DANCE CARD

Flow: The West Hollywood Way to Eat Dinner

BY STEPHAN HORBELT

When it comes to fine dining, Mark’s Restaurant on La Cienega has long been a staple among gay men with discerning palates. The restaurant, run by owner/chef Wayne Elias and his business partner Chris Diamond, is practically a West Hollywood institution, having seen many restaurants, bars and nightclubs come and go in its time. Through the years, Mark’s has developed a wide-ranging clientele, as it caters to every crowd imaginable. For the Los Angeles foodie, Mark’s delivers the goods with its amazing menu. (Chef Wayne’s turkey meatloaf is the best in town.) And for those more interested in the city’s nightlife scene, Mark’s is not that far away from being a nightclub itself, as it has more themed nights than most bars around town and is constantly packed with gorgeous men, both employees and patrons.

Thursday night at Mark’s features a party called Flow. Now in its third month, Flow has been known to pack the restaurant with a fun crowd looking to start the weekend a little early. Those looking for a sophisticated night out with friends will be pleasantly surprised with this clever mix of nightclub and eatery. Kill two birds with one stone by sitting down for dinner and leaving the table with a hot date on your arm.

Flow starts early with a generous happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring $5 vodka drinks and $3 beer. Moreover, bottles of wine are half off all night long. Some will swing by simply for post-work cocktails and others will partake in the value-priced dinners, including a $20 New York strip steak and grilled sea bass. The kitchen closes late, so feel free to stop by anytime before 11 for a late-night dinner. The night continues with live music sets from local DJ talent. DJ John Thomas, a new resident DJ at Here Lounge, and DJ Digital Imposter, recent Kalamazoo, Mich. transplant, play to the crowd each week.

Flow promoter Raynard Pace describes the party as “a celebration of gay and gay-friendly images and music throughout the eras.” Two large screens inside the restaurant treat guests to funny and sexy film and TV clips, making this night a combination video-bar and dining experience. Thursday night at Mark’s is clearly not your usual night out for dinner, though it seems it really can be whatever you make it. “All fun people are welcome,” Pace says, and “hellos and table-hopping are highly encouraged.”

Vital Info

Flow at Mark’s

861 N. La Cienega Blvd.
When: Every Thursday
Date Factor: You’re sure to find a date at this hot-spot restaurant
The Scene: Eat dinner in true WeHo style, with hot guys and a live music set

MIXOLOGY

DJ: Kio Kio

When this sexy, muscular, 34-year-old, 5’9” Canadian native isn’t spinning at circuit parties around the world, he spends most of his off time taking road trips with his handsome boyfriend Rob, playing with his pit bull puppy Lola, watching track and field meets on TV, and trying out new restaurants around town with friends. He is also a successful personal trainer and spin instructor. Prior to his DJ days, he used to go-go dance at popular hotspots in and around Toronto and Miami, and he’s also a ballroom dancing aficionado who loves dancing the Waltz, Foxtrot and the Tango—which he admits is his absolute favorite. —Tony Miros

DJ Kio Kio Top 5 Singles

1. The Ultimate - Peter Gelderblom

2. Rhythm Is a Dancer - Genji Yoshida (remix)

3. Foxy Lady - Nikola Gala

4. Soul Survivor - NiCe7 (remix)

5. The Deep - Jimpster (remix)