Before moving to Southern California, my second family would make the best homemade Pozole ever, and it was always a special occasion and resulted in great get-togethers.  After moving to Southern California, I never found a place that served Pozole.  I’m sure there are places, but I’ve never seen one, and haven’t looked as actively as I should have.

Recently, I was really craving Pozole and began looking for places when, by coincidence, I came across El Baja Chef on the Redondo Pier.  They were closed, but they had a sign outside of their restaurant that said they serve Pozole on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I haven’t spent much time at Redondo Pier until recently, but I was happy to stumble on El Baja Chef and came back the next day to try their Pozole.

El Baja Chef is a small Mexican restaurant on Redondo Pier, overlooking the Marina section (across from the arcade).  We met the owner, Victor, and his daughter, and they were both very cool, friendly people.  There a lot of people there (seemed like regulars) having a great time.  The place has a very friendly vibe to it, and the awesome marina view always makes for a great atmosphere.

There’s a small bar inside, and along the outer wall another small bar, where you can sit inside with a great view of the marina, or sit outside in the sun.  The windows and doors open for a very open atmosphere, with a great view and lots of sunlight.  There’s a couple of booths in the back, some counter high tables, and some regular tables in the middle.  A couple of TV’s always playing the popular sports games, and always great music playing.  Today they were playing Maná.

Homemade Chips and Salsa and Pacifico Beer

We ordered the Pozole, with a couple of Pacifico Beers.  While we waited for the Pozole, we had the traditional chips and salsa.  These were not the tyipical chips and salsa that you get at most Mexican restaurants, but the real homemade chips and salsa that you would experience in Mexico.  These would have been enough!  These chips and salsa are great!  They taste like they were just made, nice and thick, with a great flavor.  Very crunchy and tasty!  Perfect to get us ready for the main event, the Pozole!

And then it came.  It’s been a few years since I’ve had Pazole, and I was ready!  It was just like I remembered, along with all the fixings on the side.  Inside the bowl, the hominy and pork in a somewhat spicy red chile soup.  On the side, cabbage, cilantro, onions, radishes and lime.  After dumping in the fixings and giving it a try, I can only say that you have to come here for a bowl of Pozole!  It was delicious, just like I remembered it.  Just the right amount of spice, the pork and hominy mixed with the fixings and I was in paradise.  Add to this a great environment, with beautiful views, good music and great people and it makes for a special treat.

A beautiful bowl of Pozole

I’ve since been back many times, for Pozole, of course.  But I’ve also tried some of their other dishes, all of which are excellent.  And if you don’t believe me, the old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” applies:

There's a happy girl!

El Baja Chef
102 Internatl Boardwalk
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
1 (310) 376-0838

After a little persuading, we talked Hiroko into asking for a picture.  There’s no way he can say no to a sweet, young lady, right?  And if she’s polite enough to ask instead of just taking a picture, surely he won’t mind?

Well, that’s when things went terribly wrong.  Let this be a lesson to all of you up-and-coming paparazzi…learn from our errors.  As Pierce was exiting the Yogurtland, Hiroko approached from the back and with an ever so gently tap said “excuse me, excuse me (words which she will never forget).”  Pierce Brosnan abruptly scolded Hiroko saying, “Don’t be so rude, I’m with the children.”  Well, there were children, many children, but none next to him at the moment, but alas it wasn’t meant to be.  And then the long walk back.  As a man, I’ve experienced the walk of shame many a time, asking a girl to dance only to be told ‘I don’t dance,’ or asking for a girls phone number only to be rejected.  Oh the humiliation   If you read this Pierce Brosnan, how could you?

But those girls had the courtesy to let me down easy, to at least make me think that maybe there was some truth to it (even though I knew I was rejected).  So Hiroko came back, rejected by Pierce Brosnan, and I felt like a jerk because I was sure he wouldn’t be mean to her.  Visions flashed before my eyes of watching myself on TMZ getting beat up by Pierce Brosnan in Yogurtland.  How could he?  How could you Pierce Brosnan?  But he was, and now we can never look at him quite the same.

So the picture wasn’t meant to be, until by chance we stumbled upon Pierce Brosnan again at the indoor skydiving booth.  Although this was my first paparazzi experience (me being the paparazzi that is, umm, or me being photo’d by the paparazzi come to think of it), I instantly sprung into action and captured Pierce Brosnan in action.  What a proud moment.  Maybe fate led me to this day, one that would change my life forever!

So after a couple of minutes of watching Pierce Brosnan cheer on the children, we were on our way, with many lessons learned.  Never try to read they psyche of an A-list Hollywood Actor, and never, ever, EVER approach a papa-bear from behind when his cubs are around.

With a little bit of counseling, I’m sure we will be Pierce Brosnan fans once again!

The skies were dotted with the colorful kites, and the beach was full of people enjoying the festival, which also included the Yo-yo Jam contest and Craig’s Hot-Dog on a Stick eating contest, along with live music and lots of other activities.  The diverse crow of all ages enjoyed the festivities, as the kite fliers worked hard to keep their kites from getting tangled.

It’s really a nice way to spend the day, and if you didn’t make it this year, mark your calenders for next year’s event.  Who knows, if you practice hard enough, maybe you can take the Hot-Dog on a Stick contest next year!

Redondo Pier
100 Fisherman’s Wharf
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
View Website

Johnny Depp is one of my favorite actors. An absolutely cool guy with an incredibly unique sense of style and personality.  And one of the few that can absolutely capture any role he takes on.

I just returned from watching Alice in Wonderland, the 3D version by Tim Burton.  The line above is my favorite line of the entire movie, and nobody can pull it off like Johnny Depp.  In shackles, forced to kneel before the Red Queen, she asks him “Where’s Alice” and he replies “What a regrettably large head you have.”  Perfect!

Alice in Wonderland starring Johnny Depp

If you’re seeing the movie in the near future, get to the theater early.  We were running a little late (what’s new) and ended up having to sit about 5 rows from the front.  5D does not look as good as 3D (more about my thoughts on 3D later).

A few minutes into the movie, half of the screen turned a yellow tint.  So we’re watching half of the screen in 3D, and the other half looked like the Blue Blockers sunglasses that you used to see advertised on TV all the time.

After they restarted, we were back on track.  First, my thoughts on the movie, then my thoughts on 3D.  I really enjoyed this movie, except for the ending.  I thought the ending was very cliche, with the expected but unnecessary battle scene, and a ridiculous break-dancing meets river-dancing, called the futterwack, put on by both Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska, and a dose of excessive cockiness tossed in for good measure.  But it was a fun movie and I guess this was their attempt to appeal to the younger, hipper generation.

But those tiny annoyances aside, it was a cool movie and I recommend seeing it at the theaters. A grown up Alice returns to wonderland to save the day, with some of the funnest and goofiest characters you’ve ever seen.  Tweedledee and Tweedledum were great (reminded me of some of my friends hehe), and of course Johnny Depp nailed the Mad Hatter.

Remind you of anyone you know?

And of course, a great message: don’t be afraid to dream, to think big, and to follow your dreams.  If you like that kind of thing (and I do), there was a small dose of inspiration here as well.

So do yourself a favor and go see the enchanting Alice in Wonderland.  I’m sure you won’t regret it.

As far as 3D?  Well, I’m still not sold 100%.  It’s very cool as an effect, but I think I prefer the amazing resolution and brightness delivered by a standard movie.  The 3D version seems to lack the sharpness and resolution.  At times, the picture is stunning, but then it goes into a blur and it’s hard to follow.  Add to that the ‘looking through a window’ feeling I get and I have to say I prefer the standard 2D movies.  I look forward to seeing the bright colors and vividness of Alice in Wonderland in 2D, the way they were meant to be portrayed.

So allow me to put on my Movie Critic hat and announce my rating!  I give Alice in Wonderland a B.  Let’s hear your comments?

A couple of weeks ago Kendall was so excited to tell me that Al’s coming to play at the House of Blue on Sunset.  He saw him years ago and he was really excited to see him again.  I had no choice but to go!  Actually, I really love live music of pretty much any kind, so I was looking forward to it.

If you’re not familiar with Al Di Meola, he’s an American jazz fusion and Latin jazz guitarist with a career in music spanning over 30 years.  I wasn’t aware of how influential and highly-regarded he is in the music industry.  According to Wikipedia (maybe Kendall authored Al Di Meola’s wiki page), “Albums such as Friday Night in San Francisco have often been cited as some of the most influential live albums ever recorded. Numerous have earned their place as legendary recordings for the practicing guitarist.”

It goes on to list tons of amazing artist that he’s performed or collaborated with, including Chick Corea (where he first started), Stanley Clarke, Jan Hammer,  Jean-Luc Ponty, Paul Simon, Paco de Lucía, and more.

So needless to say, he’s a very well accomplished performer, and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to see him perform live and get to know his music.

I’m a big fan of Carlos Santana, and I was surprised to hear a song that Al Di Meola played that reminded me very much of a song from Carlos Santana’s Blues for Salvador disc.  Kendall and I would battle over who’s better, and of course I’d say Santana, even though I never really listened much to Di Meola.  After hearing this performance, though, I’d have to say the Santana got some major influence from Di Meola, because the song Di Meola played was years before Santana’s song!  Also, a disc from the Santana Brothers reminded me a lot of some other Di Meola songs.  I’m not sure if I’d say I like Al Di Meola’s music more than Santana’s music (I’ll have to give it a chance though), but I do believe that Al Di Meola truly has the most amazing command of a guitar that I’ve ever seen.

If you have never heard his music, and you’re open to different types of music, you should give him a listen…he’s really a great talent that I feel fortunate to have seen perform live.  Just goes to show you that we should all open our minds and experience new things…many times we come out much better for it.

He was kind enough to stick around afterwards signing CD’s, meeting his fans and even let us take some pictures with him.  Class act!

So, Al Di Meola, and Kendall…I’m sorry for doubting you all these years!

And if you’ve never been to the House of Blue on Sunset (another first for me), you gotta go.  There’s so many great performers there, and it’s a small venue so you’re gonna get a great show no matter where  you end up.

House of Blues on Sunset
8430 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 848–5100
Restaurant Host Stand
(323) 848–5136
Restaurant Hours of Operation
Wednesday – Saturday: 6:00 p.m. until close
Sunday – Tuesday: Closed unless there is a concert
visit website »

After a trip to the South Coast Plaza, we decided to head to Laguna.  I’ve seen pictures and read a few things, but really didn’t know what to expect.  I also didn’t realize it was so close to the South Coast Plaza, about a 15 minute drive.

A beautiful winding road through towering canyons, tons of art galleries and finally the beach.  This place was packed.  It was in the low 60’s, but streets were packed, beaches were packed, restaurants, all packed.  I found out it’s quite the party place and can give my stomping grounds, Hermosa Beach, a run for the money (well, Hermosa Beach of a few years ago, but that’s for another time).

We scored some free parking about a half block off the main strip then hit the town.  So many cool shops, galleries, restaurants with the beautiful backdrop of Laguna Beach.  This part of the beach is a crescent shaped beach, with lots of reefs just off shore and hills on both ends.  There’s a beautiful walkway with beach volleyball and basketball courts, and a long sandy beach for strolling.

"In this fleeting moment..."

Before heading down, we took a little detour into Browns’ Park at the top of the hill.  Just a tiny park overlooking the beach from the hilltop, with a really unique fence…the fence has a poem built in with see-through letters, so you can see the beach and ocean through the lettering.  The sign reads:

“In this fleeting moment
what extravagant respite
as booming surf speaks its
mystical passage across
the undreamed depths.”

The sun shining through the poem built into the fence (on all three sections), and the beautiful Pacific Beach in the background make for a very unique and powerful setting.  You have to stop by here when you visit Laguna Beach.

Continuing on we walked past a beach house with a sign on the gate that read “Live the Good Life.”  Our thoughts exactly!

We browsed a few galleries and shops, all with the beautiful beach in the backdrop, grabbed a bite to eat at a little pizza joint…actually had a prosciutto sandwich and a shrimp wrap, and on to the beach.

What a beautiful sunset!  The cliffs at the end of the beach with the rocks coming out of the pacific made for a interesting and beautiful setting.

As we were heading back, we stopped at the little mart to use the facilities…charging us $.25 to use the bathroom, we bought a couple lottery tickets (which I’m sad to say we didn’t win), the guy said if we won we have to come back and give him a big tip…my tip for him: “don’t charge 25 cents to use the bathroom” hehe.

Well, a nice drive back to Redondo Beach along PCH and the day was over.  I promise to go back and actually check out the party and beach scene when it gets a little warmer, and i’ll make sure to report back with more info.