Los Angeles / USA

Los Angeles

We're not yet gone or there is a huge power outage in LA. By that time we were in the sky already. Where to begin ... I guess with the end, LA is a terrific city has a lot to offer and it's a huge city, from downtown to the coast takes the same amount of time as from Amsterdam to Utrecht ...

The weather is terrific, beach houses to love, Bel Air = Bel Air like you have houses and you have castles, Hollywood is a bit overrated and the stars are only "engraved" on a stone in the pavement, the Hollywood hills with Mulholland gives a nice view over the city. Sunset is cosy, Rodeo drive is for the rich and obviously lonely - knowbody to be seen ... , Santa Monica is where you want to live, or more north towards Malibu with the "surfer dudes", muscle beach for the "show offs" or the lovely Venice ... there is a lot to see, a lot to do, a lot to eat. Prices are oke, cheaper than Amsterdam, especially dining and everything around a car - purchase price, insurance and petrol ... a LOT cheaper ... To leave an impression see some combined pictures below,



Definitely a city where I will get back to...

Millie's - Los Angeles / USA

3524 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026-2106
Phone: (323) 664-0404

In our 'quest' for the better breakfast places in Los Angeles we found Millie's. Home of the good food (stated on their invoices). First opened in 1926 and seems to be settled into a virtual landmark. We're definitely not the only ones there for breakfast, locals love the place. Try their specialty breakfast options. In a lot of city guides they prefer the Eleanor R (for Roosevelt) we had the Devil's mess and it's a lot what you get ... Prices are low for the plates served. Quick and good service and situated near the street a lovely place to wake up and smell another day ...

Photo taken from the back window of our car

If you will look for Millie's look at the West (sunset boulevard) just around the corner, some GPS systems might have a small problem finding it. It's worth the search though ...

Chaya Brasserie - Los Angeles / USA

Chaya Brasserie
8741 Alden drive,
Los Angeles,
CA 90048,
Tel : +1 (310) 8598833

This restaurant, brasserie, is a very nice place, great atmosphere. The lady waitress was really interested and gave a terrific service. We left her with a great tip. It was a pretty trendy place, with high service and a lot of people who wants to be seen and want to look around. A lot of tables for two but also some long tables. Americans eat much faster than we do, we "survived" three couples next to us, in other words we ate in the same time as the three couples next to us did ...

We started with cocktails, Gin Tonic and a Mojito.

We took two starters as our entire meal,

we ate (again) The Calamari (Arare Crispy Calamari with Chili Miso Vinaigrette)
& the medley (Chef's Medley for Two or More (Assortment of Seasonal Appetizers)) and it was delicious.
As dessert we finished with Banana Banana Banana and that was really much but oh so good ...

Great taste a little too much but it was a great diner. food is such a nice thing ...

Great place, in the neighborhood this is also a good place to crash, we drove by remembered the address and went back later, it was a good choice afterwards.

website : http://www.thechaya.com

The Lobster - Los Angeles / USA

The Lobster
1602 Ocean Ave.
Santa Monica (begin of the pier)
Los Angeles, CA 90401
+1 (310) 458 9294

This restaurants is situated on the beginning of the Santa Monica pier, follow Santa Monica towards the beach and until you can't drive no further to the left and there it is on the right side. A lot of parking facilities in the neighborhood or again valet parking but the parking lot need to be empty and that's not often the occasion.

It was busy but with to start with a cocktail at the outside bar overlooking Ocean Avenue, the Santa Monica pier and the beach ... who's complaining ... I can wait for a while ...

Especially with this weather around. But within 30 minutes we were at the table,

Started with a Gin Tonic and a Kirr ... life is great.

Starter : Crispy Lemon Calamari

Main Course : Steamed Maine Lobster w/ asparagus, roasted potatoes & drawn butter (per pound)

It's a busy restaurant, with a lot of tables overlooking the pier and the beach. Tables are well placed and there is a kind of cosy rumor over the restaurant what places you in the middle and what you expect of a restaurant. A bit trendy and seen and to be seen goes for this restaurant.

You'll get the apron with a drawing of a lobster, bit tacky for such a restaurant, but it has something to it. The first taste of the Lobster will let you forget that, very good taste, superb!!! If you're in the neighborhood go there. Make sure you have a reservation though.

website : http://www.thelobster.com

Le Pain Quotidien - Los Angeles / USA

316 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA, 90401
Tel : 310-393.6800

Looking for a daily breakfast spot we walked towards the beach (near the Santa Monica Pier) and there was a Pain Quotidien, well known in Belgium and like I said before, a brand expanded far from Europe and probably successful since they have more than 1 ... (actually situated in over 10 countries world wide). Started with a highly regarded chef (Alain Coumont) that had the opinion (over in the end of the 80's) that he couldn't source the quality bread he wanted for his guests ...



It's one of my favorite places for breakfast. They are certainly not cheap but a heck of way to start your day. And this one so close to the beach so before entering the beach a good breakfast is perfect. The setting is like all others, big table and a good variety of bread with all items you might require. We sat outside, since this city has a lot of sun to offer it's wise to use it, isn't it?






Breakfast needed, positive advise for Le Pain Quotidien (Daily bread). Leaving Le Pain Quotidien from Santa Monica Boulevard right on Ocean Drive towards the surfer dudes up at Malibu...

Grand Lux Cafe - Los Angeles / USA

Los Angeles - Grand Lux Cafe Beverly Center
121 North La Cienega Boulevard,
Los Angeles, CA 90048,
tel (310) 855-1122,

Located at the Beverly Center at the corner of La Cienega Blvd and 3th street. This restaurant where the windows are so high you can't look to the inside or look from inside out. It's - inspite of the neon - a little strange to discover the front and the entrance. Once inside it looks very Victorian, lot of marble, high ceilings, big and very nice to dine. You'll hear the kitchen in the back ground and there is a lot of life in this restaurant.

Started with two glasses of Mondavi Twin Oaks wine

Starter : A nice Dim Sum Platter for starters

Main course : A shrimp Scampi

Still can't believe the speed in restaurants compared to the restaurants in the Netherlands, order and within 5 minutes it's before you .. how do they do that ...

The meal was good, de Dim Sum starter platter was great and the Scampi's after were very nice. Looking for a restaurant with a good atmosphere this is a place to go.


Parking around the corner in the garage (with Valet if needed) and also 15 minutes parking free for to go.

website : http://www.grandluxcafe.com

Champagne French Bakery Cafe - Los Angeles / USA

Champagne French Bakery Café
200 S Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills - Los Angeles

Try the hotel breakfast and all other day's see what this town has to offer. Every day a different breakfast. Today we ended up at a corner somewhere in Beverly Hills. Thinking we've found a small nice place for breakfast ... appears to be an entire chain ...

The Champagne French Bakery Café's combine the traditional French bakery with the cuisine and atmosphere of a lively café. Founded in 1987, Champagne French Bakery Café is the vision of two co-founding French immigrants, a Master Pastry Chef and a businessman, who sought to bring the quality of food found in France to California. With a casual atmosphere not found in many French restaurants, and an authenticity unseen in most modern fast casual concepts, Champagne's uniqueness has established for itself a loyal following of patrons and it continues to grow in popularity at it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year (2007).

And looking at prices the only thing that's expansive is the freshly squeezed orange juice. You pay more for coffee in downtown Amsterdam !!! You'll have a huge breakfast (food) already for less than $ 8. And it's a very nice café. Nice atmosphere, good food and great location.



So wondering in LA need a place for breakfast, this is one of them, they actually have a few more in LA (look at the website). In our quest to find breakfast places, we found another one :-)

website : http://champagnebakery.com/about.asp

Los Angeles

If you might miss me , I'm somewhere in the above and below pictures. One week of Hollywood madness, 90210 culture, walk of fame, Venice Beach ... so remember, when you call I might be sleeping! Be back over a week. Enjoy.

Sail Amsterdam 2005

Sail 2005

Started of in Kaap Kot (IJdijk 9 - think it's not there anymore in 2013). Our host DE (Douwe Egberts) did the kick off where we used a simple lunch to get ready for de DE Regatta on Het IJsselmeer to get to Loods 6 for diner and do the tour Sail to sail through all the boats that are lying there with fireworks at the end.

After the lunch divided up in small teams and heading of to 'our' boat. Believe it or not we actually won the race and where first to arrive at Loods 6. It was a very nice afternoon and good weather to sail.

Especially the finale where you get to see all the boats lying there from the water side, impressive, huge, large, lot of crew, a real spectacle. An event you have to watch / visit at least ones.

Chez Joris - Utrecht

As an inauguration of the new place of Hanneke and Joris we were invited for a house warming party diner. In Utrecht we visited his new home together with all from work.

Yep ... even Vanessa on the photo and there is nothing she can do about that. Joris had, like always, way too much food but hey that's Joris.

What did he prepare ...

Nice Gazpacho as starter and as well very good Carpaccio.
Melon and Parma Ham.
The Focaccia made by Hanneke and we already had a meal.


The lemon-herb chickens for main dish very great too,

and the dessert with strawberries, whipped cream - by hand and balsamico and mint a fresh and nice combination.

and espresso ... what else ...

Accompanied by wine and again too much calories but he ... we only life once.