June Newsletter: Eat LA Contest and our interview with Eat LA author Colleen Bates Dunn Eat Los Angeles is the best little foodie gift for the Summer. Instead of wine, why not bring Eat LA: The Food Lover's Guide to Los Angeles to your dinner host, the gift that lasts longer and adds to the culinary conversation? BBQ host gift, Birthday, Graduation, New Neighbor, you name it so grab a few copies (we wrap for free) and WIN THE CONTEST. What contest you ask? THE EAT LA CONTEST. Between June 10th and July 1st, whoever buys the most Eat LA books wins a packet of Gift Certificates to local restaurants worth $100! Buy more books, support local authors and local indie stores, and explore your local eateries!! 1. How did you decide to write this book? CBD: Because the city lacked a compact but broad-ranging resource for finding the best resources for food lovers-- restaurants, of course, but also cheese shops, and taco trucks, and bakeries, and caterers, and butchers, and ethnic markets, and coffeehouses, and wine bars, and pizzerias, and ... well, you get the idea. Also, we wanted to celebrate the independent, the local and the passionate, as opposed to the major national chains. Basically, this was the book I wished I had in my car. Plus I love working with teams of smart people, so it was great fun to put together this team of smart, connected food journalists, many of whom are old friends. 2. Favorite five restaurants? (I know it's hard) CBD: It's impossible! So I'll pick a current favorite choice in five categories: Special-occasion restaurant: Lucques. It epitomizes the best of modern California dining. Wine bar: Lou, on Vine just north of Melrose-- relaxed, fun, and reasonably priced, with delicious food and wine. French bistro: These are enjoying a renaissance right now, and there are many good ones, including Le Saint Amour and Bouchon, but I'd have to say Church & State downtown is my favorite. Mexican food: Loteria Grill in Hollywood, and probably the new one in Studio City, although I haven't been there yet. But I love his food-- and his margaritas. Chinese food: of the dozens of great places in the south San Gabriel Valley, lately I've most been jonesing to go back to Mama's Kitchen for the incredible beef rolls. It's not a place to hang out in-- I get them to go. In fact, I may have to go get one right now. But for more of a sit-down Chinese meal with a group, I'd say Newport Seafood is a current favorite, for the lobster and the pea shoots. 3. Easiest part about researching the book? Hardest? CBD: The easiest part was writing about our favorites, the places we all return to, or wish we had time (and money) to return to frequently. The hardest part was finding the money, time and energy to check out the places we felt that we "should" check out-- the big-deal, big-budget restaurants, which can be wonderful or can be a big waste of money. 4. One unexpected circumstance, if there is one. CBD: I did not plan to make this an annual book. I published the first one in 2009, and hoped I could afford to do a new edition every two years. But it quickly became clear that it had to be updated annually, whether or not I could afford it. Everything changes too fast, and the book has to stay current to be valuable. Hence the new 2010 edition... and we're already at work on the 2011 edition. The 2010 has many more places, and much more current information, than the first book. 5. What type of food is undiscovered in LA that you hope your book sheds light on? CBD: I don't think it's so much the type of food as it is the pockets of good food in untrendy neighborhoods. Everyone knows about Culver City, but not as many get over to Gardena and Torrance for the Japanese izakaya, or to North Hollywood for Thai food, or to Glendale for Armenian and Middle Eastern cooking. There's something good to eat in almost every neighborhood in L.A. County, except perhaps a few brand-new communities served only by chains. Watching the World Cup tips for watching the games, here or there There is no more global or more travel-related sport. The World Cup is coming to South Africa and we've got tips for the fortunate ones who are going down under for the games, and for those of us who have to stay here and watch. Must reads: World Cup Companion - Everything you need to know about the World's Biggest Sporting Event by David Hirshey and Roger Bennett. And More Than Just a Game - Soccer vs. Apartheid: The Most Important Story Ever Told by Chuck Korr and Marvin Close Hot tips for Johannesburg: If you've landed at the airport but are waiting for friends to arrive on a later flight, walk across the street to the sophisticated Intercontinental Hotel and relax in the lobby. Wi-Fi, delicious food and friendly staff will make the wait seem much quicker. Food pick: Butcher Shop & Grill in Nelson Mandela Square. An old favorite that used to be, you guessed it, a butcher shop. Greg and Natalie loved the fun staff and history of the place. Good for hearty nourishment after a long day screaming goooooal! Los Angeles is mad for the futbol, but you have to know where to look. Here are some hot tips for watching the World Cup in L.A.: Casual Viewing: EB's at the Farmer's Market will open at 7am each day for viewing on the West Patio. French-owned (even though Les Bleus are destined for a disappointing three-and-out), The 3rd Stop on West Third Street will open each day at 11am. Strictly for the hardcore: For the pub-style experience we recommend the dubiously named The Happy Ending, on Sunset Blvd. (I'm sure it's a soccer reference.) They will be open 24/7 starting June 11th. The ESPN Zone Downtown will open 15 minutes before each game, and that means you'll need to be there at 4:15am on Saturday to watch South Korea play, along with hundreds (thousands?) of screaming Korean-American fans. And finally, yes L.A. has a South African joint: Springbok Bar & Grill. It's in Van Nuys, have fun. Easy Being Green Organic the perfect way to spend a Sunday Staycation We had the amazing opportunity to meet Anna at the Hollywood Farmer's Market Book Signing we hosted this past Sunday. Her lifestyle is something to aspire to and we loved picking her brain about the best organic foods and recipes. If you missed her at the Farmer's Market, her cookbook "Easy, Green Organic" is available at Traveler's Bookcase. It is amazing and we recommend a Sunday Staycation as follows: 9am-12pm Hollywood Farmer's Market shopping 1pm-3pm preparing (from Easy Green Organic) Roasted Tomato Goat Cheese Toast, Arugula and Strawberry Salad with Pumpkin Seeds and Lemon Vinaigrette, Ginger Rice Risotto (star employee Kate Vadnais' favorite), and Coconut Custard with Fresh Mango and Mint Chutney 4pm picnic at LACMA lawn and enjoy the free Summer live music. Check out the Broad Museum, free after 5pm and open until 8pm. Bon Appetit! Summer Beauty Secrets beauty tips from around the world Natalie loves beauty secrets almost as much as she loves books and travel. Plus being a world traveler and a small business owner can take a toll on her face and body. Thank goodness for two books that have saved her. (Shhhh: they're secrets.) Crazy Busy Beautiful - Beauty Secrets for Getting Gorgeous Fast by Carmindy. This is a must take with you on trips and a perfect gift for on the go friends. It is paperback and easy to peruse for the best last minute beauty tips. Eyeliner disappeared in your luggage somehow? Use mascara, it works just as well. Bikini on but so are your age spots? Lemon juice fades them! Plus who doesn't want to be as gorgeous as Carmindy? A dear friend and amazing make-up artist, Natalie has trusted her beauty tips for years and with her around the world. Return to Beauty - Old-World Recipes for Great Radiant Skin by Narine Nikogosian Narine has been Natalie's facialist for ten years and she swears by her treatments. When "Return to Beauty" came out Natalie was thrilled to try Narine's famous treatments (from Armenia) in her own home. Chamomile cleanser for sensitive skin, oatmeal and mango scrub, everything is so fresh, natural and delicious it's hard not to eat them before using them on your face. A must give gift and a must have for treating yourself to a spa day at home, grab this book. If you prefer spa days out on occasion visit Narine at Ole Henriksen in Los Angeles and treat yourself to her relaxing and professional touch.

Traveler's Bookcase PRESS: L.A. Magazine Hey fans and loyal customers of Travelers Bookcase! Did you see Sarah Wilson's wonderful article in Los Angeles Magazine about our little block on 3rd Street? We know that you already know how great our block is. But in case it's been a while, check out the piece and the new additions and come on down to 3rd Street for food, shopping and crafting fun. Mention the article and get a 10% discount this month. UPCOMING EVENTS: July 14 "Communion" Vietnam book launch and food event with author Kim Fay Store Info: 8375 West Third St. Los Angeles, CA 90048 Orlando & 3rd (parking in rear) 323.655.0575 Store Hours: Monday 11am-6pm Tues-Sat 10am-7pm Sunday 11am-6pm or shop online at: Travelbooks.com