Category Archives: CALIFORNIA

ROSE BOWL FLEA MARKET & SUNNY CALIFORNIA CAKE

Some folks might say that Disneyland is L.A.’s top attraction, or Universal Studios, or the grand art museums, or restaurants, or beaches. Me? I love the flea markets. Flea markets reveal the overall tone of a place. By selling collections and discards, treasures and trivia—both splendid and spent, flea markets showcase the life-styles of locals, […]

THE TRAILS, GRIFFITH PARK, L.A.

The Trails is an insider’s favorite place to stop for breakfast, lunch, coffee and/or tea before or after hiking in Griffith Park (Los Angeles),

THE BROAD—L.A.’S NEW SUPERSTAR MUSEUM

  Here’s what you need to know about The Broad, L.A.’s newly opened contemporary art museum:   1. It’s fantastic.   2. It’s free.     3. It’s popular. Long lines form to get in, but one can bypass the wait by securing advance reservations for timed entry tickets online. (The online reservation spaces disappear […]

FARMSHOP AND AVOCADO HUMMUS

It’s sunny and bright, hip and happening, and loaded with celebrities. We could be describing Southern California and Los Angeles in general, but instead are telescoping in on Farmshop, an artisan market and restaurant that perfectly reflects the cool vibe of both the region and the city. Actually, there are two Farmshop restaurants—one in L.A. […]

SECRETS AND COCKTAILS AT CHATEAU MARMONT

Those who say money can’t buy happiness have never had cocktails at Chateau Marmont. This iconic Los Angeles hotel sits overlooking the Sunset Strip like a beacon luring Hollywood stars and other A-listers connected with show-biz fame and fortune.First built as an apartment building resembling a French Chateau, the property converted to a hotel in […]

PARADISE COVE MALIBU CALIFORNIA

Nice is a word that applies. Easy-going too, and comfortably uncrowded (except on gorgeous-weather weekends and holidays). In fact, Paradise Cove on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, just might be the best-kept-secret sunshine place for L.A. families and friends to enjoy a beach/cafe experience without the razzle, dazzle hoopla of Hollywood or a touristy […]

WORLD’S BEST BEER BARS BY BILL YENNE

Bill Yenne has been writing about beer for a quarter century and is among the world’s leading authorities on beer and brewing history. Then again, he’s an authority on many topics, having contributed to encyclopedias of both world wars as well as having authored more than three dozen non-fiction books with topics ranging from aviation to biography (Julius […]

MOSS LANDING & RECIPES: CIOPPINO & BIRD’S NEST

Centered in the curve of Monterey Bay, midway between Santa Cruz and Monterey, on California’s famous Highway 1, Moss Landing is hard to miss, yet most drivers whiz by headed for more famous neighbors. This is a mistake. A big mistake, as the tiny fishing village is a hidden treasure yielding rich rewards for nature-loving […]

FAMILY FOOD AND FUN IN LOS ANGELES

Catherine McCord perfectly fits the description of a contemporary food-focused superwoman/super mom.  A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Catherine credits her parents and grandparents for instilling in her a love of food, particularly healthy, wholesome food. Her knowledge expanded and interest in food and cooking intensified when she traveled the world as a supermodel and explored […]

BLVD 16 COCKTAIL RECIPES

  Eat, drink—mainly drink—and be merry while you reduce your carbon footprint. Guzzle up and your efforts to save the planet get even better. Too good to be true? Au contraire. Especially if you are in Los Angeles. Especially if it is Tuesday. Especially if you are drinking at BLVD 16 Restaurant and Lounge at […]