Economic Indicator: Gourmet Lives Again

Foodie cult icon makes L.A. debut: Some call it the Spago killer. Bouchon is preparing to make its Hollywood entrance in a glassy two-story dining room and bakery a salmon pizza's toss away from Wolfgang Puck's famed Spago. The ubiquitous chef behind French Laundry and Per Se, Thomas Keller is hardly an L.A. virgin. Keller spent a short stint in L.A., following the closing of his NYC eatery Raykel, where he worked at Checkers Hotel (now Hilton Checkers Hotel) before starting the foodie Bethlehem of French Laundry. Scheduled to open Nov. 18, the Bouchon reservation will surely be the toughest in L.A. It will offer a menu of Fresh brasserie dishes already perfected at existing locations in Yountville and Las Vegas.

Afterward, have your car service zoom you by the new Voyeur located in a former S&M den in West Hollywood. Voyeur is the creation of Vegas import Matt Bendik, formerly of Light Group, who unveils an elegant and steamy new dance club equal parts "Eyes Wide Shut" and Dita Von Tesse. The space is a dazzler. A long entrance hall is laid in impressive hand-sewn carpeting that leads to a sultry main bar lined in wide-plank walnut floors and central seating area with a living-room theme. The dance floor is at the back of the club with banquette seating as well as a backroom VIP area with additional bar and alleyway exit to flee from lurking paparazzi.

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