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Beverly Hills looses iconic Automobile Repair Shop: Al Grimmett & Sons
Beverly Hills looses an iconic Automobile Repair Shop: Al Grimmett & Sons Al Grimmett & Sons closed its door on Little Santa Monica Blvd; they have been at the same location for over 50 years. How many Car repair shops can boast of 5star ratings on Yelp? Check it this link http://www.yelp.com/biz/al-grimmett-and-sons-automobile-shop-beverly-hills The last honest Automobile repair shop in the area. John, Louie and company have lost the parking space where they were staging the cars waiting to be repaired and the ones they finished repairing. When you walked into the waiting area you were greeted by the pictures of Hollywood’s greats for the past 50 plus years. How often do you know that people award Automobile Repair shops as the best in Beverly Hills via the Patch. (http://beverlyhills.patch.com/listings/al-grimmett-sons-automobile-shop ) My car needed a major engine seal repair and I was one of the last customers they helped. They will leave a void in the Beverly Hill’s locals heart as well as their pocket books will be lighter the next time they go somewhere else to get their cars fixed. I have never written about Honest Car Repair shops before, because they are such a rare find. Look at the activity on the Internet about Al Grimmett & Sons: http://beverly-hills.californiapath.com/c-177393.htm . This Blog was way overdue! This tribute ends with an upside; one community’s loss is another community’s gain. John Grimmett joined forces with another Automobile Shop and they opened another Repair Shop in West Los Angeles. (Future blog to follow) If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read moreCafe 50’s an amazing Diner located on historic Route 66 in West LA!
Café 50’s an amazing Diner located on historic Route 66 in West Los Angeles Comfort food with a 1950’s décor, keep in mind I was born in the 1950’s and am a bit partial. How could I have missed this great place? Quite easy, there are so many great Restaurants and Dinners in the Greater Los Angeles area, it is almost impossible to eat at all of them. Anyway you might be wondering how I stumbled in here. Well my favorite Mechanic had to move his shop from Beverly Hills (another future blog post) and I had a car battery emergency (another future blog post)….well with that said, John said it will take about 30-45 minutes, why don’t you go to this diner a block up the streetJ. Needless to say, it was about 10:30 am I have been so busy and not having time this morning to even eat an English muffin, not alone breakfast. This seemed like a great suggestion. With that said I was strolling up the street to this Café 50’s for breakfast. Ok a little history: Cafe’ 50’s has been around since 1982 on historic Route 66 and they have served up Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. In addiotn they have opened up another Diner close to the Greek Theater (see some of my blogs about the Greek Theater’s event here http://actvra.in/NXg & http://actvra.in/GSM Keep in mind if you do not like kids or do not want the noise of kids around you than do not go on Wednesday’s since kids eat free on Wednesdays. Conversely if you have kids make sure you do go on Wednesday sJ Visit the Café on the internet http://www.cafe50s.com or stop in at 11623 Santa Monica Blvd, West Los Angeles, CA 90025, or call 310.479.1955 / or visit 850 N Vermont Ave. Los Angeles 90029 or call 323.906,1955 . I am confident you will not be disappointed. PS come hungry and leave happy:))) If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read moreDay in the life of a Realtor Real Estate ‘For Sale Signs’ what is real
Day in the life of a Realtor: Real Estate ‘For Sale Signs’ & what is the Real Story? I am an easy going person, you tell me something and I believe it. So with that said, the other day I received a Voice Mail and an E-mail from a neighbor on one of my vacant land listings. She left me a very serious and concerned voice mail and email, that there were two burglary attempts on her home in the past week and she attributed it to my For Sale Sign being close to her home. She even indicated that the police confirmed this. I immediately contacted my seller, we were both very concerned as we discussed the seriousness of the situation and decided to move the sign a few feet over and place a “Land for Sale” rider on the sign. Then I informed her plan was. She thanked me profusely and appreciated my quick and favorable response. The entire management team jumped on this project. Now keep in mind this happened on Saturday and I assured her that the earliest something could be done would be Tuesday and the latest by Wednesday. She was happy and appreciated the immediate action. Monday, everyone scrambled due to the seriousness of the allegations and then First thing Tuesday the group went to move the sign and place the “Land for Sale Sign” rider on top. Now with that said I get a fast thank you for our quick & favorable action. Now please look at the pictures: Before, during and after with the signs. So what happened? I have my theory what is yours? All I know it cost me an extra $50 because I lost a Name Rider Post! Now keep in mind, I did suggest to her to buy the lot and I indicated that I thought that the value of her home would increase with the added land and at the same time I also suggested that by her buying the land, it would prevent noise, dust and construction equipment disturbing her daily life. On a side note I found out she is a tenant and does not own the home! If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read moreChocolate Opulence In Santa Monica CA at Santa Monica Place
Chocolate Opulence In Santa Monica CA at Santa Monica Place! Who does not love Chocolate? I guess I cannot comprehend who that would beJ One or two Truffles would fill my chocolate fixJ Never the less this place caught my attention because of the French Macaroons. If you love Macaroons and if you love French Macaroons this is the place to go to and enjoy your fix. It is not my imagination it is my new destination place for my bakery needsJ Business Hours Mon-Sun 11am-8pm 395 Santa Monica Place #335 Santa Monica, CA 90401 TEL: 310.395.1707 Email: info@chocolateopulence.com http://www.chocolateopulence.com Diane wondered in here while I was in the kitchen store…needless to say I meandered over and had to share. FYI thanks to this visit I just received a Valentine’s Day Gift a book on how to make French Macaroons. I wonder if she trying to tell me something. J If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations....
read moreVenokado@Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica, has a Kitchen store too!
Venokado@ Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica, has a Kitchen store too! As most of you who read my blogs and know me are aware, that I am an avid cook and am always scouring the neighborhoods for cooking equipment, utensils and cook book, and let’s not forget recipes from all over the world. Now with that said, the other day we went to Venokado and we discovered a great wine & last minute gift store combined. Well after we bought a few odds and ends we proceeded to move on in this part of the Santa Monica Place. (Check out my blog in case you missed it http://actvra.in/QCf ) Long and short Diane was distracted and went into a Pastry store (will blog about it soon) I on the other hand found this great kitchen supply store. So we were both having a grand time. The person who handles the browsers came up to me and wanted to know if she could help. I smiled; today I am only browsing but wanted to know more information. I was totally shocked this is part of Venokado and they are selling kitchen equipment, cook books and I could go on and on, but as the old saying goes, pictures tell a thousand words. So enjoy these pictures and if you are looking to visit Santa Monica Place I am sure you will discover other wonderful stores just as Diane and I did. IF I enticed you to visit then for your convenience here are the two locations! 395 Santa Monica Place at the rooftop @ the market Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310)576.2500 Or 7714 Fountain Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046 at Spaulding (323) 850.1600 If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations....
read moreThe Pope conducted his last public Mass, how surreal is that?
The Pope conducted his last public Mass, how surreal is that? Today was Ash Wednesday and the Pope performed his last public Mass. How strange, we always like to say that history does not repeat itself. Well if you are a student of history you will know that six hundred years ago there was another Pope who resigned. It does not matter if you are a Catholic or an Agnostic or of a different religious belief, this is a monumental and historic event. It is hard to believe that this past Christmas Eve, I stayed up and watched Midnight Mass performed by the Pope. He looked energetic & frail at the same time. Never in my wildest imagination would I have believed that this would happen. Keep in mind I do not normally stay up for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Something made me say. let me watch it. Little did I know that I was watching history enfold in front of my eyes. In some respect it reminded me when The Fed Chairman kept raising the interest rates and I kept telling everyone who would listen to me, that he is about to Tank the Real Estate Market. Again I would have never imagined that he would tank the World Economy. So we went into an economic dark period for about five plus years. So the common thread, I see is that I was blindsided by the long term effects of the action of the Fed Chairman on how wast and global the effects became. So with that said I wonder what the long term ramifications will be and the effect it will cause globally? No matter what this will cause, I am confident in a few years it will all be just a distant memory and a lesson that students of history will have to memorize. They will have to answer quizzes or test questions such as: who were the two Popes who resigned office? What year did they resign? Life will go on and the believers will be strengthened not weakened by the action of one man who happened to be a Pope. If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations....
read moreCucumber & Tofu, what can I make? Good thing I am not on the Iron Chef
Cucumber & Tofu, what can I make? Good thing I am not on the Iron ChefJ I only have to make one meal out of these ingredients and not fiveJ lucky me! Clean and thinly slice the cucumbers (Japanese, or Persian cucumbers) do not need to cut the skin since they are so fresh. Sprinkle the cucumbers with seal salt and leave for 20 min or so until soft and the rinse and drain. In the mean time cut Tofu into strips of about half inch wide (extra firm) Broil in oven for about 10-15 minutes until the Tofu Gets firm and little brown. While the Cucumbers are marinating and the Tofu is getting firm prepare a dressing for the Tofu and the Cucumbers. Dressing: 1 table spoon of Mirin 2 table spoons of Honey 1 table spoon of Soy Sauce (low sodium) 3 table spoon of rice wine vinegar 1 egg yolk 1 to 2 table spoons of sesame seeds (Black & White) toasted 2-3 sheets of dried Wakame Blend the ingredients reduce on the oven and as a last step once removed from stove top whipp egg yolk! Brush the dressing and put it back in the oven and grill it until there is a crisp brown cover on each side. Take the remainder of the dressing tosses with the cucumbers. Once they both are marinated and blended together let the Grilled Tofu cool and place on top of the cucumbers! If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations....
read moreVenokado @ Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica, CA 90401
Venokado @ Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica CA, 90401 This weekend I went to Santa Monica Place and I was thrilled to discover this great Store. Venokado is the ideal please to go if you have someone whom you would like to buy a last minute gift and you had no idea what you want to get. They have Different bottles of Wine for you wino – friends. Or if you want wine accessories they have them from under ten dollars to above $100. They have baskets from $75 to $155. Now keep in mind these are not cookies. They are wine basketsJ They have clutch gifts again they are wine & chocolate to name a few! As far as I am concerned I know where I have to go when I need something fast. Now if you are the type who does not need to touch the gifts you can have it delivered to your recipient by making a call. Now if you are the internet type go on the website and order and have it shipped. I love all these options, I do not need to leave my home and I can send gifts to friends and clients from the convenience of my home or anywhere from my smart phone. The possibilities are endless only limited by your imagination and your budget! They are located inside Santa Monica Place as well as they have another location in West Hollywood. 395 Santa Monica Place at the rooftop @ the market Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310)576.2500 Or 7714 Fountain Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046 at Spaulding (323) 850.1600 Info@Venokado.com If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read moreFirst Annual Valentine’s Day YWCA Charity Fashion Show/Fundraiser
First Annual Valentine’s Day YWCA Charity Fashion Show/Fundraiser The purpose of this great event was to help At Risk Young Girls. The way they were generating funds was by an entrance fee as well as hors devours, cocktails and handmade chocolates. Check out the website http://www.smywca.org for more details. As you know I am all for good causes to help those in need. This was a great cause the goal was to raise $100,000.00 I would be interested to find out what the final tally was. Here is a little bit of history: The YWCA of Santa Monica was incorporated in 1929 and shared a facility with the YMCA on 6ths Street in Santa Monica until the late 1960’s. Great move on part of the Board of Directors in 1972 the purchased the building they are currently located. From a Realtor perspective this was Brilliant! If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations....
read moreTabbouleh with a Twist: Raw Cauliflower Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh with a Twist: Raw Cauliflower Tabbouleh When I lived in Boston, MA I had been invited by a Lebanese Family for Dinner, hence I had the pleasure of eating Lebanese Tabbouleh. Much of what you will see and eat as Tabbouleh in this country has little resemblance to the original or Lebanese Tabbouleh. Of course there is nothing better than a controversy as to who created the original Tabbouleh? Was it the Lebanese or was it the Israelis? Either way, most people around the world when they hear Tabbouleh think Lebanon. To make a fantastic Tabbouleh, the most important tip I can give you is to get the freshest ingredients, especially the flat-leaf parsley or better known as Italian Parsley. So if you want the ultimate meal I suggest for this specific meal you must go to your nearest Farmers Market. The Mint should be equally fresh. If you are not a fan of Mint keep it to the minimum, nevertheless you need to have some in it, augment it by using more Dill & Italian Parsley. Get firm and still Ripe Tomatoes, ideally I would recommend, that if you can, then get Heirloom Tomatoes or at the minimum organic tomatoes. Now here comes the Twist instead of using Bulgur you need to make some substitutions and additions. Get a large head of fresh raw cauliflower about a pound to pound and a half and fresh cucumbers. Ingredients: 1 to 2 lemons (juice of the lemons) and use the lemon zest as well finely choped Cauliflower (1.5lbs+/-) cut into small florets 1 large English Cucumber or 3-4 Persian Cucumbers (I prefer Persian or Japanese Cucumbers since they are sweeter) half the cucumber & dice into ¼ inch pieces. Tomato ( one large Heirloom or Organic tomato ¼ inch diced) 1 to 2 cups of Italian Parsley depending on taste the more traditional you make it the more Parsley needs to be chopped ( at the minimum you need at least 1 cup ) ½ cup of finely chopped fresh dill 1 tablespoon of mint leaves finely chopped 3-4 tablespoon of your best first cold pressed extra virgin olive oil you can afford ( like Trader Joe’s Calamata olive oil) Sea Salt (again if you can get the best it will make a difference) I am a firm believer when you make Tabbouleh you should chop the ingredients with a great cutting board and sharp chef’s knives. Never use the food processor. In this variation of the Tabbuleh, I must go against my own advice, since you need to pulse the cauliflower with a good food processor such as a Kitchen Aid or similar machine. Word of caution: if you make it with bulgur I suggest you eat it as you made it. If you use this variation I believe the meal will taste better if you let the flavors blend for at least six to twelve hours. Or overnight would be a great option. All you have to do is mix the ingredients together. And let it rest and let the flavors blend together. If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes,...
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