Tag Archives: cocktails

Lawry’s Legendary Chairman Dies at 92

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Peter Moruzzi

Richard N. Frank, son of original Lawry’s owner Lawrence Frank, died on Wednesday, May 20th in Pasadena. Los Angeles Magazine editor and historian Chris Nichols wrote this obituary. I wrote an extensive illustrated blog about Lawry’s 75th anniversary that is … Continue reading →

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Most Iconic and Oldest Restaurants By State

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Peter Moruzzi

This gallery contains 2 photos.

Thrillist put together what they consider to be the most iconic restaurant in every state and the oldest restaurant in every state.  Some of their selections are off the mark, but it’s interesting to see what they chose and why.

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Classic Restaurant Discovery in San Diego

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Peter Moruzzi

This gallery contains 4 photos.

During a business trip to San Diego last week my friend Daniel Paul and I came upon this surprising find: The Old Trieste is a classic continental style fine dining restaurant located at 2335 Morena Boulevard near Mission Bay.  It … Continue reading →

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Palm Springs’ Congo Room & Cellar at the Tropics Motor Hotel

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Peter Moruzzi

This gallery contains 12 photos.

The Ken Kimes chain of Tropics Motor Hotels included an outpost in Palm Springs that opened circa 1964.  Scattered amidst the lushly landscaped property were tikis of various sizes that punctuated the tropical theme. Kimes leased the hotel’s food and … Continue reading →

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Camera Girl Captures Essence of 1950s Nightclubbers

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Peter Moruzzi

This gallery contains 4 photos.

The girl wandering around with her big camera and flash was a ubiquitous feature of American nightclubs prior to the 1970s.  Generally, people posed stiffly.  But every once in a while the camera captured the essence of a couple, such … Continue reading →

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Strange Lounge Acts

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Peter Moruzzi

This gallery contains 3 photos.

Any cocktail lounge providing live entertainment is top notch in my book.  But back in the day, the definition of a lounge act was rather loose. Piano bars were fairly common but organ bars less so.  This one features Miss … Continue reading →

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Dome of the Sea restaurant at the Las Vegas Dunes

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Peter Moruzzi

This gallery contains 9 photos.

There have been many outrageously themed motels, hotels and restaurants constructed in Las Vegas these past 75 years but few have been as over-the-top fabulous as the Dome of the Sea.  Of everything ever to appear on the strip it … Continue reading →

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Oakland’s Zombie Village

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Peter Moruzzi

This gallery contains 2 photos.

When I lived in Oakland, California in the 1980s I didn’t know that two of the most amazing Polynesian-themed restaurants were once located across from each other on Oakland’s San Pablo Avenue – Trader Vic’s and Zombie Village.  Both are … Continue reading →

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Livin’ It Up at the Colony Club

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Peter Moruzzi

This gallery contains 4 photos.

“You might not realize this, but there was a time before television, before the Internet, before cell phones, and even before VCRs and DVDs.  Yes, once upon a time, when people wanted to be entertained, they went out.” So writes … Continue reading →

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