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.