Hey Los Angeles Times – you're looking thinner these days

Los Angeles Times, it’s like I don’t even know you anymore.

My hometown paper is going through yet another change. Pretty soon I won’t be able to recognize it – I fear it won’t be long before it’s reduced to a Post-It stuck on to a stack of coupon circulars.

In another move that can most likely be attributed to cost-cutting, the Los Angeles Times is closing its stand-alone Thursday Food section (which would be 50-years-old in a month), combining it with the Home and Health sections into a new “lifestyle” section that will be published on Saturdays. The name of the new section is ‘Saturday,’ which leads me to believe they’ve also fired the guy who names the new newspaper sections.

Food section editor Russ Parsons told LA Weekly via email, “Of course we will miss having our stand-alone section. But this new Saturday section will incorporate the best of our food and dining coverage, including recipes, restaurant reviews, wine recommendations and everything else, and it will deliver it on a day when most of our readers are actually thinking about going out to eat, visiting farmers markets and throwing dinner parties. And, of course, our website will continue as it always has.”

So, hey, goodbye beloved Los Angeles Times Food section – it’s been fun, and I’ll see you on Saturday. I’d tell you to “Don’t go changin’” but it’s too late for that.

Los Angeles Times
202 W. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 237-5000

When she’s not reading what’s left of the newspaper, Marsha can be found at Sweatpantsmom.com

Photo: Stock.xchng | lusi

To summarize my Boulder dining experience at Arugula Bar e Ristorante – AMAZING.  Chef/Proprietor Alec Schuler brings Northern Italian dining to Denver metro and adds a twist of tangy, leafy, yummy goodness; a welcome addition to the culinary options in Boulder.

SEARED SEA SCALLOPS & ROMESCO at Arugula's in Boulder, Colorado

Open since 2009, Arugula Bar e Ristorante is a hidden strip mall gem. Whether you’re enjoying their frequent wine dinners, happy hours, or a night out on the town, Chef/Proprietor Alec Schuler will make your experience, well, an unforgettable experience in a zen-Boulder, but not-intimidating kind of way.

The staff doesn’t condescend when visiting your table. No, they step to the table ready to make your Arugula experience the very best.

Don’t know much about wines? No problem – the staff will offer to pair your wines with your dinner, and they even are conscious of your budget.  Guests can certainly enjoy their dining experience and be conscious of their budget.  (Thank you Denver Restaurant Week!) Read More »

Wine with a view: The Napa Valley Wine Train

I’m not sure if there’s anything better than a nice glass of wine and a lovely meal. Oh wait, there is – having that wine and meal while on the Napa Valley Wine Train traveling through the gorgeous wine country. I have only read about the famous food and wine tour of Argentina. Better than that? Yes, and having Ryan Gosling as your sommelier, but let’s not get carried away.

Recently I was lucky enough to be a guest on the Napa Valley Wine Train. For any of you unfamiliar with this iconic attraction, it’s a three-hour trip – via gorgeously restored vintage rail cars – through the beautiful Napa Valley. While traveling you’re served a gourmet lunch (or dinner) and wine from the local wineries. If you’re fortunate like we were, your wait person will have extensive knowledge of the surrounding region and can give you a quick education on the various vintages – this was pretty helpful for a wine novice like me.

You would think that with everything going on – The train! The scenery! The wine! – the food would take a backseat, but you would be mistaken. Their menu is first-rate, and I was impressed to learn that they are committed to using sustainable foods in all their dishes. I had their excellent Coriander Breast of Chicken with Baby Arugula that was in a light peppercorn sauce – a very generous portion that I could barely finish (especially since I wanted to save some room for the desserts that I’d heard everyone buzzing about.) For my wine choice, I went with their suggested pairing, a 2008 Romililly Pinot Noir that was the perfect accompaniment to my meal. Read More »

A mellow vibe at the Gramercy Park Tavern.

“We need to go celebrate,” she said.  “This is such an exciting time for you!”

I was in New York City for my book launch.  My first book launch, such that it was.  DIRTY MINDS: HOW OUR BRAINS INFLUENCE LOVE, SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS had come out a few days before.  And I was definitely in the mood to celebrate.

So why not hit the Gramercy Tavern–a place that has been consistently rated as one of the city’s best restaurants?  I was all for it.

We were seated in the Front Room, the place to see and be seen for lunch.  I arrived 15 minutes early.  At first, I was the only patron, quietly sipping on iced tea and staring out the window.  I took the opportunity to snap a photo.  But by 12:30pm, the joint had filled up.  It seemed to happen in the blink of an eye–folks just appearing until there was not an open seat in the room.

Read More »