Author Archives

CJ’S CAFE and SWEET FRIED PLANTAINS

CJ’s Cafe on W Pico in Los Angeles is a long loved restaurant that serves a Mexican dishes, traditional American food and soul food. Their sweet fried plantains are about the best ever. Recipe included.

MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS

The Museum of Illusions, a chain of privately owned museums located throughout the world, offer entertainment, education and fabulous fun photo opts.

S’MORES / RITZ-CARLTON REYNOLDS, LAKE OCONEE

  Ritzy casual. Rather remote. Rewarding for both adults and kids. Really expensive. We’re talking about the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, on Lake Oconee, near Greensboro, Georgia. Located about 85 miles from Atlanta, this unique resort mixes nature with quiet laid-back charm and abundant luxuries. Here’s the draw: THE LAKE The sparkling water of Lake Oconee, a […]

DENVER CENTRAL MARKET, RiNo, IZZIO AND CURIO

Talk about cool, hip, or whatever the new word is to describe happening. Just spent time at The Denver Central Market and was blown away by the high spirits—both outdoors (street art) and indoors (food and booze). As to the outdoors: Although Denver dresses-up multiple buildings in the city with vivid art, the lion’s share […]

TASTE OF COUNTRY APPLE CRUMB PIE

“Apple Crumb Pie is more than a dessert to us,” says Ali O’Brian–co-owner and chef of the charming Taste of Country Restaurant. “It’s a symbol of family togetherness and love.”

HOT BROWN and TOUSEY HOUSE TAVERN

The Tousey House Tavern in Burlington, Kentucky serves a delicious Hot Brown sandwich. Here’s a recipe for our version of their version to make at home.

Luna Luna Forgotten Fantasy Los Angeles

Once in a blue moon, an art exhibit offers such magic as Luna Luna Forgotten Fantasy in Los Angeles. The exhibit showcases a collection of artist-made carnival fun that first operated in Germany in 1987. Lost, rediscovered, restored, the exhibit will enchant the entire family.

BUTTER LETTUCE SALAD AND HOLLYWOOD FARMERS MARKET

The salad was freshness itself. Crispy and sweetly tender butter lettuce leaves wearing a light dressing that glistened like dew. I sampled the salad as a first course at a Sunday night dinner prepared by Scott Manlin (influencer, restaurateur, and my nephew). Scott credited the salad’s perfection to the Hollywood Farmers Market, where he shops […]

CINNAMON ROLL APPLE PIE and PERFECT 10 COOKBOOKS

Wonderful recipe for cinnamon roll apple pie from Tim Mulligan’s cookbook A PERFECT 10 Full Menus and Activities to Make Hosting Parties A Breeze.

BOURBON , THE B-LINE TOUR AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY

Sorry vodka. Get lost gin. Forget about it rum. Bourbon is the glory-be American alcohol.
Born as moonshine, bourbon rose to superstar status in 1964 when Congress officially declared “Bourbon whiskey is a distinctive product of the United States and is unlike other types of alcoholic beverages, whether foreign or domestic.” Bourbon ranks right up there with the American flag, Fourth of July and the Bald Eagle as a patriotic treasure.
How do we know this?