While researching a story for Pasadena magazine on coastal getaways, I visited the storybook town of Carmel by the Sea. The village is so small (one square mile) it has no street lights and is filled with English cottage style architecture. The main shopping area is also a just few block’s walk to the beach. I fell in love with this village immediately. My first stop was for lunch at the Cottage (they also serve killer breakfasts).
The Cottage restaurant
This place was so cute I had to try it. Inside was a cozy country room with a nice fireplace.
Inside the Cottage restaurant
I had a lunch combo of caesar salad and fresh artichoke soup. Both were delicious. I highly recommend stopping in for lunch or breakfast.
Caesar salad
Fresh artichoke soup, yummy.
I decided to do a bit of shopping on the main drag of Ocean Street.
Shopping in Carmel
Inside this lovely courtyard (above) I found a great shop called The White Rabbit. Opened in 1993, it houses one of the largest selections of items from the world of Alice in Wonderland. Inside, I found backward pocket watches, White Rabbit clocks, tea sets, shirts and lots of other interesting items. Designer Daniel Herron designs many of the items and runs the shop (located at Ocean and Monte Verde Street).
Designer Daniel Herron, outside of White Rabbit shop
I bought a wall clock and a watch, which I always get lots of comments about (they both run backwards!).
hand painted backward running clocks
Watches
If you can’t get to Carmel, you can order most of the stuff found at The White Rabbit online at www.thewhiterabbit.net.
Rip Squeak gallery
My other favorite place shop was the Rip Squeak Gallery, where I found the perfect gift for my nephew Wyatt. It houses the Rip Squeak book series as well as collectible artwork from the books.
Rip Squeak collectible art
Rip Squeak books and more art
After I bought a book with beautiful artwork, I walked over to check into L’Auberge, which I will review in another post.
Michael Voltaggio began cooking when he was a teenager in Maryland. He has been the recipient of several awards including the AAA 5 Diamond and Mobil Award while serving as Chef de Cuisine at the Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida as well as a Michelin Star while serving as Chef de Cuisine of Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen in California. In 2009, he was a finalist for the James Beard “Best New Restaurant” award. He served as Chef de Cuisine at Bazaar by Jose Andres before moving to the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa earlier this year. He is competing against his brother Bryan, also a chef, on this season of Top Chef on Bravo TV.
Last night my friend Dalbert and I travelled over the hill to the new Hakobe restaurant on restaurant row (La Cienega) just east of Wilshire. Residing in the old Lodge Steakhouse, the new Japanese eatery looks the same (tables made from trees remain) with an addition of a sushi bar. The seating is divided into two sections, a busier indoor with the sushi bar and a nice adjacent area with intimate booths.
sushi bar
We were greeted by owner Asako Batten, who was dressed in a full komono. She looked lovely – Batten is a former model and owner of Asuki, a very succesful restaurant in Osaka – but was shy so we couldn’t snap a pic. The extensive Asian fusion menu included many fish, meat, and of course sushi and rolls to choose from. The bar menu is fantastic, so even just making a visit for a drink and sushi at the sushi bar is worth a visit. Here is what we sampled:
Dalbert, with dirty geisha
Dalbert had the dirty geisha (really good with a strong punch) and I had the raspberry mojito. Both very good.
raspberry mojito
Our waitress recommended the almond crusted shrimp tempura with lemon and salt. We were glad we got to sample it – shrimp covered with a thick crunchy almond coating.
almond crusted shrimp
We both were craving sushi when we arrived, so the chef provided a sample platter of sushi and then a very spicy salmon cut roll with fresh salsa on top. All of it was delicious.
Sushi
spicy roll with fresh salsa
We stopped by the sushi bar to say hello to the chef.
Sushi chef
Next came our entrees, I had the wagyu beef with came with a peppercorn and truffle sauce. Dalbert opted for the salmon with sweet wine sauce. Both were cooked perfectly and included a pretty arrangement of colorful fresh vegetables.
salmon with sweet wine
Wagyu with truffle sauce
For dessert, we both love mochi so we ordered a mochi sampler which came with Kona coffee mochi (our fave of the three), strawberry and green tea. It came with a tasty blood orange.
yummy mochi
The entire dinner was beautifully plated and delicious, definitely worth a trip over the hill either for sushi and sake at the bar or for entrees.
I checked in to the retro Riviera Resort last weekend for a story on dog-friendly hotels. The revamped resort opened about a year ago after a $70 million renovation. I was in one of 45 guest rooms that was decorated in vibrant orange-red and rich browns.
My friend Paul joined me for dinner in the elegant Circa 59 restaurant, which offers outside covered dining overlooking the pool as well as a dramatic sleek indoor area. Here are some of the great dishes we had during our tasting menu:
Lobster Bisque
We started with a creamy rich lobter bisque.
Beet salad
Next came a pickled beet salad with tangerines and goat cheese. We liked the sweet and sour combination of the goat cheese with the pickled beets.
Starter trio
Next came a delicious starter trio of appetizers.
Berkshire Pork Belly
Ahi tuna tartare
Crabcake
Appetizers included Berkshire pork belly with sweet and sour lentils and celery root slaw, ahi tartare and tataki and a tasty crab cake. Paul especially liked the crab cake, I couldn’t choose a favorite because all were very good.
Trio of main dishes
Next came a trio of main dishes, including halibut with red wine risotto, a filet of beef with short rib ragout and asparagus and yellowfin tuna with pistachio risotto.
Halibut with red wine risotto
Beef with shortrib ragout
Yellowfin tuna with pistacio risotto
Paul and I loved all of these dishes, our fave was the halibut. Dessert was a trio of creme brulee (my fave), chocolate mousse (also very tasty) and Paul’s fave, pineapple carrot cake.
Creme brulee
Chocolate mousse with cherries
Pineapple carrot cake
Circa 50 is perfect for a group gathering (outside area overlooking the amoeba shaped pool is perfect for drinks with friends) and for an intimate romantic dinner (inside high booths provide close seating amidst a dramatic atmosphere).
1600 North Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760/327-8311
