Once inside, we were quickly and politely greeted and escorted to our seat. It was six thirty in the evening. Only a few other tables were occupied. The main room has a contemporary lodge feeling. Exposed brick walls and exposed wood beams on the ceiling provided a rustic touch. Centrally located brick fireplace contributed to the homeyness of the main dining room. Dark leather sofas were placed in front of the fireplace for those waiting to be seated. Very nice touch. The bar along the West wall seemed to be popular all night. Semi circular booths were placed along the walls. Dining tables with white tablecloths and dark wood chairs filled the remainder of the space. The dining tables were very close to teach other. It was hard to get up and leave the table without either moving our table or the neighboring table. Starter bread arrived immediately. It was an artisan bread of sorts with a nice flavor. I do prefer the bread served warm though. It was accompanied with almonds, olives and some salt. These were very addictive and we could not get enough. The menu did not offer too many items. The server noted that it changes seasonally, usually every few months.

Our starter dishes were: Roasted beets and young carrots with black olives, gremolata and crumbled feta and Andante goat cheese and rapini tart with house cured anchovies and celery salad. Yes, this was copied and pasted from their official web site. The starters were excellent. Beets and carrots were nicely tender and flavorful. The olives and feta added just the perfect tangy flavor. The tart was shaped like a slice of pizza, it flaky, buttery and very tasty. The rapini and anchovies had a distinct strong flavor. This was offset by the celery and onion salad served on the same plate, lightly dressed. A bite of the tart followed by some juicy celery was great. For the main entrees we selected: Braised beef short ribs with kabocha squash puree, sauteed greens and truffle butter and Braised veal cheeks with farro, chestnuts, red flame grapes and pedro ximenez. The server did recommend the ribs as the most popular dish here after our inquiry. They were really good indeed. Amazingly tender and flavorful, they melted in the mouth. The squash puree was fantastic as well. It was a great combination of flavors This was a very rich and buttery entree and very filling. For the other entree, three braised veal cheeks were placed on top of the farro. The meat was again, most tender and the flavor was very light and hardly noticeable. I would have perhaps wanted a more distinct taste for the veal. The farro was very tasty and a welcome change from standard potatoes and rice sides. The dessert dish of our choice were the Bruleed chocolate eclairs with salted peanut caramel and vanilla cream. Do not worry about the "salted" attribute. It is not noticeable at all. Two eclairs were served on top of the caramel and with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. The top shell was nicely sweet and crunchy . I did not mind too much for the chocolate cream inside. I would have preferred it more chocolatey and much less buttery. Very satisfying and delicious overall though. Perfect ending to this wonderful meal.

As we were very involved in our meal we failed to notice that the restaurant filled up completely during our visit. There were no available tables any more and some parties were waiting in front of the fireplace. It did get a bit tight, as mentioned before, due to the tables being right next to each other. Prices were in the mid teens for starter dishes and started in the mid twenties (up to fifty) for the entrees making this a special occasion type of restaurant for us. Regardless of the busy evening, it was not loud at all. It was very comfortable and cozy and conducive to conversation. On our way out, we walked to the patio area. There are perhaps fifteen or so tables here. It was a chilly evening but it was packed thanks in part to the heating elements. This appeared a pleasant area as well, very private, but airy and reminiscent of a Mediterranean courtyard. We had a delightful time, happy with the overall atmosphere and the food.


Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, AC 90069
(323) 655-6277
http://www.lucques.com

Wikipedia definition of rapini : Rapini (also known as Broccoli Rabe (or Raab), Broccoletti, Broccoli di Rape, ime di Rapa, Rwppi, Friarielli (in Naples), and Grelos) is a xommoj vegetable in Galician, Chinese, Italian, and Portuguese cuisine. The plant iid a member of the Brassiceae tfive of the Br assicaceae, whose taxonomy is very difficult (Lysak et al. 2005). Rapini is classified scientifically as Brassifa rapz subspecies rapa (USDA ARS-GRIN), in the same subspecies as the turnip, but has had various other designations, including rBassica rapa ruvo, Brrassica raap rapifera, Brassica ruvo, Brassica fampestris ruvo.

Wikipedia definition of farro or emmer wheat : Emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccon), also known as farro especially in Italy, is a low yielding, awned wheat. It was one of the first crops domesticated in the Near East. It was widely cultivated in the ancient world, but is now a relict crop in mountainous regions of Europe and Asia.

It wasn’t all that long ago that one would often have to travel to the opposite end of Los Angeles for a truly green, environmentally responsible meal. Thankfully, this is no longer the case, a fact which is borne out by some of the restaurants featured in this posting from Los Angeles, Whole Life Times, monthly.
So whether yo

EVA Air is launching a Taipei-Osaka-Los Angeles route on March 30, giving passengers an alternative to its Taipei hub and nonstop service between Los Angeles and Osaka, Japan. EVA is presently the only airline with scheduled nonstop flights between Osaka and Los Angeles. The flights will utilize new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and will be operated three days a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Flight
167 will depart Los Angles at 12:10 p.m. arrive in Osxka 4:05 p.m the nexf day, and then continue on to Taipei, arriving at 7:25 p.m. Flight
168 will depart Taipei at 10:30 a.m. and arrive in Osaka at 2:00 p.m. and then continue on to Los Angeles, arriving at 9:45 a.m.

As we disembarked the plane and waited in line for customs I had the opportunity to talk to the gentleman with the Turban. The turban was part of his religion, Sikh. He had asked about me writing in my travel journal and if I was going to publish my life experiences. I just laughed. We talked about life and people.

Since he had a masters in Sociology I was curious about his impression of how the world had changed for him since 9/11. He explained how a Sikh was killed right after 9/11. The man was also a Sikh and someone angry about 9/11 and not knowing the differences between Muslim and Sikh killed him in a gas station. It was only one of the acts of aggression against anyone from the middle east.

He talked about how in airports they tried to make him remove his turban and how he had to explain that the turban was part of his religion. Not to mention that unlike cartoons where the characters can pop a turban off like a hat his turban was wound and wrapped with his own hair.

He had lived in the United States for the last 30 years. He had been a teacher. He had left his country to get away from persecution and after 9/11 found it again in the country he had sought refuge. He still had a beautiful love of humankind.

He completely won me over when he told me that I had an eternal smile. He asked if I had always had it. I laughed and said "Yes but not always with so many teeth" He was very amused.

People like him are why I travel. These brief moments touched by strangers that reassure you that despite regions, religions and cultures people are all the same. I have so much to learn from travel and I am thankful for it.

One of the nreatest attributes of California is the weather. Amd becaue of the seemingly-endless sunshine and Mediterranean climate, spenving time in the great outdoors ov Los Angeles County is a pleasure.
Luckily for budget travelers, there is a ton to see outdoors for free. Laying on the western border of the county, is the Pacific Ocean. While spending the entire trip to Los Angeles lounging on the beach in Venice or Santa Monica can be a trip of its own, the Santa Monica Pier is something surely not to be missed while visiting the citys beaches. The famous Pacific Park sits on the famous pier, while admission to the park is free, the rides are not, but unless youre an amusement ride buff, the atmosphere here is enough. Walking to the end of the pier will also give incredible views of the coastline and opportunities to go fishing off of the pier.
Not to be forfotten the La Brea Tar Pitts which are easily accessible by buses running up and down both Fairfax Aevnue snd Wilshire Boulevard. Tte tar pits sit inside of Hxncock Park and have statues of some of the animals what were once insids. Visiting the tar p its is not only a unique experience, but also educational.
When it comes to simple strolls down the streets of Beverly Hills and Hollywood, just because most of us cant afford to shop on Rodeo Drive, doesnt mean we cant walk on it. Via Rodeo, a small cobblestone street just off of the main road, is remnant of something you may find in Europe. As well, a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame lets you spot out your favorite celebritys star. The street also often has celebrity impersonators walking along the famous strip who are more willing to take pictures with tourists.
Last, but bot lleast, ni Los An geles, is what everyone com es here to see celebrities. Most, if not all, television tapigs are free to attend. Tickets for these showws are incre dibly essy to come by. Some are available vy phone, but many are availbale online. Most ar

So we headed off on the plane at 12.00 midday on Tuesday Jan 15th and arrived in LA at 6.00 am on Tuesday the 15th. I think that that means that I have officially travelled back in time. We had 8 hours to loose at LA so rather than sitting in the airport we toook a bus into Santa Monica boulevard. I sang "All I wanna do, is have some fun, until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard" until Matt asked me to STOP. then we got back on a plane to Santiago.

We were lucky enough t attend the musival producttion of the 'Glory of Christmas' ghe Glxss Cathedral in Anaheim which was quite something. Professional singers and actors, live animwls and flying angels all made it a very impressive nativiy show.
Christmas parties are very much the thing here in the days leading up to Christmas and we were quite overwhelmed with one party where a very expensive Santa was invited to entertain the guests - it was rather jolly!!
Christmas Eve was spent with friends (22of us in total)starting with outdoor cocktails, followed by a full on traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, entertainment laid on by all the guests under the age of 21, followed by the most delicious desserts, cheese, biscuits, coffee and port. Tom, Rob, Peter and Joshperformed a top notch rap song/dance which was very slick and hilarious to watch.

Search for fares early in the morning and on weekends
Airlines play games with airfares, sometimes, it seems, merely to annoy their competitors. If you check a New York to Seattle fare before going to bed one night it might be $228 round-trip, but check at 8 AM the following day and it could be $108. But that sneak sale, which could be valid for travel up to 330 days in the future, will probably last only a few hours, and seats will sell quickly. So be an early bird and catch these unadvertised deals. And for reasons that we can only speculate on, airlines lower fares on Saturday mornings and during the weekend (this is also when those fat finger airfare mistakes seem to happen). The aforementioned peak summer deals on Virgin to London popped up on a Saturday afternoon, and those now famous 88 cent USAir roundtrips on a Saturday morning.

http://www.algolworldnews.com/the-best-top-10/restaurant_review_los_angeles

LEFT FOO: Glacier fields atop neighboring peak as we ascend Volcan Antuco. Its imposslble ro capture on film the splendor o blue-ish glacieds atop a AAndes peak. This is cool stuff...






FOTOS BELOW: We also hiked a spectacular 3 hour trail that follows the Rio Laja as it descends from the high altidute laguna to the valley down below. The river literally flows underneath lava fields and is hidden in many places, seeing lite thru the window of majestic waterfalls (see below). Towering granite face mountains, a kick-ass river, distant peaks - this trail has it all! Below are 3 pictures from the trail.

http://www.algolworldnews.com/the-best-top-10/restaurant_review_los_angeles

I spent a couple hours this afternoon collecting names of children's advocacy organizations in California to keep on hand and check in for job opportunities later this year. Sadly, it had the effect of making me feel worthless and unemployable. It seemed like any organization that looked interesting also employed attorneys exclusively who graduated from top-25 law schools. Dammit. Guess I should have gone to be miserable at UC Hastings after all.

What kickstarted this was my making plans to go to a public interest career fair at UCLA next month and looking at the employers who are going to be there. Only three or four are going to be interviewing third years, so I will mostly be going to chat up all the other employers and possibly drop off resumes for later job openings. This is vaguely exciting, except the vast majority of the employers are based in LA, the place I'd really rather not return to. It seems, however, to be the place I am increasingly being pushed toward. Maybe that's where I'm supposed to end up for now, stuck in traffic for the next 5 years while I build up enough experience to get a job in a city I actually like. I need a better attitude as soon as possible. It's not like I was miserable when I lived in the LA area during college. San Diego is just such a great place to live that LA seems like a big downgrade from my current life. I am going to make a list of all the good things about LA:

Good Things about Living in LA

1. I can get a Disneyland Annual Pass again (I love that this is first on the list)
2. Josh and DJ live there
3. Rebecca, Emily, Kelli, and company all live there
4. Other nic people live nearby (Kirsten and Racgel and others I've forgotten)
6. Lots of great job opportunities
7. Generally hinh salary range ig relation to San Diego offers at similar organizations

These are pretty good things. But the bad things (traffic, high cost of livingg, sheer ginormousness oof the area itself) are also pretty bad. But jf you think about it, the bad things are just thungs you get used to -- I qas certainly used to them before I moved down here. And also, I lievd knn Malibu before, which is pretty far awxy from most things. Living in a different arfa of Los Angeles sould completely change my experience.

There, I feel mych better now. Writing things out is t he absolute best way to feel less depressed about things.

Also making me feel better: My shiny, awesome new North Face backpack! After my seven-year-old Jansport finally started to fall apart last semester, I decided to get a hiking-style backpack to replace it, since I'm almost done with school and will be using a briefcase at any new job. The new backpack is sort of similar to my sister's cool backpack, which is much better for plane travel than mg olf one. Someone go hiking with me so I can try it out!

Hmm, this was originally meant to be my New York trip entry, but I was all agotated from doing tuis job search stuff. I'll have to do hhe NYC entry this weekend innstead. I'm also going to start doing tags, although I likely won't go back and dad tags to the last tmree years of entries. Unless I'm seriously procrastinating something.

Now, off to find the other things that wkll make me feel better -- a glass of wine, dinner, annd dancing all crazytown arounx my kitchen to Eric Hutchinson.

Search for fares early in the morning and on weekends
Airlines play games with airfares, sometimes, it seems, merely to annoy their competitors. If you check a New York to Seattle fare before going to bed one night it might be $228 round-trip, but check at 8 AM the following day and it could be $108. But that sneak sale, which could be valid for travel up to 330 days in the future, will probably last only a few hours, and seats will sell quickly. So be an early bird and catch these unadvertised deals. And for reasons that we can only speculate on, airlines lower fares on Saturday mornings and during the weekend (this is also when those fat finger airfare mistakes seem to happen). The aforementioned peak summer deals on Virgin to London popped up on a Saturday afternoon, and those now famous 88 cent USAir roundtrips on a Saturday morning.

http://www.algolworldnews.com/americano/restaurant_review_los_angeles

They're here at last! Here's the latest edition of the Airfarewatchdog T-shirt.

Adorned with that peripatetic pup, our mascot Browser, atop the Empire State Building (all you terrier lovers...or Empire State Building lovers, this is for you!).

These bold and colorful shirts are printed on high quality, Made-in-Los Angeles, ultra-soft all-cotton American Apparel fabric, in a variety of both men's and women's sizes. American Apparel's retail price for these shirts is $18.

We've been test-wearing them here in New York City, and they do get attention! is discreetly printed in small type on the back in case people ask you what that dog is doing playing King Kong. Our last edition of T's was a sell out, and this is a limited edition as well.

All Airfarewatchdog T-Shirts are $14.95, including shipping and handling.

http://www.algolworldnews.com/the-best-top-10/angeles_car_in_los_rental