Vibrato fairly vibrates with good-time jazz
By Hillary Atkin, Special for USA TODAY
Posted 7/10/2005 9:32 PM
BEL AIR, Calif. — The sound of music rings out from one of L.A.'s newest nightspots tucked away in an exclusive hillside neighborhood, but not loudly enough to raise a ruckus with the neighbors.
[picture] Nicolette Sheridan is among the A-listers spotted at Vibrato.
By Rene Macura, AFP
Conceived by jazz great Herb Alpert, Vibrato Grill Jazz ... etc. combines an all-American jazz club with California and traditional American cuisine.
Alpert, who has eight Grammy awards and 14 platinum albums and is considered one of the world's great trumpeters, had long dreamed of opening a place that blended top-tier cuisine and entertainment.
"Nice people, great chef, wonderful relaxed atmosphere, great music, good times," Vibrato patron James Caan says. Other A-list clientele include Nicollette Sheridan, Denzel Washington, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin, Jerry Seinfeld, Cybill Shepherd, Neil Young, Virginia Madsen, Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds.
Alpert's own sound designers from A&M Records shaped the acoustics for the space, which features cozy booths and tables in a candlelit, blond wood-paneled room designed by the New York firm Clodagh.
The talent is booked straight from Alpert's personal Rolodex. Among those scheduled to perform this summer are the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Michel Legrand. And musical icons such as Stevie Wonder and Burt Bacharach have jumped on stage and performed.
"What we try to do is keep it low-key so that these people are comfortable to come on a regular basis and not to have to worry about being hassled by paparazzi," co-owner Bob Smith says.
"But we have had some people who had to go out through the kitchen."
While things are cooking onstage, the kitchen is turning out crowd favorites such as veal chop parmagiana, Maine lobster and grilled fresh fish. Entree prices range from $25 to $39. The most popular desserts are apple and Meyer lemon meringue pies.
"It's a great place to go after work to relax, to listen to some great music and to enjoy the exquisite cuisine," Sheridan says.
At the glossy black granite curvilinear bar, jazz aficionados drink Lemon Drop martinis as they groove to the tunes.
Regulars are wondering when Alpert himself will take the stage. Speculation is that he will perform in the fall, perhaps with his wife, Lani Hall, former lead singer for Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66.
About the restaurant: Vibrato Grill Jazz ... etc., 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel Air, Calif. (310) 474-9400
Would you go for the food, the music, or both?
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