Sing-a-long Grease at the Bowl

Had a wonderful weekend at home. Went with Tami, Dante and Dante's future wife, Emma to the bowl on Friday night for the sing-a-long to Grease. Emma was enraptured with the whole experience, Dante was up for about half of the movie and then crashed. Woke up at the end of the movie and "wanted to see it again" Next year buddy.
John Travolta looked mighty fine in this movie. I forgot how thin he use to be. Or for that matter how thin we all use to be.
dinner with Jim at Cube. Fresh tagliatelle with fennel sausage bolognese and fava beans and pecorino romano. So fresh and so good. I love that restaurant!
Unfortunately every day ends with a climb up the stairs. Looked back last night and snapped this shot. I do not miss this while I am gone. Moving is going to be a bitch.

last week

Action packed last week. Spent most of my time in Monterey and the Santa Cruz area with the local franchise owners. Brought my camera and thought I'd get some shots in but long days and a complete lack of imagination conspired against me this week.

Stayed at a hotel right by the beach and the old boardwalk. Took some photos but all dreck. This is in the arcade area on the boardwalk

vacation

Had a terrific vacation this past weekend. Went to Miami with my homegirl, Tami and just chilled for a few days at the Hotel of South Beach. Just a great place, from the location and rooms to the staff. We took a red eye in from LA and arrived at 7 am. Desk clerk let us check in early with no questions. This is the third time that I have stayed at the hotel and I would recommend to anyone. The first night, we had dinner at the hotel's restaurant "Wish" and had a terrific 5 course tasting meal. Ate at the bar while the last of the Central American storm that destroyed Guatamala blew through Florida and met some interesting people.

Beautiful lobby with a cool veranda that looks out on Collins and the crowds that drift by on their way to Ocean Ave.

Tami's new drink of choice. She grilled the bartenders on how to make so I think it might be making a SoCal appearance at the house this summer.

Went to Joe's Stone Crab on Saturday and then after spent time on Ocean drive taking some photos. The spicy rock shrimp and grits were my favorite dish. Unfortunately, stone crab is now out of season so you have to "make do" with other menu items. Had a wonderful soft shell crab entree instead.




Food display in front of the Colony hotel. Tami wanted to name it "bad day for a fish"

lazy day

It's a beautiful day and weekend in LA. Spent the day getting a little bit of culture. Balmy and beautiful.

Went to Burke Williams after and Dana and I had massages and spent some time in the steam room.
Finished the day with dinner with Bill and Dana and a beautiful chop at Ammo and a nice glass of Pinor Noir before going to Jim's play. A full, relaxing day.

Vegas

Stayed at the aria at city center. This was the view from the room. Very nice hotel but not a place I'd stay again.

Had a chance for about an hour to wander. Old Vegas is slowly being erased. This was an old motel off Las Vegas Blvd downtown. The neon boneyard is in process of being moved. Took a few shots as well,

lost weekend

Well this weekend didn't quite turn out the way I planned. Had a killer hotel room at Aria in the new city center development mid strip and big plans. Unfortunately, Uncle Al, everyone's pal, badly broke his ankle and leg this week. Spent my weekend off the strip playing nursemaid. Didn't get a chance to get out a lot but got some shots in. Will post tomorrow.

dinner at Hatfields

Back in LA for the week. Had to visit some accounts in Orange County, Santa Monica and the Inland Empire. Kind of ping ponging all over the Southland. Had a chance to meet up with Dana and Bill for dinner at the new Hatfields on Melrose. The Times just gave it a 3 star review a few weeks back and I have been itching to try it. Had my 45th birthday dinner at the old place on Melrose and I still dream of the lamb chops. Jepepy joined for dinner as well. I love him. Never a dull moment or lull in the conversation with Jepepy around.




Had to pick him up at his job at the post production house. It's on Yucca across from Capital Records. Took this shot while I was waiting for him to come downstairs.

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He was on strict orders though, not to order chicken. That's his go to meat when he is unsure of the menu. I think he was pleased with his choice.We were seated right in front of the kitchen. Very cool to watch the action in the kitchen while we waited for our meal. Had the lamb chops again. Can't go wrong with crushed date and mint crusted chops. Sooo good! Jepepy went with the Steak. He was pretty pleased. Dana did the Halibut and Bill the steak as well. I don't think any of us were disappointed with our choices.