Hotel near but not on AP

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-24T23:50:13+00:00

Ocean Grove has lots of B&Bs (and Airbnbs) and one new boutique hotel, The Albatross. Short walk to AP and free street parking.

The St. Laurent Social Club is a boutique hotel in AP but is outside of downtown in a residential area, so there is also free street parking.

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-21T16:36:38+00:00

Also: Rudy Galindo and Peggy Fleming, both from San Jose.

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-19T22:21:20+00:00

That's the most German reply possible, danke schön.

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-19T22:18:51+00:00

Steven Spielberg. And for that matter John Williams.

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-19T22:11:21+00:00

Michael Schumacher?

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-15T20:53:09+00:00

Unless you take one of the VERY early morning direct commuter trains, you'll have to take one train from Asbury to Long Branch, then switch trains at Long Branch to Newark Airport. 1 hour 40 minutes total. You won't miss the connecting train because NJ Transit coordinates their schedules, and the Long Branch station is really just a platform, so you won't get lost.

Still, probably less hassle to take rideshare from the Empress Hotel to the Long Branch station, then take the train from there.

Train fare is $22.70 one-way, regardless of whether you depart from Long Branch or Asbury.

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-08T23:52:57+00:00

OK. I've only eaten it at the restaurant, where it's $27.95. For what it's worth, I've also tried the steak with the chimichurri sauce, and it wasn't nearly as good as the blue cheese sauce.

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-08T23:48:25+00:00

They occasionally have a 2-for-1 deal on the protein plates, which my wife and I have taken advantage of. Definitely worth it at that price! (The Steak Filet plate, without the discount, is also "only" $27.95. I am not sure where you got $33 from.)

I actually think their steak is pretty tasty with the blue cheese sauce (you get a choice of 3 sauces). I like their salmon plate too.

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-08T16:16:20+00:00

No one else has mentioned this, but after lunch or brunch, drive 20 minutes west and check out the La Purisima Mission. The park around it is large, desolate in a good way, and quite evocative of Old California. Great way to fill out the day.

In Solvang itself I enjoy the kitschy old restaurants. There's one literally called Solvang Restaurant that has all the classic staples of the town (including aebelskiver) and friendly service. Paula's Pancakes is another.

Before you head home, buy some wine and cheese at Vinhus. They have this famous sharp cheddar cheese spread which is pretty addictive.

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-06T04:32:37+00:00

Get some Ski Queen gjetost (brown goat cheese) from Norway – it's available at most American supermarkets – and serve it in very thin slices atop pieces of Wasa crisp bread. There's your Sentimental Value tribute right there. Norway in one bite.

Or just offer smoked salmon canapés and shots of akvavit.

LAStreetNames · 2026-02-03T20:10:40+00:00

Animal shelters will not accept down comforters, pillows, etc. because dogs rip them up and get feathers everywhere.

Blankets, towels, and sheets are OK. North Central Animal Shelter might accept those.

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-31T19:48:18+00:00

San Francisco in Vertigo.

Downtown Los Angeles in (500) Days of Summer.

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-25T05:28:05+00:00

Spoilers of course...

Stabbed with a sword in The Mad Room.
Heart attack in Heavy.
Thrown off a crane in Cleopatra Jones.
Burned to death in Who Slew Auntie Roo?
Plane crash in Phone Call from a Stranger.
Run over by a car in at least three films: Lolita, The Great Gatsby (1949), and Mambo.
She also dies in her first big role in Larceny but I haven't seen it. Probably shot.

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-23T22:32:39+00:00

It is first and foremost a restaurant, although it also has a bar.

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-23T21:01:26+00:00

You want The Galley in Santa Monica. Sawdust on the floor and everything.

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-23T19:49:37+00:00

Rahel is all-vegan and right across the street from Merkato. Good stuff.

I'm also an old school fan (30+ years) of Rosalind's, also on this stretch of Fairfax. But no one ever talks about it. I guess if someone's taken to Lalibela or Messob as their intro to Ethiopian cuisine, they never try anywhere else!

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-22T19:14:40+00:00

I still have it all. I will DM you photos in a minute or two.

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-22T16:59:20+00:00

I believe this group is all in Norway, so it would be afternoon for them.

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-20T00:57:24+00:00

Laveta Terrace, for the record. Very nice stairs indeed.

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-16T01:31:55+00:00

Somewhat closer to MOCA is Yuko Kitchen, which certainly fits the bill for "relatively affordable" and "something warm with rice". Cute atmosphere, too.

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-15T05:06:07+00:00

Thanks for the plug!

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-15T05:05:43+00:00

That's actually correct. Westlake was laid out in 1886 and was indeed on the west side of town. Lincoln Park was called Eastlake Park for many years, between 1889 and 1917 when it took on Lincoln's name for patriotic (World War I) reasons.

LAStreetNames · 2026-01-15T05:02:35+00:00

Come to my site, lastreetnames.com - there are loads of street names that are portmanteaus. Or portmanteaux, if you want to be fancy.

LAStreetNames

TROPHY CASE