Sprinkles Cupcakes

Want to wait in a line that runs down the whole block while waiting to buy cupcakes at $3.25 a piece. Well, welcome to Sprinkles. Believe it or not, it is really worth the trouble. I don't have much of a sweet tooth. For me it is a rare splurge, to really go all out every once in a while. This is worth the wait and the money. Sprinkles is found at multiple locations, but I found them in Beverly Hills.

http://www.sprinklescupcakes.com/index.html

One of the coolest food discoveries ever! Dessert Bars

A New York friend suggested a dessert bar. I have always enjoyed a short break between dinner and dessert, so why not. I pictured something like the very nice Sweet Lady Jane in LA, but the option in NY is even better.

(Sweet Lady Jane is just fantastic, but it is basically a great bakery with coffee, and tables. ) http://www.sweetladyjane.com/

Chikalicious, in New York, has taken this to the next level. It is a three course, dessert experience. Amuse Bouche, Dessert Entre, and Petite Fours, and ... a wine pairing. Am I overacting? You try it! You will gush also.

I had fig over polenta, with corn ice cream - yes, that was corn ice cream.

All of this, and you get to chat with the chef, Chika, her sous chef, and her husband, while you watch them prepare the dessert in the exposed kitchen. So go ahead, and have the finest meal you can find in all of Manhattan, and then come here. It will have to be pretty amazing to compete with the dessert you'll have.

http://www.chikalicious.com/

Hawaiin food near LAX

On Sepulveda, heading south of LAX (and also south of the SPSS training location in LA), there is a great Hawaiin place. http://www.backhomeinlahaina.com/. I got the Lahaina Platter #1 f0r $13.99 and couldn't quite finish - a lot of food! It was great. I got take out, but it seems nice.

Have a few hours to kill in LA near LAX?

Maybe you are on a long international layover? Maybe you have several hours before you flight home? Got to LA a day early? Despite the scary traffic, it is not hard to get to "The Getty". It is one of my favorite museums anywhere in the world, and it is free (except a small parking charge). You don't have to be a museum nut to enjoy it, the building, site and view are fascinating in and of themselves.

There is also the Getty Villa in Malibu, but you are supposed to have a reservation. If you don't, mention to the guards that you are in LA for only one day, and they will likely give you a free pass at the gate.

Give yourself 30-45 minutes each way from LAX to the Getty to be safe, but that can include parking, gas, etc. I once had an 8 hour layover, and had time to rent a car, drive up there, and visit for 3 hours or so. It was worth it. Given the time allowed, if I had tried almost anything else in the area, it would not have worked out. For instance, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, or the LACMA in downtown are pretty risky for traffic given even ample time contraints and are best saved for an entire day in the area.

http://www.getty.edu/visit/

Stuck at LAX after class - try Malibu

SPSS training holds its LA classes near LAX in el Segundo. It is not really near anything. A visitor to this area can not really claim to have visited the area that everyone thinks of as LA. You will find to your dismay that traveling south after class is NOT fun. (I have confirmed the North/South thing with friends as well. Avoid southbound!) Traffic can be remarkably bad in any direction, but I would try going north instead. If you head North on the 405, and then head W on the 10 you are going to end up at the coast. Traffic will be spotty, but hang in there! Take a right on 1 North - the Pacific Coast Highway.

You now have several options. You could try Gladstone's. I think the food is average, but it is close, and the scenary is great. On the way back you could try to figure out where the promenade is in Santa Monica (you passed through this city on the way to the water). If you have more time, or you are up for more of a drive, try heading further North on the PCH to Paradise Cove Cafe, about 16-20 miles north of 10. (I have seen documents that say 16, but my odometer read more like 18 or 19 since it is unclear when they start counting). It is worth the extra miles for the atmosphere even if it is a bit touristy. Both restaurants are over priced for what you get, but I still recommend them. The view of the pacific more than makes up for the good, but ordinary food.

http://www.paradisecovemalibu.com/beachcafe/index.htm

http://www.gladstones.com/