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Category Archives: CALIFORNIA

Watts Towers of Simon Rodia

Call it what you will, folk art, naive art, outsider art, or simply a magnificent achievement of a poor immigrant, Simon Rodia’s Watts Towers stake a forever claim in the history of art and serve as a stunning tribute to man’s powers of dedication and persistence. A treasure trove and must-see stop for anyone headed to Los Angeles.

Posted 15 March 2017 † Susan Manlin Katzman § ART § LOS ANGELES § MUSEUMS § NATIONAL PARKS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off on Watts Towers of Simon Rodia ° Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

ROSE BOWL FLEA MARKET & SUNNY CALIFORNIA CAKE

Some folks might say that Disneyland is L.A.’s top attraction, or Universal Studios, or the grand art museums, or restaurants, or beaches. Me? I love the flea markets. Flea markets reveal the overall tone of a place. By selling collections and discards, treasures and trivia—both splendid and spent, flea markets showcase the life-styles of locals, […]

Posted 29 October 2016 † Susan Manlin Katzman § CAKE § LOS ANGELES § PRODUCTS § RECIPES § SHOPPING § TRAVEL § Uncategorized ‡ Comments Off on ROSE BOWL FLEA MARKET & SUNNY CALIFORNIA CAKE ° Tagged: , , , ,

THE TRAILS, GRIFFITH PARK, L.A.

The Trails is an insider’s favorite place to stop for breakfast, lunch, coffee and/or tea before or after hiking in Griffith Park (Los Angeles),

Posted 07 March 2016 † Susan Manlin Katzman § BREADS § BREAKFAST § BRUNCH § COFFEE § DRINKS § EASTER § HOLIDAYS § LOS ANGELES § RECIPES § RESTAURANTS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off on THE TRAILS, GRIFFITH PARK, L.A. ° Tagged: , , , , , , ,

THE BROAD—L.A.’S NEW SUPERSTAR MUSEUM

  Here’s what you need to know about The Broad, L.A.’s newly opened contemporary art museum:   1. It’s fantastic.   2. It’s free.     3. It’s popular. Long lines form to get in, but one can bypass the wait by securing advance reservations for timed entry tickets online. (The online reservation spaces disappear […]

Posted 05 February 2016 † Susan Manlin Katzman § LOS ANGELES § MUSEUMS § TRAVEL § Uncategorized ‡ Comments Off on THE BROAD—L.A.’S NEW SUPERSTAR MUSEUM ° Tagged: , , , , , , ,

FARMSHOP AND AVOCADO HUMMUS

It’s sunny and bright, hip and happening, and loaded with celebrities. We could be describing Southern California and Los Angeles in general, but instead are telescoping in on Farmshop, an artisan market and restaurant that perfectly reflects the cool vibe of both the region and the city. Actually, there are two Farmshop restaurants—one in L.A. […]

Posted 27 March 2015 † Susan Manlin Katzman § APPETIZERS § BREAKFAST § BRUNCH § CHEESE § CHOCOLATE § COFFEE § LOS ANGELES § PRODUCTS § RECIPES § RESTAURANTS § TRAVEL § WINE ‡ Comments Off on FARMSHOP AND AVOCADO HUMMUS ° Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

SECRETS AND COCKTAILS AT CHATEAU MARMONT

Those who say money can’t buy happiness have never had cocktails at Chateau Marmont. This iconic Los Angeles hotel sits overlooking the Sunset Strip like a beacon luring Hollywood stars and other A-listers connected with show-biz fame and fortune.First built as an apartment building resembling a French Chateau, the property converted to a hotel in […]

Posted 13 February 2015 † Susan Manlin Katzman § ACCOMMODATIONS § BARS § BEVERAGES § COCKTAILS § DRINKS § LOS ANGELES § RECIPES § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off on SECRETS AND COCKTAILS AT CHATEAU MARMONT ° Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

PARADISE COVE MALIBU CALIFORNIA

Nice is a word that applies. Easy-going too, and comfortably uncrowded (except on gorgeous-weather weekends and holidays). In fact, Paradise Cove on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, just might be the best-kept-secret sunshine place for L.A. families and friends to enjoy a beach/cafe experience without the razzle, dazzle hoopla of Hollywood or a touristy […]

Posted 06 December 2014 † Susan Manlin Katzman § APPETIZERS § BARS § BEACH § BEVERAGES § CONDIMENTS § LOS ANGELES § MALIBU § RECIPES § RESTAURANTS § SALADS § SAUCES § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off on PARADISE COVE MALIBU CALIFORNIA ° Tagged: , , , , , , ,

WORLD’S BEST BEER BARS BY BILL YENNE

Bill Yenne has been writing about beer for a quarter century and is among the world’s leading authorities on beer and brewing history. Then again, he’s an authority on many topics, having contributed to encyclopedias of both world wars as well as having authored more than three dozen non-fiction books with topics ranging from aviation to biography (Julius […]

Posted 24 November 2014 † Susan Manlin Katzman § BARS § BEER § BELGIUM § BEVERAGES § BOOKS § BRUGGE § CZECH REPUBLIC § DRINKS § GERMANY § HAWAII § MUNICH § SAN FRANCISCO § TRAVEL § Uncategorized ‡ Comments Off on WORLD’S BEST BEER BARS BY BILL YENNE ° Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

MOSS LANDING & RECIPES: CIOPPINO & BIRD’S NEST

Centered in the curve of Monterey Bay, midway between Santa Cruz and Monterey, on California’s famous Highway 1, Moss Landing is hard to miss, yet most drivers whiz by headed for more famous neighbors. This is a mistake. A big mistake, as the tiny fishing village is a hidden treasure yielding rich rewards for nature-loving […]

Posted 17 May 2014 † Susan Manlin Katzman § ACCOMMODATIONS § CRUISING § MOSS LANDING § RECIPES § RESTAURANTS § SOUPS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off on MOSS LANDING & RECIPES: CIOPPINO & BIRD’S NEST ° Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

FAMILY FOOD AND FUN IN LOS ANGELES

Catherine McCord perfectly fits the description of a contemporary food-focused superwoman/super mom.  A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Catherine credits her parents and grandparents for instilling in her a love of food, particularly healthy, wholesome food. Her knowledge expanded and interest in food and cooking intensified when she traveled the world as a supermodel and explored […]

Posted 19 April 2014 † Susan Manlin Katzman § BOOKS § BREAKFAST § COOKBOOK REVIEWS § LOS ANGELES § Uncategorized ‡ Comments Off on FAMILY FOOD AND FUN IN LOS ANGELES °