Nature Connects: Spring Lego Art at South Coast Botanical Garden

Posted on by Diversions LA

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Lego artist Sean Kenney’s Nature connects sculptures are made from Lego building bricks – and a vivid imagination. His brilliant birds, bison, flowers, bees, and butterflies dot the grounds of the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

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Add in that this is the perfect time of year to view a bevy of blossoming flowers and trees, this is really an exhibition that’s not to be missed.

The Lego art appeals on a variety of different levels. For kids, and young-at-heart adults, it’s just plain fun. It’s also quite wonderful sculpture made with a fascinating medium. Haven’t you always wondered if you could make ART from LEGO bricks? And settled instead for a tottering tower, or reading the instructions to assemble a specific by the numbers figure? But always you’ve wondered…or at least I have, whether those bricks couldn’t be made into art. And here it is.

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There’s a true sense of innocence and awe surrounding the pieces. The glorious butterfly and large scale hummingbird that greet visitors at the start of the exhibit are charming, but walk further for the truly inspiring pieces.

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The bison and calf located in Sakura Meadow are exquisitely rendered: you can see the shadows of light shifting over their Lego “fur.”

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I loved the straight-from-Beatrix-Potter storybooks feel of the rabbit & fox in mid-chase in the Discovery Garden promenade, and the goldfinches with bird feeder in the Zoo garden. There’s a surprising amount of nuance in the pieces, and their installation at specific spots in the gardens feel carefully curated, too. The Victoria waterplatters, one with a frog, and which I would refer to as lily pads, are well served in a more remote area of the park; coming upon them they feel organic to the setting.

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A map provided by the garden indicates where the seventeen sculptures are to be found, or visitors can take a fifty-minute walking tour of the exhibit led by docents.

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As much as I love the art behind these clever pieces, let’s not forget that this exhibit is simply a whole lot of fun, and is sure to draw more visitors to the garden than would come to simply sniff the flowers or see coral trees, cherry blossoms, and jade trees in bloom.

The garden itself is an experience to be savored: small enough to attract local families with small kids, and with enough quiet corners to provide a meditative respite for weary adults.

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Nature Connects will be on display through May 8th; with hours daily from 9-5. The garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. in Palos Verdes, just a short jaunt up the hill from the city of Torrance and the 405 freeway off-ramp. 12804814_10207717353879044_1243658362081424712_n

  • Genie Davis; photos Genie Davis and Cheryl Henderson

Herringbone La Jolla: Inventive Seafood by the Sea

Posted on by Diversions LA

F23C9047Check out the close-to-home travel fun with our on-going series on travel to the San Diego area. From great places to stay to great things to do and eat, we’re serving up some sweet ideas for an escape from LA.

What better spot to enjoy beautifully fresh fish than La Jolla, where executive chef Brian Malarky’s Herringbone is housed in a beautiful brick warehouse that is truly stunning at first glance, and even more so at first taste. No longer will diners need to look to La Jolla’s stellar scenery or a trip to Sunny Jim’s cave for excitement while noshing on pedestrian fare: Herringbone is hip, fun, and a complete dining experience. You’re not just eating great food, you’re eating great food in a restaurant with a vision both stylistic and gastronomical.

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The lounge area looks like an elegant, lived-in beach house. Old olive trees grow between tables in the dining room. Light fixtures feature puffer fish, and a replica of a Beluga whale hangs over the bar. You’d never be able to tell the space was once an Oldsmobile dealership, unless general manager Alex Maynard told you, that is. “The space was dormant before we leased it. The trees were definitely not a part of the space. They’re a hundred years old – we had them shipped from the Bay Area to give the space a warm yet open feeling. We had to have them craned in,” he explains. The look was worth the effort.

Of course, as wonderful as the space is, it’s the food that draws diners. And the craft cocktails. At lunch, we had a beautiful selection of both to choose from.

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The Peter Rabbit, made with Pimm’s #1, basil, lemon and pickled carrot; a perfectly balanced mimosa, and a tasty Bloody Mary, as well as a full selection of wine and craft beers were available to accompany the food. The Peter Rabbit is perfect for a daytime beverage, light, but with a slightly spicy edge.

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As a starter, we shared the seafood ceviche tostada, made with local yellowtail and accented with red onion, radish, Serrano chile, and guacamole. Bursting with flavor and freshness, it was an unforgettable dish. What could top that? Well, the entrees. We chose one salad and one sandwich. Neither in the least bit ordinary. The melt-in-your mouth tender albacore tuna in the Albacore Nicoise was beautifully complimented by crisp arugula, a soft boiled egg, roasted red peppers, olives, and absolutely perfect fingerling potatoes. Possibly the best take on a traditional Nicoise I’ve ever eaten. And I’ve had quite a few.

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The sandwich was a bursting-with-flavor Maine Lobster roll with house made lemon mayo, tomato, pickles, and a house-made roll that was light and buttery enough that I broke my “I don’t eat the bread” rule. I have no such rule about the house-made chips, which were also great.

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But we had to save room for dessert…

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Chef Tony Torres is a visionary in the kitchen: from appetizer to dessert.

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Yes, dessert was as strong a finish as the cocktails and tostada were openers. If you’re going to indulge, this is the place. The Chocolate Hazelnut Bar features raspberry confit, brown crunch, honey chocolate mousse, and chocolate sauce. We shared one, but sure, I could’ve easily devoured one all myself.

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Should you eat here? Yes. For the beautiful setting, the lovingly prepared food, the inventive ingredients, and an overall sensation of consuming flavors as artistically arranged as the decor. And, also – the friendly and accommodating staff.

Herringbone is located at 7837 Herschel Ave, La Jolla.

And if you want superlative pescatarian fare without leaving LA? Herringbone has an outpost in Santa Monica, too, at 1755 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica. The chic garden setting there is worth a “swim,” too.

EcoLuxe Lounge Benefiting Shriners Hospital

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Oscars 2016 week marked the annual arrival of producer Debbie Durkin’s EcoLuxe lounge. Held in the penthouse at the Beverly Hilton, the event helped to promote the new Shriners Hospital for Children medical center that will launch in Pasadena in 2017.

One of the fun things about living in Los Angeles are the award seasons, and with them the bevy of gifting suites, parties, and benefits. The EcoLuxe Lounge event is always packed with interesting products, tasty eats, and of course there were plenty of celebrity guests on hand from True Blood‘s Adina Porter to Lou “The Hulk” Ferrigno, Frank Stallone, and Claudia Wells, the Back to the Future actress who now owns a unique menswear boutique which was a part of the gifting suite.

Tasty hors d’oeuvres? Check. Fun eco-friendly finds? Check again. Terrific cause – yes, that, too.

Attendees enjoyed LaCroix Sparking Water as well as the beautiful Fete Today wine, whose Sirah is worthy of a fete in and of itself.

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My Fete reason was among the notes depicted above – guess which one and you’ll get a…mention in this blog.

Other gifters included IT Cosmetics, whose under-eye collagen enhancing cover-up really works.

eco luxe ITChariot Travelware luggage, Burnetie Shoes, and the beautiful unique and eco-friendly jewelry of Amy Radzik were also gifted. Radzik’s jewelry incorporates many recycled elements in unique pieces that help define the wearer’s personality. Radzik is a true craftswoman and jewelry artist.

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One of my favorite items was the Solar Puff, an inflatable solar light designed to benefit the Ten Million Rays of Light campaign while also providing a super cool white square that accents any room – and lights it in an eco-friendly way. Yes, I have one and I love the super bright very white light. High recommends.

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Celebrity sweet teeth were not forgotten: Candy Vixen dished out tasty treats like chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate covered organic apples.   candy vixen

Fun, fun, fun – celebrity sightings, tasty treats, cool products to check out, and – recognition for quality care for children at Shriner’s Hospital. Now that’s award-worthy.

  • Genie Davis, Photos provided by Debbie Durkin and product retailers

 

Good Gracious: Gratitude in San Diego

Posted on by Diversions LA

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This article is the first in a series on San Diego experiences. From dining to adventure sports and stellar stays, if it’s time for a break from the City of Angeles, San Diego is just a short drive away.

Los Angeles diners may have grown accustomed to enjoying gratitude: Cafe Gratitude has several outposts in the LA area including Larchmont and Venice, not to mention upscale vegan Mexican cuisine at the elegant Gracias Madre. Now San Diego’s trendy Little Italy area has it’s own Gratitude, a sleek, bright, modern space with a glassed-in kitchen, white tile, retro lighting, and of course, cool vegan fare, served in style.

Above, Cafe Gratitude’s take on soul food, with a health-conscious twist.   “Resolved” features Louisiana red beans and dirty rice, seared blackened tempeh, smashed maple garnet yams, Cajun spiced collards, barbecue sauce and a gluten-free jalapeno biscuit. Beautifully spiced and by far lighter than traditional soul food preparation, it’s a robust and satisfying dish.

Below, a simple but incredibly flavorful dish, and honestly among my favorites on the menu: “Comforted.” Simple doesn’t mean dull. Just taste the organic roasted garnet yams, rosemary, potatoes and delicious dipping sauces: spicy cashew nacho cheese or coconut mint chutney. The mint is not to be missed.

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Beverages here are another of my favorite parts of any gratitude experience, and on a sunny afternoon in San Diego, these were especially appreciated. Yes, there are quality beers and wines, but we went with the supremely refreshing “Elevated”: rose water lemonade with agave, sparkling water, and a drop of beet juice; and the house-made ginger kombucha, “Gutsy.”

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The salads are unsurprisingly pretty terrific, too. I had the autumn grain salad, “Gracious.” This large and crisp garden dish features shredded radicchio, sun-dried tomato pistachio pesto, roasted butternut squash, olives, crumbled cashew feta, garbanzo beans, capers, sweet garlic almonds, brazil nut parmesan, golden balsamic reduction, and quinoa.

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We did save room for another splendid beverage: we split a mint chip shake for dessert, which is a must. “Cool” is made with cashew coconut ice cream, almond milk, mint, vitamineral green powder, cacao nibs, and vanilla bean. Even though you’re dining in Little Italy, you’ll be ever so glad you choose it over a cannoli, promise.

San Diego’s Cafe Gratitude is located at 1980 Kettner Blvd., a few blocks from the sea and in the heart of Little Italy.