Hollywood Bowl Revisited

Earlier this month, I posted about bowling at PINZ. This time, how about surprise tickets to the Hollywood Bowl to hear some Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky? How about sitting in the President's Box for some bonus fun? Just another day in paradise!

Who you can't see behind my feet propped on the box's ledge is Steve Lopez, along with Nathaniel Ayers to his left. As you may recall, Lopez wrote columns in the LA Times about Ayers, who is a cello prodigy struggling with schizophrenia. Lopez then wrote a book, "The Soloist," which was made into a movie starring Robert Downey, Jr., and Jamie Foxx. It was very sweet to watch Ayers follow every note of tonight's performances on his music sheets. It definitely added another dimension to the riveting music.

It's always a great show at the Bowl, and Tchaikovsky's "The Rite of Spring" and Stravinsky's "Violin Concerto" were spectacular! Just go to the Bowl when you get the chance. I've never regretted it!

Poway Getaway

I'm taking a short roadtrip to Poway in San Diego County to visit friends. My chum from Santa Monica relocated there to live with her boyfriend, and she's found quite a comfy life there. Keep reading for artichoke fritters, tilapia spring rolls and the mecca of thrift stores!

After a tour of their adorable house, the first stop for some chow was The Brigantine, or The Brig to locals. Here you see their artichoke fritters. Delish! We also had fish tacos and spinach salad for a good taste variety. And Poway starts to surpass expectations...

Later that night, we went to Cordiano Winery in Escondido. It was the one night in July with rain. From what I hear, this patio spot is THE place to watch the sunset over the vineyards. I'll just have to go back to see it for myself.

Luckily, Cordiano's was not a wash. They also serve up some delicious thin crust pizzas. This Margarita was fantastic!

To really top it off, it's National Ice Cream Day! Woohoo! Courtesy of Thrifty's via CVS, here you see my selections: Circus Animal and Happy Birthday. Poway rocked day one!!

On Monday, my hostess invited me to the mecca of thrift stores. We counted eight organizations, and a few with multiple storefronts, in a strip mall right in the heart of Poway. Here you see my take compiled from several stores: three Better Homes and Gardens old school cook books, a Clark and Lewis trail guidebook, a 45 record with the wee plastic insert and two batches of fondue forks. All for around $8.00. SCORE!!

After all that shopping, we needed some lunch. How about tilapia spring rolls and rice vermicelli with grilled chicken and lemongrass from Pho Joy? Both had amazing flavors!

Finally, before hitting the 15 back to South Pas...

salted caramel and chocolate yogurts with berries and mini M&Ms from In the Mix. Tasty!!

Poway was a great getaway, and I'll look forward to returning soon!

Click here for the Brig's Web site.

Click here for Cordiano's Web site.

Click here for In the Mix's Web site.

The thrift stores are located at 12845 Poway Road, between Carriage Road and Carriage Heights Way. You can't miss it!

Pho Joy does not have a Web site. Their address is 12316 Poway Road. Phone is (858) 513-7562.

Corky's Restaurant

I busted out for lunch today with two of my gal pals from work. We couldn't venture too far and agreed on Corky's Restaurant on Van Nuys Boulevard in Sherman Oaks.

See, I was already halfway through the month and hadn't eaten a burger. Today was the day! Corky's seemed like my kind of joint - old school diner-ish food with some cool architectural features like this colored glass divider hovering behind my mushroom swiss burger. YUM!! Corky's also showed a new school edge with a whole wheat bun and sweet potato fries. Best of both worlds!

Corky's does not have a Web site. Street address is 5043 Van Nuys Boulevard in Sherman Oaks. Their phone is (818) 788-5110.

PINZ and Jerry's Famous Deli

A chum bought a Groupon for some bowling at PINZ in Studio City, so tonight, boys and girls, I'm getting my bowl on! PINZ is the old Jerry's Bowl (which wasn't even the real name then) from my days living in Toluca Lake. Jerry's is Jerry's Famous Deli's SFV location. PINZ and Jerry's are crossover neighbors, so bowlers grab a sandwich or pizza, and diners throw a few strikes after some nosh. I thought this bowling pin on the wall of fame at PINZ - signed by Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams - was a hoot. Schlemiel! Schlimazel! And off we go!

Here's my yummy pastrami on rye, with slaw and potato salad. They have the full Jerry's menu inside the restaurant, but we went with the abbreviated bowl menu outside. This sammy was the perfect base for my winning score of 136. Woohoo!! (Never mind that I had the gutter rails up for this win, and that I totally tanked on the first game.) 

When did you last get your bowl on?!

Click here to go to PINZ's Web site.

Click here to go to Jerry's Web site.

Millie's Cafe

Happy Birthday, America! What better way to celebrate than some traditional comfort food?!

This deliciousness comes to you courtesy of Millie's Cafe in Silver Lake. Millie's is old school, dating back to 1926. I love their focus, copied from the Web site: "We do everything the pain in the ass, Old-fashioned way, by hand, from scratch, because there is a difference. Can you taste it?" Yes, you can, and how!

Starting at top, a flaky biscuit (with homemade jam to boot!), a classic runny egg fried in butter, spicy/savory hash, and rosemary roasted potatoes. My taste buds were shooting off like fireworks!!

This is lingering food, and there may be a delay for a table when you arrive. Plan accordingly! They do have a cooler of "spa" water - with mint, strawberries and orange on my visit - to cool your jets while you are waiting your turn. It's worth it!

Click here for Millie's Web site.