I know that Calirackers getting together is a pretty common occurance, unfortunately since I got married, the money I can set aside for trips outside even Utah is almost non existance.
But since I will have been married one year I am trying really hard to save enough money to go with the rest of my family to our traditional trip to California in August.
I will be in LA, specically the Newport area from I believe August 7th until the 12th. Obviously one day will be spent getting there and one day back.
I don't have a map of the country marked with which hatrackers like me enough to perhaps meet up, but I on the other hand would like to meet any of you folks who can make the journey. I'm open to just about any venue be it a park, a home, the beach, etc. I should have a vehicle but I can't promise that I can use it for my own personal use as the rest of my family will need it too. Also I am pretty scared of making any attempt at navigating your crazy LA streets.
I know the trip won't be for about 2 more months, but I'd like to gauge interest and come up with an itinerary. Heck Ill take suggestions for fun places to visit, I've been to Newport many times, and the beach/Knott's Berry/Disneyland are always fun but I'd love to try something new this time around.
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We can do Saturdays or Sundays at somewhere where we're not causing anyone to work for pay having us (or I guess weekday evenings if you're willing to go a little later.) (Rivka gets to host a lot so she can eat the food when we do Sundays; if we're not doing a weekend and she's able to attend that night we like to let her suggest someplace where she can eat the food or, you know, we could do potluck so she could bring something she could eat. Since Saturdays are hard for her and weeknights are often hard for everyone we do usually end up on Sundays.)
There are a lot of great things to do in L.A.; what are your interests (museums, window shopping, historical sites, botanical gardens?) Let me know and I can suggest some.
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I love amusement parks, nice scenic drives. I am pretty easy going.
Sunday would be tough because my sister is expecting us to leave sunday morning so we can be back in Utah sunday night, in time for a return to the daily grind.
I could easily set aside an afternoon-evening be it as late as you guys want.
Potluck is fine with me, but you might have to let me borrow somebody's kitchen so I can make something. Going out to a restaurant is just as good, even better if I am feeling lazy that day. Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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I would love to, but unfortunately there is about a 90% chance that I'll be working double shifts and weekends most of august, so foo on your timing =p
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quote:Originally posted by TheGrimace: I would love to, but unfortunately there is about a 90% chance that I'll be working double shifts and weekends most of august, so foo on your timing =p
Call in sick, it's what *I* would do.
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mm, sadly that's not really an option in this instance (or at least not one I'm comfortable taking right now... lots of good and bad reasons why August is going to be bad)
As for things to do/see here I highly highly highly reccomend some combination of these 3: Getty Center Getty Villa Griffith Park Observatory
First two are some of the most beautiful architecture/art/views/gardens ever (or are at least really really cool and nice and relaxing and free). The observatory is both a really nice planetarium/astronomy museum as well as a gorgeous building and grounds and some nice views (though I don't know how much the fires have interfered with that)
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Museums: You might check out LACMA, the Norton Simon, or the Getty if you like art, or for a bit more eclectic and unique experience, why not the Autry Museum of Western Heritage? If you like aquariums, we have some great ones; Cabrillo is cheap and wonderful, though you're likely to run into school groups, while the Aquarium of the Pacific is much bigger and fancier but also very expensive in comparison. The Southwest Museum is under renovation but I don't know when they'll be done.
Historical sites/points of interest: Well, it's not EXACTLY historical but if you love libraries you might check out the huge central library. There's also Olvera Street, on which you will find the Avila Adobe, one of the oldest (if not the oldest) houses in L.A., which you can tour, as well as a Mexican-style street vendor open market, shops full of fun stuff, and a candle shop with a freakin' huge and really old candle. A few blocks down is Chinatown, which also has many historic sites and a fun wishing well (as well as some really cheap, really fun shopping) and is just fun to walk around. Then, of course, there are the missions. I don't know if you'd be interested in the Los Angeles Temple Visitors' Center but they often have cool exhibits to look at. And there are lots of other places, too, but I thought those might be the most interesting to an out-of-towner.
Botanical gardens: Well, if you'd like to combine botanical gardens with museums, I'd suggest the Huntington. Then there's the Arboretum or, up near my neck of the woods, Descanso.
quote:I love amusement parks, nice scenic drives. I am pretty easy going.
Well, there's lots of both in L.A.! I suggest driving the PCH out by Santa Monica (although you'll hit traffic near Malibu) if you like sea views and you can also hit the Pier, which has a boardwalk, an arcade, a ferris wheel, a historic carousel, and restaurants. It's also close to the Promenade, though you said you didn't want to shop I think it's fun to walk around in.
quote:Sunday would be tough because my sister is expecting us to leave sunday morning so we can be back in Utah sunday night, in time for a return to the daily grind.
I could easily set aside an afternoon-evening be it as late as you guys want.
Okay. Well, we could all meet for dinner downtown somewhere (maybe on a night Rivka will be free?) And I mean, if you'd like a whole afternoon taken up before that, the girls and I can catch a train downtown and meet you at Union Station or Chinatown Station and we can do the walking Olvera Street and/or Chinatown thing (and I'll take you to Philippe's, where they invented the French Dip, for lunch.) Then we could get together later with the folks who would be able to make it for dinner. But that's just a suggestion.
quote:Potluck is fine with me, but you might have to let me borrow somebody's kitchen so I can make something. Going out to a restaurant is just as good, even better if I am feeling lazy that day.
LOL! Potluck also includes store-bought food, you know. But going out will be easier for everyone, especially on a weeknight. Let's see if Rivka and the Meeses are available any night while you'll be here before we pick a venue.
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We're leaving the 11th for New York, so the weekend is out, and the days leading up to it will probably be filled with preparation. If something ends up happening on a weeknight there's a very slim chance we could all go, but there's absolutely no reason to plan around us at all, because likelihood is so low. Hope you all have a great time, though.
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Papa Moose: Just do what you can, as far as I am concerned I am the one who is visiting for the week. I'd rather all of you find the best date that you can all make, and Ill be there.
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Well, any day works for me, I think. I'll know more closer to time, of course. (I suppose what days we can do dinner will depend on when Jeff's assignments are due at that point and whether he can get them done ahead of time.)
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Sounds like Wednesday or Thursday evening? Either would probably work ok for me, although Wednesdays are generally better. It's a bit far ahead for me to know for sure.
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I've actually been to San Fransisco more times then I have been to LA, by virtue of the fact that you have to go through it on your way to Utah from Hong Kong or Japan. Sorry I can't hit up Nocal this time around.
Rivka: I could most likely do any day of the week save monday and sunday.
There is a TINY chance that I will actually head for Cali on friday and spend two days in San Diego, but that should not in anyway interfere with any plans we set.
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The Good News! I will be going to California next week!
More Good News: I will be leaving on Monday (the 6th) as opposed to Tuesday (the 7th) and leaving Sunday so thats ONE extra day!
Good Grief More Good News: I'll be driving my own vehicle down to California so that should give me a bit more freedom of movement, thus making my chances of seeing many hatrackers even more possible.
The best news of all: There is no bad news!
I believe Rivka and I were trying to set the evening of the 8th as a good time to meet together if memory serves. But in anycase nothing is concrete except that I will be attempting to create delicious curry for everyone.
Try to RSVP by this Friday and I'll try to keep this thread alive so the right people notice it. I'd love to do something potlucky (can that be an adjective?) if possible, but I am also happy to make curry for everyone.
Rivka: Since I am pushing curry on all of you would it be possible for you to procure some rice, potatoes, carrots, and chicken breasts? (I'll reimburse you the costs) for the curry? I'll bring the mix and you can help me prepare it. I guess we can figure out quantity based on how many people state they would like to come on this thread.
But by all means if somebody has a better idea that is more accessible to more hatrackers, I'm all ears.
I'm excited to see you folks! Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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We'll be happy to come. I think WEd. works for us (I think Jeff's assignments are due on Tues. and Fri. this term.) Jeff gets home about 6:30-ish, so we can be there 7:30-ish, if that works for you all. We'll bring drinks, how does sparkling cider and soda sound to everyone? (Or if you'd prefer we bring something else let me know. I can bring a kosher veggie assortment or chips or something, for instance. I don't think guacamole goes particularly well with curry and I can't think of a prepared dip that I could buy that's non-dairy but without dairy substitutes that will make me sick or I'd offer chips and dip.)
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(And if we'd prefer a restaurant I'm really open to that, too. Rivka knows a lot of good places and I'm happy to eat at any of them. )
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quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: Rivka: Since I am pushing curry on all of you would it be possible for you to procure some rice, potatoes, carrots, and chicken breasts?
If the rice can be brown rice, I already have all those things.
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: (I'll reimburse you the costs)
Not necessary.
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: I'll bring the mix and you can help me prepare it.
What do you mean when you say "mix"? As I mentioned, you bringing other ingredients is a problem.
It might be simpler to just hit a restaurant. There are a LOT of kosher restaurants within a mile of where a live.
quote:If the rice can be brown rice, I already have all those things.
I'm a bigger fan of white rice, if I bring that is that OK?
quote:What do you mean when you say "mix"? As I mentioned, you bringing other ingredients is a problem.
By mix I mean the paste, it might already BE kosher, I'll have to check the box when I buy some today or tomorrow.
But if a restaurant is more appealing to the party I'm certainly open to discussing possibilities. I'll say up front that sea food does not make this BlackBlade happy. But if there are other options besides seafood I can endure its presence quite readily. Just about anything else is just fine with me.
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And if you bring it to Rivka's to cook it, it not only needs to have one of those symbols, it needs to be in the original, sealed and unopened packaging.
Restaurant would be fine with me and it won't be seafood, don't worry, BB!
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I can almost certainly pick up white rice between now and then.
What is the brand name of the paste? Is it manufactured in the US or elsewhere, and if the latter, where?
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quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: I'm finding a lot of kosher curry powders but no pastes
That is consistent with my experience. Most of the pastes are not made in the US, and pastes from India, Pakistan, etc. are unlikely to be certified kosher.
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I've also been looking at the calendar. I'd like to push for the restaurant idea. I have to work this Sunday, among other things.
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Well, now that Bridey eats as much as Jeff most nights, cheap-ish is pretty important for us (although Ems has slowed down a bit, so sometimes they can share food.)
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I looked up Vermont Curry and the paste is not Kosher.
What can you do?
Living in Utah has given me a strong suspicion of Chinese restaurants in the US. I know LA has an extraordinary China town, complete with restaurants. If we end up doing the Chinese jig I'd feel better if one of you had already been to that particular restaurant and can verify that it cuts mustard, or the soy sauce in this instance.
We're you folks leaning more towards the cheaper side of things in a restaurant? Obviously I don't think gourmet is in everyone's interest, but I am willing to go somewhere nice, or a family owned restaurant, both work for me.
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(But if, you know, you wanted to meet me and the girls for that Vietnamese-Chinese noodle shop, that would be a possibility...)
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Well I've only typed this post out 3 times now because the power keeps hiccuping.
I was not suggesting that I wanted to go to China Town I merely meant that Utah has made me wary of Chinese food in the US. If we end up doing Chinese in Rivka's neighborhood I just wanted to make sure it was a place that came recommended. I guess I am just being fussy as I know I like testing new restaurants as well. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT!
I'd be perfectly happy going to a deli, the food really is secondary to meeting you folks. Hope as many people as possible can come.
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When've you been at Shanghai Diamond Garden, kq? I've been told by people who don't keep kosher (or who didn't used to) that it's really good Chinese.
Chick 'n' Chow certainly cannot make any such claims.
Deli is fine with me.
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I haven't, but if he's picky and grew up in Taiwan (right?), I'm thinking most stuff is not going to be "really good Chinese." Just 'cause I can't think of more than two places I've actually been to that fit that bill-- and both of them are ones my Chinese-American friend took me to, and he says that they're two of the only "real Chinese" places in L.A.
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SDG became kosher only a couple years ago. They kept the same chefs they had before, and were well-known as excellent Chinese. My understanding is the only reason they're off the lists of such now is the lack of things like pork and shellfish. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Just for the record, I think there are more than just 2 "authentic" chinese places in LA (at least depending on on where in LA you're interested in going. My sister-in-law's mother (Chinese) has taken us to a number of places in the Torrance/PV area that are up to her high standards. Though some of that could I suppose be a preference of region etc
I'm not saying that they're a dime a dozen, but they do exist. Though that's pretty far from you guys, and I have no idea on the Kosher issue (and it's probably to late to be much use). Seashore Chinese Restaraunt is one that I can personally vouch for in Torrance (not that my vote says much for authenticity, but the family picked it and enjoyed it...)
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Oh, I'm not saying there are only 2-- just that I've only been to 2. And actually I'm not counting little hole-in-the-walls, but nice places where I would take a friend. And by "L.A." I actually meant Downtown, which would not include Torrance anyway. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I don't live Downtown either, despite Pop's claims to the contrary. I'm two area codes away from Downtown!
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KQ: I grew up in Hong Kong, but I did live 2 years in Taiwan which is the gourmet Chinese food capital of the world. I am not extremely fussy with Chinese food, I just really hate it when the place is for example, "Chow's Chinese Steakhouse!" A solid pot sticker makes me just as happy as any other dish.
But if you folks have the indelible desire for deli dining I'd be only too happy to accompany you folks. So is wednesday THE DAY then? Were we thinking sometime in the evening? What time does this deli close?
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A good point-- I don't know when it closes, but it will be between 7:30 and 8:15 when we are able to get there.
And rivka, you don't live Downtown, but you live darned close to it compared to some of us. And Torrance. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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PKD apparently now closes at 8:30. SDG closes at 9:45. [Heh. Great minds, etc.]
Yes, relative to Torrance I am close to Downtown. Relative to "I'm supposed to be at [place downtown] in 20 minutes! In rush hour!" not so much. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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