Beauty Utopia & Bellissimo Cafe & Catering

Beauty Utopia

2501 Colorado Blvd. # E, Eagle Rock, 90041

♥

Ladies of the east side--forget over-priced mediocre Burke Williams, Beauty Utopia is the place to go.  This hidden gem in a strip mall across from the Eagle Rock mall is very professional, clean and most importantly effective...  I've only had their facials, but judging by those I'm sure everything is good. They use and sell eminence, dermalogica, pca & decleor products and their prices are very reasonable.

Bellissimo Cafe

And, next door you can grab a coffee, dessert or some italian cuisine at this cozy little cafe...

KTCHN 105

KTCHN 105

1250 Long Beach Ave., Ste 105, 90021

"Last Dinner of 2011

This Thursday December 22, 2011

 is the last dinner of the year

To make a reservation just reply to this email. Our website is 

down for construction as we are building new cooking classes, events,

 dinner and brunch schedules. Thank you

for your support, we look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Happy Holidays

Chef 

Felix G. Barron, IV"

_________________________________

Okay, so I'm not going to lie...I was debating whether to post this. KTCHN 105 located in an off the beaten path part of downtown, and as a downtown resident I was excited to discover a new and innovative dining experience (and the food looked delicious). I had brunch reservations (with e-mail confirmation...) for a special occasion and upon arrival the place was closed with not a soul in sight. After about 25 minutes of wandering around and knocking on windows, we decided to call it quits. I left voicemails and never heard back. I felt stood up...

Anyways, enough with that...nobody likes a venting veronica. I've decided to let that one slide because I have heard really great things about this place--food, ambience, experience, service etc...They have cooking classes and depending on what time of the year, they have weekly dinners and brunches (cash only). The KTCHN is located deep in the southern part of downtown's industrial area (just north of the 10 fwy).  From what I saw, the space looked really nice with a big open kitchen/dining space, high ceilings, and an outdoor patio. 

If you don't have plans, tomorrow night is their last dinner of the year and I suggest making reservations pronto!

e-mail: felix@ktchn105.com

Small Adventure

Small Adventure

♣

Photo courtesy of Small Adventure website

Hand painted and crafted prints, cards, objects & accessories that will make you feel like a woodland gnome on a 'small' adventure. The illustrated cards and the bird call necklaces could make for good holiday gifts...

Along the Arroyo Seco

Arroyo Seco Golf Course
1055 Lohman Ln, South Pasadena, 91030

Snob-free golfing

Buckets of beer and 3-par golfing anyone? This unpretentious 18 hole golf course probably hasn't changed since the 1950s when it opened. There is a putting range, a driving range, a diner & bar along with the course. One of the best parts is the course and driving range is opened until 9pm so you can play at night. Oh, and the fact that it's only $12 for 9 holes or $14 for 18...

San Pascual Stables

221 San Pascual Ave., South Pasadena

These stables are located next to the Arroyo Seco. As these are public stables, you can go visit anytime of the day (I go at night sometimes) and visit with the horses and walk around the facility. Although ten or so minutes from downtown, it's a great place to go to feel removed city life. There is a trail that leads from  the stables and you can take it either north or south along the Arroyo. South you will run into the LA river, and north you will eventually get to the Rose Bowl then the San Gabriel Mountains. You can also take horse riding lessons for $50...

More 'Along the Arroyo Seco' posts to come...

Dreams Records

Dreams Records

4836 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles, 90041

Look for the house with three records hanging next to the door on Eagle Rock Blvd. and you'll find this tiny family run record shop. The owner's name is Jose Iglesias, and he and his wife have run the shop for years. Jose started DJing in 1968 in El Salvador, and DJed there through the 70s. After moving to Los Angeles the 80s, he continued DJing house and hip hop music. He claims to have 15,000 records in storage, and another 50,000 or more in El Salvador (can that be right?...). Although Jose is retired now, you can find his son DJing at local bars in Highland Park. 


Although the space isn't much bigger than a living room, I spent almost two house flipping through records and talking to Jose, his wife, and this sister-in-law. They have a great selection of classics, and their prices are amazing. You won't find a record for more than $12 and  most are $5-$7. The also have an amazing collection of latin music -- Christmas-themed Cumbia anyone? --and he and his his wife will let you sample any of the records. The also give impromptu dance lessons...

Golden Road Brewing

Golden Road Brewing
540 W. San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, 90039

�

Hidden amongst industrial warehouses and adjacent to the glendale train tracks, this new glendale brewery recently opened it's doors. The blue warehouse is the actual brewery, but where you want to go is their tap room and restaurant. They haven't officially opened their restaurant yet, but a little bird told me that they will be doing a soft opening this weekend. They also sell growlers for about $10-$15 in case you are throwing a holiday get-together. All the beers I tasted were good, but my favorite was the rye. 

Little Tokyo Galleria

Little Tokyo Galleria (Late Night)
333 S. Alameda St., Los Angeles, 90013
________________________________


Honda Ya Izakaya

�

This is a great late night Japanese pub that is always lively, fun and blasting pop music. Everything I have had here is good, from their yakitori to their sushi & ramen. Most importantly, they serve until 1am! They also have a traditional Japanese washitsu room that makes for a 'comfortable' dining experience.

'Lette Macarons

�

Delicious! Better than most french macarons I've had in la. There are several other locations around town. 

Photos courtesy of 'lette macarons

Max Karaoke 

�

Just discovered this place! They have hourly room rentals and their rooms can accommodate small and large groups of people. The best part is they are open until 3am! (And they let you bring your own libations...shhh)