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Archive for the ‘Luxury Tours’ Category
Hollywood’s Own Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Established in 1862, Congregation B’nai B’rith is the oldest reform synagogue in Los Angeles. Its home is the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, a striking, stately structure on the edge of what’s now a congested stretch in Koreatown. Built in 1929, the temple was designed by A.M. Edelman, son of the congregation’s first rabbi, Abraham Edelman. During the Golden Age of Hollywood, the temple was the go-to place of worship for scores of movie-industry professionals who wanted to assimilate into American culture without sacrificing their Jewish identity. The building’s enormous Byzantine revival-style dome was funded by Hollywood producer Irving Thalberg, while Louis B. Mayer donated funds for the temple’s art glass windows. Carl Laemmle donated spice box chandeliers, and the temple’s biblical murals were commissioned by Jack, Harry and Albert Warner, aka the Warner Bros. The Wilshire Boulevard Temple is in the midst of an ambitious $150 million overhaul, but with such a dazzling history, its future looks just as bright as its starry past. Places of worship and cemeteries are popular sightseeing themes when you create your own best Los Angeles tour.
3663 Wilshire Boulevard, Koreatown
(213) 388-2401
wilshireboulevardtemple.org
The Straight on Skinny’s
Skinny’s Lounge is everything you’d want in a NoHo nightspot — equal parts cool, slick, comfortable and dark, like, say, a Hollywood bar/lounge, except, being over the hill, just a bit more laid-back. There’s comfortably plush seating; dark, earthy, off-reddish tones in the décor; and an interesting L-shaped configuration with an ample curved bar and an outstanding, classic-lounge-y recessed and curtained stage area where live acts include Metalachi (heavy metal/mariachi fusion), Polesque (artistic pole-dancing revue) and Lookin’ for Trouble (classic blues). The dance floor gets pumpin’, especially on weekend DJ nights, when dance-oriented disc spinners take over, and midweek nights have witnessed live rock & roll karaoke, with a crack cover band accompanying daring would-be lead vocalists. Drinks are praised and reasonably priced, special group reservations (parties/events) are welcome, and food trucks often park outside. Oh, and they feature “reverse happy hours” with $2 off drinks from midnight until close! What better way to finish a busy day visiting Los Angeles and taking a Hollywood tour.
4923 Lankershim Boulevard, N. Hollywood
(818) 763-6581
skinnyslounge.com
Angels Flight Out of Commission
The historic Angels Flight railway, “the shortest railway in the world,” in downtown Los Angeles is grounded for several weeks for routine maintenance and will likely reopen with a slightly higher ticket fare.
Starting Tuesday, January 10th, the railway was closed to replace worn rails and complete some carpentry and paint work on the 110-year-old rail cars, authorities said.
After the improvements, the fare likely will rise from a quarter to 50 cents.
Metro pass holders will receive a half-off discount if the nonprofit increases the cost for the one-minute trip up and down Bunker Hill, Angels Flight Railway President John Welborne told City News Service.
Angels Flight, dubbed “the shortest railway in the world,”‘ was closed in 2001 following an accident that killed one person and seriously injured seven. It reopened in 2010. When you are on one of the fantastic sightseeing tours of Los Angeles be sure to have your guide take you for a ride on Angels Flight (when it reopens, of course).
World's Shortest Railway
Believe it or not – Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena
Pasadena will be hosting a “Cheeseburger Week” starting on January 15th and going until the 20th. It will feature various renditions of the cheesy meat sandwich by a handful of popular places, even a sushi restaurant.
Invented in Pasadena, CA
According to the press release (and Wikipedia), the cheeseburger was actually invented in the good ‘ol North East L.A. community at “The Rite Spot,” a popular sandwich shop in the mid 1920′s.
Pasadena Cheeseburger Week is sponsored by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce with support from the City of Pasadena and is a California Restaurant Month event.
Other eateries in town that will offer deals and assorted specials include the recently opened Kings Row Gastropub, Vertical Wine Bistro, and possibly a Yucatan rendition by El Portal. Also, Noir Food and Wine, CREPEstudio, Lovebirds Cafe and Magnolia Lounge.
Cheeseburger eaters are encouraged to go eat them all and vote for their favorite ones on the event’s website. For a complete list of places featured and their accompanying menu’s, check out the Pasadena Restaurant Week website.
Pasadena is part of the Los Angeles scene and a perfect place to eat during or after an amazing Los Angeles sightseeing tour.
Wine Tasting Overlooking Beautiful Malibu
Amazing southern California sunset at Malibu Family Winery
Not only a popular wine tasting destination but garnering accolades and commendations from important gastronomic and wine reviews, the Malibu Family Winery is a mainstay of the Los Angeles wine loving community. This 65-acre vineyard is only a small part of the 200,000 acre Saddlerock Ranch and much of it is available to enjoy when you visit. The facility hosts weddings, events and is a regular filming location.
Drive up when you can or, even better, plan a private Los Angeles helicopter tour to really enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Wicked in Los Angeles only until 1-29-12 !
Through Jan 29. Back by popular demand! L.A.’s favorite musical flies back to the Pantages this holiday season after a record-breaking two-year run. Called “A phenomenon that keeps growing” by The Los Angeles Times and “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” by The New York Times, “Wicked” is the untold story of the witches of Oz and how they became known as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. This is the perfect thing to see for the first time or again and again; also complements the day after enjoying one of the many Private Los Angeles tours. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.468.1770
Bid Adieu to Drago Santa Monica
As much as Los Angeles diners are mourning the impending loss of Drago Santa Monica—Chef Celestino Drago’s 21-year-old modern Italian institution—at the end of January, Drago softens the blow by offering “throwback” dishes from the original 1991 menu, in addition to their featured winter menu items. Dine on seven dishes from the original Drago Santa Monica menu, which includes polenta sandwich, wild mushrooms, fontina cheese, truffle fondue; sautéed duck liver, aged balsamic glace, grilled Belgium endive; baked ziti, meat and cheese sauce, wrapped with eggplant; spaghetti with pressed dried tuna caviar, garlic and chile; Sausage-filled quail, grilled polenta, saltimbocca sauce; and Pan roasted lamb loin, potato tart, grilled mushrooms, sweet & sour. The amazing dishes are only going to be found here while taking a tour of Los Angeles.
You can also bid adieu with an array of creative Itialian comfort food by Chef de Cucina Evan Gotanda on Drago’s winter menu, which we recently had the pleasure of experiencing:
Ricotta e pere: Ricotta, pear, red wine, arugula, hazelnut salt:
Agnolotti di zucca: Butternut squash, ricotta, butter glaze:
Risotto alla barbabietola: Beet risotto, shaved candy beets, puffed risotto:
Pappardelle al fagiano: Pappardelle, roasted pheasant, morel mushrooms (Photographed with hand rolled cecaluccoli instead of pappardelle):
Trota salmonata: Arctic char, carrot, rapini, oregano, balsamic:
Costata di manzo: New York steak, soft polenta, bacon, Brussels sprouts, red wine (Photographed as a duo of beef with braised short rib):
Brioche al mirtillo: Orange espuma, orange dust, cranberry granola:
Crostata al cioccolato: Dates, brown sugar gelato, walnuts:
Drago Santa Monica, 2628 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, 310.828.1585.
Hyde Lounge Reopens in Hollywood
In L.A., it seems as though a new nightclub opens up once a week, instantly becoming the hottest spot in town, and fizzling out not long after. Hyde, a nightlife institution that garnered celebrity and media attention in its heyday in 2006, is getting a rare second chance as entertainment aficionado SBE reopens the spot. Tableside mixology is a prominent feature of the redesigned venue, featuring fresh cocktails created at the sunken bar in the back of the narrow space. DJs spin alternative tracks instead of the usual Top 40, helping the venue further distance itself from more cookie-cutter clubs. Always the best places to be while taking a private tour of LA. SBE selected lauded chef Daniel Elmaleh, of Katsuya Hollywood and the Redbury hotel’s Cleo, to create a menu of small bites with a global influence. Look for additional Hyde nightclubs in South Beach, Florida and in Las Vegas’ Bellagio hotel, opening soon.
8029 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.525.2444. www.sbe.com/hyde