On The Road -- Again. Part III

My friend Matt lives not far away from Los Angeles in Whittier. On this, our second visit out west, we called him to set up a date with him and his friend, Maya. Matt is an old friend of mine from the '70's and we've shared political activism, good friendship and many wonderful times.

He suggested that Stacey and I meet him at the pier in Redondo Beach. Stacey wanted to see Manhattan Beach since we lived in the east coast neighborhood of the same name for so many years. But Matt, knowing the area for so long, felt that Redondo was more interesting and a nicer place to visit. And so we set out on the freeway, heading west to the coast and then down south a bit.

The beach communities on the southern California coast are lovely indeed. Very beachy and laid-back, they seem to be given loving attention by their local governments. Lovely promenades and boardwalks, good eating places and shops interspersed with colorful marinas all conspire to make them a desirable living area and destination for visitors. Redondo Beach didn't disappoint.


The Marina and pier at Redondo Beach.

Along the pier were some interesting fish markets selling a wide variety of fish, crab, clams and oysters. One could also select a piece of fish and the market would cook it for you to be eaten in the rough on picnic tables. We selected some oysters from several dozen types being offered and Matt and I picked out a piece of salmon and fresh Alaskan halibut for broiling. What a feast!


Eat clams - love longer? Well, they were delicious anyway.


Dozens of different types of oysters - we tried a lot!


Matt (the other Matt) and Stacey watch as our oysters are opened and served.


The pier at Redondo is a lovely place to fish or stroll and take in the fabulous Pacific views.


Lovely Redondo Beach vacation homes, boardwalk and beach.

After lunch we walked around the pier and promenade and then bade farewell to Matt. We were joining him and Maya for dinner and a jazz concert later that evening. We had to get ourselves back to the hotel to relax and freshen up a bit.

After a quick change and brief rest, we drove from our Hotel in Hollywood, downtown to fetch Lynn and Mike and the four of us met Matt and Maya at Versailles Restaurant. This eatery, on Venice Avenue, is one of several in a mini-chain of authentic Cuban restaurants in Los Angeles. We had eaten at one of their places last time, enjoyed it and wanted to try it again. The garlic-soaked chicken and pork (Lechón) dishes are the specialties. Add a side of moros and christianos (black beans and rice)and you're in Havana heaven. Delicious and inexpensive too. That's why these restaurants often have long lines waiting to get in.


Mike, Lynn and Stace at Versailles. Hola!


We agree with their slogan. So good.


You get the chicken, I'll order the pork.

After dinner we drove a few blocks to the beautiful old Helms Bakery. This beautiful, old factory lay decrepit and about to be destroyed until it was rescued at the last minute and turned to more modern use as shops and performance spaces. At one of those spaces, the Jazz Bakery, we bought tickets to see the Cedar Walton Quartet and enjoyed a few lovely hours of some great jazz, including a memorable rendition of Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.


At the Jazz Bakery on Washington in Culver City.


A nice venue for some cool jazz - the Jazz Bakery.

We left Maya and Matt to return downtown where we dropped of Lynn and Mike. Then we made our way, very tiredly, to our hotel and a good night's sleep.