Joan "of Yelp" S.'s Profile
DateTorrance, CA 90505
(310) 378-9326
Peninsula Glass & Mirror
Category:
Contractors
Neighborhood: Torrance
Listed in: Home Services
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 375-3672
Dion Gallery
Categories:
Art Galleries,
Framing
Neighborhood: Redondo Beach
Patronizing local businesses means that they greet you by name and you enjoy friendly, wonderful service.
This certainly has been the case with owner Jeff Dion and employee Amy at this very cool gallery/frame shop near my home.
My first experience at Dion Gallery was last week, when I brought in a couple of my own creations from the 90's to be framed. The art works had been stored away for more than 10 years, were kinda special to me. So I was incredibly pleased with the quality of framing workmanship when I picked up the pieces yesterday. It is true perfection.
I do know a bit about framing, having owned a gallery/frame shop myself in Chicago, years ago. To be honest, Dion's framing is more impressive than anything my framers ever did, and that's sayin' somethin'. For example, I'd never heard of using strainer bars to reinforce a frame for larger pieces.
Dion Gallery is a family-owned & operated business, newly located at the far south end of Redondo's Riviera Village. About 6 months ago they moved from a block to the north, where they'd been for the past 10 years.
There's some beautiful work by local artists displayed in the gallery, as well as a huge selection of frames to choose from.
Treasured art needs to be protected, and I highly recommend Dion for archival framing. Owner Jeff has many years of experience & knows what he's doing. I learned a ton just by talking with him.
The first pieces I brought in turned out so good that today I went back with two more of my of own works to be framed. And I'm just gettin' started.....wait till I start seriously tearing into my storage unit.....
Listed in: Art Galleries, Art Museums,…
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 254-9499
Sweet Lady Jane Bakery
Category:
Bakeries
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
$2.50 plus a buck left on the table cuz I ate it there.
Sure was an expensive, disappointing little sucker.
This is a beautiful-looking bakery/cafe and the cakes in the case were beautiful, too. After that cupcake, dunno if I'd buy one, though.
Examples of cake prices:
12" round layer cake....$110. (They say it serves 25-40 people. Not at my house.)
Half a sheet cake costs a whopping $195.
The rent on Montana Ave. must be through the roof.
I'm really not as cheap as I sound, but I obviously do have my limits. For a buck a small bite, any cupcake better be better than the one I had this afternoon.
The good news: what a gorgeous day today! This weather is part of the reason it costs a fortune to live here......
Listed in: Bakeries, Montana Ave.
And so do its surroundings: historic Malaga Cove plaza, built in 1925. The Spanish Renaissance architecture, with stone walkways & arches galore, is set among huge old pine trees a couple blocks uphill from the ocean.
I'm in the plaza's quaint cafes all the time because I live nearby.
Neptune Fountain has a history of its own: it's a replica of a 16th century fountain in Bologna, Italy and was donated to the city of Palos Verdes Estates in 1930.
The fountain has been re-constructed in past decades after the original one literally fell apart.....so locals have told me. At any rate, now it's pristine. I don't even clutter it up by tossing in pennies. Actually, I don't feel much need to wish for anything more than the opportunity to recapture serenity by savoring the moment whenever I'm in Malaga Cove.
Just around the corner, uphill, is the beautiful old Malaga Cove Library, with its own fountains and ocean-view adjacent green space. You'll see free-roaming peacocks here - they run wild all over this area.
Neptune Fountain is located on Palos Verdes Drive West near where it intersects with PV Drive North.
Parking in the plaza is free, but with strictly-enforced one & two-hour time limits.
The grand fountain seems to welcome you to the peaceful paradise that is Malaga Cove.
Listed in: Of Architectural Interest, Fountains, Malaga Cove
I haven't been to Louise's in years. I've been missing out.
I arrived today with time to kill between nearby appointments, just as they opened at 11a.m..
No crowd yet so I got a comfy booth all to myself. Fresh daisies on the tables looked cheerful.
Benefits of lunching alone: reading the SaMo Press as I shamelessly pigged down enough food for two.
I began with a cup of the best minestrone soup in memory, only $3.
Then my wonderful server, Daniel, arranged to customize the Angel Hair Concasse by adding marinara sauce. Only $9 - apparently no charge for doctoring up the menu dish.
And the bread: flaky soft, tasty & fresh, served with extra-virgin olive oil to die for. So good in fact that I considered eating the leftover oil with a spoon, but instead dumped it on my perfectly-cooked pasta.
I am healthy today. Fatter, but healthy.
I was offered even more delicious bread but had the good sense to resist, along with lemon cake dessert.
I can't think of anything nicer than lingering on Montana Ave. in lovely, peaceful, friendly surroundings, listening to Holiday music on a crisp "winter" day.
Total lunch tab before tip: $13.
Perfection, in both food and service, at a bargain price. Well done, Louise's.
Listed in: Fancy Schmancy Restaurants, Montana Ave., Italian Restaurants & Markets
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 394-2449
Hertz Local Edition
Category:
Car Rental
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Had to leave my car at the dealer for days because it wasn't safe to drive.
I had a Hertz rental for just one day, until the dealer provided a loaner.
My Hertz helper guy was Bryce, and he was beyond accommodating. I was in the mood from hell when I arrived at Hertz, lol. And I was very picky about the car I'd be driving. He finally found a suitable car for me, and did more....long story.
In a nutshell: I left Hertz in a far better frame of mind than when I got there, and that says it all.
My only complaint: the soda machine in the Hertz waiting room.
There's a big sign on the machine warning that the soda will likely spray in your face if you don't let it rest a couple minutes before opening.
I didn't read the sign.
The good news is that I opened the Coke before I got into the rental car.
Yeah it was one of those days. Everything's better now.
Listed in: Car Stuff
Fried eggs: Cooked perfectly.
Corned beef hash: Mushy, kinda like mashed potatoes. Unfortunately the portion was huge.
Coffee: Not too bad, but real half-and-half would have been nicer than non-dairy creamer, whatever the hell that stuff is.
Service: Wonderful. Efficient & friendly. Betcha she has worked there for many, many years.
Cost: 8 bucks including everything mentioned plus toast & sliced tomatoes.....cheap indeed but sometimes you get what you pay for.
Now that I've experienced Izzy's, I will avoid going back. The vintage charm is comforting, but does not make up for the mediocre food.
Listed in: Rants
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 540-1133
Packaging Store
Category:
Shipping Centers
Neighborhood: Redondo Beach
I felt rather foolish walking in this morning to FedEx a couple little inexpensive Xmas gifts to SF.
I was surrounded by really BIG BOXES. I felt small and cheap.
Nonetheless, the proprietors took time with me, busy as they were at this time of year.....service was great. I had a good time chatting away, asking a million questions, trying to find out what was in some of those BIG BOXES (one was a bicycle).
Anyway, 5 stars for you guys, you rock!
http://ca106.gopackagi...
Listed in: Communications
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 376-5777
608 North
Category:
Art Galleries
Neighborhood: Redondo Beach
The current show runs for only this weekend as I understand, but gallery owner Kevin Holladay told me there will be more shows to come as well as art on the walls at all times.
And more: 608 North prints custom t-shirts in addition to selling antique furniture. Based on what I saw tonight, I think 608 North will do just splendidly as an art gallery.
The colorful show included artists from the U.S., Mexico, Africa, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, England, Ireland, Iran, and Japan......working in a variety of mediums from painting to installation to graphics to sculpture to photography. Whew. The show title, "Around The World In A Day", was accurate indeed.
I was compelled to take a bunch of photos, and yeah I ended up buying a little painting.
608 North is next to Cannery Row gallery, at Francisca & Catalina. Although the current show will be a tough act to follow, I can't wait to see what's next.......
Listed in: Art Galleries, Art Museums,…
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 540-8811
Creme De La Crepe Cafe
Category:
French
Neighborhood: Redondo Beach
Not the case at this cafe. Theirs has plenty of onions. It's on the sweet side, but OK with me.
A couple weeks ago I made the mistake of ordering the soup ($7) along with beef bourguignon as a main dish. Could barely eat the entree, was so filled up from the rich soup. So now I have my soup fix by itself as a light lunch, as I did today. With a few pieces of bread, it's plenty enough.
About the beef bourguignon ($14.95): it's traditional except that it does not include those delectable little potatoes. Instead, you get Creme De La Crepe's potato casserole on the side. It works.
This restaurant continues to be cozy, classy & romantically charming, with excellent service.
The salads are wonderful, and of course so are the crepes. The dessert crepes are large, be forewarned. If you have a sweet tooth off the charts, make a meal of one of those.....and then head to the gym......
Listed in: Nicer Restaurants, All Things French
1 Previous Review:
-
1/10/2008 First to Review
Redondo Beach is fortunate indeed.
It is the choice for the newly-opened second location of Creme De La Crepe of Hermosa.
This new location has been up and running for only 7 weeks, and I had breakfast there today, my first visit. I am ashamed to say I never did make it in to the Hermosa location, despite the great reviews and wonderful praise from my local friends who frequent the place. This will not be the case in Redondo, however, not after today.
This is the most charming place I have discovered in a very long time. It is reminiscent of my beloved little French cafe in Pacific Palisades, only it's right in my own front yard, a block from the ocean in Riviera Village. They are open every day for breakfast, lunch & dinner, from 8am - 10pm, and the sign in their window says they stay open till midnight on weekends.
There were fresh long stem roses on all the tables. There are beautiful original landscape paintings, of the French countryside, adorning the walls. (The paintings are for sale for a few hundred dollars each......an amazing price for such quality.)
The menu includes breakfast dishes, salads, soups, crepes, pastas, and more....and there are daily specials. I have been hoping to find a good salad in my hood and I think my prayers have been answered. I will find out when I return for lunch or dinner.
Today it was breakfast, and the meal was perfection. I've been sick and not eating for the better part of a week, so I was seriously starved for protein. I had scrambled eggs, juice, and an assortment of breads. I was delighted to see a side of fresh dressed greens was included, as well as a scrumptious potato casserole slice. I was so excited over the food that I forgot to take a photo. (I did snag a couple pics of the interior though.)
My server had a thick French accent and could not have been nicer. He said he's a friend of the owner. Even the music was wonderful..... from a live concert, all in French of course. I felt like I was on vacation, far from my own neighborhood. What a delightful atmosphere, and what a fine addition to Redondo village. I already know I will be a regular here.
And.....the tab for my delicious breakfast, overflowing with goodies and extra touches, so attractively presented and more than I could possibly eat at one sitting: $11.
I think a little piece of heaven has just found its way to Redondo......
Update 1/12:
I went back again for breakfast today, Saturday. It was very crowded at around 9am! There may be a wait for a table on weekends. It was every bit as good as the first time. Without beverage, my breakfast cost 7 bucks, a bargain.
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Los Angeles, CA
Yelping SinceOctober 2004
Things I LoveYelping, thrift shops, integrity & honesty & truth, living at the beach, taking big risks, Karma, laughing, being outdoors, a good night's sleep, fine cars, flower gardens, music, General Hospital, hip hop dancing, shooting pool, buttered broccoli, flying in planes, great art esp. photography, animals...including donkeys
Find Me InRedondo Beach, barefoot in the sand
My HometownChicago
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I'm havin' too much fun in LA
Why You Should Read My Reviewsthey include storytelling & rhymes
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I Readdo magazines count?
My First Concertprobably rap http://www.youtube.com...
My Favorite Movieoriginal Star Wars
My Last Meal On EarthThanksgiving dinner
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...Love is friendship on fire.
Most Recent Discovery"Anger is drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."
Current Crusha blue-eyed rescue cat named Frank
My contractor recommended Peninsula Glass for window replacement. Good call.
After the estimate, my glass arrived in just a few days. The new vacuum-sealed window was installed in like 10 minutes.
Excellent service & expert workmanship from yet another fine local business.
But.....now that I got one sparkling clean window, all the other windows in the house look really, really dirty. Jeeez, it's always somethin'.