1960. Cuba. Political turmoil in your country and you attempt to leave. Straightaway, your husband gets terminated and consigned away to manual labor. You, too, get terminated with three children to feed. Can you imagine? That was the crisis Rosa Porto found herself in. In Chinese, the word “crisis’ is represented by the characters for…
Month: January 2018
Black Bear Diner
Twelve-foot wooden bear sculptures mark the entrance of each of the over eighty Black Bear Diner locations in the western United States. (Each sculpture, carved with a chainsaw by Ray Schulz, depicts the bears in a way that is telling of its location… stomping on grapes, skiing, playing baseball, climbing trees, etc.) This is heaven…
Bottega Louie
Bottega Louie is not the latest shopping convergence of Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton. Although it could pass off as one from the exterior. It’s a gourmet restaurant, market, patisserie and cafe in Los Angeles. My cousin-in-law, Lesley, introduced us to this wonderful foodie joint. Upon crossing the heavy glass doors, you feel like you’re…
The Ivy
The Ivy at Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles, surrounded by designers and shops. has long been known to be restaurant for the Hollywood stars (and stargazers). The customer service from the servers wearing baby pink long-sleeved polo shirts, ankle length white aprons, and floral ties does make you feel like one. The colorful floral American country…
Millennium Biltmore Hotel Brunch
Originally called “Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel,” the luxury Millennium Biltmore Hotel has a long history of Hollywood and political luminary guests since it opened in 1923. In 1927, the Crystal Ballroom was where the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded over a luncheon banquet. For several of its early years, the Oscar ceremonies were held…
Kitson/ Kitross, Los Angeles
In the stylish neighborhood around Robertson Blvd in Los Angeles just in the same block as the Robertson Blvd. Parking Lot (for The Ivy) is the famous Kitross (better known by its former name before its management’s legal turmoil, Kitson). It has been featured in many a Hollywood magazine for its celebrity clientele (such as…
The Grove, Los Angeles
Just next door to the end of the Farmers Market through a very painless maybe fifty or so steps, you will end up at The Grove, a beautifully landscaped outdoor shopping and dining destination with a three-floor Barnes and Noble, a moviehouse, a tram, and a lovely selection of restaurants and stores.
Meet Me at Third and Fairfax: Los Angeles Farmers Market
The sign, “Meet Me at Third and Fairfax” marks the corner of this year-round, seven-days-a-week Farmers Market which has stood on this site since 1934! It has since become a historic Los Angeles landmark! Its story begins in 1880 when Arthur Fremont Gilmore bought two dairy farms. When he and his partner eventually parted ways, Arthur took over the…
8 Tips for the “I Am Tourist” Double Decker Bus
I haven’t yet worn a bright Hawaiin shirt on my travels. I would want to be streetsmart and not look like I’m lost even if I were, avoid walking around reading a map, sling a big camera around my neck, and do the usual things that invite con artists to take you for a ride….
Lady M Singapore
Lady M New York which started in 2001 chose Singapore for its first Asian store. Known for its Mille Crepe, twenty layers of handmade ultra-thin crepes layered with pastry cream, Lady M is a chic place to visit. This one is at South Beach:
BUTTERFLY IN THE SPRING 