Elise Thompson

First we had a rock and roll Dennys, and a rock and roll Ralph's, now we have a rock and roll Trader Joe's. The Trader Joe's in the former Virgin Megastore Complex at Sunset and Crescent Heights occupies the space that was once Sam Ash.

Madame Matisse is a perfect spot for a late breakfast. The inside may be cramped, and the al fresco dining a little close to traffic. (Note to restaurant manager: consider tenting the outside like Millie's has done). Still, the delicious breakfasts are worth it and you get used to the honking trucks pretty fast when a big plate is set down in front of you. They are known for their french toast with orange...

Decorating your backyard can mean a lot of tough decisions. Tropical or desert? Should the plants be drought resistant? Maybe Adirondack chairs. But then I guess some people think a peaceful angel would bring serenity to the garden. Maybe even bless it and keep it safe. This statuary angel is not an anomoly. They are all over the place. So go on, decorate your backyard like a cemetary. Plant some Ivy and Myrtle. If...

This weekend is definitely a hot one. Whether you're hosting a BBQ or pool party, you are going to want to mix it up with some fresh new cocktails. Not to hate on the margarita, but who wants to keep running back and forth to the blender? Here are some easily mixed drinks to make your weekend a splash!.

One of the benefits of living in the big city is that there is always something going on. One of the drawbacks is that there is so much going on, it's hard to decide where to go. Here is a roundup of 4th of July events, from the big to small, and from the swanky to the homey. But one thing is sure. There will be fireworks.

The room at Animal is much smaller than expected, and with little to muffle the sound, it is a cacophony of voices, with music cranking as hard as it can to keep up. In a strange way though, the environment matches the intensity of the food. This is not the kind of place where you insist they turn down the music or turn up the heat. It's not the kind of place where you insist on the best table in the house; you are grateful to get any table at all. It's not that the place is hoity-toity, it's just that the demand exceeds the supply. Everyone wants in.

Let's admit it, downtown and the Westside have more than their fair share of gourmet food trucks. The Valley needs more moveable feasts, and that's where Smokin' Willies comes in. Bill “Smokin Willie” Kelley has been marketing his own BBQ sauce, based on an old family recipe, for years and even has his own cookbook.

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cProphet Glenn Beck - Father Guido Sarducciwww.colbertnation.comColbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorFox News Conservative author, radio and television personality Glenn Beck has made a career out of courting controversy with his libertarian views, Taxpayers March on Washington, and support for the Tea Party. Now he has outraged, oh, just about everyone by scheduling another march on Washington for August 28th, the anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a...

Every once in awhile you come across a directive that seems obvious, even bordering on the ludicrous, like "Do not use hair dryer while sleeping". This sign at the local pet shop is especially ridiculous because cats can't even read. So good luck with that. In actuality, it seems that the ruffians from Menchies Frozen Yogurt next door have made this cat wonderland their own personal hangout spot.

Unbeknownst to many Angelenos, the East coast has been holding out on us. Philly, Jersey and New York all enjoy the wonder of Pizza Fries. Why didn't we think of it? It seems so obvious now. I have hunted for Pizza Fries here in LA to no avail. Philly's Best just poured Cheese Whiz on the fries, which made me very sad.