Malibu Cafe at Calamigos Ranch

 

The Malibu Café has been in operation for over 50 years.  It is an amazing location in the hills.  I read about this place and knew I had to see it for myself.  The Ranch has been used as a filming location for several TV shows including Beverly Hills 90210 and The Bachelor.  The Café is in the center of the Ranch and is breathtaking.  There are several seating areas and so much to see. The food and service were wonderful.  I plan to go back many more times!

 

This area was hosting a luncheon while we were there.

 

We sat in this area on the ground.

You can go boating.

Or relax by the water.

                                       
                              My BBQ chicken salad was delicious and the presentation beautiful.

Play pool outside....

Welcome to Fantasy Island

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is in Arcadia - about an hour from me.  It is 127 acres of  garden areas near the San Gabriel Mountains.  I have always wanted to visit - mainly because I read the house from Fantasy Island was there.  In March, I made the trip. The place  was peaceful and calm - a great spot to spend the day wandering the beautiful grounds.

 

Welcome to Fantasy Island!  Standing by this house, I thought of ALL the celebrities that had been standing right where I was.  So many stars had appeared on that show.  I still watch the re-runs today.

PUMP Restaurant - WeHo

I am a BIG TIME Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Fan - especially Lisa Vanderpump!

Lisa and her husband Ken own 3 restaurants in the Beverly Hills and West Hollywood area. The newest one is PUMP -  which is an outdoor garden restaurant in the middle of West Hollywood.  Eating here has been on my Bucket List since it opened and tonight I finally did it!  The atmosphere was great!  The service was outstanding!  The food was delicious!  It was a great evening. 

 

 

Chicken Milanese

Pounded and lightly breaded chicken breast, pan-fried with fresh lemon, served with homemade potato salad with scallions and turkey bacon and a small arugula salad with pine nuts, tomatoes and red onion.

 

 

 

 

Fruit tart for dessert!

Tony Dovolani - DWTS

 

I have been a big fan of Tony's for many seasons. During those years, he always eluded me.

I finally got to meet him over the weekend and he is definitely a sweetheart.  Although he and Suzanne Somers were eliminated earlier in the season, he is still dancing in the group dances.  I loved watching he and Melissa Rycroft  dance (and WIN) the All Star Season.

DWTS - Val and Rumer

 

I think this year, it will be Val's turn to win the Mirror Ball Trophy.  In my opinion, the last couple of years, he has been one of the top performers but has never taken first place.  This year Rumer is an excellent  partner and I think they will win it all.  I didn't know much about Rumer (except that she had famous parents) and it has been fun watching her and getting to know her through her dancing and interviews.  They have a great partnership!

Riker and Allison - DWTS

Riker and Allison are so much fun to watch on Monday nights - very energetic and entertaining.  I was very excited to meet them over the weekend as well.  They were very sweet and happy to pose for pics - even though they were running late.

 

 

 

Chris the Bachelor

 

Since the beginning of Season 20 of Dancing With The Stars, my goal has been to get a picture with Prince Farming - Chris Soules - the Iowa farmer who proposed to Whitney Bischoff at the end of the last season of The Bachelor.  On several Monday nights, I went to the Grove hoping to meet him, but it didn't happen.  This weekend, I visited the Practice Studio and there he was.  He was very sweet and accommodating after a long practice.  Mission accomplished!