After much debate we decided to just eat at the bar and take advantage of their $2.95 bar bites. We ordered four of these and it was more than enough. We order two flat bread pizzas, their mini meatball sliders and spinach dip. Everything tasted amazing! The flat bread pizzas were full of flavor and freshness. The spinach dip served with crackers was filling enough for two. It was just the right amount of food for a very good price.

In order to fully celebrate any occasion I ordered their chocolate cake with ice cream. It was a lava type cake that was outstanding. The best part of any meal is desert and Bravo lived up to my expectations. We had a perfect dinner and service was great. We will definitely be going back!

We took Southwest airlines because for me there is no better way to fly. You get two bags per person checked for free, one carryon and one personal item. You also have the advantage to gate check your car seat and stroller at no cost as well. We took a connecting flight from Kansas City to Phoenix. Our layover was delayed about an hour due to a mechanical issue, but once cleared up we were on our way.

Lucas (my son) did wonderful during flight. We made sure to have plenty of snacks and toys to keep him entertained. The attendants were so friendly during flight they even gave us a handful of snacks for after the flight and his first pair of airplane wings! After arriving at LAX we made our way to the rental car shuttles and picked up our car from ALAMO. I used the quick check in kiosk that made the process very smooth, however when we went to get our rental there were no cars available. Not hard to believe with the rate I received. They had run out of the vehicle size we rented so we had to wait about twenty minutes until one was ready.

After getting our car we were on our way to the hotel. We stayed for the first two nights at the Sheraton Four Points in Culver City, conveniently across the street from the Westfield shopping mall. The rooms were very comfortable and the staff was very friendly and professional. The large heated pool was a plus for the young kids. During our first day in Los Angeles we visited Marina Del Rey and went to the beach. The beach was very low key and unpopulated and offered beautiful views of the sunset.The water temperature a cool 60 degrees was not very welcoming. So we stuck to the sandy beach. At first Lucas was unsure of the sand but after we sat down with him to play he became more comfortable and did not want to leave. Later that evening we visited Santa Monica Pier and enjoyed a wide variety of shops and dining. Make sure to bring a jacket as the pier can cool off at night.

On our second day in Los Angeles it was Mommy & Lucas time. I took him to some of my favorite spots in LA. We first drove twenty minutes north to the LA Farmer’s Market and enjoyed an omelet for breakfast. After strolling through the Farmer’s Market we crossed into The Grove. The Grove is a family friendly shopping area with several upscale shops and movie theatres. The landscaping at The Grove is beautiful and you may even eye a celebrity while you are there. On this particular day we ran into Mario Lopez (host of Extra/A.C. Slater from Saved by the Bell). Extra now tapes segments at The Grove so if you visit during the afternoon hours you may be lucky enough to be an ‘extra’ on the show or catch a glimpse of the star appearing on that day’s taping.

After shopping till I dropped we hit up Hollywood and Highland and the Walk of Fame. Lucas got his photo with his own star, became a Pepsi spokesperson and saw some very entertaining acts along the way. The day was coming to an end and it was time to return to Culver City. After picking up my husband from training we visited Venice Beach. The Venice Boardwalk is full of sights and sounds that can’t be missed. After walking the boardwalk we walked down to the skateboarding area. Lucas loved watching the skateboarders as they zoomed up and down the ramps.

Heading into dinner time it was time to find a good family place to eat. After much searching on Urban Spoon we decided to try Casa Sanchez. Upon arrival we felt out of place as valet parking was the only option. We were wondering what kind of restaurant this would be. But once inside we felt very comfortable. The restaurant was bustling with patrons celebrating graduations and a live mariachi band. Lucas loved the band! It was the highlight of his dinner. The food was a little overpriced but had great flavor and there was plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day! The service was a little slow at times but with so many large groups dining at once I figured this was not the norm.

The next day was relaxed as we shopped the mall adjacent to our hotel and made the drive down to Anaheim for our next two nights. We checked into the Ramada Maingate which is directly across the street from the Disneyland Resort and Theme Park. The Ramada Maingate could not have been nicer. The rooms were clean and large for families. They offer roll away cribs free of charge which was an added bonus. Along with free WIFI and continental breakfast this was a great family oriented hotel. I can’t say enough nice things about the Maingate. The pool had to be the best bonus. It was large and our son loved it. He was able to walk in the water of the shallow end and they have spray park area for additional fun. When dinner rolled around it was time for no other then In n Out burger. That place is still the best on the West coast! The burgers can’t be beat.

Saturday was time for the Magical Kingdom. Can’t visit Los Angeles without a trip to Disneyland! We took Lucas for his first Disneyland visit and I was hesitant as he was so young and did not think he could ride anything. But after researching he was able to ride almost all the rides and I am so glad we took him. He loved every second of it from meeting Mickey Mouse, crawling around Toon Town, riding in the Tea Cups and finally the fireworks. Disneyland is a magical resort that every family should be able to enjoy. Every cast member (employee) makes you feel so special and treats the children as if they were their own. The admission price is high, but for Lucas being less than three he was free. The souvenirs were reasonably priced as well which made it nice to have some Mickey memorabilia to take home. Lucas’ adorable Mickey ears that were personalized were less than $15. That is a bargain to me.

It was our last day and time to say goodbye. Nobody wants a vacation to come to an end but they all do. We packed up and headed home. We took a late flight this time and after a bottle Lucas was knocked out the entire flight. We had a blast and California was a perfect family getaway for my family and maybe for yours as well.

In final my review would be:

SWA – Always perfect flights! Bags fly FREE. Family friendly flying. If you want to risk it don’t purchase a seat for your infant under two. If there is room on the flight they can have their own seat for free. I have been lucky enough to take advantage of this on three occasions.

Farmer’s Market/The Grove – Tons of shops, MUST visit. Great celebrity look out.

Hollywood Walk of Fame – A wide variety of entertainment.

Venice Beach Boardwalk – Entertainers and souvenir shops galore. Parking will run about $10 and shops close at dusk. Skateboarders are awesome to watch.

Casa Sanchez – Great Mexican dining with live entertainment that the kids will love.

Santa Monica Pier – Nostalgic pier offering beautiful views of the ocean & city. Great shopping and dining West of the pier. $10 parking down by pier.

In-N-Out Burger – Old Fashion Burger joint that is superb every time! Try your’s animal style and make sure to get your In-N-Out hat!

Alamo Rent A Car – Great rates. I booked about 3 months before trip and rebooked 10 days before our arrival and saved almost $100

Ramada Maingate – Less then 10 minute walk to Disneyland that was a superb family hotel.

Disneyland – High priced admission that is well worth the experience. Children of all ages will treasure it. I know it is a magical experience I will never forget.

The Country Club Plaza

New neighborhood restaurant featuring fast, fresh and affordable food hosts benefit night for Children’s Mercy Hospital.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 3, 2010) Noodles & Company, the restaurant that serves made-to-order noodles, soups and salads inspired from around the world, will open its doors on The Country Club Plaza Sunday, March 7 at 10:30 a.m. The new restaurant is located at 540 Nichols Road at the intersection of Nichols Road and Jefferson Street.

In celebration of the opening, the public is invited to a pre-opening fundraiser at the new Noodles & Company restaurant on Friday, March 5, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The restaurant will donate 100 percent of the sales generated from the fundraiser to Children’s Mercy Hospital, one of the nation’s top pediatric medical centers in Kansas City.

“The Plaza is one of the preeminent shopping and dining landmarks in the country, so we are thrilled to be a part of it. This opening marks the beginning of several new restaurant openings we have planned in the area this year. In fact, we will double our presence in Kansas City by the end of 2010,” said Kevin Reddy, CEO and chairman of Noodles & Company. “At Noodles, giving back and supporting our local communities is part of our culture. We look forward to kicking off our involvement by supporting Children’s Mercy Hospital, and children and families in the Kansas City area and beyond.”

The new Noodles & Company location on The Plaza will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Convenient carry-out, phone-in or fax-in orders also are available. If catering for a large group, Noodles & Company’s Square Bowls, a family style to-go option, can feed four to 50. Guests may reach the new Plaza Noodles & Company location by calling 815-561-6100 or faxing 816-561-6102.

The opening marks the fifth Noodles & Company location in Kansas City metro area. Additional Noodles & Company restaurants in the Kansas City area include locations in Olathe, Overland Park, North Kansas City and Lee’s Summit. To find a restaurant near you, please visit www.noodles.com.

About Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company is about serving real food, real quick. Our menu features made-to-order noodles, soups and salads inspired from around the world that make everyone happy from kids to adults. Think Mac & Cheese, Pad Thai, Chinese Chop Salad and Pesto Cavatappi all under one roof. Within minutes of ordering a fresh, made-to-order dish will be delivered to the table on real china with real silverware. Nothing fake here. You also don’t have to clear your table or leave a tip. We just aim to please.

It was lunch time and this has always been one of my favorite places to go in this busy city. Farmer’s Market has a variety of dining places, souvenir shops, unique specialty shops, fresh veggies, fruits and meats. The enclosed market does get pretty warm, but you can easily walk outside to the new grounds known as The Grove. Built up around the Farmer’s Market there are many of today’s popular stores (GAP, Bath & Body, Victoria’s Secret, H&M), variety of fine dining establishments and a movie theatre known for its celebrity patrons. I choose to dine in the Farmer’s Market at Charlie’s. There special was a philly steak sandwich with chips for only $6. Despite the wait time to get the meal, the food was very good at an affordable price.

After some shopping it was time head to Hollywood’s walk of fame. Parking is available directly on Hollywood Blvd in hour increments. Make sure to have cash for the meters. We walked around and admired the many stars, ran into a few impersonators and even some CW “Melrose Place” stars. We visited Grauman’s Chinese Theatre where you can compare your hands with the likes of Johnny Depp and Jack Nicholson. Along the walk of fame you will find a wide variety of shops.

Checking into our hotel was next on the list. We stayed at the Marriott in Marina del Rey. The hotel was a little over $200 a night which was a little more than what I would have liked to pay, but it was closely located to Venice Pier. The hotel does charge for parking, and it feels a little overwhelming how they cater to its guest. The pool was below average and extremely small. It was so overcrowded during our entire stay that we could not enjoy it. On the upside of things they were holding the American Idol auditions at the hotel. Seeing many contestants with gold tickets we were aware the judges were at the hotel. We figured we would not see anyone so we headed to Venice Beach.

Venice Pier is one of my favorite piers. You see some interesting characters at this beach. Would not recommend visiting the location at night, but during the day you will get some good double takes. We first visited the pier to watch the surfers catching the waves. Then we headed down to where the shops are located at along with the famous Gold’s Gym at “Muscle Beach”, stopping along the way checking out the unique souvenirs and merchandise. After some quick photos it was time for dinner. We walked back towards our hotel and found a Mexican restaurant with a great happy hour. Cabo Cantina’s was offering 2 for 1 drink specials. Not to mention the food was amazing, definitely my favorite spot during the entire trip. I ordered carne asada tacos that were amazingly fresh. The steak was flavorful and tender. I also tried there burritos which offered a burst of flavor with every bite. This bar was hoping full of fun and energetic servers. I know I will be back!

Once back at the hotel we walked into a crowd of people with cameras. Apparently Katy Perry had just left the American Idol auditions and was sitting in her car. I snapped a photo before she headed out. The hotel guests mentioned that Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson had left earlier the evening and ignored the fans. Not so when it came to Simon Cowell. He exited the building about ten minutes later and posed for photos and signed autographs for all those waiting. Alongside Simon was his “ex-girlfriend” Terry Seymour who also posed for photos. Both were extremely friendly and topped off the evening of fun.

Thursday was a busy day; Friday was a little more laid back. We headed to Laguna Beach. While on the road we stopped at Ikea, one of my favorite home furnishing stores. We not only shopped but we got breakfast and lunch here. Breakfast for two was only $5 and was delicious. For lunch we had two hot dogs for $1…I mean where can you get those prices? Next stop was in Newport to get some Sprinkles Cupcakes. I have heard many good things about them and they did not disappoint. I tried the strawberry, chocolate and pumpkin. All were freshly baked and extremely delicious. After about a thirty minute drive we arrived at the Laguna Reef Inn, our home for another four days. Parking is available for free on site. The Inn was a very small resort close to a strip mall with CVS and Albertsons. Made it convenient to get any drinks or snacks you may need during your stay. Our rooms were of decent size with two beds, a large bath room area with full size mirror and a walk-in closet where the small refrigerator was located.

The Inn had an average size pool that received great afternoon sunshine, paired with a sauna and a hot tub. The beautiful ocean is located directly across the street. Be forewarned it is a walk to it. You have to cross the street walk down a good 100 stairs through the large resort across the street and you’ll arrive to a landscaped park area. Offering great views for picture taking of the scenic ocean below. Not quite at the water you have to walk about another 40 wooden stairs to the base of the sand. The ocean waters were refreshing and cool. The tide was pretty strong and high both days we visited. One side of the beach was easy to swim, while the other side offered crashing waves. So strong they knocked me off my feet multiple times. This beach was one of the most beautiful I have seen in the California area.

Basking in the sun was fun, but it was time for dinner. We stayed in Laguna and tried Wahoo Tacos. I ordered the baja rolls. They were ok; I was not overly impressed by them, but what I would come to expect from a joint like this. The facility was clean and service was quick and friendly. The set up to order was a little odd and crowded. They offered indoor and outdoor seating. As the night came to an end we made plans for the next day in Catalina Island.

Up bright and early it was time to head to Dana Port to catch the Catalina Express to the island. They recommend you arrive an hour before departure and you will need to move your car to the long term parking area and walk back to the port. The boat will get you to Port Avalon in an hour and a half. During transport you can pay for drinks and snacks, or feel free to bring your own. Once at Catalina Island it is similar to a cruise ship. Many activities and shopping within walking distance.

We first headed to Descanso Beach Club, a private small beach where admittance is only $2 per person. The beach was extremely busy, but offered an on site bar and lounge chairs for rent for under $5. They play music overhead and there are changing rooms/restrooms making it very accessible for all to enjoy. As dusk fell upon us it was time to head back into town. We made it back to port and returned home for the evening.

Our final exciting day awaited us. Starting out late we grabbed some lunch at La Sirena Grill, an all organic version of Chipotle, but with many more items on the menu and a salsa bar. I tried the carne asada burrito and it was very good. Light and flavorful paired with chips and fresh guacamole to complete the meal. I loved the food at this restaurant and would love to have one back in KC.

The plan for the day was a dolphin and whale watch. We headed back to Dana Point to catch our boat to these magnificent creatures. We cruised on the Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari. Tickets were very affordable and the safari was incredible. While we were at sea we saw two huge blue whales. It was amazing to see the “foot prints” these whales leave behind and how you can see them below the surface where the light blue shadow is cast.

After viewing the whales in all their glory we also saw around a hundred dolphins swimming and feeding in a pack. It was the most magnificent thing I have ever seen. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Laguna area.

Final night was upon us and it was time for some more fun. We drove an hour north to Santa Monica to visit the Pier and 3rd and 4th Street. The streets were filled with visitors from all over and the shops were busy till close.  Both streets offer many stores and restaurants along with street performers at every turn. There is affordable parking close by and the pier is within walking distance.

Santa Monica Pier was the most amazing pier I have ever seen. It was huge and completely made of wooden planks. As you walk over you can look down and in between the slats you see the crashing waves below. It was a remarkable sight. After sightseeing we decided to dine at Yankee Doodles. A large bar & grill offering decent happy hours and billiards. We ordered the appetizer sampler which was average but overpriced at $20. Service was great, but the food was nothing exceptional. I would get the appetizer happy hours at the bar and save you some money.

Our trip had come to an end at this point. We packed up and headed out…But we had two final stops. The first at the .99 cent store. By Beverly Hills, this store offers aisle after aisle of products at .99. Amazing deals you can’t find back home, so I stocked up. The last stop was In N Out Burgers. The famous hamburger joint on the west coast that never disappoints. If you are ever in Cali you can not leave without one of these burgers. They are cheap and delicious.

In final my review would be:

SWA – Always perfect flights! Bags fly FREE
Marriott Marina Del Rey – Uptight hotel with tiny pool, great location, good place to meet Simon Cowell
Farmer’s Market/The Grove – Tons of shops, MUST visit
Hollywood Walk of Fame – See your stars as you walk the streets of Hollywood
Venice Beach Pier – Where the freaks come out…Beautiful sunsets
Cabo Cantina – Best place I ate at on this trip!! Terrific Happy Hours.
iKea – Favorite Home Furnishing Store. Even their food is CHEAP!
Sprinkles – Fresh & flavorful cupcakes
Laguna Reef Inn – Clean Inn with friendly staff. Very affordable for location, but not close to any nightlife. Inn is closing its doors next year
Wahoo’s Fish Tacos – Average food served quickly
Catalina Island – Beautiful West Coast Island.
Catalina Island Express – Quick & affordable access to the island.
Descanso Beach – Beautiful beach offering amenities to all guests.
La Sirena Grill – Delicious food, best guac
Capt Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari – Worth every penny. Would love to go again.
Santa Monica Pier – Nostalgic pier offering beautiful views of the ocean & city
.99 cent Store – Cheap, Cheap, Cheap
In-N-Out Burger – Old Fashion Burger joint that is a necessity!
Alamo Rent A Car – good rates, but shuttle bus driver refused to help with anyone’s luggage on return shuttle.

The only highlight for me was the Firecracker Salsa which was very flavorful and spicy. Also I enjoyed the Cheesecake Chimis. These were a great delight after the meal we had, but order them after you have finished dinner as they are ten times better hot. Overall I would not look forward to eating here again. Hopefully this was a fluke and not all locations have similar service and food, after all I have heard quite a few positive things.

Serving up a gourmet feast
Savor scrumptious gourmet fare from the Kansas City area’s premier restaurants, caterers and dessert specialists. Enjoy the featured martini ice bar, fine wines and other specialty drinks concocted just for our event!

Headline entertainment: Michael McDonald
Groove to the legendary “blue-eyed soul” of five-time Grammy winner Michael McDonald as he commands center stage. A pop music icon for more than 30 years, he’s contributed mega-hits like “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “Minute By Minute,” “What A Fool Believes” and dozens of others.

Fireworks frolic among the stars
Delight in a fireworks fantasy that rivals Independence Day as it explodes across the nighttime sky.

Black-tie or creative black-tie?
Don traditional black-tie party attire – or let our racetrack theme and your imagination inspire your formalwear. View photos from past years’ events to rev up your creativity.

We’ll party on, rain or shine
Raindrops won’t spoil our party! Treads & Threads is held rain or shine.

Companies Committed to Care
Demonstrate your company’s commitment to improving and expanding care for cancer patients throughout the region as a Treads & Threads sponsor. Sponsorship levels range from $5,000 to $30,000, and include a variety of benefits plus special recognition in promotional materials and advertising.

Party Passes
A limited number of patron and individual passes are available. Passes will be mailed to all attendees mid-August.
 
Individual Passes

Watkins Glen International (Patron) – $300
Includes 1 pre-party admission (at 6:00 p.m.)

Individual Pass – $200
Includes 1 regular admission pass (at 7:30 p.m.)

A perfect evening under the stars awaits you. Donate to a great cause and have some fun!