Category: Rides to Eat

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RATTLESNAKE & RABBIT SAUSAGE

Wurstküche Restaurant  is the place to go for exotic sausage. Wurstküche Restaurant has two locations to choose from Venice, California and Los Angeles, California in the Arts District. The restaurant is considered as one of the hippest restaurants in Los Angeles since opening in 2008. The initial plan was to open a bar until the City of Los Angeles strong-armed business partners Tyler Wilson and Joseph Pitruzelli to open a restaurant with a German beer hall.  In 2011, the second location was opened in Venice.

We walk inside an open triangle industrial space with a cashier and food preparers behind the counter and gourmet sausage display case with labels describing sausage flavors; Austin Blues, Bockwurst, Bratwurst, Chicken Apple & Spices (x2), Duck & Bacon with Jalapeno Peppers, Filipino Maharlika, Hot Italian, Klelbasa, Lamb w/Mediterranean Spices (x2), Louisiana Hot Link, Mango Jalapeno, Pheasant with Herbs de Provence, Rattlesnake & Rabbit with Jalapeno Peppers, Roasted Red Pepper, Sun Dried Tomato & Mozzarella, Vegetarian Mexican Chipotle, Vegetarian Smoked Apple Sage and Veggiewurst. Alligator sausage was taken off the menu because the restaurant could not consistently provide a quality product for customers.

We place our orders to taste the top-selling buttery and mildly spicy Rattlesnake & Rabbit sausage.

We are given numbers to place on the table for the waiter/waitress to deliver the food we ordered to our table and instructed to walk to the back of the building, which turns out to be a large industrial room with tables, bench seats, chairs and barstools to accommodate an occupancy of 202.

We sit down to enjoy our drinks as we wait for our food to arrive.


On the table there are five (5) mustard flavors; American, Brown, Dijon, Mustard, Whole Grain and ketchup.

Eating utensils, courtesy water, glasses and napkins are available for guests inside the dining area.

I order the Vegetarian Smoked Apple Sage sausage, Belgian Fries with Chipotle Aioli dipping sauce and Ginger Beer.

Prepare to pay for parking in the Arts District, stand in a long line once inside the restaurant and enjoy exotic meat sausage or vegetarian sausage in a clean and spacious atmosphere.

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RUSSIAN DINNER IN GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA

Kalinka Russian Cuisine in Glendale, California is an awesome place to enjoy a delicious Russian meal in a clean environment with outstanding customer service. We decided to sample and share the majority of items on the menu…

I’ve been craving Russian tea ever since I left the Baranof Castle State Historic Site also referred to as Castle Hill in Sitka, Alaska. Between 1804 – 1867 Russians occupied this site. In 1867, on top of Castle Hill, Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the United States for $7.2 million.

I settled for homemade Kompot a traditional fruit drink instead of the Russian tea I’ve been craving…the Kompot was served hot and it had a delightful sweet taste.

Bread was served with an assorted spread platter to include eggplant spread, adjika and cheese spread…

Shuba or Herring Salad includes finely chopped pickled herring, layers of veggies, sweet onion, mayonnaise…

Olivie Salad includes potatoes, carrot, eggs, green peas…

Kalinka’s Kharcho Soup is lamb base, rice, veggies and greens…
Borscht Soup beef base, beets, cabbage, carrots…

Vareniki with potatoes or cottage cheese or cherries. Ours was served with potatotes…

Salmon Steak

 

 

 

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MOROCCAN WEST AFRICA DINNER IN SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA

Morocco is a country in North West Africa so it was nice to enjoy a delicious 6 course dinner with my loved ones locally at Babouch Moroccan Restaurant in San Pedro, California.

We were the first to arrive at the restaurant for our 5:00pm dinner reservation allowing us time to relax, walk around, listen to the music playing softly in the background and admire the different dining rooms inside the restaurant.

Large round tables are surrounded by bench seats with pillows and foot stools to sit for dining.

Chandelier lights sparkling throughout the restaurant hanging from a variety of fabrics draping the ceiling.

Babouch’s signature cocktails Sahara Sangria (Moroccan Red Wine, Brandy, Juice Combination, Orange Slices), Moroccan Mo-Tea-To (White & Dark Rum, Fresh Lime Juice, Mint Leaves, Moroccan Tea, Simple Syrup) and Desert Orchid (RumChata, Peach Vodka, White Grape Juice, Edible Flower) makes for the perfect toast!


The Desert Orchid was so good we had to make another toast!

Warm water was poured on our hands by the waitress from a hand washing basin before serving our meal.

Appetizers were Moroccan Meatballs (Ground Sirloin and Pork Marinated with Herbs and Spices) and Hummus served with Fresh Bread and Cucumber Slices…

Bread served inside a colorful Berber Moroccan woven basket was warm and soft…

Trio of Moroccan Salads…

Bastilla with meat or vegetables…I chose vegetables…

Moroccan Lentil Soup is sipped from a small bowl…




Entrée selections were Beef Tri Tip Kabobs on Skewers, Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Moroccan Olives and I chose the Vegetarian plate with Eggplant fried with  Garlic and Cilantro, Lentil Beans on a bed of Couscous, Couscous with Vegetables, Caramelized Onions and Raisins…

Belly dancing was the entertainment during dinner…

Rose water was poured into the cups of our hands after dinner…smell so good!

Moroccan Hot Mint Tea taste sweet…

 

Chabakia-Honey Pastry was very sticky…

Awesome place to have dinner with family and large group of friends with live entertainment in a beautiful atmosphere at a reasonable price.

 

 

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Unicorn Bagel in Southern California

The Rainbow Bagel started in Brooklyn, New York at the Bagel Store in 2015.

Of course, California had to bring some colorful bagels to the West Coast thanks to Bagels & Brew.

Bagels & Brew introduced the Unicorn Bagel to Southern California to add some fun food colors to eat from the menu.  

As I stand in line browsing the many options to choose from off the menu, I decide to keep it simple…I order a Holly Jolly Bagel with plain crème cheese. Holly Jolly Bagels are hand rolled and fresh baked every Thursday and Sunday in December and Christmas Eve.

I’m given a number to place on the table for my Holly Jolly Bagel to be delivered to the table. Only food is delivered to the table not drinks, go figure.

Bagel & Brew has a large dining room and outdoor patio. We decide to sit outside on the patio.

Each patio table has an owl decoy to keep birds from eating food off the table.

The Holly Jolly Bagel not only looks beautiful, it feels fresh and taste just like a regular plain bagel.

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Latte Art for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner and Supper

Latte art is a gift of patience, talent, academics and skills from a Barista.

I respect and appreciate the time a Barista takes for others to admire art floating inside a hot cup before tilting for a sip between teeth and lips to allow the tongue to taste latte.

Sometimes it’s hard for me to drink the colorful espresso and steamed milk.

I sip latte from the cup slowly, place the cup down and repeat until the colors blend together making another artistic creation as if I’m twisting a kaleidoscope.

I live a fast pace lifestyle and drinking a latte allows me time to sit back, relax and enjoy the art show inside a cup and occasionally inside a glass.

Latte art creates an emotional connection and an immediate response of surprise because the Barista usually decides the design inside a cup without input from a latte snob.

My favorite Latte spots…

1.  The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker in West Hollywood, California reminds me of Europe the moment I walk inside. I did not make reservation to eat so I decided to have a seat at the bar to order a hot cup of latte. The Barista made a special California art design just for me!


2. Sambalate in Las Vegas, Nevada is highly recommended for latte lovers. It’s a great place to listen to live music, plug in your lap top for business or pleasure while enjoying a latte with beautiful art designs.



3. Carrera Café in Los Angeles, California offers latte snobs the opportunity to drink their face using Ripples’ Ripple Maker technology on a hot or iced latte. It’s easy and fun! All you have to do is download the Ripple Maker on your mobile phone, choose a location with the Ripple Maker, upload and edit the image you select from your mobile phone and provide the location you selected with your information to  print the image on your latte!

4. Coffee Zone is the first latte spot I visited where the Barista asked me what type of design I wanted. I told the Barista to surprise me. I chose to sit outside on the patio at night under the stars, looking into the large eyes of cat staring at me from the inside of a coffee cup…

5. Love to Go creates delicious 3D lattes to enjoy in a cozy environment with limited seating. 



6. Urth Caffe offers organic coffee and tea lattes with beautiful art designs. Place your order, get your number and the Barista will make your latte quickly to enjoy inside or outside on a patio. I prefer drinking my latte outside on Melrose Avenue with my loved ones…






7. Balconi Coffee Company is where I go for my favorite Almond Essence Latte to enjoy inside on a rainy day, outside on the sidewalk or to go…


8. G & B Coffee in the Los Angeles Grand Central Market is home to the Almond-Macadamia Milk Latte and it is considered the Best Latte in the United States of America! This espresso non-dairy milk shake contains only water, almonds, macadamia and dates. You can also the Almond-Macadamia Milk Latte hot…it’s Southern California served in a mason jar. B & G Coffee is also home to World Barista Champion Charles Babinski. Babinski was second to Austraila’s Sasa Sestic in 2015.

9. Republique has the best Vanilla Almond Milk latte! I felt like I was back in France enjoying breakfast. A latte can be ordered after standing in a long line for a first come, first served brunch or at the pick up window.

10. Coffee Tomo makes a delicious Vanilla latte!

11. Go Get Em Tiger serves delicious hot latte early in the morning in a mason jar or a classy grown ups glass! Go Get Em Tiger is  also home to the 2008 United States Barista Champion Kyle Glansville.



12. Joi Café offers 100% organic lattes made with plant based milk!


13. The Yellow Vase provides a little taste of Paris, France in Palos Verdes, California. Latte served with a heart full of love…

 

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Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner – What Is the Chuck Berry Pie?

Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner billboard advertisements on Interstate 15 between Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada entice some drivers and passengers to exit for a bite to eat.

Lynn and I decide to stop for a slice of pie and a cup of coffee after all you can’t go wrong with pie at a 1950’s diner.

The moment you walk up to the front entrance of the restaurants there are words surrounding the door reassuring it’s okay to walk inside.

After walking through the double doors, I notice a candy store to my left and the diner to my right…I decide to walk straight ahead to the ladies Powder Room.

There are Hollywood stars of fame painted on the wall inside the bathroom stalls above the toilet. I’m sharing the stall with the late Audrey Hepburn to schedule ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ until I hear Bing Crosby in my head singing “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas….”

I walk out of the stall to wash my hands and I notice a statue of a man using a urinal…I’m sure this is a great icebreaker to start a conversation between a woman and an inquisitive little girl about the facts of life…

There is a sign on the wall to instruct women and little girls how to pee properly while using the toilet “Please Remain Seated for the Entire Performance.”

There is also the famous World War II “We Can Do It!” sign used to encourage women to join the industrial work force to fulfill the labor demands due to the deployment of men overseas on the wall…

Before walking out of the ladies Powder Room are uplifting words from Audrey Hepburn to remind us the love you have inside your heart for self and others reflect beauty on the outside.

There are a lot of pictures on the walls and statues of entertainers pre and post 1950s to include The Blues Brothers from 1978…

We sit down at the table and I pick up a 1934 Remember When booklet to browse through a timeline from January through December, world news, national news and my favorite the cost of living…the average income was $1,601.00 per year, new house was $5,972.00 and gasoline was 10 cents per gallon!

When the waitress finally arrives to our table to take our order, Lynn ask, “What is the Chuck Berry Pie?” The waitress responds with confidence “It’s all of the pies Apple, Cherry, Strawberry, Blueberry and Pecan!” and with that I decide to order a Cherry Pie and glass of water and Lynn orders a Blueberry Pie with hot tea. The waitress asked if we want vanilla ice cream with warm pies and we both agree, before she walks away from our table. Lynn decided to ask another waitress passing by our table, “What is the Chuck Berry Pie?” her response was “I don’t know.”

Lynn decides to dip her Lipton tea bag from the 1800s into a cup of hot water as we both express our disappointment of the waitress’s lack of knowledge of which pie is associated with Chuck Berry an African American singer, songwriter and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music.

Our hot cherry and blueberry pies are served with melting ice cream while we wait for the waitress to bring eating utensils for us to eat our pies.

As we sit, wait and watch our ice cream melt on our pies, we notice a sign on the wall that reads “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone – Regardless of who you are, who you think you are, who your daddy is, or how much money you make!!” We both start laughing….

After we receive our utensils, we finish eating our Cherry and Blueberry Pies with melted ice cream like a bowl of cereal on a plate  and walk up to the cashier to pay for our food.

Lynn decides to ask another waitress, “What is the Chuck Berry Pie?” her response “Blueberry is the Chuck Berry Pie.” We both looked at each other, laugh and walk out of the restaurant.

Lynn made the right selection by ordering the Blueberry Pie in honor of the “poet laureate” and “father” of rock and roll music Charles Edward Anderson Berry aka Chuck Berry!

I was reminded by another picture on the wall that life is defined by the journey, not the destination…enjoy and live in the moment!

 

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Barton G. Restaurant Where the “F” in Food Stands for Fun

Barton G. is an upscale restaurant with elaborate and fun food presentations so have your social media camera ready for Facebook live or to capture several Instagramable moments.

There are two Bart G. restaurants in the United States located in Miami, Florida and Los Angeles, California. Locations are coming soon to Las Vegas, Nevada, New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois plans to open in fall 2018.

The outside entrance of the Los Angeles, California restaurant doesn’t match the décor inside.

The inside of the restaurant has an elegant ambiance with dim lights and high ceilings.

The flatware and wine glasses surround the tuxedo folded napkin with the embroidered initials BG.  The servers were appropriately dressed for the occasion with metallic leather aprons as they present us with leather menus to order food and drinks.

We order cotton candy martini and dirty martini with vodka popsicle infused with liquid nitrogen providing an illusion of smoke for our dinner meeting.

The Bucket of Bones appetizer is a skeleton balancing two buckets one with meat and kettle chips and in between the legs of the skeleton is honey gorgonzola dip. The meat bucket includes baby back ribs, beef ribs, lamb lollipops, chicken drumettes. I ordered beef ribs because I do not eat pork.

The Bucket of Bones appetizer is meant to be eaten with your fingers, to resist the urge of licking your fingers, warm wet napkins and lemon were provided to clean hands for good table manners.

Macaroni and Cheese is served on a large Mouse Trap.

Try not to snap your finger in the mouse trap while you are reaching for the slice of cheddar cheese!

48 oz. Grass Fed, Grain Finished Dry Aged Porterhouse Steak!

Charbroiled and carved steak with roasted mushrooms, battered onion rings, natural juices, Buttermilk Yukon potatoes, cheesy spinach served on THE LAWN MOO-ER with a loud motor sound!


Desert menu is a paper scroll inside a small brown paper bag. 

The BIG BILL is delivered to the table inside a small envelope with the word Damage. The elaborate meal with exaggerated and extravagant presentations was WORTH EVERY PENNY!

 

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EUROPE IS THE RECORD HOLDER FOR THE WORLD’S LARGEST ALL FEMALE BIKER MEET

The World’s Largest All Female Motorcycle Meet was organized by Sherrie Woolf and Nimi Patel.

In 2017, the world record was set with 1,132 female motorcycle riders.  Female motorcycle riders in Australia and the United States of America (USA) did attempt to break the record. The total count for Australia was 1,002 and 808 for the USA. On July 29, 2018, the goal was to reach more than 1,200 female motorcycle riders to set a new world record.

In February 2018, Porsche Taylor, Founder and Editor In Chief, Black Girls Ride Magazine http://blackgirlsride.com sent me a Facebook invitation to the World’s Largest All Female Motorcycle Meet. I’m so glad I accepted the invitation.  Porsche and I traveled from Los Angeles, California to London, England. It took us 3 ½ hours to get to Lynn’s Raven Café in Whitchurch, England for the count.

It was an honor to finally meet Sherrie in person after following her journey on Facebook.
Sherrie kept individuals engaged on Facebook throughout the year with sponsor, vendor and charity information and introduced the group to international adventure motorcycle riders Zoe Cano https://www.zoecano.com/ and Steph Jeavons https://stephjeavons.com/.

Steph is the first person from Britain to ride on all seven continents and through 53 countries on a Honda CRF250L. Steph’s motorcycle ride started in March 2014 from London. She returned home in 2018.

Zoe rode her classic Triumph Bonneville T100 solo across the American Continent after receiving her motorcycle endorsement with less than 100 riding miles under her belt in 2012.

Sherry wants to keep raising the number of female motorcycle riders and to raise the profile of female bikers to let manufactures know we are out here. Sherry notices the improvement in gear available for female motorcycle riders over the last few years. One of Sherry’s favorite motorcycle gear providers is MotoGirl https://motogirl.co.uk/.  A lot of the female motorcycle riders at the event were wearing MotoGirl leggings.

Sherrie let Porsche and I borrow a couple of her motorcycles to participate in the ride for the count. Porsche was number 433 and I was number 434. The official count for 2019 was 443. The low turnout was due to rain storms across Europe. The rainy weather did not prevent the event from raising £2,458 (3,182.00 United States Dollar) for charity to split among Shropshire, Staffordshire Blood Bikers and British Bikers Relief Fund.

The participants welcomed Porsche and I with open arms and jokingly referred to us as the “Crazy Americans” for traveling across the pond commonly known as the Atlantic Ocean just to participate.

I hope to return to Europe in 2019 to support the World’s Largest All Female Motorcycle Meet record at Lynn’s Raven Café.

 

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APPLE PIE MOTORCYCLE RIDE IN JULIAN, CALIFORNIA

I’m excited to see California State Route 79 after exiting Interstate 8 because it is the gateway to the historic mountain town Julian, formerly attracting people from all over the country searching for gold during the short-lived Gold Rush era 1869-1870.

Today, most people visit Julian for Apple pie!  Mom’s Pie House is a popular choice to stop for an apple pie. Abby the Bear is standing next to the welcome sign waiting for the opportunity to take a selfie to post on Instagram using hashtag #abbythebearjulian.

There are so many flavor pies made from scratch to choose from and a small ice cream selection as a topping. I chose the traditional apple pie with vanilla ice cream.  APPLE PIE A LA MODE YUMMY!!!!
Apples were introduced to Julian in the 1870s. Apples in Julian are in short supply due to the drought. A lot of orchards are closed for visitors to pick apples in late August during the ripening season. Some of the pie makers in Julian have their own orchards, which are not open to the public. The tourist market pressure for Julian Apple Pies requires pie makers to purchase applies from orchards within and outside California.

Miner’s Diner is another popular spot known for the display of old toys, candy and soda bottles or to grab a burger and old fashioned milkshake.

Julian is a great place to visit for individuals that enjoy history, nature and outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, horseback riding. Perhaps a visit to a few places not too far off the beaten path such as the Oasis Camel Dairy to purchase camel milk soap or a visit to the California Wolf Center to increase awareness of this endangered species or spend the night to stargaze and make a wish on a shooting star.

As I ride my motorcycle on California State Routes 79 and 78, I can’t help but notice dry land and CAL FIRE signage warning of fire danger. Residents of Julian are currently divided about preserving the last historic volunteer fire department in San Diego County. San Diego County cut funding and pulled a paramedic and fire engine after the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District voted to stay independent. Fire prevention and safety is the responsibility of residents and visitors to preserve the history and culture of Julian during this divisive era.
If you decide to visit Julian, stop by the Chamber of Commerce inside Julian Town Hall for information on apple orchards, historic sites, dining, hiking, camping, wineries, breweries, activities and events.

 

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CUYAMACA WOODS

It was a motorcycle adventure ride I will never forget. The meet up breakfast spot was Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles in Long Beach, California at 8:00am. The 8:00am breakfast did not start on time because we were socializing in the parking lot. We finally walk across the street from the parking lot into Roscoe’s for breakfast at approximately 8:30am.  More motorcycle riders arrived after the 8:00am meet up time to order breakfast. Kickstands up did not happen at 9:00am. We finally leave Long Beach around 9:45am.

Traffic is common on the way to San Diego from Los Angeles County and motorcycle riders have the luxury of splitting lanes. Since traffic was heavier than normal, it was decided at a gas stop we would take California State Route 78 to the private lunch location in Julian.

We ride through the historical Julian district deep into the Cuyamaca Woods on California State Route 79. California State Route 79 is known as a challenge for drivers and motorcycle riders between Interstate 8 and Julian. The higher up the mountain we ride, I immediately notice burnt logs and trees in the Cuyamaca Peak mountain range from the 2003 Cedar Fire. I also notice there are no painted road dividers and no guardrails the higher we ride up the mountains. The uneven roads and falling rocks from the mountains makes it unsafe to make a U-turn. The road through the mountain has many twists and turns, a few hairpin and switchback turns making it difficult to see oncoming vehicles and snakes slithering across the road. Yes, snakes!

We arrive to an electric gate to the Cuyamaca Woods private community. Behind the electric gate is a steep driveway entrance leading to a beautiful home with a panoramic and breathtaking view of the mountains, woods and Lake Cuyamaca and a delicious lunch catered by Taco Rehab.

Another great motorcycle ride with good people, pictures to share and stories to tell for a lifetime!

If you decide to visit Cuyamaca Woods, bring a book to share and take a book to inspire the love of reading and book exchanges around the world.