WILSHIRE BLVD — After 21 years of serving Santa Monica, Italian restaurant Drago will be packing up its pans and closing its doors by the end of this month.
Fellow food reviewer Michael Ryan and I were strolling along the Santa Monica Promenade when we saw the sign “Greek Food.” A lovely young woman smiled at us and invited us in.
CITYWIDE — People flock to Santa Monica’s thrice-weekly Farmers’ Markets for their pick of fresh produce from the Golden State, but a handful of Santa Monicans are joining a movement that takes “local” to a whole new level.
BY JESS HILTON Special to the Daily Press During the holidays, one of the ways we celebrate is by gathering around the dinner table with friends and loved ones for the ritual of sharing food.
Holiday crunch time on the Third Street Promenade certainly brings elevated levels of shopping mayhem. All of the congestion, large crowds and seasonal cheesiness does indeed bring out the Grinch in me.
Many a Sunday morning we enjoyed a dim sum brunch at the old VIP Seafood Restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard and Barrington Avenue. One nice feature was that we got dim sum right away from the rolling carts while we waited for a few special dishes.
Like any new business Z Garden is indeed working out some of the unexpected yet unavoidable kinks. Co-owner Shadi Abed, posts himself close to the entrance working partly as a greeter and also as the guy who has to shut the faulty door that wants to constantly stay open.
WILSHIRE BLVD — For me, any which way you slice it, pizza can do no wrong. Whether it is the 3 a.m. microwavable abomination at the gas station, or a pie hand-tossed by Wolfgang Puck himself, if there is melted cheese on some form of bread, I am a fan.
It’s not the same old Drago. Like most high-end restaurants, it changes from time to time. And when I was last there I found a number of changes on the menu and in the staff.
Those looking to escape the crowds can head down Pico Boulevard to Casa del Mar, a classic hotel featuring classic cocktails by expert mixologist Gaston Martinez.
With the holiday season underway the Third Street Promenade gets even more crazy with a flurry of shopping madness. Locanda del Lago, which is situated in the middle of the mayhem, is offering some pretty enticing drink specials that are certain to appeal to weary shoppers looking for a little break
During a recent visit to Pennsylvania, my mom and I visited Cabela’s, a huge sporting goods store about an hour west of Allentown, my home town. Cabela’s is like a play ground for hunters and fishermen, but they also have great outdoor wear for active individuals.
