Author Archives: jessicakoslow

A True Maker Education: Kids encouraged to tinker at Rediscover Center

Rediscover Center’s executive director Jonathan Markowitz Bijur is a professional tinkerer. When asked to expand on this passion, the Yale University graduate explains the three areas in which he likes to tinker.

Photo Credit: Molly Dickler

“I tinker with my sourdough pizza dough every Friday night when I make pizzas for my kids,” he started. “I tinker with the programs that I teach. I am always learning. Tinkering is part of my professional DNA, and I have helped to make it part of Rediscover’s organizational DNA. And then I tinker with stuff, like I am unafraid to take apart a piece of furniture or my KitchenAid mixer when something’s rattling. It is a satisfying experience.” . . .

Read the full article at The Argonaut.

Rollin’ in the Sea: Celebrate sushi on its special day

It is one of the best-looking items on a sushi menu, often referred to as a work of art, yet it has not always been the most popular. In 2018, however, hand rolls started receiving media attention as a national trend.

YAMA Sushi Marketplace/Submitted

In 2019, July 6 was designated as National Hand Roll Day, which coincides with the birthday of master chef Kazunori Nozawa, who opened KazuNori, the original hand roll bar, in 2014. The holiday is the brainchild of Sushi Nozawa Group, which is responsible for SUGARFISH, KazuNori and Nozawa Bar, to honor Nozawa’s introduction of the cylindrical-style hand roll to the United States more than 40 years ago.

Angelenos are lucky to live in a city where good sushi is easy to find. The four eateries below can help you celebrate National Hand Roll Day with delicious and delightful-looking options, even with a take-home kit to prepare and eat rolls at home or at a summer outdoor event. . . .

Read the full article at The Argonaut.

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A Sweet Development: Adrienne Borlongan debuts ice cream cookbook

In the last 10 years, Adrienne Borlongan’s passion for artisanal ice cream led her from crafting homemade batches of explorative flavors in her tiny kitchen to opening eight brick-and-mortar locations of her concept, Wanderlust Creamery. Next month, the mother of three is launching a cookbook, “The World of Ice Cream,” and on June 4. 

Copies will be available at Wanderlust’s Venice location on Lincoln Boulevard. Every copy sold includes a free scoop of ice cream.

In addition, each person who purchases a book will be entered to win a Wanderlust Package, which includes a Breville ice cream maker, pints of Wanderlust ice cream, specialty ingredients, and an ice cream scoop and tea towel from Williams Sonoma. . . .

Read the full article at The Argonaut.

Eat.Play.Stay: The Westside is chock-full of fun, adventure

LA’s Westside is akin to a playground for kids of all ages (including adults and seniors). Think Disneyland by the sea. It is home to beaches, hiking trails, bike paths, piers and one of the biggest tourist destinations in California: the Venice Boardwalk, which hosts about 30,000 visitors daily. As summer approaches, tourists and locals will flock to the Westside all season in search of breezy temps and cooler hangouts. Below is a list of food to eat, things to do, and places to see, from Venice and Santa Monica to Mar Vista and Culver City, which are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring all the treasures that are sprinkled throughout LA’s westside. . . .

Photo Credit: Wonho Frank Lee – Moto Ramen

Read the full article at The Argonaut.

Birds of a Feather: Starbird comes to roost in Marina del Rey

Starbird is open in Marina del Rey. The location is the fried chicken chain’s third in Los Angeles, with a fourth slated to open in Torrance by the end of the year. 

Photo Credit: Albert Law/Starbird

When Starbird founder and CEO Aaron Noveshen and his company, The Culinary Edge, surveyed the American marketplace in 2016 as they were gearing up to launch a brand and company, chicken presented itself as a big growth industry over the past nine years. 

“Chicken was the next big thing,” said Noveshen, whose Culinary Edge is the largest food and beverage innovation company in the country.

Read the full article at The Argonaut.

The Coco Club: Catch the best sunset, sip handcrafted cocktails

Boulevard Hospitality is debuting The Coco Club. The opening of this rooftop bar comes just one month after that of their Middle Eastern-style restaurant Layla in the dining room adjacent to the lobby of The Beacon by Sonder Hotel on Ocean Avenue.

Photo Credit: Joseph Duarte

Inspired by classic nightclubs of the past such as The Cocoanut Grove and The Coconut Club, The Coco Club blends the art deco accents that Miami is best known for with Santa Monica’s breezy beach vibes.

Whereas Layla offers an elevated dining experience downstairs, The Coco Club delivers light bites and handcrafted cocktails on the penthouse level, where guests sit at eye level with palm trees, gazing at the horizon with an unobstructed, glorious view from LAX to Malibu. . . .

Read the full article at The Argonaut.

Taking Flight: Dinah’s Family Restaurant relocates to Culver Crossroads

A beloved neighborhood restaurant is switching things up. Dinah’s Family Restaurant is moving to Culver Crossroads. The owners shuttered its location on the corner of Sepulveda and Centinela on April 30 after 65 years. 

“We’re in the very thick of it,” Mario Ernst, who owns Dinah’s with his wife, Teri, said.

“Emotionally, it’s really tough,” he continued. “We’ve been there since 1959. I’m 64. The restaurant was created a year before I was born. I’ve grown up in that place, so I have mixed emotions. I have great memories, but I am also excited about a change.” . . .

Read the full article at The Argonaut.

Neighborhood Flavors: Blueys serves up good coffee, great times

Blueys is the neighborhood joint Dave and Sabrina Harper always dreamed of. Situated on the corner of Beethoven Street and Venice Boulevard, the restaurant has offered a laid-back atmosphere and really good coffee since December 2022. 

Photo Credit: Blueys

“Our goal is to serve healthy and affordable food that you can eat a couple of times a week,” Dave said.

“We get a lot of people commenting that what we’ve done is amazing for the community,” he continued. “We’re here for the community because we are part of it. You can dress down or up, come in board shorts. People can walk to us for morning coffee, come back for brunch, hang out writing emails. We also have people from Japan walking up to the counter and holding up a picture asking to try the sweet squash pancakes.” . . .

Read the full article at The Argonaut.

Soak in LA History: Venice Design Series presents Gabrielino-Tongva Sacred Springs Tour

Venice Design Series is presenting a guided tour of the restored Gabrielino-Tongva Sacred Springs. The event kicks off Saturday, April 27, on the campus of University High School. It’s the second of a three-part benefit to raise money for Venice Community Housing, an affordable housing developer and supportive services provider across LA’s Westside. The third event is a Rustic Canyon Dinner Party happening on May 4. 

This is the 10th year that Linda Lucks and Jay Griffith, the duo responsible for the Venice Garden and Home Tour, have curated Venice Design Series. Bob Ramirez, president of the Gabrielino-Tongva Springs Foundation, will guide the four-hour tour, which includes lunch, entertainment and activities. Tickets are $500, and children are free. 

In 1954, Gabrielino-Tongva Sacred Springs was registered as a state historical landmark. The three clearwater springs exist on the campus of University High School, which rests on the site of an ancient Native American settlement, Kuruvungna Village. According to Ramirez, Spaniards gave the native inhabitants of the land the name “Gabrielinos” because of their association with the San Gabriel Mission. However, the people chose the name “Tongva” to distance themselves from the colonial oppressor.  . . .

Read the full article at The Argonaut.

“Best Of” Editions

In the past few months, I have written “Best Of” features for San Clemente Times, The Capistrano Dispatch, Dana Point Times, and Explorer News.