Santa Monica overnight trip report
 

Hi. We only stayed one night but I thought this might be helpful to some.

We stayed at the Radisson Huntley. Very nice hotel. We pulled up in the valet and I went to check in. We were in our room with our bags in 10 minutes, and this was at 12:30 in the afternoon. Fastest check in we have ever had.

Big mistake, went to Toppers up on the top for lunch. Not very good, overpriced and very slow service. Had to ask two people for more dressing, no one ever asked me if I wanted more iced tea. H wanted to stay in the room and watch the US Open and he had room service. $20 for a Ceasar salad and he had to go up to the top to get his own extra salad dressing. So...go there for cocktails, skip the restaurant. Awesome views though.

OD and I walked the Third Street Promenade. She is 17 so loved it. Lots of street preformers and people, action, it was fun, but we should have had lunch there. Oh well, live and learn.

Dinner at I Cuigini on Ocean. This was good, not outstanding. I loved my fish (black cod) but H got a very small portion of Ahi and even smaller side dish. They should tell you when it isn't going to be much food, even though you are paying $26. We both agreed we wouldn't die to go back. Pretty place, nice service.

Next morning breakfast at Broadway Deli. Loved it. Sat at the counter where there is lots to watch. Very good and nice service. Love those hash browns. Nice place to read the paper and watch the cooking going on. Bustling and efficient. We had a bonnified AHole sit next to my son and he was rude to the help. He had never seen this before and was quite an eye opener for him. He told the waitress that they don't speak the same language b/c she didn't bring him the right salsa. I told my H too bad she didn't speak "Ahole". Anyway, such is life.

Went to Whole Foods in Santa Monica on the way home for more fish. That was also a bustling place. Awesome take home prepared dishes. But we had no room.

So, anway, that is how it went. We do love Santa Monica. Even took son to the pier to play some arcade games and then walked to Chess Park, no players at 10 am, and then walked to Shutters to grab a cab back. It was cool and cloudy out so just a nice morning to walk around. Lots to do there.

I have decided that SM is a hard place to window shop. Strolling can be expensive, so be careful. But lots of action and people watching. My OD loved the psychic cat. You see everything here.

Oh, forgot to mention that our room in the Radisson was a very large one. Had two queen beds which we loved, desk and chair, table and two chairs, full closet about ten feet long to put luggage and hang stuff, a foyer, lots of space. It was one of the roomier rooms we have seen in a chain in a long time. Location is excellent also. Just three blocks walk to Third Street Promenade.

Happy Trails.

Thanks, Heavens. Glad you had a good time! If you ever go back to SM, try Jiraffe. Really a great restaurant!

Hi. I looked into Jiraffe but I am not fond of French food. Plus we had our two teens with us. Maybe when Hubby and I go alone next time. When I go to SM I really prefer the fish. Ocean is one of my all time favorite restaurants. But thanks for the tip. I will look into it next trip.

Glad to hear it was a good visit to my workplace, Heavens! Sorry I. Cugini didn't bowl you over. I tend to stick to the primi piatti (i.e., pastas) or the "land meat" dishes when I go there. If it's seafood I crave, then I go to Ocean Ave. Seafood. (BTW, last weekend I went to their Long Beach outpost, King's Pine Avenue Fish House, and had some great wild sockeye salmon. Yum!)

I hear you about Toppers. Nothing has changed, I see. Well, now we have some better chains on Wilshire (PF Chang, Houston's, CA Pizza Kitchen), so you have a couple of choices.

Broadway Deli! Love that place. Too bad about the bona fide a**hole sighting. I sympathize (as the saying goes, "If a**holes flew, this place would look like an airport!!").... ;)

I've been working a block from the Promenade for about three million years now (OK, only about 16), so I'm over the novelty. Especially since it's become so dominated by the Big Retailers. However, having Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic within two blocks is handy (I'm a low-maintenance guy vis-à-vis clothing). Melrose Ave. is still my favorite place to stroll and shop (but why do I keep stumbling into that adult toy store, LOL? :"> ).

Now if I can only get down to San Diego for a weekend (gotta get outta Dodge once in a while, right?)....