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Lunch at Chateau Marmont Hotel Last October, Don and I managed to pull off a quick lunch adventure at this iconic West Hollywood hotel.  The castle-like hotel rising above Sunset Boulevard, opened in 1929. From Hotel to Hotel We were staying at another epic Hollywood hotel. Both have lots of Hollywood history, but the Roosevelt had prices we could afford.  Since we couldn't afford to stay at The Chateau for $700 to $1,400 a night, we decided to make a lunch memory instead. Ubering in Style It was early afternoon on a Tuesday. Don and I stood on Hollywood Boulevard waiting for our Uber. A bright red Tesla pulled up. That felt a little snazzier than our Subaru. (This was before 2024 election...)  It was a short drive. I hoped we'd spot the grand hotel as we approached, but it seemed to be blocked by walls and jungly growth. Suddenly we turned in, beside a valet parking tent.  The neon sign with arrow, was classic. Finding the Entrance I wasn't too sure what we were in for, when the driver dropped us off. I'd read about the strict privacy policies. The hotel has long been considered a haven for the elite. A place where celebrities can relax without being asked for an autograph. At least our Tesla made us look less likely to be one of those celebrity seekers, than if we'd arrived in a car with Texas plates, filled with road trip junk.  There was no grand hotel entrance. In fact it wasn't exactly obvious where we were supposed to go. Luckily we guessed right and didn't have to wander like lost tourists. A Step Back in Time Suddenly we found ourselves in a dim hallway with dark furniture and drapes. No bellhops or greeters. It felt more like a ritzy apartment complex. Maybe that's because it had originally been built to be just that.  The carpets and rugs and plants made me think the interior hadn't been updated since it became a hotel in 1930. Except nothing smelled or felt old. It was the best kind of time warp. Sneaky updating and refinishing, without changing the charm of the past. 1944 As we moved towards the elevator, it felt a little like I was visiting an old and wealthy great aunt... about 80 years ago. I knew it wasn't 1944 though. The drapes probably smelled of cigarette and cigar smoke back then.  The hotel's Bohemian vibe has evidently remained the same over the decades. The celebrities who frequent the place probably preferred it that way. I liked that it wasn't catering to tourists. I was excited (and maybe a tiny bit intimidated) about our 2:00 reservations! The Front Desk When the elevator opened at the ground floor, we casually walked towards the front desk, hoping to look like return guests. (I'm sure we fooled no one.)  But we didn't know what we were doing, so we paused near the lovely desk, with its Gothic designs and brass bell and key boxes! A gentleman wearing many flashy gold pins (and earrings) greeted us. I wondered if this was the same man who answered my call for reservations. "Is this Beth?" the voice asked 2 hours earlier. I laughed and asked how he knew. "I was expecting your call." Hmm?? To the Courtyard Don and I had just that morning, decided we should attempt a visit for lunch. We actually knew nothing about the hotel's restaurant. Was there an inside restaurant? Or was courtyard dining all the hotel offered? We were fine either way. Weather was lovely.  The man with pins and earrings was quite pleasant as he turned us over to a woman holding menus. She guided us through the lovely doorway, into a sunny courtyard.  We stepped out to a stone terrace with a fountain and columns and more plants. We found ourselves in a magical little paradise. Perfect! We were seated at a cafe table on the edge of the courtyard, beneath an elegant canvas tent. The view from our table was ideal.  There was no one behind us to notice my cellphone quickly capturing the yellow umbrellas and checkerboard pavement.  I was glad I'd been discreet, when I glanced at my menu and read a sentence at the bottom, "Please refrain from taking photographs and smoking."  Besides the polite reminder, the menu offered a few lunch items within our budget. We could have enjoyed the most expensive burger in our ordering history. $42. Or maybe Petite Filet for $79. We chose a sandwich and a salad. Fellow Diners We placed our order with a welcoming young server, who did not seem to judge our light lunch order. The folks at nearby tables also didn't seem to judge. But I certainly wanted to stare and maybe judge them. Everyone looked like they could be somebody!  The other tables were too busy to notice the nearby Texas tourists. They were sipping wine and staring at laptops, or leaning over to greet other tables, or conversing quietly about important matters. They were far too busy "working" or socializing to notice my clothes were from Marshall's. I was not fooled by the casual jeans and sneakers I saw. The haircuts, the handbags, the sunglasses... all from fancy-fancy stores, I'm sure. Hollywood Celebs I didn't actually expect to see celebrities. I was content thinking about the classic Hollywood stars (Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo... Paul Newman) who were drawn to The Chateau long ago. It's the stories that go along with the stars that fascinates me. F Scott Fitzgerald wrote here... Tony Randall enjoyed sunbathing nude here... Bette Davis fell asleep with a lit cigarette and almost burned the place down... Sidney Portier was welcomed here in 1950 after being turned away from other Hollywood hotels... Humphrey Bogart hid out here with young Lauren Bacall... Lindsey Lohan lived here until she was kicked out... Beyounce and Jay Z had a big Oscar's bash here... John Belushi died from an overdose here... James Dean stayed here before his fatal car crash.  I was content just knowing stories, but then a couple of celebrities (that we actually recognized) walked into the courtyard. Keegan-Michael Key & Christian Slater joined a young woman for lunch, at a table right in front of us. I was good. My photos are from the internet. Woohoo! A sighting! Quick Dash The service was a bit on the slow side, so I made a trip to the Ladies Room.  Powdering my nose is often an excuse I use, to explore. Especially when visiting an exclusive place where wandering is possibly frowned upon. (Unless you're a hotel guest) I took a quick pic of the lobby lounge, which allowed me to absorb details later. Powder Pink The soft pink and silver gray bathroom was lovely.  I powdered my nose and took my time returning to our table. Small Bar My blurred bar photo shows that I was rushing. One quick snap, before the men seated nearby saw my phone.  Another rushed photo in the corner of the lounge, since the man seated moments before had vacated. That retro piano bar was quiet at that moment.  I wondered if the piano and velvet stools were original? Did Duke Ellington, Britney Spears, Bob Dylan or Led Zeppelin sing here, during their stays? Fancy Tent I returned to Don in our elegant tent and the food still had not arrived.  He looked very relaxed as he gazed over towards our 2 celebrities. Chances are quite good that there were other important people... writers, directors, actors I don't recognize. Food! Food arrived. Don's turkey club for $32.00 was pretty snazzy with marbled bread, pickles and asparagus. I'm not quite sure what he's doing with his fork.  My Greek Salad for $26. was not large, but it was healthy and fresh and tasty.  Until I bit into an un-chewable piece of wilted lettuce, which turned out to be a paper receipt. Our server was as surprised as me. She offered to get me a new salad, but I declined. I was almost done and had sort of lost my appetite. When she brought the check she apologized again and said the salad was removed from the check. Maybe I should have made a big fuss and gotten something more exciting. Wandering Our Way Out We settled up with our server, then took our time leaving the hotel. We took the stairs, for a change of scenery.  We stepped outside and felt pretty pleased with ourselves that we'd had a dining adventure with celebrities and a free salad. As we walked out towards the valet stand, I shook my head laughing. "Do you realize how lucky our server was, that I was the diner who ended up with paper in her salad?!" I've waited tables. I understand it wasn't her fault. But I can picture some of those other diners, not being so easygoing about the incident.  We walked out towards Sunset Boulevard to order an Uber. I told Don we should keep walking until we had a full view of the hotel.  It took a while before we were far enough away to see this fun image. I tried to imagine nearly a century ago, when the hotel was new and Sunset Boulevard was yet to be paved. Instead of Teslas and Subarus, there might have been a Ford Model A or a Packard, traveling along the boulevard, in West Hollywood!
What a fun adventure!
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Chinese Food in Texas This is the strip center where Hunan Garden is located.  The cozy place reminds me of some of my favorite Chinese restaurants we used to frequent, in St. Louis. It took Don and me about 2 decades of living in the Houston area, to discover it. Just 20 minutes from home. Chinese Food Here and There Don and I aren't experts, but we've eaten a lot of Chinese cuisine over the years. We've traveled with our kids in China and we've enjoyed Chinatown feasts in New York and San Francisco. Houston has the biggest "Asia Town" in the U.S.  But our fondest memories are from places like King Doh and Mandarin House, in St. Louis. These family owned operations were in modest strip centers. So many memories of sharing platters of spicy Hunan dishes, kid-friendly sweet and sours... and of course St. Louis favorites like, Shrimp Toast and Crab Rangoon. Hunan Garden in 2020 It was in January, just before the pandemic, when Don and I parked next to this fine dragon fountain for the first time.  I love a festive fountain and this totally delighted me. Festive Decor The interior was festive as well.  Lots of bamboo and gold and red. Decor There were people seated below this impressive framed piece, so I snapped above heads quickly.  The curious image covered the wall, above 4 booths. Cozy We were seated in a booth in front, but I peeked back behind the partition and saw 2 fishtanks. I was reminded of 30+ years ago.  Oh how our kids used to love going to Chinese restaurants with their grandparents! Don's dad and my mom took them often and they loved a good fish tank. My Kung Pao in January of 2020 I searched my phone and found this photo of my lunch special on that January day. The Kung Pao Chicken & Egg Roll was even more appetizing when I added the sweet sauce!  Don and I were both pleased with our meals that day. We were eager to become regular diners, because it seemed like everyone who entered was greeted warmly by the owners. 4 Months Later We didn't have a chance to become loyal customers right away. Shortly after our visit, Covid 19 hit the news. Our world suddenly changed.  By May, we were feeling comfortable enough to get carryouts, but we were a long way from dining in. I don't think we were able to snag any masks yet, judging by Don's kerchief. 4 Years Later It's been 4 years since Don masked up and got our very first pandemic carryout order, at Hunan Garden. Since that time, we became grandparents. Charlie was born during the pandemic and got a late start in the world of dining. By age 3 she was a big fan of restaurant dining.  On a summer morning in 2024, Don and I picked up Charlie in Austin and drove her to Sugar Land. After 2.5 hours of driving, we announced we were going to stop at a restaurant before getting to the house. She was giddy. Greeting the Dragons Charlie already loved Japanese, Mexican and Indian food, but this might have been her first Chinese Restaurant outing.  She was delighted to say hello to the dragons. The fountain seemed to be missing some water, but she didn't notice. The Back Room The restaurant was fairly quiet on a Saturday at noon. We were greeted right away by staff. I'm assuming at least 1 or 2 were members of the Wang family who have owned the business since 1984.  An older gentleman ushered us to the back room, through the elaborate opening. Fish! The man ushered us to a corner table.
He gestured to the fish tank and it was clear he understood this would be good entertainment. It was! Efficient Our server brought menus right away. Maybe he mistook us for regulars because he seemed to think we knew what we wanted before we glanced.  It actually didn't take long to decide. Don and I got lunch specials, which began with soup. My Hot and Sour was hearty and flavorful. Egg Drop Share Poor Don only had a taste of his Egg Drop Soup. Charlie spotted it and thought it was queso.
The buttery flavor was nothing like queso, but she requested a taste and then went to town. She loved it! Egg Roll Time Don ordered the Shrimp with Vegetables. He was equally excited about his egg roll.  He was eager to try a new technique he'd learned about from some local food show. He sliced the crispy roll and opened it like a baked potato.  Then he flattened the steamy egg roll, before adding spicy mustard and sweet and sour sauce. No longer a finger food, but pretty fun! It looks like a sauerkraut sandwich in my photo! Sweet and Sour Chicken I ordered the Sweet and Sour Chicken. It came with sauce on the side, just as my Kung Pao did 4 years ago.  I usually don't choose this dish, but it was a fall-back option in case Charlie didn't like her noodles. She ended up only stealing a little pineapple and a cherry from me. Kid Friendly Food There were a few good options on the kid's menu, for around 6 dollars. But Charlie is a fan of noodles, so we ordered Chicken Lo Mein from the regular menu.  Charlie looks like she's scalding her tongue. But honestly, it's just a funny expression. Her mother on the other hand, was the same age when she let out a bloodcurdling scream in a Chinese restaurant. The scary moment came after she poked her finger into a freshly deep-fried crab rangoon. Every guest gasped and the waiter ran to the table with ice. We have been cautious with little diners, since.     The noodles were a big hit! The only thing that would have made it better might have been... chopsticks. We just forgot to ask.  This is Charlie eating Japanese Gyoza when she was 2. Chopsticks is usually a part of the Chinese dining adventure! Heading Off I'll always remember our cozy meal in the back room of Hunan Garden. We had the space to ourselves, along with the goldfish. Charlie seemed so content in that private little world, as if she was a celebrity who needed to be away from adoring fans.  Our waiter complimented Charlie's good job. "You ate so much!" Charlie looked a tad embarrassed. A new facial expression was added to her repertoire, As we headed out into the main dining room, Charlie shielded her face with her hands, as the gracious staff waved goodbye. Before stepping outside, she asked for her sunnies and quickly covered her eyes like a disguised movie star. When we got in the car I asked how she liked the meal. "It was yummy!" she began, "But I was a little shy."
What a fun and funny meal. Charlie's first Chinese restaurant, on the day she became shy. Birthday Lunch at Hotel ZaZa I was blessed with Birthday Weather on my 68th birthday! That's the kind of weather that feels like a true gift! It was perfect for a birthday picnic.  I thought about it, but decided to go for lunch at Hotel ZaZa's Monarch Restaurant. I love eating on their open air terrace. It feels a little like a sidewalk cafe in Paris. The Warwick 1926 This is how Hotel ZaZa looked when it opened as The Warwick, in 1926.  It was one of the first luxury hotels in Houston. Bob Hope was a fan. Princess Grace was a guest. Modern Additions The hotel went modern with a big renovation in 1964. I'm not sure when the addition (with the rounded portion) was added. Probably when it became Hotel ZaZa in 2007.  On my birthday, we dined in the round, terrace section. Festive Meet Up In the past decade I've had memorable meals with good friends and family in the comfy-classy restaurant. It's always fun to start with a little wandering in the hotel.
It's a 30 minute drive from our house, so not exactly convenient.  But it's always worth the drive. Plus it's close to the museum district and zoo, so you can make it more than a lunch outing. Hermann Park The hotel looks out over Hermann Park. The park and the Sam Houston Memorial are older than the Warwick.  The elephant on the grass, (looking towards Sam) just arrived a week before my birthday. The Great Elephant Migration That lone elephant was crafted from the invasive weed, lantana camera. He was one of 100 life-size elephants created for a traveling art installation. We found the others further back in the park. A morning strolling through this incredible display, was the real focus on my birthday. It was the only thing I really wanted to do to celebrate. But we added a little lunch for fun! Lobby It was about noon when we left the park. We greeted the hotel's valet parking staff and entered through the hotel's revolving doors.  We passed Frank Sinatra's mugshot and some interesting celebrity photos.  We wandered past the photo display and paused to study a large piece of art, with some busy characters in colorful clothes!  Below the art was a koi pond that was also entertaining. Recalling The Warwick The hotel was pretty quiet on a Wednesday. We decided to do a little exploring to see if we could find the rooms where we once dined, 25 years ago.  We paused in an elegant space beneath a sparkling chandelier. I was tempted to play that shiny grand! I wasn't bold enough for that, but I did test out one of the upholstered chairs. Zoom in on those amusing faces! One cat and one dog! Hints of Old Warwick We moved further on and found some hints of the original hotel's style.  I looked at the beautiful arched doors and found myself confused. Where did we eat with the kids, when we came for an elaborate Easter brunch in 1999? New Year's Day 2000! We took a peek through another set of doors and spotted magnificent wood paneling and a marble fireplace.  It was set for a meeting, but we recognized it as the Hunt Room, where we had dined with my brother and his wife, on the first evening of the millennial! 1960s? I think I remember lots of plaid, but maybe I'm wrong. This vintage photo shows a formal yet cozy setting, with lots of red.  I remember such a peaceful, relaxed dinner. Mom was baby-sitting our kids and we enjoyed an elegant meal. We toasted with a bit of humor, to the fact we made it into the next century without some wild Y2K bug drama! Hungry After Elephant time and hotel exploration, it was time for lunch!  We headed down a snazzy hall with more entertaining art!   We peeked into the restaurant and lounge. Surprisingly empty.
I liked the zebra, but longed for an elephant! The Terrace We passed the test with the host. Gotta love a flashy sign to remind guests about their attire. "Monarch Stylish... Sensual and Dignified...So are you... Appropriate Dress Required"
The Terrace was also very quiet, which worked just fine for us! Quick Trip I made a dash to the Women's Room to wash up. I do love a bathroom that with curious decor.  Black toilet and shiny green wallpaper with alligator bumps! Love it! Lunch to Amuse! I ordered the same fried chicken sandwich that I enjoyed on my last visit.  I hoped it would be as comically large (and tasty) as before! Yes! My sandwich was impossibly hard to eat, but worth the struggle! Caesar Salad was very yummy.
I failed to get a photo of Don attempting a bite of his bacon burger. It was crazier than mine! Both tasty and both happy.
What a wonderful meal, following a leisurely morning at the park. I'm sad to realize I'll never be able to enjoy that perfect Elephant/Monarch combo again. Summer 2024 I'm so glad Don and I got to once again have a breakfast adventure, at Fleetwood Diner!  Last June, we made it back in Ann Arbor on a warm summery day. 1980 Before then, the last time we stopped at the iconic diner, was on a frigid February day in 1980. We were still newlyweds, stopping through town on our way from St. Louis, to the Lake Placid Olympics in NY. We had breakfast with my little brother and he snapped our pic.  44 years later, my older brother took a photo of Don and me. The little diner, built from a kit in 1949, had changed a bit over the years. In 1997, stainless steel panels were added, to cover the original enamel exterior. Now stickers cover the stainless walls. On the Corner Don and I arrived around 9 am. The college town was still sleepy on a June morning.  I tried to recall when I'd first eaten at the diner. It must have been around 1973. I was 16 and my family had just moved to Ann Arbor. That was about a year after the old Dag-Wood's Diner building, (from the 1949) became Fleetwood Diner. 2005 I also snapped a photo of the Fleetwood, in the fall of 2005. We were in town with our daughter, who was a freshman at U of M. There was no time for a meal, but I pointed the epic food joint out to Heidi and told her my recollections from when I was a teen. I remember being intimidated by what seemed, a tough dining crowd and a grumpy cook and impatient servers. Could have just been me.  Heidi was amused when I reminded her that her parents never knew each other Ann Arbor. Don and I both lived in the liberal college town, from 1973-75. I was in high school and Don was a UM student. We didn't meet until 1977, when living in St. Louis. Our breakfast in 1980 was extra special, since we were sharing an Ann Arbor experience for the first time. Stickers! Last summer, I admired the quiet diner as we approached. I noticed the glowing neon letters on the sign. (new sign in 1992)  I was surprised to see stickers plastering the stainless steel panels and glass windows. There were bacon smells and sounds of music when I opened the door. Middle Eastern music?  Once inside we found 6 tables and 5 stools, all empty. I don't remember ever seeing this sticker craziness. I do remember having to wait for a table, though. Maybe it's more crowded late at night, since the diner is open 24 hours. Colorful Corner Weather was so lovely outside, but we chose an inside table, where we could be entertained by the happy banter between 2 young women servers and a man standing over the sizzling grill.  We ordered coffee first. The stickers were also entertaining.  The white walls, windows and ceiling were covered in colorful images and words. The YETI sticker was a reminder that it was not 1973.  I don't remember the interior ever feeling this tidy. The stickers weren't at all grungy. They seemed somewhat thoughtfully placed.  We placed our orders with Ari (hope that's right) and I asked her about all those stickers. She laughed that she'd been working at Fleetwood for 7 years and they part of the job was "policing" the stickers. I guess some questionables have to be removed. Ari & Jeff I interrupted Jeff while he was cooking our breakfast on the grill. I seized the moment, just before a party of 6 headed inside.  I never in a million years would have asked to get a photo of any employees on past visits. But now, the vibe was very welcoming. I pulled up my 1980 photo on my phone and both were properly amused. Meaty Hippie Hash Here's a photo of me with my humongous plate of Hippie Hash!  The Original Hippie Hash breakfast has been on the menu since Fleetwood opened in 1971. I ordered the meaty version for $13.59.  Hash browns with corned beef, topped with grilled green peppers, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms and feta cheese. 2 eggs any style. It was absolutely packed with tangy flavor. The broccoli may not be for all, but I loved how the tiny pieces blended right in! Family Dining A meal at Fleetwood Diner is always more fun with a brother. This time it was my older brother and his wife. They Ubered over from our hotel for a late breakfast. Don and I took our coffee outside to join them.  I felt like we lucked out with an inside & outside dining adventure, rolled into one. There we were, sitting under the metal awning, dining on the sidewalk at Ann Arbor's very first sidewalk cafe. We did our posing just before taking off. So glad to have made another Fleetwood Memory.  So glad this little business is still on the corner, serving up pretty darn decent diner food!
Throwback to 2017 It's been over 7 years since our family shared an incredible dining adventure, in Bangkok. A floating-dining adventure!  I got inspired to look through old photos, after finishing Season 3 of the White Lotus series. I crave a little trip back to that magical place. Chao Phraya River The show's colorful river scenes, took me back to a balmy January night, when 2 families enjoyed an evening on the river.  We had come to Bangkok, to celebrate the wedding of our son Scott and (now) daughter-in-law, Chali. On one of our evenings, we cruised down the Chao Phraya River. Pre-Cruise Before we headed off. we started the evening at Chali's parents' home. We gathered on the veranda, sitting on pillows. The moon was nearly full. 
Before long, our group of 10 divided into 3 taxis, making sure we had a Thai speaker in each. Across the River We headed into the city and waited near a dock for the ferry.  The view across the water was entertaining. Cruise boats of all sizes! We shuttled across to the River City Mall, to kill some time, before our boarding time. Mall Time Just like middle schoolers, we hung out at the mall! I've never been in a mall quite like this one. We found some comfy seating in a lovely hotel lobby. All Aboard At 8:30 we wandered over to the dock and boarded a traditional teak wood rice barge.  As we headed inside the bi-level dining room, I spotted a table set for 2, looking out towards the water. Nice!  Our party was seated at 2 tables. I was glad to see we also had a woven tablecloth with tiny gold elephants and fresh flowers.  Long trays of appetizers were delivered. Mai Tais arrived.  I remember the food kept coming. I really can't recall what we ate. In fact I hardly knew what I was eating at the time.  But the mood was festive and the views were spectacular. 
 At one point I popped out of my seat and left the table to catch the passing view.  The illuminated buildings were stunning. The tourists in shorts were not. As the boat glided down the river, I wondered why I haven't ever pushed for more river dining cruises in my life! The only dinner cruise I can even recall was on the Mississippi, near St. Louis.  The St. Louis Arch is a pretty amazing thing to see from a boat. But it's hard to compete with illuminated temples!   The glowing Grand Palace, was shimmering in the water's reflection. Traditional Classical Dance I returned to my seat, just in time for a performance.  The costumed dancers moved about the floor, moving their hands and fingers in ways that mine just won't.
Chali's father encouraged me to get up and join the dancers. I assumed this was a let's all participate kind of thing. I was game to be the first.  I gave it a try and did a pretty lousy job with my hands. But I had fun.  When I sat down I suddenly felt pretty embarrassed when I realized, No, not everyone is joining in. I was the first and last dining guest on the dance floor. Lessons The fun spirit lingered after the performance. Chali and her cousin showed us their own demo with hands.   There were a few attempts with those less skilled... but perhaps more skilled than me. Grateful I wish I could recall more details of food and service and sights. But the main thing that stands out, is how fun it was to have Scott's and Chali's families together, celebrating on the river!  I hope to do it again someday... with a new addition. These 2 are expecting their first child in a month!
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The Dining Blog
This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food. Below, you can read how this started. On July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year! (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to join me, on some unusual dining adventures. I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise. Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining. I have continued blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned along the way! Locations and types of dining adventures, are listed further down. Archives
April 2025
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