So I missed the SNL where Lana Del Rey apparently bombed but have seen it now and have to say really love the actual video for this song “Video Games”. I love the mix of old film clips, new video, and her singing… If you have not had the chance check it out I really think that you will like it! So enjoy!

To get there, travel on Sunset Boulevard west of the 405 and turn right on San Remo Drive and quickly turn left at Monaco Drive.  At the roundabout, take Capri Drive north, which should end at Casale Road.  Park, then walk west on Casale Road, which becomes Sullivan Fire Road. Continue past the yellow gate and Rustic Canyon Trail sign and hike about a mile until you see the iron gate.

Sounds fun!!!

What a great night! Amazing people and great new friends! I am so thankful for my life and the people that I get to meet and interact with it’s amazing! You know who you are and I am so thankful for knowing each and everyone of you!!! Much love and happy Sunday especially to A.P. As she likes credit where credit is due!!! Great meeting you and can’t wait to see you again!

Today I went to Montreal, Canada for lunch and have to say I now don’t have to eat for another year!

Ok so maybe I did not travel up to our neighbors to the north but I did visit the Redondo Beach Cafe in Redondo Beach, CA. I wrote a couple of days ago about how I had heard from two people that I trust about this dish called poutine that was from Montreal, Canada. It is made of french fries, fresh cheese curds, and gravy… needless to say I knew right away that this was something I had to try! I hit the internet (phoolge) style and found there are 2 places in the area that serve poutine and so I choose the one closest to me in Redondo Beach!

In the meantime I had gone out again and told my friends about my findings and with a night of great conversation and cocktails at The Brentwood Lounge I was also told about Montreal smoked meat sandwich which in combination with poutine are the after bar food of Montreal! This is just starting to sound way to good to be true. So I headed to Redondo Beach in search for poutine and figured I would find Montreal smoked meat at a later time…

As i drove down PCH through Redondo Beach to the Redondo Beach Cafe I was starting to worry that I had missed it but to my surprise the flags of all nations of food were there to call me in to the parking lot like a lighthouse in the fog and I knew I was in the right place. As I walked in the space has the feel of an old cafe or dinner but clean as can be and from the behind the counter a friendly hello was there to great me. I sat at the counter and started to look over the menu when I saw what I had come for poutine! Then to my surprise a couple lines lower was Montreal imported Smoked Meat!!! I was in heaven and it can be found in Redondo Beach!

My waitress Natalie was very friendly and helpful (not to mention very cute) and knew the menu front to back! She had some favorites when I asked her about the menu but I knew what I was there for! I ordered a Deli style Montreal smoked meat sandwich on rye, with mustard, and poutine as my side instead of normal fries. I also topped it off with a Molson Canadian to wash it all down only because it is not often that you can find that beer in a bar in LA.

After only a couple of sips from my frosty mug of Molson my food arrived and I was drooling… It all looked so amazing and just what I had wished for! The smoked meat was so full of flavor and complemented the mustard and rye in the best way. The flavor combination made me want more after I was finished and will be my menu item of choice when I return. The poutine was amazing… the mixture of cheese, gravy, and fries can never be wrong and this was simply the best! The cheese was fresh cheese curds and I have to say I was a huge fan. Coming from the midwest I am used to cheese curds as a fried treat at the state fair but adding them and letting them melt with the temperature of the gravy is amazing. Last week my dad and I were talking about if there was a food we could bring to the state fair and I think this might be it!

All along Natalie would check in and chat as I asked questions and also other servers made sure I was doing fine and made time to chat. I felt very welcome and it was almost like I had been coming for years!

So over all I think you might guess that I loved the Redondo Beach Cafe and will be back!!! I also want to note that I now know that food and people from Montreal, Canada are amazing! From the comfort food to the wonderful conversations and cocktails I think there will be a trip to this city soon and can’t wait to see what else I can find!

So now stop reading and go now to the Redondo Beach Cafe in Redondo Beach, CA the address is 1511 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 the telephone number is 310-316-1047 you can also find them on the web at www.redondobeachcafe.com they were also rated #1 by the Daily Breeze recently as southbay’s best! 

So now you have all the information go and get yourself some amazing food and the feel of “Cheers” where you feel like you’re at home! Don’t forget to ask for the amazing Natalie although I am sure all the waitstaff would be great  I think she is the best! Enjoy and tell them that Mr. Blyth sent you (won’t really help but would be fun)… 

Thanks to two wonderful women I have been told  about a new food called “Poutine”, a cultural food item from Canada. It’s french fries, then add melted cheese curds, and then add gravy… sounds amazing and I’m on my way to find out about this new treat. If someone might know a cardiologist that would be great because I see a visit very soon! Thank you canada and M&A for the tip!

(Photo not from where I am going but just used as reference)

Ok I know this is odd but this morning I woke up and really wanted to eat Bangers & Mash like I did 90% of the dinners in Ireland. I just was back home and spoke with my dad about how hard it is to find good bangers (sausages) to which he agreed. Now back in So. Cal. I am happy to say that the mystery is solved.

After having brunch today I noticed that a bunch of tents down one of the side streets in Manhattan Beach and realized that it was Tuesday and today is the Farmers Market. I have never been before and decided to walk through to see what they had to offer… After looking through a great selection of local goods I spotted a local butcher and knew I had to ask. I am so glad that I did because even though they were not out he dug in the back cooler and pulled out a package of Bangers!!!! I will let you know how everything turns out but so far so good! Just to let you know if you are ever looking for a great selection of meat and sausages check out Schreiner’s Fine Sausages www.schreinersfinesausages.com to see what they have! Now if I could only find Mushy Peas…

Bodies of Water is a band from the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, signed to independent record label Secretly Canadian. The core group consists of married couple David and Meredith Metcalf. However, the band often plays LA shows with five or more additional musicians, such as horn players, an additional drummer, and strings. All members of the band sing, including players added for local shows.

Bodies of Water’s first EP and album was reviewed favorably by music critics such as Pitchfork Media and Rolling Stonemagazine’s New Music blog. Critics often compare their music to that of Ennio Morricone, Arcade Fire, The Mamas & the Papas, and label-mate Danielson. In interviews, the band lists gospel groups and Tropicalia musicians among its influences.

Bodies of Water’s first full-length album Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink was originally released on Bodies of Water’s own Thousand Tongues label, and was only available in a few stores, at live shows, or directly from the band via their website. After Secretly Canadian signed Bodies of Water, the label re-released the album nationally on January 22, 2008.

The band’s second album, titled A Certain Feeling, was released July 22, 2008 to generally favorable reviews.

New album Twist Again…

http://www.bodiesofwater.net/