hollywood

No, it's Sunset and Western, and it is huge. Pretty sure it's not affililiated with a chain (too funky and real), but of course I could be wrong. Hang on...I'll go find my Lonely Planet L.A. I'm Back. It's called the Farm Fresh Ranch Market, 5520 Sunset. To quote:"Located in Little Armenia, this amazing market is famous for its United Nations of edibles and shoppers. Pick up fresh Bulgarian feta, Greek Kalamata olives, banana leaves for tamales, chorizo from El Salvador, Russian style pickled herring, or freshly baked Mexican bollilos. (Note:I can attest to the excellence of these buns) Prices are low, especially for produce, meat, fish and baked items." And I know we haven't even started to taste L.A. The daughter just got a job at the L.A. Philharmonic, so we'll be back! Now I know the place you are speaking of. Sounds like I should check it out. Did your daughter take you by the new Philarmonic/Disney Concert Hall by Gehry? Might be worth a trip when it opens.

I had a great aunt who made and sold Orange Walnuts, a sort of candy thing using I think blanched walnuts, sugar and flavor from orange peels. I used to gobble handfuls of the things.

Glad you made it to Olvera Street (El Pueblo) and to Porto's for the Cuban sandwiches. There is better Thai food than Chan Darae (which is not bad though somewhat Americanized) but there are no prettier waitresses year in and out. They have an ad on cable in which a throaty voice says "Come to Chan Dara." Sort of like Come with me to Cazbah. I'm trying to place the market you went to. I'm thinking Food 4 Less which may be owned by Ralph's which is actually a pretty good chain that increasingly stocks ethnic items (most recently at their Hollywood & Western location). There's lots more food so come again.

Mori Sushi is a t 11500 W. Pico Blvd at Gateway. The sign is a fish, no lettering. As described, the sushi is artfully presented. The rice (not for tourists) is such that you can taste/feel the individual grains--not all mushed together. It's a good place, just not inexpensive.

Ken Frank used to do that, but alas he's in Napa.

In LA, sometimes the actors don't want to act like waitstaff.

Maybe it's changed, but post 9/11, I noticed a number of airports doing the shuttle bus thing for security reasons.

tommy, I mentioned this on Italy but just in case you weren't reading, the current issue of Wallpaper* has an article and a plasticized map of Houston, as well as pieces about Fort Worth and tons of pages about Italy.

Aw, shucks. Guess that's what I get for believing something I read on the net.

I was just reading that the best Tex Mex is at Original Ninfa's on Navigation Blvd. in Houston. Haven't been but hope you can satisfy my curiousity. edited to add: Just did a Yellow Pages search. The Houston branch may no longer be in biz, but there's a Mama Ninfa's in Beaumont, TX.

A propos of things Italian, there's a "100 page survey" on Italy in the November number of Wallpaper. In addition, you get articles about the new modern art museum in Ft. Worth, Texas and an article on and map of Houston. It may lack culinary relevance, but it's pretty good for $8.75.

Dude, don't look now, but I think the mini skirt has been replaced by the thong.

I think Monkeymay's too busy getting ready for an early January opening and some sort of preopening bash in December to offer the details, but maybe we can pry some out of her.

Damn! Looks like the rodeo got shut down in 1986. Now, if we only had $750,000.... http://www.texasoutlawmusicfestival.com/in...information.htm

The ne plus ultra of Venetian cuisine is Da Fiore (mentioned above at several points). Need to reserve in advance. Need to allow extra time to get there because it's hard to find. But worth it.

Nice post. Sounds like you stayed just long enough to like the state and not so long that it wore on you. Good thing you went when you did. The humidity in Houston is unbearable in summer. BTW, Alaska claims to be geographically larger than Texas, resulting in "Texas Our Texas" (the state song) being changed from saying "largest and grandest" to "greatest and grandest." As for Huntsville, good point although it does have an excellent prison rodeo. Some might say, to die for.

I thought half the French mayors and local officials were now women, yes? Following this thread, it's not clear if the problem is with Astrance or the concierage. Worst case, there's some sort of secondary market in Astrance reservations.

Just bring layers--to add or shed as necessary.

Yuca's is still good. Tommy's is THAT bad. Don't want to mess up a trip with Tommy's revenge.

mixmaster b's comments are worthy of your consideration. I definitely agree about Zankou Chicken. I was actually thinking of Poquito Mas when I commented on Baja Fresh--though the 2 are similar in using less lard than typical Mexican operations. As for inexpensive sushi, the best bang for your buck is Hide, 2040 Sawtelle Blvd., West LA. Cash only, no reservations, usually a wait (but worth it particularly if you sit at the bar), no atmosphere, just good sushi. I've never eaten at Cha Cha Chicken, but at Virgil & Melrose is the original Cha Cha Cha which is a trip in itself has good camerones negros, garlic pizza, plaintains, etc. As for Thai, I like Ruen Pair (BYOB) and Kruang Tedd in Thai Town. Guelelaguetza is a Oaxacan. There's one at 3337 1/2 W. 8th. You can eat crickets there and wash em down with Mexican cokes. A larger branch is at 3014 W. Olympic. Chow.

You haven't been the same since prison.

Monkeymay is starting a restaurant but I don't know if it'll be open by the time you arrive. Otherwise, Trattoria Farfalla, 1978 Hillhurst, Los Feliz, 323/661-7365 or Off Vine, 6263 Leland Way, Hollywood, 323/962-1900. Eat well.

Forgot about fish tacos. Best locally are at Senor Fish. There's one downtown, I think on First Street. Also one in Eagle Rock. Don't be tempted to order anything else there, just the fish tacos.

Try this. http://pub54.ezboard.com/fcfanfrm7.showMes...picID=147.topic

Two more things. You should go to Olvera Street and check the scene and eat chiles en nogada at La Golondrina there (it's a seasonal dish that uses fresh pomegranate). And from there, you are not far from Philippe's, 1001 N. Alameda, where you can get a nice French Dip sandwich (they claim to have invented it) and they sell Silver Oak cab by the glass (think it's $15 for a good pour).