San Francisco Eats

I had one day to enjoy San Francisco. I flew in the morning, had a meeting at 12noon and then rushed off to my hotel, freshened up and taxi'd to Bar Agricole. I had great foodie friend give me some recommends. Read Dylan's amazing suggestions at Eat Drink +Be Merry, here's his San Francisco post.

Bar Agricole was unfortunately closed and we wanted a cocktail so we taxi'd to the area by our restaurant and ended up at West of Pecos. I had to go here, I hiked through the Peco's wilderness my whole childhood. Most cocktails on the list had mescal and tequila, not my type of liquor, though I'm thinking I might need to venture out. I settled for the bourbon drink called the Devils Tooth and I'm kind of obsessed with the big ice cube these days (see above).

Next up was a walk across the street to Bar Tartine. Several recommends and write-ups on this restaurant. This place is not to be missed and has been nominated for a James Beard award this year. I hope they get it. Another thing I like, but can annoy most people, is the no sign on the door anywhere, it's like you have to be in the know to know this is even here. Annoying or cool?

Please note all images are with my iPhone, I couldn't fit my camera in suitcase so it's was the phone only on this trip.

Below is the menu, it's one of those menus you look at and really not sure what it is or if you'll like it, that's the great thing about places like this, you are forced out of your comfort zone to try new combinations and inventive cooking. Also if your vegetarian our whole meal was all that. And we went home full.

Suggestion was to order about 2 items per person, it was a lot of food, but glad we did, as it gave us the option of trying a variety of items.

Some of the most inventive flavors I've ever tried. The kale below was so good, nutty with tart yogurt and a surprise sesame seed tahini, plus they used yogurt dust. No idea what that is, but it was GOOD.

Next up was the goat cheese with peas and edible flowers. This was served with sesame seed crackers. Creamy, tasty and beautiful presentation.

The potato flat bread below was rich and filling I remember a slight smokey taste to this dish. These are definitely items to share as eating the whole thing would be too much.

Smoked potatoes were crazy good. Smokey, crunchy and soft inside, these were amazing (in the back of the image below). Farmer cheese with beet was a great combo and a fun try.

Potatoes and Farmers Cheese dumplings.jpg

Finished off with a cheesecake that was bursting with flavors, ripe and under ripe strawberries, and crunchy popping cookie crumbs. It's indescribable.

The next morning we got up early and drove to Tartine Bakery & Cafe. I've seen so many Instagrams of this place and it's owned by the same people as Bar Tartine. Our waiter told us to get there early. So we were there before 8AM, short line inside. I bought the biggest Almond Croissant ever and a Frangipane tart. Wow both of these items and my coffee were wonderful, if only we had enough time to linger and munch.

This Fangipane tart was filled with light almond cream in a flaky pastry shell and wild blueberries. It's a seasonal fruit tar so it could be filled with anything depending on what's ripe. I really loved this and savored it for the next day with my Philz Coffee in San Jose. I found Philz on Yelp and there was a location around the corner from my hotel. When did coffee get so complicated, it's not small, medium or large or a tall, grande soy, non-fat latte world anymore. Philz is inventive in the coffee category, and who wouldn't like to order a coffee called "So Good" every morning. Next up is a coffee tasting day, it's all the rage these days and we all know how much I love coffee. Enjoy these suggestions the next time your up in San Francisco.

West of Pecos
550 Valencia Street
San Francisco, California 94110

Bar Tartine
561 Valencia Street
San Francisco, California 94110

Tartine Bakery & Cafe
600 Guerrero Street
San Francisco, California 94103

Philz Coffee (San Francisco, San Jose, Menlo Park areas)

Griffith Park: Part 2 Details

I had too many images for one post and the details on the Griffith Observatory actually made me excited about shooting images. Made me update my Flickr account too, It's been a long time that I felt that way. Maybe because I work at home and don't get out as much, but I was truly excited.

I watched this day a father with his teenage son. He had his camera or iPhone and was taking pictures of the details too, his son said to him, "Really dad it's just ridges, how can that be interesting. Ugh." I had to laugh because I was drawn to the same details of the building. You have to open your eyes and really look at what's around you. Look close at things from different angles and you'll start to see the inanimate objects from a whole new perspective. Makes life so much more enjoyable. I think I kind of keep that philosophy in life in general, always trying to see things from the other point of view, helps to understand where people are coming from and why they say or do or choose a course of life.

Griffith Observatory

A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to spend a day with new friends who happen to be missionaries in Jamaica. They were here for a week and while they had lots of errands to do this day we wanted to make sure they got to see something Iconic in LA. So we choose the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory.

Admittedly, I haven't been up here in a long time. And, I fear this post will be photo overload. There are so many details on this building that I had a hard time editing down my photos.

My initial memories of this place are coming up here in my early 20's with my cousin. He'd come to LA and wanted to visit all the top tourist, iconic spots. Being from the Westside, ashamedly I hadn't ventured out to far past Hollywood and Vine to the Palace dance club. I had never seen the footprints at Hollywood's Grauman theater and hadn't been to the Observatory as an adult. So we ventured up at night and stood in line to see the planetarium show. Pink Floyd and lasers, doesn't get much better than that. Though I do remember the chairs being uncomfortable, wood school chairs with iron stands that attached to the chair and concave wood headrests weren't really my idea of comfort. Since that first time the observatory has gone under renovation. Starting in 2002 they remodel the observatory, it's all done now, I will need to make a trip out again and test out the planetarium seats, I'm sure they promise to be more comfortable.

On this day we spent more time outside then inside, it's beautiful and the view on a less smoggy, marine layer day can be sensational.

History of this place includes a Welshman who wanted Los Angeles to have a great park like so many other cities in the world. He donated this land to Los Angeles and said this, "It must be made a place of rest and relaxation for the masses, a resort for the rank and file, for the plain people." I love these intentions, and indeed there are many trails through out Griffith Park and it truly is a place to just hang out and relax.

The Observatory was also part of Mr. Griffith's wishes, when he first peered into a telescope and saw the wonders of the stars up close he knew the rest of us needed that same opportunity.

So many movies have been filmed up here from Rebel Without A Cause, (there is a James Dean statue dedicated to him on the grounds), to Charlies Angels Full Throttle and Transformers. It's truly an Iconic LA place. Also Huell Howser and native from Tennessee who moved to California and TRULY loved California, did a show called California Gold where he featured the Observatory after the renovation. As much as Huell's accent annoyed me, he LOVED California and showed all the great things about this place that the average person would have no idea about had he not shared them with us. If it comes on PBS you'll have to catch it. He loved this place so much when he died this year they had his memorial at the Observatory.

I took most of these pictures with my Nikon D80 but couldn't help but snap a few photos with my iPhone and Hipstamic App.

Arches and view so amazing to see around every corner.

In 2002 they put new copper sheets on the dome, right now they are black or dark brown in a few years they will turn out to be the patina green color we have come to know and love.

Park City, Utah

I'm still trying to come off my ALTSUMMIT high. Love reading the recaps from all the amazing bloggers. Here's a few of my favorite posts:

I quit my job - You are so brave

My first Alt Conference - Great new LA connection

The business cards of Alt - Love my new friend Sheri Silver

Best cocktails - Available at the mini-party from @Vecco

A Guys Perspective - Love this post, so honest

Life Lessons - Emily is adorable

The inspiration keeps coming from all the amazing people I met. However, here's a quick tale of my Saturday at the ALTSUMMIT conference, well actually of Park City. Saturday was a day of Design Camps and because of my late registration I wasn't able to get into the sessions that I thought would be most useful for me. So instead I took a chance to see if I could hop on the Sundance Tour. This tour sold out on the first day of registration, but I decided to give it a try and see if there was room. Most likely because of the amazing mini-parties the night before quite a few people didn't show up. So there I was with 7 other people on a big rock star bus which included the amazing Stefan Sagmeister and his lovely fiance. SCORE!

After we arrived to a nearby hotel we took a quick shuttle into the main street of Park City and then basically we all went our separate ways. Among this crew was Peggy Wong an accomplished Creative Director and Photographer who incidentally knew the same people I did in LA, small world. I so wanted to tag along with her and watch her work. She was at the conference shooting for Citizens of Humanity, she's a BIG deal and super nice. The other two girls Laura and Bree attend Alt and were newbies like me, I'm anxious to follow along their progress over the next year.

Below are few images of my explorations this day.

After all this exploring it was time for eats. I have to say the people of Park City are so nice, especially as once a year their little town gets turned upside down by Hollywood. I chatted with quite a few and the same place kept coming up as a reco. The High West Distillery. Whiskey, I was SO in. I walked down the street and got a seat at the bar. Spaghetti Western rye whiskey, with short ribs was on my menu. Followed up by a butterscotch pudding and the local Wasatch brew to wash it down. Ok, so it was after noon and I did sit there a long time, but after all that and then walking up the hills of Park City's 10,000 ft above sea level I really needed and nap.

High West Distillery butterscotch pudding.JPG

After food I continued my photo journey, trolley ride and shuttle down to the Library Auditorium for my very first screening of a Sundance file. Movie was "The Way Way Back." Was picked up by Fox and will be out in theaters later this year. Cute film and so glad I stayed, ate dinner with new friends and arrived back at my hotel at 11PM. Long day but all this was courtesy of Bing and I thank them again for the all-access pass and amazing day and evening in Park City. A local said to come back in spring it's lovely and full of flowers and great things to explore. I will be back for sure with SB in tow. Enjoy my little journey.

The Farm Shop and Kei and Molly

For the past several years when I go to Albuquerque I like to take a slow drive down Rio Grande Blvd (25 miles is the max speed limit). When I was a kid we drove down this street all the time where you can get views of the old ranch houses and horses, there use to be buffalo. I remember going to the buffalo house when I was in pre-school. During the Fall the trees down this boulevard are the golden color cottonwoods I love so much. My favorite farm is the old Simms Farm which is where the The Farm Shop is. It's in the original Creamland Dairies building and is part of the property connected to the Los Poblanos Inn, which has a rich history found here.

My mom visits here yearly for the Lavender festival, they have rows and rows of lovely lavender. It's an organic run farm and supplies the ingredients for the amazing dishes that are served up at the Los Poblanos Inn. The Farm Shop sells lavender spa products, artisan foods, gourmet kitchen and gardening tools and locally made gifts from all over New Mexico.

Lemon lavender gelato, refreshing and tasty. Thankfully no too much lavender, but just enough for the essence of the taste. I've had llavender panna cota which tasted like creamed perfumed soap, not ideal, this was the opposite.

Every corner is artfully directed and begging to be bought.

Lately I'm obsessed with the tea towels from Kei and Molly, here's their story. Next time I visit I want to look them up and see if I can meet these amazing women in person, I love everything they make. Their towels are beautiful and hang in the light filled windows of the Farm Shop. Check out their Etsy store

Mom has bought me two so far, and our last purchase was a typical mom daughter conversation.

Me: I like the turquoise one, but it has a cross in it, so maybe not

Mom: It's pretty, but how about the ones with the coyote

Me: Nah, I like the satelite dishes

Mom: Why?

Me: It's kinda cool, and sci-fi, and New Mexico

Mom: I don't get it

Me: It's ok, I like it

Mom: But why would you want that in your kitchen?

Me: Why wouldn't I, look at the conversation we're having about it

Mom: Your funny, you like weird things

Me: Mom don't you remember when I was a kid, if you don't like it, buy it, I'll LOVE it, that hasn't changed.

Mom: I guess, ok I'll get you that one.

Me: Thanks Mom.

So now I have two the orange citrus slices next to the indigo blue satellite dishes.

Lovely right.

Driveway up to the Inn and Farm. It's breathtaking in the winter and fall its AMAZING with the golden leaves on the trees.

I never get tired of this view when you walk to the Farm Shop, especially as you wonder around with chickens and peacocks, both white and the typically amazing blue and green.

White peacock.

Driveway out...just as lovely.

The Farm Shop

4803 RIO GRANDE BLVD NW

OPEN DAILY 9:00A – 5:00

505.938.2192

Route 66 Signs

Mid October we had to take an unexpected trip home to New Mexico for a family funeral. While I was devastated by the loss I appreciated the time to be on the road for 12 hours and unwind from the crazy L.A. lifestyle. SB and I pass these signs all the time and have taken some analog film shots, but this time we just jumped out and took a few iPhone and Android shots. It's such a competition between us to get the best shot, but it pushes us to try all kinds of filters, angles and apps.

In December we took another trip home to see family. Unfortunately we got stuck in Gallup (worst town in NM) for 2 days while everything was closed to fix the car during Christmas Eve and Christmas day. So we took advantage of the great signs in the town and took a few digital and iPhone shots.

On the way home I talked SB into taking a historical detour down route 66.

Enjoy all the cool signs and a trip down the past.

Day in Malibu

Quick post on yesterday as we had a full day in Malibu starting at 7AM and ending the day at 5PM. Lots of adventures with great friends by the beach and in the canyons. L.A. offers such a variety of things to see and explore which is why so many of us live here, but Malibu has it's own culture. People run into friends on daily errands and coffee breaks. There is a more relaxed attitude here.

At one point we needed to make a stop at a restroom and we walked threw the camp grounds at Malibu State Park. No one there except the fallen leaves of autumn and me and Heather traipsing in our sandals to the restroom. After we made sure that there were no creatures lurking in the restroom we ran in and out as quickly as possible.

Zuma beach was lovely.

Malibu Kitchen for quick breakfast.

I guess we need to be Bob's friend if we want to park here.

Clouds were amazing this day.

Canyon's were so quiet and beautiful.

Take a ride thru Malibu Canyon and Enjoy!

Pismo Beach

So after are three weeks of volunteer work in the blazing heat of over 100 degrees everyday, our friends treated us to a few days in Pismo beach. About 3 hours North of Los Angeles. We rented a house steps from the beach with a view of the Pier. I took tons of pictures so sorry for the picture overload below. These 3 days were thoroughly enjoyable and varied. Long walks on the beach in the morning and sunset, surfing, wine tasting, whale watching (unintentional), reading and cooking.

This is the first time she's used her board and had never waxed it.

SB showed the young teenagers how to surf and freeze in the cold water (wetsuits NOT optional.) In the meantime Bekah and I did the TJ shopping and then off galavanting to Laetitia Winery.

Sunflare on the Pier.

Here's the house we stayed in.

View at sunset from those windows.

Bench at Edna Valley Winery. When we arrived here we encountered a woman who drunkenly said "they have the best wines in there."

Lounging and wine tasting area at Laetitia winery.

View at Edna Valley winery. Gorgeous.

Ok so we talked the girls into going to a Loufa farm. I had no idea how loufa's were made, and I was pleasantly surprised by this whimsical and educational little farm. Did you know Loufa's grow on vines. I had no idea.

This is what a loofa looks like, kind of like a squash, from the squash family in fact. It dries out on the vine and then you take it out soak in water and peel off the harden skin. Voila a loofa, free of pesticides and ready to scrub-a-dub-dub.

Did you know there are at least 3 kinds of lavender. I didn't. The most used is English (which is kind of soapy smelling), then French (middle ) and finally Spanish. See what you learn at the loofa farm.

We drove up the road a bit and explored the other beaches, specifically Avila Beach. We found this lovely country farm. Included organic fruits and veggies. Also had kitschy kitchenwares. They grilled sweet corn and we ate it sitting on haystacks. Seriously country folks.

Ice cream stand in a barn. Delish.

Some fun photos below of our days lounging.

Random chair on side of road.

Instagram Images

I have been away on a volunteer assignment, so not much cooking being done, just a little exploring. Enjoy some of my Instagram images over the past few weeks.

Adamson House

Many years ago when a friend was getting married she asked about taking pictures at a place called the Adamson House. I had no idea where this place was, then I was invited to a wedding here and well it's one of the most beautiful Spanish Revival Colonial houses on the west coast. Tours of the inside of the house are $7 (cash only) but you can walk the outside grounds for free.

The courtyard. This house is located just North of the famous Malibu pier, next to the lagoon.

Malibu Pier.

This just screams Malibu to me or one of those postcards that says:

"Wish You Were Here."

I just liked the blue umbrella on the beach and you can see this view from the grounds of the house.

The Spanish Colonial house was built in 1930 for Rhoda Rindge Adamson and her husband. What kept this house from turning into a parking lot (aghast) was the it has so much of the now defunct Malibu Pottery (Rhoda's mother Mrs. Rindge started Malibu Pottery). The tiles saved the house. You'll love the historical stories about the beginnings of Malibu, and the Rindge and Adamson families. Enjoy the lovely images from around the grounds, you'll see it's covered in gorgeous tile.

Pool house and pool.

Dogs get to bath outside, this is nicer then some of the inside bathtubs.

View from the visitors bathroom, literally from the toilet. There is a building to the right of the entrance where there are public restrooms.

When we were there for a wedding we weren't allowed in the house only outside. I'd heard the tours inside were special, so I have made it an effort to get there for the tour many times. I have no pictures inside of the house as your not allowed to take any....boo! But you'll love the tiled floor that looks like a rug, even with fringe. This is a great house that tells a wonderful story about one of the most beautiful area's on the west coast, Malibu.

Malibu Lagoon Museum

23200 Pacific Coast Highway

P. O. Box 291

Malibu, California

(310) 456-8432

Getty Villa and Frances Mayes

In the past I have posted some of my favorite books and one of them that I read often, sometimes once a year is

Under the Tuscan Sun

My friend Nancy told me that Frances and Ed Mayes had published a cookbook and that the book tour was bringing them to the Getty Villa in Malibu. I was too excited for words, so I booked a reservation for four people to the Getty Villa, you need to do this on their

website

. They don't charge per person, but per car, so I assumed my friends visiting and SB would go with me. Alas, on that day everyone had different plans. I called Nancy at the very last minute to see if she wanted to go with me, as I had turned her on to this book and she had told me about the book signing. She already had plans, so I ventured to one of my favorite places alone. Before I get to my story here are few of the my photo's of the Getty Villa, which houses J. Paul Getty's antiquity collection (lots of statues).

Water lilies by the water fall.

A view of the cafe....best museum food I've ever had.

Beautiful tiled fountain.

This is the best view of the pool and if you don't know this balcony below is here, you'll miss it. There is a door to the West of the upstair elevators. Push the handicap button and the doors will open to this balcony and enjoy the view. It's not always open, but if it is, go...and thankfully this is still a well kept secret. There is hardly ever anyone out there.

A hipstamic moment.

I got there at 10AM. No one was there, it was so empty, a class of kids was in the amphitheater and hadn't scattered thru out the museum yet, so I really had the place to myself. I found the book store to purchase this cookbook. You can purchase it

here

At the bookstore they'd asked me if I'd reserved a book, I hadn't and became worried. But they'd ordered extra so I got my book and then hovered near the table and line in the shade waiting for Frances and Ed. When they walked by I recognized her right away and said "hello," like I knew her, really I've never met her but felt like we were long time friends.

Two gentleman went before me in line and had bought every book she ever published and had her sign them all, she kindly did so and chatted them up. This took a while, then they gave her embroidered tea towels, really how can I compete with this thoughtfulness. It did bode well for getting my personal first edition copy of

Under the Tuscan Sun

signed, which I had brought with me. When it was my turn I was so excited and had her sign the cookbook and asked if she'd signed my

Under the Tuscan Sun

copy. I told her and Ed I read this about every year while drinking a nice glass of Prosecco (she introduced me to this delicious bubbly wine). Ed said "Good for you!" The third person at the table happened to be the photographer. I had looked at the photographs and thought they were lovely so when I got to him I asked him if he'd sign his favorite picture. This is like asking someone what there favorite city was on a European tour, or your favorite pastry at Laduree. He couldn't find one of his favorites but described which one it was, it's the vegetables against the plastered walls of Bramasole (the Mayes home in Tuscany). Later on in the day I found it and almost went back to have him sign it.

It was only 10:45 by now and someone mentioned there was a lecture at noon, this series is called: Celebrity Chef Series: Frances Mayes (The Tuscan Sun Cookbook: Recipes from Our Italian Kitchen) Author Frances Mayes speaks on the occasion of the publication of her first-ever cookbook. Mayes talks about how this cuisine transports, comforts, entices, and speaks to the friendly, genuine, and improvisational spirit of Tuscan life.

I wasn't planning on staying that long, but I thought I'd wonder thru the museum as it wasn't crowded and explore images I might want to take and see if there was anything new. I've been to this museum many times before and after the remodel. It's like being transported to Italy. Such a beautiful re-creation of an Italian villa. Below are some of the patterns, textures, and tromp l'oeil you'll see everywhere.

This is technically the entrance of the museum. Make sure to look up, the ceiling is beautiful.

#fromwhereistand

By noon I was still there so I went to see if there were any tickets left, they are free, they handed me one and I went into the auditorium. Bon Appetit introduced her, did you know they manage the cafe at the Getty Villa? This makes sense as the food is delicious. Her reading was poetic and painted many word pictures. I kept thinking how glad I was in this position to come on a Wednesday morning to the Getty Villa at the last minute and hear one of my favorite authors describe the Italian life she'd made for herself and how people thought she was crazy to start this venture, I was inspired and moved. After the reading we were allowed to ask questions. Not many went up, so I asked why she choose Cortona of all the places in Italy to live [she'd initially stayed there on her first visit to Italy as it was centrally located to where she wanted to tour, after that she kept coming back, so it seemed a likely place to set roots]. Someone else asked her about the difference in writing a cookbook versus her travel logs [much different, she hadn't realized the ingredients were listed in the order you put them in dish].

By this time it was 1PM and I was hungry, the cafe was making a few of the recipes in her book, so I went up there and order the crostini. These were so savory. The Pea and Shallot had a hint of mint, a surprising refreshing burst of flavor in your mouth. The other crostini was Pecorino and Nut (walnuts). Nutty from the walnuts and cheese with a tangy salty flavor.

Some of my favorite statues....and well, one that scares me to death, I use to dream about this "chicken lady" chasing me thru the ditches in New Mexico when I was a kid. Yes I know I need therapy.

A Siren...but I call her the "Chicken Lady."

For some reason this one reminds me of the statue I saw in the movie "The Saint". I believe the statue I am referring to is at Oxford, at least it was in the movie.

After this lovely afternoon I walked thru the herb garden and headed home. Funny thing was Nancy deeply regretted that I didn't talk her out of her plans (which I really couldn't have). She ended up having to drive down to Costa Mesa to get a signed copy of the books as the Getty Villa had sold out. It was a fun adventure for the day. I can't wait to have a few more.

Getty Villa

17985 Pacific Coast Highway

Malibu, CA 90265

(310) 440-7300

Descanso Gardens

It's been a VERY long time since I went to Descanso Gardens. I was probably 10 years old, and well that's a long time ago. The gardens are in La Canada, and worth the drive for us Westsiders. The gardens were lovely and seeing as its spring most of the flowers were in bloom. Admission for adults it's $8 and $3 for children (5-12yrs old)

Tulips were breathtaking. I recently took a quiz about

"which of flower are you?"

Try it yourself

here

. I am a Tulip, which makes sense why I was drawn toward these gorgeous flowers. Personally Dahlias and Peonies are my favorite flowers, but there were none to be found that day.

Pink and pretentious.

White and purple color palate.

Art and Craft style building on the grounds. I believe you can rent many of these spaces for events. They are pretty spectacular and worth checking in to.

This is the house where the original residence lived. It's pretty amazing.

I wanted to be inside so much but they don't have the house open on Monday's. I made myself go into the house with my reflection on the window and the mirror inside.

Below are my images that are an ode to a few photographers I really admire.

An ode to Ansel Adam's Dogwood image.

Ode to Imogen Cunningham and Georgia O'Keefe.

My college photography professor would have a few unkind words to say about the above image, but I love it, so there.

Bridge with cherry blossoms all around.

Lonely Cherry Blossom tree.

The color palates everywhere were breathtaking.

The Lilac bushes were so fragrant, before you even walk into the area you are surrounded by the perfume in the air.

So many lovely Camellia's.

You must take a day this Spring and stop and smell the roses.

Descanso Gardens

1418 Descanso Drive

La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

Near intersection of 210 and 2 Freeways.

20 Minutes from downtown L.A.

Exploring

Since I've had this time off, and I must say thoroughly enjoying it, you may ask what have I been up to. LIVING is the best way to say it. I've been enjoying the city I live in, which I never do, especially when all I ever saw was my garage, the 10 Freeway back and forth to work and the parking lot.

So, unplanned I've actually been exploring L.A. Thru field trips with my friends kids, off with the Mom's during Spring break and my own spur of the moment decisions.

Here are a few smatterings of images I've taken via my iPhone along the way.

Banksy on the side of a building in downtown L.A.

Looking up on a cool Art Deco building with great lines.

Great old buildings and theater.

Flower mart....including the yellow ball flowers up top.

Here are a few from walking on the beach in the early morning.

SB makes fun of me for taking pictures of the bathroom structure....it's the one thing SM has done right down at the beach, cool architecture and appealing colors...the smell is still bad, but we can't everything.

Art Direction: SB Photographer: ME.

Images below are from a recent trip to Descanso Gardens, driving the freeway's with no one on it is a pure luxury in this town. All taken with Hipstamic on my iPhone.

Lukshon

You know how you find a place that excites you, and introduces you to new tastes and flavors that you add to your diet. Something that forever changes your perception of a food group. No? Well I have.

What is Lukshon? Lukshon is the creation of one of L.A.’s most celebrated chefs, Sang Yoon. It is a modern take on authentic South-East Asian Cuisine and its wonderfully diverse ingredients.

My co-worker and I ventured to this place at the Helms Bakery area, next to Room & Board and Father's Office. The food is amazing, exotic flavors full of spicy bits and tangy citrus. I really haven't eaten anything there I didn't like. First time we went we order about 6 things. The rices are so delicious. I've had the black rice with an egg, sunny side-up (AKA: heirloom black rice) and the other dish I love is the x.o. rice. N. loved the dandan noodles. First taste of that after he mixed all the goodness in the noodles and I seriously started sweating with the heat from the sichuan peppercorns. This is a tasty, but very spicy dish. Must have rice and water too cool down the temperature. The special appetizers or small plates are always a treat. Because I've had the roasted brussel sprouts here it is now one of my new favorite foods is and it's because of this place. Post coming soon on that.

They always follow-up with a beautiful, comped, dessert. First couple of times it was a refreshing spoonful of sorbet, then candied fruit jelly and the last time it was a tiny mango cake.

Oh and the tea's are beautiful and refreshing. I've yet to have any alcohol, since it's always a work day lunch. No liquid lunches for me these days. But I'd recommend this as a date place. Great location, zen modern decor. I'm going to get SB there soon enough.

Lukshon

3239 helms ave. culver city, california 90232

http://www.lukshon.com/

Route 10

Here's the pictures I've promised.

So this winter I had 1 -1/2 weeks off from work so we decided to take a road trip and visit my family in New Mexico. As the weather was extremely bad we had to take the southern route to Albuquerque. This made our road trip 15 hours instead of the usual 11. Seriously the last 3 hours where the worst and most disappointing as it was so dark and we were going through a part of New Mexico that SB has never seen. The stars where amazing though. Here's a sampling

of what we saw along the road.

Early morning...I love to see the sun rise and the clouds were everywhere so it was amazing.

Palm Springs energy windmills.

Colorado River crossing into Arizona.

Texas Canyon Rocks, in Arizona, very cool.

Sunset time in New Mexico....finally.

Idaho or Bust

Road Trip. I have to say I really enjoy road trips. I've spent many hours in the car growing up driving Route 66 and many other US highways, Interstates, freeways etc...

A few months ago we drove from Los Angeles to Boise, Idaho. Dear friends or ours were

moving up there. We drove their second car and made our way through California, Nevada, Oregon and finally Idaho.

We left LA at the grueling hour of 4am, it was suppose to be 3am (I took that picture above at that time, no turning the clock back for a photo op) so you can imagine how early we had to get

up for this. Our friends have two kids so it was essential to get them in the car asleep a

nd get in a good 6 hours of driving before they woke.

We took the 5 freeway and hit a few pockets of nothingness and then stumbled upon the worst smell ever. And for 5am, it was miserable. Cow's for miles and the stench j

ust wouldn't go away.

After passing the stench we get to the grapes of wrath where there are lines of fieldworkers that define this part of the continent.

Food fair on the road is pretty dismal. My mom use to pack a lunch or stop in some great little hole in the wall diner in some small little town along our route. There weren't that many options this time. So as typical Americans we stop at the usual fast-food, chain restaurants.

McDonald's, Denny's and a Subway, which is the healthiest of the bunch. For some reason this

food is appetizing on the road.

As we drive into Nevada and closer to Reno the scenery drastically changes it becomes beautiful blue sky's, tree line mountains, with patches of snow higher up.

We arrive in Reno about 2PM and are completely spent, it's the ridiculous tired feeling. We stay at the Grand Sierra Resort Casino.

I take a nap, check out the hotel amenenties while SB runs down to the pool with our friend and his two kids.

In Nevada's alternate to Las Vegas, Reno pale's in comparison for casinos, though the vie

ws are

awesome. We do however, decided to head down to the Casino to eat the buffet....seriously we

get there and the line is around the corner, through the slot machines to the race track and through to grandmother's house. Wait is 1 hour. I feel meltdown coming on all of us...finally we can't make a decision and just head to the quickest nearest place possible

, Johnny Rockets.

More burgers, fries and shake...but ooooh so delicious.

We had a great night sleep in a bed that SB absolutely loves so

much that once we

got back he called the hotel to find out what kind of bed as we need to purchase a new one ourselves. We

ate breakfast repacked the cars and took off for some interesting scenery.

You may or may not be surprised how many penitentiaries we passed in the middle of nowhere, not a lovely site.

We really got to see the little towns, abandoned shacks, farms and beautiful places.

Just before entering Boise we came through this town that had wineries and fruit orchards and the like it was really inviting.

After a day waiting for our friends POD to arrive we checked out downtown Boise, reminded me of Portland. It felt very College town like, without the FRAT boys. The next day when the POD arrived we unpacked it and it was barely empty before SB and I had to catch a plane home.

I got very emotional. These are dear friends but because of our busy schedules we didn't get

together as much as we'd like. We really bonded with them and their kids and I for one was sad to leave them. I know they'll adjust to their new 3 bedroom, 2 car garage and yard quickly and

their new friends will come to love them as much as those of us who grew up around them.

Can't wait for the next road trip, I've already got my mind spinning. We were sad to leave our friends behind, but made a promise to visit in the winter, I'd love to see Boise with snow everywhere. We miss you P family.

Cuba a Bittersweet Tale - Part III

I've been slow about updating this story, but it's important to me to finish as it's been swirling in my mind and heart for a long time.

After a few days with family in Miami we finally board a plane directly from Miami to Cuba, we're taking a mere 45 minute ride across a tempestous ocean. As we fly over the ocean I'm secretly looking out the windows to see if I there are any floating 1950 style Chevy rafts with Cuban's fleeing the island. This is silly but wouldn't you?

My Dad is so nervous he's making me nervous. As soon as we see Habana he starts to cry and then I start to cry. It's one of those emotional moments that can't be helped. It's been nearly 40 years since my dad saw this place. And this airport is literally the last scene he saw of his life in Cuba.

As we get off the plane I try to run a little ahead. I want to capture every bit of my Father's journey and well he can't stop crying, which in turn is making me cry. I'm saying this because I had a manual camera with me so trying to take pictures quickly to capture the moment sometimes come out a bit blurry.

While in Miami the relatives have imbedded in our minds all kinds of horrors that come when you get your baggage and try to get it through customs. Miraculously this is quite pain free. Dad translates everything and we pay a small tax to enter with these HUMONGOUS bags filled with all sorts of things that our friends and relatives in the States would think necessary for my grandfather and uncle.

Now as we walk out of the airport there is this huge crowd of people screaming and calling out all kinds of names. This is mayhem to me and I've travelled quite a bit. Out of this crowd comes this African Cuban man named Luis who calls my dad's name...."Nico" this is the nickname that only our Cuban relatives use for him. How my Dad recognize this man he hasn't seen in 40 years is a wonder. He pulls Dad and I out of the crowd with these huge bags and we head to the car. I was so hoping this would be a 1950's sky blue Chevy. But it ended up being this old white Russian fiat looking car. I'm so not a car person, that is my best description. As we're walking to the car Luis tells us that my grandfather, my Dads father, is in the car.Here comes the water faucet again. Seriously having no control over our emotions I just start balling. I've never seen this man in my life and my Dad has not seen or talked to him in years. I immediately start snapping pictures as my Dad greets his father. The only words coming out my father's mouth at the moment is profanity...why i have no idea....he just keeps saying "Oh, sh*t, oh sh*t" he's just not in control of his emotions. I finally get my hug in and greet my grandfather. It's such an odd thing to feel close to someone you've never met, but I immediately do. This is such a surreal moment and riding in the car looking at the country and soaking it all in. This is in indescribable feeling. Did I tell you HOT and HUMID it is. Wow Miami was bad and Habana is just as HOT. The countryside is lush green with palm trees scattered about, there is slight mix of jasmine in the air infused with the diesel smell of the old cars driving along this very rural road.We finally get to my grandfathers street. This is a dirt road filled with pot holes, but the architecture is amazing. More of that to come. My father has a younger brother who he also hasn't seen in 40 years. His brother has down syndrome and is one of the sweetest persons I met while in Cuba. Dad was equally emotional on seeing his little brother who is about 53 years old at this point. This first emotional day is overwhelming.