A Slice of Life

How many DuPar's are there left?

I've been to the original at the Farmer's Market at Third and Fairfax and I've been to the Encino location recently.  Of course, the Downtown Las Vegas location is terrific.  This photo was taken late Saturday night/early Sunday morning the weekend before last.  A friend and I stopped by after a party.

The food is always top quality.  Normally I have breakfast (served 24/7), but on this occasion I opted for a patty melt.  And, of course, pie is a must have at DuPar's.  Once again, Dupar's did not disappoint.

Cutting the Mustard

I've gone to Greenblatt's Deli on Sunset Boulevard for decades.  It's become my go-to place to pick up food to-go for the Hollywood Bowl or other outdoor events.

I particularly like their turkey sandwiches but I like it with the turkey hand-sliced which produces thicker slices than their machine.  For years that seemingly-simple request stumped their kitchen.  Nine times out of 10 they wouldn't get it right.  That led me to dub Greenblatt's "the best deli in Los Angeles that never gets the order right."

The truth is the last few times I've gone they've gotten it right and last Saturday they were really on top of their game.  The food (and bread quality) seemed improved and the gentleman who took my order really seemed to care about getting it right.  What a refreshing change!

But it's funny how once an impression is made it's really hard to change it.  I remain convinced they're going to get my order wrong and feel obligated to hover at the counter "supervising."

Because there's nothing worse than showing up at the Hollywood Bowl and finding mustard where it's not supposed to be.

Please Remain Standing

Last Saturday night I visited the Ford Theater for the first time since the renowned amphitheater on the opposite side of the Cahuenga Pass from the Hollywood Bowl reopened after a major remodel.

It's a beautiful space and the recent modernization only enhances the guest experience.

My reason for going was a performance by the Los Angeles Jewish Orchestra.  I hadn't seen them perform before and I wasn't sure what to expect.  What a talented group of musicians!  The performance consisted of music composed by Jewish composers.

As is the standard custom at County-owned facilities, the concert began with the National Anthem.  But the most moving part of the evening was immediately after the U. S. National Anthem the orchestra played the Israeli National Anthem.  Chills!  Many in the audience knew the words to sing along.  I didn't but I loved listening to it.  (In fact, I rarely sing during the U. S. National Anthem because I like listening to the music without the interference of my own voice.)

I'll Skip the Snake Blood

I'm the first to admit I'm not an adventurous eater.  I know what I like and I'm happy to stick to it.

So when GeezBob suggested we have lunch last Saturday at M Con on Beverly Boulevard -- a restaurant featuring Taiwanese sandwiches, small plates and bowls -- I was more than skeptical.

But I also want to be open to new experiences so I said OK.  I doubt that I'll ever go back but the food was pretty good after all.  After a few modifications, my brisket sandwich was terrific.

But, just the same, give me a good, old-fashioned American diner and I'm perfectly happy.

Cleans Up Real Good Like

I remain absolutely fascinated by the rebirth of Downtown Los Angeles.  As someone who has been going downtown, off and on, for four decades the rejuvenation that has taken place in the last ten years continues to take my breath away.

Last Thursday I had a most interesting lunch at JP's DTLA.  The creative menu was intriguing but what made it fascinating was its location.  It's an upscale pop-up restaurant serving lunch in a sunny space at 4th & Broadway that transforms into a raucous gay club -- Precinct -- at night.

Seems like a pretty efficient use of space to me.  I hope they can make a go of it!

Seeking Nirvana

Had a great behind-the-scenes tour this afternoon of the Cave Temples of Dunhuang exhibit at the Getty Center led by Neville Agnew of the Getty Conservation Institute.

Organized by Town Hall Los Angeles, Agnew described his 28-year history conserving the Buddhist artwork found in desert caves in Northwest China along the ancient Silk Road.

Absolutely fascinating!

Just a Little Off the Top -- Or the Sides, Really

I'm the first to admit I don't like change.  If I find a brand that I like I stick with it.  Same thing with barbers.  Eduardo's been cutting my hair for a couple of years.  Before that, Ron cut my hair for about 15 years and that only ended because he closed his salon.  So I was distressed last month when I tried to make an appointment with Eduardo at the West Hollywood Supercuts because they told me he wasn't there anymore and wouldn't give me any other information.  It really threw me for a loop.  I dreaded the idea of finding a new barber.  I know I'm bald, but I still have hair on the sides that needs attention and I rely on a barber to trim my beard.  I haven't learned how to do it myself.  I tried a different stylist at the WeHo Supercuts but it just wasn't the same as with Eduardo.  So I was overjoyed last week when he sent me a message that he was now working at a Supercuts only about a mile away.  And earlier this afternoon all was returned to normal.

It'll Do

Had to run an errand this afternoon in Woodland Hills and decided to stop off for lunch at Rib Ranch BBQ on Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

It's off of the list of oldest restaurants in the Los Angeles area -- it opened in 1973.

I think this part of the Valley was pretty suburban in 1973, though not as built up as it is now.

My tri-tip sandwich was good -- not the best I've ever had -- but just fine.

Bad News for Porky Pig

Stopped by Nick's Cafe on the north end of Downtown Los Angeles today for a late breakfast/early lunch.

This place has really seen the ups and downs of the area and, happily, is still open today and reflects the rejuvenation of Downtown.  Authentic to it's roots -- and serving some of the finest ham around in generous portions -- Nick's has been cleaned up and has become something of a hipster hangout. 

Normally that wouldn't be a good thing in my book, but in this case a historic restaurant has been kept alive without being ruined.

Paris in Autumn

Had dinner last night at Meet in Paris in Culver City.  It's just down the block from the Kirk Douglas Theater, so it makes for a very convenient pre-show spot for a bite to eat.

The service was terrific and the bread was good but I just wasn't blown away by the food or the prices.

Definitely goes on the Been There, Done That List.  Happy that I went but there are too many other places to explore to go back.

Ripoffberry Cafe

Hunting and Gathering

Forage in Silverlake. I've been driving by for years but stopped in for the first time today. 

Lazy Sunday

Testing out the mobile app for Blogger. Maybe this will increase my recent blogging frequency. 

The Teahouse of Ted Green

Yesterday I visited the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at California State University Long Beach.  Smaller than the Japanese Garden in Van Nuys, the garden in Long Beach is a delight. 

Feeding the Koi (fish food dispensers are located on site) clearly is a major attraction for families with young children.  The central pond is circled by an easy walkway with a Ceremonial Teahouse near the back along with a sand garden.  Some of the trees near the sand garden were losing their flower pedals giving the illusion of a light snow.

Afterwards I had lunch at Hof's Hut, a former beachfront hamburger stand that has grown into a small chain of local Long Beach restaurants.

At the end of the day I drove to Torrance to see "Nebraska."  It's a touching movie that perfectly captured the dynamics of older families.  I find it fascinating when movies depict how personality traits are passed down through the generations.

Tuning Out Tokyo

Surprisingly large, The Japanese Garden next to the Tillman Water Treatment Plant in Van Nuys is a a delightful respite from the hurly-burly of city life.

Built Forever?

The story of the Southwest Museum is a sad one.

Opened in 1913, it's the oldest museum in Los Angeles.

Built on a hillside, it has commanding views over Highland Park from Downtown Los Angeles to Pasadena.

It owns one of the finest collections of Native American artifacts in the world.

Yet today the museum is only open one day a week (Saturday) and most of its priceless collection is hidden from view.

One hundred years old, the building is completely outmoded.  It was built BEFORE cars were in the mainstream and is oriented towards a commuter line running up the Arroyo Secco.  A century ago, after arriving by rail, visitors were expected to hike up a rugged path clinging to a steep hillside.  After the museum's director died of a heart attack climbing up to the front door a tunnel connecting to an elevator was installed to ease access.

The museum is laid out on several terraced levels making it completely inaccessible to those with mobility issues.

Out of money, the Southwest Museum was taken over by the Autry Museum which pledged to curate and maintain the collection -- a considerable financial commitment.

But the hillside gem of a museum remains nearly vacant, a White Elephant from another era.

Under the Sea

I really enjoyed myself at the Long Beach Aquarium.  It's a very impressive facility with excellent displays.

But the most interesting exhibit had nothing to do with oceans -- it was the bird aviary filled with the most colorful parrots.  You can buy little cups of sugar water and the birds will land on your hand and drink from it.  This means the birds swoop real low over the head of everyone who enters to see if they're offering snacks.  Great people watching as newcomers get bird-bombed as they first come in.

Afterwards I took a terrific short cruise around the Long Beach Harbor and got to see everything from Sea Lions to Cargo Terminals.

Tell Me a Story

The Fowler Museum on the UCLA campus has a terrific collection of art from around the world focusing on how art is used to tell stories, record history and express power and wealth.

Their collection of silver, including object smithed by Paul Revere is quite impressive.

The free admission is a nice bonus too!

Perfect Recipe

Chili John's in Burbank seems like a well-preserved roadhouse from the 20s.  The menu is simple but terrific.

Had a nice chat with one of the owners about his family's efforts to keep up with changing tastes in food while respecting the traditions of the restaurants origins.

They've found the right balance and I hope they keep going for a long time.

Coast to Coast

Love him or hate him, a visit to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda is a worthwhile look back at history.

There is so much more to the man than just his resignation from the Presidency.  And it all started right here in Southern California.  What an amazing journey.