Los Angeles, California: There was a lot going on in Los Angeles this weekend, so Dave and I drove over Friday night. Leo and Lucy had a movie night event to attend for a few hours at school, so their parents and grandparents had a nice dinner at a new place I have been waiting and waiting to try -
Cote Est (East Side) - a French bistro. We had a lovely table outside on an inviting brick-wall-enclosed, tree-filled courtyard. Delicious foods. Icy wine. Really just a great night with Lisa and Lenny (and without the children... which is nice
every once in a while).
Duck Confit on lentils, with greens
The number one reason for our visit to the big city this weekend was to attend Leo's piano recital, where he would be playing a waltz. Yes, it was the world's shortest waltz, but he performed well and showed few nerves. Everyone clapped, Leo bowed, and received a medal from the headmistress of the music school. We are so very proud of Leo!
And then it was time for the next event on our weekend agenda - our annual visit to
Santa Anita! Here we could celebrate Dave's birthday, Cinco de Mayo
and the Kentucky Derby... while enjoying great food, placing a few bets, and sipping on champagne or mint juleps (instead of margaritas). Sorry, Mexico. We know your army defeated the French in the
Battle of Puebla in 1862, but this year we did not join in the festivities.
I'll make up for it sometime.
gianormousscreen in the middle of the track, or even from a little television on our table. The one-price-per-person food situation: buffet with fabulous foods and desserts, free-flowing champagne/mimosas, and a selection of entrees to choose from the menu. We did not starve. And just because everyone in the room wore fancy-dress and were seated at elegant tables, do not think for a moment they didn't rise and shout and jump and cheer and wave their napkins during each and every race. So much fun!
two other children we saw all day!) had miniature chafing dishes filled with kid-friendly foods and the most amazing selection of candy. Leo called it Candy Land. Fruit or cheese skewers for kids featured a horse at the end of the stick. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were cut into horse-shapes. The muffins, pastries, cakes and other baked treat selection was pretty impressive. The staff were great and maybe came by to top-off our mimosas
toooften? Ha. Not possible. (Except My Driver, celebrating his birthday by sipping on iced tea
most of the afternoon.)
amazing hats. The table next to us made special effort today:
I saw several men wearing this shirt today
Is it legal to choose a horse based on Lucy's favorite color?
Polenta with chiles - topped with cheese and radish sprouts
We stayed to watch the soggy and cold Kentucky Derby race, live from Churchill Downs, on the in-field screen. No one was surprised the fabulous Justify won the race. What a victory and what a beautiful horse. As soon as the Kentucky Derby was over, we left. There were plenty of races left at Santa Anita, but we had asked enough quiet, proper behavior from our precious grandchildren. We went outside and were able to pet a few horses that aid in guiding the racers from the stables to the track.
Racers being led from the stables to the track
Mom decided the kids were so well-behaved today (not to mention our little concert pianist), they deserved a treat from the gift shop.
