California Hip

September 17, 2015 — fine dining, Inn of the Seventh Ray, Topanga Canyon

Buddha waterfall

I can adopt a prejudice and keep it forever for no particular reason. I decided long ago I have no use for Los Angeles, California, although it has much to offer. I wrote it off my list completely because I just did not like to drive around in it. My friend and I came to Topanga Canyon, which is in, but not of  LA, to visit a friend of ours who lives here.  I have had a change of heart about this entire region.  We easily avoided traffic and experienced an exceptional day in Topanga Canyon with an old friend who lives there.  I love the place much more than I had expected.

Topanga is rugged steep, and somewhat primitive in some places.  The main road is narrow and curvy, which  makes it treacherous to drive.  It was all worth the trip for the atmosphere.  The people I met all seemed to be in extreme chill mode.  The retail and restaurant scene is completely to my liking.  The merchandise and menus all seem to be created for my personal taste.  I might eventually tire of the selections if I lived there, but that would take a long time.

Since it was a reunion of friends after many years it was the right time to celebrate with a fancy dinner.  Inn of the Seventh Ray was the perfect place to go for the occasion.  Our server Rudy did a superb job of detailed descriptions of the menu. The creative and colorful combinations the chef used were a delight to the senses.  Fresh ingredients transformed into unique and exciting flavor thrills. We shared dishes in order to try more items on the menu.  Portions were not large, but the flavor and satisfaction in each and every bite was enormous.  All of the salads, entrees and desserts we tried made us very happy.  Service was attentive, but the creekside setting is the icing on the cake.  Between courses we spotted a family of deer having dinner across the creek in the grass.

deer dining

The setting, the cuisine, and the company made the evening memorable and special.  For out of the ordinary fine dining I can’t think of a better place.

charm and style

reunion of friends