Category: Girls Just-a-Wanna Have Fun

The Electric Lodge Performing and Visual Arts Center in Venice will once again play gracious host to the Kulov Tea Festival. Since 2000, the Kulov has celebrated the exotic culinary and cultural traditions that are literally “steeped” in tea. This year’s Kulov features the “teas and flavors of China,” and is only a short walk from artsy Abbot Kinney Blvd, with its hip restaurants and galleries.

“Every year around Valentines Day we host a cultural event honoring a country with a strong tradition of tea,” explains event producer Kulov. “Last year we celebrated Japan, the year before that, India. This year will coincide with Chinese New Year celebrations for the Year of the Rat.”

Local and International tea retailers, wholesalers and importers will be on hand. Exhibitors include the Art of Tea, famous for their rare, organic Ayurvedic teas, Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden and Herbal Emporium, which specializes in medicinal teas and herbal tonics, and 1001 Plateaus, known for the freshness of their high quality imported teas such as Jasmine Pearl ball, Long Jing, and Da Hong Pao.

Specialty foods, dim sum, and a grand tea ceremony with tea tasting, are among the culinary delights. Participation is encouraged, and workshops in herbal medicine, calligraphy, music and dance will be offered, as well as fine art displays, installations and a raffle. No matter what your taste, at the Kulov there is much to see and do.

Last year’s Japanese celebration included workshops in the crafts of origami and calligraphy, as well as demonstrations on how to make sushi, and mochi ice cream, and a Japanese tea ceremony. Every year the Festival features memorable live performances of folk music, as well as exhibits in both traditional crafts and contemporary art of the country. This year the UCLA Chinese Cultural Dance Club, and the American Chinese Cultural Association will round out the day with performances at 6:30 pm in the Electric Lodge theatre. Claudla Chol, Katherine Lee, Yujin Ono and Cathy Wang will also perform.

From Feb 7-28, in conjunction with the Tea Festival, Kulov contemporary and sixspace present an Exhibition of Chinese Contemporary Art also at the Electric Lodge. The exhibit will feature the works of Emily Cheng, Hong Hao, Alexander Lee and Zhang Xlanyong.

“The [Electric Lodge] is in a wonderful part of Venice just off of Abbot Kinney Blvd.,” says Kulov. “One of the goals of our tea festivals is to generate curiosity and good will that extend into the community at large,” he explains. “With so much to discover, people come from all over Los Angeles, as well as out of state, spending many happy hours exploring the neighborhood.”

Admission to the Tea Festival is $10 in advance, and $15 at the door, plus anywhere from $1-$3 for goodies and workshops. The event is free for children under 12. The Electric Lodge is located at 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice, CA 90291. For more information email info[at]kulov.com visit: http://www.kulovteafest.com or call (310) 699-7271.

After a morning with the girls exploring Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, I suggest doing lunch at the Rose Garden Tea Room. With views of three acres of roses, it’s a great place for you and the clutch to get your girl on.

You’ll have tea in high style, but without the worry of snobby dress codes (though people do like to dress for the occasion, casual attire is accepted). Children are also welcome. The cost is $19.95 per person, and while that may sound steep, it includes a limitless pot of English tea and delicious scones. After that it’s a help-yourself buffet with finger sandwiches (cucumber mint, Atlantic salmon with caviar, ham and asparagus and more), domestic and imported cheeses, fresh fruits, seasonal salads, and a variety of tarts, cakes and petite desserts. And being a buffet, it is perfectly acceptable to go back again and again (dieters beware)!

While they aren’t snobby about dress codes, don’t expect to just waltz in and get a table. This place is classy and popular, and reservations are required, especially for groups of 6 or more. And keep in mind that if you just want a place to do tea with the girls, at the Huntington you will have to pay the entry fee to the gardens in addition to the cost of the tea. If you don’t have time to enjoy the Gardens, I suggest getting a tea reservation for the first Thursday of the month, when you can get into the Gardens for free (call 800-838-3006 to reserve your free day tickets). Also, if you are going to the Tea Room with 8 people or more, the cost goes up to $25.49 per person, but that includes the tax and gratuity.

You might want to make your reservations at least two weeks ahead, because they book up quickly, especially for Mother’s Day. No email reservations here, just the good old fashion phone-in kind. For more information and a list of menu items go to:

If you don’t mind doing some advanced planning, lunch with the girls at the Huntington Tea Room is real treat. And don’t worry - you can walk off all those pound packing pastries in the Garden!

If you want to get out of the city, love flowers, gardening, art, or just need a change from the usual girls night out routine, Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino is a refreshing daytime excursion. Wear comfortable shoes, because there is plenty to see and do here, and about 120 acres of it!

Started by Henry Huntington over 100 years ago, Huntington Botanical Gardens now offers some 15,000 kinds of plants from all over the world. The estate is beautifully landscaped with over a dozen themed gardens, and features a Cafe, Tea Room, and Gift Shop.

In the Japanese Garden you’ll find an upper middle class home from the 1800’s built in the Shoin style, a brook of koi fish, and an elegant high arching bridge. Flowering plum, bamboo, and Japanese Black Pine are planted throughout, with a special pavilion dedicated to Bonsai trees.
This year (2008) the Rose Garden celebrates its Centennial at the Huntington, and the official flower of the Centennial is the Huntington Rose, a many-petaled English rose created by David Austin Nurseries and named specially for the Huntington. The best months to visit the Rose Garden are from May to July, and October to November when the roses are in full bloom.

Starting February 23rd, 2008, the Chinese Garden will be open for the first time to the public. Plants like camellias, pine and lotus are classically landscaped around a 1.5 acre lake, along with hand sculpted stone bridges, and a canyon waterfall against a backdrop of tall California oaks.

There are many other gardens to explore including the Camellia Garden, the Herb Garden, the Australia Garden, or the Jungle Garden, which sits beside a lush Lily Pond. Neo-classical statues, ornate fountains, and benches with fanciful faces grace the well-groomed lawns, or serve as shady spots throughout the Gardens to take a break and decide what to see next.

For after the gardens, there is still more to see. The Huntington Art Gallery remains closed for renovation until May 28th, 2008, but you can still view Gainsborough’s famous “Blue Boy,” and Lawrence’s “Pinky” among other distinguished works of British and French art from the late 16th through the 18th centuries at the Erburu Gallery.

If that’s not enough, the Huntington Library Exhibition Halls display some of the most treasured rare books and manuscripts of Anglo-American civilization, including the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible, and early editions of Shakespeare's works. Many of these volumes are “illuminated” or feature colorful pages of hand painted illustrations and intricate works of calligraphy.

By now you’ll be pretty tired, but don’t forget to stop by the Huntington Gardens Gift Shop on your way out. Cards with exhibit images, gardening books, hats, shirts, pins, scarves and even parasols are among the novelty items available for purchase.

Adult admission to the Huntington is $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends and Monday holidays. Seniors, students, children and large groups receive discounts. The first Thursday of every month is free but you need to make reservations in advance. For gardeners, on the second Thursday of every month, free lectures are given in the Friend’s Hall by authors and gardening experts from all over the world, culminating in plant sales in the Plant Sale Nursery.

The Huntington is located near Pasadena, about twelve miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Photos courtesy of Randolph Scott

Spending an afternoon and evening in Chinatown is one of my favorite things to do with my girlfriends. Chinatown is a colorful, cultural, architectural, dining and shopping experience. I just love to be so close to home but yet feel that I'm in another world.

I usually start my day in the original Chinatown area called Central Plaza on Gingling Way. Central Plaza has a fantastic variety of stores, buildings and an elaborate rock garden – inspired wishing well. The plaza is a great place to take a break on a bench and for people watching.

My favorite Restaurant for lunch is "Hop Louie". The Hop Louie Restaurant Pagoda is the focal point of Central Plaza. Formerly the Golden Pagoda Restaurant, it was originally constructed in 1941. The five tier pagoda is gorgeous and it's the last major built in today's New Chinatown Central Plaza. The food is descent and inexpensive.

Another fun and popular Restaurant for lunch is the Empress Pavilion. You have to try the Dim Sum Lunch on which you can feast on everything from pork dumplings to sesame sponge cake. The Chinese call the little delicacies "dim sum", which translates into "touching your heart".

After lunch explore the Art galleries and Antique stores on Chungking road in the west plaza.

Outside central plaza on north Broadway is Chinatown's largest store, Wing Hop Fung, where the medicinal aroma of ginseng and other Chinese herbs wafts through the lower floor. Upstairs is a colorful bazaar of paper dragons, lanterns and all types of bargains.

Bargains – that's part of the fun, finding a treasure you like and chasing down the best price – or staying to bargain with the shopkeeper.

Down the street at the corner of Ord Street and North Broadway is a group of colorful stalls offering everything from peacock feathers to those nifty ‘70s beaded curtains, tiny faux jade Buddhas {one each for health, wealth, fertility and other good fortunes}, and giant vases with chinese floral designs to create an eastern ambience on your patio.

A great place to find gifts for all occasions, and the perfect Chinese outfit for your next Asian theme party.

Chinatown has several Bars to explore in the evening. Enjoy a well deserved cocktail after a long hard day of shopping

“Smokey” the bear will put a smile on your face the moment you walk into the door. Another “wild” animal on display is the friendly animatronic gopher that bobs up and down out of a tree stump, on a continuous loop. A stuffed boar head along with a docile deer head hang proudly on the bar wall to greet bar visitors with their plastered smiles illuminated by a deer-in-the-head-light-fixture. The overall log-cabin décor is cozy and warm with the wood-paneled walls and a blaring fireplace creating a truly rustic mood, just like that, of a snow topped-lodge, found high in the alps. The bar has many comfortable booths to lounge in, ideal for a girl’s night.

Every night the Bigfoot lodge has something different to offer. Monday nights Rockn’ Roll Karaoke, and Sunday nights Bingo are just a blast.

A different DJ adds great music to the already awesome atmosphere every night. Wednesday night you can listen to old English tunes and Thursdays the DJ plays anything from classic Rockabilly to old school Punk. Tuesday nights you can bring your own I pod. You also have to meet the Bigfoot Lodge movie-guy. He shows fun and bizarre movies in the fireplace area.

The Bigfoot Lodge crew is super friendly. Some of the Bartenders have been there for many years and mix some excellent drinks. The girl’s favorites have been the “pink drink specials” which you must surly give a try. (On different nights drink specials are offered, depending on the theme of the night. )

With the variety of music and activities the Bar has to offer, it attracts a great range of friendly people. It’s a bar for everybody who just likes to have a good time, no matter if you are an artist with lots of tattoos, or a business guy in a grey flannel suit.

You’ll never get bored at the Bigfoot Lodge and it is super easy to meet some fun people. So get some girlfriends together, have a great time and I’ll see you there.

The Bigfoot Lodge is a great neighborhood bar. Conv. Located on Los Feliz Blvd just east of the 5 Fwy. It’s easy to get to and parking is never a problem.

Tiki Ti is one of the best Tiki Bars I had the pleasure to visit. If you like the tiki decor, you’ll love this bar. Countless Tikis and Tiki Mugs are on display. When you step into Tiki-Ti it's almost like stepping back in time. The bar is small, only 12 stools, with a handful of tables against the wall, but what it lacks in physical size it makes up for in menu size.

There are 86 Tropical Drinks offered, most of which simply can't be found anywhere else. It’s tempting to try them all. The drinks are colorful, yummy and very strong. On Wednesday nights, Tiki Ti offers a special drink “Ray’s mistake”. Ray was the original founder of the bar. One evening he screwed up when he mixed a drink and accidental invented a yummy drink which now is everybody’s favorite. The “Stealth” is the Strongest drink on the menu. If you order either a “Blood and Sand” or a “Uga Booga” everybody starts yelling. The Bartender will add more alcohol to the drink until the glass is filled to the rim.

Almost as colorful as the drinks are the customers. It’s fun to go dressed in your favorite Hawaiian shirt and tiki dress.

The bar was opened in 1961 by master mixologist Ray Buhen, who was there at the start of the Tropical Drink craze at Don The Beachcomber’s legendary restaurant. His son and grandson, Michael and Mike Buhen now carry on his tradition; together, they practice the “Lost Art” of Exotic Cocktail mixing in the last of the great neighborhood tiki bars.

Tiki Ti is family-owned and operated and one of the few bars where smoking is still allowed.

This bar is perfect for a fun evening with your girlfriends. Since this bar is so small it is very easy to get in contact with other bar guests. Everybody is friendly, social, loud and colorful.

When you step from Hillhurst Avenue up the garden path to the Alcove, you are entering a small Los Angeles dining adventure. But don't worry - it's a good one. Located in the colorful respite of Los Feliz in an old brick bungalow, the Alcove is true to its name, but with L.A.'s youthful energy, too.

First you walk through a well-seated grassy courtyard filled with shady umbrellas, café tables and chairs. Then, get in line, because this place is popular, and often packed. However the wait doesn't feel long, for you're too busy perusing the extensive menu of gourmet egg dishes (from the old-fashioned country breakfast to the shrimp and lobster omelette), monster salads (such as classic Cobb, Asian, or grilled vegetable), and a variety of panini sandwiches, burgers and wraps. From the colorfully illustrated giant chalkboard you pick your potion - whether it be an exotic hot coffee, ice blended, or stronger libation. As you bump along the curve of the counter towards the congested ordering area, glass windows display tantalizing tarts and pastries, fluffy iced cupcakes with sprinkles, and enormous marshmallow treats. While the Alcove prices are a bit higher than average, you'll find generous portions here.

Ah, you've made it to the front of the line. You order, you pay, you get your drink, and a number to put on your table. Now to find a place to sit: a few tables can be found inside, oddly surrounded by strange religious wall murals, artifacts, and antique photos (you get the vague feeling this was once the site of turn-of-the-century religious cult) - which might explain why the most popular seating is outside. I tend to go for more privacy, settling in the quaint side patio with its creative, antique lawn furniture (a chair made from a country door is one of my favorites). Greek statues surrounded by trees invite small birds to join you, and add to the overall calming effect in this section. But the busy front courtyard has much to offer as well. My friend and I once became so thoroughly engrossed in the Hollywood dating dramas of two women talking at the courtyard table beside us, we barely said a word to each other the entire meal. When we left, we shared commentary as though we had just been to a movie!

Once you sit, you can sip your drink, chat, and relax. You feel a little like a frat initiate who just made it through the Haze (okay, that's an exaggeration - maybe that's just the lingering cult vibe from inside); actually it's more like coming home after a hectic drive in traffic. Whatever. When the food arrives the "traffic" is quickly forgotten. You find the offerings deserving of inclusion in the local mag "best ofs," such as Angeleno's "Hot List," or Sunset's "Best Coffeehouses in LA." You eat, and you feel good that you have discovered this crazy little retreat – more accurately, that you survived a little "crazy" to get to the "retreat."

In LA I think we enjoy going through a little drama to get to something good. The Alcove dining experience is no different, for not only do you get a good meal, but a sense of accomplishment, too. Which I suppose is why, despite my complaints about the crowds, I keep going back.