What comes to mind when you think of the Getty? For me, it’s not just about the 18th century rococo tapestries or the anatomically correct bronze sculptures. I love the Getty because of the food. And I’m not talking about a Fabergé egg.

Both the Getty Center and the Getty Villa are great places to go to satisfy your artistic soul as well as your belly. Along with spectacular views and beautiful grounds (perfect for a post-meal walk) both locations offer first-rate dining that you might not expect to find at a museum.

I love the Cafe at the Getty Center and their daily changing selections. I’ve had excellent udon from their Global Dish menu as well as a great turkey burger with homemade balsamic aioli, and their cafeteria-style setup means you can wander the different food stations and check out what’s on the menu before you decide. And of course you can’t beat their cavernous, airy dining room for a gorgeous view of the surrounding hills. I also love to end my meal with a cappuccino from the outdoor coffee cart, that I take with me while I wander the famous Central Garden.

The Getty Villa has something even more unique – Tea By The Sea, an authentic Mediterranean tea that’s inspired by the herbs, vegetables, and fruits that are grown in the Getty Villa’s own gardens. Along with a variety of teas, a nice selection of sandwiches is served (my favorite was the prosciutto and brie with fig jam) and a variety of delicious scones and breads. It’s the perfect ending to a leisurely day spent wandering the gorgeous grounds and watching the sun set over Malibu.

Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-7300

Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
(310) 440-7300

When she’s not eating a sandwich in the sculpture garden, Marsha can be found at Sweatpantsmom.com

Photo: Marsha Takeda-Morrison

Chicago, Chicago!  How I love Chicago!  There’s just something about this city that speaks to me.  Big, bright and yet easily navigable, it’s a spot that can make you feel right at home.  Especially when it’s a relatively balmy 35 degrees in early January.  Really, you can’t beat it.

The Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago has recently gone through a large-scale renovation–in the bedroom department, at least.  The newly redesigned accomodations are plush, roomy and comfortably modern.  And while the complex is quite large, it remains open and navigable for its many business and conference guests.

The lobby has not gotten a re-do–yet.  Rumor has it that it’s a-coming.  But what its lobby restaurant the Bistro at 151 may lack in newness is made up for with great Wi-fi, people watching and food.

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It’s no secret that Japanese food is popular in Barcelona. Talking with a friend the other day, he suggested a sort of quality or authenticity symbol that should be awarded to restaurants serving the ‘real deal’ in sushi and sashimi ( he said the same idea should be applied to paella – there’s a lot of ‘fake’ paella around the city that a local wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot fork!).  Clearly my friend is a visionary. Read More »

Why is it that everything tastes better when it is prepared outside, under blue skies or star-studded evenings? Maybe that statement doesn’t hold true for you gourmet cooks out there, but for me, I feel like I am truly on vacation when someone else cooks and serves my meals to me.  This was the case on a recent trip to Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in Solvang, California.

Nothing says vacation like Eggs Benedict, served with fresh squeezed orange juice and hot chocolate. The eggs were poached just right so that brightly colored yolks spilled out across the plate, blending in nicely with the creamy hollandaise sauce. Thick slices of warm Canadian bacon rested on top of English muffins.  I didn’t even touch the golden hash brown potatoes, as the Eggs Benedict and fruit plate, composed of mixed berries and melons, was plenty to tide me over until the afternoon. Read More »