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Great Sign & Great Ice Cream! The sign is hard to beat! This soda jerk mascot is known as Jugglin' Joe!  I'm glad I can now say, the ice cream is hard to beat also. Iconic Ice Cream Shop I've wanted to have a Gunther's Adventure for a long time. Don and I have visited Sacramento about a dozen times, since our son and daughter-in-law moved here.  We're always searching for iconic landmarks like this one. It's been on the corner here, since 1949. Started in 1940 But the business is even older. "Pop" and Iva Gunther founded the ice cream shop in 1940. They moved to this location on Franklin, in 1949.  I first drove by Gunther's last May, when we were in town visiting the new grand baby. They had just opened and there were no lines. I pulled over and parked. No time for ice cream, but I wanted to peek. Mint Green I stepped inside and smelled flavors that took me back to childhood.  The mint green tile and shiny chrome was refreshing. The displayed photos were so high it was hard to study them.   Was that Mr. Gunther in the middle? I'm glad they've kept these old treasures. The Gunther family sold the biz to Carl Buchell in 1968.  The building hasn't changed much, since this old photo. August 2025 Don and I spent all of May in Sacramento focussing on the new baby. We somehow didn't have time for an ice cream adventure.  But we returned in August and it felt much more like ice cream weather! Flavors! Scott suggested a visit to Gunther's! He packed up Baby Nora and drove us to the ice cream shop on Franklin. Once inside, it was time to make a decision.  There were so many choices! I did not pick Vietnamese Coffee.  Scott stepped up to the counter. Poor Baby Nora didn't get to order any ice cream.  As we waited for our order, I wondered about the tall counters. Too tall for the poor little boy, trying to peek at the action.  Our ice cream server on the other side looked like she might be standing on her toes too... reaching up to put our cones in the holder! It made it feel like we were all little kids. Gunther's at Last! I couldn't have been happier with my rich, high-fat ice cream! Gunther's is known for their traditional methods of manufacturing ice-cream. Made on sight daily.  My Butter Brickle choice took me back in time, once again. When my son questioned me about the flavor, I suddenly realized my childhood favorite isn't common anymore. What do you know? I feel a little sad that Nora will have to wait a long while to have her first ice cream.
But I'm pretty sure we'll be back many times. Hopefully at night, so I can see Juggling Joe in action!
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Sweet Adventure While visiting with family in Sacramento, we had a donut adventure.  It was the last day of our visit with "the kids" and their families. We needed something sweet and special before checking out of the Airbnb. It was a Sunday morning and our son Scott suggested a walk to Marie's.  Scott pushed the stroller, with 3-month-old Nora. Nora's cousin Charlie took the lead, heading off on the sidewalk. The weather was lovely and the walk along Freeport Blvd was entertaining. A few dog walkers greeted us.  The dogs were fun, but not as entertaining as the bold turkey strutting down the center of Freeport Blvd. Freeport Bakery I spotted a colorful building with flowers first.  Then I noticed the neon wedding cake and the words Freeport Bakery.  Nope, not our donut shop. Marie's was just past the bakery. Early on Sunday The line wasn't bad at 8:30 am. Evidently the little family-run shop gets big crowds on weekends.  Marie's is listed #17 on Yelp's 2023 Top 100 Donut Shops of USA. Smells and Colors Heavenly donut smells filled the parking lot on that pretty summer morning.  As we moved closer to those sweet smells, I studied the classic little building with its glowing neon and the painted donut images. I'll bet it hasn't changed much in 68 years! Since 1957 Hugo Argento named the donut biz for his wife, Marie. It opened in 1957, which was an excellent year for many things. My birth-year of course.  The business was more successful than the marriage. Hugh and Marie divorced, but the donut shop kept the name and Hugh opened some chains. First View The line moved faster than I wanted it to. I needed more time to study the donuts through the glass.  But suddenly before reaching the open window, a woman asked what we wanted through the glass. I was a bit confused about whether she could hear me or not, but I pointed and hollered.  Maybe hidden speakers were installed, or perhaps the workers just have good ears. But the team inside the little building was very efficient. Just a moment later, our box of sweet treats was ready for us at the window. Hugging Donuts I stayed with Charlie while she held tight to the donut box. Some in our little group dashed next door to buy coffee.  Charlie did a quick pose for us, before handing the box over to her Daddy.  We made it back home before sampling our Sunday Morning Treats. I would have taken a photo of our assortment, but they disappeared too fast.
My glazed donut and maple bar were both melt in your mouth classics! Next time I want to come for a midnight donut or maybe 5 am! Marie's may close down in the afternoon, but they reopen up at 10 each night! Lunch at the Date Garden At the end of this past April, Don and I were headed for Palm Springs.  We timed it so we could have a late lunch at the iconic Shields Date Garden, in Indigo. Roadside Don and I knew all about date palms and date shakes, from when we lived in southern California in the '80s. We had our favorite roadside date shacks. None had grand signs like this one.  We'd heard great things about the iconic place on Highway 111, just 20 miles from Palm Springs. But we'd never been. Summer of 2020 5 years ago, Don and I were making the same TX to CA trip, when we detoured to check out the giant knight, pointing towards the old white building.  The fancy sign and the building came to the property in 1953. That was 29 years after the company was founded by Floyd and Bess Sheilds. Curbside Back in 2020 Don and I were craving a date shake, during our pandemic roadtrip! We threw on our masks before heading in. That's when we noticed parking spots, for Curbside Delivery. The nearly 100-year-old date farm biz, was clearly adjusting to 2020 pandemic practices.  But the shop was open and we were dying to peek at the inside. We headed inside to place an order to go. Counter Seating I could picture folks in the '50s sitting on those stools, sipping date shakes.
The stools were off limits for health reasons, but the date shake makers were at work! Unofficial Drink of Coachella Valley We actually just ordered a large to share! This fabulously sweet concoction has been popular in the area since the 1920s. Shields' shakes are different than some. They use date crystals, which are dried date particles, sweetened with date sugar. A paste of crystals and water is then blended with other ingredients to make an insanely sweet beverage!  Sipping this thick, nearly chewy drink brought back memories. I didn't feel a bit guilty about the calories...  The drink is high in fiber, potassium, iron and niacin! Cheers to that! Return in 2025 This past April, Don and I took the same route from TX to CA!  Once again we pulled up on a sunny blue day, to the old white building. This time we were coming for more than a shake. Shopping? They do have a lot of merchandise! We could have.  I regret not buying a can of date sugar, sold in containers that look like cans of paint.  But it was expensive and I'm honestly not sure what I'd do with it. History? Yes we did come for a bit of history. It's intriguing to picture Sheilds Date Palm Orchard back in the '20s, when the whole date industry was new.  These displayed photos were pretty fun. I've seen sugar coated dates in boxes. I've seen date palms...  But these 2 photos reminded me of what dates actually look like, on the palm or after being picked. Romance? No, we were not stopping by for romance.  But I remembered being amused by this vintage poster 5 years ago. On this visit, we had more freedom to peek around and see what this place was all about. "Romance & Sex Life of the Date" In the back of the big shop, I found an amusing sign above 2 wooden doors.  There was a glow and muffled sound beyond those doors. The little theatre was sure enough showing a film to any folks who had a few minutes to be educated about this sexy date business!  Evidently Floyd was pretty proud of his work with dates. He bred a number of his own hybrids and varieties, including the "Blonde" and "Brunette" varieties. To help promote his exotic and complicated fruit, he began presenting lectures to his customers... then came a slide show and then a 39-page booklet! Today visitors can enjoy a modified presentation in the funny little theatre. Sadly we did not have time. Dash to Lunch I was sorry to miss the show, but lunch was only served until 2.  We headed outside to the walkway, that took us beside the grand date palms, back to the dining patio. Inside Cafe A small building held some booths and tables for inside dining.  It might have been a good option on a hot or rainy day. But it was a beautiful April day. Dining Patio Don and I were excited to dine on the spacious patio.  There were many tables beneath a large canopy.  But we (and others) were drawn to the tables that were shaded by date palms...  ... and colorful umbrellas.  I was sort of delighted about our chairs, with palms on the back! I loved the casual formality. A whirling fan kept flies away. Tablecloths and cloth napkins made us feel a little classy.  We ordered a date palm shake right away. (When in Rome) and studied the menu.
Dining at Sheilds' wasn't an option back in the '20s or 50's or even '90s. The cafe has only been serving food for about 15 years. "Date Me Omelet" How could I resist ordering a meal, with a name like this?  Red bell pepper, bacon, ham, onions, feta cheese and deglet noor dates!  Honestly it was just amazing! I wouldn't have ordered an omelet. That's more of a Don thing. But I was giddy over every sweet and savory bite. Who would have guessed dates and eggs could taste so yummy?  Don went with crab cakes, served on a bed of greens. We both enjoyed our meals and our server. Afraid I did not catch his name, but he was as nice as can be. "The Walk at Sheilds" After finishing lunch, our server encouraged us to enjoy the garden pathways behind the patio. We were a bit surprised to learn there was something else to enjoy on the property, besides date palms. 23 biblical statues to be specific. They moved to Shields in 2012, to create a biblical garden! Hmmm? A biblical garden sort of sounds like something Floyd and Betty might have been up for back in the day. They had some gimmicks after all. But Sheilds Company changed hands some years ago and the business changed. The dates no longer come from the palms that surround the sweet white buildings. The 17-acre property is now a garden with paths. But who added the biblical part? Well, the statues came from Canada. William and Lillian Vanderzalm owned a biblical garden in Vancouver and they needed a home for their statues when they sold their property. The statues were welcomed at Sheilds, just over a decade ago. Pretty sure there must be more to this story.  We had a nice and a curious time, walking in the orchard, all to ourselves. I think I worked off a fraction of the date shake calories!
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! Royal Hawaiian in 2024 This is how the old Royal Hawaiian looked when Don and I visited last fall!  My quick photo-snap failed to properly spotlight the carved tiki figures. It also didn't capture the giddiness Don and I were both feeling. One click and we rushed inside to see the iconic lounge, where we made good memories 4 decades ago. 2014 This is how Royal Hawaiian looked in 2014, when Don and I were back in Laguna Beach. The business had closed down and we couldn't pop in for Happy Hour, like we did as newlyweds in the '80s, living just blocks away.  The Cabang family still owned the biz. back in the '80s. Francis Cabang and his buddy Hal Hanna, originally opened the Polynesian style lounge in 1947. The Cabangs sold in 2006. Royal Hawaiian went through a few owners in the years that followed. All Fixed Up Our recent visit came a year after new ownership spiffed the place up. Thatched umbrellas and heaters welcomed October guests.  But who would want to sit facing the Coast Highway, when you could enjoy the Tiki decor just inside the door? The open door with the hefty porthole window, invited us in on that late autumn afternoon.
Where was the old door decor? The photo I took in 2014, showed a tiki figure.  I spotted this framed photo inside a little later. I guess that might be Francis Cabang standing beside the same door. Look at the palm tree? Only potted plants in front, today. Just inside It was about 4:30 when we entered the dimly lit waiting area.  The rock wall, rattan furniture and plants, helped me recall a few Tiki adventures from 4 decades ago. Conch Shell Seat You'd think I'd remember this crazy thing from back then.  Maybe it's a new addition.  We were way ahead of the TGIF crowds, so I paused for a fine photo. I pictured Tiki Fans, a few hours later, waiting in line to get their Instagram photos. Dining Area It was nice to be early before diners filled the tables. I could snap a few pics of the fresh new interior, without worry.  The built in dividers above the green seating, were impressive. They were created using jade tiles, salvaged from an ancient Chinese Temple! Should have snapped a close up photo. The cozy booths offered comfy seating for folks hoping to enjoy Mochiko Chicken Wings, or Chicken Dumplings or a Pu Pu Platter.  In fact I believe we sat in a similar booth and ordered a Pu Pu Platter in 1995. We were vacationing with young kids and they thought this place was mighty exciting. Colorful Lighting There was a lot to see, looking up towards the ceiling. Lots of bamboo... a ship's wheel and glowing green lamp.
Another light fixture shined red and green colors onto the palm thatched ceiling. Long Bar Don and I had a hard time remembering the old bar set-up. Was this the old location? The recent renovation left the bar looking a lot sleeker. No cluttering plants or TVs.  There were 22 stools at the glowing bar. Only about 6 seats were taken at 4:30. Back Lit Bar We took 2 seats by another couple, visiting for the first time from D.C. It was fun to chat with others who were enthused, like us.  We studied the 20 lit shelves, holding mugs and glassware, bottles liquor. Of course rum!  Above the shelves I spotted a draped skeleton. I was glad they hadn't gotten overly excited about Halloween decor. I'd rather gaze up and see a carved boat or clam shells than ghoulish delights.  And I'm always game for mid-century hula girl lamps. There were 2 and one had swinging hips! Retro Menu The menu design pleased me. I was wearing my 50s era flamingo dress and wanted to absorb as much Retro Tiki as possible.  I'm not sure how much a tropical drink would cost us in 1947, but there were 8 options on the menu, for $18. each.  I was disappointed for a moment that none of the drinks were served in Tiki glasses. But I guess glass allows you to actually see what you're drinking. Mai Tai and Lapu Lapu Our gold and brown drinks were served on the earthy sleek bar. My Mai Tai was half price at happy hour.  We had a full evening ahead and I didn't want to risk ruining it all by drinking the extremely potent Lapu Lapu. That's Royal Hawaiian's signature cocktail from 1947. Don's Lapu Lapu The 2-rum drink, with passion fruit and o.j. has changed a bit. There used to be a strict 2-drink limit. Don ordered just one, with the original recipe, which is not on the menu.  Maybe it was the original recipe, but it appeared to be smaller. Maybe that's a memory thing.  Don wore his bird of paradise shirt, to enjoy his cocktail.  We took a selfie. Which is something we obviously didn't do 40+ years ago. Old Photos Don had a good chat with the manager, when he inquired about t-shirts.  While he shopped, I studied old photos. Mr. and Mrs. Cabang This must be Mr. and Mrs. Cabang, standing near a billboard advertising Royal Hawaiian Charcoal Broiler.  I wish I could have learned more history about Francis and his buddy Hal. Both were born in the Philippines and both were WWII vets. They would be pleased to know their dream business is still delighting folks, 78 years after opening! Off By 5:15 The Happy Hour vibe was picking up by the time we headed out, just after 5. Musicians were arriving and yummy smells were wafting from the kitchen.  But 2 nights in Laguna isn't enough. We had a lot more to do.  I'm so glad this historic Laguna Beach landmark is back in the Tiki Biz!
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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
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