A unique city with its own industries and attractions, yet just another L.A. neighborhood; a city steeped in history and rich in culture, yet pioneering the cutting edge of technology, Pasadena is a place of marvelous contradictions. The 135,000-population city in the shadow of the San Gabriels is home to Caltech, one of the world’s great scientific universities, but on Saturdays in the fall, it’s … Continue reading Pasadena: Vacation or Stay-cation?
Maui is on fire at the time of this writing, dozens are dead, and our hearts go out to the people of Hawaii. To keep their culture in mind even here on the mainland, I’m presenting three restaurants that will put you in an Aloha spirit. Holey Grail Donuts Holey Grail has developed a cult following after its humble beginnings at a burger trailer in … Continue reading Hawaii in Our Hearts
Just as every region of the country has their own take on pizza, it seems every part of town does its own thing, with something special no matter what part of L.A. you call home. Maybe that’s because unlike more exotic or high-end forms of cuisine, everyone eats pizza, even kids. Especially kids. In this article, I want to draw attention to three of my … Continue reading Three Pies in the Valley
You can find just about any recipe you’re looking for online these days. But ever try actually cooking from one? The actual recipe is buried beneath a lengthy story about how it transformed the author’s life or was part of their childhood or whatever. Meanwhile, pop-up after pop-up keeps bursting onto your screen. I don’t know about you, but my phone locks after 15 seconds … Continue reading It’s a Cookbook!
Spring is finally here and we’re all starting to get ice cream on the brain (not the brain-freeze variety). Currently, there is some ice cream drama in LA as an ice cream war is brewing as a big trendy chain moved next to a mom-and-pop shop in Silver Lake. Los Angeles is blessed with so many exceptional creameries, it’s hard to choose, so here’s the … Continue reading Ice Cream Season Is Back
With spring supposedly around the corner, you’re probably beginning to feel a bit of wanderlust. And if you’re not able to jet off to Paris or down to Buenos Aires, don’t fret, you’re able to get a taste of those exotic destinations right here in L.A. Juliet is the latest dining offering from the team that brought you Margot and Norah, and pays homage to … Continue reading It’s France and Argentina… but This Time on a Plate
If it’s not the outer rim of where I’m willing to drive in a single day, it’s pretty darn close. If you haven’t road-tripped to San Francisco in a while, or ever, you should. And not because it builds character, although it kind of does, but because it’s an exhilarating, exotic destination that’s only about a Vegas and a half away. Or fly, who cares. … Continue reading An Angeleno’s Brief Guide to a San Francisco Getaway
Southern California is home to a thriving cocktail culture. And coffee, and beer, and wine, and juice, I suppose, too, but let’s focus on the mixology for now. I want to highlight a location in four local counties where you are guaranteed to experience the state of the bartender’s art. And I’m going to recommend a particular cocktail at each. Let’s begin in Orange County, … Continue reading So Cal is Cocktail Country
Let’s face it, we cover Santa Barbara quite a bit in this space. And with good cause. Like Palm Springs to the east and San Diego to the south, it’s a welcoming destination within about 90 minutes, which is about how long it takes to clear one’s head of the daily grind. Best of all you can just hop on a train. On my latest … Continue reading A Santa Barbara Overnighter… or Two
In the olden days, a singular variety of cocktail apparently sufficed for the whole year. Your parents and grandparents can no doubt attest to a time when the bartender would ask some variation of “What’s your poison?” Or, if you were a regular, there’d be no need to even ask. And that concoction – usually a spirit enhanced by a liqueur or a mixer – … Continue reading Summer Cocktails to Beat the Heat
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