Category: 0 California

Jungle Bird in Sacramento

6/8/2018

Tiki Time in February!

It was chilly when Don and I visited the California capital, early this year. Our son and daughter-in-law had just moved from New Orleans and their blood was as thin as our Texan blood. Surrounding ourselves in tropical decor, sounded like a good idea.

Scott and Chali had heard about the Tiki Bar in Sacramento's Midtown. We arrived on a Sunday night to check it out. For a moment, the dark windows made us think the place might be closed. But evidently the windows are kept dark on purpose.

Corner Hut

The first thing we saw was a corner bar, under a thatched roof. The bamboo stools were mostly taken, but luckily there were more options for seating.

Birds!

There were birds hanging from the ceiling, but also a wall covered in bird prints. Don and I love a tiki theme, but this additional bird theme should have pleased our son the most. As a little boy, Scott was obsessed with birds. He had as much bird decor at his 4-year-old "Bird-Day Party" as the well decorated tiki bar.

Where to Sit?

The 4 of us were hungry and cold and ready to cozy up with food & drink in the jungle atmosphere. Luckily it was early and it wasn't crowded. The wicker chairs would have been nice, if it had just been Don and me. One corner had a nice little palapa roof and some carved masks.

Dining in Back

We found a nice table in the back with some interesting art work above our heads.

I'm pretty sure there is a good story behind every collected piece in the bar/restaurant.

I wanted to ask a ton of questions, but our server was a little rushed. She clearly was not up for chit chat, about all the tiki decor surrounding us.

Festive Drink Menu!

I've never been in a tiki bar that was bright enough to read a menu. My cell phone light was helpful, though. There were lots of delicious drink ingredients to choose from, but I basically chose my drink because of the vessel it was served in.

Posing

We hadn't even had more than a sip or two, when we snapped these photos. But these drinks made us very cheery. Our drinks came with fruit garnishes and umbrellas, curly straws and lots of alcohol. I'm lightweight, so I took my time.

Tabar Island Toucan

All the drinking containers were mighty fine, but I was the only one who had to hand over my credit card for collateral. My 10-dollar drink with vodka, syrup, mint and lime was worth it. Evidently, my credit card would have been charged $100. if my 4-pound copper bird had accidentally slipped into my large purse.

Our Tiki Gang

The youngin's were good sports when I asked our, not so friendly server to take our photo. But after 3 sips of tiki drinks, none of us were too concerned about looking touristy.

Pu Pu Platter

It's never a good idea to do your tiki-drinking on an empty stomach. We shared a Pu Pu Platter and a rice bowl. Having a flame at the table added a little more drama, but we didn't really use it. The food was satisfying, but mostly Jungle Bird is about the drinks.

Music Changes

After enjoying ourselves a while, the vibe suddenly changed at Jungle Bird. Early on, we'd enjoyed sipping our drinks, to the Faux-Polynesian Exotica tunes of Arthur Lyman. There is no better music for Tiki! Suddenly at 9 pm, the volume was cranked up and sounds of Metallica, replaced marimba and bird sounds. Ugh. Our little escape to paradise, lost its magic. We finished up and ordered an Uber.

Inquiring Minds...

The next day I called up Jungle Bird. I had to find out what the deal was. Maybe they turned on that music to get the Oldsters out. It turns out, we were experiencing Savage Sunday. Every Sunday at 9 pm, the tropical music haters get to enjoy a little heavy metal. Good to know.

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Heidi's in South Lake Tahoe

11/6/2016

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Since 1962

This fun little cottage of a place has been serving pancakes in South Lake Tahoe for over 50 years.

I love the yellow color and I love the name.

The Alps?

As you west from Nevada on US 50, you can see the mountains and the sign for Heidi's. I'm guessing the mountains were the inspiration for the Swiss themed restaurant. Or maybe there was an actual Heidi who inspired this restaurant name. We stopped for breakfast and hoped to find out.

Inspired by the Name

Don and I were also lured to the little Swiss pancake house, because our daughter's name is Heidi. She suffered a little bit of teasing over the years, being called Heidi of the Alps. The least we could do was visit a restaurant in honor of the name we gave her. The theme inside was definitely based on the famous story.

Cozy Booths

The hostess was very perky for 7:30 in the morning. She pointed towards the line up of shiny pine booths.

Dot-toDot

I was tempted to grab a children's menu with crayons. The dot-to-dot entertainment was as retro as the restaurant. With so many dining kiddos staring at I-Pads these days, I wondered if kids would know what to do with a dot-to-dot?

A Sturdy Start

The Heidi story wasn't just reflected in the room decor. As we sat in our cozy booth we were handed hefty menus with engraved Heidi images. When I opened the menu I was greeted with a snowy peak and a display of decadent breakfast foods. I didn't notice if they offered any "light" options, but everything from mug to menu set me up for a hearty feast. I was ready.

Ready to Dig In

Suddenly our table was covered with food. The smells of coffee and pancakes, potatoes and sausage filled our booth. The only thing that could have made it better, would have been a light snow falling outside.

Warm Breakfast

Our service was friendly and attentive, with lots of coffee refills. I ordered Heidi's Stack, even though I really only wanted about one pancake. Don's sausage & cheddar scramble with potatoes, fruit and blueberry muffin could have fed many. Our feast was enough to fuel us for a 15-mile hike or a day on the slopes. We accomplished neither, but then we didn't exactly finish all our food.

Exploring

There were more rooms and tables in the back. I loved the shingled house, the beams, the homey wallpaper and pans hanging. I'm not sure if this is how the place looked in 1962, but I'm guessing little

has changed. I'll bet they occasionally get adult customers who have memories and stories of coming here as a child.

Heidi and Her Goats

I would have loved this place as a little girl. I remember watching the Shirley Temple version of Heidi when I was 6. Later I was a little confused to see illustrations of Heidi without curls.

Quiet in the Back

I imagine in the winter the tables are filled with hungry skiers before they hit the slopes. There have only been 2 owners since 1962. I was curious about what inspired the first owner with the obvious theme. It must have brought in some business or the second owner would have changed things more. Our hostess hadn't been around long enough to know much history. She did say something about how the low-carb diet craze, hurt business. To keep from scaring away dieting customers, they dropped "Pancake House" from the name. Sad.

Heidi Coke?

The hostess had no stories about all the Heidi related treasures on the shelf. I wanted to know why Heidi was printed on the label of the Coke bottle. She didn't know.

Costumes

I spotted the lederhosen and asked if servers had ever worn Swiss costumes, because I could picture that. (She didn't know) I can also picture the current owner having a hard time hiring staff, if that had beena requirement.

Trim and Tower

By the time we finished up, the sun was shining on the flower trim and the little clock tower. We noticed a Howard Johnson's Motel next door, with the same wood and stone trim. Suddenly I had more questions. Could this have once been an orange roofed Howard Johnson's restaurant? Maybe next time we'll dine beside an old local, who has all the answers!

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Harborside Restaurant in 2014

8/24/2015

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Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, CA

I love the word pavilion. It conjures up images of spacious grand structures, where fun things happen. The Balboa Pavilion has been having some fun since it opened on Newport Bay in 1906.

Ferry from the Island

Don and I were visiting Balboa island in May of 2014, when we realized we could catch the ferry across the bay to the iconic waterfront pavilion and recreation area.

It was a pretty fun little trip, watching the sailboats and glide by. We could see the ferris wheel, palms and the flag waving on the top of the ornate cupola.

Best Approach

Seeing the pavilion from the water, was ideal. You could imagine the ballroom on the second level, where there was no charge for dancing, unless you wanted to dance in the roped off area in the center. In the 1930's, during the Big Band Era, Goodman, Basie and the Dorseys played here. There were also dance marathons in the ballroom, where contestants danced until they could dance no more!

A Bathhouse!
I've always been curious about the seaside bathhouse world at the turn of the century. When I visit nearby Galveston, I have to just imagine those Victorian structures. They're all gone.

It was just an hour ride on the new Pacific Electric Railway from downtown Los Angeles in 1906. The whole lower floor was a bathhouse, so travelers could change from their city clothes for a day at the beach. There were even options for renting bathing suits. For those who would rather look at bathing suits, in the 1920's there were bathing suit parades with judges of course.

Today

The look is not so impressive today. But at least the pavilion continues to run. And there was a very cute Balboa Bakery on the corner with a fun old Donuts sign.

Harborside Restaurant

The entrance on the street is a little too modernized for my taste, but at least there was a restaurant on the lower level, so we could enjoy the once grand place.

Bar and Restaurant

My bar image is not too impressive, with tourists on cell phones and ball caps. Not one of those long striped bathing suits in sight anywhere! But we took a window seat and ordered some wine and 4-dollar small plates to celebrate the "Longest Happy Hour in Town" (11-7)

It would have been fun to have dined there at night with dim lighting, so we could imagine the Victorian crowds or the gambling and dancing crowds that came in later years. But, how could we complain? We had a "lunch" for a few bucks and a window where we could watch kids taking sailing lessons, or a mini parade of flag covered yachts.

A Step Back in Time?

Our dining adventure at the Pavilion didn't really give take us back in time to experience a different era. (too many tourists around us) But the world we watched from our table, was just as foreign as a different time period. Someday I'll have a dining adventure on a sailboat or yacht!

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Las Brisas in Laguna Beach

8/19/2015

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Going Down Memory Lane

I try not to clutter my dining blog with touristy places that you can read about on Yelp. But for nostalgia's sake, I need to throw out a few words about Las Brisas!

Now

This is a photo I took in May 2014. I don't have a photo from the early 1980's when Don and I lived up the road often walked to the restaurant for Happy Hours on the patio. At that time it had just been open a couple years, as Las Brisas.

Way Back

Back in 1938, when Laguna Beach was a more isolated beach town, the building with its grand ocean view, was the Victor Hugo Inn. That was long before Don and I used to come. It was also before O.J. Simpson used to frequent the place. It's a little creepy that we hung out at Las Brisas about the same time period that he did.

Happy Hour in 2014

A year ago, it was an even shorter walk from our hotel to Happy Hour than our walks from home 30+ years earlier. It was early evening, and blue umbrellas were shading us from the hot sun. I was glad to see the blue and white theme was still happening.

The patio was as packed as we remembered. Back in the '80's, you had to be sly and quick to grab a table. I also remember only eating Mexican food. The menu had expanded and we enjoyed some excellent sushi.

Another Visit

We were in town a week, so we headed over again on the evening of Cinco de Mayo. At least one of us had to have a margarita to celebrate the occasion.

Getting Chilly

I knew I was back in California, when my brow felt damp from the hot sun... until the sun began to lower and I felt a shiver of cool!

In a matter of minutes, the staff was running around, turning up the flames of the standing heaters and lighting the fire pit.

Mariachis on Cinco de Mayo!

I don't recall seeing mariachis at Las Brisas in the past! But suddenly we were surrounded! Perfecto!

We requested our favorite song "Malaguena" which requires at least one very decent singer, who can hold notes for a long time! These guys got a good tip!

One More Visit

I paid one more visit to Las Brisas, on an early morning run. I snapped a cell phone pic and sighed at the old favorite with the wonderful view of the Pacific.

Empty

It was odd to see the place empty, especially the tiled table that circled the fire pit. So many had gathered around that pit on the other evenings.

Bette Davis... a Few Days Later

After leaving Laguna Beach and heading back to Texas, we stopped at a hotel. As always, I checked to see if the hotel TV got the Turner Classic Movie station. It did, and what should be playing, but the 1942 film, "Now Voyager" starring Bette Davis. In this scene she is seated on the patio of the old Victor Hugo Inn... in just about the same spot as the fire pit! Small world! I love it!

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Lunch at the Mission!

8/17/2015

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The Mission Inn Hotel - Riverside, California

My last entry was about a surprising lunch, when Don and I found ourselves dining at a lovely hotel in Guatemala. It reminded me of another surprise lunch... in an old hotel!

Stopping While on the Road

Don and I were traveling and needed food. We weren't looking for a big dining adventure, and we had zero interest in getting off the highway to see Riverside. In the 1980's we lived not far from Riverside and our vague memories were of a worn out, smoggy community. But a quick glance at Trip Advisor while in the car, caused me to shout at Don, "Quick, exit here! We should try this place!"

A Massive Hotel with Flying Buttresses

Stopping for lunch gave us a chance to explore this rather impressive hotel that took up more than a city block. We wandered the exterior, which we learned later, had incorporated elements of all 21 California Missions. I'm not sure which old mission had "flying buttresses", but this hotel had a few propping up the structure. I still remember the first time I heard that term. "Those are flying buttresses." My older brother told me as he pointed to the oddly shaped, marble things jutting out of the side of a cathedral. I was 11 and most of his teasing was done with a straight face.

Side Entrance

We walked a bit and headed to the side entrance, way from the main street. We walked by a giant birdcage with some noisy parrots and a number of huge antique bells on display. As we headed towards the door, a stylish woman of about 70 paused and greeted with a pleasant expression. "My, but don't you two just look like million dollar travelers!" Her smile seemed genuine, there was no hint of sarcasm and her speech wasn't slurred, so Don and I smiled back with our thanks and tried not fret over how odd that was.

Las Campanas

There were quite a few options for lunch, but we couldn't resist the first outdoor patio we saw. The restaurant, Las Campanas, which means "the bells", was named for the grand collection of rare and ornamental bells that can be found throughout the hotel grounds. Mostly we were attracted by a trickling fountain and the tall shady palms.

Peaceful and Cool

We hardly needed the table umbrellas for shade. There were arbors and umbrella-shaped palms high above. The tile covered cafe tables seemed perfect for the Spanish style setting.

History

It wasn't until we popped open our wooden menu that we started reading about the history of these amazing bells and the Inn. Frank Miller opened a 2-story, 12 room, adobe boarding house in 1876. By the 1890's Riverside was the richest city per capita in the U.S. (Who would've guessed?) In 1903, big expansions on the building began and the hotel (which was owned by the Millers until 1956) now has 238 rooms!

Bells!

In our little dining patio, we had a nice view of a few of the 400 bells that decorate the property. The Miller family at one time had collected 800 bells! The oldest bell is from 1247.

Lunchtime!

Las Campanas is known for its Mexican cuisine, so Don went for the Carnitas with roasted pork and Guajillo mole, guacamole, beans and rice. I had an open face quesadilla with Monterey Jack, queso fresco, avocado, cilantro pesto, arugula and pico de gallo. It all tasted as fresh and and pleasing as the garden atmosphere where we dined. (Funny, because all we remembered about Riverside 35 years earlier... was the smog!)

Hotel

We explored the hotel after lunch and I can't begin to describe the extravagance of the place, where Bette Davis and President Nixon were both married...not to each other! This hotel has been on my list and someday, I'll hopefully have it on my Notable Night Blog List!

The Dining We Missed

Our exploring lead us to a number of indoor dining rooms that were very impressive. And then there was the enchanting courtyard with bright red umbrellas and flowers tumbling from balconies and a much grander stone fountain in the center. Oh man! I wish we had explored first and eaten out there. As for the more formal dining, those places can wait until we return for an overnight!

Till Next Time

Don and I headed for the car with images of all these crazy details in our heads. To think we had nearly pulled out the jar of peanut butter at a rest stop! I love traveling and the finds you make along the way. But I have to hand it to Trip Advisor for this one, or we would have never stopped!

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Junk Food in Southern Cal

7/14/2015

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Frozen Bananas on Balboa Island

Don and I returned last year to Laguna Beach where we lived 35 years ago. During our visit, we were pretty eager to indulge in some of the yummy treats we once enjoyed. We started with Balboa Island for a banana on a stick!

Dad's Original

There seems to be some disagreement about who created the first frozen banana. There are two places on the island that claim to be the original. Even the whacky comedy "Arrested Development" focuses on this debate in a few episodes. I didn't actually care who created the frozen banana. Dad's and Sugar and Spice both had lines, so I just chose the one that had the sign I liked best. Dad's won, with the banana shaped sign.

Dad's!

Dad's also had lots of other options. The place just smelled plain sweet, with donuts and cookies and ice cream! But I already had lots of decision making to do, since there were 4 sizes and lots of toppings! I kept it simple and had a chocolate dipped banana, coated with peanuts! Tasty!

Husky Boy's in Laguna Beach

This was another nostalgia food stop. Don and I once lived within walking distance from Husky's. It was the burrito that I always craved the most.

Top Dollar Property

How is it possible that this still exists? It is right on the Pacific Coast Highway, just up a ways from Laguna's Main Beach. The photo doesn't make it look like those are glam houses on the hills, but you can be sure there is nothing under a million.

Who Dines?

So little has changed in 35 years! You still order at the window and sit down at one of the picnic tables near the dumpster or near a couple work trucks. I love it that you have surfer dudes, lawn crew workers, manicured mamas with model perfect blond tots, all sharing tables beside the parking lot!

Feast!

Don went for a burger, but I went for the burrito. I was so hungry that I forgot to snap a photo, but it was every bit as delicious and filling as I remembered.

The Shake Shack!

Just north of Laguna, before Corona del Mar, we found a bright yellow "shack" overlooking North Beach. Don and I struggled to recall what we could, of our date shake memories. Did this replace an older shack? We certainly didn't remember anything so bright or an ocean view deck with patio heaters! But who cares, we got our incredibly thick shake made with huge chunks of date!

View!

While we indulged, we studied the land jutting out into the blue water. We noticed lots of homes scattered on top. We had remembered only one ritzy mansion, and the rumor that it belonged to Elton John. And where was the mobile home park that claimed the beautiful beach area below? I always meant to get a picture of that ideal trailer park! We later learned it had been the setting for a scene in Lucille Ball's "The Long Long Trailer" movie.

Crystal Cove Shake

As we pondered the changes, we became more grateful that the Ruby's chain had bought the old shack. I don't care much for chains, but Ruby's has kept this prime location from turning into some elite hotel that most of us can't afford. Plus the guy working there was surprisingly friendly and gracious.

Next Time

As we finished up, the small parking lot began to fill with carpooling moms, who must have promised after school treats. Funny to think about kids growing up in beach communities and how different their routines are. As we headed to the car I spotted the yellow one-sided picnic table. I do love a picnic table and especially a bright yellow one with an ocean view. Next time!

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Prado Cafe

3/23/2015

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Balboa Park in San Diego

Last May, Don and I spent some time exploring the nation's "largest urban cultural park". This building, The House of Hospitality was built in 1915, when the park hosted the Panama-California Exposition. Most of the Expo buildings were meant to be temporary, but luckily there were influential people who fought to keep the buildings from being torn down!

Courtyards, Fountains and Terraces

It was such a gorgeous day and we were starved, so imagine our delight when we walked through the ornate entrance and found this lovely courtyard with a picture perfect restaurant nearby.

We arrived right after the café opened, so there was no wait for a table. I wouldn't have minded waiting an hour in that peaceful courtyard, absorbing the colorful tiles and carved doors and curious murals.

The inside seating was appealing. The chairs reminded me of a Parisian café, but the light fixtures and painted beams seemed a little like Spain!

Down to the Patio

But when you're coming from Texas, you have to take advantage of humidity-free dining in California! We were drawn towards the garden seating outside!

Luckily there were umbrellas, because the sun actually felt a little like Texas. But the breeze felt like California!

Delicious!

The food matched the surroundings. Perfect! The Serrano ham and grilled cheese on sour dough with chunky tomato basil soup was my favorite. I also liked the delicious crispy bread wedges that came we first sat down.

Location

Our meal and the atmosphere was pretty ideal. But the very fact that we were dining in the middle of this amazing park was a huge plus. In Europe, I always feel like we walk off all our calories after we dine. We did the same thing after The Prado.

We wandered the sidewalks and marveled at the curious buildings and stopped to hear musicians playing along the way! Good way to draw out a good dining experience!

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Tiki Time Out West

7/8/2014

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Tiki Stops in Nevada & California

This past spring Don and I had a chance to make 3 retro Tiki Stops on our road trip from Texas to California and back. There wasn't much dining to be had at the first and no time for dining at the other 2, but they were all quite worthy of a write up!

1- Frankie's in Las Vegas!

Being in Vegas puts you in the retro mood. We took a 10-minute cab from our hotel to this 24-hour lounge, far from the touristy Strip. Our driver chuckled with us and took our photo before entering. (More or less wishing us luck) When we stepped back out later that evening, we got to see the bright pink neon.

Interior

When we entered through the red door, we thought our daylight eyes would adjust. They didn't. It was so dark we couldn't see the bamboo walls or mermaid on the ceiling, until viewing these "flashy" photos.

Décor

It took nerve to use the camera flash, since we seemed to be the only tourists. But we wanted to see (and remember) this awesome setting that was designed by Bamboo Ben. He and owner P. Moss, with the help of a number of tiki artists created an atmosphere of southseas exotica and modern primitivism! Frankie's Tiki Room has been hopping since it opened less than 10 years ago. I admire Moss' mission to revive the tiki glory days while preserving the name and stucco structure of an actual 1950's Vegas cocktail lounge.

Bar & Drinks

The bar was an exciting clutter of Polynesian delights. The black and white TV played beach-y film clips while retro island music played. We used our cell phones to light up the tropical menu, all priced at $9. It wasn't an easy choice since there were 77 cocktails offered at Frankie's. I chose a tasty, coconut Malakula. The menu gave it 3 skulls for "strength" instead of 5.

Bartender, Mike

A space opened at the bar, so we moved to chat with Mike, the most energetic, upbeat bartender you could hope for. Being tourists, we bought some quite amazing tiki mugs designed by a local artist and Mike called our cab. There's no food to be had at Frankie's, so some of us can only linger so long. But it was well worth the cab fare to come enjoy for a while!

2- Bali Hai in San Diego Area

We discovered this tiki lounge/restaurant on Shelter Island after seeing it pictured, along with a recipe in a 1959 Ford Motor Co. Travel Cookbook. We were mighty excited to find it open and still being operated by the same family since 1955!

Not Sure...

These Polynesian figures are shown in the cookbook illustration. No one seems to know the full history of the character nicknamed "The Goof" on the roof top. The other greeter was by the door. "Mr. Mai Tai" was less cheery, but equally odd. I'm not sure about political correctness at tiki bars, but there were many more carved tiki figures to wonder about once we stepped inside.

Grand Round Room

When we stepped inside, we were greeted by live acoustic Hawaiian music and about 100 tiki artifacts.

The shiny, massive support logs were impressive, as was the wall of glass with its spectacular view of San Diego Bay. But from 4 to 6, the action was centered around the dramatic bar under a narrow cone-shaped ceiling.

Mai Tais

We squeezed in at the corner of bar, with light illuminating the thick stone surface. The timbers holding the cone roof held dangling lanterns and glowing puffer fish, as well as a sign with changing numbers. A man drinking a Mai Tai beside us, warned us about the strength of Bali Hai's Mai Tais. "No juice. You have to be careful." Just then, the sign changed to 2,285,362. That's a lot of Mai Tai's served at Bali Hai!

So we each ordered a Mai Tai.

I ordered mine in the special Mr. Mai Tai mug. Once again, I'm not sure about these tiki images. But I think the half closed eyes are a reminder of what you will look like if you have more than one.

Meal with a View

The dining area was beginning to fill around 6, but we had to take off. It would have been nice to have dined with that view!

Quick Chat Before Leaving

Big Brian, (as he told us to call him) was the only bartender. He was moving fast, whipping out the cocktails, but I couldn't leave without showing him the cookbook. That odd book had acted like a treasure map, luring us to our little our island paradise. Big Brian's reaction was pretty fun! He nearly hopped over the bar to get to the book. He was giddy over the "Chicken of the Gods" recipe and raced back to the kitchen (abandoning the bar) to show the chef. It was a perfect ending to our second Tiki Adventure. (I look like I had numerous Mai Tais in this photo)

3- Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach, California

It was a bright Sunday afternoon when we found Don's on the Pacific Coast Highway. Once again we aimed early for a tiki visit, but the place was throbbing by 5.

Arriving

The wonderful swooping roof and swordfish sign lured us right off the Highway. It was tricky getting into the parking area, which was bustling with very efficient traffic directors, who must double as security guards or bouncers. They were having their weekly Reggae Event and we made the mistake of trying to go in the VIP door. We eventually found the bamboo door in front, with sign. "Host to Diplomat and Beachcomber, Prince and Pirate."

"Don" or Ernest Gantt from Texas

This is the guy who started the real Polynesian craze in 1930's Hollywood. Inspired by his own island travels, he ended up with a chain of Tiki Lounges all over the country and a list of over 80 patented drinks. None of the original restaurant/lounges remain, but the nostalgic chain has been revived in 3 US locations. The other 2 are in Hawaii.

The Other Don

I had my Don pose with the sign before heading in. A man snickered nearby, when I snapped the photo. "He must be important!" the man teased. I agreed, "Oh he is! This is Don." I felt bad when I had to explain to the man that "my" Don wasn't "The" Don. That Don died in 1989 at 82. I guess the teasing man was a tourist or he would have known that.

Dining

Once again, I wish we had been able too stay for a meal. It would have been a slice of tropical heaven to sit beside a waterfall or Hawaiian mural and sample the Polynesian foods that became especially popular after WWII. The real tiki craze began in the '40's after soldiers returned home, craving the exotic foods they had sampled in the Pacific. I'm sure there wasn't really anything that unusual about the dishes served up then or now, with all their decorative pineapples and flowers, but I wouldn't mind trying!

The Bar

We passed up the Reggae event, and headed for the cozy Dagger Bar where karaoke was in full swing at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Enjoying the Show

Once again we found ourselves relaxing with more locals than tourists. There seemed to be some karaoke regulars and a few were pretty decent. A couple made us wince, but that's all part of it. The fine fellow with gray beard, knit Rasta hat, braids and croqueted eye patch (with crocheted eye) was quite the performer. The lai-adorned woman pictured dancing along, was actually our delightful server. I had a chance to tell the "pirate" he did a nice job before we left. He said "Thanks!" instead of "Aye!" So I guess we didn't get to meet a pirate, prince or diplomat after all.

The Hut... Next Time!

We only had 3 Tiki Adventures on our trip. But on our way home we did spot this fine image not far from our hotel in Tucson. We'll have to try The Hut on our next Western Road Trip! I have a feeling there could be many more to choose from. Tiki is making a comeback!

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Sportsman's Lodge & Patio Cafe

7/3/2014

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Studio City, California

Why This Place?

Of all places to eat in the LA area, this was high on the list. Not because we knew the food was excellent. Not because someone told us about it.

It was because we saw it pictured in a travel cookbook... from 1963.

More on that later.

Don and I parked in a huge lot and walked to this great retro entrance. The grand motel was added in 1962. It's recently been renovated in a very modern- sheik style.

Going Way Back

Now, the hotel sits beside busy Ventura Boulevard, but the 8-acre complex actually predates studio film history. In the 1880's the lodge was a rural attraction frequented by farmers and families who came to fish and turned their catches over to the chef. When Hollywood began to grow up around it, it became "Hollywood Trout Farm" and stars like Clark Gable and Bette Davis became regulars.

Odd Rumor: The old hotel from the 40's is gone, but rumor says the modern motel had a special visitor in 1968. It is said that Robert Kennedy stayed here the night before he was killed. Evidently the rumor has been a strong one, even still today. But the owner of Sportsman's Lodge was tracked down and put an end to the story. The only reason he could imagine for the rumor, was that R. Kennedy at one point, possibly talked about having the election night gathering the the Lodge. Odd and sad to think about.

Lobby

The sitting area and bar near the lobby looked extremely mod and fun. We had heard the hotel gets some very interesting guests and it did seem like everyone who walked through the door was a part of something interesting.

To The Cafe

I carried our special cookbook as we walked down the hall to the café. We hoped we might end up talking to someone who was interested in the history of Sportsman's Lodge... and the odd book.

Orange and White

The café felt like a giant crème-cicle, with it's fresh décor! The woman dressed in white behind the counter, made me think of old fashioned bakeries. The orange stools reminded me of Howard Johnson's

The slick white chairs made me wish I could watch the Jetson's on TV. No cartoons for me, but I did get to feast my eyes on the wonderful display of Hollywood stars... who once visited the lodge.

Meeting Moe

I didn't' get to meet any celebs, but I got to chat with our wonderful waiter from French Morocco. I showed him our cookbook with the watercolor illustration of the lodge, along with a recipe for Beef Stroganoff. He was quite amused and said they actually had that on the winter menu. He was intrigued enough by this old Ford Motor Company Travel Cookbook that he disappeared to his car to get his cell phone to take a picture.

Another People Encounter

We had no stroganoff options for lunch, but the menu looked very good. While we were checking out the food choices, we had a nice visit from a woman who was seated behind Don. She had noticed our enthusiasm for the place and seemed excited to let us know she was the designer for recent renovations. She shared a few stories and we let her know we were impressed with the new, fresh and modern concept.

Food!

I can get overly eager about a place and end up not even caring about the food. But this food was absolutely perfect. I had a Caesar salad with chicken wrap that came with sweet potato chips. Don's sandwich with incredible sauce was equally yummy. Can I tell you what it was? Actually I can't remember for the life of me 2 months later. But I remember begging for bites. So much for food review.

Posing

Moe offered to take our photo. I see we're properly lined up with Clark and Kate. We stumbled across their hand and footprints an hour later when playing tourists at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Mermaids in the Pool?

After eating, Don and I went exploring a bit.

The wonderful pool area looked quite inviting and also very quiet.

If we'd come another day we might have caught a performance or taken a class by "Aqualillies" a synchronized swimming group.

To view the fine Aqualillies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i7sPwOeGd4

The Old Sportsman's Lodge

Before we departed we had to explore the old lodge area from the '40's, where you can still dine at night or book an event. The water color image is taken from the cookbook and shows the view through the window glass. Lush ponds, bridges and swans create a little urban oasis hidden in the middle of Studio City. This is where John Wayne supposedly taught his kids to fish.

A Little Distraction

While we wandered the pathways, we noticed the constant noise of LAPD helicopters overhead. It's good we had some exploring to do, because Ventura Blvd. was closed down due to a nearby robbery at a cell phone store.

The thief was caught and we finally got to leave the parking lot.

I love a Dining-Cookbook-Adventure that includes some sirens and flashing lights!

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Peggy Sue's in California

6/14/2014

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Roadside Diner AND Dinosaur Park?

Don and I were headed on Route 66 from Las Vegas to LA and we were starved. We spotted the billboards but honestly, I wasn't really up for a crowded, gimmicky dining adventure. I just wanted some food. But when I spotted that sheet metal dinosaur from the highway, I told Don there was no way we could keep driving.

Since 1954

We pulled off at Ghost Town Road (near Yermo, CA) and drove past the giant juke box entrance to the parking lot. It was a huge lot with cars, semis and... yikes, a tourist bus! It was indeed a tourist trap, but at least one that was actually built in the day of poodle skirts and malt shops. How bad could this be?

Windows and Doors

The place was confusing with numerous add-ons to the original building. The diner opened in 1954 with 9 counter stools and 3 booths. The owners lived in the attached house with the blue windows and doors. When the current owners expanded the diner, they began serving food in the rest of the house and sunroom. A gift shop was added at the other end.

Bombarded

I really do love Hollywood stuff, but sometimes Betty Boop and Elvis stuff wears me out. What does that have to do with a fifties diner, really? Then I found out that the owner Peggy Sue and her husband Champ came from the LA in the 1980's to re-open the old diner and brought their memorabilia collection with them. It was actually pretty nice having so much to look at, since there was a bit of a wait for a table.

Shop & Soda Fountain

There was lots to look at in the gift shop, but mostly stuff I've seen before. I did like the old soda fountain and the mannequin perched on her stool.

The Original Diner

There was little chance of getting seated in the old diner, with the checkered tiles and 3 booths. The yellow walkway lead guests to additional seating in the old house. It was comical watching the aisle jam up with customers and servers passing each other. I caught this photo at a good moment.

The Waitresses

I usually say server, but when I see pastel colored uniforms with little caps, I just have to say waitress. I loved spotting these 3, having a little moment in their huddle. It reminded me of my favorite Hollywood waitresses, Alice and Flo, from "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore." I loved the scene where the busy café is totally neglected while Flo supports Alice during a meltdown!

Pie

I wish we'd gotten a seat at the counter. We could have stared at the pies!

Shirley

Shirley was delivering soup when we almost collided. She graciously posed for me. How I wish I'd had more time to talk with this cheery waitress. Her nametag said, "Peggy Sue's Diner, starring Shirley, since 1988".

I'll bet Shirley, surely has some good stories to tell.

Finding our Table

Eventually our hostess took us to our table. We passed through this room, which must have been the family room at one time, with its fireplace...

... and its pastel painted paneling. I think Marilyn was doing a good job guarding the coffee pots, here. The window seemed to reveal the original house kitchen.

Table with a View

Don and I sort of laughed when we were seated in the room with fake vines and dangling Hawaiian leis. I think this used to be a porch or a sunroom and I think the hostess was holding her breath that we wouldn't gripe about our table. I'm sure some folks would have stressed over being in the back room, since the best diner décor was used up in the other rooms. But we were happy to be handed menus. We enjoyed an entertaining view of the travelers coming and going in the giant lot, while we downed out lunch. Don had the Patti Page Melt with curly fries and I went for the Jailhouse Rock which was chili and cornbread. Not the best meal ever, but I'm not complaining. We had an amusing good time.

In Back

We took a quick peek at the "garden" in back before heading to the car. This place went on and on. There was a pizza parlor and a small stage, some cement patio tables and docks around the duck pond....and more fine metal art which included King Kong and a stegosaurus!

One More Laugh

We headed to the car chuckling about our curious lunch stop and paused to smile at the doggy waiting for his master. I hope the truck driver brought his friend back a Cary Grant Honey Ham Sandwich or some Hoola Hoop Onion Rings!

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Peggy Sue's in California

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