Friday, October 31, 2014

We learned some years ago how much San Bernardino County Museum has to offer in the natural sciences.  So when we read about the new Fossils Underfoot exhibit at the Museum another visit was a must for us.
What sets this new exhibit apart is that the title is literally true.  For much of the material in the exhibits was actually found in diggings conducted in the desert areas of San Bernardino County.
Fossils Underfoot opened in late September and will continue until January 4, 2015.  To be seen are paleontology collections, as well as restorations of dinosaurs, ancient fish and three-toes horses.  Real dinosaur trackways found in the Mojave desert are the only ever discovered in California.
More numerous in California are Ice Age fossils including mastodons and a 15 million year old peccary.
Stand up reproductions of early horses are also to be seen.
San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands just off the 10 freeway.  It is open Tuesday thru Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Telephone 909 307-2669, web www.sbcountymuseum.org

Monday, October 27, 2014

Cables is your favorite neighborhood dining establishment ready to provide  with a quality, modestly priced breakfast, lunch or dinner.  The menu is down home American and a place where breakfast is served all day.  Here you can still find old favorites like liver and onions or a meatloaf sandwich.
The menu is extensive and always with a list of daily specials.  Service is professional and the restaurant has received attention in the past for employes with many years at Cables.
Our first visit to Cables occurred last week.  The restaurant is only about a 10 minute ride from where we live.  So close that we never thought to stop there.  We have probably passed the restaurant a thousand times through the years.
Our visit proved that we have been missing something.  The restaurant is large with tables, booths and a counter for quick service.  The menu offers a large selection suitable for any time of day or night.  We will be back soon.
Cables is located at 20929 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills with off street parking.  Telephone 818 347-2437.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

The Anaheim White House is the kind of restaurant where you expect the best in both cuisine and service and are never disappointed.  Which explains the perennial five star rating the restaurant earns year after year.
Proprietor Bruno Serato has amassed awards, not only for his outstanding restaurant but also national recognition for his charity work with children and low income families.
Our recent visit to the White House was to explore the new Tapas additions to the menu.  Both Bruno and his chef de cuisine Eddie Meza are quick to move with new trends and  often lead the way with culinary originals
We tasted four of the new creative Tapas and were most impressed.  They are an innovative addition to a menu that mixes Italian specialties with meats like Venison, Bison and Wagyu/
The Anaheim White House is located at 887 S Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim.  Call 714 772-1381 for information and reservations. 

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Some claim that globalization is shrinking our planet.  But the world of wine continues to expand at a rapid rate.
There were two recent examples of this expansion in west Los Angeles recently.  The first, held at Mr. C's in Beverly Hills, was conducted by the Italian Trade Commission and presented foods and wines from southern Italy and Sicilia.  Unfortunately for this Writer it took place just two days after my eye surgery so I could not attend.
The second took place yesterday at the Wine House in west Los Angeles where Catalan wines from northern Spain were presented with some of the leading vintners and wine makers of the region personally on hand to talk about and present their wines.
I attended this event which included a seminar conducted by Dean Medeiros who explained Catalonia's place and importance in Spain and especially Barcelona as the center and heartland of the region.  Also attending was Javier Vallaure, Consul General of Spain in Los Angeles.
 Barcelona, Spain's second largest city, has in the last quarter century expanded in industry, technology and  finance as well in the arts.
Vineyards and wines have been in place in Catalonia since Roman times and now includes eleven appellations.  Wineries in the region has kept pace with new wine making methods as well as planting of  varietals with new popularity like Tempranilio,  Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cava, a sparkling wine, has been identified with Catalan for over one hundred years.  It is produced from three local white grape varieties--Xarel-lo, Macebeo and Parellada
Local red varietals still appear in some of the reds like Cannena, Grenache,  Carignan and Marselan. These almost always as part of a blend
Twelve Catalan wineries were represented at the Wine House event.