Lifestyle

When you think of some of your fondest childhood memories, I've come to find that many surface from events that took place in the home, and more specifically, in the kitchen. It is no surprise why this is so; the kitchen is a common gathering place for families, events, story-telling, holiday baking and tradition making. Aside from being a place to gather, it is a place of nourishment, not just for our appetites, but also for our souls. Looking back over the years where the art of culinary has changed, there is one thing that remains the same, we all continue to gather, create and nourish ourselves within the kitchen. And that is the preciousness of memories, being able to relate to those you have not yet had and anticipating the future of those to come. Photo Oct 06, 11 32 54 AM
The Houston Brothers (Mark and Jonnie) did it again with their grand opening of Hollywood's newest venue, Dirty Laundry. With a successful track record of nightlife venues such as No Vacancy, The Piano Bar, Harvard and Stone, and La Descarga (just to name a few), it's no wonder why their latest venture started off with quite a bang.
Last Sunday, the sun was shining when the fourth annual L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade benefit for pediatric cancer research was held on the lawn of Culver Studios. Founded in 2000, Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004) was a four-year-old neuroblastoma patient who held a charity lemonade stand in front of her home to help raise money for cancer.  In one day, she raised $2,000 and by the time she passed away in 2004 at the age of 8, she had raised, with the help of others, more than $1 million. Almost 10 years later, more than $60 million has been raised to fund over 300 research projects with the goal of ending childhood cancer. Los Angeles Chef Suzanne Goin and her business partner Caroline Styne (AOC, Lucques, Tavern), along with Chef David Lentz (The Hungry Cat) created LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand and each year an extraordinary group of chefs, vintners and mixologists donate their time for one of Los Angeles’ best and most worthy food and wine events. To date, the Los Angeles event has raised more than $1 million and this past week’s event raised more than $530,000.
As an avid caffeine fiend I often find myself looking for my next coffee binge. And if there’s one thing Los Angeles is good for, it’s the coffee culture. In a city that never sleeps, fueled by entertainment, fashion and all things a little wacky, it’s no wonder why Angelenos can’t get enough of their daily drip. Unfortunately, with the daily hustle and bustle of never-ending traffic and busy schedules, it’s harder to get a good cup of joe than you might think. Because of this, most of us find ourselves stopping at the nearest Starbucks or Coffee Bean chain or average joe coffee joint to get our fix. If you’re as dependent on your daily dose as me, than you should agree - one size (or shot) does not fit all. May it be your favorite fall latte or a classic cappuccino, the fuel you put into your body matters. So, I've complied some of my favorite local off-the-beaten-path coffee shops that are sure to wake you up!

What happens when you fill a train car with bartenders and representatives from four countries that produce whisk(e)y? The Great Whisk(e)y Debate….on a Train 2013! It started earlier...

It's taken more than two weeks of working out to recover from the 3rd Annual Los Angeles Food and Wine Event that took place August 22 - 25th. Four days of back to back events filled with amazing food and drinks was pretty indulgent and we enjoyed every single bite and sip! The weekend began with Giada's Festa Italiana on Thursday night. The weather was perfect as we walked down Grand Avenue, outside of Disney Concert Hall. There were over 200 wines to taste, and carb-filled Italian dishes to soak it all up.
Union Market of DC is an authentic market of culture and commerce. A true vision, this gathering place serves as an inviting melting pot of old world heritage and new world opportunities. This authentic district expands beyond its culinary origins to include music, retail, hotel and residential uses. Currently, more than 100 businesses employ 1,500 people in food production and distribution. It is a rare place in the city where a wide variety of ethnic groups and diverse social-economic groups come together. You can spend days wandering around from stand to stand trying different foods and products from local, artisanal producers. Here's a handy guide to help you:
It’s no secret that Santa Barbara Wine Country is home to some of the best wineries on the coast of California. With so many to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in all the wine. But if you're planning a trip to Santa Barbara wine country, there is one destination you can’t miss out on – the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Lompoc Wine Ghetto is definitely the perfect destination for those looking to get the most out of their time. Lompoc is located northwest of Santa Barbara near the Highway 1 and 246 intersection. Lompoc has 18 tasting rooms featuring some renowned wines and vineyards. It is recommended to spend more than one day here but you can get alot covered in one day. The tasting rooms are generally open Thursday through Sunday, starting at 11:00 am, with a few rooms open on Mondays.
Looking for a day trip from Los Angeles?  Heading up to Santa Barbara wine country is always a great option! It will be a full day but there is alot you can do. Start the morning off with a drive up the coast. Take the 101 freeway to CA-246 exit toward Lompoc/Solvang which is approximately 130 miles north of LA.  After the drive, you may be ready for a hearty breakfast and there is one joint that is sure to please your appetite. Ellen’s Danish Pancake House 272 Avenue of the Flags, Buellton, CA 93427 Located around the corner in Buellton, CA, Ellen’s Danish Pancake House is a family owned restaurant that is sure to curb your hunger. This full service American and Danish restaurant has a wide array of menu choices from their famous Danish pancakes, to savory steaks and seafood. Ellen’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. They also serve homemade jams, salad dressings, and offer daily specials. After breakfast, head 15 minutes to Santa Ynez and start wine tasting.
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