Heading West: West Inn & Suites in Carlsbad, California

Posted on by Diversions LA

West inn 2

Want a great and easy LA getaway for the 4th of July? Then head west. To West Inn & Suites in Carlsbad, Calif. A treat for families ready to visit Legoland or couples looking for a romantic getaway,  West Inn & Suites is just a quick stroll from the seasonal Flower Garden, featuring 50 acres of ranunculus with walking paths perfect for strolling; three blocks from the beautiful South Carlsbad beach, and a very short drive to The Museum of Making Music, a fascinating series of galleries packed with hands-on exhibits about musical instruments, and the art of making music itself.

But  West Inn & Suites also works as a self-contained stay, with a variety of packages from local micro-brewery tastings to a complete beach-going experience, including chairs and boogies boards. There’s also a fantastic fine-dining experience on-site, and luxury accommodations that are surprisingly reasonable.

Haven’t heard of West Inn & Suites? Well you should put it and the truly fantastic Bistro West restaurant, as well as their steak house, on your radar now.  In fact, the steak house was built first, with the family friendly inn and Bistro West following. Today, the stellar property is among the top selections for the area on Trip Adviser, and we concur that a top rating is more than justified.

We’ll start with the restaurant, an experience that rivals top gourmet restaurants in SoCal. Definitely not your ordinary hotel restaurant, this is a destination dining spot for the area, and truly a must for hotel guests.

F23C9172

According to manager Brandon Slattery, most of the fresh fruits and veggies on offer come from the West Inn & Suites’ own farm just up the street – from beets to heirloom tomatoes. “The concept of the restaurant is one that uses fresh farm to table ingredients that are switched out seasonally to take full advantage of the farm’s produce offerings,” Slattery says.

F23C9153

The restaurant includes a vast “wall of wine” that includes, Slattery says, “Over a thousand bottles and a specialty wine list.”

The restaurant is family-friendly, but elegant, too; stylishly appointed with features such as beautiful glass lamps, hand-blown in Italy.

F23C9150

The restaurant’s menu includes family favorites, but also offers delightful, creative adult cuisine.

F23C9157

We began our meal with letter-perfect craft cocktails, followed by a pescatarian feast.

F23C9160

Quickly flash-fried blue fin tuna was served with fermented black beans and West Farm’s fresh radishes. A wonderful starter, this is a unique and delicious dish that fits the close-to-the-sea location.

F23C9162

A beautiful beet salad, above, also features fresh-from-the-farm produce.

F23C9163

Above, a succulent sea bass with heirloom tomato, fresh artichoke hearts, and lemon orzo.

F23C9164

This dish, above, offers a rich profusion of flavor in mushroom ravioli with divers scallops. Flowers on both dishes are edible, and grown on the farm. The textures and flavors of mushrooms and scallops are a fresh combination that really works.

F23C9170

Above, an elegant quartet of dessert samplings: New York cheesecake, creme brulee, key lime pie, and a mud pie that’s definitely worthy of a full size portion.

“We keep our restaurant family friendly at an affordable budget and offer elegant cuisine options as well,” Slattery says.

It’s a rare combination to pull off, but the restaurant manages, with style. The hotel-owned, locally grown produce is an exceptional concept, bringing farm-to-table to an entirely new level. And the flavors and creativity on the menu are more than impressive.

The kitchen is helmed by renowned executive chef John Miller; we spoke with the restaurant’s second-in-command, Cody Carline. “Our menu features vastly different types of food from casual comfort items like pizza and pastas that are fresh and hearty, to high-end fine dining, and specialty wine and beer dinners. John pushes us to bring out special dishes for all our guests. ”

The restaurant is open for Sunday brunch as well as lunch and dinner.

Deliciously indulged? Then you’re just steps away from your room. We were impressed with the luxury linens, towels, and bedding; also with the ample space in our well-appointed suite. A small living area works perfectly to accommodate children or as a special place for entertaining and relaxing.

F23C9139 F23C9142

The pool and hot tub area are romantic at night, and are also a great spot to enjoy the hotel’s hosted full breakfast buffet in the morning. Waffles and eggs, fresh fruit, and sunshine – can’t beat that.

F23C9148

The hotel is also pet friendly, and perfect for private events from weddings to family reunions.

In short, when you’re looking for a place for a quick getaway or an extended stay, we can’t think of a better place to go than west, to West Inn & Suites.

  • Genie Davis; Photos: Jack Burke; daytime exterior courtesy of hotel

 

Dances with Films: 19 Years of Indie Cinema Keeps Rocking

Posted on by Diversions LA

 

F23C5226

Above, director and stars of The Salton Sea.

DWF19 has – as Dances with Films does every year – presented a wide slate of films, some absolutely awe-inspiringly wonderful. The variety of narrative films, documentaries, shorts, music videos, and kids programming alone should make film-lovers flock to the festival, and the chance to see some truly transcendent cinema in the mix is something to really celebrate.

F23C5206

This week screenings included The Salton Sea, director Veena Sud’s two-hander about an alcoholic wandering the desert (Jamie Anne Allman) and the hitchhiker (Diarra Kilpatrick) she reluctantly picks up after what may have been a hit and run.  As eerie and exotic as its setting, one which we are personally very familiar with, this unusual redemption story has an ending which surprises and resonates in a film that works both as visual poetry and narrative story telling.

F23C5180

Allman had recently had a baby, and director Sud accommodated during the seven day, two-weekend shoot, providing an air-conditioned truck following behind the actresses to support Allman and her baby. “It was wonderful,” Allman attests, “I had the support of work with women who did not mind working with a new mom.”

F23C5233

Sud describes the film as a “kind of f-d up My Dinner with Andre, a forced intimacy between the two women with a lot of dialog.” Shot on a Sony F-3 and budgeted at $70,000, the elegaic beauty of the film’s locations in Niland, Calipatria, and the sea itself was itself a third character. Sud chose her actors carefully. “I’ve watched Jamie Anne in The Shield, I cast her in The Killing, I knew I wanted her for this. Diana, I saw in the play The Interlopers, and I knew she was the one.”

F23C5275

Singapore Sling writer/producer Neto DePaula Pimenta and director Marcus Sigrist with DP Ivan Rodrigues, above.

Singapore Sling is revelatory cinema. Writer/producer Neto DePaula Pimenta and director Marcus Sigrist assembled a stellar cast: Cinthya Hussey, Samuel de Assis, Angelica di Paula, and Neto DePaula Pimenta himself in a brilliant depiction of what happens when two former lovers reconnect – and bring along their current significant others. The Brazillian film is absolutely gorgeous, with DP Ivan Rodrigues crafting something exceptional in every scene. “It’s all about the integrity of style. We did long takes with the characters in perspectives, we used steadycam, mirrors bouncing into the house for light, no articifical lighting. I just had to figure it out and commit to it. It’s hard to shoot dialog heavy scenes, to decide what you are going to do with the camera. We had to figure out how the actors would walk and block their movements. Each day we’d block the next day’s shoot.”

F23C5247

Pimenta adds “I got Ivan involved by the time Marcus and I had finished the script. it worked because he was a part of the movie, we’ve worked together for years and I knew it would not be static of theater-like.”

Almost unbelievable that this gorgeous and emotionally charged film was shot in just eight days for $15,000.

F23C5256

“It started off with Marcus calling me and suggesting we make a movie with very little resources. We’ve known each other since 6th grade,” Pimenta says.

“Oiriginally, Neto wasn’t planning to be in the film, but we needed a fourth actor and he ended up playing Bruno,” Sigrist says.

F23C5242

“I loved creating a film without a standard Hollywood ending,” Pimenta adds. “I’m a big admirer of films like The Graduate.” Don’t miss this film.

F23C5300

IMG_9620

Above, cast and crew of I Live For You.

I Live For You was originally going to be an entirely different film, according to this quirky, very dark comedy mystery’s director,  Monika Wesley. “We were originally going to be shooting a project called Great Barrington, a more standard mystery.” But her co-writer, Brandon Zinn, “got bored.”

IMG_9614

Instead they decided, according to Zinn, to make something “weird and twisted.”

IMG_9621

“We had no money,” Wesley attests, “we were just two people who wanted to make a movie. We pared it down, we shot for as minimal amount as we could, and spent a month just rehearsing. Casting was super important, just really important to have terrific, charming actors because we got a lot of notes that otherwise our characters were despicable.”

 

Both despicable and charming are Sean (Rob Hook) and Kate (Hannah Telle) as two people who meet through a complex plot involving a dead father, an unknown half brother, a suicide-wish, and so much more.  No spoilers here, but this LA set love story is kind of an anti-rom/com. Telle is a singer-songwriter as well as an actress, and her musical skills become instrinsic to the plot.  Taut and funny, the film’s unexpected twists and turns keeps both audience and its characters on their toes.

IMG_9618

Also viewed: Writer/Director Jake Hulse crafts the tale of two boyfriend friends who decide to the do the patriotic thing and enlist after 9/11 in Heroes Don’t Come Home. One goes, one stays, a strong bond remains between the conflicted heroes, primarily set in rural Maine.

More reviews of more – of course – exciting films and festival summary posting soon. See you at the movies!

 

 

 

 

Paradise in San Diego

Posted on by Diversions LA

F23C9503

People always talk about vacationing in paradise. Hawaii, Bali, the Bahamas…but paradise can be as close to LA as San Diego – and it is.

F23C9506

 

Paradise Point Resort is an absolutely perfect spot to unwind. The 44-acre private island on Mission Bay is a world apart, even though it’s less than seven miles from the heart of San Diego.

It’s easy to find your bungalow, unpack the car, and then never leave the island – except to kayak around it. 
F23C9484
Let’s start with the rooms. The cheerful, modern decor includes flat-screen TVs, luxury bedding, and patios. Some patios face the lush lagoons or offer bay views. We stayed in a Bungalow lodge right on the beach. The resort’s mile of white sand is a semi-circle dotted with fire pits.
F23C9350
Our sleek suite featured a separate sitting room, dining table, and wet bar.  The rooms are described as “Balinese-influenced,” and they have an unobtrusive tropical feeling, enhanced by plenty of white, gold, turquoise, wooden shutters, teak furnishings. 

F23C9355 F23C9354

The property itself offers even more paradise than the rooms.

F23C9493
With five pools, including a vast main pool, a calm adults-only pool, and small blissfully heated bodies of water throughout the property plus hot tubs, there’s plenty of places to splash besides the bay.
F23C9492
There’s also a beautifully maintained, charming putting green, bicycles to rent, tennis courts, and a luxurious fitness center.  There’s croquet and sand volleyball, too, plus a calm, lovely spa that offers massages and other treatments in an airy pavilion.
F23C9482

It’s fun just to stroll the grounds, looking at the bay, the  hibiscus and birds of paradise, the lagoons with their small wooden bridges. In the center of the property, near the main pool, a tower rises to the sky, offering great views of the island and property.

 

F23C9502

The island resort was once known as Vacation Village, an island setting created by movie producer Jack Skirball, architect Eldridge Spencer, and builder Bob Golden in the 1960s. The Hollywood connection resulted in some attractive artifacts on the property including the central fountain with its porpoise design, and the mission bells throughout the island. While the South Seas ambiance has been stylishly updated, the tropical, fecund feeling has continued to thrive. There’s a small waterfall near the marina, and an enclosed water space where a variety of fish slip through shallow water, a flotilla of ducks on the lagoons, and a large copper fireplace in the lobby.

F23C9457

The resort is family friendly, but it’s also romantic, and there’s plenty of room for kids to play and enjoy the property’s amenities without conflicting with adult relaxation. Families will also enjoy the proximity to Sea World, just a five minute drive away, and the San Diego Zoo, a fifteen minute drive. The resort’s Barefoot Grill offers an enjoyable kid’s menu with plenty of choices and libations for adults.

F23C9469

After strolling the property, indulging in poolside relaxation, and watching boats sailing along the bay, it was time for dinner.

F23C9368

We had an amazing meal at resort’s elegant signature restaurant, Tidal. This restaurant is a destination even for those not staying on the island, a dining experience with an emphasis on seafood and Mediterranean style created by Chef Amy DiBiase. It is a culinary delight.

F23C9394

Inside, the dining room is spacious, with stunning light fixtures, and plenty of glass. The optimal romantic setting is on the outdoor patio, where San Diego lights glitter across the bay.  Wherever you sit, the view is lovely; and whatever you eat will probably be exceptional.

DiBiase is classically trained. “French, Italian, some Spanish, those are my influences,” she says. “We use ingredients that are as fresh and organic as possible, and we stay as seasonal as possible, too, and focus on developing the flavor of every dish. When preparing fish, the result should hit all your different senses, in one bite, spicy, cool, crunchy.”

F23C9376

We began with an incredible cheese board, beautifully curated. I’m a fan of cheese boards, and order them when I can, and this was truly one of the best and most generous boards I’ve tasted. Humbolt Fog goat cheese, smoked berry crostini, smoked tomato jam, cave-aged Mellage Carr Valley cheese – all superlative. The sheep, goat, and cow milk cheese selections change daily.

F23C9379

A grapefruit and avocado salad, perfectly dressed, made a refreshing second course.

F23C9385

Fish, which also changes based on available fresh offerings, is lovingly and inventively prepared. We had divers scallops and prawns. The scallops rested on a bed of pureed fava beans, plus baby squash, blistered tomato, wilted spinach, and a truffle beurre blanc.

F23C9381

Equally succulent were the prawns, which were richly prepared with rosemary-polenta and smoked chili aioli.

F23C9387

For dessert: chocolate banana tart, which was both intense yet light.

F23C9371

Beverage selections were equally delightful: lemongrass tea, Red Rocket ale, and Hess Grapefruit IPA made for perfect company with our main dishes and dessert. Before the meal, we enjoyed two beautifully nuanced craft cocktails: Thee Barnacle uses milagro tequila as a base, and features fresh pressed grapefruit and lemon, agave nectar, and a zingy cayene infusion. The Double Down featured rye whiskey, pecan nutmeg infusion, and chocolate bitters. This was a darker drink, made for sipping.

F23C9402

We took another stroll around the island, enjoying the evening quiet, the sounds of crickets and lapping water before our final treat of the evening: the hotel’s s’mores package.

F23C9418

Firewood, matches, skewers, marshmallows and chocolate, all in one package, are left in guests’ rooms upon request. We had to stroll on a few steps to a fire pit, set up our logs, relax in Adirondack chairs, and have a final desert. Stars above, sand between our toes, and charred marshmallows – what could be better?

F23C9424

In the morning, we rented kayaks from the hotel’s marina, and took a wonderful, gentle circle of the island. We saw jelly fish, rays, and slithery silver fish beneath our oars, on a beautiful, sun-filled morning.  Yes, paradise – and we didn’t need a passport or a long plane ride to get there.

 

F23C9425 F23C9432

Paradise Point is located at 1404 Vacation Rd, San Diego, CA 92109

For more information visit http://www.paradisepoint.com

One City One Pride: Into the Streets

Posted on by Diversions LA

2016 One City One Pride Logo
The city of West Hollywood’s 40-day One City One Pride festival is a tribute to diversity that is itself wonderfully diverse in the wide variety of arts programming it offers.

2016 One City One Pride main poster image - artwork by Ricky Serrano

Continuing through June 30th are an exceptional range of over 90 events, exhibitions, performances, and interactive programming, all built around the 2016 festival theme of “Into the Streets,” which explores LGBTQ activism and history. The festival’s theme recalls an early rallying cry of LGBTQ rights groups “Out of the closet and into the streets.”

From theater to art exhibitions, concerts and conversations, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy as a part of the inclusive program.

Running through June 26th is Hollywood Fringe/One City One Pride. The City of West Hollywood is collaborating with The Hollywood Fringe Festival to present a full line-up of exciting LBGTQ-themed theatrical productions. Partnership shows include God’s Waiting Room, Life’s A Bitch and So Am I, The Gay Guide to Tinseltown, Sarah G’s Spot: The #1 Ballsy Woman, Snatched…Stories from Down There, Reclaimed Freedom: Fact or Fiction, Skin of Honey/Piel De Miel, and The Collection by Harold Pinter/Anniversary by Rachel Bonds. For dates, times, locations and prices, see http://www.hollywoodfringe.org/weho.

June 10 - LAAA Out There exhibit - Artwork by Julio Panisello

Lena Moross, Carmine after Degas

Opening June 10th from 6 to 9 p.m., and running through June 17th, Gallery 825 hosts the 9th annual Out There group exhibition. The subject asks artists to explore West Hollywood’s commitment to the LGBTQ community. Out There was juried by William Escalera and Francisco George, and features cutting edge mixed media, paintings, photography, and sculptural work by artists including Robyn Alatorre, Debi Cable, Kathy Curtis-Cahill, Bibi Davidson, Dwora Fried, Shelley Heffler, Tom Lasley, Shana Mabari, Lena Moross, Johnny Naked, Hung Viet Nguyen, Kenn Raaf, Osceola Refetoff, Cory Sewelson, Skye Amber Sweet, Scott A. Trimble, and Monica Wyatt, among many others. The gallery is located at 825 N. La Cienega, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10-5. For more information, see http://www.gallery825.com/exhibitions.html

Photos: Joshua Barash City of West Hollywood Pride parade 2010 Santa Monica Blvd.
Photo: Joshua Barash

June 12th, starting at 10:45 a.m. is the renowned LA Pride Parade, and as a part of the parade itself, FATA – From the Archives to the Archives – Queer Signs of the Times 1965 – 2010. The pride parade is produced and presented by Christopher Street West, and runs from Crescent Heights to Robertson Boulevard along Santa Monica Boulevard. When watching the always-popular parade, don’t miss Queer Signs of the Times 1965-2016, a stellar art project that takes place within the parade, which includes 75 re-created protest signs taken to the streets in a mock protest rally. The re-created signs date back as far as 1965.

June 12 - Queer Signs of the Times - Historic Signs from 1965-2016 - Flyer - Artist Ruben Esparza

Mid-week, author Felice Picano talks about the strong gay presence in Hollywood during the 1930’s on June 15th at 7 p.m. Held at the West Hollywood City Council Chambers, located at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd, this free event also features a short reading excerpted from the novella “Wonder City of the West.” For more information, see http://bit.ly/GayHollywood30s

On Sunday June 19th from 4-8 p.m. the book launch for the ONE Archives exhibit running through July 10th takes place in Plummer Park’s Long Hall. The C*ck, Paper, Scissors Book Launch and Collage Workshop centers around the first catalog to examine queer collage practices in an historical context. It was published in collaboration with the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art. Supporting this seminal achievement is a free collage workshop led by feminist artist Suzanne Wright. Long Hall is located at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., where the exhibit is also displayed.

The last weekend of June serves up more strong OCOP events, including the Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights’ Pride Play Reading Festival, two rehearsed reading programs featuring LGBTQ-themed plays. Six short pieces will be featured on Saturday; a single full-length project presented on Sunday. Both free programs will take place at the Plummer Park Community Center, Rooms 5/6, located at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd.

June 26 - 'I Stand Corrected' Film Screening and Summer Sounds concert with Jennifer Leitham - Photo courtesy of Jennifer Leitham

Both a film screening and Summer Sounds concert will also take place on Sunday the 26th. The screening of the film I Stand Corrected takes place at 2 p.m. in West Hollywood’s City Hall at 8300 Santa Monica Blvd. The film tells the story of Jennifer Leitham, who transitioned from being known as John Leitham during a 2001 concert tour with Doc Severinson. Leitham was recently chosen as one of LA Weekly’s most interesting people of 2016, and was featured in the Vanity Fair special edition Trans America issue. A Q&A with filmmaker Andrea Meyerson will be held following the film. At 4 p.m., Leitham will perform at the City of West Hollywood’s free Summer Sounds concert series outside in the City Hall Community Plaza. There’s no RSVP required, but more information can be found at http://bit.ly/SSJL2016

A Brief History of Drag exhibit 'Portrait of Anyone Who Shows Up In Drag, Los Angeles Edition, 2016' and artwork by Austin Young

Continuing through June 27th is “A Brief History of Drag,” a fascinating photography exhibition that chronicles both the Los Angeles and WeHo drag scenes from the late 1800s to the present. Installed on the second floor of the West Hollywood Library, this exhibition includes work by Austin Young, whose “Portrait of Anyone Who Shows Up In Drag, Los Angeles Edition, 2016,” a 7.5 x 7.5-foot composite photograph, features more than 100 people in drag. The exhibition is a collaboration between the City of West Hollywood WeHo Arts and One City One Pride with the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Advocate & Gochis Galleries, and CAP UCLA with assistance from the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives. See more at: http://www.weho.org/residents/drag-angeles-one-city-one-pride

June 4 - Art Out! West Hollywood City Poet Steven Reigns will host a 'Poet-tree' reading during Art Out! Photo of Steven Reigns by Tony Coelho

The Lesbian Speakers Series/WeHo Reads/One City One Pride will present Natalie Goldberg in conversation with West Hollywood City Poet Steven Reigns on the 30th anniversary of Natalie Goldberg’s classic Writing Down the Bones – Freeing the Writer Within. This free event will take place June 30th at 7 p.m. in the West Hollywood City Council Chambers at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. More information is available at: www.weho.org/wehoreads

For more information on all events and RSVP links, visit:
www.weho.org/pride
and
http://weho.org/home/showdocument?id=26443 (PDF format)