Darband: A Bomb Iranian Restaurant In LA*

Nestled snuggly on Ventura Boulevard between Tampa and Winnetka sits one of Los Angeles’s best Iranian restaurants: Darband. The restaurant carries the name of a lush green mountain valley in the Alborz Mountains, known for restaurants that offer excellent cuisine and unparalleled ambiance. While Darband restaurant is not in a mountain valley, but rather in “the Valley,” it does not fail to live up to its’ namesake’s reputation for quality. I’ve tried almost every Iranian/Persian restaurant in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Chicago, New York, Washington D.C. and San Francisco—yes... (more)

Tags: los angeles, new york, san francisco, restaurant, iran

Fondue Frolics

... the skiing I want to talk about; it’s something else altogether, a storm in a fondue. We spent one day at the nearby resort of Val Thorens. It was here that Aidan Burley, a Conservative Member of Parliament, attended a Nazi-themed stag party last month in the excellent ( I know: I've been!) Restaurant La Fondue in the centre of town. One of the party, addressed by the rest as Himmler, wore a black SS uniform, which it turns out was hired by Burley himself. Various toasts were drunk to the Third Reich and Nazi ideology. The fall-out was sadly predictable: Burley was sacked from his post... (more)

Tags: scandal, british politics, parliament

The Anniversary Dinner

...many years as we lived together before we were married. Can anyone say "commitment issues?" Anyway, we have now been together for 36 years and we've never been happier together. And it makes me happy to say that.

We decided to celebrate by going out to dinner. We chose our anniversary restaurant with utmost care. Which means that in true Florida geezer tradition, we chose the restaurant we already had a gift certificate for. A nice little restaurant nearby. That's the other Florida geezer rule of thumb.... find a restaurant nearby where you don't have to drive far to get back home... (more)

Tags: anniversary

Rocking a Horse Across This Rough World - Part 2

...his email, as well. She looked at him, suddenly, as though there were something on his face. She appeared concerned, he thought, but couldn’t figure out why he thought this. She brightened just as suddenly, and then invited him to lunch. He gratefully accepted. They drove to a small Thai restaurant nearby, and spent some time talking about product, and service, but a bit about Boyd, and other social niceties, as well. She returned him to the parking lot where he’d parked the rental, promised they would schedule a larger demo for a top-level group in the firm, then said goodbye.

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End of Tomorrows

...able to reach him. About 45 minutes ago there was a news message on the radio that said the army has quarantined the whole area and are not allowing anyone in or out, not even emergency vehicles. I have some unconfirmed reports that 28 other people where taken sick and have died at a nearby restaurant which is just a few blocks from the hospital.”

“Any word from the Egyptian government or the Health Minister?”

“No word so far, they’ve been pretty quite about the whole thing…ah, hold on Mr. President, I’ve just been handed a note…ah, Mr. President, the note... (more)

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Video Marketing for Restaurants - How to Attract Customers

With the popularity of YouTube and other hot video hosting sites such as Vimeo, you don’t want to be left behind with this hot marketing trend. Restaurants know competition is fierce. One of the best ways to market your restaurant is to jump on the viral video bandwagon.

Video marketing campaigns are literally “in your face” marketing that can be promoted on your blog, social media, YouTube, etc. People don’t always have time to read long-drawn out blog posts and articles. By implementing short, concise videos that market your services and products to customers, you are able to share... (more)

Tags: video marketing, youtube marketing, viral videos, viral marketing, how to promote restaurants, how to market restaurants online, restaurant marketing tips, restaurant advertising

To Die For

... and high society, the spectre of Mr Glamour. This is a serial killer with a rather fleshy mission; a shadow who has an appetite that will stimulate other appetites, the emphasis here being on food as well as fashion. I don’t think I will ever again sit in The Ivy, or any other fashionable restaurant, with the same sense of composure!

The whole book is quite compelling. Godwin’s style and delivery seems to be even more assured than it was in Apostle Rising. His sentences are sharp, economical and well-honed, verbal arrows delivered with telling precision, invariably hitting a... (more)

Tags: book reviews, thrillers, gothic fiction, serial killers

Mothers Day, Fathers Night

...yet it is the love affair of a night that seems to be the payoff.

For Who I ask?

Mothers Day, lunch I'm cooking feeding the tribe and really a leisurely beach walk would do more to stimulate that romance after the years of hard work. For some of you may be a lunch out at a restaurant. Enjoy!

For many of these Mothers celebrating it is a life where they never meet their children. Being taken away by society for not being a worthy person yet we allow this people to wander around shattered for years before they wake up from this horrific termoil in their life let... (more)

Tags: family, life, children, grandmother, perfect partners, mothers day, madame

Talking Books with 'Waking Up Happy' Jill Muehrcke

...specializing in English and psychology, from the University of Washington. Jill is listed in Who’s Who (MarquisWhoswho.com). In her spare time, she enjoys teaching yoga and eating ethnic food. For many years, in several cities, including Seattle, Honolulu, and Madison, she has written restaurant reviews.

Her latest book is Waking Up Happy: A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope.

Q: Is WAKING UP HAPPY targeted toward people who have addictions?

I think the book will be helpful to anyone who wants to change their life, not only people with... (more)

Tags: waking up happy, jill muehrcke

The House---Part 3 of 4

... home.

“No not really, just that I don’t think we’re going to make many friends around here.”

“No it’s not that, it’s just that everyone in that café had black hair.”

“Yeah now that you mention it I did notice that. I thought we had walked into a Chinese restaurant at first.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“I don’t know, must be genetics. I’m going to take a shower and lay down for awhile,” replied Melody.

“OK, hun---I’ll be up later to play.”

“Well don’t wait to long, I might be asleep.”

Dave... (more)

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