One of the most memorable lines in the 1892 book The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.” It’s featured in the story about the disappearance of a prized racehorse. Sherlock Holmes deduces that the nearby dog didn’t make a noise while the…
Smile’s di Alba – Where Focaccia is the Star
It’s quiet and peaceful walking around the Arts District on a Saturday morning. The only stores open are a few coffeehouses. Then by 10:30 a.m. the sidewalks become more alive with people strolling around with iPhones and cameras taking photos of the creative street art. Models pose near edgy graffiti in fashion designer clothing, and…
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken is Out of this World
On National Creme Brûlée Day I visited Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken to bite into a creme brûlée filled glazed doughnut. The raised creme brûlée doughnut is filled with luscious cream, just like the traditional ramekin and it’s enhanced with a slightly burnt caramelization on top. Walking inside the modern interior, I first noticed a white…
Seeing Mary Louise Parker in Heisenberg
I’ve never seen the Mark Taper Forum stage transformed to look like a fashion runway, and chuckled when I heard one audience member ask an usher “Is the stage always going to look like this?” Scenic designer Mark Wendland’s stage worked well for the two award winning performers Denis Arndt (Tony nominee) and Mary-Louise Parker…
MUST SEE Hershey Felder at The Wallis
The first time I saw Felder onstage was when he starred in his one man show, George Gershwin Alone. He guided the audience on a historical journey about one America’s most famous composer and pianist. When the Artistic Director of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Paul Crewes announced Felder would be coming…
BIG Sandwiches at Fat Sal’s
Driving along Highland Ave., I’ve noticed people steaming into Fat Sal’s, located in a strip mall on the corner of Fountain Ave. Last week, my daughter and I parked in front of the restaurant to see what the buzz is about. I learned that Fat Sal’s makes “Fat Sandwiches.” In the 1970s the Fat Sandwich…
Highlights of the Go Las Vegas Card
As one who can’t sit still when visiting a destination, I recommended everyone get a Go Las Vegas Card to feel like a winner. During a girlfriends weekend, I didn’t want to just sit by the pool sipping cocktails during the day. I wanted to see the sights and sounds of iconic Vegas. Where else…
A new type of Rotisserie – Turningfire
Mike Riboli is a master of spices and rubs, food and wine. His family owns Los Angeles’ oldest winery – San Antonio Winery. With his knowledge in hospitality, food and wine, Riboli recently opened his first restaurant – Turningfire in Eagle Rock. With the help of Chef Chris Stagliano, they serve rotisserie meat plates, wraps,…
Winning Watermelon Dishes in LA
What is the quintessential summer fruit? My vote is watermelon! Some of my favorite chefs are preparing watermelon in fun ways onto their menus this summer. Since National Watermelon Day is on August 3, here is a list of 6 restaurants and bars that feature watermelon on the menu in innovative ways. 1. True Food Kitchen…
Ezralow Dance at The Wallis Annenberg
Last night I had the opportunity to watch one of the most fascinating modern dance performances I have ever seen. Inside the Bram Goldsmith Theater at the historic Beverly Hills Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, award winning artistic director and choreographer Daniel Ezralow directed a series of dance vignettes that at times were…
Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro
A few years ago while exploring Napa Valley, I visited Thomas Keller’s Michelin star awarded Bouchon Bistro in Yountville for lunch. The menu featured Keller’s roasted chicken, regarded by some as the best in the world. I still remember how I thoroughly enjoyed the crispy skin and moist meat paired with a glass of dry…
Old Hollywood Walking Tour
In the early 1900s people starting arriving in Hollywood, CA to find fame, fortune and success in silent films. It was similar to the 1840s Gold Rush when people from all over streamed into San Francisco to get rich while panning for gold. Unfortunately, there were too many people coming into Hollywood and not enough…
