This show is so iconic, to witness this New North American Tour of the Iconic Tony Award-winning musical at The Dolby Theatre ∙ May 7 – May 18, 2025 – is astounding.Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in this new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard
knocks life throws your way.Some highlighted cast members for me were Annie-Hazel Vogel, Miss Hannigan – Stefanie Londino, Oliver Warbucks – Christopher Swan. Sandy – Kevin. All of the cast members are fantastic, but these 4 had my undivided attention. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as, “one of the best family
musicals ever penned!”, ANNIE features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by
Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. All three authors received 1977
Tony Awards® for their work. The original production of ANNIE had its world
premiere on Aug 10, 1976, at the Goodspeed Opera House (Michael J. Price,
Executive Director) and opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977, at the Alvin
Theatre (Neil Simon theatre). It went on to win the New York Drama Critics
Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical,
the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards including Best
Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin
Charnin). It closed on Broadway after playing 2,377 performances.ANNIE was revived on Broadway in 1997 and again in 2014.
It has been made into a film three times (1982, 1999, 2014) and was most
recently featured as a live television production on NBC. The show remains one
of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever; it has been performed in 28
languages, and running around the world for about 45 years. THOMAS MEEHAN (Book) is a three-time Tony Award winning
librettist for the Broadway musicals Annie, 1977; The Producers, 2001
(co-written with Mel Brooks); and Hairspray, 2003 (co-written with Mark
O’Donnell). He collaborated on many Broadway musicalsincluding I Remember Mama;
Ain’t Broadway Grand; Bombay Dreams (with Meera Syal); Cry Baby (with Mark
O’Donnell); Young Frankenstein (with Mel Brooks); Elf, The Musical (with Bob
Martin); Chaplin (with Christopher Curtis); Rocky; the upcoming Dave, The Musical
(with Nell Benjamin); and the off-Broadway musicals, Annie Warbucks; Death
Takes a Holiday (with Peter Stone) and the upcoming The Lady Eve (with Maury
Yeston). He was a long-time contributor of humor pieces to The New Yorker,
which were published in a collection entitled Yma, Ava, Yma, Abba, Yma, Oona,
Yma, Ida, Yma Aga… and Others, by Simon and Schuster. Mr. Meehan, in
collaboration with the poet J.D. McClatchy, co-authored the libretto of the
opera 1984, composed by Lorin Maazel, first performed at London’s Royal Opera
House at Covent Garden in 2005. He was an Emmy Award winning writer of
television comedy, and a collaborator on screenplays, including Mel Brooks’
Spaceballs, To Be or Not To Be, The Producers and One Magic Christmas. He was a
member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild.MARTIN CHARNIN (Lyrics). Martin’s career in the
entertainment industry began in 1957 when he created the role of Big Deal (one
of Jerome Robbins’ authentic juvenile delinquents) in the original company of
West Side Story. He played the role for exactly 1,000 performances. Since then,
he was involved in over 140 theatrical, television, film, and night club
productions as a director, producer, composer, or lyricist. He is one of the
dozen people who have won Emmys, Tonys, and Grammys, and the Peabody Award for
Broadcasting. Annie, which came to Broadway in 1977, originally ran for 2,377
performances, and has been revived there three times. He directed Annie 19
times (after directing the original production in New York), in London,
Montreal, Amsterdam, and Melbourne as well as Annie’s 14 national U.S.
companies. He collaborated with Charles Strouse, Vernon Duke, Marvin Hamlisch,
Mary Rodgers, and twice with Richard Rodgers on I Remember Mama and Two by Two.
He wrote for, or directed, Fred Astaire, Ethel Merman, Jack Lemmon,
Ann-Margaret, Jack Benny, Anne Bancroft, Betty Hutton, Sutton Foster, Sarah
Jessica Parker, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bebe Neuwirth, Barbra Streisand, Johnny
Mathis, Larry Kert, Chita Rivera, Jane Lynch, Tony Bennett, Jason Alexander,
and Jay-Z, among countless others, and for his wife, Shelly Burch (who
originated a leading role in the original company of Nine). Most recently,
“Tomorrow” from Annie became one of the 100 most performed musical numbers in
the last century. CHARLES STROUSE (Music). A graduate of New York’s P.S. 87,
Townsend Harris H.S., and the Eastman School of Music, Charles has studied
composition with Aaron Copland, Arthur Berger, and David Diamond in the US and
Nadia Boulanger in Paris. Charles has composed copious chamber music, two piano
concertos, a string quartet and two operas. After which, being broke like most
composers, he was a rehearsal pianist and dance arranger for many shows, played
in bar rooms, ballet classes, at weddings and strip joints (a particular boon
for one who was to write the music for the film The Night They Raided
Minsky’s). One morning in 1960 he awoke to find he had written (with Lee Adams
and Mike Stewart) Bye Bye Birdie (Tony Award), which is still among the most
performed musicals in America, followed by Golden Boy with Sammy Davis, Jr.
(Tony Nomination). Then came, Applause (Tony Award), It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane,
It’s Superman, Rags (Tony Nomination) and Annie (Tony Award). In-between, there
have been scores for movies including Bonnie and Clyde and All Dogs Go to
Heaven. Throughout his career, Charles has received the Richard Rodgers, Oscar
Hammerstein, Frederick Lowe and the Leonard Bernstein Awards for musical
achievement. He is married to director/choreographer Barbara Siman and is the
father of Benjamin (attorney, author, composer), Nicholas (psychotherapist),
Victoria (screen writer) and William (also a screen writer).JENN THOMPSON (Director) is thrilled to be helming the
National Tour of Annie after having appeared as Pepper in the original Broadway
run. Recent credits include a World-Premiere musical about another indomitable
red-headed orphan; Anne of Green Gables – A New Musical at Goodspeed Opera
House, the very same theatre that premiered Annie more than 45 years ago. Other
shows at Goodspeed include: Bye Bye Birdie, Oklahoma! And The Music Man. Other
recent credits include Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Musical at Children’s Theatre
Company in association with Kevin McCollum and Buena Vista Theatrical as well
as Chains for Off-Broadway’s Mint Theatre, where Jenn’s 2016 production of
Women Without Men garnered both Lortel and Off-Broadway Alliance Award
nominations for Outstanding Revival as well as 5 Drama Desk Award nominations
including Outstanding Director and Revival. In addition to extensive
productions in NYC, Jenn’s work has been seen at theaters across the country
including; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Denver Center, Hartford Stage,
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Portland Stage, City Theatre, Theaterworks
Hartford, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and many more. Jenn is married to
actor Stephen Kunken, they live in Brooklyn NY with their daughter Naomi. This
is for Martin, Charles, Tom and Peter. jennthompsondirector.comPATRICIA WILCOX (Choreographer). Broadway: Motown the
Musical (Astaire Award and the NAACP Award for Best Choreography), and A Night
with Janis Joplin. Off-Broadway/National: Little Shop of Horrors, An Officer
and a Gentleman, Children’s Letters to God, Bowfire, Blues in the Night (NAACP
Nomination), Seussical. Regional: A Swell Party (The Kennedy Center), The
Secret Garden (DCPA), The Music Man and Bye Bye Birdie (Goodspeed Opera
House-Connecticut Critics Circle Award), Diary of a Wimpy Kid (CTC), Peter and
the Starcatcher (Pioneer), Camelot (NSMT), Jesus Christ Superstar (Sacramento
Music), Hair (ATC), Guys and Dolls (Paper Mill). Winter Olympics: Choreography
for Ice Dancing. PattiWilcox.com WILSON CHIN (Scenic Design). Broadway and
Off-Broadway: Pass Over (Broadway, Lortel Award nomination), Next Fall
(Broadway), Cost of Living (Manhattan Theatre Club), A Commercial Jingle for
Regina Comet (DR2), Space Dogs (MCC), The Thanksgiving Play (Playwrights
Horizons). With director Jenn Thompson: The Secret Garden (Denver Center
Theatre), Oklahoma! and Anne of Green Gables (Goodspeed Musicals). Opera: Lucia
di Lammermoor (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Eine Florentinische Tragödie/Gianni
Schicchi (Canadian Opera, Dora Award). Film/television: Pass Over (dir. Spike
Lee), “Game Theory with Bomani Jones” (HBO), “Blindspot” (NBC). Eastern Region
Board member.What a great show, filled with funny bits, great songs, wonderful talent, everything you would want from a Broadway Musical, run don’t walk to see ANNIE.
*Note some content was taken off of their website.
I have done reviews now at many of the new eateries at Redlands Public Market. But what I love about Redlands Natural Market is how I was treated. Owner Jim treated me like a queen, he made sure I knew about all the products and was able to enjoy some nice menu items. I really appreciate all his knowledge about the natural food business and how products affect your well-being and health. Jim is a wealth of knowledge; he takes pride in his products and letting people know why you should try them. But besides all that, the food was remarkable and vegan. Deli meats were perfect. Most of the time you couldn’t tell that they were plant based. When I was done with my tasting, I didn’t feel full and bloated, I felt light and healthy. This is what everyone should want to feel like after they’ve eaten a big lunch. Jim takes pride in helping others attain their health goals. This type of market should be in every food court across America, because fast food has become such a big part of American life, but as we know, fast food is unhealthy. There are lots of food stalls at Redlands Public Market that have upscale food choices as well as fried foods. It really depends on what you are hankering for, but for me the obvious choice would be to come here and get one of their delicious deli sandwiches with plant-based meat products – how could you go wrong?
Here’s what I tried
Drinks:
Pop & Bottle Golden Chai Tea Almond Tea, very delicious, not to sweet, just incredibly salifying, a great beverage.
Wildwonder’s Pineapple Paradise, effervescent fruit forward flavors, very refreshing.
Just Iced Tea, I would order this every time, its just that good.
Snack:
Pan’s Mushroom Jerky – Teriyaki, a good alternative to a meat jerky, sweet and salty – it hits the spot.
Sofia’s Corn Chip totopos, the best corn chips ever. Go there just to buy these to take them home!
Salads:
Chicken Caesar Salad, with fresh romaine, Kelly’s Croutons, in-house made Caesar dressing, and Scratch House shaved Parmesan. Its all plant based, vegan, peanut free, tree nut free, and gluten free. Sandwich:
BBQ Brisket Sandwich, with plant-based beef by chunk foods, Redlands hot sauce’s cherry chipotle BBQ sauce, smoked plant-based gouda and banana peppers. This would be my favorite sandwich, its sweet and tender, with fall off the bone plant-based brisket, it’s just fantastic.
Wrap:
Chicken Wrap, with blackened chicken by Beleaf, plant-based mozzarella, tomato, plant -based romaine shreds, and a Ceasar dressing. A very hearty wrap, with nice texture and flavor, and it keeps you full but not uncomfortable.
Flatbread:
Wild Mushroom flatbread, a blend of lion’s mane, blue oyster and pink mushrooms with plant-based mozzarella, and Italian herbs. Served on Redlands Natural Market unique pinsarella pinsa crust. I just loved this menu item; it is a must try.
Dessert:
Gelatys, Gelato P, op, Coconut Breeze. At only at 170 Calories, it’s a great, ending to my marvelous meal.
Nats Rawline, Raw Cakes Lime & Mango GF DF Vegan. This is a wonderful cake, with nice fruit flavors, what a treat.
Their location is right when you walk in the front door, and they do a lot of products tastings right there when you enter the market. The foot traffic is just amazing, and anyone who passes by is curious and wants to check Redlands Natural Market out. So, getting the word out about alternative healthy eating is easy. The combination of plant-based products and creative menu items would make any non-believer very happy. Once I was done with my tasting I felt rejuvenated and content. Sometimes from a meat menu you feel too full and not as healthy. This food guarantees you to have a happy, gratified stomach. Really, it’s so worth a try. There are many new places to try, but at Redlands Natural Market, you can get a perfect satisfying meal, and or products to take home, and feel like you have done a good thing for yourself and your overall health.
The vibe here is a bit New York, and a smidge of the Los Angeles night club scene. It is elegant and sassy, either casual or hipster sheik, you will just love the experience. Sushi Palace, hails from Germany, and opened its doors at this location – in April of 2024. The group behind Sushi Palace has expanded quickly across Germany thanks to a hybrid model that prioritizes takeout and delivery as well as in-restaurant dining. This restaurant leans into a more modern dining environment with a mix of elegance and style. There is a push to open more locations in SoCal as well as in the East Coast.
The main star of the show here is their food. They do not have a sushi bar. This is not a typical sushi restaurant in Los Angeles. From the moment you walk in you feel it is upscale; with its beautiful textures and lighting, but no matter what the ambience is the food at Sushi Palace will really knock your socks off.
Here’s What I Tried:
Signature Cocktails:
Strawberry Martini with Vodka Soju, strawberry syrup, lime juice, soda water, and fresh strawberry. If you’re someone that likes their cocktails on the sweet side, then this would be for you.
Sake -Tini, with Sake, lychee, and club soda, this by far was my favorite cocktail. I would order this every time. It’s sweet, but very thirst quenching, and goes down easily.
Yuzu Margarita, with tequila, Soju, lime juice, Yuzu, agave syrup and salt. Even though this is made with Soju and not real tequila, you get the essence of the margarita flavor, and it is a very special cocktail.
Happy Hour:
Yuzu Avocado Crispy Rice, with avocado, yuzu, and micro cilantro. If you are a vegetarian, then this would be the menu item for you. It’s just that good. Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, sesame chili oil, cilantro, and nori. Spicy Salmon Crispy Rice, chives, and spicy mayo. I just love the flavor of this one, with the chives that hit the spot. This is part of the Happy Hour menu, called a Crispy Rice Trio. All three are super flavorful and filling, a great menu item.
For The Table:
Dumpling “German Dumpfnudel”, German specialty served with nut butter. This is kind of like their bread, but it is delicious and very specific to their take on German food, which they marry into some of their menu items.
Small Plates and Salads:
Truffle Edamame, with truffle oil, truffle foam, and truffle salt. This edamame is very unusual, it has a foam on top that has the essence of black truffle oil. They give you a very big portion, it is truly amazing.
Signature Menu:
Scallop Kiwi Sashimi, with scallops, ume paste, kiwi, umi ponzu, and micro greens. I am a true scallop lover and always order scallop sushi. This menu item is super light and flavorful, and the kiwi brings out a nice texture and a tangy flavor.
Hamachi Mango, with hamachi, mango, toqorashi ponzu, micro greens, and sashimi. The Hamachi paired with the mango is otherworldly. You too will feel the same.
Salmon Sushi Spoon, with spicy tuna, salmon ponzu, crispy onions, micro cilantro, ikura, and 3 spoons. I loved this dish. The sauce in each spoon is in incredible. Another must have menu item.
Surf & Turf with shrimp tempura, cucumber, steak, truffle aioli, salt, and eel. If you’re one of those people that just love surf and turf at any restaurant, this sushi roll is for you. It is very yummy with all of its great ingredients, including the truffle aioli – makes for one stupendous sushi roll.
Lobster Roll, California Roll, with lobster, spicy mayo, eel sauce, crispy onion, and green onion. The lobster is very plump and placed on top of each roll. It’s a magnificent presentation, and a fanciful menu item.
Entrees:
Miso Black Cod, with a miso lime sauce. This cod is super tender and flavorful. I would order this every time.
Shrimp Fried Rice with egg, mixed veggies, green onions, and shrimp. The flavor of this rice is outstanding with big, huge pieces of shrimp that has been cooked to perfection. The vegetables, the egg, the onions, all make for one great fried rice dish.
Dessert:
Matcha Crème Brulee, with matcha, raspberry sorbet, and fresh berries. It’s a unique crème brulee with its matcha flavor, so save room.
The interior was created by the owner’s – Anatolij Dejneko – business partner – Veton Thaqi. Veton did an amazing job! It’s got pink lighting accents, beautiful super plush bar stools. It’s more like being in someone’s living room then a sushi bar dining room. The music is trance, with a bit of jazz thrown in. The vibe is super friendly and exciting.
Chef Alex Quintama made me feel very welcomed. He told me about his history as a chef and how he got his start, and then his amazing feat of taking over the kitchen at Sushi Palace. But he really believes that it is a group effort, and he relies on his team every day to make this place a success. He says the menu will be seasonal, and some things will change every 4 months. Alex says, “Being a chef is part being crazy and the other part being creative, kind of like a mad scientist in the kitchen”. Alex is very ambitious; he is very young and has lots of new culinary ideas for making Sushi Palace a go-to spot for many Angelenos and beyond. He hopes to get rewarded with a 3-star Michelin rating in the very near future. Veton Thaqi has left all of the major menu decisions up too Alex. He is in very good hands. Each dish has Alex’s signature flavors written all over them. The only thing that you might find that is similar in some of the dishes are the micro greens. Other than that, every menu item had its own unique spin, and profile. You too will be surprises by all of this great cuisine. Their humble mixologist Seana Balderrama likes to create unique fun cocktails, using only Soju and Sake. He has is work cut out for him, but this limitation does not affect his innovative choice of ingredients, and how they will delight your tastebuds.
I really just scratched the surface with my tasting. There is so much variety within their menu, you could come back 10 times and still try things new. I was very satisfied with all of my delicious menu items. They serve nice size portions, so you will not be left hungry.
Their happy hour is wonderful and very affordable as well. Daily Happy Hour Specials from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with 50 % off on sushi, and cocktails being extremely discounted. They also have a super fun event, called, Roll the Dice – Every Tuesday – Thursday, 8 PM until closing. You roll the dice for a discounted cocktail price.
I would tell my readers that if you’re wanting to try a new inventive sushi spot then come here first for happy hour to be introduced to their astounding cuisine, then come back and try the whole menu, you will be glad you listened to me.
The freshest food made with love and care. Their burgers are made with Premium American Cattle Beef, a blend of three prime cuts of beef ground fresh in-house daily and hand-molded into juicy patties.
All of their food is made with fresh, never frozen ingredients and, when in season, sourced from local farms in California. Their chefs are trained in traditional, from-scratch cooking techniques and are passionate about creating delicious meals for their guests.
I loved all my menu items ordered, they were extremely generous with my tastings, letting me try so many delightful treats.
Here’s What I Tried:
Lil Kim Fries, “North Korean dictator-inspired Korean BBQ fries are made with fresh-sliced chuck eye Korean BBQ meat (bulgogi), onions, sweet and spicy house-made hoisin mayo, all topped off with a fried egg.” This dish was truly incredible, my favorite. It got a over-easy egg on top with super flavorful Korean Bulgogi under it, under that is their fries with a creamy mayo sauce, what could be better. You have got to try this.
The Blues Burger, with fresh ground premium patty, thick cut Applewood smoked bacon; accompanied by crumbled blue cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles, and their house made ranch dressing all of it held together by soft brioche buns. It’s really the cheese that makes this huge burger really great.
Famous Pastrami – 10 oz., with fresh sliced and simmered brisket pastrami, mustard and pickles on a toasted French roll. Pastrami is one of my favorite deli meats, and this sandwich did not disappointment.
Chicken Ranch Pita with bacon and avocado extra, with hand filleted, house marinated young hand filleted chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, and house grated cheddar cheese, topped with their homemade ranch dressing, all wrapped up in a soft and pillowy Pita.
The Narcissist with two fresh-ground premium burger patties, four slices of cheese, and four strips of thick-cut bacon are accompanied by lettuce, tomato, pickles, fresh or caramelized onions, and homemade sauce. This burger is so big, it is difficult to get a big bite in your mouth. With all of it’s ingredients, it hits the spot.
Onion Rings, hand cut sweet onions, dipped in buttermilk and tossed in Midwestern cracker meal, and Japanese breadcrumbs. I just love my rings, these were heaven sent!
Marinated Chicken Salad, with marinated chicken with carrots, cabbage, zucchini, iceberg lettuce, hard-boiled egg, and pita bread. A nice well-rounded salad with all of the necessary fixings.
Carne Asada Salad, with carne asada with carrots, cabbage, zucchini, iceberg lettuce, hard-boiled egg, and pita bread. For the salad lover with a special twist, its really delicious.
Save room for some chocolate and vanilla soft serve, supper yummy!
All of their portions are huge, and delicious – so share a couple menu items with a friend, you will be very happy you did.
So now I’ve tried quite a few of the restaurants, and there’s even more to come at the Redlands Public Market in previous articles. I told you about the history of the building and everything that goes into this market. It’s really a great place to meet up with friends, eat delicious food, everything under one roof. I highly recommend it.
Here’s what I tried:
BBQ Meats:
Brisket, by far my favorite meat that they BBQ. It is smoky, super moist and flaky. If you’re a barbecue brisket aficionado, then this is the meat for you.
Pork Ribs, they have 3 types of ribs, and I tried all three, my favorite was their dry rub. The meat falls off the bone, and these are big meaty ribs, so spectacular.
Chicken cooked super tender, the flavor will knock your socks off, just delicious.
Sausage, it’s a zesty sausage, with a nice aroma.
Burger:
Smash Burger, with onion and cheese, a super tender moist burger with great meaty flavor. Truly, simplicity at its best.
Mashed potatoes, this is comfort food, with nice subtle flavors.
Mac n Cheese, with its creamy, cheesy texture, just perfection.
Coleslaw, it’s crispy and tangy, a great accompaniment.
I saw many families, couples’, friends, trying out their barbecue. If you do one of their meat platters, it’s all served on a silver tray and gives you lots of options. Whatever it is that you try I think you’ll be very happy.
Another new establishment at Redlands Public Market, but JoJo Taiwanese Eats has other locations. Owner Leon is very ambitious; he plans to open more as his business progresses. After tasting his wonderful food, I can understand why he would want to spread the word about his great cuisine. This is fast food at its best.
Here’s What I Tried:
Drink:
JoJo’s Taiwanese Refresher, Strawberry Lychee, Strawberry Mango, Peach Mango. This is just so great, and might I add where it gets its name from, super refreshing.
Small Eats:
Dumplings, 6 fabulous fried dumplings and loved every minute, with its wonderful bold flavors.
Egg rolls, I got 2 and was happy with this little taste treat.
Big Eats:
Beef Noodle Soup, with Beef shank, spinach, and mustard greens in our house beef broth.This broth is out of this word, it is cooked from beef bones for 6-8 hours, it is rich in flavor and protein, a true winner.
Braised Pork Belly, with pork belly, mustard greens, soy sauce egg, and rice. I have never been the biggest fan of pork belly because of the fat strip that comes along with the meat, but I am here to tell you that I am now in love with pork belly. This dish is packed with delicate nuanced soft pure pork flavor, the rice soaks up all of the goodness, a must try.
Dan Dan Pork, with ground pork cooked in a mildly spicy sauce, garlic, mustard greens, soy sauce egg, with rice Noodle. The sauce is sweet and sour with hints of garlic and soy sauce, but whatever it is, it’s luscious and terrific.
Jojo’s House Fried Rice, with Taiwanese sausage, scrambled egg, peas, carrots, cabbage, and onions. Just fill me up with the sausage and I will be forever happy, the rice will make me super happy as well.
Popcorn Chicken, fried chicken morsels. These little gems have a great mild flavor, dipped in their sweet and sour sauce will make this a great bite every time.
I am super excited to see this place take off. Its real Taiwanese food with good key ingredients, it promises to be super successful, in this brand-new experience, – Redlands Public Market.
The day I was there the Market was super packed; I saw that word already got out and that locals were waiting for the opening. The good news is you can make this a train destination on a day trip from anywhere Metrolink travels to. So, what the heck are you waiting for?
One of the things I love about my IE visits is seeing all of the growth. When the Arrow train came in a few years back I knew this whole area would have an uptick in new restaurants and make a mark in Redlands being a new travel destination. All of the existing warehouses near the train station are transitioning into new restaurants and bars, including Redlands Public Market. Which used to be the historic 1980 packing house – The Mutual Orange Company was one of several packing houses affiliated with the Mutual Orange Distributors, a cooperative formed by local growers in the early 1900’s. By 1920 citrus was one of the top agricultural commodities in Southern California. Oranges fetche higher prices than any other time in history-which in that season was about 4 cents per pound for the fancy grade. So what better way to show off Redlands ever growing food scene with a historic Landmark, and great new foodies location.
History:
Redlands, A Monolith of the Citrus Boom – RPM resides in what was once the Mutual Orange Distributors (MOD) Packing House. A part of Redlands’ rich Citrus Industry History, much of that history is still present today in the distinct architecture, scenery, and accents inside and around the building.
Standing Strong – Some brick walls date back to 1908 when the Packing House was expanded and joined the Mutual Orange Distributors, a competitor to Sunkist. All buildings in downtown Redlands were required by law to be made of brick until the great Long Beach earthquake of 1931, when the decorative brick parapet was removed (or fell during the earthquake), and the exterior brick stuccoed over. A preservation companyattempted to remove the stucco to return the building to a brick façade, but it turns out 100-year-old stucco should be left as is.
Downtown Redlands, one of the epicenters of the navel orange industry, historically and even today has the largest array of citrus-heritage buildings in Southern California. At the Citrus industry’s peak in 1928 there were 14 packing houses in downtown Redlands. Eight have been demolished and the “MOD Packing House” was heading towards the same fate when, following community protest, the city elected to sell the derelict structure for redevelopment.
A small portion of this packing house was originally built in 1894 as Packing House Number 2343214. It was upgraded in 1900 and again in 1906 by the founder Arthur Gregory when it was rebranded and affiliated with Mutual Orange Distributors, an early competitor of Sunkist.
In 1929 MOD reorganized as a non-profit organization, the Redlands Mutual Orange Company, and that year handled about 224,000 packed boxes of citrus fruit and up to four railroad box cars per day along the Southern Pacific rail line (now abandoned on the south side of the building). To accommodate the high demand, in 1930 the sum of $30,000 dollars was spent to upgrade to a new steel truss and corrugated metal roof with north facing clerestory windows, creating the Packing House we see from the inside today.
This Packing House ceased operations by 1960 and thereafter housed a variety of businesses until it was abandoned in 2000 and finally sold to the City of Redlands in 2006. Arteco Partners was able to purchase the building from the city and after several years of planning and an $11 million dollar renovation from top to bottom (following Secretary of Interior Standards for Historic Rehabilitation) finally reopened Packing House Number 2343214 as Redlands Public Market in February 2025.
Here’s What I Tried:
Drinks:
Cappuccino, with the perfect swirled heart on top.
Organic Coconut Water, this water is very hydrating and just went so well with my glorious brunch.
Sweet:
Vegan Cookie Pandan Biscoff, this cookie is so soft, with a great dab peanut butter on top.
Brunch Items:
Ube Cloud Pancake, this dish is otherworldly, you just have to try it and you will see what I mean.
Avocado Toast, there are many establishments that make avocado toast, but with their sunny side up egg on top – the yokes just oozes goodness.
The healthy Omelet, with spinach, tomato, and cheese, it’s a real filling breakfast item.
TUS Breakfast Sandwich, a great rendition of this main staple in most breakfast restaurants, but this sandwich has all of the bells and whistles, and they do not scrimp on their eggs and bacon.
Rendang Curry Bowl, if you’re in the mood for curry in the morning, then try this one.
Swai Fish Rice Bowl, I just loved the flavor of this dish, it was so satisfying and it really doesn’t matter if it’s more of a lunch item, it was just amazing.
Garlic Cream Cheese croissant, this is by far the best croissant ever with its novel ingredients baked into one gorgeous creation, it just is so tasty and delicious.
Their food is really spectacular, they have many other locations, so the customer base pretty much knows what they have to offer. It’s worth a trip to check it out. Portions are very big – so come hungry.
“Brunch so good your taste buds will high five.”
Take Ur Seat Lite
Redlands Public Market
330 3RD Street, Unit 4 Redlands, CA. 92374
https://www.redlandspublicmarket.com/take-ur-seat Some Content Was Taken Off Of Their Website
When Steven Ortmann – Chief Operating Officer of Selvin’s and The Palm Garden Hotel, offered me a stay and brunch tasting I was so happy. I had previously done a dinner tasting, so brunch will be another welcomed gift. What I can say about the brunch is it did not disappoint, with many menu items and a beautiful ambiance, it is a culinary moment that will be remembered for a very long time, alongside some family members that were my guests.
Here’s What I Tried:
Drinks:
Luca Paretti – Prosecco Brut, just the perfect brunch cocktail, smooth and fruity with lovely bubbles.
Sweet Things:
Belgian Waffles, berries with whipped maple butter, and syrup. The presentation is astounding, with a gorgeous floral plate and all of the delicious berries scattered around the centerpiece waffle. Delicious and airy, just a perfect waffle.
Salads:
Chopped Caesar Salad with chicken. The dressing is just the best thing, tart and sweet, with a great creamy texture, just the bomb.
Entrée’s:
Classic Egg Benedict with Canadian Bacon, poached eggs, house made hollandaise sauce, served with crispy potatoes. The hollandaise sauce is just off the charts. This would be my go-to brunch menu item.
3 Egg Omelet with smoked mozzarella bacon, and avocado, a nice blend of ingredients in this very hearty omelet.
Pizza:
Funghi Pizza with shitake bechamel sauce, Fontina cheese, seasonal mushrooms, caramelized onions, and oregano. A must try pizza item, the mushrooms are a nice variety, with the caramelized onions and fontina cheese – a real winner.
The inside patio is just the perfect environment to enjoy a wonderful brunch at Selvin’s. The backdrop are the lovely surrounding hills and palm trees that you see right out the big open windows. If you’re a hotel guest then for sure come indulge your senses in Selvin’s wonderful food, or as a designation spot it will engage all of your taste buds.
For happy hour, cocktails, lunch, brunch, or dinner, this is the best of the best here in Ventura County!
The perfect hidden oasis in the beautiful, picturesque area of Thousand Oaks. This premium hotel boasts a fresh, new and dynamic look after a $3.5 million renovation, which you can clearly see in every area inside and out. Including updates to rooms and suites – creating bright, contemporary and inviting spaces for work or relaxing after your day – in what the locals call “T.O” – Thousand Oaks, and beyond. All accommodations have modern furnishings, ultra-premium eco-friendly bedding, 55″ HD Smart TV’s, complimentary Wi-Fi, microwaves, coffee makers and mini fridges, also their beautiful bathrooms feature Moen fixtures.
It’s the perfect property for business and leisure, with personalized hospitality on a resort-style property framed by lush gardens and a tranquil courtyard. The way the gardens are laid out you can tell that they had wedding planners and bride and grooms in mind. There is a gorgeous gazebo which is the perfect place for a wedding altar. For meetings, weddings and special events, The Palm Garden Hotel features 12,000 square feet of newly refurbished space encompassing indoor and outdoor venues to accommodate any gathering. They offer fully tailored catering and event planning services. It is right off the 101 freeway, but with the way the hotel is designed your sleep will not be disturbed. The Palm Garden Hotel is centrally located, it is less than an hour from Malibu, Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
There are lots of complimentary upgrades at the hotel including Wi-Fi, parking, and one of the best hot breakfasts in Thousand Oaks. Get in a workout in the fitness center equipped with modern weight and cardio training equipment. Soak up a little California sun while lounging by newly renovated heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi with cabanas.
Each room is surrounded by tranquil gardens, lush lawns, winding paths, chirping birds, to help you be calm and relaxed while enjoying your stay. And might I add that all rooms are below SoCal hotel prices.
The Palm Garden Hotel is just so comforting, a home away from home, and the best kept secret in Ventura County. Whether you’re relaxing at the hotel or exploring Thousand Oaks, they really make sure you feel well taken care of from the moment you arrive. Their hospitality overflows from the hotel to Selvin’s restaurant, anywhere on property you really feel that they care!
My well-appointed room, a courtyard facing King room, featured a plush King bed, sleeper sofa, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a 55” flat-screen high-definition television with Spectrum TV, HBO and an in-room tablet. Also, The Palm Garden Hotel is super pet friendly. The ground floor rooms feature wood floors and open to an exterior grassy area. With single king and double queen accommodations, and the lowest pet fee in the Thousand Oaks area, The Palm Garden Hotel welcomes furry friends with open arms.
They also offer catering to make any event extra special. With a talented kitchen staff and the ability to create a customizable menu, it is their wish to assist you in hosting the most talked about engagement celebration, corporate affair, college graduation, holiday party, business round-table, shower, fundraiser, alumni reunion, weddings. They can accommodate anything from spectacular dinners to casual poolside gatherings.
