GBK’S LUXURY LOUNGE CELEBRATING THE 2025 EMMYS

Regular readers know how much I love that GBK constantly surprises us with the venues for their events. This time, the day before the Emmys, they threw their GBK Luxury Lounge in the Garden Terrace of the Sun Rose Hotel in West Hollywood, which was totally new to me. I hope to explore the hotel more in the near future because what my co-writer, Laura, and I saw of it that day was lovely. (And they gave each guest a gift certificate for a one-night stay, which will make it easy for everybody who was at the lounge that day to do so!)

There was something so friendly about this entire event; it seemed that everyone was joyfully meeting and greeting. From the beginning, before we even entered the event space, we were warmly welcomed by my favorite security guard, Patrick. And that camaraderie continued with PR peeps Tad and Jenn, organizer Gavin, and then once inside, our favorite food purveyor, Ike from Ike’s Love and Sandwiches.

Laura said, “As always, GBK did not disappoint. In addition to the gifts, they consistently deliver the best music, food, and drinks. They understand that while receiving gifts is exciting for celebrities, the experience as a whole should be just as enjoyable.”

Here are the highlights of the day:

Ike’s Love and Sandwiches—Ike was in attendance once again, happily feeding the entire assemblage. We love that guy! Laura, (Ike’s biggest fan, outside of her tween daughter, who is obsessed with his food,) said, “I couldn’t imagine a GBK event without Ike Shehadeh—his presence has become a tradition. He was handing out his signature, overstuffed sandwiches, which are just as bold and flavorful as the brand itself, which is known for their quirky sandwich names, secret “dirty sauce,” and inclusive menu that caters to meat-lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike.” Lucky guests also received one of Ike’s colorful signature tee-shirts.  www.ikessandwich.com

Hansens Cakes—And then there was a surprise dessert from seventy-five-year-old classic LA bakery, Hansens. You could eat a cupcake right on site, or, better yet, make your own six-pack. Or both!  Native Angeleno Laura says, “Hansens Cakes has been a beloved fixture at elegant Los Angeles weddings, birthday parties, and special events for as long as I can remember. Established in 1920, this family-owned bakery has built a reputation for crafting exquisitely designed custom cakes, pastries, and desserts that blend classic techniques with modern flair. Known for their attention to detail and commitment to quality, they use only the finest ingredients to create visually stunning and delicious treats tailored to each celebration. Their creations have become synonymous with sophistication and indulgence in the L.A. event scene. That’s why I was especially excited to see them at GBK this year—their presence added a touch of timeless elegance to the event.” www.hansenscakes.com

Oro Vento Parfum—This men’s perfume company was gifting a choice of several of their eau de parfum fragrances. Laura took a whiff of some of them, and told me she was “pleasantly surprised by their subtle and well-balanced scents. The one that stood out to me was Harmonia Elixir, which features a natural essential oil fragrance that feels both fresh and sophisticated. Unlike many traditional colognes, it’s light enough for everyday wear without losing its complexity or depth. Oro Vento’s approach combines quality ingredients with elegant compositions, making their fragrances appealing to those who prefer understated yet memorable scents. Their collection reflects a modern take on classic perfumery, perfect for anyone seeking a refined and unique aroma.” And the fun news for all of us is that the GBK lounge was offering this sneak peek at the Dubai-based company, which hasn’t launched in the US yet, so we’re all ahead of the pack now! www.orovento.com

Cat Cora Cookware—Laura says, “It’s typical at gifting suites to see celebrities on the receiving end of the gifts. But there was a surprise this time—a celebrity handing out some gifts! Chef Cat Cora, the first female Iron Chef, was there giving away items from her cookware line.” To follow-up on Laura’s note, I feel terrible that I didn’t realize that Cat is famous—even though I was mainly a restaurant critic for many years, I have never watched cooking shows. (Strange, I know.) But I so admire that she didn’t act like anyone should know her; she just seemed grateful when I complimented her wares and her fabulous chef’s jacket. And she laughed when I told her that, after watching a Dateline while I was getting ready for the event that morning, I didn’t think I should accept one of her stunning chef’s knives because Mr. X and I don’t need any potential weapons in the house. But, more importantly, these were seriously the best knives I’ve ever seen in my life, including perusing my fair share of blades in my restaurant reviewing days. And Cat’s are very affordable, to boot. I have a feeling that I’m not the lounge’s only guest who is going to have to learn to cook now.  www.catcora.com

Ritualslane Skincare—We always love learning about a new skincare line, and Laura says that this one “emphasizes natural and botanical‑infused ingredients.” Their fun rep demonstrated a couple of their products on our hands, and Laura felt like they “delivered visible improvements, such as smoothing fine lines, providing dehydration, and restoring youthful glow.” The guests each received a “Pure Harmony Complexion Set,” which contained some of the company’s top items, so that skincare will become a “ritual” for all of them! www.ritualslane.com

Jam Vino—This is a very interesting food item we have never seen before! It’s wine-infused jams! The guests each received a set of their trio of flavors: Blackberry Merlot, Raspberry Moscato, and “Strueberry Blanc,” (which is a combo of strawberries and blueberries with Sauvignon Blanc.) To make it easier for everyone to sample them right then and there, they put dollops of each jam into little puff pastries in individual easy-to-grab containers. Besides enjoying the taste, Laura was impressed that “the brand is woman-and-minority‑owned, with Chef Lori drawing on family traditions of jam-making and adding her culinary creativity.” I introduced one of my friends to them, and he said he thinks they’d be great as marinades, as well. www.jamvino.com

Beverly Hills Pilates Studio—This upscale pilates place right in the heart of Beverly Hills was gifting a private session with their lovely rep, Kristen. (I later spoke with the owner, Lisa, and she was an absolute delight, as well!) Laura researched them, and tells us the sessions “are tailored to individual needs, and accommodate all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners, with a strong focus on core strength, flexibility, and alignment.” To remind us to visit them, guests also received a choice of the studio’s tees, tank tops, and even long-sleeved polo shirts, which is a different and welcome gift from an exercise establishment. Since I did Pilates for years, (and this studio is conveniently right near all of my doctors’ offices,) I just may pay them a visit soon. It was good to learn about this friendly neighborhood wellness facility. www.beverlyhillspilatesstudio.com

Shepherd Boy Farms—This family-owned pet food company was gifting a variety of items I had never seen before in my two decades of owning adorable toy poodles! Laura looked them over and tells us, “Their product line includes freeze-dried raw diet treats and nutritional goat’s milk supplements, all made from U.S.-sourced ingredients raised without antibiotics or added hormones.” She concludes, “Our pets are such an important part of the family, so it’s refreshing to see pet food receiving the same level of care and attention we give to our own meals.” (My faint-of-heart eating self was just relieved to find-out that the treats that had “duck hearts” and “bison liver” in their titles were for animals, who will love them, and not for me!)  www.shepherdboyfarms.com

Ophora Water—I was happy to see this water company on-site because, for some reason, I’ve always liked their big bottles! The rep invited us to visit their premises when we have a bit of time, and take in their spa and cold water plunge, (which I never knew about,) both filled with their own bottled water! We chatted with him awhile, and Laura found-out the company is “proudly headquartered in Carpinteria, which just happens to be my favorite beach town!” So I guess we’ll be headed up there sometime soon.  www.www.ophorawater.com

GBK’s charity this time was the wonderful nonprofit organization, Food On Foot, that is “dedicated to assisting our unhoused and low-income neighbors in Los Angeles with nutritious meals, clothing, and a fresh start through life-skills training, full-time employment, and permanent housing.” I cannot imagine a more worthy program to get involved with! I thank GBK for making us aware of it, and I’m happy to pass along that knowledge to all of you. www.foodonfoot.org