by Andrea Rademan

Comfort Foods

Astronomical gas prices, record-breaking home foreclosures and the upcoming election in November are enough to get anyone bent out of shape with stress. Lose yourself in a plate of comfort food. These following establishments have more than enough comfort to get you through these troubled times. Enjoy in moderation.

MARTY D’S
230 S. Beverly Dr.,
Beverly Hills.
(310) 273-7771
Open daily from 11:30 a.m.-9 or 10 p.m.

Marty D’s is the love child of Marty Davidson and his interior designer wife, Sandy. The filmmaker is known for his spicy 8-inch New York kosher hot dogs, slashed before grilling and served on seeded buns with sautéed onions and sauerkraut. A local vendor makes Sandy D’s spicy Italian chicken sausages, which they pair with roasted peppers and onions, horseradish coleslaw and snacking pickles. When repeat customers—like Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, Tori Spelling, Pete Sampras, Reggie Bush and Sandra Oh—clamored for more variety, the menu gave birth to tuna and egg salad sandwiches, classic Cobb and grilled blackened chicken salads, and a build-your-own (Angus beef, turkey or veggie) burger section with your choice of toppings. In the name of diversity, there’s a veggie dog and both vegetarian and beef chili, as well as Boston baked beans, Cajun corn-on-the-cob, Coney Island fries and the best onion rings we’ve ever tasted. Frozen hot chocolate is even better than the thick chocolate malts, creamy vanilla shakes and root beer floats made with Dandy Don’s ice cream and house-made syrups and sundae toppings. Sandy used a 1953 soda fountain, vintage fans and glossy red-top tables to evoke the Brooklyn luncheonette where Marty once worked to pay for acting classes. They paid off. Although his motto is “If it ain’t 8 inches, it ain’t Marty D’s,” we doubt that he’s ever even been to Alaska.

PARK GRILL LOUNGE
InterContinental Hotel,
2151 Avenue Of The Stars, Century City.
(310) 284-6500

Industry execs from 20th Century Fox and the newly relocated ICM and CAA kick off their power lunches at the Park Grill Lounge, with signature Basiltinis before settling down in the private dining room. Executive Chef Vincent Cachot does monthly market menus built around one item, like his tomato menu: tomato water with seared shrimp skewer, multi-colored tomato carpaccio, fried bocconcini mozzarella, pan-seared halibut filet with heirloom tomato tatin and citrus cheesecake with vanilla and sweet white martini sauce and tomato sorbet. For the expense account crowd, he does haute sandwiches on Poilane bread flown in daily from Paris. The Philly Cheesesteak is made with Wagyu beef, aged Comte Gruyere cheese, and elegant condiments. Tempura lobster tail comes with butter lettuce and white truffle mayonnaise, and his twist on the traditional baguette is made with toast spread with Echire French butter and layered with proscuitto di Parma. We’re sure if we looked deep into Putin’s eyes we’d see that he craves the Balik smoked salmon sandwich, the fish sliced as thick as sushi and dotted with sevruga caviar, sided with warm fingerling potato salad. These sandwiches are truly special but only a beer heiress could afford the $99 version made with duck proscuitto and white truffle.