"Let's start at the very beginning," the lyric leapt into my brain as though "Do Re Mi" were a song I hear now. Streams of thought quickened from musical notes to ABC's. The alphabet, the quintessential Center of my teacher self, is a topic I've Decidedly screamed that I'm not blogging about. Though elementary education is my work, my Calling, and a love for sure, it's very separate from the passions that are Closer to my Dreams. So what's with the letters? The mind quietly reminded my brain that after ABC comes D. Note D#1 = Dreams.
While working, C seemed to monopolize my life --- Commuting to Crossroads School in my Car left my adored Cats home while I professionally Connected and Communicated in a Community until I returned later to Cook, Clean and resume my love/hate relationship with my Computer. C has been the the Core of my goings-on for a multitude of years and though rarely discussed included some nasty encounters with the C word.
And then the world shifted. A Dream became reality, a wish granted. I was awarded a five month sabbatical leave by C#1- Crossroads - a grant that took away the bane of my existence as I'd known it -- the Clock. And forgive the alphabetical backtrack, but that is how you are reading my B - Blog #1. Because now I have more time for the Dreamy passions: Dining, Dancing and Dating (only now I'm Dating just one, whose name coincidentally begins with yes, you guessed it, D).
So Blog #1 begins with D#2- Dining - as in restaurants - and is inspired by a smart gutsy former Colleague. I thank you Devvon for having the Courage to blog and put yourself out there about your passion for Cooking. I wish you the best and will be following your journey. And I bet our paths will Cross as the relationship between Cooking and Dining is, well, Definite.
Los Angeles is the City which lured me because the Dining, even in the 90's when I moved here, was off the Charts. In the restaurant world, L.A. was always seen as sloppy seconds to New York and Northern California (notably San Francisco and Napa) and not as hearty as the middle-Country where Chicago served American Classics. Los Angeles was mired in its stereotype of scene vs. quality. Known as the less erudite, schooled, and serious of the Cities, Los Angeles was hardly appreciated by Critics who Dined and then wrote about it.
Enter me, who supported their Claims, for without any formal training, my first work in L.A. was that of a restaurant reviewer, food writer, and Columnist for the website, LA Dining. Hooked is an understatement. And though LA Dining went the way of most 90's start-ups, I fell madly in love with the Dining scene, from the holes in the wall to the finest of fine. I followed Chefs, neighborhoods, trends, Cuisines and people. I grew up and started to taste things that my former Philadelphia self would have shunned. I pretended to know foods and wines long before I had any idea what I was writing about. And passion for eating turned to passion for learning about what made some restaurants work when others wished for Diners at their Doors. Few restauranteurs lack passion. But some had the magic and learned to endure. I ate it all up, literally and figuratively. Never full from the creative mastery of a to-Die-for Chef's Cooking, I am ever more a Devotee of Dining adventurously well and sharing the knowledge and wonder. That L.A.restaurants, like its Denizens, are often Daring is little surprise. It is time to Celebrate that many of these exciting eateries now sit as equals in the world of foodie excellence.
I'd love my D blog to be a Dialogue. With luck and your ideas, it should Develop into a useful place for us to Chat about the latest hits in our Dining hearts. Always learning and open to suggestions. Not unlike my original Column for LA Dining where inquirers asked about where they should Dine to propose marriage to their honeys, or host their in-laws or eat the best sushi, if this works, it should invigorate Discussion about the restaurants that keep us from sitting on our Couches. I don't know how it will go but I know this -- I feel alive just beginning with D. All the D's in my life are currently bringing more joy than I ever Dared to Dream and the alarm Clock never rings.
(Blog #2. Stay tuned. Dining continues. Thinking of favorites now. Formulating a mental list of LA's latest and consistently greatest. Mouth is watering imagining best LA Dishes. What $50+ per person place has been worth your time and resources more than once? Why? Do you have a new favorite? Do you have questions? Can't wait to explore. And no he's not my new D -- though might have been a DREAM once. But oh I Digressed. That's Michael Voltaggio ink-ed. Duh!)
While working, C seemed to monopolize my life --- Commuting to Crossroads School in my Car left my adored Cats home while I professionally Connected and Communicated in a Community until I returned later to Cook, Clean and resume my love/hate relationship with my Computer. C has been the the Core of my goings-on for a multitude of years and though rarely discussed included some nasty encounters with the C word.
And then the world shifted. A Dream became reality, a wish granted. I was awarded a five month sabbatical leave by C#1- Crossroads - a grant that took away the bane of my existence as I'd known it -- the Clock. And forgive the alphabetical backtrack, but that is how you are reading my B - Blog #1. Because now I have more time for the Dreamy passions: Dining, Dancing and Dating (only now I'm Dating just one, whose name coincidentally begins with yes, you guessed it, D).
So Blog #1 begins with D#2- Dining - as in restaurants - and is inspired by a smart gutsy former Colleague. I thank you Devvon for having the Courage to blog and put yourself out there about your passion for Cooking. I wish you the best and will be following your journey. And I bet our paths will Cross as the relationship between Cooking and Dining is, well, Definite.
Los Angeles is the City which lured me because the Dining, even in the 90's when I moved here, was off the Charts. In the restaurant world, L.A. was always seen as sloppy seconds to New York and Northern California (notably San Francisco and Napa) and not as hearty as the middle-Country where Chicago served American Classics. Los Angeles was mired in its stereotype of scene vs. quality. Known as the less erudite, schooled, and serious of the Cities, Los Angeles was hardly appreciated by Critics who Dined and then wrote about it.
Enter me, who supported their Claims, for without any formal training, my first work in L.A. was that of a restaurant reviewer, food writer, and Columnist for the website, LA Dining. Hooked is an understatement. And though LA Dining went the way of most 90's start-ups, I fell madly in love with the Dining scene, from the holes in the wall to the finest of fine. I followed Chefs, neighborhoods, trends, Cuisines and people. I grew up and started to taste things that my former Philadelphia self would have shunned. I pretended to know foods and wines long before I had any idea what I was writing about. And passion for eating turned to passion for learning about what made some restaurants work when others wished for Diners at their Doors. Few restauranteurs lack passion. But some had the magic and learned to endure. I ate it all up, literally and figuratively. Never full from the creative mastery of a to-Die-for Chef's Cooking, I am ever more a Devotee of Dining adventurously well and sharing the knowledge and wonder. That L.A.restaurants, like its Denizens, are often Daring is little surprise. It is time to Celebrate that many of these exciting eateries now sit as equals in the world of foodie excellence.
I'd love my D blog to be a Dialogue. With luck and your ideas, it should Develop into a useful place for us to Chat about the latest hits in our Dining hearts. Always learning and open to suggestions. Not unlike my original Column for LA Dining where inquirers asked about where they should Dine to propose marriage to their honeys, or host their in-laws or eat the best sushi, if this works, it should invigorate Discussion about the restaurants that keep us from sitting on our Couches. I don't know how it will go but I know this -- I feel alive just beginning with D. All the D's in my life are currently bringing more joy than I ever Dared to Dream and the alarm Clock never rings.
(Blog #2. Stay tuned. Dining continues. Thinking of favorites now. Formulating a mental list of LA's latest and consistently greatest. Mouth is watering imagining best LA Dishes. What $50+ per person place has been worth your time and resources more than once? Why? Do you have a new favorite? Do you have questions? Can't wait to explore. And no he's not my new D -- though might have been a DREAM once. But oh I Digressed. That's Michael Voltaggio ink-ed. Duh!)
What's your "go to" restaurants to give friends the ultimate LA dining experience? Friends are coming to town and debating where to take them... do I pick places by geography, genre of food, "glam" quotient, all of the above?
ReplyDeleteThey're all good reasons Peter since in LA, all of the above can be realistically considered. I've had out of town guests actually ask me to take them to a restaurant where they would definitely see someone famous! And while Craig's and Giorgio Baldi usually come through, there are no guarantees as we know. I've seen Rachel McAdams at Osteria Mozza (a go-to for glam and cuisine) and at Peet's. So best bet is to ask your guests what they really want out of the experience and what kinds of food they will/won't eat. A cousin informed me he will not eat raw (Sushi off list) or cooked fish (so long Third Street's Son of A Gun) nor anything too "out there." Another good rule of thumb with guests is to have been to the place before so you can recommend what dishes to order -- or to ask local friends to recommend top menu items. Call ahead and let the host/hostess know that this is a special occasion asking great table to match the spirit. Geography in an LA restaurant has as much to do with placement in the "map" of the tables than it has to do with freeways. As for go-tos, I'll be speaking to that more in my next post. For now, think Ink (it's rare for a top spot to get better - this has), Bestia, Gjelina, Hatfield's (weekends for higher energy), HInoki and the Bird, or Trois Mec (if you can remember to make the rez on the right day). AOC, Giorgio Baldi and Spago (renewed) are standbys for me that satisfy. Osteria Mozza, though they are stuck on themselves, is all (most) of what it's cracked up to be. OK stop me -- this blog is gonna be a bitch for holding boundaries. I need an off button - a hand to come through the screen and slap me. Sorry for the on-and-on Peter. Dining obsessions die hard. Anyone else have some go-tos for Peter? Thanks... IW
ReplyDeleteNo boundaries, indeed! Love it... thanks for the "Go-To's... Been to a couple, and now I got a couple more...
DeleteWhen coming to L.A., what are your "can't miss" picks for eating out?
ReplyDeleteHey Jackie! There are so many.... aside from the higher end I mentioned above.... give me some ballpark of ages, types of food, time of day and whether or not having a bar is a good thing!!! :) For cheaper eats, let's start with Bludso's (Barbecue) and Golden State (burgers)! Tell me more and I'll tell you more. Keep watching. Future blogs will add lists. Thanks for writing. Cheers.
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ReplyDeleteHello! Planning a girl's brunch on an upcoming Sunday....Looking for a chic and cool spot where we can sit back, enjoy the scenery, and possibly a mimosa or two ;) Any fun places that you would recommend? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteSounds fun Julia. Shutters pops up first for sublime view and chic-ness not to mention you can walk on beach after. Not far from there is Primitivo Wine Bistro in Venice. Younger, friendlier AND Bottomless Mimosas! Walk them off on Abbot Kinney - cool shops and people watching. East-siders, weigh in! LA MIll? Boxwood? Poolside in Bev. Hills?
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ReplyDeleteOn your last blog entry, there was a question about where to take an out of town guest in LA and Bestia was in my top 3, with of course, the caveats you mention about food preferences if you bring a vegan or someone who needs to be gluten free. Also you should mention, it is a tough reservation to get. Such an interesting dining experience in so many ways, and I too have to drive. Next two were Picca and Gjelina. With Cafe Gratitude thrown in as the breakfast/ lunch spot.
DeleteSo true, tripindicular1, about the rez being hard to get. I alluded to having to "snag a Saturday" but may tweak that part to be more clear. Thanks! Gjelina has always been a favorite -- though I've yet to fall in love with Picca. Will give it more tries. Gratitude for the shout out to the Cafe! :)
DeleteHi again tripindicular1. I added the part about being hard to get! Thanks and have a great week.
DeleteWe foodies are always looking for the next "hot" restaurant... but what happens when the "hotness" cools? It feels to me as though these hotties fade into oblivion, or even worse, LA apathy... Yet, some former hotties seemingly evolve into classics - places that still produce provocative, mouth-watering dishes and still attract hordes of Hollywoodies and foodies alike. Osteria Mozza comes to mind - yes, it opened a mere 6 years ago, but in LA dining years, well... you get the picture. So... what are your classics? ...places you're still crazy about after all these years...
ReplyDeleteFoodaholic -- such an astute observation! 6 in restaurant years is the actress's 40! Can be hot still or not, right?! Osteria Mozza and the Pizzeria are perfect examples of hot (and delicious) restaurants that still pack crowds. (To answer, I'm not going to include sceney places e.g. Boa where crowds come but food worsens.) Add AOC to your list of still mouth-watering and ambitious. Angelini Osteria, Hatfield's, Gjelina (5 years), Craft, and Jitlada. Honorable mention to Church and State, Bottega Louie (though menu spotty), Mo-Chica and Father's Office. My personal favorite classic that fills nightly is Giorgio Baldi. Only been to Providence and Melisse once each. Can't include with integrity only by reputation. Thanks for the check-in.
DeleteHelp! My friends have put me in Foodie Jail! My crime? I love chains! Do I say it loud and proud? Hells to the No... Hence my name... I think my friends are a bunch of pretentious snobs, but we all have our faults? I mean, four words: Tom Colicchio and CRAFT. Right? Say no more. So, in your opinion, can one be a foodie and a fan of chains? Is this my get out of jail free card or am I stuck in my own Private Houston's?
ReplyDeleteHaha. Anonymous-- are you writing a competing blog and trying to get me in trouble with the big boys?! The Cheesecake Factory Kingpins, the CPK Executive Branch? Can't touch this. If your stomach and your wallet don't hurt after you eat, enjoy. And ya know, it's time some snotty foodies came out of the In- N-Out closet and acknowledged hiding at Houston's. :)
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