The only thing I love more than absorbing all the creative interior details of a fun-ky boutique hotel, is to digest the equally delicious food you can expect to find in one of their on-site restaurants.
The Ace Hotel's King's Highway serves up some incredible eats in what used to be an old Denny's diner. But the food was anything but old school diner quality, serving up local and organic whenever possible. I actually found my only truly vegan meal on that highway. They also offered up insane desserts with a white trasher spin to them - think behemoth chocolate chip cookies baked with potato chips, or a slice of peanut butter cream pie the size of that wicker elephant head hanging over our booth.
Don't be fooled by the still shots - she was a big, hot mess all through dinner.
OK - not the best shot, but sometimes I have to lighten the load and make due with the iPhone. Designed by one of my favorites, Jonathan Adler, the irreverent Parker Hotel pays homage to that crazy, old, world-traveling aunt of yours. With two restaurants to choose from, we opted for Norma's, serving up more casual fare. I indulged in some ridiculously good fish tacos after powering through a bowl of corn-off-the-cob soup and half of Daddy's calamari. Their signature dessert was a build-your-own milkshake that allowed you to select your own ice cream flavor and favorite slice of pie to be blended all together into one crazy shake. Somehow, we restrained...
The newly opened Saguaro Hotel. We had an afternoon date at Tinto before heading to Sunnylands.
Our waiter did a good upsell with us when he suggested the marcona almonds and olives. Wow. Wow. Wow. The nuts were smoked to perfection, giving them a sort of *bacon* essence. And the olives, well, who knows what they did there - they were just damn good.
Citron at The Viceroy. I'd been hearing about this hotel for years and finally got to catch up. Designed by Kelly Wearstler, it was much smaller than I imagined. But at the same time, it's quaint feel was refreshing for a hotel.
Meet three of my all-time favorite people: Mr. Noodle, Miss Frijoles and The 8 year old.
I really enjoyed browsing thru your blog some tonight. your photography is truly gorgeous!
Posted by: Jacci | 04/26/2012 at 10:26 PM