Steve Ballmer

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the NBA

It was a sad week in Hollywood for many, as Tinseltown lost two of its legends: comedian Robin Williams and Lauren Bacall, but a very, very happy week for the Los Angeles Clippers, as the NBA officially announced the team’s sale to Steve Ballmer. Here’s the news you might have missed this week in the City of Angels.

THE LA CLIPPERS: SOLD Donald Sterling is officially out as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is in. The team was sold for $2 billion.

Photo Credit: Getty Images for Jaguar Land Rover

SIMON COWELL BRINGING BETTY BOOP TO THE BIG SCREEN Simon Cowell‘s Syco Entertainment is bringing back Betty Boop. The media mogul will produce the kittenish cartoon’s first music driven animated comedy alongside her legal owner, Fleischer Studios. The ‘toon, which first hit the big screen in 1930 in Max Fleischer’s Talkartoons as well as in her own series, will head back to the box office in May.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Q

FIVE L.A. EATERIES NOMINATED AS THE BEST NEW RESTAURANTS IN AMERICA Bon Appetit has selected the top 50 new restaurants in America, and L.A. leads the pack with five nominations. Those eateries are: Grand Central Market, Night Market Song, Trois Mec, Orsa & Winston and Q; the winners will be announced on August 19th.

Photo Credit: Paiche

PAICHE TEAMS UP WITH PORTON FOR EXCLUSIVE ONE-NIGHT ONLY DINNER Master chef Ricardo Zarate and Johnny Schuler, Master Distiller for Pisco Portón, came together to create a special, one-night only dinner for VIPs at Zarate’s Marina del Rey eatery, Paiche. After a demo on how to drink the Peru-produced pomace brandy, guests settled down for a special menu including dishes such as parihuelade langosta —Peruvian bouillabaisse with lobster and mixed seafood—as well as the quinotto deerizo—search urchin, quinoa, risotto and mixed seafood, and drinks like the spicy Peruvian Remedy—Pisco Portón, red bell peppers, fresh organic lemon juice, rocoto agave and ginger.

THE END OF AN ERA Two of Hollywood’s legends, Robin Williams and Lauren Bacall, passed this week. Williams, who allegedly committed suicide, was 63. Bacall, one of the golden era’s remaining greats, died on an apparent stroke at the age of 89.

BEST OF THE REST Pressed Juicery is expanding faster than you can say “whoa.” The haute juice company is opening kiosks at Malibu Country Mart, Glendale’s Americana at Brand, Canoga Park’s Westfield Topanga and Hollywood & Vine….Chocolatier Blue, the gourmet and artisan chocolate spot from Berkeley, is now open on Abbot Kinney; they’re selling everything from chocolate to sorbets to meringues and innovative ice cream flavors like Earl Grey and Cookie….Julian Cox and Josh Goldman will open their first venture, Brilliantshine, in Santa Monica on August 19th.

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