Rock Lobster
The Babies
Grant & BeattyThe past few days have been fairly hectic so we took a breather this morning – opting for a lounging breakfast and pack-down in preparation for leaving L’Ermitage. It’s been fun staying here – huge rooms, very helpful & friendly staff and a level of comfort that certainly makes it a 5-Star deluxe hotel.
Farewell Raffles L'Ermitage ...
After travelling through Japan last month (where there’s no tipping) – the whole “tipping” culture is back – with vengeance. At breakfast at a local diner in Beverly Hills, our breakfast came to $37.00. I gave the guy a 50 and he was visibly upset when I “only” left a tip of $8! The service was ok and the food was miserable yet I still left just over 20% … but he seemed to think that 33% was more in order! This maybe a LA thing BUT I felt rather disappointed by that attitude. Tipping is NOT a definite –it MUST be earned … surely?
Anyway, after bidding farewell to the L’Ermitage, we headed back to Santa Monica for our final feature there – cooking lobster with Allyson Thurber – chef at The Lobster. Its been around since the 1920's but only the in past 5 years or so has it become of LA's top seafood eateries. There are 2 types of lobster: Maine/American - with the claws (one to catch, one to snip) and the Rock Lobster (HUGE and with NO claws) ... we cooked the rock - an enormous rock ... almost 10lbs ... grilled with butter & garlic ... it took 10 minutes to prepare and was totally delicious ... totally!! It was washed down with a fine Pinot. The funny thing is that although Allyson is probably the top lobster chef in the US, she is actually allergic to the stuff and so can't eat it!
Farewell Santa Monica ...
Back to Beverly Hills and to the Beverly Wilshire and the Four Seasons. Waiting for us was the lovely, wonderful and stunning Jennifer Cooke - PR and buddy from her days in Chicago. She set Tim & Alex up and then took me to my suite. The hotel has been here since 1927 ... the oldest in BH and opposite Rodeo Drive.
It has two wings - The Wilshire (1927) and The Beverly (1971) - and a total of 395 rooms inc 137 suites. I am staying in a suite on the top floor of the Wilshire. It's the only suite up here and is a 1-bedroom with a 2000 square foot verandah with panoramic views of LA. The bathroom has Asprey of London amenities (never seen those before) and there's a bottle of Pinot waiting for me to glug!
It was home to Warren Beatty for 10 years in the 60's & 70's ... he must have had some awesome parties here!!!
Beside my bed were photos of my babies - Mittens, Maisy & Gemima - waiting for me in a frame and Billy Joel on the CD player! Dear Jen!
We first interviewed hotel GM - Radha Arora. He is full of stories - like when Elvis stayed here during the filming of Jailhouse Rock, he would get 100's of balloons sent up to him with girl's phone numbers on them! How cool is that??!!! The hotel was built on an old speedway track ... and is a magnet for all the world's A-list celebrities. I am a lucky boy!
We ended up for dinner at BLVD -- where the chef Brian prepared me a special chicken burger ... VERY special indeed!!!
Staying at this hotel is just perfect. It really is like being at home ... and that makes me miss home more!!
Song of The Day: Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
Weather: Turning
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