Rivera

 

It was a lazy weekend for yours truly.  Not so many adventures this weekend other than those in my dreams (aka I caught up on sleep).  However there was one culinary experience this week that was worth mentioning.  A trip to Rivera in downtown Los Angeles.  This swank spot is located a block or two away from the new LA Live and Staples center.  It was my second cousin John's B-Day and we celebrated in style.  I suppose Rivera is best described as Latin fusion.  It is a modern and sheik blend of culinary traditions from all over South America.  The low lighting, modern chandeliers, and latin elevator music all make for interesting atmosphere.

 

Rivera is known for their specialty cocktails and so we indulged. The most interesting titled drink was "Blood Sugar Sex Magic".  Small plates seemed like the thing to order so we ordered many different tastes.  I won't recount everything we ate, but suffice to say I tried combinations of flavors I would never think to put together... and many of them were great!  But the presentation of the plates was really the highlight.

 

Above is a short rib tamale and the wording was done in some kind of powdered spice.

 

My camera phone doesn't do the plate justice, but you can see the interesting face design.  

All in all it was a fun experience, but Rivera isn't a place I am likely to frequent.  The small plates were fun, but hardly a good option if you have any kind of apatite.  It's also pricey.  You will need 2-3 small plates per person to fill you up and they each run between $10 and $19.  $14 for the specialty cocktails isn't the worst I've seen, but isn't the best I've seen either.  Service was a little slow as well.

If you are looking for something different and your not on a budget give Rivera a shot and you probably won't be disappointed.  But it's not exactly Schu's kind of place, so no stamp of approval this time.  Sorry.     

http://www.riverarestaurant.com/

 

Palos Verdes Hike (shipwreck trail... minus the shipwreck and the trail)

The Shipwreck trail! When I read about this hike I had this fanciful romantic notion of hiking a trail built into the side of the cliffs, danger at every turn, opening up to a secluded beach where we would find a perfectly preserved Spanish galleon, ripe for exploring and who knows, maybe even find some long lost treasure? Ok, maybe I wasn't that delusional.  But I at least expected there to be a ship....and at the very least, a trail!

 

Spoiler alert! We didn't make it to the "ship" and there was no "trail".  Still I don't mean to be a bummer.  I am thankful I got out for a hike at all considering Dallas Rains (local tool of a weatherman), was predicting rain all day.  In fact, as you can see, it was a perfect day.  The initial scenery was gorgeous and for those of you who haven't spent much time in the Palos Verdes area, I highly recommend you check it out.

My friends Nathan, Rachael, Laura and Joey started hiking along a rocky beach, thinking we would eventually come to the trail.  Bend after Bend, no trail appeared.  But it was still an enjoyable treck over the large pebbles....for a while.   One of my favorite aspects was the sound of the waves pulling the loose pebbles down the beach.  It made a very soothing rumbling, like a rain-stick or something.  There were also many interesting shells like this one Nathan found.

We walked and walked, the pebbles wearing us down.  Finally, most of the group couldn't take it anymore.  Nathan and I went ahead to try and glimpse some sign of this supposed shipwreck.  After 15 minutes we asked some people passing by about the shipwreck.  They said it was still quite a ways ahead and had collapsed on itself, making exploration impossible.  We walked back to the group a little discouraged.  But we relished in the fact that we got outside, discovered some beautiful shore line, and worked up an appetite.  Next time we are parking closer to the shipwreck.

 

 

Paco's Tacos

I had been to this Mexican joint a few years ago when I did an internship at an ad agency nearby.  The producers used to go here on a Friday for lunch and get several pitchers of margaritas.  It was awesome. 

Paco's is authentic Mexican, and you can always tell by the clientele.  It is a good mix of appreciative gringos and Hispanics themselves.  The food is reasonably priced and delicious.  Their flour tortillas are especially delicious and made in house.  Let's not forget about the Margaritas! Whether you want a fruity one like my friend Nathan here, or a traditional on the rocks with salt, Paco's will do you proud without breaking the bank.  

The atmosphere is equally great.  The two large fishtanks are the centerpieces but are accented with all kinds of wall fixtures and fun tables.    

 

 

Pacos most definitely gets the Schu stamp of approval.

Paco's Tacos

Will Rogers Hike

So, a little update first....I did this hike the weekend before last.  Last weekend I went back to San Francisco and had a great long weekend in the City.  If the weather cooperates I might be going on two hikes this weekend... stay tuned.

It was raining the day Nathan and I wanted to do a hike.  We were considering blowing it off, but we decided to go for it.  As soon as we got to Will Rogers, the sun came out!  Will Rogers is right on the edge of Santa Monica.  It used to be Will Rogers' ranch and is now a park and polo field.  In case you didn't know (because I didn't) Will Rogers was a silent era movie star.

We got a late start to the hike, so we weren't able to go very far.  Still it offered some good views and it was just nice to get out and get some perspective.  We hiked to inspiration point and admired the view, which was similar to the Trippet Ranch hike view, but not quite as impressive.

We wanted to continue on the Backbone trail, but didn't want to get Nathan's car locked inside the park after sunset.  So it was more of a walk than a hike, but nice to be able to get out of the city so close to it. 

Barney's Beanery

This is my first of many food posts to come.  I went to Barney's Beanery on the Promanade in Santa Monica on Thursday with my friend Ciaran.  I think they have 3 other locations throughout LA.  I had been there once before and sat inside, but this time we sat outside where it is a little quieter.  The ambience is fun with TV's and stuff all over the walls.

They have a wide selection of beers and a beer of the month for $3.50.  But they are known for their HUGE menu that is designed like a newspaper.

And they have everything.  So it is a good place to go when no one can decide what kind of food they feel like eating, because everyone will finds something there.  Now this is not gourmet food, but simple and pretty good.  I have had their chili in the past and it was great. I had a burger this time and it was pretty good.  For its atmosphere, location on the promanade and reasonable prices for the location I give Barney's Beanery the Schu Stamp of Approval.

-Schu
http://www.barneysbeanery.com/

Temescal Canyon Hike

So I am playing catch-up here a little bit.  Did this hike last Sunday with my friend Laura.  We were trying to go to Will Rogers, but both of us neglected to look up specific directions.  So we were driving down Sunset and saw a sign for a trail and followed it into this neighborhood with some huge homes. We followed the trail and it ended up on what I think is the Backbone trail.

 

  

Unfortunately it wasn't as clear that day as it has been, so the views weren't as spectacular as they could have been.  The trail was also pretty crowded.  I really liked this rock formation and I did some climbing to get a better look at it.

 

And I also found my future home, complete with private tennis court and pool

 

All in all it was a good hike. Probably about 4 or 5 miles.  It was a little crowded and not as much of the nature as I prefer, but some good views for sure.  

Edge of Darkness Premiere, Hollywood

Last week I went to my first Hollywood premiere!  The film was Edge of Darkness, starting my boss, Mel Gibson.

It was pretty cool...not to brag or anything.  My girlfriend Jaime flew down for it and we both got all dressed up.

It was at Grauman's Chinese Theater, red carpet and all.  Yes the picture above is in the parking lot...we were too caught up in the moment and forgot to take a picture outside the theater.  Having never been inside the theater I was amazed at how big it was.  It sat easily over 1000 people.  I was also surprised at how some of these people scored tickets.  Some of them were dressed like they had just come from the gym, or a nascar rally or something.  Anyways, the movie was great so go see it.

Now the after party was something else.  It was a much more exclusive event at My House.  No I was not the host of the party, My House is a club in Hollywood a few blocks away from Grauman's that is has a sort of house like theme (there is even a big bed upstairs!)

 

 Champagne, wine, open bar, gourmet food, and desserts, they pulled out all the stops.  And yes there were a few household names in attendance, but I am not one to name drop :)  

    As you can see I indulged a little.  In my left hand is a shot of milk with a cookie on top.  Oh Hollywood... Can't wait for the next one!

Malibu Creek State Park

Ok, so it started to rain right when I started this hike, so I need to go back and explore further, but you can see from the two pictures (again from my camera phone....pretty good though right?) that it is a pretty cool area.  

It doesn't even look like SoCal.  The mud was so thick it looked like I was wearing snow shoes, except brown snow shoes.  And I ended up almost ruining my running shoes, but again, worth it.

 

 

Lakers game!

Thanks to my friend Austin, I got to go to my first Lakers game 2 weeks ago!  I am now spoiled because the seats were incredible.  8th row! I could see the sweat on Kobe's face! 

Also, forget the star maps, if you want to see celebrities, just get good tickets to the lakes game.  Of course Jack was there in his sunglasses, Seth McFarland of Family Guy fame was court-side, as was Will Ferrel who was almost directly in front of us.

Oh, right, there was a basketball game going on, but the Lakers were playing the Clippers and it was a blowout.  But Staples Center was great and it was another good night.  Thanks Austin!

Topanga Canyon Hike

I was feeling restless and adventurous on a Sunday afternoon in January, so I decided to go on a hike.  I grabbed my film camera, loaded it with some B&W film and headed out to Topanga Canyon State Park.  Having never been there before I got lost twice.  Finally I arrived at Trippet Ranch.  I parked along the road before entering like everyone else that day.  I am a big supporter of State parks, but do they really have to charge $12 to park your car?  I would be alright with $5, but $12 is excessive.  No wonder the parks are closing.  

Anyways, the weather was perfect.  I hiked in shorts and a T-shirt.  In January. Score one for LA.  I hooked up with the backbone trail towards Muholland Drive, and hiked towards the ocean.  The trail was wide and the hike was not too difficult, but there was definitely some change in elevation as I hiked through the Santa Monica Mountains.  

There were great rock formations along the way and I got my geology fix of sandstone formations and giant conglomerate outcrops. Finally I got my first look at the ocean. 

 

 I was surprised how green the hills were, and this was before the big storm we just had.  I had no idea how far the trail went, or how far I should take it with the sun getting lower in the sky.  But I kept going, my sense of adventure taking over rationality.  And I am sure glad I did.  The view just kept getting better and better...

  

You could see mountains in the distance with snow on them.  Oh, I should mention that all these photos are taken with my camera phone.  If you remember from the begginning, I took my film camera with black and white film.....what a terrible decision.  Because I was there at golden hour, when the sun was setting and the colors were amazing.  I kept going, and finally made it to a point, with 360 degree views of the Pacific Ocean and the LA valley.  It was stunning.  And the pictures hardly do it justice.

 I didn't want to leave but the sun was setting and I had a 5 mile hike back alone.  So reason took over at somepoint, but I still took it all in for longer than I should have.

 

The sun was setting pretty fast and I was almost jogging back.  I would say there was about a mile where I was hiking in pretty low light.  

 

I was almost to the end of the trail when I saw a pair of eyes off to the side.  I froze and for a split second I thought it might be a mountain lion, because I had seen warning signs at the trail head.  But they were deer, one was a stag with horns, and they jumped right in front of me across the trail.  

I walked back to my car in complete darkness, but totally satisfied with the day.

If anyone wants info on how to do this hike let me know.  I highly recommend it!

-Schu

Welcome!

I have been living in Santa Monica for three months now and I already feel like I have done a lot! I am going to post a few of the highlights so far and then will update every week!  If anyone ever ends up reading this and has suggestions of great places to visit please let me know!

Grazie!
Schu