Small Town Life In Big L.A.

Pasta Tasting With Scott Conant At The Ponte Beverly Hills

Those who know me well know that I am a major foodie and that my FAVORITE food in the world is PASTA. And to take it a step further if I had to pick my absolute FAVORITE pasta it is hands down PASTA POMODORO. My friends also know I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the FOOD NETWORK. We regularly watch CHOPPED, IRON CHEF, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, and several others. Celebrity Food Network Chef SCOTT CONANT is a frequent guest on these shows. His specialty is PASTA! If you look up the word in the dictionary his picture is there. He is a pasta PERFECTIONIST.

So imagine me sitting in my favorite chair casually checking out Instagram Stories and seeing his post about his appearance at a special pasta tasting at his Beverly Hills restaurant! I texted my sister to see if she would want to go and her immediate response was "I'm in!" So I made the rez and OFF WE GO!



Our rez was for 8:15 which allowed us a leisurely drive through picturesque Laurel Canyon. L.A. is very mountainous and it always fascinates me to see the mansions way up high. Follow the winding road to Beverly Boulevard, make a right and you're there! 

And here we are excited about what the evening would bring. We had prayed on the way about various things, as is our custom, and I threw in a couple of selfish prayer requests. The Lord answered exceedingly abundantly more than I had asked! 

We opened the door and started heading toward the back to check in and lo and behold there he was! The pic and some conversation just flowed! Such a hospitable man and very good looking! Selfish prayer #1 answered!

And then we were seated. On the patio, under the giant lit tree, at a GREAT table! Selfish prayer #2 answered! PTL! We were both SO EXCITED and happy to be there!

If you love pasta chances are bread is right up there with it. I have tried many breads over the years and here was yet a new one. Tall, spongey and delicious, dipped in olive oil with a sundried tomato compote. Yum!

And here it is! PASTA AL POMODORO! The star of the show and Scott Conant's version of my favorite dish! BE STILL MY HEART!!! A moment of silence please...All I can say is heaven on a plate! And yes I had to close my eyes to savor the moment. Just seeing this and writing about it makes me want MORE!

And that was just the beginning! 5 more exquisite pasta dishes followed!

 

 

 

Some things don't photograph well but trust me this gnocchi with special foam was amazing!!! 

Cheers Scott Conant and THE PONTE! Thank you for a most memorable and lovely evening. And as someone famous in Hollywood once said... "Ill Be Back!"

Sunday Brunch at the Beverly Hilton

After church we took the "back roads" to Beverly Hills to enjoy a special brunch Dale reserved.

The pines give way to palms, a sign we are almost there.

Our destination: the famous Beverly Hilton Hotel, home of the Golden Globes and many other star studded events.

Fresh roses greet you in the lobby.

Our table next to the famous Aqua Star pool, the largest in Beverly Hills and setting for numerous movies, TV shows, and films.

The brunch includes everything on the buffet plus the entree of your choice!

I loved looking at all the food and practiced some form of self control. Smoked Scottish Salmon with capers, red onion, and lemon, wafer thin Manchego cheese with candied pecans and honey, applewood smoked bacon, Chinese chicken salad, and fresh pastries were all delicious, especially with french press coffee and rich cream.

 

My entree has arrived! A perfectly prepared hanger steak which I got to go. One can only eat so much and I had to save room for dessert.

These pops looked great! I took a pic but never tried them.

Instead I opted for the house made chocolates.

And of course I had to try some French macaroons! They seem to be turning up everywhere out here.

After such a satisfying meal on such a perfect day it's time to look up.

We took the canyon roads home with the windows down. It is always incredibly beautiful after it rains and the smell of eucalyptus, pine, and orange blossoms fragrance the air.

Safely home after a pleasant drive and ready for a Sunday nap.

Christmas Dinner In Beverly Hills

It's a hectic time of year when you are retailers but we have learned over the years to make time for what is important. Last night I got to spend a wonderful evening with my two favorite people in the world. We headed to Beverly Hills and on the way I asked the Lord to lead us somewhere special. He did!

We started off on world famous Rodeo Drive and it was C-O-L-D! Our Revelation TOPS scarves, leg warmers, and gloves served us well! Behind us is the Beverly Wilshire Hotel where Dale stayed when Princess Marcella Borghese flew him out shortly after we were married. It's also where the Julia Roberts/Richard Gere movie "Pretty Woman" was filmed.

The lobby was exquisite, just as we would expect.

It was a Sunday evening and the stores were closed. A perfect time to window shop. It was like we had the town all to ourselves. I loved the Saks windows with gowns, makeup, and elegant, frosty party displays.

 

Rodeo Drive was decked out in red and white lights and many of the stores looked like they were gift wrapped.

Now here was our special surprise, the answer to my prayer. In a very unique way the Lord led us to Crustacean. Totally unplanned and what a treat, especially for a foodie like me. I love new food adventures! The path to the dining room is an aquarium!!! We kept thinking we were going to fall in but loved it!

We walked in to this famous Beverly Hills restaurant that was fully booked, with no reservation, the Sunday before Christmas, and guess what? They happened to have one table left and it was prime.

This is their signature dish and now I know why. Succulent Maine Lobster with Vietnamese Garlic Noodles. YUM!!!!!

Here are some of the "regulars". See anyone you know?

What a lovely and memorable time we had! Truly a special Christmas memory.

Meeting Valerie Harper

It was the early 80's when Revlon moved Dale and I to Los Angeles. I'll never forget the first time we went to BONO'S in Beverly Hills for dinner. Owned by Sonny Bono it was the "hip" place to go and being new to the area I was excited to see what it was like.

Being from the East coast we were used to dressing conservatively for dinner. We arrived, Dale in suit and tie and me in a business suit with nylons and heels. I quickly noticed everyone else was into fun, trendy, L.A. fashion, a sight I had not seen in New York restaurants. I LOVED it!

There was Sonny and there was Cher!!! The restaurant was all the rage and full in a good way. Tables sat 2-4 and were close together. We were seated in the center of the room. Once we got situated I realized we were sitting right next to "Rhoda"!!!, Valerie Harper. I had to kick Dale under the table and use eye motions because she was so close she would hear me if I said it out loud. Being totally star struck I tried to act like this was "normal". Dale, on the other hand politely said hello and told her how much he admired her work. Well she was as nice as she could be and introduced us to her trainer, actor Tony Cacciotti, who years later would become her husband.

What a memorable night that was! Beverly Hills, stars, a happening place, and phenomenal Italian food. Only in L.A.!