The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel are switching things up in the kitchen. The new toque directing the chopping block will be Executive Chef Keith Roberts, who is replacing the former EC, Gregory Foos. Official word from the hotel indicates that Roberts’ menu will feature “unusual flavor combinations,” including Brulee Scallop Carpaccio, Lobster Lasagna, and Mango Apricot Cobbler with Chai Tea Ice Cream and Macadamia Nut Brittle.

There’s cooking dinner for guests, friends who won’t judge you (not long-term anyways), and then there’s cooking dinner for guests, moreover, the guest, President Barack Obama, and the first family, diplomats, and the crème de la crème of America and the honoree’s nation. Talk about a pressure-cooker meal. In search of an elaborate repeat of New York chef Marcus Samuelsson’s regal vegetarian feast honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the first State dinner in November, Obama is relying on hometown favorite, Chicago-based chef Rick Bayless, to deliver for the Obama administration’s second state dinner honoring President Felipe Calderón of Mexico.

There’s just something about Italy that exudes sexiness. Maybe it’s the wine, maybe it’s the sweet nothings carrying from George Clooney’s Lake Como villa, or maybe it’s the sensual food, like Maitardi’s northern Italian cuisine. “Look Sexy Feel Sexy Una Notte Italiana” will take place under magnificent oak trees on Maitardi’s brightly tiled mosaic patio on Wednesday night, May 19, from 7 – 9 p.m. with a preview of the new Maserati Gran Turismo convertible.

It’s beginning to look a lot like August, and if that’s not usually the way that you sing it, then the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will have you humming a new tune. Start your engines in anticipation of the 60th Anniversary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the world’s premier celebration of the most beautiful and rare automobiles. Taking place on the renowned 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, connoisseurs of art and style unite to see these classics.

It’s not everyday that you get to call a former U.S. vice president your neighbor, but Saturday marked that kind of day for some Montecito residents who call this posh part of southern California home.

You know luxury. We don’t doubt that you saturate your spring calendar in opulence, but we tempt you to allow the St. Regis to pencil-in some suggestions and do the work for you. The St. Regis Hotels & Resorts brand is partnering with some of the world’s most acclaimed influencers and brands, including Verdura, Fendi, and Porsche, to bring you its Aficionado program, giving jetsetters private access to the world’s premier collections and auctions.

Todd English’s da Campo Osteria will be trying out a new food philosophy on Sunday, May 16, one designed to slow things down in a fast-paced world.Da Campo Osteria’s Sunday “Slow Foods Locavoratiousness” menu will celebrate family-style meals for $59 per person with such delights as Jim Wood’s Florida Heritage pork, spinach risotto, and mozzarella pulled tableside.

Chef Daniel Boulud and his team are as good as the Lakers, and it has been another successful road to the championship for them. As foodie followers around the country know, on May 3 Chef Boulud and his New York restaurant, Daniel, were commemorated with the James Beard Award for “Outstanding Restaurant.” Always in touch with the movers and shakers of industry, Chef Daniel has long been a favorite here at Haute Living, so much so that the culinary wizard showed his penchant for the written word, penning several first person columns for our New York magazines.

Chef Casey Overton is at it again, spicing things up to a perfect taste as he leads an all-star cast of award-winning chefs, sommeliers, servers, and fromagiers that is sure to have palates begging for more. We received word late on Monday that Overton has been named Chef de Cuisine for the Loft restaurant of the beautiful ocean resort of the Montage Laguna Beach in the arts community of Laguna Beach, California.