the british invasion arrives in la: fresh & easy

Considering I live with a homesick Brit, we've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the UK grocery giant, Tesco's, since we first heard they were setting up shop with a brand in the states more than a year ago. Today the first wave of the British invasion arrived with the grand opening of their first six CA stores. The prospect of having a local British grocer was almost too much to bear, so as soon as we could, we hopped in the car and headed east to check out the Eagle Rock store.

What you may fondly remember as the 70's Lucky's on Eagle Rock & El Paso (as I do, from early grocery trips there with my uncle in his big white Caddy), is now a bright beacon of northeast LA gentrification.

As one would expect on opening day, the parking lot was a bit of a zoo, but they had the good sense to have some very helpful attendants on hand. A bit smaller than your average chain grocery, the shop felt like the love child of Ralph's and Trader Joe. Though there weren't many of the Brit food items we were hoping to find, the store boasts a wonderful selection of fresh and packaged foods, primarily carrying the Fresh & Easy and From Our Kitchen labels, simply packaged and at great prices.

Produce was presented in neat bins, bagged and boxed in pretty value packs. The same was the case for the pantry and baked items including some tasty cakes and fresh breads. Though they don't market themselves in the way Whole Foods does, I did notice a good number of items were organic and/or all natural. The bargain priced $1.79 large, free range, brown eggs from "hens housed in an area where they are free to run, play and nest on a diet free of antibiotics and hormones" were a nod in that direction. Same was the case with many of their meats, including the (delicious out of the broiler) beef and pepper kebabs with no added hormones or antibiotics. From what I hear, they're also introducing an entire green fleet of freight trucks.

A distinctly British element was evident if you looked for it - features on watercress and arugula (rocket in the UK), goat's milk yogurt, puddings and mini-cakes, Indian takeaway frozen dinners, English cheese, and, the holy grail of Brit shopping in LA - UNCURED BRITISH BACK BACON. That's right. They carry fresh rashers. Albeit on the thin side, at $4.99 a pack, we could hardly contain ourselves and did a little dance in the aisle before stocking up!

Fresh & Easy execs were amongst the crowd, clucking about like the nervous hens laying their eggs, straightening up displays and making sure every bit of the nest was in order. It wasn't hard to pick them out of the crowd, especially given the Union Jack belt one was wearing. Another told us bringing in the British Brand Bacon was a risk they almost didn't take, but said it had been flying off the shelves with all the ex-pats coming in. She suggested we try a couple of her favorites - the Tomato Basil Soup and Blue Corn & Chili Lime Crackers. (I'd buy both again). In keeping with their mantra to "listen to the customer" we were encouraged to go online and leave a list of items we'd like to see in the future.

Unlike TJ's, this is a one stop shop for all of the necessary evils - they carry everything from Tide detergent and Axe deodorant, to Coke and Pepsi. Small sections of seasonal wrapping paper in the back and greeting cards in the front seemed like a bit of an afterthought in comparison to the rest of the store, but they were enough to meet any last minute emergency needs and I imagine they'll fill out as the store settles in.

Move over two buck Chuck. There may not be much of a wine section to speak of here, but they do sell Big Kahuna Shiraz for $1.99.

Checking out was a bit of a surprise. All of the check out lanes are self-serve. You can scan your own items, swipe your card to pay, bag and go. No coupons, no club cards, no nonsense. On the way out they thanked us for shopping and handed us a reusable shopping bag to use on future trips, along with a coupon for $6 off our next visit. Not too shabby.

All in all, this was a five star shopping experience - a well laid out and aesthetically pleasing space (wide aisles, high ceilings and polished concrete floors), quality foods, good selection, tremendous value (we left with five bags of groceries for $75!), and friendly service. And, of course, British bacon! We'll definitely be back.

Keep an eye out for the next wave of stores opening in the coming months, including one on the west side at Hollywood & Sycamore.

Want more? For a Brit's perspective on all this, check out Beer's review.

4211 Eagle Rock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90065

(323) 255-1113

cinnamon toast

It seems most memories of grandmothers include hours spent in the kitchen, secret ingredients, and recipes handed down in a hush. Having been raised by my grandparents, you'd think I’d be brimming with kitchen tales and secret techniques, but the truth is, my grandmother couldn’t cook.

The youngest of more than a dozen children, she went to college when very few girls did and studied to be an accountant when society (and her own family) told her she couldn’t. Despite having a successful husband, she was the bread-winner and wore the pants, which didn’t leave a lot of time for other grandmotherly pursuits like knitting and baking. If you needed help with your taxes, you could always count on gran, but if it was a cake in question, she was the first to grab the keys and shuffle into the car to buy one. A domestic goddess in her own right – you could literally eat off of our floors – often regaling me with stories of her own mother’s cooking in between working full time, keeping house, and the many trips and lessons involved in unexpectedly raising a granddaughter, when it came to the kitchen, it seemed she simply ran out of hours in the day.

Though Grandma was a very busy lady, she could always be counted on for ritual. One of those rituals included her pot of piping hot black coffee every morning at the crack of dawn and stacks of warm, buttery, cinnamon toast to lure me out of bed in time for the school bus. As I got older, and found myself plagued with mystery ailments to keep me home from school, the smell of cinnamon toast was enough to sway even a hostile teenager. The stacks were always hot, with dots of warm butter still settling into the thin triangles of toast and mingling with the spots of cinnamon sprinkled across the top. And the stacks were always bottomless. Somehow, grandma managed to keep the toast coming as long as I replied “Yes, please” to the offer of more. The toast was a slice of heaven. As much because she’d made it for me than anything else.

It's no surprise I still equate comfort with the smell of cinnamon. (Starbucks makes a mint off of me this time of year!). Most interestingly though, grandma's lack of time in the kitchen inspired me to learn to cook and bake.

Grandma turned 89 last month and still puts away a pot of coffee a day.

for love 21

Just when you thought cheapie cheapie couldn't possibly outdo themselves, they have. On the 7th floor of the Beverly Center is the Fashion 21 empire's latest venture - an accessories store. I still can't imagine what would possess you to name a chic looking shop just across from Bloomies "For Love 21" but that unfortunate bit aside, this place is a grown up girl's candy store.

The green space designed by Lexington is so pretty, you'd think it was anything but. Pristine white displays along walls and in rounds fill every inch of the bright chandelier lit room with shoes, jewelry, handbags, panties, sunglasses, hats, hair doo dads and just about every other accessory you can think of. Prices start at $2.80 (panties and boy shorts are $3.80!) and run all the way up to a whopping $20 bucks.

Sure, some of it looks as cheap as it is (you'd probably be hard pressed to find a fabulous pair of shoes here you could actually walk in), but there's plenty worth looking at. Cute vintage flower rings, fun beaded necklaces, stylish velvet flocked bags, knit caps and gloves, colorful crocheted scarves, cotton boy shorts in every color, print and trim you can imagine, bangles galore, and plenty of other steals just waiting to be had. Just when you're wondering how to carry all of your finds, a salesgirl will appear with a silver tray for you to tote your wares up to sales counter with.

You're not likely going to find a replacement for your Coach bag or Louis wallet here, but when you're in the mood to try on a new look or pick up something you know you'll only wear once or twice without guilt, this is the place. Next time you're looking for a splurge with that ten spot you found in your back pocket, you'll know just where to go ;)

Word to the wise. Make sure you love it before you buy it. This cheapie store has the same no return/limited exchange policy all of the others do.

Beverly Center
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 855-9511

the wine cellar

So, you've splurged on that bottle of Bordeaux (and eleven of its friends because you didn't want it to get lonely!), and you know it needs to age for at least another year or two before you crack it open. Now what? Sure, you could put it up on that fancy rack you have on the bar, but do you really want to risk opening up vinegar in a few years because your place overheated one too many times in summer or your countertop's at a bad angle? Of course not.

So, what do you do?

You rent a wine locker.

And that's where these guys come in. Aside from a little sign out front, you'd never even know this old ivy covered brownstone on an industrial side street facing the 405 in West LA was a mega wine storage facility housing some of the finest and rarest vintages ever bottled. There's nothing glamorous about this place (which is evident when you sign in and out at the lobby, decorated with some antiques, old stuffed pheasants, vintage crates and dusty tapestries), but it more than meets the needs of any wine enthusiast - from the novice starting out with a case or two to the sommelier and collector looking to house many a vintage long term. The facility is monitored for precise temperature and humidity, under 24 hour security and surveillance, and fully insured.

Ever wondered where folks in the wine business store their wine? Now you know.

Locker sizes, (and corresponding annual rents), range from the modest to the entirely immodest. For example, a top level (meaning, you'll need to stand on a ladder to get to it), 18 case locker with a plain plywood door and padlock holder, (you provide the lock), will run you about $300/year. A steal compared to space at a wine shop or any other "fancy" storage facility where you'd pay triple that. Prepare to nearly weep as you walk past some of the cage lockers and spy floor to ceiling high stacks of prized cases valued in the tens of thousands.

Naturally, something this great is kept a secret for a reason, and getting in on the action doesn't come by easy. If you're in the market for a locker, call to see if there's miraculously something available - but be prepared to have your name on a wait list for as long as a year or more if there isn't.

Tip - You can only access the wine lockers when the facility is open, so always check the hours before you head out. They're generally closed Sunday-Monday and early before holidays, so if you had some great bottle in mind for that Christmas Eve dinner, plan ahead and get in there before they're closed.

1919 Pontius Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90025

(310) 477-9463

the india restaurant

After a very educational saree fitting at Sona Chaandi down the street, (behold, the result in the Halloween photo of Stephy and I), it was suggested we grab lunch at this little mini-mall storefront. It's a small space that looks a lot like grandma's living room, complete with lace curtains and artificial flora galore. The only thing missing - plastic on the upholstered chairs!

The $8.95 lunch buffet seven days a week here on the stretch of Pioneer Blvd. coined Little India, is a bargain diner’s dream. The spread is plentiful, fresh - and while perhaps not the most authentic, particularly to my UK spoiled palate - surprisingly good.

They have a full menu, including a decent selection of Indian beer, which is your only option in the evening for dinner, but from11a to 5p, it's all about the buffet. The selection changes a bit daily, but there's always an assortment of samosas, fish and veg pakoras, chana masala, chutneys, raita, dal, tandoori, korma, masala, makhni, palak, paneer, and their special garlic chicken. Steaming, warm, fresh naan is brought to the table once you've loaded up your first plate.

When you've had enough of the savories, there's a plentiful selection of sweets including rice pudding, gulab jamun (sticky sweet milk balls in cardamom scented syrup), gajar ka halwa (carrot pudding), fresh fruit and custard, accompanied by a neat stack of little metal bowls for sampling everything on the line.

Food aside, four servers are constantly bustling around, yet it's still a bit of an effort to get one's attention when you need it. Thankfully, you'll be in such a food coma, you won't really care!

Tip - If the few spaces in the front are full, there's additional parking behind the restaurant.

17824 Pioneer Blvd
Artesia, CA 90702

(562) 860-5621

it's the great pumpkin(s)!

Sure, I may be too old to go trick or treat, but you're never too old to carve a pumpkin - or two! Last year, with crazy work weeks and everything else, I didn't have time for any pumpkin carving, so this year I vowed, come hell, high water, or a devil boss, I was going to carve some punkins, dammit!

Beer and I made a last minute trip yesterday to one of my favorite pumpkin patches - The Lopez Family, that used to be on Wilshire and is now adjacent to The Grove - to pick up a couple of orange beauties. After a near altercation with a very odd woman who kept sending her six or seven year old daughter over to snatch the good pumpkins we were literally bent over to pick up - I wish I was exaggerating here! - we finally got our hands on a couple of fresh off the truck, glorious gourds.

Today, armed with some Martha Stewart worthy tools and It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown I went to town to get those babies carved up in time for our lone two trick-or-treaters before heading out to Yelpoween.

You may ask, is all that effort worth it for a couple of hours and two neighbor kids? Absolutely!

joan's on third

If you like Dean & Deluca, you'll love Joan's on Third. The space is small (but in the process of expanding!) and jam packed with delectable goodies to delight the palate.

The charcuterie selection is amazing, particularly if you're a fan of cheese. The selection packed into the cold cases will make your head (and your wallet) spin. The sandwiches, salads, sides and condiments are all a little taste of heaven and the cupcakes are not be missed. The peanut butter filled chocolate and the coconut are a couple of my faves and they beat the pants off of Sprinkles any day. The cake is perfectly moist and the icing is never piled too high or sickly sweet - unless you like it that way, in which case you should try the clouds.


Despite the inviting and always busy street side seating, I've never felt compelled to sit and have a meal here, but I can't seem to leave without less than two calorie packed bags, including at least one of their amazing sandwiches.


To state the obvious, yes, the street is crowded, yes, the place is often overrun by beautiful people and their beautiful pets, and yes, parking's guaranteed to be a bitch. So, what? If you can't deal with that, why are you living in LA in the first place? Pack up your purse pup, get off your beautiful duff and head to Joan's!


8346 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-2285


Photo courtesy of Joan S.

universal horror nights

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays, (second only to the consumer extravaganza that is Christmas), but the older you get, the less there seems to be to do short of the odd costume parties here and there. Knott's Scary has been disappointing the last couple of times I went, so we rounded up some friends and headed to Universal for their Halloween Horror Nights.

Considering this is a working studio you'd expect some amazing sets and effects - and that's just what you get. The usual smoke machines and noise-making, chainsaw wielding suspects are out in force around the main entrance, but once past that, every themed area, actor, ride and maze was impressive - and scary. Friday the 13th: Camp Blood and Freddy's Nightmare on Elm Street, were a couple of our favorites.

Don't miss the back lot tour which is decked out to include a creepy killer clown zone, a walk through the War of the Worlds set - complete with plane wreckage - and a jaunt past the Bates Motel, with a very convincing Anthony waiting to greet you.

Buy your tickets in advance online (there are numerous discount deals to be had from Coke and AAA), get there early right when they open (you can do all of the mazes and rides at opening in the time it would take you later to do one or two), and if pressed for time, skip the shows (they were the least interesting of everything there).

If you work up an appetite with all that screaming, they mark down all of the theme park food to entice you to eat affordably without going outside the park.

village pizzeria

If you love Larchmont and you love a thin crust slice as much as I do, you owe yourself a trip to Village Pizzeria.

I've only been in at lunch for pizza and garlic rolls, but both are worth the extremely reasonable price of admission - 3 huge slices, 2 garlic rolls, 2 sodas - 12 bucks! The space is small which can make evening dining a pain in the ass, but at lunch with the outdoor patio, it's perfect.


Try the sausage or the clam and garlic - both were deelish. The veg pizza was just as yum, but a little oily for my taste. They all have the perfect thin crust.

The owner just bought a building in Hollywood near my office. I hear he's a dick, but hey, it's great pizza none the less. Look for a second location to open up on Yucca across from Joseph's as soon as he's done kicking out the rest of the old time tenants...

And PS, if you're local, the pizza will come to you. They deliver.


131 N Larchmont Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 465-5566


Photo courtesy of Joan S.

govinda international imports

This little gem of a store is hidden upstairs in the Hari Krishna Temple (yes, I said Temple) off of Venice in Mar Vista. If you happen to be in the market for a great tunic, sari, pashmina, stacks and stacks of bangle bracelets or that hard to find Krishna prayer candle and incense burner - cheap - this is the one-stop-shop for you. The smell of incense burning will herald you upstairs where they sell clothing and accessories, mostly imported from India, for men, women and children. The quality of the embroidery and the variety of sizes and colors is amazing.

This store really is a find. The jewelry alone makes it worth the trip. All proceeds benefit the Temple. Expect to rub elbows with an interesting mix of devout Hari Krishnas, celebrities, stylists, hipsters and yoga Mommy's.

Tip: Grab some yummy Indian veggie hippy grub at Govinda's, the cafeteria downstairs attached to the Temple. Good stuff even for a flesh loving carnivore, like myself. There's a buffet and a salad bar, and you can pay by the pound or opt for the all you can eat. Wrap it all up with a piece of the surprisingly tasty Buckwheat Codicy Cake.

Hours can be sketchy, so when in doubt, call ahead.

3764 Watseka Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 204-3263

the bean

I'm not generally one to write reviews for chains, but after a string of positive experiences at one of my local CBTL's, this one's in order.

We all know the menu at The Bean inside out, so I won't belabor the options here except to say this year's "seasonal" addition, the Pecan Praline - latte or ice blended - is definitely worth the price of admission... And by price, I mean, the calories it will cost you since they don't have a no-sugar-added option for this one.

This corner Bean location at Beverly & Alta Vista is a bit smaller than average, but still manages to offer a full menu, wi-fi access, and some nice street side patio seating complete with fire pit for chilly evening yid-watching. That said, the crux of this review lies with the service. I've been in here plenty of times and have always been pleased, which, of itself, speaks volumes. Yesterday, I popped in for a quickie caffeine fix. The front gate seemed to be shut, so I walked around to the back to sneak in. (This is one of the few CBTL's that actually has its own private parking lot for customers.) Once inside, I was informed they'd closed early for Yom Kippur almost twenty minutes prior, but the kippa-clad gent at the counter let me know he could still manage an ice blended if that would do. I accepted the kind offer, still a bit surprised they'd offered to serve me at all. In a flash, I had my ice blended and before I could even reach for my wallet he said it was his Rosh Hashanah gift to me. Now that's the kind of thing that'll keep you coming back to a mom and pop, but you don't expect to find at a chain.

If you need your CB fix, I'd suggest supporting this local franchise. Remember, it's a mitzvah to give good people your business!


7235 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 934-1449

paintball usa

How does an Angelino spend a sweltering hot summer day? Hiding out and cranking the a/c? Donning a barely there pair of sample sale Juicy short-shorts? Headed towards the coast with the masses in search of relief? Or gathering up their pals to drive an hour inland to Simi Valley where it's at least a dozen degrees steamier to gear up in layers of heavy combat gear, trekking up and down hills to hunt each other down with stinging, stinky paintballs?

Well, if you're a glutton for punishment and happen to have a friend with an August birthday who's always wanted to try paintball, that's exactly what you do.

Once you find this place - it's, quite literally, off the beaten path on a dirt road - be ready to throw on some old kicks or boots, slip into a pair of military issue oversized overalls, toss a bandanna and smelly helmet on your head, rip the fingers off some old gloves, (unlike most outings in LA, this is one that doesn't call for any exposed skin), and get a quick lesson in how to use and reload a paintball air rifle. After that, they take you out for a little shooting test, (you don't want to find out on the field your rifle is jammed), then, you're on your own.

Once you get your bearings wearing the crazy get up and get past the smell (part of the base used in the paintballs is fish oil), you're ready for action. If you've never played before, you're probably thinking, that looks like it hurts. Well, the truth is, it does. I took my first hit in the upper thigh, and after screaming out "shiiiiit!! that huuuurt!" the adrenaline took over and the killer instinct was unleashed. Yes, you're going to get hit - most likely multiple times, and yes, it's going to sting a lot like getting whipped with a wet towel - but as soon as you get into it, you're having so much fun, you won't really care, or even notice. Just imagine having free reign to chase down and shoot the ones you love! And then there's the end of the day when you get home and strip down. You'll have earned bragging rights for weeks to come! (It took about three for the photo worthy welts and multi-colored bruises on my upper arm and thighs to disappear).

This is a great place for newbs to the sport - they have packages for about $50 that include all of your gear, rental equipment, plenty of paintballs, instruction, lots of time on multiple playing fields with varying degrees of difficulty, and a spinning, stinking, splattering mess that is the paint grenade.

Between the adrenaline pumping, running up and down dirt hills, slithering across the ground on your belly, and sweatin' like a pig, an afternoon here will kill a good thousand calories. You can bring a picnic to enjoy at one of their picnic tables, grab a hot dog and soda at the roach coach on site, even order some local bbq to be delivered. Or, you could easily pile them all back on at one of the many area chain restaurants like Chilis and Applebees on your way home ;)

This is a great outing with a group. Grab your pals, leave your inhibitions in the car, and be prepared to get down and dirty for some clean, old fashioned commando style fun.

Random Trivia - If you watch the making of the movie "The Kingdom" on HBO, you'll recognize this paintball field. This is where they brought the cast to train before filming.


26413 Kalb Ct
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 255-5332

larchmont hardware

I love this place! I suppose I should add that I love Larchmont - it reminds me that there's a city within the city, and without the trek up to Montrose for my other favorite "small town" vibe main street.

Anytime I'm in the area, I stop by to see what's new. This place carries the basics we all need - cleaning supplies, pest control, basic tools, housewares (including random brik-a-brack like tea cups and sink strainers), batteries, glues and the like. My personal favorite - the huge selection of Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products displayed right next to the door in all three scents - Lavender, Geranium and Lemon Verbena. Pick up some of the dish soap or the scrubbing powder, which gives Comet a run for the money without the harsh chemicals. You'll be glad you did.

If you're in the market for some lumber or a new toilet, you'll still need to make your way over to the Home Despot to line up with the rest of the plumber crack crowd, but for everything else, give this little mom and pop shop a try.

Tip - If there's no street parking, don't waste your time driving around the block. You can park for free in the structure located off the Rite Aid lot just a couple of doors down.


152 N. Larchmont Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 463-5783


Photo courtesy of Joan S.

citizen smith

The majority of the reviews I've seen have focused on Citizen Smith as a dinner destination, but what a great place to grab lunch in Hollywood. They open at 11am Mon-Thurs, there's virtually no crowd giving you the choice of any booth (inside or out) you fancy, and they have a very nice, seasonal lunch menu ranging from $10 (Jalapeno Mac & Cheese) to $21 (NY Strip Steak). The seared Ahi Tuna Nicoise ($16) was perfect in every way.. and the bartender makes a mean Arnold Palmer too.

As for the dinner crowds, if you don't want to be treated like second class cattle by the doormen, make a reservation - even if it means calling in your name last minute from the valet line. The difference is vast and absolutely worthwhile.

1600 N. Cahuenga Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 461-5001


Photo courtesy of Kate D.

summer nights at the arboretum

If an evening at the Hollywood Bowl is part of your summertime ritual, then you'll love the Festival on the Green at the LA Arboretum in Arcadia.

During the summer months, the Cal Phil puts on a series of three to five themed performances here which start early evening and continue under the stars. You have the option of getting a table (and even a pre-catered meal), reserving lawn chairs, or purchasing the very inexpensive lawn seats where you can bring your own blanket and picnic and find a shady place under one of the beautiful old trees to lounge and enjoy. (Unlike the Bowl, you can have a lawn spot in the back and not feel like you're a million miles away from the action). The events are very well organized and staffed, and many also feature food vendor booths under white tents to tempt you with local treats.

This is one of the few places you can truly feel like you've escaped the city and can enjoy the outdoors. If you're lucky, the resident peacocks - amongst hundreds of other native birds - will join the chorus too :)

Tip: Check out Goldstar Events. They usually have some discounted tix for the series online.

301 N Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007

(626) 821-4623