Oktoberfest!!!!

Alright,

So every year I say... I am going to to go Oktoberfest, and every year I am like...damn its November... I didnt go to Oktoberfest.

This year I will GO!!!!  I have a few more weekends to get my butt down there!!!!!

The cute little area of Torrance known as The Alpine Village.

Anyways,  Here is the schedule which run thru October 23rd:
Fridays- 6pm-1am
Saturdays- 6pm-1pm
Sundays- 1pm-6pm

Fridays and Saturdays are a bit louder and geared towards adults, while Sundays are geared a bit more for families.

Besides Beer, there is a ton of food and entertainment.
But most of all... there is BEER.

Tickets are available online for $10.
Not a bad price.

So go and celebrate!!!!!! From all the friends I know who go I know this is a good time!!!!
And I love that Sundays are geared for the little ones.. .the future beer drinkers of America  haha!!!

Fall is almost here!!!!

So Fall is kind of upon us... its just so hot out its hard to tell.
Well...
I think that means it is time to go Apple Picking!!!!! I mean how Fallish is that!!!!!??????
I have had friends who go every year... it always sounded so East Coast to me...and I twinge of jealousy would set in that I was never invited... so I decided to do some research and find some info on Apple Picking in SoCal!!!!

and I hit the Jack Pot!!!!!

Sky Meadow Farms!!!! in some place called Leona Valley....
was not sure where that was... so I mapped it... it's near Lancaster and Palmdale..so not too far away.

Sky Meadow sounds awesome, its family owned and operated, and they have all kinds of stuff you can pick yourself:

Cherries- June
Apricots- June/July
Apples- August- November
Peaches- September- October

So... we are just in time for Apples and Peaches!!!!!

Sky Meadow is open Sat and Sun only from 9am-5pm, but ask that you call before you head up just to confirm their schedule, and make sure they are open that day.

So I cannot wait to go pick some apples!!!! I imagine they taste so much better if you pick your own!!!!


This is a perfect fall activity and would also be a great annual event.

The Long Beach Street Food Festival!!!

OH MY!!!!!
I cannot wait... its like Christmas in early October!!!!!

So... I missed out on the LA Street Food Festival... and it nearly crushed me... my dear food trucks were there... and I have been dieing... okay so my blog is telling me this is spelled wrong.. but it won't give me other optins... dying? dyeing? di-ing?  whatev's.... I have been dieing to try The Grilled Cheese Truck... I mean COME ON!!!!!!
How awesome does that sound... who doesn't like a grilled cheese... I even like it with cheap bread and fake super processed cheese.... imagine how it would taste with quality ingredients?

Okay... so back to the post at hand....
The LB Street Food Fest!!!!
Yippee!!!!
Cannot wait... gonna go... wish it was today cause I would be there!!!!

Okay so here is the deal....
25+ food trucks including:

The Grilled Cheese Truck
Nom Nom Truck (super excited loved them on The Great Food Truck Race)
Crepes Bonaparte
India Jones
CoolHaus (amazing, we ha them come by set on a show I worked on)
Munchie Machine
Greasy Wiener( I am excited about this one cause I am a child...and think its name is funny)
Fresh Fries LA
Ahn Joo (had this before, FABULOUS!!!!!! and the nicest people)
Knock Out Taco
Slice Truck

there are so many more trucks!!! These are just a few of them.



Okay... so when is this and whats the info about it?

Okay so  here is a link to the website.
This day of glorious food on wheels is Saturday Oct. 9th.
10:30am-5:30pm
At Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach
If you buy your tix ahead of time its $6, or if you wait... $8 at the gate.

I have a wedding to go this day... but you know what I am so committed to food trucks... that I am going to get up early... drive down to the LBC...and get something greasy and then go home and get all perty and have a great day.... that is how I roll.

I know you are saying...this girl knows how to party.  I do.



Alright...so go to this... check out the site for all the info on the food trucks...cause your fav. food truck is probably gonna be at this.

The Yogamerican Dream!!!

Alright...
So I am gonna cleanse my body of all the alcohol I have been shoving at you....
time to do something healthy.... maybe a bit of exercise?

Okay... alright... I know... baby steps... maybe a show about exercise?
But... it has to be funny... and not too intense... we don't want to feel like we have exercised while attending it.

Well... you are in luck... a dear friend of mine Miss Casey G. is premiering her one woman show... The Yogamerican Dream!!!!!

 I have lucked out and had the pleasure of having her guide me thru some yoga... and shes a great instructor.  I have also seen her perform in several plays and I know she will be just as great in this show.


Anyways... This show is going to be a lot of fun.

This is a one woman show, Casey will play seven different characters who are all involved in yoga for their own reasons.  As a yoga instructor, she has come across many different types of people and I am excited to see them.

I am very excited to see this show.

The Yogamerican Dream will be performed on Sunday evenings in Hollywood, thru the month of October.
Please check out her website for more info.

It opens this coming Sunday... you should go!!!!


Oh and if you need further proof that this show will be good...
heres a link to a promo video she shot with another rockstar talent Barak Hardley.

Check out the video... hilarious.


Oh and an added bonus... both of these peeps... are in the short the hubby and I shot and are currently finishing up!!!!  So yeah... I did it... I gave myself a little plug... but its my blog...and if you are still reading you are a fan anyways...

Alcohol... Friday Edition

So... here we are... Friday.
I have been pondering what my last post this week should be about... I promised you all this week would be focused on Alcohol...and I will keep my word.  I just want to blog about a place I love to drink.

So... one of my drinking haunts... where do I go a lot.

Well... I have a few so I thought I would touch on a few places... but briefly.. I know you don't have all day.

Okay...

1.  The Well.
Hollywood area

Oh The Well, I have spent a lot of time and a bunch of money here.   The reason is that it is near where a lot of my friends work, and its pretty easy to get to for me as well.
Plus... they have a great Happy Hour... it goes until 9pm!!!!!
That rocks... cause how much do you love going to a happy hour...but work... you just cannot get out in time.... the solution... The Well.

My drink of choice... The Rumba Punch... tastes like juice... but boy does it have a kick!!!!

They also have what I would classify as gourmet bar food... they have pita and hummus,  Pesto Chicken Sandwiches, Goat Cheese pizza, salads...and they have fried food as well... fries, fried zucchini, sweet potato fries and other fried foods as well.

The place can get loud, but if you can get a booth you are usually pretty good.

I like to describe The Well as a fancy dive bar.

2. El Bar.
Universal City area

El Bar, has only been around the last couple of years. It took over the old Casting Office space, in an updated strip mall.

El Bar is small, dark and can get crowded on the weekends.  They make great drinks and have very comfortable seating.  If you are hungry, they have a deal that you can order food from the pizza place next door, they make really good pizza.

El Bar is good for meeting up after work to get a great martini with some friends and just unwinding.  Parking is pretty easy and its easy to get to as it is right off the 101 freeway.

Give El Bar a try one of these weeknights!!!  They also have great happy hour prices, and their happy hour also goes until 9pm!!!! YES!!!

It is also connected to the Vintage Bar Group, so the link will take you to the same place that The Well link will.

3. Pitfire Pizza.
North Hollywood/Downtown Los Angeles/ West LA/Culver City

Okay... I know what you are saying...a pizza place?
Yes.

Pitfire, has marvelous Sangria.  I am at the North Hollywood location at least twice a month.  I havent been to the West LA or Culver City locations... but the North Hollywood location has a great patio area with a huge fire in the middle you can huddle around if its chilly.

I am not kidding about the Sangria.  Their food is excellent... but their Sangria is top notch.  My friends and I have been none to sit around and drink a pitcher or two... and I cannot remember the exact price... but I believe a pitcher is under $20...so its really affordable.


Okay...so if I have not convinced you about Pitfire...go to their website...look at their food...its really tasty, and really fresh...go have a quiet night...and dont forget to grab a glass or pitcher of their Sangria.





And to wrap out todays post....


4.  The Saddle Ranch.
West Hollywood/ Universal City Walk

Okay I know... The Saddle Ranch.. has a bad reputation.  I dont go here at night... not particularly a club kinda gal...plus I am old... everyone who comes to dance is like 21...I'd be like a mom there.

Okay... so what I do come here for... the Sat/Sunday brunch.  Until 3pm... for $10 you get unlimited Mimosas and Bloody Marys.   The Bloody Marys are really good.  They also have a menu of Mimosas and Bloody Marys...so if you want to tweak the taste of it a bit... no problem!!!

The food is pretty good too...and the portions are huge!!!!
You will leave The Saddle Ranch a very happy person.  Plus... the Universal location is very quiet you will have a lot of space to yourself, the W. Hollywood location is usually pretty crowded.  I think this is because it is easier to get to... Universal you do have to deal with parking... I think if you park up near the restaurant near the City Walk.. it will cost $10 to park.  Or... if you want to save that $10 for your drinking... you can park at the bottom of the hill at the Park n Ride...and take the free tram up the hill.. you just have to give yourself time to get up...and then to get back down.
If you are really adventurous... you could walk up the hill... which I have done... its pretty tough, its very steep.

The W. Hollywood location has valet... not sure of the price... but I think I remember it being fairly reasonable.

Oh... and did I mention the bull?  Both locations have a mechanical bull.

Alright... So I think todays post covered a lot of good info...
I gave you places to go for Happy Hour, for dinner and a drink and a great weekend Brunch place!!!!

Alright...so this is not the end of me posting about Alcohol...never fear... there will be more...

Have a great weekend!!!!

Cheap wine tasting

To keep with the theme of alcohol this week...
today's post is about...wine!!! I know I know... Ive done two already about wine....
but I drink wine a lot....so that is what I know.

Okay.. so I had you at Cheap wine....

Vendome.

For those of you who do not know what Vendome is.... its a wine and spirits shop.
They are a great store, and resource. I go in there all the time and I have questions and want recommendations...for gifts, for a pairing...for something cheap.... and I have never been led astray.   The employees are soooo knowledgable.  They also have a huge liquor section as well... you WILL find what you are looking for there.  The hubby and I are always into making some special drink for the holidays...and they usually involve some liquor we do not keep in the house.... and we always find it in Vendome.

Now... you are probably thinking...she said wine tasting.... where does this come in at a wine shop...

Well Vendome is a small chain, and their location in Toluca Lake... has the best wine tastings, and beer tastings.  They have an area with a bar.  Which is large for being in a store.

Okay, so here is how the tastings work... they have a long list of wines, and you can pick which wines you want to taste and you only pay for the tastings you have.  This is a great setup for those of you who like different kinds of wines.  A lot of the tastings are $1, but some of the more expensive bottles are $2 or maybe even $3 for the tasting....but these bottles are very expensive.

An added bonus to the Vendome tasting.  Cheese. They offer a selection of cheese for $2 a chunk.  Its a pretty good time for not much money.

The wine tastings at this Vendome are Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun nights.
Wed. all tastings are $1.  SCORE.

Saturday afternoons they have beer tastings.....the hubby loves this.  It is set up the same way where you can taste what you want off the list.
Or
you can pay one price for all the beers, for example when we went he tasted 15 beers...and paid $10.
Not bad.
Me, not being a beer person... I sat and drank a RootBeer.  I thought it was somewhat fitting.

Now before you get on my case about not liking beer...and I just haven't found my beer... the Hubby has me taste every beer he ever tries, and he tries a lot of beer.  He loves to find a new beer.


Another cool thing about Vendome... is you can get on their email list and they email you once a week and let you know what the theme of that weeks tastings are, plus they host special tastings, like this week a Scotch tasting.

So... go ask questions... do a quick tasting...that is what they are there for!

Oh... and I just took a peak at their calendar... September 30th.... is U pick they pour... I have had my eye on a couple of somewhat pricey bottles... maybe I will pop by and pick a bottle.

Wine in LA... Con't.

Okay... So... for those of you who did not read yesterdays post... you should read yesterdays post... or you will be sooooo lost... okay not really... but I really enjoyed yesterdays post... so maybe you will too?


Okay... so as promised....
The second stop on the Malibu Hills Wine tour.

Cornell Winery.

I am driving with my friend Trent.. we were of course blasting music from my Ipod driving through the hills in my Mini...and felt like we had left the city...and entered some crazy town where people say hi to each other...and will slow down for you to cross the street.
We came down Mullholland Hwy, and saw tons of motorcyclists...and I was like... hmmmm... maybe we made a wrong turn?  this is a bit crazy... I mean there were hundreds of motorcycles...half of which were in front of what looked like a barn converted into a bar...but then there were also people... lots of them just standing outside mingling and laughing.  We started to wonder why we were not a part of this...and what world do you have to be from to be a part of this... Jealousy almost started to strike...
until I remembered that we were moments from wine.  This thought alone consoled me.

So... a few curves of the Mulholland Hwy later, and Trent and I are pulling up to a barn that has been converted into a fancy Steak House?  (Apparently a lot of barns were in the area).
Right next door is this fabulous old house, that is now.... Cornell Wines.  I look over...and there is a white peacock!!! Where am I?  An all WHITE Peacock...?????

Okay.. so tons of motorcycles, super curvy road, tons of converted barns, and now a freakin white peacock?  This place is magical... and I never want to leave... please bring on the wine...and the day will be perfect.


So... I finally get convinced to go inside rather then chase the peacock...and it was a good thing... inside was just as magical... you walk in and there are tons of bottles for sale, set up on fabulous displays.  Go a little bit further in and you see a tall counter with people pouring wine.

We had seven in our group so they asked us to go back to a long table... it felt very important.  We had our own space on this amazingly long table, with a chandelier and candelabras spread out on the tables.   On the walls are beautiful photos for sale.

And then... the wine comes... 8 tastings for $12... pretty good deal.... and they had some great prices as well.

The wines you taste are from several different vineyards around California.  Another cool thing... each week they change the wines you taste... so you can go back each week.. and pretend you are in another world... cause really... you are.  This place is so random...and magical.

Because... we just had a tasting at the fabulous SIP..and now 8 tastings later... I was done.  I want to be safe as well as have a great time...
So.. we sat outside on some wooden lawn chairs...and let the wine where off before heading out!!!

Now.. I did not go into the steak house... but I am definitely going back to Cornell...so I have plans to stop by the steak place, which is actually called The Old Place.  And I have to say their history is quite interesting, and their menu looks great.  Their breakfast does too.... it would be fun to have a late brunch here and then go taste some wine.