$39 NY - SFO

They call today Cyber Monday; the Internet Sale day for consumers who want to get deals just like the ones in stores last Friday. I saw this deal and could hardly believe my eyes; Southwest has a fare from NYC to San Francisco for $39 each way December 7-11, 2009 (and returns on December 11-14, 2009 are also $39). Fares do not include taxes or fees, but even with those charges, this is still a great deal! If you have any friends who live in New York and they want to come visit before the holidays, you can buy them tickets to sunny (warm) California and join them in San Francisco for a holiday.

Getting from Los Angeles to San Francisco is also on sale today because Alaska, Virgin America, United, and American Airlines are ALL posting fares of $39 each way (excluding all taxes and fees). Hurry and buy your tickets now while there are still seats left and while these fares are still good; like Cinderella, they will disappear at the stroke of midnight (if they don't get sold out by then).

Circus or Cardio

If you haven't already gone to see the Cirque du Soleil show Kooza at the Santa Monica Pier, your procrastination may end up saving you 40% off weekday tier 1 & 2 tickets if you order online here. The show in Santa Monica runs through December 20, then moves on to Irvine January 8-31, with a 40% reduction there too for weekday tier 1 & 2 shows through this link. Unfortunately this discount does not apply to the Tapis Rouge Experience or tier 3 tickets, but if you want to see the show, this is a great price for great seats.

If you are one of the millions who ate too much at your Thanksgiving feast yesterday and now want to work it off, then head over to your nearest Gold's Gym. They have their usual offer of a free 7 day trial membership, but if you go in this week-end, you can simply go and work out free without any further commitment. I wonder how much sweat it takes to burn off 5 lbs of Thanksgiving dinner?

Happy Thanksgiving

Friday Savings

Many people will be heading to the stores in malls this Friday for the biggest shopping day of the year, but as much as I love to shop, I also hate crowds. The best thing to do if you want great deals without the crowds is to shop locally in your neighborhood stores. So many of the great small shops have closed or are struggling these days, so if you want local shops, shop locally and enjoy a less crowded and more personal shopping experience.

Twist is having their first "Black Friday" sale, offering 25% off all things black, and $25 off all full size leather handbags if you simply mention the words "Black Friday Sale" before you pay for your purchases.

The Address Boutique is offering 50% off a second item of equal value or less, when you buy one. The sale starts Friday, goes on for three day, and includes everything except gift certificates, so load up on designer clothes, shoes, accessories and handbags.

If you want to shop for travel, go online to the Club Med website where they are having a sale from 6am-4pm EST (9am-1pm PST) on Friday with prices at three resorts for only $99 per adult and $60 per child, for an ALL inclusive vacation! When you keep in mind this includes meals and activities, this is truly a bargain. If you prefer to call, the call center 1-888-WEB CLUB will open at 9am EST (6am PST).

And finally if you want to save your money for something special, Friday is also the day when ING Direct will be having a savings sale, with special rates for one day only.

Spend or save? Maybe a little of both....

LA Cachette Bistro

La Cachette Bistro has many qualities, the best of which is that they actually make real French food with fresh local and organic meats and vegetables. Of the fours dishes we tried, three were hits and only one was a miss, so the execution of the menu is definitely good, with some room for improvement.

Their location by the ocean with a secluded tranquil patio and an inviting indoor seating area, makes this a nice choice for either business or romantic affairs. Service was good when we were seated and ordered, but once our food was delivered to the table, we could not find a server or bus person to ask for our check; even with a change of shift, someone should always be within sight if there are customers still eating their meals.

The house salad was dressed in a lemony mustard vinaigrette that was very basic but also very good for a simple accompaniment to any entree.



The beet tower was a construction of both beauty and bountiful flavor made with roasted organic beets, avocados, feta, Heirloom tomatoes, and crispy goat cheese ravolini with cumin that were a surprisingly creative addition to this plate of perfection. It comes as either an appetizer (1 tower for $10) or entree (2 towers for $15).



The Cassoulet ($19) was full of the rich comforting flavors of duck confit, home made duck sausage, lamb shoulder, and pork shoulder. This is one of the better versions I have had in a restaurant, and it is perfect for a cold or overcast day (if there ever is one in Southern California) if you love French country soul food.


I could only finish half the Cassoulet, but I will be enjoying it tomorrow as I decide what my next meal will be at La Cachette Bistro (probably the organic beef tartare $14 appetizer or $18 entree). They have a lunch special prix fixe for only $15 that includes three courses with or without meat, and a happy hour from 5-7pm Monday through Fridays, so you don't have to spend a fortune to eat good French food.

Bon Appetit!

Stevie Wonderful Package

If you don't have any plans for November 28, 2009 (yes, that is THIS Saturday), you may want to take advantage of one of the great packages to see Stevie Wonder at the MGM in Las Vegas. If you only want to go for the show and stay one night, it's only $199 for one night's deluxe room accommodations and two $105 tickets to see the show. If you go for the show, and you want to stay 2 nights, the package with two $105 tickets, is only $299, and for two $105 tickets and 3 nights, the package is $399.

Sometimes it is great to get out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday and away from the insanity of family get togethers; what better way than to go to a Wonder filled show for spectacular prices.

Ulysses Voyage Restaurant

I'm planning my first trip to Greece next year (actually I've planned a trip before but weather or time limits kept me from actually going) and since one of my visiting friends speaks some Greek and lived in Greece for several years, we decided to go to Ulysses Voyage in the Grove/Farmer's Market for a taste of Greece.

My friend greeted the hostess in Greek and she answered in Greek; it is always a good sign when the people who work in an ethnic restaurant actually have some knowledge of the culture or language. We sat outside on a beautiful warm day, ordered appetizers to share, and since we were havng a Greek experience in Los Angeles, we ordered Ouzo and Retsina to drink. A bread basket of Kalamata olive and rosemary rolls arrived with our drinks and they proved to be a wonderful prelude of things to come.

We started with the Taramolasata, a whipped caviar dip similar to hummus that was creamy, savory, and addictive with the warm soft pita bread served on the side.



The Smelt Marides, fried whole smelt with lemon and salt. For anyone who has never tried smelt, they are like tasty fish fries (if you have a problem with eating the fish head, just hold the head and eat it down to your fingers).



And the Spanakopita, the famous Greek spinach and feta filled filo pastry, which was made in this case with onions and sprinkled with sesame seeds. It was one of the best versions of this classic appetizer I have ever tasted.



Finally we all shared a Greek salad (we ate it so fast it was impossible to take a pic before it was gone) with red and yellow peppers, thinly sliced red onions, (pitted) Kalamata olives, diced cucumbers. and chunks of fresh firm feta. It was a festival of colors and freshness; a perfect finish to a perfect afternoon snack.

I can't wait to have Greek food in Greece, but until I take my trip, I will come back to Ulyssses for a taste of Greece in Los Angeles.

Meeting in Person

In today's Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace era of "meeting" people, many friends are virtual; you know people from their pictures or posting online, but you've never actually seen them in person. As in most things, this kind of friendship has both advantages and drawbacks; we get to interact with different people we may not have "met" otherwise, but we also miss out on the personal nuances of spending time with someone in person.

Safety is a big concern when meeting anyone in person, and now there is an online way to find out if the person you are meeting is who they say they are, and if it is worth spending any time with that person. Date Check is a service that allows you to use your mobile phone to see if your date has a criminal record; all you need is their name and telephone number (which you should have). They have various variations on what you can check for, from "sleaze" (felonies, sex offenses), to $$$ (property), and living situation (other people at the residence, mom & dad or perhaps a wife). The app works with both Blackberry and iPhone (as well as other types of smart phones), so download it if you are meeting someone new, and USE it if you are meeting someone in person for the first time (even if they are already a virtual "friend".

What if you don't have anyone you want to meet in person even though you have 200 followers on Twitter, and 100 friends on Facebook? Sign up for By/Association which is about introducing you to quality interesting people (this is NOT a dating site, although you might make that kind of connection through this). They just introduce you to ONE person you might want to meet IN PERSON each month based on your interests. To join you must fill in an application and if you are approved, they will charge you monthly for membership ($99 per year right now). If you apply and are accepted in 2009, your fees will be waived for the first month.

Their definition of a network is one in which the connections last and are bound together by more than simply business or superficial liens; think of this as your personal matchmaker for friendships. Their manifesto says that a new definition of wealth "should be based on creativity, innovation, and social benefit". Amen.

Paradise Cove Beach Cafe

I lived in Los Angeles for decades before someone who worked and lived in Malibu showed me Paradise Cove Beach Cafe; I would never have found it or even explored it if it hadn't been a local. Many people all over the world have seen the beach and pier on numerous television shows and movies; it is the go to location for beach shots because it is secluded and a beautiful natural background. My friends from France said this was truly Heaven; a California beach as they had always imagined it would be from the films. Entry to the parking lot is $25 for the day (or any portion thereof), but it's only $3 for 3 hours if you order at least $20 at the cafe and get your ticket validated. Prices at the cafe are so reasonable that you may have to order two appetizers or two entrees to reach the $20 threshold.

In 1996 one of the the original family family members who owned the land in the 1950's bought it back in 1996 and now Bob Morris is raising his family the way he was raised. Apparently he was raised with a fun atmosphere, fresh seafood, and very copious portions. Old photographs show how the place has changed and grown from a dirt road path to the beach to a paved road with a light! It would be a punishment if the portion sizes he serves were what his parents told him to eat before going to bed; two of my friends and I shared three appetizers and we ended up eating the leftovers for a second meal.

We had the shrimp cocktail with a mix of big and small shrimp on top of a bed of shredded iceberg.



The fried calamari on top of a bed of french fries in a HUGE glass.



And their famous BBQ Shrimp Quesadilla.


The plates were so big that at a booth for four, the three of us had trouble managing to put all the appetizers in the center of the table! Big is not always good, but the seafood was fresh in all three versions of appetizers, and there was enough flavor that we wanted to eat it all without needing the cocktail or tarter sauces served on the side.

There is usually at least an hour wait for an outdoor table, but even the indoor spots have a nice view in several directions, thanks to the big picture windows. If you don't want to eat inside and don't want to wait for hours, pick up some food to go and take it to the outdoor seating areas that are adjacent to the restaurant where there are no servers, but where you can have a picnic at the beach with restaurant food. The daybeds are great for friends and or families to hang out, but bring your own towels to drape over them to keep you clothes from the bird or food debris that may be on them.

So come by for lunch, hang out at the beach and maybe you can picture what life was like about 50 years ago...or maybe you're one of the lucky locals who remembers!

Sammy's Wood Fired Pizza

While playing tourist guide through San Diego, one of my visiting foreign friends wanted to try an "American" pizza (as opposed to an Italian one, which she has already had in Italy). Sammy's Wood Fired Pizza is in the heart of the famous Gaslamp district, so it was an easy lunch stop before we headed over to Old Town.

After we looked over the menu, no one wanted pizza; we opted for a salad, rolled tacos, and Ahi sliders instead. It is surprising how easily swayed from our original choice we can all be when it comes to food. It was also surprising how good the non-pizza food was at a place named as a pizza restaurant. Sammy's was in the top five places named by Zagat eaters in San Diego, so the locals already know what we were about to found out; Sammy's has something to please every kind of palate.

We chose the grilled shrimp salad with mixed greens, bell peppers, feta, roasted sunflower seeds, scallions, cilantro, grilled garlic shrimp, and a Balsamic basil dressing (which is made fresh daily); the rolled steak tacos with marinated steak, guacamole, pepper jack, scallions, cilantro, and served with salsa; and the Ahi sliders with ginger miso sauce and cucumbers. The service was very professional, but misunderstood the salad order, bringing out a grilled chicken balsamic salad (pictured) instead of the grilled shrimp salad we ordered. Our server apologized profusely for her mistake, but it did not bother us since we were sharing plates. The kitchen immediately made us the correct order and the manager offered us the Balsamic chicken salad gratis.

When the shrimp salad finally came, it was thoroughly enjoyed by my friend who said she loved the slightly sweet dressing and the slightly spicy shrimp. My other friend loved everything about her rolled steak tacos, from the salsa to the coleslaw that came with them; she said the steak was juicy, tender and perfectly balanced with the other ingredients in the tacos. My Ahi sliders came on delightfully soft slightly sweet rolls (think Hawaiian bread), with a slice of cucumber and the dressing. Although I found the sliders themselves tasty, they could have been hotter (they arrived barely warm); the fries on my order were also barely warm, so I suspect they may have made my order first as the kitchen waited for the other orders at my table to be completed.

We were all full from our meals and tried to have them take the mistaken salad order back, but they said it would be thrown out if we didn't take it, so we bagged it to go. We ended up giving it away to some hungry people at Horton Plaza; some people in the park ate a very nice lunch that day.

Counter Burgers

For anyone unfamiliar with the customized burger restaurant (or familiar with the concept but not the execution), I would suggest that you test drive both the concept and the execution at your local Counter. The restaurant is multiplying; not only do they now have 12 locations in California, but they are in other states from Connecticut to Hawaii, and even other countries, like Australia and Ireland.

The last time I visited was well over a year ago, so it was time for a check-up to see if the place was still as efficient and tasty as it was when there was a line down the block just to get in and place an order. If we had to eat during the 12-1pm typical lunch hour there may have been a wait for a table, but I was very grateful to find that there is no line to get in when I came in with my friends from France who wanted to try an American hamburger. Even though the big Mc Chain is appearing in some formerly sacred spaces (like inside the LOUVRE!), my friends were smart enough to ask me for the "real thing" on which the Mc Chain concept was based (food lovers tend to flock together).

There are four types of burgers to choose from, including the beef raised without any hormones or antibiotics, turkey, grilled chicken, or veggie, or you can do a burger salad if you don't want any one the 3 types of buns. Depending on how hungry you are, you can choose 1/3 pound to a full pound of the protein of your choice, then you have 10 cheeses to choose from, 18 regular toppings (you may choose up to 4 included in your burger price) and 10 premium toppings (available for an additional price). I was disappointed to find they had removed the special salmon burger, but in this economy it is better to offer fewer popular options. There are certainly enough choices for most people to create their version of a perfect burger.

I chose to have my 1/3 pound beef burger on a salad of mixed greens with tomatoes, sprouts, pepperoncinis and grilled onions.



One of my friends wanted the "classic" beef burger on a bun with Gruyere, grilled onions, lettuce and tomato.



My other friend chose the veggie burger with hard boiled eggs (yes, I thought it was strange too, but she wanted that option and since she was the one who was going to eat it, I did not say yuck), tomatoes, mixed greens and dill pickles.



We all split the fries which the French experts called "great" with crispy exteriors, creamy interiors and just enough salt to make them addictive even when they got cold.


None of us had any room for dessert, but everyone enjoyed what they had chosen and everyone cleaned their plates, not even leaving any trace of a topping! Good things tend to get better with age and experience, so let's hope the Counter grows into a nice ripe old age and moves into your neighborhood soon if it isn't already there.

Free Flying WiFi

Some of the best things I have ever tried have been free, from samples of perfumes, to amuse-bouches (literally fun mouth = samples of food) that make me want more; people say that drug dealers always give away the first sample and you end up paying for the rest of your life. If that is true then free WiFi in airports will get us all hooked and we will never again go on a flight without paying for access to get online before we get on the plane.

Google is giving away free WiFi at 47 airports and on Virgin America flights until January 15, 2010, and they are giving even more by matching donations to any of three charities which appear on the browser page that you log into during this period.

Ebay is giving away free Wifi during Thanksgiving week on some Delta flights, and Yahoo is giving away free WiFi in Times Square (for an undetermined period of time).

It seems the common denominator in all the free WiFi is that you must fly somewhere this holiday season, so where are you going?

Viva Elvis

Cirque du Soleil has a new show opening December 18, 2009 in Las Vegas which incorporates the music and life of Elvis Presley into a stage production called Viva Elvis. For fans of Elvis or fans of Cirque du Soleil, it's always a pleasure to get something new to love in time for the holidays; especially when that something new comes with a discount for preview shows if you join the Cirque Club and use the code CIRQUE on the Ticketmaster website for shows between December 18, 2009-January 28,2010 (you save $25 in category A seats which will be $175 each after the preview). I bought my ticket and got FRONT ROW center, so if you really want great seats, buy them TODAY!

The show will open in the new Aria Resort & Casino opening December 1, 2009 in the City Center complex with rooms starting at $159 and suites in the $400 range; as a grand opening special, you can get a third night free when you stay two by using code ARMG3NT either on their website or by calling them.

Viva Cirque!

Veterans for Peace

"I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent." -- Mohandas K. Gandhi

Those who know the experience of war want only peace. Veteran's for Peace is a non-governmental organization represented in the United Nations working towards peaceful and effective alternatives to war and militarism.

Let's all use our actions to promote peace today in whatever way we can, even if it is simply to walk away from an argument.

Dreaming of New York?

The mild temperatures here in Southern California during Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a relief for those freezing in snow and ice storms, but for those of us who have lived here for many years, it can be boring. No leaves changing color, no snowflakes to delight in, or snowmen to make, and even worse for some of us fashionistas, no reason to wear our winter boots and sweaters.

A short trip to New York can give you all the advantages of Winter, but with few drawbacks, after all when you are staying in a hotel, you don't have to shovel snow or drive on ice to get to work. Winter is also a beautiful season to go see the decorations at Rockefeller Plaza, watch the ice skaters in Central Park, or even join them.

The Dream hotel is located right in the middle of it all, just 8 blocks from Radio City Music Hall (which always has a holiday show spectacular), 4 blocks from Central Park and one block to Carnegie Hall. Your entertainment is literally steps away, so you don't need to take a cab or a subway. Quikbook is having a sale if you book your room by 11/12/09, you'll get a 20% discount on rooms starting at $184 a night, and with Quikbook you don't have to prepay for your room, so you only pay for for your stay when you check-out!

The Dream houses the Chopra Center below the lobby, so you can actually just stay in the hotel and enjoy some therapeutic treatments, or have room service bring meals to you during 18 hours of every day (they have to sleep too you know). The hotel offers a combination of old world and new world in terms of services, with both high speed internet access and a complimentary overnight shoe shine. They even welcome pets for an additional fee, so you can share your winter getaway with your furry friends. If the weather is nice, head up to the rooftop bar AVA and enjoy the city lights wrapped in your warm clothes, knowing that your warm room is just downstairs.

Green Street

I was out of my West side neighborhood over the week-end and found Green Street Restaurant behind the Williams-Sonoma store on Lake Avenue. It was the only place that wasn't advertising burgers, a bar, and beer, so I went in hoping for something green, like a salad. They are famous for their Diane salad, a version of Chinese Chicken, with asian crisp noodles, shredded lettuce, sesame seeds, and sliced chicken, served with a tangy sweet dressing.

It appeared that every table was ordering it and according to the restaurant, it is their most popular dish. It arrived almost immediately after I ordered it and it was HUGE, but sadly also a huge disappointment. The chicken was tender but completely bland, which was probably purposeful because the sweet dressing drenched the salad and made it practically inedible. If I were to ever order this again I would definitely specify dressing on the side. The orange slices were a nice touch, but something else that would add some color and freshness to the salad would have been a better addition. Nearby tables had equally huge spinach salads with grilled shrimp, pasta primavera, and tri tip blue cheese sandwiches which all looked good; I probably should have ordered something other than the Diane Salad, but I wanted to try the most popular dish.



The saving grace was the zucchini bread that came with the salad; it was fantastic, moist, flavorful, and not too sweet. There were many nice things to be said about Green Street, from the welcoming decor and hostess, to the efficient server and busboys. It might be worth trying again, but next time I'll skip the most popular dish and go renegade with something more exotic.

Deals on Wynn, Bristish Airways Biz Class & Jewlery

Want to Wynn this winter? The Wynn Las Vegas has a deal through February 28, 2010 with rooms at only $109 a night and a $50 resort credit if you book at least three nights. Just use promo code RCWHE17 when you book.

If you crave something further afield, book a flight on British Airways and get a business class seat for only $590 one way (based on RT purchase) from New York to Paris, all you have to do is book by December 15, 2009.

And finally for those who wish to get a material object for the holidays, book your flight on British Airways Open Skies and present your confirmation to the Mauboussin store in NYC to get 20% off your purchase of fine jewelry.

Time to ask Santa what you want if you've been good this year.

Mandarin or Sofitel?

The Mandarin Oriental hotel is opening in Las Vegas at the brand new City Center (right next to the Belllagio) and to entice visitors to come they are offering one night free if you stay two nights or more ($545 a night) through February 28, 2010. It's a great way to end the year or start the new one at the newest luxury resort on the Strip for a bargain opening price.

Perfect Escapes has a great deal for the Sofitel on the Champs Elysees, with rates starting at 225 Euros (about $330 USD today), you get a fourth night free if you stay at least three (and who would stay for less than four days in Paris?) in a superior or luxury room, a complimentary upgrade based on availability, and a early check-in, late check out. Just ask for offer OID: 925.

Luxury in the center of it all, now you just have to decide whether you want the City Center of neon lights or City of Lights.

Tender Greens

It's always comforting to find that a restaurant I liked years ago is still doing a great job. I went shopping at Surfas and found some Peugeot salt and pepper mills ($44.88 each here, about $10 cheaper than at Sur La Table) and some demi glace to use for a decadent Boeuf Bourguignon. I looked over the menu at their new cafe Culinary District, and saw that they had great looking sandwiches, and a nice selection of prepared sides, so I will come back to try their food one day, but that day was not today because I wanted a salad, so I decided to head over to Tender Greens in Culver City for lunch.


I chose one of their Big Salads (all are $10.50), the grilled Flatiron Steak, served with butter lettuces, chives, radishes, and delicious red and gold beets in a horseradish vinaigrette. It was truly big and if I had eaten more than toast for breakfast I would have had to take half of it to go; I managed to finish it, but could not fit in any dessert. My other favorite Big Salad is the tuna Nicoise served very rare (seared on the outside only), green beans, tomatoes, capers, potatoes, quail egg, and a sherry vinaigrette. I love the choices here that allow vegans and vegetarians to eat alongside omnivores with choices that are as interesting and varied as the meat centric dishes. Meat eaters can choose chicken or steak on a hot plate with potatoes and vegetables, vegetarians can choose sandwiches or soups or a grilled veggie plate with hummus, and even raw food eaters have an option of eight raw vegetables with raw nuts.

Options are one of the greatest joys of life, especially when it comes to food.

Jones Hollywood Turns 15 Today

For anyone who is up late (like me) and always looking for a place that serves either food or drinks or both past 9 pm, you might want to stop by Jones Hollywood today to celebrate their 15th anniversary. They are rolling back prices today from noon (now) until 2 am on name brand cocktails for $5; these are not well drinks, they are the names you know and drink like Jack Daniels whiskey, Finlandia vodka, and Herradura tequila. Beers and wines are only $2-4, and if you want food to absorb some of your alcohol consumption, order one of their 15 menu items prices at $5 ; I would recommend the spaghetti & meatballs for the comfort food aspect, but some people really like their pizza (not me).

This is a very laid back hole in the wall kind of place, so come with some friends (designate a driver) in some comfy clothes and hang out for awhile as if you're going to an old friend's den to drink and reminisce about how things were in the "good old days" of 1994.

Circus Meal Deals

If you are going to see the Cirque du Soleil show Kooza at the Santa Monica Pier, save your ticket stubs to get discounts or freebies at neighboring restaurants. Deals range from 15 % off your meal at restaurants ranging from Boa Steakhouse, Sushi Roku, or the new La Cachette Bistro, to Cirque menus at Jiraffe for $45, or Wilshire, where $45 gets you three courses and a free glass of champagne or wine. Locanda Del Lago gives you free valet parking all night plus a free dessert with entree purchase.

Since many people will be going with their kids, Buca di Beppo has one of the best deals, with family size portions and $10 off any food purchase of $20 or more. If all you want is a drink or dessert, bring your ticket stub to Pourtal Wine bar for a free glass of bubbly the day of your ticket, 20% off at Pinkberry, or a free dessert at Il Fornaio.

Just make sure you check out the details for the deal you want because some apply only to the day of the performance you have tickets for, some are good before or after the show, and some are good for anyone who is lucky enough to be in the area during a show day.

This gives "Happy Meal" a whole (better) meaning!