Travel Week... Los Angeles

Just a 45 minute flight from SFO, Los Angeles has become much more than a city obsessed with film culture.  Today LA is synonymous with health, new cuisine, and to an extent fashion, making LaLa Land a great place to visit.

Where to Stay

The Avalon

9400 West Olympic Boulevard, Beverly Hills

This beautiful, Kelly Wearstler designed boutique hotel is not only warm and inviting, but quite friendly.  In a city where everything is a 20 minute drive (without traffic), the Avalon is fairly centrally located, minutes away from the famed Rodeo Drive, and an easy drive down the 10 to Santa Monica.

Shutters on the Beach

1 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica

Shutters is your own personal beach house.  Santa Monica surf and sand is literally just steps from your door.  A short walk, or bike ride, or roller blading along the board walk brings you to the Santa Monica Pier. 

Every corner of Shutters is perfectly thought out.  Enjoy breakfast each morning in this manicured nook with waves crashing behind you.  

Where to Shop

The Brentwood Country Mart

225 26th Street, Santa Monica

After visiting the BCM for the first time recently, I understand why Jennifer Garner goes there daily.  Everything from coffee, to stationary, to home decor to flowers, each have their own distinctive space in this red-boarded farm house.

Sugar Paper is a bespoke stationer that brings elegant simplicity to your social correspondence notes.

Botany creates some of the most beautiful floral arrangements.  Each is unique and custom to order.  Their distressed wooden shop is filled not only with flowers, but with John Derian plates and vintage flower pots.

Jenni Kayne is an LA based designer known for refined classic American sportswear, and covetable flats.  Her collections are filled with sumptuous fabrics and beautiful colors, things one wants to wear everyday!  This flagship location also sells bags from Proenza Schouler, Dyptique candles, and jewelry from Mannin.  

Kendall Conrad is a Montecito born accessories designer.  Each of her pieces are limited edition, made of supple leathers and exotic alligator skins.  

Farmshop is the brain child of two Bouchon & Bouchon Bakery alums, whose primary goal is to make locally grown fare accessible through community dining.  This restaurant and market is great for lunch, or a coffee to go.  

Clare Vivier

3339 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles

Clare Vivier is a cult favorite in the fashion world.  Her logo free bags and clutches are carried by all of the 'it' girls.  This flagship store does not disappoint.  Bags are organized by color throughout the store and everything can be personalized!

Where to Eat

Angelini Osteria

7313 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles

If Giada de Laurentiis lists this rustic Italian restaurant as one of her LA favorites, it must be good!  The Lasagna Verde is out of this world!  Reservations are highly recommended as this restaurant is quite small.  

Bottega Louie

700 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

This is still on my 'must visit' list! Reviews all agree that the space can be loud, the pizzas and chocolate soufflé make up for any what did you say's from across the table.

The Ivy

113 N. Robertson Boulevard,  Los Angeles

 A Los Angeles staple, famous for celebrity clientele and exorbitant prices.  The food, however, is quite good; guacamole is fresh and their namesake Salad with lobster is delicious.  Free champagne while you wait for your table makes paying what you will pay for a salad slightly less gratuitous.

A few notes on LA

You need a car.  That said prepare ahead of time, nothing in LA is close to one another.  Create a Google Map of places you want to visit, to get a visual of where things are.  My map looked like this.  

Travel Week inadvertently turned into a form of California Dreaming... Tomorrow we will end the week with Santa Barbara.

images: Shutters and the Ivy taken by EJT, remaining are from retailers websites.

Travel Week... the Wineries of Napa Valley

The Napa Valley is made up of more that 400 wineries. Many family owned, many quite small, there is something for everyone here.  Here are a few of my most favorite.   

Elizabeth Spencer

1165 Rutherford Road, Rutherford

Housed in the old town Post Office, Elizabeth Spencer is a charming winery, with a friendly staff and welcoming outdoor patio.
Wine recommendation:  2011 Elizabeth Spencer Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast


Duckhorn Vineyards
1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena

Founded in the late 70s, Duckhorn, is one of the leading producers of Bordeaux and varietal blends in the area.  What makes Duckhorn stand out, in my book, is that they offer a Food & Wine pairing.  Not only do they teach you about why certain wines work with certain foods, they also give you recipes.  
Wine recommendation: 2005 Duckhorn Vineyards Howell Mountain Red Wine

Pride Mountain Vineyards
4026 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena

Pride is a beautiful wooden-beamed estate at the top of a, some might say, treacherous twisty road uphill from St. Helena.  Once you arrive you are overwhelmed with pure beauty - rolling hills, nature, and perfect rows of grapes that seem to go on forever.  A highlight of any visit to Pride is visiting the caves.  The caves are situated right on the Napa/Sonoma boarder, there is a line drawn on the floor, separating the two counties.  Once inside the caves, visitors can 'barrel taste', using a wine thief, you draw wine directly from the barrel.  

Wine recommendation:  2009 Pride Mountain Vineyards Viognier

Ma(i)sonry

6711 Washington Street, Yountville

Literally meaning 'a setting in which people come to be inspired by all things aesthetic', Ma(i)sonry blends art and home decor with limited edition boutique wines, namely from the Blackbird Vineyards portfolio.  The stone facade was built as a private residence in 1904, it is now listed on the National Registrar of Historical Places.    

There is also a large outdoor space with a fire-pit and throw blankets for tastings (or private events) outside.  

Wine recommendation: 2010 Blackbird Vineyards Arise

Ram's Gate Winery

28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma

Ram's Gate is the epitome of a welcoming hostess in Sonoma, it is the first winery upon entering Sonoma from the Bay Area.  Set atop a small hill, the house is composed of floor to ceiling windows, slate floors, numerous fire places and a center courtyard.  The thoughtful staff has tote bags with blankets prepared for guests to walk the property with their wine.  

Wine recommendation:  2010 Ram's Gate Pinot Noir, Carneros

images courtesy of each vineyard  

Travel Week... Napa Valley

Located just 50 miles outside of San Francisco is the beautiful, quaint, charming Napa Valley.  Not only is this region home to over 400 wineries, but it is also home to some of the premiere restaurants the US has to offer.

Where to Stay

Solage Calistoga

755 Silverado Trail

Calistoga 

Solage is an oasis of luxury surrounded by serene mountain ranges.  

Entry to the MudSlide treatment area and mineral pools.

The resort is composed of 90 loft-inspired suites.  Winding walkways lead you around the property with small signs directing you to your abode.

Each loft comes with complementary bike cruisers to use throughout your stay.

Chic and spacious living quarters.

Each evening, housekeeping leaves a glass bottle of mint water on your bedside table.

Where to Eat

*editor note, go hungry!

Bottega

5625 Washington Street, Yountville

Chef Michael Chiarello's rustic Italian fare is the perfect welcome into the Valley.  I recommend starting with the Burrata, to share, and the Roasted Truffled Chicken Breast for your main.

After lunch be sure to walk over to Napa Style, the Chiarello owned pantry and home shop.

These adorable copper tumblers are used for water in Bottega, and available for sale at Napa Style.  

Redd

6480 Washington Street, Yountville

Redd is home to the single best tuna tartar dish.  (yellowfin tuna, pear, avocado, chili oil, fried rice and cilantro!)  I recommend sitting at the bar and ordering the tartar and a bottle from the Russian River.  

Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch

738 Main Street, St. Helena

Like many in this area, Farmstead focuses on local and seasonal ingredients for their Americana farmhouse cuisine.  Save room for dessert, this chocolate cream pie is worth the visit alone!

Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen

1327 Railroad Avenue, St. Helena

Cindy Paulson is a Napa Valley staple with a multitude of restaurants in the area, Mustard's and CP's Wood Grill and Wine Bar, to name a few.  Cindy's motto is "hip, casual, not fussy', and that is exactly what you get at Backstreet Kitchen.  The hamburger is renowned with avocado, bacon and blue cheese.  

Taylor's Refresher/Gotts Roadside

933 Main Street, St. Helena

Artisanal fast-food sounds like an oxymoron, but that is exactly what the Gott brothers achieved with their roadside burger stands.  

Wineries need a day to themselves, so they will be in tomorrow's post.

images: Solage, Taylors, and Farmstead pie  all courtesy of EJT; all others courtesy of restaurant websites 

Travel Week... San Francisco

First stop is San Francisco.  I was there recently for a birthday bash for a friend of mine.  Here are some of my favorite finds from the Bay area.

Where to Eat

Spruce

3640 Sacramento Street

Great place to pull out the 'special occasion' attire for! 

Vast menu emphasizes local organic fare.  

Umami

2909 Webster Street

Delicious neighborhood sushi spot.  

I highly recommend the 'Umami Sliders' paired with the 

Flowers, Sonoma Coast 2009 Pinot Noir.

Jane

2123 Fillmore Street

Chicest coffee shop in San Francisco.

Enjoy a cappuccino (or a green juice) at a black and white chevron tiled table,

and watch the California techies at work on the free wi-fi!

MarketBar at the Ferry Building

1 Ferry Building

After devouring a delicious hamburger at MarketBar, you can wander thru the Ferry Building for stunning views of the San Francisco Bay.  Focusing on local merchants, be sure to visit,

CowGirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop, Heath Ceramics, and pick up a macaroon for dessert at Miette.

Where to Shop

Hudson Grace

3350 Sacramento Street

Their motto is 'we believe that in simplicity there is longevity', and that is just the case at this perfectly inviting shop.  Everything in the space is well thought out and alluring - it makes you want to buy everything and throw a fabulous dinner party!

Who wouldn't want to live here?!

The Grocery Store

3625 Sacramento Street

Not to be confused with that other place where you buy cereal and ice cream; The Grocery Store is a mecca for designer jeans and up-and-coming designers.  You will not leave empty handed - I certainly did not!

March

3075 Sacramento Street

March sells an artful selection of serving pieces and cooking supplies.  The stores design aesthetic emphasizes kitchens, and how most of our time is spent in them.  An Aga oven lives in the main space of the store giving a classic feel to a contemporary space. 

Carrots

843 Montgomery Street

Carrots is still on my list of 'to visit' places, but if their website is any indication it will be a dangerous visit.  This lux emporium, once home to the famed Ernie's restaurant, now serves Proenza Schouler, Yigal Azrouel, and Alexander Wang.  

Next stop: Napa!

all images courtesy of restaurant/store websites

Pack your bags...

It is travel week at the EJT!

Where do you want to go?

all images courtesy of pinterest

It's the Weekend...

 Happy Saturday!

photo by EJT, taken at Casa EJT

Summer.... Are you here yet?

By Malene Birger woven dress.  Perfect for a summer soirée! 

images courtesy of net-a-porter.com