What? You didn't know? It's National Hamburger Day this Wednesday, December 21st so here are some of my top go-to burger joints in L.A. for an over-the-top burger, becasue, really, who needs an excuse to have a burger anyways?
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar (Sawtelle, Fairfax, Downtown, Santa Monica) Think many renditions of the all-American classic, each composed of premier house-ground beef and condiments like their kimchi mustard and dashi-infused American cheese. You must have the Plan Check Burger, which I can personally vouch for as one of the best ever, especially since it stars their Sriracha ketchup leather. There's also the Cheeseburger Machismo and Da Phat Hawaiian Burger up for grabs. Boneyard Bistro (Sherman Oaks) A classic BBQ joint with modern twists from Executive Chef and Owner Aaron Robins, Boneyard Bistro is known for its time-honored BBQ offerings and eclectic bistro fare, including a selection of oak-grilled burgers ground with 100% Snake River Farms American “Kobe Style” Wagyu beef. Their playful burger staples include The O.M.G., The California Special and the Extremely spicy! No mercy, no refunds! “Burn In Hell” Burger. Great Maple (Del Amo) This modern American eatery specializes in comforting dishes and drinks with exciting twists and a unique presentation. The kitchen’s goal is to create towering masterpieces “For the People.” You can try the Montreal-Spiced Grass Fed Beef or maybe The French Cowboy “A Burger that Eats Like a Hot Dog”. No, I'm not telling you what's in it - I know you will go find out yourself!
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For my last day in Palm Desert, I got up fairly early so I could sit out in my balcony and watch the sun rise as I sipped my coffee to the sound of the birds in the lake below creating their morning ruckus/symphony. I will miss waking up to these beautiful views every day. The air here is just so much cleaner, you can feel it within a day.
Breakfast today was at Wilma & Frieda's at The Gardens on El Paseo. Went in fairly early and thought the place was deserted but by the time we left, there wasn’t a spot empty! Looks like a breakfast and brunch fave around here. For a true blast from the past, just like the huge sign hanging on the wall reading Café Dining Cars, get their specialty pop tarts – so many flavors and so much fun. There’s a few varieties to choose from so I won’t spill the pops on what those are – I hope you will visit to discover.
Enjoyed visiting the Palm Springs Art Museum at Palm Desert with docent Patrick Blythe, and perused the newly installed “Glass for the New Millennium: Masterworks from the Kaplan-Ostergaard Collection” exhibition, which is on display through early March 2017. The exhibit features works by artists from more than 10 countries and traces the history of studio glass from the 1960s. I seriously could not believe some of the artwork I saw here – incredible that they are all made from glass. Images do not do justice to the critically curated collection.
Ordered in breakfast today which is always fun. I think in-room service is such a lost luxury and wish more folks would enable that then charge additional for it to be a room service.
Headed straight to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, which is dedicated to preserving a portion of the Colorado Desert in its natural state. I got a behind-the-scenes shuttle tour of the zoo’s grounds. My time there included many highlights – feeding Pono the giraffe carrots while he posed for pictures (even managed a selfie, which, given our height differences, was quite the achievement), watching Clyde the camel engage in his favorite activity – painting!, and seeing some lovely butterflies at the Winged Wonders! Butterfly Exhibit. Also saw Mexican wolves (three, and they appeared to be completing their morning laps) as well as my first peccary. Finished off with the Cheetah Run, an event that highlights the “Year of the Cheetah” and The Living Desert's efforts to help preserve this endangered species.
A short 2-3 hour ride from L.A took me to Palm Desert. Very tempted to stop at the Cabazon Outlet Mall and the towering Morongo Casino but put my self-control skills to test and kept driving on. I was wowed by the rows of windmills that greeted me as I drove in. Word of caution – the area does get windy and you can find yourself fighting against gusts to keep control of your car.
My home for the next few days is JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa at Palm Desert and while I expected it to be just another Marriott property as I drove in to park, I soon found out this one had its own charm. The lobby is simply majestic, I have actually never been inside a cruise ship proper but this lobby reminded me of one from a movie. Right off the bat, the gondolas and water pool inside the building caught my attention!
Enjoyed a casual weekday lunch at Birch LA with members of the media and the friendly folks at Diamond PR to learn more about Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa. As you can see from the pictures, the event was a blast!
Recently discovered this app and website called Table8, which can be used to find and book restaurant reservations and discover new food and drink experiences. Looked up Indian and Italian restaurants near Los Angeles where I live and received quote a few options that I was able to sort not just by date, time and number in my party but also by price range, type of cuisine, distance, etc.
The company has been around a while but they also launched a new restaurant perks program for Dining Club Members at select partner restaurants in LA as well as the 12 other cities across the U.S. where they operate. These special perks are complimentary and range from a welcome cocktail or amuse bouche to a signed menu from the chef or wine cellar tour with the sommelier. Sounds interesting, how fun! Looks like a perfect way to impress for date night or maybe with family members when taking them to dinner, especially over the holidays. Its an extra special touch, and exclusive in that you have to know of the app and reserve though there. Some of the perks in LA include:
Now if that doesn’t sound like a unique experience to make you and your guests feel special! The app itself is free to download on your phone or use online through their website but the Dining Club Membership costs $95. If you want to sign up asap, then just click on the image above and it should take you directly to the sign-up page. Have you tried the app or are you in a city where the service is available? Would love to hear your experience in the comments below!
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With the holidays just around the corner, Cozymeal is a great option whether you're planning a Thanksgiving celebration, a unique holiday event, or simply looking for the perfect gift - Cozymeal has you covered.
A website connecting people with top local chefs through cooking classes and unique dining experiences, it is the perfect platform for locals and travelers because the service provides the chef and the venue to ensure a fabulous experience. Take home the recipes from the chef and also ask them for tips and tricks to cook like them all season long. In Los Angeles itself, you can enjoy a delectable six-course Thanksgiving menu with Chef Eric, take your holiday baking to the next level with Chef Tené, or give the gift of experiences with Chef Joey's classic Italian menu. And if you are gifting friends and family, I think this makes for a great option that will surely be a surprise for the receiver because Cozymeal offers personalized gift cards for any experience. Cozymeal launched in 2014 and is currently servicing the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose, Washington DC, Seattle, Boston, and San Diego! I am eyeing some of the classes possibly in December since I am staying in town for the holidays but if you’ve already tried the service in your city, I’d love to hear your experience in the comments below :)
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Beverly Hills transforms into a festive wonderland for the holiday season, offering exciting events, stunning décor, new community initiatives and holiday cheer for all, beginning officially with the City’s annual Rodeo Drive Lighting Celebration, Sunday, November 20, 5:00 p.m., and continuing with a number of activities through December 24, 2016.
Attended a pretty rad design event and didn’t even know how rad it was until I got there, perks of subscribing to local neighborhood newsletters I guess! This one-day event in its fifth year is called DIEM Talks Design and hosted by the West Hollywood Design District. This year’s theme was Co-Everything and I loved how they had branded each session as such to focus on the ‘Co’ aspect of each topic of discussion. The format was essentially an art walk or pub-crawl style event where you started at one location and ended at another, walking to multiple locations en route, and each location hosting a specific session.
With National Cappuccino Day tomorrow in time for the elections here in the U.S, and National Espresso Day coming up shortly after on the 23rd, there is a fair chance you will see me sipping on one of those drinks as the beautiful Fall weather takes over here in Hollywood.
Firstly, the Getty Center and the Getty Villa are two different venues so get directions for the right place please! Not that I made that mistake, but I heard of plenty others who did. Also, if you arrive too early, then you will be turned away and asked to return closer to opening time. This I know because I did do it – I am known for over-planning so was at the front gate to the parking deck 15 minutes ahead of opening at 9.30am on a Sunday and was promptly turned away by the security staff. They did smilingly welcome us back again at 9.30 on the dot though like we were old friends!
After ten years living in the U.S., I finally did a city-to-city bus ride long distance. This was on Bolt Bus – from the same folks that run the Greyhound buses but a fancier version. The route was L.A to San Jose to meet some friends for the weekend. Here’s a quick rundown on a few thoughts on that journey!
100 years of NPS! Now, that’s quite something, especially given the great job they do. Moving to the US after a childhood spent in India and the Middle East, national parks and the role they play was something I only realized well into my adult life. Now I enjoy every chance to explore a new park on my list, especially since we’ve moved to California, which is basically national parks heaven I hear! One of the first national parks I visited was about 3 months into setting up home base in L.A – we went to Death Valley National Park and here’s a quick round up of the experience!
I've heard so much about this place that I am happy for their 10 years even though I have not been in there yet! Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen is turning ten years old on December 8, 2016. To ring in the anniversary, they are bringing together chef friends from around the country, as well as from the restaurant’s past, to collaborate on a series of multi-course dinners on October 3, November 7, and December 8. Have you marked those dates? Okay read on for more details :)
We are in the middle of National Olive Oil Month (really? who knew!) and happy to share that one of my fave L.A. restaurants, the French Riviera-inspired FIG & OLIVE is on it! Olive oil is at the crux of the cuisine here and they are big on Spanish, Tunisian, and Greek olive oils which are used in place of butter and cream throughout the menu. I don't doubt it, walk into this space and you are greeted by shelves upon shelves of glowing bottles that are part of an expansive retail collection of olive oils—each available for sale on site.
With a love of travel, more and more people are finding that they want to take more trips more often. When you have a job, it can be tricky to get the time off. Which is why more and more people are choosing to have weekend city breaks over anything else. You don’t need to take as much time off work, but you can still see a lot of sights in that time. So what are the things to consider when planning a city break? How can you maximize the time? Here are a few tips and ideas.
Come along with me on my top picks for museums I enjoyed visiting in the few destinations that I've been. Why 14? Because nobody does a list with that number apparently! Picture up top is from my visit to MOMA in San Francisco. I always make time for a museum visit in one of the cities I am visiting, I enjoy the experience and always learn something new. Besides, most museums are architectural beauties in their own right so I love discovering these concrete monuments and enjoy their offerings! Here we go, in no particular order...
We all love a good holiday. But sometimes getting a good price and planning where to go and what to do can take a long time. Instead of all that planning, why not just take a last minute holiday?
Taking a spur of the moment holiday can be one of the best ways to get out there and relax for a few days. All you need is a weekend or a few days off work and you can go somewhere you never thought of before. Here are five quick steps to taking a holiday last minute...
This is a US-based site, but there are plenty of viewers from all over the world here. Many of you will be looking to visit the US at some point in your lifetimes, so here are some pointers to make things just a little easier for you!
With no major plans for July 4th weekend, San Diego presented itself as a strong contender for a weekend getaway and off we went. Just a 3-4 hour drive from Hollywood, and with plenty of AirBnB options in emerging neighborhoods like North Park, which was conveniently located close to the zoo and few other attractions we wanted to hit up, heading over was a no brainer.
When you get an invitation titled ‘Wine made for Food’ from Domaine Laroche Chablis, you reply in good grace with an astounding ‘Yes!’... So let’s get this straight - Domaine Laroche is synonymous with Chablis. At least, to me it is, and I am not even a Chablis fanatic. It is just how I know it to be.
Summer signals the oncoming of happy hours so here is one of my first and might be easily a favorite too! Fig & Olive Melrose Place has some lovely new aperitivo happy hour offerings. Here's a sneak preview but do check them out - loved the cozy casual lounge area as well that really long....... bar. The restaurant dining area is always busy so make reservations if you plan to indulge in dinner after. And they do have a cute outdoorsy space as well - if you can spare time from gobbling those sharable plates. (which you might not really want to share after all) check it out!
Whether you’re planning on traveling for a few days, weeks, or months, here are a few things you can do to make this trip one of the best yet. from culture and food, to meeting locals or strangers, here are some suggestions to have a truly enjoyable experience!
At the invitation of a dear friend in the wellness tourism arena, I had the opportunity to visit the International Spa Association's media meet and greet event held at the Montage Beverly Hills and was blown away by the fact that the spa industry even had such an event. Well, guess what, they have a full blown conference annually to talk all things spa! Shouldn't surprise me - every industry these days has conferences but this was my first such interaction directly with spa professionals where I wasn't simply getting a treatment but actually meeting and speaking with them about their workplace, offerings, products, trends, and more! In my enthusiasm, being a complete newbie, I ran around talking to all the spas represented and simply didn't think to take any images at the event itself. The gallery here features some of the products from the event though and the spas that presented those wellness products to attendees. Hope to do a better job if I get invited back next year! Meanwhile, enjoy the images here - watch out for product reviews as I try out some of these fabulous skin and wellness care goodies. For more information, check out their website and try to attend.
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