BEST Casual Dining in Rancho Mirage

Piero's Acqua Pazza (Crazy Water) at The River in Rancho Mirage recently won numerous awards for it's food, atmosphere and service. My favorite dish is their delicious Lobster Pot Pie (see photo). The flakey crust covers a lobster soup filled with large chunks of lobster and fresh veggies.

This Happy place offers Happy Hour from 11 am to closing daily. Sit at the friendly bar and receive a special Happy Hour menu with prices up to 50% off the regular menu. Or sit out on the patio overlooking the water and choose from their 3-course Feast for only $19.95 (from 3 pm to 5 pm it's only $15.95). The menu features 4 different appetizers (minestrone soup, Caesar salad),7 entrees (sand-dabs, filet mignon in a peppercorn sauce, cheese ravioli) and 3 desserts (chocolate mousse cake, tiramasu, or a ice cream sundae). 71-800 Hwy 111, (760) 862-9800.

Trader Vic's at LA LIVE

Our South Seas experience started with friendly servers and a basket of warm Taro bread, water crackers, and homemade peanut butter with coconut cream. WOW! That's different from the traditional bread basket and more fun to eat.

For entrees we ordered the Sea Bass cooked in the Chinese wood fired oven, traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC to AD 20). Meats are cooked by the heat of the oven, not fire. The American Heart Association approves this type of cooking. The fish is served in a delicious Miso sauce. The Crispy Duck was prepared at our table. The waiter brought half a duck, moo shu pancakes, scallion, cucumbers, and hoisin sauce. YUMMY!

The BBQ veggie and Tofu Curry is a colorful presentation! It's a combination of potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apples, red pimentos, onions and Trader Vic's own blend of madras curry powder. I cooled the heat with the tray of sunflower seeds, currants, cucumber, banana, coconut, chutney, chow-chow and tomatoes. TRADER VIC'S - 213) 785-3330. Located at 800 West Olympic Blvd. # A120, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Twenty/20 Restaurant in Carlsbad

The chef at Twenty/20, Reed Andersen, knew he would be a chef at the age of five. His braised short ribs with the Pinot Noir roasting Jus sauce and a scrumptious creamy polenta with steamed broccolini was divine.

Another favorite was the grilled Hawaiian swordfish with a sweet tomato gazpacho. The fish was rubbed with chili, coffee and cocoa and then grilled to perfection.

We also ordered the grilled wild salmon (see photo) with braised red cabbage, bacon, homemade spring pickles and slightly herbed spatzle. Our waiter recommended a “Boom-Boom” Syrah with the salmon. It went well with the short ribs too.

For dessert, a little tree with desserts as ornaments arrived. There was a little peaches and cream glass, cream Brule, berry cobbler, chocolate mousse, and tiramisu. Fortunately, the portions were small, so we didn’t feel guilty only taking one spoonful of each for a sweet tooth treat. (760) 827-2500, 5480 Grand Pacific Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Los Gringos Locos - Crazy Good Guacamole

My favorite Mexican restaurant in La Canada is Los Gringos Locos, because I'm "locos" about the guacamole prepared tableside. It's the freshest guacamole in town. You choose if you want it mild, medium, or spicy.

I've heard so many people rave about the Kathy Hernandez Quesadilla Salad that I finally tried it, instead of always ordering a tostado. WOW, I love it. Imagine a thin cheese quesadilla with Romaine lettuce on top. Add tomatoes, onions, grilled chicken, avocado Pico de Gallo and served with a delicious creamy tomatillo dressing. Not too spicy, but has a little kick to keep you wanting more. Plus, when you order this salad, the owners donate $1 to La Canada schools.

The margaritas are also the best in town. It's a great place to see your friends, eat great Mexican food and walk out with a smile on your face.

Foodies and Wine Lovers Enjoy Palate

Inside an old Bekins storage building and among auto dealerships is Octavio Becerra's newest dining creation, PALATE. We were seated in the ultra-hip wine bar and served homemade bread with fresh butter decorated with herbs.

Our French waiter helped us order an excellent meal. He recommended a Pot of Tuna (like a tuna pate) served with crunchy bread and two 2.5 oz glasses of French White wine. Next, a large bowl with celery root, ham, pears and yogurt appeared. At first I thought the portion was extremely small, however the server had a glass milk bottle filled with hot celery root soup, herbs, cream, a touch of butter, salt and pepper. He slowly poured the warm milky contents into the bowl. It was creamy and satisfying. The fresh Halibut in a delicious ginger-carrot butter sauce was satisfying. Save room for dessert or a cheese plate featuring cow, goat, sheep and bleu & blue. Palate Food + Wine -933 South Brand Blvd.Glendale, CA 91204 (818) 662-9463

The Good Earth isn't good, it's Great.

UCLA Bruins may remember two Good Earth restaurants in Westwood Village in the 80s. Santa Barbara had one, so did Calabasas and Glendale at one time.

Now there are only two remaining in California. One in Studio City (Jay Leno orders lunch from here all the time) and Westwood.

I lunch at the Studio City location often, because I am addicted to the Cashew Chicken Salad (see picture) with Tahini Poppy Seed dressing, a ten-grain roll with apple butter, and a glass of their cinnamon and spice flavored ice tea.

The Planet Burger is one of the best in Southern California. It's a vegetarian burger with fresh vegetables, sesame and sunflower seeds, cashews, soy nuts, pinto and Azuki beans, and exotic spices.

Others come for the 12-summer vegetable soup, creative sandwiches, pasta dishes or wok creations. Save room for their blueberry oatmeal cookies. They are giant! Good Earth is located at 12345 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604

Pacifica in Palm Desert

The patio facing El Paseo has three unique Cabana tables that seat up to six people. In high season these are reserved up to 6 weeks in advance.
Locals enjoy the two-course Sunset Dinners from 3 - 5:45 pm served nightly for $19.75. First course is a choice of Clam Chowder or Mulligatawny (Madras curry, chicken, wild rice and parsley) soup or a choice of three salads: Mixed greens, Endive, or Butter leaf.

Second course is a choice of 8 entrees including their Signature Dish - Barbecued Sugar Spiced Salmon with grilled Chinese beans, garlic mashed potatoes and a sweet mustard sauce. Delicious!

Save room for the Samples of Pacifica desserts - a mini creme brulee, mini chocolate cake w/vanilla bean ice-cream and hot fudge profiteroles.

Pacifica Restaurant is upstairs in the El Paseo Shopping Center-73505 El Paseo, Palm Desert - (760) 674-8666

P6 is a 10!

P6 is an American fusion hot spot in Westlake Village. The atmosphere is very hip and fun.

Upon ordering we received a bread basket filled with three types of bread and butter. The pretzel bread was our favorite.

P6 offers a great Express Lunch for $15. You choose 2 courses and a soft drink or ice tea. In my party we ordered the bbq chicken pizza, Cobb salad, and crab panini. I loved the panini with chunks of fresh crab, avocado, cilantro and Swiss cheese. The pizza (see photo) was delicious. For dessert, the apple tart, caramelized banana brule, and ice cream duo were a perfect ending to a delectable meal.

P6 - 2809 Agoura Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361 - (805) 778-0123.

PETROS in Manhattan Beach

While the fires were burning near our home and the air quality was beyond unhealthful, we drove to Manhattan Beach for a day of sun, fun, and clean air. For an early dinner, we sat outside on the patio of PETROS and dined on their delicious and refreshing Karpouzi Salad - Fresh watermelon, heirloom tomatoes, drizzle of Greek honey, fresh mint, feta and manouri cheese. WOW! We also ordered their Peach Salad on a bed of greens. It tastes like a peach pie, yet healthier.

The Dip Combo arrives on a long plate with five dips to sample and warm pita bread. Some were creamy and mild. Others had a kick.

We finished our meal with the Horiatiki Flat Bread served with tomatoes, olives, avocado, onions, capers and feta cheese on top of homemade dough cooked thin and crispy.

The restaurant is located at 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd. (310) 545-4100. It's a great place for better-than-average Greek food.

The Oak Grill - Ojai Valley Inn

Want an elegant lunch? Drive up to Ojai and sit outside on the patio of the Oak Grill. The lobster sandwich is a divine treat. It's served on a tasty roll with tomatoes, Apple wood bacon, arugula and cajun remoulade. Fresh fruit is on the side.

We started with this scrumptious mushroom ravioli with white wine, tomato, basil and Parmesan. It was the best I've ever tasted. The crab cakes contained no fillers, and were filled with fresh chunks of crab and veggies. It's served with a citrus and fennel salad, tomato remoulade and crispy onions.

Move over Asian salads, this shrimp and scallop spinach salad has you beat! With its blend of ginger, mango, avocado, sesame seeds, Miso dressing and crispy Wontons. It is exquisite.

After lunch, stroll the grounds of the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. Sit by the pool, or enjoy a relaxing spa treatment at the tranquil Ojai Valley Spa. The setting is so lovely, you will want to stay for dinner. Oak Grill is at 905 Country Club Road, Ojai, CA, (888) 697-8780.

Auntie Em's is Better than Home Cooking

This is my daughter and my favorite breakfast and lunch spot. Not only is food prepared from scratch daily, they cook by the season and use organic whenever possible.

For Breakfast I adore the Bagels and Eggs - seeded bagel topped with Gruyere, grilled tomatoes and scrambled eggs. Served with a delicious homemade salsa. The French Toast is super thick and the Homemade Granola with Strauss Dairy Organic Yogurt arrives with bananas and fresh berries.

For lunch instead of a BLT, they offer a BLAST - Applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, sprouts and mayo on a soft rosemary foccacia. Another favorite is the French Country Sandwich with Cypress Grove's Humbolt Fog Goat Cheese, cucumber, baby greens, walnuts, honey on homemade wheat bread with pumpkin and poppyseed.

Save room for one of their 4 cupcakes: dark chocolate, red velvet, carrot cake and coconut. Auntie Em's is at 4616 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles, (323) 255-0800.

Tasty Thai Food

When in San Francisco and craving Thai food, we dine at ASHA next to the Hyatt Regency and across from the Ferry Building.

Inside the atmosphere is festive and the food is presented beautifully. We begin our dining experience with vegetarian egg rolls and crispy Tofu with sweet and sour dipping sauce and crushed peanuts.

Next, we order a bowl of their Tom Kha spicy coconut soup with lemongrass, galangal, Kaffir lime leaf and mushrooms. It's fantastic with brown rice. Pad Thai noodles are always a hit. Totally Scallops are sauteed with ginger, peanut and coconut milk and served over baby bok choy. It's a flavor explosion inside your mouth. Try the Lychee ice tea! It's delicious!

A Sweet Treat

A visit to San Francisco isn't complete without a visit to PIER 39 to buy a bag on Trish's hot, melt in your mouth, sweet dough treats. My girls love this little doughnut balls. Afterwards, we venture over to the California sea lion colony to watch the barking pinnipeds swim, bask in the sun, and fight over a space on the dock.

The Plant in San Francisco

While in San Francisco, I discovered a great new restaruant - The Plant. It's located at PIER 3 overlooking the San Francisco Bay. This organic cafe serves the BEST VEGGIE BURGER in the state. It's made in the kitchen with lentils, beets, cashews, and bulgur wheat, white cheese and avocado. The grilled halibut with a coconut sauce was delectable too. Try a refreshing raw juice combo. Leave a little room for their tasty desserts.