Tourific Escapes

The Good Pizza

Tourific Escapes — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:05:20 +0000

There have been a lot of blogs recently about pizza…first Eater LA hosted Pizza Week, and then Tasting Table announced a new roaming pizza truck. I still have 800 Degrees, Milo & Olive and Stella Rossa on my to-try list. I can check off Pizzeria Mozza, Sotto and Pici Enoteca. But I have to say one of my favorite new pizzerias is within walking distance of my home in Playa del Rey. It is called The Good Pizza and it’s owned by a very charming Italian named Nando and his founding partner Carlos. Besides a unique, thin crust pizza the guys offer pasta, panini and desserts…yes they even have a Chocolate Pizza! To quote Nando, here is how it all began: We like to eat pizza. We come from Naples. We make good pizza. So we decided to open this pizza joint… Tell me, where is your favorite pizza joint???

Papaya King

Tourific Escapes — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:11:00 +0000

So after visiting Carney’s on Sunset recently, I decided it was time to pay Papaya King in Hollywood a visit. Located on Wilcox Blvd just across from the “You are the Star” mural, Papaya King is a New York City outpost that sells hotdogs and tropical drinks. Sadly, I was the only customer during the 30 minutes I was there enjoying my Classic frank, curly seasoned fries and drink. I couldn’t decide between the papaya or the coconut flavors, so the server gave me a combo of the two.

I enjoyed the atmosphere with the brightly colored and clever signage, but it was strange that there should be 100 people in line for Pink’s and not one for Papaya King. Location troubles? I dined at a stand-up counter top looking out on Wilcox Blvd and read the many framed newspaper announcements on the wall . Turns out there’s an exclusive nightclub just behind the yellow door in the kitchen. That’s right, the only way into The Sayer’s Club is through the same kitchen that grills hotdogs and serves tropical drinks. Ah, gotta love Hollywood!

Are you a Sinner or A Saint?

Tourific Escapes — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:16:04 +0000

True story: one day recently a Mini Cooper stopped by as we were prepping the van for a tour, and the driver asked if we were the company who leads the Chocolate tours!? That’s how Elisa, the owner of Sinners and Saints Dessert shop, and I became friends. Clever name, don’t you think?

Elisa and her business partner, head baker Dustin, offer treats for when you want a decadent sugary-splurge as well as those who prefer gluten-free desserts. I haven’t yet tried everything on the vast, rotating menu but I aim to. Everything I’ve tried, I’ve really liked, including cookies, tarts, tiramisu and cannolis. The desserts are as pretty to look at as they are to eat. Located on a busy stretch of Lincoln Blvd in Venice, there’s free parking right in front. Be sure to check out this charming little shop just bursting with personality and flavor.

Tea for Two

Tourific Escapes — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:50:07 +0000

I recently came across a list of the best spots for afternoon tea in Los Angeles as suggested by Daily Candy. I would agree that The Peninsula Beverly Hills and Jin Patisserie on Abbot Kinney both serve a beautiful tea, though in completely different styles. One often overlooked tea room that I believe deserves mention is Chado Tea Room.

My friend Mary Elizabeth introduced me to Chado when I was new to Los Angeles, and I’ve since enjoyed tea at all of their So Cal locations. My favorite is their newly-reopened tea room at the Hollywood & Highland Center. Even with the hustle and bustle out on the boulevard, guests still get the sense of relaxing over a cup of tea. Chado is the largest importer of tea in the US with 300 types of tea available in store and more than 1,000 online.

In honor of Mother’s Day, TOURific Escapes is offering a special promotion of Tea for Two at Chado in Hollywood. You can be entered to win by commenting, liking or sharing this blog. If you live too far away to enjoy tea at Chado, you can choose instead to have a tea sampler mailed to you directly. One lucky winner will be drawn on Sunday May 13. Tell me, where’s your favorite place to enjoy a pot of tea?

Brunch at Zengo

Tourific Escapes — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:25:28 +0000

I gathered with some girlfriends to enjoy Sunday Brunch at ZENGO in Santa Monica. Zengo is an artful blend of Latin and Asian flavors, with small plates designed for sharing.

From 11:30 to 3:00 on Sundays, diners can enjoy unlimited small plates and brunch cocktails (meaning: all you can eat AND drink for one set price.) Two of our party enjoyed Bloody Marys, while two of us drank the bubbly: mango mimosas and lychee bellinis.

Plantains, empanadas, veggie potstickers, pan dulce (pictured) and banh mi sliders were among the delicious dishes we chose off the tantalizing menu. I’m not a sushi fan, but I know I’m in the minority. Mary Elizabeth declared her favorite dish to be the chipotle yellow fin tuna roll, so I included a picture of it here for you sushi lovers. It was a perfect warm & sunny Santa Monica morning, and with 3 hours of free valet parking at Santa Monica Place, I just might make a return visit.

eat at STREET for brunch

Tourific Escapes — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:56:34 +0000

Sunday Brunch is becoming a happy habit. We decided to pay Susan Feniger’s STREET a visit on a recent leisurely Sunday. Since we watch the delicious brunch fare come out of the kitchen on our Saturday tours, we made it a point to get a reservation on Open Table and take part in the festivities. Warmly welcomed and treated like VIP’s, we had a most enjoyable morning.

Check out the list of unlimited champagne cocktails…we each had two and that was plenty. We started with warm apple fritters served in a sea of whiskey cider sauce. Then I cheated on Roscoe once again with the chicken +waffle croquette dish, while Matt enjoyed his Good Morning Burger complete with bacon and fried egg. Chef Susan and Kajsa have put together an amazing array of flavors and textures and we are happy to be part of the STREET family! Don’t forget…eat at STREET!

Music in the City

Tourific Escapes — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:33:00 +0000

Have you seen the random pianos around Los Angeles and wondered what was going on? Part of an international program, Play Me I’m Yours is a fun way to bring music to our communities. There are 30 pianos around Los Angeles from Culver City to Pasadena and everywhere in between. I happened to catch an impromptu concert in the courtyard of the Egyptian Theater Saturday evening.

This public art experiment was designed to bring together creativity and community through spontaneous music making. The pianos have previously been to London, New York and Barcelona to name a few. You’ll next find the pianos in Salem, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah for some summer time melodies. Bring it on Piano Man!

Carney’s on Sunset

Tourific Escapes — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:51:22 +0000

I was in Beverly Hills doing research for my new tour, and where did I end up having lunch? Hollywood. I was dressed very casually (think yoga pants) and just wanted to pop into Duke’s, a coffee shop on Sunset next to the Whiskey A Go Go. And as I drove by, the windows were covered in brown paper. No more Duke’s. Sad, I never got to try it. So I continued down the Strip and stopped at Carney’s, which had FREE parking. A friend recently informed me that Carney’s was better than Pink’s, and now was my chance for a bit of research.

I walked into the bright yellow building (a former Pacific Railroad passenger train), walked RIGHT up to the counter and was greeted by a very friendly guy named Jaime. I ordered the Chicagoan dog, fries and a Pepsi. One of the few places around that serve Pepsi anymore. Jaime even gave me a small cup of complimentary chili since it was my first visit. I enjoyed every bite, the hot dog had just the right “snap” and the fries were piping hot. I loved the people watching, and the many black and white photos of the car being transported and set in place on the Sunset Strip. If you don’t believe me and Larry, see what Sheldon has to say about the big yellow train car.

Shopping and dining at LAX

Tourific Escapes — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:15:03 +0000

LAX is getting a facelift in the way of new shops and restaurants in select terminals this year. Barbie and Hot Wheels are getting a home in Terminal 5, called the Mattel experience. Good job to my friends in El Segundo for landing that project! Already open in terminal 7 is Kitson, whose trendy storefronts are also on Robertson and in the new Santa Monica Place Mall.

Terminal 5 will also get a Ford’s Filling Station, the Culver City pub owned by Harrison Ford’s son…and fresh and refreshing food & bev from Lemonade. Real Food Daily, a popular LA vegan spot will open in terminal 4. Cole’s, the legendary downtown French dip sandwich shop with a hidden speakeasy, will also open at LAX by the end of the year. Who started the French dip anyway, Cole’s or Philippe’s?

38 Essential LA Restaurant’s

Tourific Escapes — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:27:02 +0000

I get my restaurant updates and insider foodie info from a great source called Eater LA. Not everyone agrees with all their findings and suggestions, but I do appreciate their reporting of the openings, closings, events, listings and more in one concise little package. Upscale to hole in the wall, celebrity chef to independent small owners, they report on them all.

Just out is The 38 Essential Los Angeles Restaurant report. I have personally enjoyed 14 of those listed. Some I’ve never heard of and others I’ve been wanting to try for a long time, such as Spago. The restaurant list can and does change regularly so if you don’t find your fav place here now, it might be listed next month. How many of these have you experienced? And by the way, does anybody know how they chose the random number 38? Maybe I should start my own list…