It was our first visit to Wolf, which in one year, has established a fine reputation for unique contemporary cuisine and an equally exciting wine list.  It is certainly qualified to join the many fine restaurants that have been located on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood through the years.
We were there as guests of Erica Crawford, founder and CEO of Loveblock Vintners of New Zealand to taste some of the outstanding wines made by her husband and winemaker, Kim.
For the occasion Wolf Chef-Owner Marcel  Vigneron and Manager Sean Perman, who is also Sommelier,  put together a showplace menu to match the Loveblock vintages.  And this they did very well indeed.
With a truly outstanding Loveblock 2016 Sauvignon Blanc the starter was Hamachi Crudo with nucc cham, radish, herbs, and puffed rice.  Next to arrive was Mushroom Risotto with pine nut, sorrel, peas, pansetta.  The wine was Loveblock 2014 Pinot Gris.
This proved to be a bold white wine with much character both in aroma and a host of flavors with the slightest hint of sweetness.   By now we knew that Kim was truly an outstanding winemaker.  The winery is a family operation and Kim has some thirty years experience as a winemaker who has also worked in South Africa and Napa's Stags Leap.
Erica and Kim established Loveblock in 2004 with the planting of new vineyards on what was empty pasture before.  The terroir has proved to be outstanding, so much so that both the grapes and wine are organic.
The main course was Braised Beef Cheek with jerusalem artichoke, endive, and a knockout turmeric peppercorn sauce.  And the 2014 Pinot Noir was equal to the food with deep color, full aroma and a host of flavors.  It was unbelievably true to the Pinot Noir varietal.  It was the third vintage from a new 20 acre planting.
Our dessert was Blueberry Souffle with quince sorbet.
Wolf has an open kitchen and adjacent is a second restaurant named Beefsteak. 
Wolf is located at 7661 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles,   For hours call  323 424-7735,  serving dinner only. 

We were impressed with the quality of the food aboard Carnival Imagination both at Lido but especially in the two dining rooms, Spirit and Pride.
One evening the appetizers included shrimp cocktail, Italian wedding soup, salmon cake and flatbread with bbq chicken to name a few.
Also each evening there is listed "Rare Finds-- food you always wanted to try but haven't yet dared"
One evening it was frog legs, another escargot bourguignonne.
Entrees included penne mariscos, chicken chow mein or jerked pork loin and from the grill Salmon fillet, chicken breast, grilled beef tenderloin or pork chop.
The service is, without question, five star since most of the waiters and culinary staff are true professionals.
Our Waiter, Miguel, who is from Costa Rica,  is typical with some 20 years Carnival service.
Maitre D' Sameer at the Pride Dining Room has been with Carnival 22 years.
Desserts included creme brulee, chocolate hazelnut cake, and coffee cream cake plus an assortment of ice creams.
Aboard we had the opportunity to renew our acquaintance with Hotel Director Guna Chellam and had our photo taken with Captain Antonio Durante.
We used the Pride Dining Room when ever possible but at Lido we did try their luncheon which features a different cuisine each day.  The day we enjoyed lunch there it was French and most impressive and authentic.

It was music, music, music as we cruise aboard the good ship Carnival Imagination on its four day excursion to Mexico.
Once again we joined Jerry Turner and his group of Bluegrass musicians on what is their annual Cruise2Jam.
This is the ninth Carnival cruise for the group and the fourth time we have joined them.
Aboard were a large group of musicians skilled in the string instruments that create the Blue Grass sound.  Aboard ship their circle gatherings take place on various parts of the ship deserted by regular passengers and scheduled events.
The instruments include mandolin, upright bass, guitar, fiddle, resophonin guitar, banjo, mouth harp and harmonica.  Blue Grass is a form of country music that has evolved over generations of Americans.
Despite some stormy skies the sea has been remarkably smooth and so there are hundreds of happy folk aboard including this Writer.
Tomorrow we will a lot to say about the fine cuisine we have been enjoying and the remarkable talented culinary and service staff.

It was a trip down memory lane when we visited  the Classic Auto Show being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  Here were literally hundreds of automobiles from earlier eras. 
This was the first year of this show, and we wondered why, since Los Angeles has always been regarded as king of the highway when it comes to the number of cars on the road.
The South Hall of the Convention Center was a showcase for makes and models of classic cars, both domestic and foreign. 
We looked over the collection of Chevy pickups until we found one just like the 1960 that hauled our first camper on countless trips.
Then there was a large grouping of Ford Thunderbirds including the first two seaters and later models with a back seat just like the 1967 we owned for some years.
Most of the cars have been beautifully restored and look like they just left the dealers floor display.
My companion was captivated with a Rolls Royce from the 1930s which she thought would be perfect for traveling from Mall to Mall in the San Fernando Valley.
The show also features a Celebrity Theater which will provide advice on  ways and means of becoming a car collector.
Interestingly the Auto Show is an import from the UK.  But here in Los Angeles many local car clubs are showing their cars as well.
The Auto Show continues through tomorrow, Sunday January 29.

Where do you keep those first growth French chateaux wines, those one hundred year old bottles of Port or Madeira.  Well now there is The Cellar Beverly Hills. 
We learned all about this unique wine stronghold recently when The Cellar held its official opening.  Here we met Sam Bialosky, founder and president of The Cellar who told us about the many services that will be offered for those who chose to store their precious vintages there.
The Cellar moves far past the mere storage of fine wines with a concierge, on demand wine delivery, a full service wine app and amenities like a comfortable lounge for tasting wines on premise.
Sam Bialosky emphasized the full service that will be offered at The Cellar.
The opening event was well attended and included exciting appetizers and a hosted bar.  Here we chose an exceptional pinot noir from Huntington Vintages in Santa Barbara.
Who would have guessed that Beverly Hills had a cellar but yes there is in the building located at 9250 Wilshire Blvd., with adjacent garage valet parking.
After touring the unique facility we decided our own wine storage area needs a sharp upgrading.

How do you continue to improve as five star restaurant?  One man who manages to do this on a continuing basis is Ara Kalfayan, proprietor of Phoenicia.
 For years the restaurant has acquired fame for its authentic Eastern Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine matched with a superb wine cellar which includes vintages from around the world. But especially from Lebanon which has been making wine for over two thousand years.
Some of these Lebanon wines are exclusive at Phoenicia and have a history of their own.
Chateau Kefraya is produced in the Bakaa Valley just 18 miles from Cana where the Bible tells us Jesus turned water into wine.
Chateau Ksara makes French styled blends and the winery dates back to 1857. Chateau Fakra offers red wines from the Kfardebvian Valley north of Berut.
We opened with appetizers that included Hommos; Labm, Lebanese cream cheese served with garlic; Warak Enab, grape leaves stuffed with rice, oil and vegetables, cooked in lemon juice and olive oil, and Tabbouleh, chopped parsley, crushed wheat, tomatoes and onions.
Some hot appetizers we tasted included Kibbeh Makli, beef dumpling stuffed with ground beef; Bourghoul , onions and pine nuts as well as San Bousek, freshly prepared dough with ground beef and pine nuts and Rekakat, a selection of Lebanese cheese baked in a pastry dough.
Our samplers of grill selections included Beef Kafla, ground beef, onions, parsley and spices, grilled on skewers.  One of our favorites are the lamb chops mari­nated with spices.  Also chicken breast kabob, per­fectly prepared rice and the best french fries we have had in a long time.
This is a restaurant where everything is done well and most professionally. For us  our visit on Wednesday evening was once again a most  memorable dining experience.
Phoenicia is located at 343 North Central Avenue in Glendale with valet off street parking. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. except on weekends there is live entertainment with a 2 a.m.closing time. For more information or reservations call 818 956-7800.

Of  the famous name restaurants to be found on Topanga Canyon boulevard  we found  that Bazille,  located on the third floor of Nordstrom, must be included
Our recent luncheon there proved to be an outstanding experience.  Recently remodeled the restaurant includes a full bar, open kitchen and dining room nicely spaced with both booths and more informal tables.
Our server was Samantha who told us all we needed to know about Bazille, its menu and hours of operation.
The luncheon menu offered many choices and we opened with the artichoke cream soup of the day.  From a list of starters that included Four Cheese flatbread, ahi tuna poke or grilled Bruschetta we chose the crisp calamari.
From the beginning my dining partner and I decided to share everything ordered.  So we next decided on the prime rib French dip which included white chedder cheese on  roasted parmesan baguette with au jus and two dips for the french fries.
Besides sandwiches and pizza, the luncheon menu also showed a wide selection of entrees including flat iron steak, shrimp linguine and roasted wild salmon with mushroom risotto.
For dessert it was white chocolate bread pudding with chocolate and raspberry sauces, fresh raspberries and whipped cream. 
Our drink, several refilled pots of Earl Gray tea.
The food at Bazille is contemporary and there is an excellent wine list.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday thru Saturday with breakfast served during the day.  On Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nordstrom Bazille is located in Westfield Topanga Mall, 21725 Victory Blvd., Canoga Park, Ca.
Telephone 818 884-7900 Ext. 1610.