The 2014 USA fall trip has again surpassed all
expectations. LA, San Francisco, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Sonoma and New York
City have all provided a richness of travel and experience, both celebrating
the epic history of these locations and the fanciful way the US has of
reinventing itself. I have been mightily impressed by the improvement in food
and coffee and the embracing of fresh ingredients. California in particular
does grow virtually everything. When you combine this gastronomic play with the
superb attention to detail in design then you create a wonderful ambience. The
USA is no doubt still grappling with the long-term effects of the GFC and of
course the very large wealth gap.
Los Angeles has changed so very much in the time I
have been visiting. Firstly, the air quality is astounding. My first trip to LA
the hills were obscured by a tobacco brown haze. Now the skies are ultra marine
blue and the visibility razor sharp.
The Viceroy is an iconic hotel in Santa
Monica-fantastically well-designed with a wonderful enclosed pool and
restaurant area. Mid Century cool at its finest. You are indeed oblivious of
the major roads that surround the hotel. This trip was spent in the confines of
Santa Monica-beach, pool, coffee, walking, drawing, eating, drinking and
reading. The weather was warm, the hotel sumptuous and cool. The pool and cabana areas inviting as a siren. While I was in
Santa Monica I read the brilliant book by Canberra author Mark Renshaw "The Snow
Kimono". A philosophical puzzle according to the Guardian review. A
most intriguing, thoughtful and totally engrossing novel. Bravo! Sitting on the balcony reading and overlooking the Santa Monica beach, bathed in golden sunshine.
"But, much more provocatively, this could also be
a case of the novelist abandoning linear, objective-driven logic for more
open-ended philosophical structures, raising the question of what aesthetic
progression we are heading towards, what kind of humanity we are seeking as a
society, and what kind of moral constructions we wish to exist."
Viceroy Hotel Santa Monica
some places sampled in Santa Monica
Cast Restaurant-in the Viceroy Hotel. Eating outside
enveloped by the LA warmth. Great fresh food and atmosphere. Probably the best
jet lag cure known.
Bar at the Viceroy-fantastic bar tenders and an
excellent variety of whisky. Great entertainment Friday and Saturday night
Tar and Roses-just a fantastic restaurant. Food,
design, service, ambience.
Dogtown Coffee-excellent quality both coffee and
breakfast, a stone throw from the hotel. A perfect beginning for each day
My Father’s Office-ambient bar and burger
place-perhaps the best burger in LA
Blue Taco-superb food overlooking the beach
Abbot and Kinney Boulevard-a paradise for the hipster in
all of us. Food, wine, shopping, chilling, ogling
The Tasting Kitchen-food, wine, cocktails
Gjelina-excellent food, service and wonderful design on Abbott and Kinney Street. Make a reservation. No tomato (ketchup) sauce, soda or changes to the menu! How good is that. They know their food
The Tasting Kitchen-food, wine, cocktails
Gjelina-excellent food, service and wonderful design on Abbott and Kinney Street. Make a reservation. No tomato (ketchup) sauce, soda or changes to the menu! How good is that. They know their food
Santa Monica beach-walk, ride or skateboard from SM to
Venice Beach. A beautiful beach neighbourhood. A kaleidoscope of humanity
Uber taxi app-brilliant!
the Venice Canals-So when do I move in?
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