Forewarning: yes, this is crafty corporate concept pizza. It’s not as glaring of an oxymoron when the corporation in question is Lettuce Entertain You, aka, LEYE. In addition to operating such monstrosities as Big Bowl, and Ben Pao — ex-Chicagoans currently trying to “Escape from LA” can cringe… now — LEYE also operates Everest and L2O. Everest was just listed as the 10th most expensive restaurant in the US, and L2O received 3 whopping Michelins this year. Between Everest and L2O, LEYE claims four stars. What does this have to do with Sella Rossa? LEYE owns Stella Rossa, Stella’s Executive Chef Jeff Mahin and sous Patrick Costa are both from L2O.

While there are 2 Ex-Chicagoans helming this “pizza bar”, do not expect Chicago pie shenanigans. I despise deep dish, I hate almost everything from Gino’s East/Lou Malnati’s and Pizzeria Uno/Dos/Tres/etc. After chatting with chef Mahin, it is clear he wants the pies to transcend categories, to serve a higher purpose, if you well. If Alice Waters moved to SoCal and had to make pizza, without her favorite wood burning oven, Stella Rossa’s deck oven baked pie might be something she’d produce. SM’s pie skips the Caputo 00 but uses sea salt, filtered water, live yeast, and Santa Monica farmers market sourced ingredients, natch. The result, born from months of scientific — Chef Mahin has a math degree from Cal — dough and yeast testing, is unnervingly good.

Serious Eats did a nice blurb in July (shortly after my visit) and aptly covers the most important points of Stella Rossa. What it didn’t do, was provide insight into Chef Mahin’s philosophy. This is a corporate chef who left his post to sling pie in a far away land. His sous chef, wearing a 3 Michelin star tattoo on his left bicep, migrated to LA also to sling pie. When asked how he dealt with transition, Mahin stated plainly: cooking is cooking. »continue reading Stella Rossa, Santa Monica: Michelin Powered Pizza

Congrats to the Natural History Museum for successfully finding someone to fill this August 2010 job description:

Must carry 73 pounds on back in a crawling position, supported by arm stilts for periods of 20 minutes multiple times a day. Weight distributed on forearms, shoulders and back. Restrictive straps at chest, waist, arms and thighs. Extremely hot, claustrophobic full suit puppet with limited sight range.

No details as to the actual performer’s name(s) in the below press release received from the NHM camp today, but we do wish the nameless performer(s) the best of luck. It is assumed the performer(s) will report to Jennifer Bloom, NHM Performing Artist Supervisor. Full press release continues after the jump.

GIANT NEW SABER-TOOTHED CAT PUPPET POUNCES INTO ‘ICE AGE ENCOUNTERS’

Show’s Star, Smilodon fatalis, Brought to Life through Collaboration Between NHM Paleontologists and Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™

LOS ANGELES—On weekends this December, and through the week starting January, visitors to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) will be educated and enthralled by the latest addition to the museum’s puppet troupe — a life-sized saber-toothed cat — one of the Los Angeles’ most ferocious extinct predators. The new Ice Age Encounters shows are Saturday-Sunday, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

»continue reading NHM Successfully Fills 73-lb Cat Costume Puppeteer Role

Attention, Los Angeles: The Natural History Museum is currently seeking a puppeteer to fill the role of a sabre-toothed cat. Details from their website:

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County seeks a Puppeteer to work with our Education and Exhibits department as a full-suit puppeteer for a SABER-TOOTHED CAT as part of the Museum’s educational performing arts programming.

Further:

Must carry 73 pounds on back in a crawling position, supported by arm stilts for periods of 20 minutes multiple times a day. Weight distributed on forearms, shoulders and back. Restrictive straps at chest, waist, arms and thighs. Extremely hot, claustrophobic full suit puppet with limited sight range.

Qualified applicants can apply at the NHM site today. Good luck!

» Help Wanted: Sabre-Toothed Cat Puppeteer [NHM]