Sunday Supper

We got started on Sunday with brunch at Saint Raphael in Redondo Beach. My eggs benedict were very tasty. Mom had some sort of waffle that I think she enjoyed.

From there we did some shopping in Manhattan Beach and I performed the obligatory stand-outside-and-use-my-iPhone role as mom looked for knick knacks, clothing, and gifts.

Back at home a game of Scene It-Box Office Smash followed. Turns out I know more movie trivia than mom. Shocker. It did take mom a few turns to figure out how to use the controller and she'd probably blame her score on that.

With lots of time to kill we took a long drive up the coast, up Robertson ("where's the Ivy-I want to see celebrities"), and into the hills. We ended up at Franklin Canyon park-a place I've never been myself. We both marveled over how a place like that could be so close to so much civilization.

Eventually we ended up at Lucques in West Hollywood for dinner. Every week, chef-owner Suzanne Goin does a 3 course prix fixe created with seasonal ingredients called "Sunday Supper". Mom had actually given me the Sunday Supper cookbook for Christmas last year and wanted to experience it herself. It was a great time and a fantastic meal. Our menu was:

pan a la catalana with cherry tomatoes,

arugula and black olives

***

grilled market fish with white beans,

marinated eggplant and marcona almond pesto

or

braised chicken with potato-tomato gratin,

paprika and roasted pepper rouille

***

"lost angels" peach ice cream with

amaretti and sara's blackberry syrup

We both selected the chicken after two fish meals. No complaints. Can't wait to return again in the fall when the ingredients change over to autumn flavors.

After mom went back to the hotel I watched the season 3 premiere of Mad Men. Love that show.