It’s a staple of LA, constantly buzzing with celebs and beauties. If you cant get in at least you can see your favorite reality TV stars eat there on TV (Kardashian anyone?) It’s Katsuya. Why would you not want to take on a few spicy tuna rolls topped with tempura shrimp or eggplant albacore? Maybe a little buttery, flaky miso cod that melts in your mouth. The service is so fast it practically arrives before you order. The decor is trendy enough to make any chic modernist swoon. You can even order online…seriously people!!! What else do you expect from Sam Nazarian, Stark and Katsuya himself. Please please open in Seattle!

I am going to attempt to remain equanimous in this review of La Terranea. Here goes nothing:

Perched on a cliff above the ocean, La Terranea has a location that begs for romance, beauty and relaxation. The bathrobes are the plush kind you want to steal away in your suitcase. The wine list is everything a Southern California wine list should be: extensive and expensive. The fitness center is practically perfect, although it faces the pool instead of the ocean (something that can be easily fixed by moving the machines 180). The spa was lush and everything spa whore such as myself would love. The facial and couples massage left me in a state of ahhhh.

But here is equanimity comes along. There are two things that La Terranea managed to do which I argue are rather inexcusable. We were there to attend a wedding…ie, wear a suit kind of wedding. When my husband sent his suit out for pressing and they sent it for dry cleaning instead, my hubby was left in sweats for the ceremony. No joke. Rather embarrassing. Second, when the hotel staff promised to arrange a rental car, the car arrived an hour and a half late. By that time I hailed a cab for the $120 ride to my next location.

So, here’s a tip for you La Terranea. If you are going to do it…do it right. And if you do something wrong, apologize. Instead of a nice apology, the manager whose name started with a Z (cant be too many of you, hmmm?) decided to get in a full blown argument of his story/my story. What happened to the customer is always right? Apology would have gone a long long way here buddy.

Think we will stick to Pelican Hill, Bacara or St. Regis next time we head South.

LA can get under your skin and into your blood in a good way. It’s the kind of good way that makes you want to head to the hills (the Holywood hills preferably) and move to sunny weather. You can’t do that without the help of someone who knows the lay of the land and can find you the best home on the market that fits exactly what you’ve dreamed. Architectural masterpiece your style? no problem. celebrity owned mansion overlooking Malibu? Sure! Maybe you even want to buy something a little more special like a weekend spot in Bora Bora or Dellis Cay and Caicos. Hilton and Hyland has you covered. Now all you need is some sweet movie deals to pay for your new shopping habbit.

BLT steakhouse may have been voted New Yorks number one steakhouse, but LA is where all the action is. Chef Laurent Tourondel is a master of all thing beef and stylish French meets urban chic style. If things that go moo and perfect kobe beef are not your thing there is always the grilled branzino, roasted beets, and a raw bar that makes you drool with anticipation. Their menu is a who’s who and what’s what of all foods of the earth and sea in all shapes and sizes. Kind of like LA. Anything goes and it goes good.

Lala Land has a special place in my heart and when i get a craving to go back that craving usually includes a mandatory stop at CHIN CHIN. After 25 years, CHIN CHIN remains the most popular Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles, with 4 locations throughout the city and one in New York-New York Hotel & Casino™ in Las Vegas, Nevada. It remains my favorite pit stop for the chinese chicken salad, shrimp toast and delish bubble tea. It’s heaven, you know it…and they deliver…wonder if that driver can make it out to Seattle