” FOR 6/16 CHARITY BENEFIT

Known as the Ambassador of Vodka, the Vodkateur, Owner of Nic’s Beverly Hills and L.A. Restaurateur debuts “POOLSIDE” for L.A. Regional Food Bank Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Larry Nicola invites L.A. to “dive in” Poolside at Nic’s Beverly Hills as he hosts a kick off and benefit for the L.A. Regional Food Bank on June 16th.  The fundraising event (open to the public) will occur at a transformed Nic’s with pool cabana boys and girls, fluffy towels, chaise lounges, music and a swimsuit fashion show in the restaurant and in the outdoor parking lot. While guests view an art installation of classic and cool Hollywood poolside images by Tim Street Porter, Anthony Friedkin and others, they’ll experience a 60-foot tall video installation (by Megavision Arts) simulating various water features as they nibble on the new Poolside menu items.  The Poolside theme depicts the people and locales of iconic pools in Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and beyond, along with pool-friendly celebs in Hollywood’s heyday like Rock Hudson and Delores Del Rio.

At the June 16^th event, Nic’s Beverly Hills’ new look, new food, new cocktails, and Vodka Culture (as dispensed by the expert Nicola) will be the backdrop for dancing, chic art, and more, all for a good cause.  Dance poolside under the stars with KCRW DJ Mario Cotto, view a swimsuit fashion show, sip vintage-inspired cocktails and VODBOX tastings, and preview new poolside menu selections. Highlights include Dill Pickled Marinated Fried Chicken, Lobster Beignets, Pork Belly on Toast, Frenchy Duck & Duck Liver Pâté, chilled Persian Watercress & Peaches, as well as, “Sexy Bites” of seared Ahi tuna in butter lettuce with pickled ginger and radish slaw.  Always an innovator and creator of cool culinary concepts, Larry Nicola is known as the go-to guy for Vodka Culture.  The Vodkateur, as he is known, will escort event guests into the shivering 28˚ F environment of the internationally renowned VODBOX with its mod décor, white leather shelves and Lucite galore; the guest themselves clad in custom faux fur coats by Hudson Designs. 

When: Saturday, June 16^th – 8:00 p.m. – 12 midnight

What:  Benefit for L.A. Regional Food Bank

Where: Nic’s Beverly Hills, 435 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Why: Debut of “Poolside,” new culinary concept and Vodka Culture to raise funds

Who: Guests, pool boys, models in swimsuits, photographers, DJ, and more

Buy: Tickets are $150 (all inclusive, food, drinks, valet, entertainment) call310.550.5707

POOLSIDE benefit for the L.A. Regional Food Bank on 6/16 partners include Grey Goose Vodka, Kanon Organic Vodka, Beluga Vodka, Chopin Vodka and J. Lindeberg. For info: www.NicsBeverlyHills.com.

The Los Angeles Regional Food bank is a nonprofit organization established in 1973. Through a network of 640 charitable agencies providing service from more than 1,000 agency and program sites, the Food Bank distributes 1 million pounds of food weekly and serves 1 million individuals including 400,000 children every year throughout Los Angeles County.

Since 1980 at his first LA restaurant, L.A. Nicola, Larry Nicola has attracted the most eclectic mix of patrons with his innovative culinary philosophies.  Local and national press including Wallpaper, Elite Traveler, Los Angeles magazine, Los Angeles Times, and more has lauded his imaginative modern American cooking with myriad ethnic influences.  It was at his family’s Silverlake business, Nicola Twins Market, and cooking with his maternal grandmother, where Larry Nicola learned how food is a meaningful expression of love that unites family, friends and the community. # # # #