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…
Category: Food Experiences (Palate and Food Business Education)
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…
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…
6-Hour Eat Drink Walk Singapore
LAU PA SAT I was on a quest to find some Fresh Durian for breakfast. I figured Lau Pa Sat would have it. Originally Singapore’s first wet fish market, formerly known as Telok Ayer Market, it was formerly located on the South Bank of Singapore River. Under Sir Stamford Raffles’s remodeling plans of 1822, it…
Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice: Singapore Must Try
This famous Singaporean restaurant started out serving Cantonese Chicken Rice in a small Chinatown stall in 1979. The signature juicy and tender chicken with its ginger, chili, and dark soy sauces sold itself gaining a wider popularity. By 1983, they opened their first restaurant on Balestier Road. By 1999, they added other homestyle dishes and then…
Tsukiji Sushi Takewaka Singapore
In Wisma Atria 4th Floor, Tsukiji Sushi Takewaka sits among the Japanese themed restaurants. This was the first time we ordered tomato on a bed of ice like this. The flesh was meaty but yielding with a burst of sweetness which just suddenly roused your tastebuds from sleep! This is genuine good food that can’t…
BUTTERFLY IN THE SPRING 