Happy Valentine's Day

Hang in there, boys. This too shall pass ...

On a lighter note, ummm ... why didn't I learn this in college?

Full Throttle Chocolate!

I have eaten more chocolate this month than the entire rest of 2012 combined. (Does that turn you on? I'm guessing no ... lol) All this chocolate-eating is due to Christmas parties, getting gifts of candy, and seeing one particular friend a few times, with whom I traditionally share a choice bottle of red wine and an equally distinguished dark chocolate bar, size large.

Chocolate is generally not on my radar. I don't crave it, rarely eat it under normal circumstances, never seek it out. I'm fortunate though that I can eat it in almost unholy amounts and not gain an ounce. Thank you, high metabolism.

While googling the health benefits of chocolate, I unearthed this sweet little treat in Beverly Hills, for the hardcore chocolate lover. BeverlyHillsChocolateTours.com. This little outfit offers 1.5 hour walking tours along Rodeo Drive (pronounced row-day-oh - not row-dee-oh, as in a rodeo with cowboy wranglers and grumpy bulls. This mis-pronunciation is the quickest way to spot an out-of-towner, but I digress ....) and the surrounding area of the "historic chocolate shops" of Beverly Hills. Free samples are available at each of the 9 shops visited and you'll learn all about this yummy dark seducer.

I haven't taken the tour yet, but with Valentine's Day around the corner, I offer this to you as a great gift idea for the beloved chocoholic in your life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Kitchen Surfing

I know people hire private chefs but I never knew how one would find a private chef - except maybe through word of mouth, a domestic agency or a google search, I suppose. Well, today I stumbled upon the website Kitchensurfing. It's a reservation service that connects personal chefs with foodies. Private chefs post about their food specialties/style and foodies can scheduled online an evening meal prepared in their own home. The chef will come to you and cook in your kitchen. Really, really like this way of finding and scheduling a chef!


Secondly, if you have an outstandingly-beautiful home yourself, you can rent your kitchen/dining room out to chefs and other foodies for an evening's meal. As the home owner, you could either rent for cash or a seat at the table for that meal. I can't imagine that someone with a gorgeous home would likely opt to rent out their kitchen for shekels. The intrusion just wouldn't be worth it. However, I definitely CAN see how socially-adventurous people would be interested in joining their visitors for a meal. Frankly, this is particularly good for the well-heeled yet socially-isolated, lonely or *gulp* agoraphobic.

The site also includes chef reviews and pictures. Really brilliant ........ More info at KithenSurfing.

Speed Dating Your New Roommate

A group in NYC has started having meet-ups for people seeking a roommate. If you have a spare room or you need to move, you're welcome at these organized events, usually held at friendly local bars. What a great way to avoid sloshing through online ads and fielding fruitless calls. While my roommate days thankfully are over, a similar groups in So Cal would be spectacular. Someone should start a local version asap. http://roommateswantednyc.com/

Crush Pad - I can't stop loving you

I've stumbled upon one of the most accommodating wineries I've ever heard of, planted right in the heart of Portrero Hill in San Francisco. Crush Pad Wine is a do-it-yourself winery where you can learn to make wine. They have all the equipment and will help the wine-making newbie through the entire process - all the way down to designing the label for your bottle. 50 vineyards, 14 varietals, 25 cases of your own wine. 'Scuse me while I kiss the sky. Crush Pad Wine

Eating to reveal her beauty

It's baaaack! Eating sushi off of a beautiful body. It was a brief dining phenomenon in trend-hungry circles in the states a few years back and then it just as quickly faded from the common consciousness. Well, it's back in West Hollywood, CA and fun for both girls and boys. Hadaka Sushi offers nyotamouri (body sushi) either at their restaurant or in the privacy of your own home. Expensive - yes. Prices start just above $1000 and quickly blossom when drinks, desserts and appetizers are added. Brilliant idea though and I'm glad it's resurfaced. You come for the sushi and keep eating for the view. Sexy and delicious. Douzo meshiagare!

Dinner on a Crane

While some are feeding at the newest have-to-be-seen-there supper club, others are choosing to dine while dangling from a crane, and paying quite a high pence for the experience. It brings new weight to the phrase "Oooopps, I dropped my fork" and the all-too-common "I need to use the little girls' room" because that entire table is heading back down to earth, if you can't hold it any longer. http://www.dinnerinthesky.com/