Discovering New York’s Finger Lakes
This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register (January 29, 2016) As snow blankets the East Coast, I have been reminiscing about my trip this past summer to the Finger...
10 February, 2016
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Knuckle and Claw – Perhaps the Best Lobster Rolls Can Be Found in Silverlake
When you cannot stop thinking about a restaurant after you ate there, I would take that as a good sign. That happened after I drove to Silverlake to try Knuckle and Claw. After filling up to the point that I could eat no more, I went home only to obsessively think about the lobster and crab rolls for the next few days, wishing for more. Like the seafood, I have been hooked.
Knuckle and Claw is a charming little hole in the wall on Sunset Boulevard on the edge of Silver Lake and Echo Park that will transport you to Martha's Vineyard. Founded by Nikki Booth and Chloe Dahl, who is originally from Martha's Vineyard, they started with a booth (Chloe's Lobster Booth) at various farmers markets. With their stand-alone restaurant, they are packed nightly, with people dining at the counter that only has six seats, eating at one of the tables on the back patio or picking up take-out.
08 February, 2016
The Raymond in Pasadena – An old place that feels like home
The Raymond in Pasadena is not a new place. In fact, it is rather old. Established in 1886, it was The Grand Raymond Hotel, frequented by East Coasters in the winter. The hotel no longer exists, but inside the original caretaker's cottage is the home of The Raymond Restaurant and 1886 Bar.
Tucked away and hidden by trees in a residential area of Pasadena, The Raymond and 1886 Bar are out of the way and hard to find. But, it is worth the effort to spend an evening here as you will immediately feel right at home in the cozy, intimate space.
Owned by Leslie Levy and her husband, 1886 Bar has been drawing in cocktail lovers from around the city since it opened in 2010, as well as garnering awards for the cocktail program. A small, low lit bar filled with dining tables, there is not a lot of room to stand along the bar. But, if you can get a spot, you are in luck. Once you have settled in, get ready to do a little work. The cocktail menu is not for the lazy. Each drink is named after a literary reference and eloquently described in paragraph format, like reading a story. It is worth taking a moment to read through it but if you refuse, the bartender is happy to help you with suggestions.
05 February, 2016