Category Archives: Closed
Postcard Panorama
International Hotel Penthouse Restaurant, LAX
Currently a Radisson. The room this restaurant is now a redecorated ballroom for private events only.
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Postcard Panorama
Purple Tree Lounge – Indianapolis, Indiana
A Walgreens now stands in its place.
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Le Veau D’Or, New York City – CLOSED
I first heard about this classic French restaurant on Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservationsssaaah” show, Disappearing New York episode. After seeing the show it became my no. 1 must-visit restaurant on my next visit to New York. This year I made it, and I loved every minute of my visit and meal.
The 55-seat restaurant opened in 1937, four years before the world famous Le Pavillion was opened in Manhattan by Henri Soulé, introducing America to haute French cuisine. In the 1950s Robert Tréboux, who was born in France in 1924, worked as a waiter at Le Pavillion. He later operated five French restaurants, culminating in him taking ownership of Le Veau D’Or in 1985. He lives above the restaurant and is the maître d’, helped by his daughter Cathy Tréboux. The menu is a trip back in time as much as the restaurant itself, offering classics such as escargots, coq au vin, beef Bourguignon, vichysoisse, and grenouilles (frog legs), mostly unchanged since the place opened. Prices are reasonable considering the menu is table d’hôte (includes appetizer, entrée, and desert), and lunch is a bargain at $22 for three courses.
Escargots
The food was delicious, especially the rich beef bourguignon. But the desserts were just fair. The service was excellent and attentive, and the atmosphere was relaxing and quiet, a perfect getaway from the noisy streets of midtown.
Beef Bourguignon
Le Veau D’Or
129 E. 60th St. near Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10022
Open Mon-Sat, noon-3pm and 5:30pm-10pm; closed Sunday
(212) 838-8133
No website found, but the menu is here.
La Casa Rosa, San Juan Bautista, CA – CLOSED
In the small historic town of San Juan Bautista, California, there is a charming, unique restaurant called La Casa Rosa (or The Pink House). Opened in 1935, it is famous for its luncheons featuring the Old California Casserole, from a Mexican recipe passed down from General Vallejo’s daughter and still offered on the menu, which only consists of two casseroles (the “old” and the “new”) plus one or two souffles (chicken and seafood when available). Another specialty is the house apéritif called “Ash Blonde”, made from a local winery. They also offer a condiment “bar” with a variety of jams and chutneys, all made in-house. It really takes you back to an older, simpler time to sit in the dining room filled with antiques and linger over a meal that is truly California cuisine, but one that existed before anyone used that term.
Delicious apéritif called Ash Blonde, which is a blend of local sweet and dry vermouth.
Piano bar of homemade jams and chutneys to enjoy with your meal.
Fresh crisp salad made with local lettuces with the house French vinaigrette dressing and locally made rolls.
Old California Casserole, baked in single-serving dishes and turned out table-side it’s a savory blend of cornbread with red meat sauce and cheddar cheese. The “new” version consists of cornbread, red meat sauce, jack cheese, and green chilis.
La Casa Rosa dining room
From the AAA Southwestern Tour Book 1959-60:
An inviting dining room serving luncheons only. Well-prepared dishes with own condiments a specialty.
La Casa Rosa
107 3rd St, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045
(831) 623-4563
Luncheon Wed-Mon 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM – closed Tuesdays
Gift shop open daily 10 AM – 5 PM.
La Casa Rosa website
