Thoughts from a quick jaunt to the Southland:
— The Australian filet mignon at CUT inside the Beverly Wilshire is outstanding, justifying its high price. The service, as always, is impeccable.
–Manhattan Beach is always a treat, with big waves, beach volleyball and great restaurants. The blackened chicken sandwich at the Shellback Tavern is superb, and it’s a great place to watch sports.
— USC football is back, but the size of the crowd at the win over Washington State was disappointing.
— Breakast at S.A.L.T. at the Marina Del Rey Hotel continues to impress.
Category: California
The Quinquagenarian Traveler: Four Great Spots in Santa Barbara Area
The bougainvillea at San Ysidro Ranch.
A few days in Santa Barbara and its environs can brighten the heart of any Chicagoan tired of an endlessly rainy spring.
Here are four spots worth visiting:
San Ysidro Ranch – The honeymoon spot of John and Jacqueline Kennedy, you can’t beat the setting – rose gardens, beautiful bougainvillea and hummingbirds darting around. The Montecito gem survived last year’s mudslides intact.
Petit Valentien – The small Santa Barbara restaurant serves Ethiopian cuisine for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays. I recommend the platter of two meats (try the spicy chicken) and four vegetables on a circle of Injera Ethiopian flatbread, a perfect meal for two.
Les Marchands – A vibrant spot in Funk Town, I suggest the wild boar lasagna.
Sanford Winery – The elegantly constructed tasting room in Lompoc offers a great selection of whites and reds. In the vineyards, set graciously in the Santa Rita Hills, the original Pinot Noir vines planted in 1973 are now 60 feet deep.
Welcome to the Sweet Spot 