Jodi Jackson's Hollywood

Located in the very popular Heritage Square is the one of the best Italian restaurants in Ventura County. Great food in a fun charming atmosphere is what La Dolce Vita has to offer.

They were located in Port Hueneme and moved to this location 5 years ago. All of the buildings in Heritage Square are historic landmarks and were moved from different locations in Ventura County.

This building is the Laurent – Mc Grath House, built in 1901.It is a Colonial Revival home primarily built for Martin Laurent and his wife. The basement, outdoor patio, south extension, and elevator are not original and were added for the use of a restaurant. Heritage Square began in 1985 as this vision preserves the historical and architectural uniqueness of turn-of-the-century Oxnard. It opened in 1991. Through the commitment of some of Oxnard’s, eleven homes, a church, water tower, pump house and storehouse have been moved to a single block and restored to their original condition. The original location was 403 South W. Woodley Road in Oxnard.

The interior is very charming, with yellow walls, cinnamon red ceiling, and café table and chairs. Nice art seascapes, still-life flower with a wrought iron wine cellar in the hallway. There are delicate small tables, the table lamps are different but all with the same lampshade. It is very quaint, with everything being very simple, the perfect backdrop for this spectacular Italian food. Classical, jazz is in the background, and it makes you feel very relaxed.

Here’s what I tried:

Starters:

Pumpkin Ravioli- topped with Gorgonzola cream sauce, sage, and walnuts. I would just order these by the dozen; the perfect cream accompanied by the lovely pumpkin ravioli, just made my heart melt.

Soup:

Grilled onion chowder- Marsala infused grilled onions in a sweet cream. Another feat of excellence. How did they come up with this concept? My taste buds were just dancing away, you don’t want this experience to end.

Salads:

Insalata di Spinachi – baby spinach with house raspberry vinaigrette, mandarin oranges, candied walnuts, and Gorgonzola. I can really say by this point in my meal I realized that everything here at La Dolce Vita is going to be stellar, and I was right. This salad is very simple, but the dressing is what made this stand out for me.

Pasta and Risotto:

Linguini Bolognese – with sausage and beef Bolognese with marinara and finished cream over linguini and topped with Parmesan. Nice linguine highlights this straightforward Bolognese sauce. Very meaty with great tomato flavor.

Linguini – With white clam sauce. There are lots of clams and you can tell it is a very simple sauce of clam juice, butter, garlic and, parsley. If there are other secrets in there I can’t tell, but I enjoyed this fantastic dish.

Seafood Linguini, lots of fresh seafood, scallops, shrimps, clams and mussels ad to the luscious flavor of this great pasta dish.

Lunch Plates:

Seared Ahi – served rare over jasmine rice with Asparagus topped with lemon aioli. The sesame seeds make all the difference in the world; they pop as you eat this perfectly seared Ahi Tuna. The sauce is very subtle but adds to the overall beauty of this dish.

Dessert:

Traditional Tiramisu with Espresso Sauce, simply spectacular!

Wines:

Pasqua Prosecco, Italy. A lovely light starter to my amazing meal. It went great with the grilled onion chowder.

Chardonnay, Cedar Brook, California- Light and fresh with hints of vanilla, butterscotch, and melon in the aroma. Straw-colored with a smooth, crisp finish.

Chardonnay, Santa Barbara Crossing, Santa Barbara County – Fruit forward with a clean crisp finish that lingers on the plate.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Picket Fence, Alexander Valley- French oak aging contributes vanilla, clove, and hazelnut aromas which create a unique foil for the robust, berry-driven fruit flavors.

Zinfandel, Haraszthy, Lodi- a very approachable wine exhibiting delicious cherry, black fruit flavors and a generous vibrant bouquet. This wine is almost like syrup, rich and elegant, a great addition with the Bolognese.

Owner Michelle Kinney comes from a restaurant business family. Her Mother owned this restaurant before she did. A Southern California native, Michelle went to high school in Arcadia. You can just tell from her no-nonsense personality that she takes great pride in making her customers happy.

La Dolce Vita has gotten their share of awards in these publications: Pacific Coast Business Times, Ventura County Stars, and Talk of the town.

Out of all of my Oxnard dining experiences this one was the best. Even if you want to take a day trip and not spend the night, it is worth the drive!
La Dolce Vita Restaurant – “The Sweet Life”

Heritage Square
740 South B. Street
Oxnard, CA. 93030
www.ladolcevitadmare.com
805-486-6878

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It is always nice to have a good restaurant at your hotel that you are staying in. One that is convenient, when you really don’t want to leave your comfort zone.

The dining room is sparse; the better choice here is to eat an early dinner when it is still warm outside on the outdoor patio.

Here’s What I Tried:

Mules:

Strawberry Smash- Grey goose, muddled strawberries, ginger beer, and lime. Lots of strawberry flavor; a nice bright mule.

Cactus- Grey goose, pineapple, orange, and ginger beer. I liked this cocktail better, it just had more flavors that I prefer.

Wines:

MacRostie Chardonnay- Sonoma Coast, CA, a great fruity chardonnay, with the ocean air it worked perfect with my fish and chips.

Meiomi – Pinot Noir- Sonoma Coast, CA. You get vanilla and cherry notes from this super big Pinot Noir. It went great with the Wedge salad, enhanced by the big lardon pieces.

Appetizers:

Soup De Jour – Bean and bacon, served with baguette. A bit on the salty side, but if you had a cold night and you wanted hot comfort soup, then this is what I would order.

Brussels Sprouts – bacon, balsamic, and Parmesan. A nice version of this always-welcoming, healthy option.

Mac N’ Cheese – Gruyere, jack cheese, and Neuske’s. Not one of my favorite mac n cheese dishes, but if you’re a fan perhaps it will be a winner for you.

Salads:

Caesar – a very basic salad, I would go with the wedge instead.

Wedge – blue cheese, lardon, crouton, and jalapeno ranch. A very unique wedge salad, with huge romaine wedges instead of classic iceberg. The lardon rocked my world.

Arugula – quinoa, sweet potato, date, and pepita vin. This is totally in my wheelhouse; I just loved this salad and would order it every time I dine at Coastal Grill.

Entrees:

Fish & Chips – Pacific cod, tartar, and lemon. The fish is crisp on the outside and mist in the inside. Being half British I know good fish and chips and this one is right up there.

Market Fish – Salmon, spinach, farro, and compound butter. I am going to be honest here, skip this salmon and get the fish and chips. Just do it.

McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams:

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream – chocolate chunk and oat cookie. The vanilla is absolutely the way to go; very rich and creamy, and the brownie is off the charts.

Eureka Lemon & Marionberry Ice Cream – with a madeleine. So special and unique and the madeleine is otherworldly.

Though I wasn’t pleased with everything I tried, there were some choices that I did enjoy and recommended.

I would say if you stick with the items I loved then you would be in for a good meal.

Coastal Grill at Embassy Suites Oxnard

2101 Mandalay Rd.

Oxnard, CA 93035

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The Island Packers boat is very conveniently located at the Channel Island Harbor near the two restaurants that I visited the night before. It was a windy day and I originally wanted to go in the morning. The publicist for my trip, Janis Flippen, suggested that I go in the morning before the winds picked up. When I went to get my ticket they told me it would be very rough waters, like a washing machine. My guest opted not to go on this 3.5-hour trip. Well of course I was a bit nervous, but as a child I had my share of getting seasick being on fishing boats with my father, so I knew exactly what I was in for. We left the dock at 9:30 am with peaceful, easy, waters in the marina. Once we got out to sea we were tossed like around with severe water conditions. They told us many times before we took off of how to handle ourselves if we got sick. If you ask me, the power of suggestion probably got the best of many of the guests, but not me. I remember my father telling me always stay on deck, in the open air and keep your eyes focused on the horizon. I didn’t take any medicine and was a bit dizzy for a few minutes but my mind was not going to let this matter get me sick.

You get to see the oil platforms up close as well. We cruised by platform Gail, which is the tallest of all of the platforms in this area. Its very interesting stuff to see them super close.

By the time we got near the Santa Cruz Mountains, which are part of the Channel Islands, we had heard of many whale sighting’s the day before, but sadly we saw none. Many people’s faces were either sullen or gloomy from not seeing any sea life, or outright green from sickness.

I always see a silver lining, so for me just to be able to get so close to the Channel Islands was enough of an adventure. The Anacapa Island was so majestic and beautiful. We had a bird’s eye view of the lighthouse and the incredible rock formations.

On the way back, the boat did a sudden turn and one of the deck hands told me that they had spotted a whale. Finally we got our watch on!!

Everyone got to the bow of the boat, and surprisingly the water got calm, so we saw a dorsal fin whale dive back into the water. We all silently waited until the whale came back up so we could see their blowhole and get a better glimpse of this huge creature. What an astounding moment. Every minute of being on this boat was worth it.

I highly recommend going on this half-day adventure. Make sure you watch the weather and go on a day that is so not so rough, you will be happy you read my review and did your research.

About Channel Islands:

Channel Islands National Park is a United States national park that consists of five of the eight Channel Islands off the coast of the U.S. state of California, in the Pacific Ocean.

The Channel Islands itself attracts around 70,000 tourists a year, mostly during the summer. Visitors can travel to the islands via public boat or airplane transportation. Camping grounds are available on Anacapa, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara Islands in the Channel Islands National Park. Attractions include whale watching, hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, and camping.

Whale watching is only from December 26th to mid-April, so there is still time to book your trip. I would highly recommend doing this great adventure. These majestic creatures are one of world’s greatest wonders, it is the most magical thing you will ever see.

http://islandpackers.com/
(805) 642-1393

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When you walk into Moqueca you are taken back to a tropical paradise with the smells of Brazilian home cooking. Moqueca means stew; the only reason to come here is to taste this glorious comfort food stew. I didn’t fool around; I ordered my favorite thing to put in my stew, lobster. All I can say is WOW!

The traditional cuisine of Espirito Santo’s State is closely related to its place, history, climate and economy. Espirito Santo is a small Brazilian state, located in the east portion of the southeast region of the country. Its coast has 250 miles of beautiful Atlantic Ocean’s beaches and rich forests. The weather is wet and tropical. The people are friendly and kind; they are known as “CAPIXABAS”. Vitoria, the State’s capital, is an island surrounded by beaches and mangrove swamp.

The most famous dish of Espirito Santo’s State is the “moqueca Capixaba”. Symbol of its regional cuisine and appreciated everywhere, the moqueca is known for its unique way of cooking and serving. The name “moqueca” designates exactly this way of preparation which is using a clay pot to cook the seafood and vegetables with no addition of water. The ingredients include the fish (or other seafood), onions, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, “urucum”, and “malagueta” pepper.

The moqueca is served on the same clay pot it was cooked, with the sides of white rice and “pirao”, a thick broth made from the moqueca and yucca flour. This unique version of the dish is a combination from the ancestries of both “sarcinelli” and “Reis” families.

Here’s What I Tried:

Brazilian Cocktails:

Carnaval – Leblon Cachaça, with pineapple juice and orange juice. This is a very drinkable cocktail; it makes you feel like you’re relaxing on a tropical island.

Acai Caipirinha “The Amazon Berry Cocktail”- Limes with a touch of fine sugar, Leblon Cachaça and Cedilla Acai liqueur. A bit on the strong side, but a very popular drink in Brazil.

Appetizers:

Lula Frita – Tender calamari rings lightly seasoned, deep fried and served with tartar sauce. These little darlings are cooked to perfection, with a great pungent tartar sauce.

Capa Santa Gratinada – Seasoned scallops in half shells crusted with Parmesan cheese and oven baked. This appetizer is a real delight; they are served in the shell and have the most fragrant flavor.

Coxinhas – Chicken filled turnover deep-fried and served with malgueta sauce. All I can say about these are interesting, but delicious.

Clay Pot Dishes:

Moqueca De Lagosta- Lobster Tails Moqueca – cooked in a clay pot with tomatoes, cilantro, coconut milk, onions and furculum essence, thickened with yucca cream. Served with a side of white rice. Ok, hands down the best thing on the menu. This is really fantastic. The lobster is tender and flavorful, 2 huge tails are served, and the stew just melts in your mouth.

Entrees:

Picanha Grelhada – Brazilian steak (10 oz. top sirloin cap C.A.B.) seasoned in rock salt, grilled and served with white rice, black beans and fried yucca. A good cut of meat with great seasoning makes for one wonderful entrée item.

Side Dishes:

Banana Frita – fried plantains. I just love these, they are sweet and crispy. A great side dish with all of the entrees.

Mandioca frita – Brazilian yucca fries. These were just ok, not something I would ever order again. They are like French fries but with out the great potato flavor.

Couve refogado – Sauteed collard greens. Another terrific side dish and very healthy.

Desserts:

Pudim De Caramelo – Brazilian caramel flan. A great way to end my remarkable meal.

Pave De Amendoim – Homemade chocolate-peanut cream layered with milk cookies. This dessert will blow your hair back, it is just that good!

Wine:

Chardonnay, Wente Vineyards, “Riva Ranch Reserve”, Arroyo Seco, CA. A nice well-balanced wine, it paired nicely with the lobster, of course!!

Zinfandel, Ravenswood, “Old Vine”, Lodi, CA. This wine has many berry flavors and is rich and perfect. Zinfandel and steak is always my go to.

Our server James Ramirez used to work at The Yard House, and was born in Ventura. He made my experience very nice with his charming demeanor.

Moqueca opened 10 years ago in 2008; its past incarnation was Sea Fresh Sushi. Fraught with bad luck the building burned 10-15 years ago. Since Moqueca has been there all of that has changed. Every customer leaves happy and the reviews of Moqueca have all been stellar. With a sister restaurant in Thousand Oaks, you don’t have to drive all the way to Oxnard. 1610 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Suite J. – Thousand Oaks, CA 91632. – +1-805-230-3585

The décor is very tropical, with some great art pieces. There is an enclosed patio. A huge plus, you can see the sunset from the dining room. The music adds to the overall ambiance, with samba, and Brazil 66 playing in the background.

At Moqueca you will experience the true flavors of Brazil, with all of the authentic, colorful, spicy cuisine. Your taste buds will light up for the whole experience. This is great Brazilian food with all of the bells and whistles.

Moqueca Brazilian Cuisine
3550 S. Harbor Blvd.
Oxnard, CA.
805-204-0970
www.moquecarestaurant.com

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* Note some content was taken off of their website.

My friend Gale had me meet her here for a fun filled happy hour listening to musician, singer, songwriter – Sean Wiggins, play some pretty fierce music.

I had contacted the manager about doing a tasting but didn’t hear back from him. When I went to speak with him he apologized and said he would send a few appetizers out to me.

This is what I tried:

Feta Delight lightly breaded, honey, sesame seeds. Almost like a dessert but a great appetizer item.

Fried Pita Chips with 3 different dips. All of the dips are differed and the chips are not oily; I just loved this.

Moussaka, layers of potatoes, eggplant, zucchini, fresh herbs, ground beef and pork, nutmeg, and Béchamel sauce. Its time to indulge your taste buds and this dish does the trick. Really fantastic, one of the best Moussaka’s ever!

The food was great and the ambiance is even better. Tony said I should come back and do a real tasting with all of the menu items; stay tuned.

The Waterside Restaurant and Bar
3500 Harbor Blvd.
Oxnard, CA. 93035
http://www.thewatersiderestaurantandwinebar.com

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Even though Oxnard gets a bad rap, I am here to tell you that the naysayers are wrong. Oxnard is a quaint quiet little spot in Ventura County that will arouse your senses, and make you realize that a quick beach vacation is right around the corner.

Nestled on the bluffs in beautiful Oxnard lies an oasis of relaxation and beauty. Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach is a real find. If you’re looking for the perfect resort type hotel, that is only minutes away from Los Angeles, then this is the place for you.

I was there during spring break, which I would not recommend, but if you want to have a retreat then you can just go luxuriate in your room with your full beach view or walk a few feet to the beach and sand dunes. Any way you look at it this is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and take a much needed break. A two night stay is not quite enough but my second day I was able to unwind.

There is a big huge pool in the middle of the complex, with a couple of hot tubs. Truly this is the way to go; you too will be in resort heaven.

My room had all of the things that you would want from a beach resort. It could sleep 8 if everyone shared the 2 queen size beds, and pull out sofa bed. The best part is the large patio with a table for 4, looking out onto the Pacific Ocean. This is an unobstructed view that you would have to see to believe. There are 2 entrances to the patio, one in the den and one in the bedroom. If you wanted to hear the sound of the waves crashing then you could leave one of the doors or windows open. They have coffee bean coffee for the mornings and a great buffet breakfast with a make it your way omelet area. You just tell the chef what you are in the mood for and he will make it. I had a mushroom, cheese and onion omelet that was light and fluffy.

Some of the amenities include:

Hotel guests enjoy free made-to-order breakfast, complimentary appetizers and beverages at the nightly evening reception and every room is a two room suite. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure they are proud to provide an environment of sophistication and relaxation. Business travelers visiting Oxnard California will appreciate conveniences like their business center: self-service fax, copy/printing services, a computer, wireless high-speed Internet & a work desk. There is a stunning atrium, outdoor resort-style pool, children’s menus and plenty of space for your Mandalay Beach vacation. Catering to business and leisure travelers, the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort & Hotel delivers a refreshing mix of high-tech hospitality and resort elegance.

For your fitness and recreation convenience, enjoy a total workout in the 24-hour fitness center, or take a refreshing dip in the outdoor swimming pool. Bicycle rental, fitness room, paddle tennis table, pool, and tennis court are fully accessible.

If you want to take a mini-staycation in the Los Angeles area this is the place to go. You will be rejuvenated in a very short time, without having to get on a plane or drive five hours. Oxnard is under two hours away. If you take the scenic route through Malibu, even better; you’ll be by the beach for the whole drive. However you get here be prepared that you will unwind and relax for a few days. I know I did!

Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach
2101 Mandalay Beach Rd.
Oxnard, CA 93035

(805) 984-2500

* Some content was taken off of their website.

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About Oxnard:
My friend Gale who just moved to Oxnard from Sherman Oaks told me – That Oxnard would be a direct hit – Ground Zero, if a missile should wind up on the California Coast from North Korea.
Silly Stuff About Oxnard – Urban Dictionary:
1. A small city in California.
2. The genitals of a large, clumsy, male bovine.
3. Just another word you

3rd Street is one of the most sought after addresses for every new elegant dining establishment. There is a new crop of restaurants that have taken the culinary world by storm. No. 10 Restaurant is right up there with the best, and promises to be a huge success in this already existing foodie’s paradise.

You are transformed into an environment of elegance and high-end glamour. It’s got every thing you would want from a charming Italian inspired restaurant.

The interior is very inviting, big huge bowl type light fixtures adorn many parts of this eating establishment. It’s got just the right amount of romantic lights to set off an extremely new culinary experience.

Here’s what I tried:

Cocktail:

Belvedere Vodka Martini, of course a proper martini is my go to choice to start my glorious experience.

Antipasti:

Frittino with crispy fried calamari, shrimp, cauliflower, delicate squash, and spicy tomato sauce. This is a staple is most upscale Italian restaurants. This version is nice and light with huge prawns and gorgeous calamari tentacles. The cauliflower is not something usually paired, but somehow it works.

Tuna Tartare with capers, agrumato, espelette pepper, and preserved lemon. The tuna is a brilliant red and just tastes like the sea, utter perfection.

Pizza:

Tartufata with burrata, squash blossoms, and black truffle. You will never find pizza this good anywhere else. The burrata and black truffle just melt is your mouth and the crust is light and crispy. You don’t feel full from this very delicate creation.

Pasta:

Paccheri, with Maine lobster, crustacean broth, stracciatella, pomodorini, and basil pesto. The lobster is nicely steamed, and the pasta itself is super al dente, just the best pasta dish ever.

Ravioli, with artichoke, kale and pumpkin seed pesto. What an amazing idea, so simple, but so delicious.

Plates:

Spigola Al Cartoccio, Mediterranean sea bass, zucchini, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, olives, basil, fennel, and garlic confit. This is cooked in a plastic type bag, a very interesting concept, but it worked. Nice, moist flaky sea bass with good ingredients to accompany.

Costolette D’Agnello, Australian lamb chops, shishito peppers, marinated cabbage, and aged balsamic. These are very thick, meaty lamb chops, but the balsamic is truly the secret to this amazing dish.

Sides:

Asparagi with speck, Parmigiano Reggiano, and fried egg. I loved this side dish, just so delicious, and I could eat this every day for breakfast. The egg oozes all over the asparagus and the speck just adds to the overall flavors that you too will crave.

Dessert:

Crepe Cake with poppy seeds, pastry cream, strawberries. The crepe is sliced to almost look like fettuccine pasta; it’s a wonderful ending to my spectacular evening.

Wines:

Davis Bynum, Chardonnay, Russian River 2014. A super creamy wine, with touches of caramel and vanilla, I just can’t say enough about this wine.

Simi, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2014. Rich cherry, very jammy, a sure match with the lamb.

Caiarossa Pergolaia, Super Tuscan, IGT Toscana, 2006. Another amazing wine that paired well with the lamb.

About No. 10 Restaurant:

After years of living and traveling around Italy, discovering the distinctly different regional cooking styles and ingredients, they are sourcing something special from each locale. No. 10 is a contemporary Italian restaurant, with a multi-regional seasonal flair. Their modern space is slick with an intimate yet fun vibe, and an inviting indoor-outdoor atmosphere.

Their exquisitely unique, upmarket menu is the result of the fusion of their American and Italian chefs, who blend their gastronomic cultures with passion to create a harmonious synthesis with their recipes.

About Namesake Alessandro Del Piero:

Alessandro was born in Conegliano, Italy on November 9, 1974. He is a FIFA World Cup Winner in 2006 with Italy’s National Team.

He began playing football for the local youth club of San Vendemiano at 9 years old. When he was 13 he was selected to play for Padova’s youth team and played his first professional game at the age of 16. At 18 he was picked up by Juventus where he played for 19 consecutive seasons, eleven of those seasons as a captain. He currently holds the record for most appearances (705) and goals scored (290) by a Juventus player.

For almost two decades he had the prestigious honor of wearing the number 10 for Juventus, and was the first club player to have his name matched with that shirt. He also played two seasons with Sydney FC and one season with the Delhi Dynamos, also wearing the number 10.

Alessandro’s accomplishments are legendary and he has earned the highest accolades from International football federations, coaching staff, players and fans worldwide. He has won 21 trophies including a UEFA Champions League Trophy, and an Intercontinental Cup for scoring the winning goal minutes before the end of the game and becoming MVP.

In 2006 he won the most prestigious trophy a football player can attain, the FIFA World Cup, playing for the Italian National Team. Scoring a goal in the semi-final and scoring one of the decisive penalties in the final that clinched the victory to seal the title of FIFA 2006 World Cup Champions.

Over his entire career he has made a total of 854 appearances in matches and scored 344 goals.

Alessandro is currently a Sports Analyst, an Ambassador for several brands including AirDP and now, a Restaurant Owner. He also coaches soccer clinics and just published his third book titled “Detto Tra Noi.”

About Chef Nick Parker:

Born and raised on a farm in Idaho, Nick Parker’s passion for food started at a young age. He is self-educated in the culinary arts through books, traveling, staging and has a strong interest in “molecular gastronomy.”

After working in kitchens all over the U.S. from Idaho to Atlantic City, Washington, Florida, Las Vegas, Colorado, and Texas, Nick recently decided to settle down in SoCal where he’s worked with acclaimed chefs Mario Batali and David Burke.

He specializes in Italian, French, Spanish, Creole, Pacific Northwestern, Southern, and modern American cuisines. Among his top projects is a one-acre farm and farm-to-table concept he built for an exclusive Inn in the Pacific Northwest.

Chef Parker likes to create seasonal menus that feature handpicked, organically grown vegetables and herbs, as well as fresh seasonal seafood ingredients. He believes in farm-fresh produce, even if it involves building a farm and doing the work himself.

About Chef Fabio Ugoletti:

Fabio Ugoletti was born in Parma, Italy, and spent his childhood in the heart of the Po River Valley, also known as the “Food Valley.” It was here that he learned to appreciate good food and family traditions.

His culinary career began when he started working in luxury hotels and upscale restaurants. He has worked under the direction of important chefs such as Daniele Sera, Massimo Spigaroli, Paolo Vai.

In the Chianti region of Tuscany he worked as an Executive Chef at Al Gallopapa, a prestigious 1-star Michelin restaurant. Fabio has also worked as a gastronomic consultant and has organized events all over the world in countries including Italy, China, Poland, Sweden, Korea, United States, and Lithuania. He was also involved in the development of the “new wave” of Italian Cuisine.

This is a very welcomed sight in this trendy, fun neighborhood. Dress up and get acquainted with No. 10 Restaurant; you will for sure come back for more.

No. 10 Restaurant
8436 W 3rd St
Los Angeles CA, 90048
310.924.2011
www.n10restaurant.com
* Note some content was taken off of their website

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A class act all the way, presented by Suzan Hughes Education Foundation S.H.E. It was better this year they had more celebrities and better food for sure.

Food Provided by The Flats & Montresor. The menu presented by Paul Shoemaker. Salad, with mixed green salad with crispy vegetables, sun gold tomatoes and champagne vinaigrette. Appetizer, Zuckerman Farms Green Asparagus: winter truffle fondue, morel mushrooms, and miner’s lettuce. Entrée Duo, Scottish Salmon, cous cous, curry, golden raisins, extra virgin olive oil. Waygu Short Rib pomme puree, vin rouge. Dessert, Brulee’d Cheesecake. Montrésor, Studio City’s new lively French Bistro, http://www.montresorla.com/ the brainchild of actress, producer and long-time restaurateur, Lisa Long, and designer and partner, Ann Booth Luly. The appetizers and salad will be provided by The FLATS http://www.theflatsrestaurant.com/ a lively new restaurant featuring Michelin star Executive Chef Paul Shoemaker in the kitchen preparing artisanal flat bread pizzas and gourmet salads.

The Stars in attendance included: Renee Taylor (receiving Icon Award), Lainie Kazan, Jon Voight, Lou Ferrigno, Carla Ferrigno, Renee Lawless (The Have and Have Nots), Lee Meriwether, The Pointer Sisters (receiving Icon Award), Burt Ward, Dawn Wells, Lee Purcell, Courtney Stodden, Judy Tenuta, Kira Lorsch, Wink Martindale, Robert Forster, Ruta Lee, Marion Ross (receiving Icon Award), Paul Sorvino, Dee Dee Sorvino, Patrika Darbo, Don Most, Erin Murphy, Sofia Milos (CSI Miami), Anson Williams, Cindy Margolis, Katherine Kelly Lang (Bold and the Beautiful), Brenda Dickson (Young & Restless), Gloria Allred, Cerina Vincent, Gary Busey, Jake Busey, George Chakiris (Oscar winner, West Side Story), Janice Dickinson, Victoria Summer, Carolyn Hennesy, Barbara Rush, BarBara Luna, Marla Gibbs, Fred Willard, Michael Jai White, Joe Cortese, Dawn Wells, Kristy Swanson, Oscar nominee Diane Ladd, Karen Kramer (receiving Icon Award), Sheree J. Wilson (Walker Texas Ranger), Anson Williams (Happy Days), Kat Kramer, Victoria Summer (Transformers), Kate Linder (Young & Restless), Jeremy Miller (Growing Pains), Suzan Hughes, Rex Smith, Stanley Livingston, Rebecca Holden (Knight Rider), Clarence Gilyard, Emilia McCarthy, Ilya Salkind (Superman), Lou Ferrigno Jr. (S.W.A.T on CBS), Jeraldine Saunders (Creator of The Love Boat), Charlene Tilton, James Dumont, Leyna Nguyen, Kristy McNichol, Chester Rushing (Stranger Things), Martin Klebba, Dee Wallace (ET), Ronnie Schell (Gomer Pyle USMC), Michael Learned (The Waltons), Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H), Fran Drescher (The Nanny), Jeremy Miller, Emilia McCarthy, Carol Connors (2x Oscar nominee), Kira Lorsch (Emmy winner The Bay), Katherine Kelly Lang, Ed Asner (Icon Award recipient).

ICON Awards for Oscar Nominee Renee Taylor, Presented by Fran Drescher – Batman’s Burt Ward Presented by Lee Meriwether & Lou Ferrigno. Happy Days Marion Ross presented by Donny Most and Anson Williams – Recording Stars The Pointer Sisters presented by Carol Connors. Ed Asner – Producer Karen Kramer presented by Oscar Winner Lou Gossett Jr..

Roger Neal, Dinner Chairman, and Partner Lynn Neal, who for the past 22 years have produced the RNSH Oscar Gift Suite said, “ We are beyond thrilled to produce our 3rd Annual Oscar party at the Hollywood Museum which houses the largest collection of entertainment memorabilia on display in the world; we cannot think of a more perfect place to host 80 stars many who are past Oscar nominees, winners and presenters. Young and classic stars from TV and Film will have the opportunity to tour this incredible museum prior to a sit down gourmet dinner with wine & champagne (Lorimar Winery) to see a special Academy Awards exhibit and the brand new just opened Batman 66 Exhibit.” Hollywood Museum founder, Ms. Donelle Dadigan said, “We are thrilled to have Roger and his Oscar Viewing Dinner back with us, we are right in the middle of all of the Oscar night activity and we know that the guests and stars coming to this dinner will have an incredible time.”

The 3rd Annual Roger Neal Style (RNSH) Oscar Viewing Black tie Dinner Gala is included in the ABC 7 Official Oscar Party Coverage hosted by George Pennachio.

This year the Official Charities benefiting from the RNSH Oscar Viewing Dinner include: The Thalians www.thalians.org, and Life & Hope Relief.org. Also Discover Hollywood Magazine and CELEBRITY PAGE TV will serve as a media sponsors for this special Oscar Viewing Dinner.

It was a glorious night filled with so much old Hollywood Glamour, my choice is this party every year!

The Hollywood Museum
(Max Factor Building)
1660 N. Highland Avenue
Hollywood, CA.
http://thehollywoodmuseum.com/

Roger Neal Style Hollywood Oscar Black Tie Viewing Dinner Gala and Gifting Suite.
http://rogernealsh.net/

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This was a great event by Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions – Black Tie Gala – Honoring Purple Heart Veterans, as well as celebrating Oscar week.

Many fantastic celebrities showed up with a huge red carpet all at the very glamorous. This was a really nice event where everyone was made to feel super welcomed and comfortable, of course having the military there really created a giving back atmosphere.

Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions
InterContinental Hotel
2151 Ave. of the Stars
Century City, Los Angeles, CA.

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I came to this show a few years back but didn’t realize how fun and educational it is. They really have done a great job covering the map for every tourist, traveler, and adventure seeker. You can discover the world all in one weekend, under one roof.

There are four theaters with over 30 sessions. Some of these included: Travel Matchmaking with Cruise Planners’ CEO and co- founder Michelle Fee. Join Cruise Planners for a fun, interactive Travel Matchmaking Game Show to learn about your bucket list destinations and be matched with the vacation of your dreams! Come learn, laugh, and have a chance to win some fun travel prizes. Beyond the Cruise: The Inside Scoop on Alaska Adventure features David Kasser, Vice President of Tourism Development and Sales, Visit Anchorage Alaska. Learn about the hidden gems and can’t-miss experiences from South-central Alaska’s destination experts. Anchorage is an urban oasis in untamed wilderness nestled between Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains with 60 glaciers within 50 miles of the city. When is the best time of the year to visit. How to Capture Your Adventure on Camera! Tips and Tricks to Document Your Trips with Juliana Broste, Travel Video Journalist + TV Personality, (Traveling Jules). Discover creative and unique ways to capture your travel experiences through photos and videos. Travel Video Journalist Juliana Broste (aka TravelingJules) reveals top tips and tricks for travelers who want to document their adventures. Listen in as Jules shares stories from the road and lessons learned from filmmaking assignments around the world. Discover Why Guatemala and Belize are Top Travel Destinations for Travelers Worldwide. Jose Antonio Gonzalez, Travel Tour Leader, Bella Guatemala and Emilio Faillace, Travel Tour Leader, Bella Guatemala, take you on a journey into the land of the Maya with BGT’s Guatemala and Belize destination experts. Gain a deeper understanding about the Maya Civilization from our expert Guatemalan tour guides, Jose Antonio Gonzalez and Emilio Faillace. Learn tips on how to travel like a local, find must see locations and things to do for an experience of a lifetime. Discover why Guatemala and the neighboring country of Belize are top travel destinations for travelers worldwide. European Travel Skills by Rick Steves, Travel Writer, Host of Rick Steves Europe and Travel with Rick Steves. He shares the latest in smart European travel. In this entertaining, information-packed slideshow lecture, Rick will explain how to travel smoothly and affordably by stretching your travel dollar, eating and sleeping well, avoiding crowds, and packing smartly. Freshly back from lots of travels, Rick will share exactly how you can enjoy maximum travel thrills for every mile, minute, and euro on your next European adventure. Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2018, Mark Johanson; Travel Writer, Lonely Planet; Ryan De Seixas, CEO and Owner, Ryzone Media; Constanza Smok, Chief of Branding, Design and Social Media at Sernatur, Chile’s Tourism Board; Adam Skolnick, Lonely Planet Writer. Each year, Lonely Planet experts select the best upcoming destinations to visit in their annual Best in Travel list. In this panel discussion, Lonely Planet’s CEO, Daniel Houghton, will moderate a discussion with Lonely Planet writer, Mark Johansen, GoPro advocate Ryan De Seixas and the Chilean Tourism Board’s Chief of Branding, Constanza Smok, on why Chile was selected as top country for 2018.

Entertainment venues included – Destination Theater: From where to go and when to go, to what to do and how to get there, destination experts will give you the in depth information you need to travel like a local. Savvy Traveler Theater: Showcasing travel tips, tricks and actionable advice, you’ll learn how to travel like a pro straight from the experts. Topics include packing tips, technology skills, travel safety methods, budget travel hacks, etc. Taste of Travel Theater: Get a taste of cultures from around the world as chefs prepare their local cuisines right in front of you. Most cooking demonstrations end with a sampling right at your seat!

They make it super easy for you to find exactly which city you want to get more information about. All allocated and delineated through maps online and big huge signs there in the convention center, as well as very detailed programs. My advice is to pace yourself; there is so much to see. I didn’t go to any of the booths where they had giveaways where you had to listen to a lecture at another location before getting the giveaways, so that saved me lots of time.

Most of my interest is with local road trip type of vacations, so that was easy. They had a few rows dedicated to local quick travel destinations in California; I liked that part the best.

I made so many new connections and future travel plans; a very rewarding way to spend your Saturday in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show
2018 Show Dates/Hours: Public Show Hours:
Saturday, February 24: 10:00am-5:00pm (9:30am Open for Travel Trade Only)
Sunday, February 25: 10:00am-5:00pmLos Angeles Convention Center (South Halls JK)
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90015
https://travelshows.com/shows/los-angeles/
* Some text was taken off of their website.

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