SPOUTING VERMONT MAPLE SYRUP When I spot the sign for GREAT MAPLE adorning the restaurant in Old Town Pasadena, I have no intention of being a sap by leaving for another establishment. (OK  I’ll stop!) Really, though, I begin envisioning all kinds of dishes in which the maple…

WHERE ARE THE MAGNOLIAS? Just down the road from the ROAD ON MAGNOLIA THEATRE in North Hollywood (NOHO), can be found a modest, contemporary eating establishment. Susie Reese and I stumble upon it during our neighborhood exploration just before a recent show. The BAR-B-QUE BAR, THE lurks in a…

PLEASED AS PUNCH…EXCEPT FOR THE WAIT! Wait a minute!  Apparently, it’s difficult to be seated at a table without a significant wait at REUNION KITCHEN + DRINK in Anaheim Hills. So, planners plan…and reserve online if possible. In this case the effort falls by the wayside and leads…

RENT A TRUCK FOR LEFTOVERS! When visiting a new area, the first task at hand is the search for popular restaurants in the region. A 4.5 rating with thousands of reviews seems as if it might be a good bet, right? In this instance the area happens to…

I SAW IT! After watching some of my favorite actors trod the boards in Laguna Beach, could Susie Reese and I select a more appropriate restaurant in which to replenish than LUMBERYARD? I doubt it. An added bonus is encountering friends Carlotta Malone and Adriene Edwards also filling…

KING TRITON BECKONS Long tradition in my family since I was a tyke to eat fish on Friday. Even if I aim at vegan or vegetarian status, chances are I would settle on being a pescetarian. Shrimp, salmon, crab, scallops, etc. are representative of the repertoire that I…

18 BEERS TAPPING AWAY “Somethin’ Sort of Grandish” is happening on East Grand in Escondido. It’s that time of year when many of us need to get our Irish on. So, I stake my pot of gold on O’SULLIVAN’S IRISH PUB. A pint of Guinness is right up my…

ITALIAN HOLLYWOOD? What a treat! Visiting Miceli’s, a Hollywood, Los Angeles (LA) landmark restaurant, for some old-school Italian dishes. Parking in a lot 100 feet away for $15 smackeroos (up to 2 hrs; later reimbursable). The food is reasonably priced as well. Located just off Hollywood Boulevard. Susie…

ANAHEIM “GO TO” RESTAURANT Whenever we are visiting the Anaheim area, Susie Reese and I try to do a drop-in here. This restaurant, located on Katella in Orange, waves its reputation prominently as customers enter the door. “Best Steak in Orange County” (2017)…PRIME CUT CAFE according to a…