Inn at Playa del Rey, a Los Angeles Bed and Breakfast

Take a Beach Vacation in your own backyard!

2012-05-24T12:52:00.001-07:00

Looking for a great place to spend your Memorial Day Weekend? The Inn at Playa del Rey, our unique Los Angeles bed and breakfast hotel, has some great rates for the weekend, starting at just $175 plus tax per night including breakfast and parking. Walk down the street for great restaurants, bars and the beach! We've got beach cruisers to ride, beach chairs and beach towels you can use. Forgot your sunscreen? We've got some! Get away without having to go too far - come to Playa del Rey!

Here are a couple of other activities, right in the neighborhood:

HABITAT RESTORATION VOLUNTEER DAY - FREE
9:30 am – Noon - Saturday, May 26, 2012

Come help the Friends restore the last coastal wetland habitat in Los Angeles County.Volunteers get hands-on experience while learning about wetland ecology. The Friends provide gloves and tools. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Please download and sign our waiver. Minors must have the FBW waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

Where to Meet:
Parking lot behind Gordon's Market at 303 Culver Blvd, Playa del Rey.

NITE-WRITE GLO ART AT DOCKWEILER BEACH - FREE
6 pm -10 pm - Saturday, May 26, 2012

The mobile art studio, MobileMuralLab, in cooperation with the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors and the L.A. County Arts Commission’s Civic Art Program, invites the public to “Nite-Write,” a luminescent, interactive multimedia art experience from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, at Dockweiler State Beach.

“Nite-Write” features the MobileMuralLab truck in Parking Lot 2 north of the concession/bike rental area at Dockweiler, the only beach in L.A. County with fire pits, making it a popular evening gathering place.

Event participants will give their creative input for a future mural display on the concession/restroom building at the beach by practicing with UV paints on one side of the “truck,” a step van with high sides that provide a large surface for art work. Guest visual artist Black Light King will provide inspiration with a live UV paint demo under black lights on the other side of the truck.

Participants can also go inside the truck to draw and write on iPads wired to project their creations onto the restroom building and the surface of the parking lot. Wearing white outfits that glow under the UV lights, P&tAGB, a group of artist-performers, will facilitate the creation of the interactive projections and encourage beach visitors to participate.

Under glowing tents near the truck, visual artist Faith Purvey will extract participants’ stories – where they are from, and what brought them to Dockweiler Beach. The stories she gathers will inspire what’s ultimately depicted in the permanent mural display.
A second “Nite-Write” will be held on Saturday, June 23, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The final mural on the concession/restroom building will be unveiled Saturday, September 29.

The event is free and open to the public. No reservations are necessary. Dockweiler State Beach is located at 12000 Vista del Mar, Playa del Rey, CA 90293.

Sothern California Colleges & Universities are graduating!

2012-05-09T10:53:00.001-07:00

It is our pleasure to congratulate the upcoming graduates of our local colleges and universities! The Inn at Playa del Rey has rooms available to suit the budgets of most family and friends, and the comforts of home to please even the most discerning family members.

Loyola Law School Graduation - Sunday, May 20, 2012

University of Southern California (USC) Graduation - Friday, May 11. 2012

Otis College of Art & Design - Saturday, May 12, 2012

University of California, LosAngeles (UCLA) Graduation - Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16, 2012

Each of our uniquely appointed guest rooms has a private bath, fine linens, free wireless Internet access, telephone with voicemail, television with DirecTV & DVD player; we have a wide selection of movies.

Our rates start at $185 plus tax per night and include a full breakfast, afternoon tea & cookies, evening wine & cheese, use of our guest business center with high-speed Internet connection, and use of our bicycles for riding along the ocean. We are walking distance to the beach and on-site parking is complimentary.

Los Angeles: Korean Day Spa - a review

2012-04-24T09:06:00.001-07:00

A little something for the ladies here. The Olympic Spa, in Korea Town, is for women only, sorry gents. And what an experience!

The Spa itself is easy to find, about a 30 minute drive from the Inn at Playa del Rey. It's a nondescript building on a modest street in the heart of Los Angeles' Korea Town. We pulled in to the parking lot, where we were greeted by the valet and offered complimentary parking. Yes, please!

Upon entering, we discovered a more modern interior, nicely framed works of art and all kinds of yummy skin products for sample and sale. We checked in for our massage and reflexology appointments and had about an hour to enjoy the rest of the spa. A friendly woman gave us a tour and showed us to our lockers, which were stocked with towels and a robe. No swim suits are allowed inside the spa.

After changing, we ventured into the "pool area". There are multiple hot and cold pools, showers, steam and sauna rooms. There are also scrub stations around the room where women were receiving treatments. It's a bit unnerving at first - there is little privacy - but I quickly forgot about that once I showered and ventured into the first hot pool. The recommendation is to go from hot to cold, and I did that multiple times, enjoying the freshness each time. I also spent a few minutes in the hot steam area.

Soon I was called for my massage appointment and led through the interior restaurant (more on that later!) and upstairs to a treatment room. I got a 50 minute shiatsu massage and a 30 minute foot reflexology treatment. My therapist was very strong, expertly skilled and was able to knead her way into my tight muscles. The foot massage was so relaxing that I fell asleep for most of it. (I always do that during a foot massage! Grrrr...)

After I peeled myself off the massage table, I met my party back in the changing area and we rested on the heated jade floor (wow!). Pads are provided, and we took a few extra minutes to restore our well-rubbed bodies.

Good thing they have a restaurant inside the building, because I was really hungry after all that relaxing. The restaurant is small, seating about 20, but the food was extremely fresh, authentic and homemade. And delicious. I ordered off their order-by-number menu which has pictures and a brief description. Try the number 6, it was excellent.

Overall, the spa was very clean and easy to navigate. The staff was friendly, helpful and unobtrusive. The cost is very reasonable; my whole day, including treatments, tips and my meal, was just over $110. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon!

An afternoon at South Coast Botanic Gardens

2012-04-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

Walking around this well kept and diversely populated oasis was a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. My mom came to town last week for a short visit, and I was thinking of “off the beaten path” options for us to spend the day. A guest had recently mentioned the South Coast Botanic Gardens, and I thought my mom would enjoy the scenery. The gardens are easy to find, and only a 30 minute drive from our Los Angeles Bed and Breakfast hotel. Parking is free, and admission is $8 (cash only). You are given a map of the gardens and walk through a small courtyard with a gift shop to enter.

The paved path is a one mile loop, with a variety of specialty gardens on the outer loop to explore. You can also go off the paved path and deeper into the interior of the park to see the little lake and other flowers and trees. We stayed about two hours and walked the entire loop. We checked out the peaceful Japanese Garden, the Succulent or Desert Garden and the Garden of the Senses. There were exotic species of trees and familiar, sweet smelling flowers (I love the lilacs!) and even the blossoming Cherry Trees. There are some benches near the lake where we sat and enjoyed watching the ducks swim and play and laughed at the bold squirrels frolicking in the trees.

Afterward, we took a 15 minute ride to the coast and had lunch at Nelson’s at Terranea. Nelson’s is a low-key American bar & grill type of restaurant with a magnificent view of the ocean. If you go in the evening, you can sit outside and enjoy the firepits and watch the sun go down. Terranea has beautifully manicured grounds and paths, so we meandered a little more before heading back to the Inn.

All in all, a day well spent!

Facebook drawing - you can win a FREE night at the Inn at Playa del Rey!

2012-03-08T09:08:00.000-08:00

Hey Facebookers! Are you a fan of the Inn at Playa del Rey on Facebook? If you haven't already clicked the "like" button here, please do. If we get 2,000 "likes" by March 26th, we'll enter your name into a drawing for a one night's stay at the Inn.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@innatpdr) for last minute specials and great recipes. We'll even keep you posted about exciting activities and happenings in Los Angeles.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Ballona Wetlands - the Inn at Playa del Rey's beautiful "backyard"

2012-03-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

While the beautiful Ballona Wetlands is not currently open to the public, you can take guided tours through the Friends of Ballona Wetlands. They offer FREE guided tours every month! Click here for their schedule.

The Inn sits on the Salt Marsh, and the next tour will be held on Sunday, March 11 from 1-3pm. To enter the Wetlands, meet at the parking lot behind Gordon's Market located at 303 Culver Blvd. You can also visit the open house held on Saturday March 10 from 2-4pm.

Interested in getting your hands dirty? Help out at the monthly Habitat Restoration Day, held the 4th Saturday of the month, from 9:30am to 12 noon. Next Restoration day is March 24.

The Ballona Wetlands are part of a diverse watershed network that links all of Los Angeles. Check out this fascinating article for more information.

If you just want to enjoy the Wetlands without having to walk around, some of the best views can be had right from the Inn's balcony. Spend the night with us, and enjoy our nightly wine and hors d'ouevres hour by the glow of the sunset, overlooking nature's bounty.

Valentine's Day Special!!

2012-02-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

Celebrate All Week (or More)

At the Inn at Playa del Rey, Valentine's Day is our favorite time of year. So, we are going to celebrate it all week long! Book a room with us for a stay from now until February 16th and we will give you $25 off a Standard Room and $50 off a View room or Suite and include a bottle of Champagne to take home or enjoy.

*Valid through Feb 16th, 2012. Must mention Valentine's Day special at time of booking to receive special. Offer valid on full rack rate only, based on availability and subject to blackout dates.

OR...

If this week just won't work for you, YOU pick the time. Our Gift Certificates are the perfect solution! Call us today at (310) 574-1920.

Save $25.00 for every $200 gift certificate you buy. When you Purchase a $200 gift certificate you only spend $175- We can send your certificate to you via mail or email. You can slip it in your Sweetheart's flowers or chocolates for a getaway that works with your schedule. Must purchase your certificate on or before February 16, 2012 to receive special.

Seashell! $129 Same Day special rate!

2012-01-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

If you've dreamed of staying at our luxurious Los Angeles Bed and Breakfast, but were thinking you couldn't afford it, think again. Sunday through Thursday nights in January, say "Seashell" when you call the Inn and get the best room available for that same night for only $129 (plus tax)! You can even stay in our sumptuous Romantic Suite with the sunken-in jacuzzi tub for two!

Seriously, for $147.06, you'll get one night in one of our uniquely appointed guestrooms, a glorious breakfast in our sunny breakfast room, overnight parking, evening wine and cheese in our cozy living room and full use of our amenities like bikes and movies to borrow and free wi-fi. That's the best deal in town!

Call us at 310-574-1920 and remember to say "Seashell"! We look forward to seeing you tonight!

Christmas Breakfast - Eggnog French Toast

2011-12-24T08:20:00.000-08:00

At our Los Angeles Bed and Breakfast, we pride ourselves on making something fresh and delicious for breakfast every morning - especially Christmas morning!

At home, you have a you have a lot of breakfast options- a slice of leftover pie, a scoop of leftover mashed potatoes, a bowl of cereal, cookies, candy - whatever! OR, you can prepare this easy and delicious recipe the night before and impress all of the guests who were too tipsy to drive home on Christmas Eve!

Cranberry Apple Eggnog French Toast

Preheat oven to 350

Spray a 9 x 13” ceramic baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

12 eggs

2 cups eggnog

2 Tbsp vanilla

3-4 medium green apples, sliced

1 cup cranberries (fresh, dried or frozen) - save a few to sprinkle on top!

½ cup butter, melted

½ cup light brown sugar

1 Tbs water

6-10 slices of white, wheat, or French bread

Cinnamon sugar

Directions:

Melt butter and mix in the brown sugar and water, set aside.

Thinly slice the apples and place them evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan. Top with cranberries.

Pour the butter mixture evenly over the fruit.

Cut the bread slices in half and place them, overlapping slightly, over the fruit covering the entire dish.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until light and fluffy, pour in the milk and vanilla, mixing until no yolks are showing. Pour this mixture over the bread slices, making sure all have been saturated. Cover and refrigerate over night.

Just before baking, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 50-60 minutes or until golden.

Or, for the more experienced cook, who really wants to make something fancy, try this recipe:

Eggnog French Toast - With Cranberry-Apple Compote

4 cups Eggnog

4 Large Eggs

1 tsp Nutmeg

1 tsp Cinnamon

16 Slices Thick White Bread, sliced into ½" pieces

¼ cup Unsalted Butter, melted

Powdered Sugar

Directions:

Whisk first four ingredients in a large bowl. Place bread slices in a single layer in two 13x9x2” baking dishes. Pour custard over bread, dividing equally. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Butter 2 large rimmed baking sheets with some melted butter. Using spatula, transfer the bread slices to the prepared sheets. Brush bread with the remaining melted butter. Bake for 10 minutes and the turn the bread over and bake until golden about 6 minutes more. Remove from oven, place on a serving platter, and dust generously with powdered sugar.

Cranberry-Apple Compote

2 cups Apple Cider

6 Tbsp Light Corn Syrup

2 Tbsp Packed Light Brown Sugar

1 Stick Unsalted Butter

3 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½" pieces

2 cups Cranberries (fresh or frozen)

½ cup plus 1 Tbsp Sugar

Directions:

Whisk apple cider, corn syrup and brown sugar in heavy bottomed saucepan. Boil over high heat until reduced to 1 cup, about 15 minutes. Add 4 Tbsp butter, whisk until melted. Remove from heat.

Melt remaining 4 Tbsp butter in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add apples and sauté for 2 minutes. Add cranberries and ½ cup sugar. Stir until cranberries begin to pop. Stir in reduced cider mixture. Bring to a boil until mixture thickens, about 6 minutes. Stir in remaining sugar and remove from heat. Transfer compote to a bowl and serve warm.

Free Friday-a guide to some free events in Los Angeles

2011-12-02T11:51:00.001-08:00

One of the best things about the Inn at Playa del Rey is the location! Minutes from LAX, within walking distance to the beach and located in one of the most happening cities, Los Angeles. There is never a shortage of things to do and places to see. Only problem is..how do you choose? Each Friday we will try and bring you a few FREE events for the weekend. A chance to see the city we have come to love, and not hurt your wallet. Enjoy and we would love feedback of the events that you have tried.

Friday, December 2nd | Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE | 7-8 PM

A one-hour holiday celebration benefiting AEG's Season of Giving, an initiative designed to raise funds and generate awareness for non-profit organizations supporting hunger, homelessness and healthcare issues. KTLA will be broadcasting live as we light the tree at L.A. LIVE, featuring:

Winner of the Voice Javier Colon
American Idol Finalists Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart
The Backbeats from the Sing-Off
II Volo featuring American Idol Pia Toscano
Pop Sensation JoJo
Patti Austin with Greg Phillinganes
Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek
Jessarae
LA LA LA L.A. LIVE winner Matt Sanchez

Saturday, December 3rd | Free Metro Art Tour | 10am-12pm

The Metro Docent Council is committed to increasing awareness of the broad range of art in the Metro Rail system through public tours that provide insights into the artworks, the artists who created them, the processes it took to make them, and the communities they enhance.

Tours leave promptly at 10 am from the street level entrance to the Hollywood/Highland Metro Rail Station on Hollywood Blvd. near the corner with Highland Ave. No reservations required. Docents pass out a free, ride-all-day pass to tour participants.

Sunday, December 4th | Santa Monica Farmers Market | 9:30am-1:00pm
This is one of my favorite Farmers' Market in the area and one of my favorite places to people watch. Bring a blanket, buy some delicious freshly made food from one of the many vendors, sit back and let the morning roll buy. A side note: a good place to try and spot a celebrity.

Thanksgiving Day in Los Angeles!

2011-11-18T12:42:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving Day is just next week! If you are planning to dine out in Los Angeles for Thanksgiving dinner, we have some wonderful suggestions for you.

Within walking distance of the Inn -- just 2 blocks!:

Bistro Du Soleil

310-823-1530

6805 Vista Del Mar Lane

Playa del Rey, CA 90293

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner

http://bistrodusoleil.com

Within a short drive of the Inn -- under 10 minutes:

Café Del Rey

4451 Admiralty Way

Marina del Rey, CA 90292

310-823-6395

$55 per person, thanksgiving menu

Special three-course prix fixe menu featuring your favorite Thanksgiving classics with a twist - Limited a la carte menu

Open from 1pm-8pm

http://cafedelreymarina.com/category/upcoming-events/

Truxton’s American Bistro

8677 Truxton Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90045

Open from 11-5

310-417-8789

Full Menu plus special Thanksgiving plate

http://www.truxtonsamericanbistro.com/

Ford’s Filling Station

9531 Culver Blvd

Culver City, CA 90

310-202-1470

Open from 2pm--7pm

Adults: $65, Children under 12: $45

http://www.fordsfillingstation.net

For Thanksgiving with a Hawaiian twist -- about 45 minutes from the Inn:

Duke’s in Malibu

21150 Pacific Coast Highway

Malibu, CA 90265

310-317-0777

Open 12pm-7pm

Adults: $29.95, Children: $14.95

Non-traditional Thanksgiving Menu

http://www.dukesmalibu.com/

http://www.dukesmalibu.com/events/view/thanksgiving-day

In honor of our nation's Veterans...

2011-11-09T07:38:00.000-08:00

Our Los Angeles Bed and Breakfast is honoring our nation's Veterans this weekend with some very special rates. We are proud of the men and women who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces.

The Inn at Playa del Rey is happy to offer a complimentary split of champagne and some fresh garden flowers in your room to honor our heroes! Enjoy a delicious breakfast in our dining room, ride our bikes along the beach and rest in our comfy beds. Room rates are starting as low as $165 plus tax per night and are valid Wednesday, November 09, 2011 through Tuesday, November 16, 2011. Please call or email us directly to receive this special deal (310-574-1920).

Happy Veterans Day! We thank you for your service!

Rainy sunday afternoon in LA? No problem!!

2011-11-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

We've got two terrific events for you to enjoy this rainy Los Angeles afternoon!

Westchester Mental Health Guild Annual Holiday Home Tour Sunday, November 6, 2011 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

On Sunday, November 6, the Westchester Mental Health Guild's annual Holiday Home Tour will feature five spectacular homes, all decorated for various holidays. The tour of homes will occur between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

These include a spectacular modern estate with endless views and amazing special features, including a snakeskin door, a goose feather chandelier and a gift-wrap room, that was featured in "Desperate Housewives of Westchester."

There is also a totally renovated beach bungalow, where you can see the “before” pictures, so you can see what work has been done. Two other houses are showcases for art and antiques, while another is a brand-new home perfect for raising a family. Each is unique and beautiful!

Ticketed guests visit the homes and then attend a festive reception. Guests also can do some early holiday shopping at the Guilded Cage Boutique at the reception. The reception and boutique will take place between noon and 5 p.m. (Please note that the tour itself concludes one hour earlier, at 4 p.m.)

The Holiday Home Tour is the Guild’s largest fundraiser of the year. All the proceeds from the event support the Airport Marina Counseling Service, a nonprofit, community-based mental health clinic that serves the LAX, South Bay and Westside areas of Los Angeles. Open seven days a week, AMCS annually provides thousands of hours of effective mental health counseling services, with a small paid staff of only six. AMCS provides services on a sliding fee scale. Between 300 to 500 children, adults and families are treated weekly. The clinic has established outreach programs to local elementary and high schools, providing child therapy and preventive intervention.

For further information, you can access: www.westchestermhg.org or call 310-641-7850.

Or spend an afternoon with actress Jane Lynch!

From her breakthrough role in “Best in Show” to her rocket ship to stardom in “Glee,” Jane Lynch has had quite a ride in life.

Join her, and special guest moderator Dennis Hensley, as they discuss her new autobiography, “Happy Accidents” at the event today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. called "An Afternoon with Jane Lynch."

A book sale and signing will following the presentation.

Free tickets for auditorium seating will be released one hour prior to program.

Seating is first come, first served. One ticket per person. Guest must be present to receive a ticket.

For more information, visit www.smpl.org or call 310.458.8600.
Sunday, October 6
Free, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Santa Monica Main Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica

Marina del Rey: Concert in the Park - FRANKIE AVALON! - 08/27, 7pm

2011-08-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

Final Marina del Rey Concert in the Park
Saturday, August 27 @ 7pm
Burton Chase Park
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Legendary entertainer Frankie Avalon will perform several of his chart-topping hits including "Venus" and "Why". With great weather and a beautiful view, this is a PERFECT, free night out. Bring a picnic and enjoy the music! This is the final concert in the park this season. For more information, please call (310) 305-9545.

Ever taken the WaterBus? Bike or walk from the Inn at Playa del Rey to Fisherman's Village and take a boat ride to the concert site. The MdR Waterbus provides ferry service throughout the Marina for a mere $1 per person each way (What a deal!). Park your car (or take your bike on the boat) and take the WaterBus for a unique water's-eye view of Marina del Rey. Seven boarding stops throughout the Marina offer opportunities to shop, dine and recreate in one of the most beautiful Southern California residential and tourist areas. For more information and for a time schedule, please contact (310) 628-3219.

Recipe of the Week: Candied Ginger Scones

2011-08-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Ginger has many incredible health benefits, but aside from that, it makes for a really great ingredient in baking. Its distinct taste adds a flavorful and exciting new twist to your baking!

Start by making the candied ginger, or if you're feeling lazy, your local grocer should have some too :).

Ingredients for Candied Ginger

Nonstick spray
1 pound fresh ginger root
5 cups water
Approximately 1 pound granulated sugar

Directions

Spray a cooling rack with nonstick spray and set it in a half sheet pan lined with parchment.

Peel the ginger root and slice into thin slices. Place into a 4-quart saucepan with the water and set over medium-high heat. Cover and cook for 35 minutes or until the ginger is tender.

Transfer the ginger to a colander to drain (you can even keep the rest and have your very own ginger tea!), reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Weigh the ginger and measure out an equal amount of sugar. Return the ginger and 1/4 cup water to the pan and add the sugar. Set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar syrup looks dry, has almost evaporated and begins to recrystallize, approximately 20 minutes. Transfer the ginger immediately to the cooling rack and spread to separate the individual pieces. Cut up pieces into very small pieces for baking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ingredients for Scones

3 cups all purpose flour (400 g)
3/4 cup sugar (160 g)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup candied ginger (chopped into 1/4-inch pieces or smaller) (3 1/2 ounces or 110 g)
1 Tbsp orange zest
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 cup buttermilk* (200 ml)
10 Tbsp (5 ounces, 140 g) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup ginger sugar (mixture of ground ginger and sugar - to taste; approximately 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground sugar)

* If you don't have buttermilk you can substitute with a Tbsp of lemon juice and 3/4 cup minus one tablespoon of regular milk.

Method

1) Preheat oven to 400°F (or 200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2) In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the candied ginger, lemon zest, ground ginger, and fresh ginger until evenly mixed.
3) Create a well in the center of the flour, pour in the melted butter and the buttermilk. Gently mix with a wooden spoon until the flour mixture is just moistened. Make sure not to over mix. The mixture should look very shaggy.

4) Divide the mixture into small balls (softball sized), and flatten each onto a floured surface into a 1-inch thick, 6-inch wide circle. Slice each round into 6 wedges. Transfer to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing at least an inch apart. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.

5) Bake at 400°F (or 200°C) for 14-18 minutes. Cool on a rack for 5 minutes before eating.

Come join us for breakfast at our beautiful Los Angeles Bed and Breakfast and we'll be sure to keep your tummy smiling!

Free, Live Theater in Culver City!

2011-07-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

A wonderful idea, really, live theater in the park. Especially when it's free. Culver City is just 10 minutes drive from the Inn at Playa del Rey, and we're happy to loan you some beach chairs & beach towels. Grab a picnic lunch from one of our many local restaurants and join the fun!

CulverCity Public Theatre Season 2011

Culver City Public Theatre (CCPT) presents its 13^th season of free theater in Carlson Park for families and theatre fans of all ages. Founded in 1998, CCPT (a 501(c)3 non-profit) is a member of the American Association of Community Theatres (AACT). All shows are open to the public for free, though donations are accepted. We recommend that patrons do not park in front of neighborhood residences, and bring their own blankets or chairs for lawn seating.

Big Bad Wolf Tales

Dates: Saturdays & Sundays only July 16-August 21

Time: 12:00pm

Location: Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park (Motor & Braddock)

10420 Park Ave, Culver City, CA 90232

Tickets: No Tickets necessary. Performances are free/donation, open to the public.

Around the World in 80 Days

Dates: Saturdays & Sundays only July 16-July 31

Time: 2:00pm

Location: Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park (Motor & Braddock)

10420 Park Ave, Culver City, CA 90232

Tickets: No Tickets necessary. Performances are free/donation, open to the public.

Little Women

Dates: Saturdays & Sundays only August 6-August 21

Time: 2:00pm

Location: Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park (Motor & Braddock)

10420 Park Ave, Culver City, CA 90232

Tickets: No Tickets necessary. Performances are free/donation, open to the public.

Information Line: 310-712-5482, info@ccpt.org

"Carmageddon" - the countdown begins! 405 Closure Information

2011-07-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

It's actually happening... the 405 Freeway is going to be shut down. Gridlock or Hype? You tell us.

We sent out a letter last week to our guests who plan to stay next week and weekend, warning them of the freeway closure. Though the Inn is out of "harm's way", we anticipate gridlock throughout the Westside of Los Angeles.

Here's what we said:

The 405 freeway (between the 10 Freeway and the 101 Freeway) will be closed for approximately 53 hours on the weekend of the 16^th and 17^th of July. Although the portion of the 405 freeway nearest to the Inn at Playa del Rey will remain open, we thought you should know – just in case it will affect your imminent travel plans.

Traffic going south of Playa del Rey should be affected very little. Traffic headed NORTH of Playa del Rey will be substantially delayed. Travel between the Inn and LAX will not be affected. Below is a link to an article describing the closure in detail.

http://www.metro.net/projects/I-405/

Please let us know if you have any concerns or need directions for alternate routes. We are happy to be of assistance.

Tell us what you think - will traffic be one insane snarl or is this all just LA hype?

Vineyard Trail Ride

2011-06-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Griffin and I were offered an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up. Scott and Sabrina Fortyune, owners of Vineyard Trail Rides, invited us to spend the afternoon wine-tasting and horseback riding in Temecula. We set a date and on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, Griffin and I made the drive down to Temecula. The breathtaking scenery on the way down would have made the trek well worth our while all on its own. When we arrived at Leonesse Cellars, the starting off point for our horseback riding adventure, we were greeted warmly by Scott and Sabrina Fortyune, a pair of siblings that have been working with and riding horses since they were children. Sabrina talked with both Griffin and I about our experience levels and then paired us up with horses accordingly.

Griffin with Ba-donk-a-donk and Ashley with April

After we got comfortable in our saddles, we started off through the vineyard. Sabrina talked to us about the joys of working with horses and Scott pointed out the different varieties of grapes that surrounded us. The setting was beautiful and such a refreshing change of pace from the hustle and bustle of city life in Los Angeles. We saw all sorts of wildlife including hawks, rabbits, and even a fox. Sabrina even captured our horseback riding adventures by taking pictures which she promptly emailed to us the next day.

When we were done riding, we said our goodbyes to Scott and Sabrina and headed over to the Leonesse Cellars tasting room. We were treated to six different tastings and chatted with the other guests. As we left, we took one last look at the beautiful Temecula countryside. We were certainly a little reluctant to leave, but then again, it was only a short drive away so we knew we would be back very soon.

Griffin and Ashley at Leonesse Cellars for wine tasting

Recipe of the Week: Orange Cranberry Muffins

2011-06-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

Here at our California Bed and Breakfast, we like to keep our repeat guests (and new guests, too!) happy by giving them a nice variety in the things we bake (from scratch, every day). Ashley whipped up a batch of these little jewels last weekend and they were gone in two shakes of a lamb's tail! With their light, airy texture and aromatic fragrance, you'll bake a treat the whole neighborhood will be talking about.

Orange Cranberry Muffins

1 Orange, quartered with seeds removed (with peel)
1/2 c Orange Juice
1 large Egg
1/2 c Butter
1 3/4 c Flour
3/4 c Sugar
1 c dried Cranberries
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda

Preheat oven to 400F. Spray a 12-muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Put orange quarters in a food processor or blender along with orange juice and process or blend until pureed. Add egg and butter to food processor and combine; pour into large bowl. In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients (including cranberries), then add, all at once, to the orange mixture. Stir to combine. Spoon batter into muffin cups and fill to 3/4. Bake in preheated oven for 16-18 minutes; remove from oven and let stand in tin for 5 minutes before removing muffins.

Recipe of the Week: Garden Tomato & Feta Dip

2011-05-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

We’ve planted a garden! Suzanne, our Guest Services Manager, is an avid gardener with a very green thumb. She grew tomatoes in her own garden last year, and decided that our romantic Los Angeles bed and breakfast hotel could use a dose of homegrown vegetables for our homemade fare.

So far our herb garden, growing in two planters located on our courtyard patio, consists of spearmint, Italian oregano, Italian basil and parsley. We use the herbs in our soufflés, as flavor for our homemade dips, and as garnishes for our wine and cheese spread and fresh fruit platters. We’ve also used the mint to make hot mint tea and have tossed a few sprigs in our lemonade. Ask us to make you a cup!


Herb-a-licious!

In our rose garden (behind the white picket fence in our parking lot), Suzanne has filled two Earthboxes with all organic dirt mix and fertilizer. One box contains a Black Cherry Heirloom Tomato plant and a Yellow Brandywine Heirloom Tomato plant. The second Earthbox has two zucchini plants and one cucumber “Burpless Diva” plant. Once we have some fresh veggies, you can expect to enjoy them at wine and cheese (in dips, as well as on the vegetable platter) and on our savory breakfast soufflés.

Suzanne chose Earthboxes for our tomato and zucchini plants because the design of the boxes makes them very water efficient. A cover is placed over the top soil to prevent excess evaporation and the water is held in a reservoir at the bottom of the planter so none of the water is wasted in run off. How very “green” of us!

Our homegrown zucchini plants soaking up the sun!

Besides the upkeep of our beautiful plants, our challenge is to keep the California Ground Squirrels from dining on the proceeds from our garden every night. You can see them roaming around in the Wetlands, and these little critters like to eat!

Below is a delicious recipe you can try at home:

Tomato Feta Dip

2-3 Tbsp Olive Oil

20 Grape Tomatoes - cut in half

Salt, pepper, & salt-free herb seasoning (to taste)

Fresh Oregano

½ c. Feta Cheese (approx.)

Heat a small frying pan and add olive oil. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and seasoning and cook until soft. Crush with a wooden spoon until it makes a chunky sauce. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Add oregano and Feta cheese and combine gently. Serve warm.

Do you have a favorite recipe to share with us? Please email info@innatplayadelrey.com. We’ll give it a try! Bon Appétit!

Recipe of the Week: Easy Cheese-y Egg Souffle

2011-05-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

One of our most popular and enduring recipes here at the Inn at Playa del Rey is our Egg Souffle. What's the difference between a souffle and a quiche or a frittata? A quiche is served in a pie crust, and a frittata is more like an omelet and does not contain bread. We call our recipe a souffle because it comes out so light and fluffy!

Serve our amazing souffle at your next breakfast or brunch!

Three Cheese Soufflé with Fresh Basil

Makes one 9 X 13” baking dish

Spray pan liberally with non-stick cooking spray

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded cheese (jack/cheddar blend)
1/2 cup goat cheese
2-3 leaves of fresh basil

6 – 7 slices of white bread, with the crust cut off

12 eggs

2 cups milk

2 Tbsp. melted butter

salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the bottom of the baking dish. Place the bread evenly over the cheese, covering as much of the bottom of the pan as possible. In a separate bowl combine the eggs, milk and melted butter until well mixed. Pour egg mixture over the bread, making sure all the bread is saturated. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and torn (or cut up) pieces of basil on top, season with salt and pepper, cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-45 minutes or until eggs are firm and soufflé’ is puffy. Serve immediately.

Recipe of the Week: Glaze of Glory!

2011-05-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

**Glazehance (v.)- making a delicious cake better by adding a magnificent topping, i.e. a glaze. As in, Shall we glazehance this yummy banana bread with chocolate or peanut butter - or both??

Around the Inn at Playa del Rey, we like to glazehance our favorite cakes and muffins with some very special glazes. You can make a thick or thin icing that is spooned over the top and flows down the sides of the cake. If you prefer a thinner glaze, use 1/2 the amount of ingredients, adding enough liquid to obtain the desired consistency. You will be amazed by the amount of powdered sugar that can be absorbed by a teaspoon or two of milk!

Here are a few of our favorites:

Sour Cream Glaze:
2 T sour cream
1 c sifted powdered sugar
1/2 t vanilla extract
Stir together all ingredients until blended. Try this with Zucchini Bread.

Basic Glaze:
2 c sifted powdered sugar
1 T soft butter
1 t vanilla, rum or almond extract
2-3 T milk
In a small bowl, combine sugar and butter. Add extract; add milk gradually to achieve desired consistency and stir until smooth.

A "thinner" version of the Basic Glaze (recommended for coffee cakes and breads):
1 c sifted powdered sugar
1 t soft butter
1/2 t vanilla, rum or almond extract
1 T milk
In a small bowl, combine sugar and butter. Add extract; add milk gradually to achieve desired consistency and stir until smooth.

Orange (or Lemon) Glaze:
2 c sifted powdered sugar
1 T soft butter
2-4 T orange (or lemon) juice
1-2 t orange (or lemon) peel
In a small bowl, combine sugar and butter. Add juice gradually to achieve desired consistency and stir until smooth. Add peel.

Chocolate Glaze:

2 c sifted powdered sugar
2 t cocoa powder
1 T soft butter
1/2 t vanilla extract
2-4 T milk
In a small bowl, combine sugar, cocoa powder and butter. Add extract; add milk gradually to achieve desired consistency and stir until smooth.

Peanut Butter Glaze:
2 c sifted powdered sugar
3 1/2 t peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
2-4 T milk
In a small bowl, combine sugar and peanut butter. Add extract; add milk gradually to achieve desired consistency and stir until smooth.

Butterscotch Glaze:
1/4 c butter
1/4 c brown sugar
2 T milk
1 c sifted powdered sugar

1 t vanilla or rum extract

In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and milk. Bring to a full boil. Add powdered sugar and extract. beat until smooth. Additional milk may be added to achieve desired consistency.

Our delicious Banana Bread with a Peanut Butter Glaze.

** Yes,"glazehance" is a made up word. Call Webster's!

Recipe Monday: Peanut Butter Streusel Muffins

2011-05-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

Who loves peanut butter?? I do, I do! And so does the owner of our California bed and breakfast. That's right, folks, this is one of Susan's favorite recipes.

For a special treat, fill the muffin tin halfway with batter and drop in a Hershey's Kiss or a dollop of your favorite jam, then top with the remaining batter. What a sweet surprise!

Peanut Butter Streusel Muffins

Peanut Butter Streusel

½ c. (packed) Light Brown Sugar

4 T. Flour

1/3 c. chunky or creamy Peanut Butter

3 T. Butter, melted

1/3 c. coarsely chopped roasted and salted peanuts

Muffin Batter

4 T. Butter, room temperature

½ c. Sugar

1 Egg

2/3 c. Sour Cream

1 t. Vanilla

1 c. Flour

½ t. Baking Powder

½ t. Baking Soda

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make streusel first, by putting brown sugar, flour, peanut butter and butter in food processor. Blend until smooth. Fold in peanuts and set aside. To make muffin batter, cream together butter and sugar. Add the egg, sour cream and vanilla. In separate bowl mix flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add to wet mixture. Blend until smooth. Add 1/3 of streusel mixture to batter, mixing lightly so that it marbles throughout batter. Liberally spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray or use paper muffin cups. Fill cups 3/4 full and put a dollop of streusel mixture on top. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until muffins are done.

Recipe Monday: Chocolate Chip Cookie - YUMMMMMM!

2011-04-25T18:09:00.000-07:00

The one thing that most of our guests want more of at the Inn is our magnificent, delicious, gooey, chunky, sweet, warm chocolate chip cookies. We bake them fresh everyday, so the Inn always smells good! Part of what makes our cookies taste so good is that week bake them in an old Wedgwood gas oven. You can get your own from Antique Stove Heaven.

A few tips: Your butter should be softened, but still a little firm. Be sure that your oven is preheated. Do not over mix. Chill the dough for a few hours if you want your cookies to keep their shape (i.e. the opposite of flat). Gas ovens work best. We use a stand up Kitchen Aid mixer and an ice cream scoop to shape the cookies.

Believe you me, a LOT of quality control has been done on these cookies (much by yours truly), so we know what we're talking about.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

(Double Batch)

Step 1 Cream together well:

1lb butter--softened

2 cups light brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

Step 2 Mix in:

1 Tbs. vanilla

4 eggs--one at a time

Step 3 Stir in:

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt*

Step 4 Add:

4 cups chocolate chips

Step 5 Shape into golf ball sized spheres, approx., bake in a 350 degree oven for 12-15 min. or until nicely browned. Dough may be chilled over night, or for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

*salt may be omitted if using a salted butter

If you're in the neighborhood, please stop in for a free sample! Glass of milk is optional.

Recipe Monday!: Raw Apple Cake

2011-04-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

That's right friends - it's another episode of Recipe Monday!

You think to yourself "I bought 10 pounds of apples at Ralph's last week for just ten dollars. But now I have 9 pounds of apples wasting away in my fridge! What to do??"

Inn at Playa del Rey to the rescue!! We buy in bulk at our romantic Los Angeles hotel, so we know the feeling of having too much of a good thing.

Besides being absolutely delicious, this recipe is so easy to make. Double or triple the recipe and freeze the extra loaves for up to 60 days.

Raw Apple Cake

1 cup sugar

1cup flour

½ cup butter (softened)

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

2 eggs

1 cup chopped nuts

1 cup coconut

2 raw apples, sliced thinly

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Liberally spray a 9” x 5” loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Combine sugar, flour, butter, nutmeg, cinnamon and baking soda. Add eggs. Mix in nuts, coconut and apples. Bake at 350 for 45 -60 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

The nuts and coconut are both optional in this recipe. The coconut provides a really great texture, but if you don't have any on hand, don't let that stop you from making it.

If you really want to make it decadent, top with homemade caramel sauce. Wow!!

In the works!