It would be hard to select a more idyllic location for a unique dining experience than the one we enjoyed recently.  Perched on the outdoor patio three stories above downtown Santa Monica overlooking the City’s famed Third Street Walk we were the guests of Donald Moore, Executive Vice President & Chief Culinary Officer for The Cheesecake Factory.
 This was a Media event designed to highlight items on a menu that is offered at some 203 locations in the U.S. with Donald there to personally describe how dishes are customized and created to show all the fresh ingredients.
Located on the third level of the Third Street Mall this Cheesecake Factory is a very large restaurant, complete with bar and lounge, an exhibition kitchen and the picturesque open patio where our tastings were served.
Four unique cocktails opened the proceedings including a raspberry infused Vodka, a Guava Daiquiri, Rum Mojito and Whisky & Ginger.  Next appeared a table with appetizers such as a pork belly slider, which proved to be our favorite.  But also a Hummus with warm Pita chips, an Asian chicken lettuce wrap tacos and an Eggroll sampler which included  Avocado, Tex Mex, and chicken Taquitos. These we selected and tasted in a casual setting while Chef Moore described the lengths the staff will go to find and select true flavored avocados as well as techniques to give tomatoes the desirable taste.
Next to arrive were ‘Small Plates & Snacks” which included a beet and avocado salad, Avocado Toast with marinated tomato and red onion, a plant based burger and crispy fried chicken sandwich.
Our tables each seated four and for the Menu Specialties that next arrived were served at each table family style.  We quickly noted the Pan seared Branzino with lemon butter.  This Mediterranean fish is one of our favorites and we noted the delicate texture of the sauteed fish and lemon sauce.   The Cajun Jambalaya Pasta came with shrimp and chicken sauteed with onions and peppers and a very spicy Cajun sauce.  Warned that it was indeed spicy we had to pass on this.  However the Chicken Madeira proved to be one of our favorites and learned that it is indeed the restaurant’s most popular chicken dish.  It was a moist chicken breast covered with fresh mushroom madeira sauce and melted Mozzarella cheese.  Then arrived the grilled steak tacos with soft corn tortillas, charbroiled steak with a Chipotle sauce and served with rice and beans.
By this time this Writer was reduced to just tasting such offerings as the Mediterranean grilled chicken.
After all Chef Moore had already warned us that, still to arrive, was our personal selection of more than 30 legendary flavors of Cheesecake.  Naturally we ordered one that included  chocolate, and tasted my dining partner’s pineapple cheesecake, as well.
Donald Moore has had a remarkable career with Cheesecake Factory.  Starting ten years ago as a kitchen manager at the Cheesecake Restaurant in Westbury. N.Y., within two years he rose to Executive Kitchen Manager and two years later, Area Kitchen Operations Manager where he oversaw nine restaurants in Northern California.  Two more promotions placed him where he is today as Executive Vice President and Chief Culinary Officer based at Corporate headquarters in Southern California.

The upscale Kimpton La  Peer Hotel in West Hollywood was the place where we learned much about the Slovenia, a country located in Central Europe and best known for its picturesque mountains, ski resorts and lakes.  Thanks to these geographic features tourism is one of the leaders in Slovenian economy.
The La Peer Pool was the scene where we met with some of our hosts and then enjoyed cocktails and a bountiful culinary experience.  Live entertainment followed highlighted by a performance by one of the country’s lead singers, Maja Keuc.
Capital of Slovenia is Ljubljana with a huge medieval fortress as one of its historic and cultural centers.  Actually Slovenia only came into existence as an independent republic after World War ll.  Some of the leading tourist attractions are located in Bled, Lendava, Moravske, Toplice, Radenci and Ptuj, all available throughout the year.
The La Peer Hotel was also new to us and we were impressed with its unique contemporary decor and ambiance.  It is located on La Peer Drive which is exactly one block long  between Santa Monica Blvd., and Melrose Drive in West Hollywood.

Certainly all the factors for creating a successful restaurant were in place when Franco and Donatella moved the location of  Il Barone Restorante two years ago.  Franco Barone’s culinary talents were already well known and he twice received Chef of the Year  Awards by the Southern California Restaurant Writers.  His wife, Donatella’s management abilities are also well known and she was, one year,  named Manager of the Year by the Writers.
So when the opportunity came to acquire a new restaurant site  presented itself the time was right for this talented pair to move Il Barone Restorante to 900 Bristol Street North in Newport Beach.  Success was  immediate with the restaurant continuing to display its exceptional Italian cuisine menu and  a knowledgeable, efficient wait staff to match.
The  restaurant's popularity has been such that reservations are often required for both lunch and dinner. 
The day we arrived for lunch the restaurant was full as usual without a single empty table.  After chatting with Donatella  my partner and I settled down for some serious dining.  We opened with the Calamari Fritti, then I ordered the Saltimbocca alla Romana, veal scaloppini topped with Parma prosciutto, sage in a white wine veal reduction.
My partner went with the Pollo alla Milanese, pan seared pounded boneless chicken breast, coated with seasoned bread crumbs. He opened with a soup, Stracciatella con Spinaci, vegetable consume; chopped spinach, parmigiano and egg drops.  At this restaurant there are so many choices that ordering often takes a good deal of time for decision.  The lunch menu offers a full page of tempting pasta dishes some interesting and unique thanks to Franco's culinary talents.
This restaurant has an exceptional wine list and the staff displays a knowledge of wine that is most refreshing.  Also at the new location there is a most comfortable bar and lounge.
Both the lunch and dinner menus offer daily specials   For the quality of the food,  its culinary excellence in preparation and service,  prices at Il Barone are surprisingly modest.   Here dining is still a leisurely experience to be enjoyed in elegant surroundings and a feeling of luxury.
Il Barone Restorante is located at 900 Bristol North, Newport Beach with free off street parking.  The restaurant is open for luncheon Monday thru Friday from 11 a.m.to 2 p.m., dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Saturday dinner only and closed Sundays.  For reservations, often a must, call 949 955-2755.

Our advice when visiting M Grill in Los Angeles is ‘bring your appetite”.  Here you will find a classic Brazilian Steakhouse featuring Churrascaria in a  somewhat rustic ambiance and decor.
 We were there to take part in the birthday celebration of one of our travel writer colleagues.
Lunch started with several visits to a bountiful buffet loaded with meats, salads, individually prepared vegetable dishes and much more.  Then things got serious with the M Grill meats.  These are served in traditional Rodizio style where expert waiters come to tables with knives and a skewer, cutting freshly cooked meat while still hot.  What truly impressed this writer was how the skewer of meat, say top or bottom sirloin,   would contain both well done and rare portions to please the choice of the individual diner.
In all 14 different meat choices are available for lunch ranging from different parts of chicken, pork ribs, a house special Picanha, leg of lamb, Brazilian sausage and beef cuts. The dinner menu adds ribeye, short ribs, filet mignon,  Costelao and Rack of Lamb.
Here you will find a well trained service staff, a most comfortable bar and lounge and a wine selection that earned M Grill a national award.
Located in the heart of the Wilshire district of Los Angeles M Grill is open for lunch and dinner Monday thru Friday, with lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., than closed until  dinner which starts at 5:30 to 9 p.m.  On Saturday and Sunday only dinner is served from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
M Grill is located at 3832 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90010, Telephone 213 389-2770.

The early history of Santa Barbara can be seen in graphic detail at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.  Founded in 1932 the Museum has been committed to preserving and sharing local history . 
 There is  the history and lifestyle of the  Chumash Native Americans who had settled in the region for many hundreds of years.  This the Museum covers as well as that of Mexican, Spanish and American cultures with holdings that include arts, costumes, paintings and furniture.  There are historic adobes buildings on site and currently an exhibition showing great photographers of Santa Barbara history.  Two other current exhibits include Edward Borein with art of the American west and a history of the lifestyle and culture of its people when it was a part of Spain.
For  this Writer it was still another of our explorations of Santa Barbara, this time over two days that  included some personal events.
 One of these events actually took place at the Museum Courtyard.  This proved to be a perfect outside setting able to host up to 150 people. The event we attended, a pre wedding reception, was just right with the ambiance of its Spanish past showing in both landscaping and colorful fountains.
 The Museum Courtyard is one of two venues available for rental.  The second is the Adobe Courtyard available for small receptions and cocktail parties.
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is located at 136 de La Guerra Street in downtown Santa Barbara.  Hours are Tuesday thru Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.