The Moth

Photo DynaDesigns

I’ve been enjoying the stories from The Moth’s podcasts for a while now, having discovered them via This American Life, so I was thrilled to find out they were playing live at The Air Conditioned Supper Club just around the corner from us here in Venice.  The format involves folks standing up telling stories along a given theme. You sign up at the beginning of the evening to tell your tale then head on up when your name is called. I’m not sure I’m up for the stand up bit myself – but the stories were hilarious to listen to. Combine this with the fact you can start your evening with the most delicious BBQ ever, over the road at Baby Blues BBQ, and you are all set for a great night out.

Sal

A bit of cultcha

We took the kids to the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City last weekend. It’s funded by the generous folks who did the Annenberg pool Ruth just wrote about…they are certainly making their mark on this city. I was blown away by the architecture (the interior of the gallery was inspired by the inner workings of a camera, Designed by DMJM who are now AECOM Design), Brian liked the exhibition of  sports photos (which is on til March 7 – Jack was mildly interested in this also and there’s a cool film with interviews with the photographers). The kid’s loved the interactive tables where you can move images around with your fingers … and running around in the near empty forecourt. What is it about a corporate space that makes you want to play tag?

Oh, and it’s very small and it’s free.

Cerentha

Benihana

Benihana Rocks. There I said it. I can’t believe that I am about to do another entry about a restaurant that you don’t go to for the food.  It’s all about the fun at Beninhana.  I hadn’t been to a Benihana since I was a little kid and was re-introduced to the national chain by my six year old, Sebastian who went to one with his cousin, Dusty.  He came home on a high.  We ended up going to one in Tucson for David’s birthday and last night we went in Santa Monica for Dusty’s 10^th Birthday.  Everyone had a blast; the grandparents, aunts, uncles and especially the kids.

It’s definitely  cheesy and kitschy and also a total riot.

The adults drink crazy fruity drinks, the kids get these awesome ceramic Buddha “collectable” tiki mugs and everyone eats Benihana fare served up by a knife-wielding comedian-like chef at their famous teppanyaki tables. You get a lot of food for your money and they throw tons of butter on everything to make it taste, well, like food slathered with butter.  My mom and I had the filet mignon and it wasn’t all that bad.   I’m not sure anyone goes there unless it’s a birthday or special occasion – ‘cause it’s just that kind of place.

Ruth

Back on the Beach in January

We tend to only think of going to Back on the Beach in Santa Monica during the long summer months before swimming in the new Annenberg Pool.  But I am here to tell you to go now – during the short Winter months. We went this morning with my parents, sis and the kiddies. It was a perfect morning.

Yes, yes, I know, the food is not great. I get it.   As David likes to say when ordering, “keep it simple”.  We had French toast and omelets.

But if you ever question why you live in Los Angeles – get thee to B.O.T. B.  Especially when the rest of the country is covered in snow and ice. You can sit in the sand, stare at the ocean with the sun on your face.   If your kids are old enough for some independence, they can frolic on the new playground within eye-shot while you relax at your table.  I suggest that you bring out-of-towners who are visiting from colder climes. You will remember why you chose to live in L.A., and your visiting guests will be thrilled to wiggle their toes in the warm sand.

Ruth

Antica Pizzeria

We finally signed Sebastian up for his first team sport, basketball and we somehow got a practice time of 5pm on Fridays. Ridiculous. So, each Friday we find ourselves  hungry and exhausted. It’s 6:30 pm and I never feel like going home and making dinner. SB always suggests pizza, but I  can’t bear the thought of greasy take-out.  So we’ve been finding ourselves at  Antica Pizzeria. We seem to take the place for granted and forget to go there, maybe because it’s right in our hood. But every time I turn around lately another magazine is writing it up as one of the best pizzerias in Los Angeles. You can even find it in this month’s Sunset Magazine.  They do quite an authentic Neapolitan pizza with the real wood burning oven. We love the Pizza Bianca al Prosciutto   (prosciutto and arugula) and Pizza del Cafone  (Italian sausage, rapini and smoked mozzarella).  They are known for their pizza, but we really like their pasta. You can’t find Bucatini (the thick pasta with the hole in it) anywhere and they have a  delish Bucatini alla Amatriciana (pancetta, prosciutto, tomato sauce and Romano cheese) as well as a yummy Pennette al Sugo di Agnello (Small penne with lamb meat fine ragout and tomato sauce). My only warning is that the pizza does not travel well and is soggy once you get it home. Eat there. The staff is lovely and muy Italiano.  Have a glass of chianti. Let your kid order off the kid’s menu.  Maybe you’ll see us there next Friday night.        

Ruth

Platine Cookies

A few months ago, Sebastian and I started our Sweet Safari blog.  Our first stop was Platine Bakery in Culver City.  They have been baking up cookies for Hollywood types but they just opened a retail shop.  When I heard the chef was from the French Laundry, well, how could I resist? All Sebastian needed to hear was “Cookies!” 

Platine’s storefront is slightly more chic than the surrounding shops (like the gun shop) on this Washington Blvd strip across from the Best Buy mall. I had just read that the bakery was making ice cream sandwich cookies (a current trend) so I thought we should try one right away. Sebastian was thrilled. When he heard you can create your own sandwich he said, “this is the best place eh-ver.”   

 Sebastian chose to sandwich his ice cream with one chocolate chip cookie and one “signature cookie” (oatmeal, raisin, chocolate chip). He chose caramel ice cream (yum).  The ice cream is from our fave ice cream spot, Milk in West Hollywood.  The cookies are fairly petit so the sandwich was not overwhelming – really the perfect size for a 6 year-old.  But he found room to try some other cookies, too.  We bought an assortment from a selection that changes daily.   

 The stand-out was this thing they made with three tiny pancakes in o.j. emulsion with bacon candy on top. Basically it was like eating a breakfast of delicious mini pancakes and bacon with maple syrup poured all over everything. Not really a cookie, but quite an experience. Oh, and they serve La Mill Coffee which they do in a french press.  All in all, a fun little stop.  Don’t bother with their chocolate chip (I’ll bake you some for free if you ask).  Cookies were ridiculously expensive but try something unique there and you won’t be disappointed! 

Ruth

Bay Cities

When did Bay Cities get that lurid make over? Its jaundiced faux-Tuscan facade does hide hidden gems (like awesome sandwiches and a great deli) but I am way too afraid of that car park to ever go on my own. Brian and I drove by today around lunch time and it was just too packed to contemplate (had scrambled eggs on an English muffin doused in salsa instead!) Looks like the beautification happened earlier this month. Pic via LA Weekly Food blog.

Cafe Bolivar

Yes, Cafe Bolivar  is our favorite Westside coffee spot to sit and spend the whole day; working, chatting, running into old friends.  This is how a day there looks for me:  breakfast of cafe con leche, vanilla y miel with a veggie bagel (avocado, red onions and capers), lunch of arepas and an alfagore for dessert with my second cup of coffee. Their shot glass of black bean soup is yummy.  Check out the ever changing art work on the walls. Come by most days and you can find me, Cerentha or various members of our family using the space as a makeshift office.

Ruth

Best Dim Sum in Los Angeles?

I don’t know – but CBS is damn good. We headed to Chinatown last weekend. I’ve never had any luck finding a good restaurant there – I know there’s another neighbourhood that is supposed to be better but I can never remember its name, I just know it’s far!

But after Yelp, Jonathan Gold, Chowhound and Citysearch all mentioned (and praised to varying degrees) CBS we thought we’d try it. When you arrive go straight to the podium and get a ticket. They’ll ask you how many are in your party. It’s very noisy so linger around the podium to hear your number called – the lady didn’t have much of a voice and some people missed their turns.

We waited for about 15 minutes. The staff were pleasant (always a plus at a Dim Sum place) and they wore pink which made Lu happy. The steamed things (what are they all called?) were delicious – fresh, not doughy, tasty and hot. The salt and pepper shrimp are delicious and you get a huge plate. Jack figured out how to eat a steamed pork bun without consuming any pork. And it was less than $40 for the 4 of us. Nice.

Cerentha

My favorite (public) building

I know it’s not a new building but Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall is really very very beautiful. And while it looks great in photos it is even greater in the flesh. There are unexpected gardens tucked into the folds around the side. And some interesting (if kind of ugly) sculpture to be found there too. It’s well worth a visit. I’ve never been to a concert there but my parents will be here soon and we plan to go…just not sure what to see!

Cerentha