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Padley Gorge in the Peak District has been named one of the best autumnal walks in the UK, according to new research – and it is easy to see why it’s so popular

There’s a certain enchantment that comes with an autumnal stroll through the woods. As the leaves shift from vibrant green to warm hues of amber, the woodland takes on a storybook charm, particularly when accompanied by a low mist and a crisp chill in the air.

Need a moment to reconnect with nature? If this sounds like your ideal way to spend the upcoming weeks, then you might want to consider a visit to Padley Gorge in the Peak District. This picturesque spot has been named one of the top autumn walks in the UK, according to recent research.

Go Outdoors used TripAdvisor reviews and average rainfall data to determine the best spots for an autumn walk across the country. Each location was given a score out of 10. Padley Gorge, situated on the eastern side of the national park, secured third place with a commendable score of 8.35.

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Claiming the top spot was the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, boasting a high score of 9.3. Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey wasn’t far behind, taking second place with a score of 8.51. Completing the top five were Cragside in Northumberland and Richmond Park in London.

Interestingly, not all the top ten walks are through woodlands; Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire tied for 8th place, while Regent’s Park in London rounded off the list.

But if it’s an atmospheric woodland walk you’re after this autumn, Padley Gorge certainly delivers. The route guides you through a stretch of ancient oaks and birch woodland nestled in a deep valley, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Burbage Brook meanders through the landscape, crossed by charming wooden bridges and stepping stones, creating enchanting scenes reminiscent of a fairytale. The walk is not overly strenuous, making it suitable for the whole family.

READ MORE: Wetherspoon founder’s quiet life in pretty coastal town where properties fetch millions

Go Outdoors ranks this among the top 10 autumnal walks in the UK

• Forest of Dean
• Winkworth Arboretum
• Padley Gorge
• Cragside
• Richmond Park
• Sheffield Park & Garden
• Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
• Stourhead
• Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Gardens
• New Forest
• Regent’s Park

Bolivia pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the South American qualifiers to reach the World Cup playoff round.

Bolivia shocked Brazil 1-0 to secure a spot in the intercontinental playoffs for next year’s World Cup, while Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat by Ecuador in the final round of South America’s 2026 qualifiers on Tuesday night.

Bolivia’s Miguel Terceros converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to secure the home win over five-time World Cup winners Brazil in La Paz, a result which saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side drop to fifth in the standings.

Bolivia will be joined in the playoffs by two teams from CONCACAF as well as one each from the African, Asian and Oceania confederations, in the hunt for two places at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The playoffs will take place in Monterrey and Guadalajara in March.

Messi-less Argentina stunned by Ecuador

While Ecuador and reigning champions Argentina had already qualified for the World Cup, there was no shortage of intensity in their match in Guayaquil.

Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi was sent off in the 31st minute, and the hosts capitalised on their numerical advantage when Enner Valencia scored a penalty in first-half stoppage time.

Ecuador were also reduced to 10 men when Moises Caicedo was dismissed in the 50th minute, but they held firm to claim the 1-0 victory and go second in the table.

Argentina star Lionel Messi, who played his last official match at home last Thursday, did not suit up.

Despite the loss, Argentina retained top spot in the standings with 39 points, nine ahead of Ecuador.

Colombia secured third place with a 6-3 victory over Venezuela in Maturin, with Luis Suarez stealing the show by scoring four goals to extinguish Venezuelan hopes of clinching the playoff place.

Uruguay finished qualifying in fourth place following a 0-0 draw with Chile in Santiago, while Matias Galarza’s strike gave Paraguay a 1-0 win over Peru in Lima, leaving them in sixth place.

Roki Sasaki topped 100 mph a half-dozen times in four shutout innings of a rehab start for triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, pushing himself back into the conversation for a spot on the Dodgers’ postseason pitching staff.

“We’ve all got to huddle up and figure out what’s the next plan,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I personally don’t know Roki’s plan after tonight.”

Sasaki struggled through four rehab appearances and seemed to have dropped off the Dodgers’ radar. But he gave up just a hit through the first four innings Tuesday before tiring in the fifth, when he gave up three runs, two walks, two hits and a hit batter.

He threw 90 pitches, 52 for strikes, striking out eight and walking four.

It’s unlikely Sasaki, 23, will be considered for a spot in the rotation but he could pitch out of the bullpen.

“Anything’s possible,” Roberts said. “I know he wants to contribute. So we’ve just got to see where he fits in. And we’ll have that conversation as an organization.”

Sasaki went 1-1 with a 4.72 ERA in eight starts before going on the injured list with a shoulder impingement in mid-May. In his first four rehab starts for Oklahoma City, he gave up 17 hits and 11 earned runs in 14 innings.

The Dodgers’ bullpen is starting to get crowded, however, with left-hander Alex Vesia returning from the injured list Tuesday. Vesia was 3-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 59 games before going to the sidelines on Aug. 23 with a right oblique strain. Right-hander Ben Casparius was optioned to Oklahoma City to create a roster spot for Vesia. Casparius was 7-5 with a 4.64 ERA in 46 games.

Roberts said as the postseason roster begins to come together the decisions on who stays and who goes with 2 ½ weeks left in the regular season become harder.

“The conversation with Ben yesterday wasn’t fun for anyone,” he said. “It starts to get tougher.”

He’ll have to have another one of those talks Wednesday before activating utility player Tommy Edman from the injury list. Outfielder Justin Dean, who has appeared mostly as a defensive replacement, batting just twice in 18 games entering Tuesday, is the most likely to be sent down.

We have been holidaying in the UK for the past few years, and recently returned for a break in Norfolk – which is a brilliant spot for family holidays, especially when you go to the free kids play park

“My kids are running with glee into a huge woodland playpark, with castle-like forts, giant sand pit, zip lines and water tower offering a dizzying choice of things to play on, as far as the eye can see,” shared Lifestyle editor Dianne Bourne, who visited a “magical spot” with her family this summer – and the best part of all, it’s completely FREE.

This isn’t your average playground either; it boasts a Royal endorsement. Nestled within King Charles III’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, this Woodland Playground is part of the rural retreat that the Royal Family have used as their holiday home for the past 150 years, reports the Manchester Evening News.

You’d typically expect to pay an entrance fee for a playground of this size, but here, you only need to cover the cost of parking. Additionally, there’s access to lovely woodland walks and bike rides across the estate’s 20,000 acres, which are open and free to the public all year round.

Dianne wrote, “It makes it one of the special things about this part of the world which makes it a brilliant spot for family holidays, as I have found with my two young boys over the past few years. We returned to Norfolk for our holidays this year, and struck gold with the weather in the ongoing heatwave.

“The base for our stay was a lovely holiday cottage booked with Norfolk Hideaways close to the Sandringham Estate, in the village of Tattersett. It made for the perfect location for exploring brilliant family attractions both inland and by the sea in North Norfolk.

“Sandringham made for a great day out during our stay, with the kids running off lots of energy in the Woodland Playground, and then a lovely stop off at the Sandringham coffee shop for snacks and ice cream.”

The free play area is open for as long as you wish. It features main equipment like wooden play forts, slides, and obstacle courses, suitable for five—to 12-year-olds. There’s also a dedicated woodland play spot suitable for younger children, along with a sandpit that toddlers particularly adore.

For those intrigued by the site’s Royal history, you can also pay to explore the Royal house and gardens on selected dates throughout the year.

Other activities for kids

What’s brilliant about this part of the world is the sheer number of things you can do with young children, many of which are free. Not least the fact that there is just one stunning beach after another along the North Norfolk coast, and here are some of our favourites.

Dianne went on to say, “We love Hunstanton as the more traditional seaside resort with funfair, chippies and ice cream, while neighbouring Old Hunstanton has a stunning stretch of sand and lots of starfish and crabs to find in the sea.

“Brancaster is another beautiful stretch of sand, owned by the National Trust, with a car park right next to the beach, which is handy for those not keen or able to walk all that far. Holkham is the most spectacular and epic beach you’re ever likely to see, but be prepared for the half an hour walk down to it, which in itself I personally find to be a really special experience.”

This is the beach adored by the Royal Family, likely due to its vast expanse and abundant sand dunes, giving you the feeling of having your own private beach even in the peak of summer. Cromer is another quintessential seaside resort, this one boasting a pier made famous in the Alan Partridge film.

She added, “We loved wandering along there where many people are crabbing. The beach is impressive, although does get very busy, and there’s also some pretty fabulous ice creams to be had, with a Mr Whippy shop right by the pier selling multi-coloured and even chocolate-dipped creations.

“Away from beach activities, we also discovered close to where we stayed an absolutely brilliant garden attraction called Pensthorpe at Fakenham. You have to pay for entry, but once inside, there’s a huge outdoor play area for kids, as well as an indoor playbarn that you can book a timeslot for on arrival.

“The gardens themselves were utterly stunning, with a rather comical ‘poo trail’ during the school holidays for kids to find, which, as you can imagine, the youngsters found hilarious.”

Where we stayed

Having previously lodged in a self-catering cottage in Norfolk, Dianne found this option more favourable when travelling with young children – it provides ample space for play and everyday living during a week-long getaway, complete with your own kitchen and washing machine.

Her family were guests of Norfolk Hideaways, which boasts over 550 properties scattered across Norfolk, ranging from cosy cottages for couples to larger accommodations suitable for big groups and multi-generational families.

For Dianne’s holiday this year, her family chose Mallard Cottage in the quaint village of Tattersett. It was an ideal location, featuring bunk beds that the kids adored upstairs, as well as a comfortable living area downstairs equipped with a lounge and dining area, plus a kitchen.

Short breaks can be booked from £453, or seven nights from £551, although our four-night stay in August, during peak school holiday time, cost us £772.

For those requiring more room and who favour being closer to the beach, last year they also stayed with Norfolk Hideaways at The Little House in Brancaster. This property can accommodate six or eight guests, with prices starting from £1,672 for a short stay, or £2,075 for seven nights based on eight people staying.

Getting there

“The only bad thing I have to say about Norfolk is the fact the journey there is not the easiet, as it is one of the only counties in England with no motorway,” said Dianne.

She went onto explain: “The fastest route from the north west in terms of miles (and usually time) is via the A50 through Stoke, Derby and then Nottingham, and then across Lincolnshire towards Kings Lynn in Norfolk and then on to the coast.

“You’re looking at a drive of around three and half to four hours from Manchester to North Norfolk depending on the day and time you go, and depending on what sort of vehicle you get stuck behind on the single lane roads.

“In terms of public transport, there’s a mainline train station in Kings Lynn, although from Manchester you’re looking at a four-hour trip with a change at Ely. But there is a decent Coastliner bus (the 36) that stops in all of the villages mentioned during our stay above.”

IF you took a quick glance at this snail, you’d swear he was just like any other.

In fact, even if you stare at this creature you likely won’t spot his rare anatomical problem.

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However, this issue is said to be “ruining his love life” and condemning him to a “chaste and sterile” existence, according to scientists.

Officially dubbed Ned the snail, this little guy looks like a stereotypical snail, complete with two antennae and a brown shell.

But there is a prominent problem with his appearance, though most people won’t spot it.

Peel your eyes and examine this “shellebrity” closely – can you spot his off feature?

This common garden snail was discovered by New Zealand nature lover and author Giselle Clarkson.

Something off

She noticed that “something looked off” and said she even wondered if Ned was a different species.

So, have you spotted what it is that makes Ned so special?

If you’re still scratching your head, we recommend paying particular attention to his shell.

While Ned’s rare condition may not register to you, experts have launched an international campaign to find him an equally-rare mate.

You may even be able to help – but first, why not give it one last go to spot the odd feature?

Anyone who has ever seen a snail knows that it has a “whorl” – a pattern of spirals or concentric circles – on the side of its shell. 

However, nature lovers know that this feature can only be found on one side, usually the right.

Well you guessed it, Ned’s coils are on the wrong side of his shell.  

While a large majority of snails have the spiral on the right side, around one in 40,000 have the spiral on the left side.

Snails are asymmetrical, meaning they fit together like a jigsaw during “face-to-face” mating.

International attention

This means a typical right-coiled snail and left-coiled snail such as Ned, who is named after famous leftie Ned Flanders from The Simpsons, won’t quite fit together properly when facing.

Now New Zealand Geographic has launched the “Let’s find a mate for Ned” campaign.

The campaign is telling gardeners to “head out into the garden and have a rummage” for another left-coiled common garden snail.

If anyone finds a left-coiled one, they’re urged to contact [email protected].

More brainteasers

Another tricky brainteaser features a gnarled tree but only those with high IQ can spot a sleepy cat hiding on it.

If that’s still not hard enough for you, then have a go at spotting the hidden broom amongst the clothes in less than five seconds.

Or you can have a go at figuring out the hidden message in this band’s cover art that has confused fans for years.

Lastly, puzzle fanatics have been left scratching their heads trying to find the lost feather in just 12 seconds.

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I have a common refrain, almost a mantra at this point, whenever I — still excitedly — spot a large black bird soaring above me on a hike: It’s always a turkey vulture.

After hiking around Southern California for almost a decade, I have yet to spot a California condor, the vulture’s much-larger majestic cousin. I recently decided to stop simply hoping and actually dedicate myself to observing the largest land bird in North America. We are quite lucky, after all, to have such a large dinosaur living within an hour’s drive of L.A.!

And thankfully to me, and you, dear Wilder, the L.A. Times newsroom is home to a passionate birder who has made it his mission over the past five years to spot as many condors as he can. Raul Roa is a Times photojournalist and avid birder.

Roa has been birding for 30 years, but started actively looking for condors about five years ago. He documented his first condor on June 1, 2019, at Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. Since then, he has documented 54 condors, each of which he can identify by its wing tag. What started his interest?

“They’re one of the rarest birds in the world. … And they’re endemic to our area — they’re local here,” Roa said. “To have a bird like this accessible in a relatively close [drive], I think it’s one of the birds people should want to see in their lifetime because they’re just majestic.”

Here are the condor-spotting tips I gleaned from our conversation.

Identify condor hot spots

In California, the condor’s range extends from Los Padres National Forest (which is northwest of L.A.), Angeles National Forest and a portion of San Bernardino National Forest, all the way north to San José and Sequoia National Forest. Under the right weather conditions, the birds can fly up to 250 miles in search of food — that would be like driving to San Diego and back in one day in search of tacos (which is reasonable if they’re really good tacos).

Magic Mountain Wilderness in Angeles National Forest is an area condors are known to frequent (and can be a nice area to hike in cooler temperatures).

Four California condors take a break on the roof of a home in Stallions Springs in 2021. The bird with the pink No. 5 tag is now a 10-year-old male.

(Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)

Roa told me that the spots nearest to L.A. where he’s spotted condors include:

Other spots farther away, but worth the drive, Roa said, are:

And, as a bonus, “if you go to the same spot, you’ll see the same birds,” Roa said.

Learn how to identify them

Here are some key differences between condors and turkey vultures.

• Turkey vultures, with wingspans of about 5½ feet, are much smaller than condors, which have wingspans of almost 10 feet. (By comparison, the Cessna Skyhawk, a popular single-engine plane, has a wingspan of 36 feet and one inch, so a condor is just under a third as large!)
• Condors fly with their wings straight out while turkey vultures typically fly in a V-shape.
• Turkey vultures have white gray-ish feathers on the trailing edge of the underside of their feathers — what a non-birder might call the bottom of their wings — while a condor has a white patch across the upper underside of their wings (the leading edge, as the birders say) that, as an Okie, I think resembles a Texas longhorn.
• A condor will generally have a wing tag.

A California condor warms up in the sun next to some turkey vultures south of Carmel near Big Sur in 2010.

(Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)

Roa has been lucky enough to have condors fly just feet above his car.

“I’ve been close to a condor, within 10 feet, and when they take off, their wings make a sound like nothing else,” he said. “It’s like a big swoosh in slow motion. I’ve never heard anything like that from another bird.”

Look at dawn and dusk

Roa said he’s had the best luck spotting the birds early in the morning or in the evening. During the day, they’re usually out hunting for fresh carrion, also known as dead stuff.

Be patient

“Wild animals will do what they want,” Roa said. “If you’re patient, you’ll see them. You might have to wait a few hours. You might see them right away. You might not see them, but that’s what I do. I go out there where they’re expected to be seen. … I get lucky a lot of times from being patient and watching the skies.”

And don’t forget your binoculars and long camera lens!

California condor green No. 84 (784) is a male named Eeuukey. He was photographed flying in Stallions Springs in 2021. Part of the Southern California flock, he hatched at the L.A. Zoo in 2015 and is now 10.

(Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)

Roa learned where to find condors by using apps like iBird. iNaturalist is also a good resource, and any condors you document can be used to help scientists understand their range.

There are also Facebook groups and great nonprofits where you can volunteer to help efforts to save the condor, including Friends of California Condors Wild and Free and the Ventana Wildlife Society, which hosts a monthly chat about the birds.

Be respectful

Despite herculean efforts to rescue them from the brink of extinction, condors remain critically endangered. If you’re lucky enough to see one in the wild, do not get close. Don’t be loud. Just respectfully observe them and count yourself among the lucky few.

A California condor rests near a dirt road in the Sespe Condor Sanctuary during an escorted trip through Hopper Mountain in 2019.

(Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)

“Expect to see nothing, but if you see something, you’re really lucky. Feel grateful,” Roa said.

And, if you happen to see a turkey vulture instead, look closely for other birds near it. Roa sees them and condors together “all the time.”

Maybe I will see a condor someday after all.

3 things to do

Rainbow trout, only two inches in length, swim in the Arroyo Seco.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

1. Hike, bird and learn across L.A.
Several events are scheduled across L.A. County for California Biodiversity Day, which runs Saturday through Sept. 14. You can hike from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Black Star Canyon or at nearby Gypsum Canyon the following week. You can go birding from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday at Debs Park to spot feathered neighbirds and then head to the Arroyo Seco at 3 p.m. to learn about the river’s biodiversity. Learn more about these and other events at californianature.ca.gov.

2. Bike along rivers in the San Gabriel Valley
ActiveSGV and Amigos de los Rios will co-host a 12-mile bike ride from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday starting at the Jeff Seymour Family Center (10900 Mulhall St., El Monte). The ride will take city streets and bike paths as cyclists explore the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel River. Register at eventbrite.com.

3. Paddle with pals in Long Beach
Kayakers and paddle boarders will meet for a sunset paddle at 6 p.m. today at Alamitos Bay in Long Beach. All skill levels are welcome, although participants should be comfortable paddling at dusk. Along with a vessel, guests should bring a headlamp or other light and a life vest or belt with leash. Register at eventbrite.com.

The must-read

Steven Gutierrez, national business representative with the National Federation of Federal Employees, in Turnbull Canyon.

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Amid staffing cuts, housing safety issues and stagnant wages, more than 600 employees at Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks have unionized. Times staff writer Lila Seidman reported that more than 97% of employees who cast ballots voted to unionize during an election held from July 22 to Aug. 19. The workers are represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, which also represents park employees in Yellowstone, and staff at the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. “Culture is hard to change,” said Steven Gutierrez, a national business representative for the union. “It takes something like this administration firing people to wake people up, to say, ‘Hey, I’m vulnerable here and I need to invest in my career.’”

Happy adventuring,

P.S.

Are you looking to up your outdoors game? Consider attending an information session about the Sierra Club’s Wilderness Travel Course at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sports Basement Long Beach (2100 N. Bellflower Blvd.). This 10-week mountaineering and outdoor skills program, taught by the Angeles chapter in four locations across L.A., teaches participants about field navigation, scrambling, backpacking and more. The class aims to empower you to “travel, eat, and sleep more comfortably in any climate.” It also includes great field trips where you can test your knowledge. Registration for the next set of classes opens Sept. 15.

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.

ATLANTA — Rhyne Howard scored 19 points, Brionna Jones had 16 points and 13 rebounds for her 12th double-double of the season, and the Atlanta Dream beat the Sparks 86-75 on Wednesday night to move into sole possession of second place in the WNBA standings.

The Sparks (19-21) trails Indiana (21-20) by a game and a half for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Atlanta (27-14), which has won five of its last six games, moved a half-game ahead of Las Vegas (26-14) and Phoenix (26-14) with three regular-season games remaining.

The Dream play the Sparks again Friday, followed by a two-game series with Connecticut to end the season. The Sparks have four games remaining, two at home.

Dearica Hamby had 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists for the Sparks. Kelsey Plum had 18 points and seven assists, and Rickea Jackson scored 15.

Naz Hillmon added 15 points and Maya Caldwell scored 14 for Atlanta. Jordin Canada recorded her first double-double this season with 10 points and 10 assists.

The Sparks scored the opening 10 points of the game as Atlanta missed its first seven field goals. But the Dream closed the quarter on a 12-3 run to take a 26-24 lead after one. Atlanta started the second quarter on a 15-3 run to build a 41-27 lead.

Atlanta led 53-41 at the break behind Howard’s 12 points and three three-pointers. The Dream led by at least eight points the entire second half.

One contestant has already been sent home on this year’s Great British Bake Off as viewers didn’t think it came as a surprise following a few clues along the way

Great British Bake Off fans were convinced they knew who would be the first contestant to be sent off after spotting some telling clues. The hit Channel 4 baking competition made its long awaited comeback on Tuesday night.

Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith welcomed 12 new bakers into the iconic tent for a fresh round of the competition. However, things didn’t get off on an easy start for Cake Week.

The judges ramped things up by withholding the instructions during the technical challenge and set the bakers a tough showstopper challenge before deciding who would be first out.

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Before Prue and Paul revealed who would be going home already, some viewers were convinced they knew who it would be. One said: “I hear everyone saying Hassan has a chance but like he’s messed up 2 challenges whereas Iain has won one, unless Hassan does an amazing cake idk mannnnn.”

Another added: “Im not sure Hassan is surviving this week…” Someone else commented: “Ohhh Hassan. Poor guys caramel done him completely. Absolutely brutal.”

A fourth wrote: “If it ain’t Hassan, then Im sensing a first week ‘nobody is going’.” Sadly, it was Hassan that was sent packing after just the first episode.

After his exit, Hassan admitted: “I had a strong inkling I was out after the judging for my Showstopper, so when I heard my name, I thought ‘Damn, I guess that’s it for me then’.

“I remember Prue coming up to give us a big hug first, then turning left and having a huge queue of people lined up to give us a hug – the support from all of them felt reassuring to me and helped cheer me up a lot.”

Hassan said he would stick to his day job but continue to bake as a hobby. “In terms of my goals in the overall baking world, I don’t have any plans,” he said.

Revealing what fans can expect, host Alison teased: “You’ve got six men and six women from all over Britain. They’re all really exciting bakers. It’s not just about the baking for them. They’ve got families and really good jobs as well.”

While Prue added: “This year we had quite a lot of designers and engineers, and it showed in their baking. They were so much better at construction.”

“They just take it so seriously. It’s like a science to them, because that’s how they are within their work,” Alison continued. People are going to be blown away.

“There’s a few failures as well, as to be expected. It’s going to be so much fun. Paul’s on form, Prue’s on form, Noel is just so funny. It’s classic Bake Off. We say it every year but it’s a wonderful series.”

READ MORE: ‘Gorgeous’ New Look trench coat our fashion team thinks will be an autumn sell out

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

The fight to save Dulan’s on Crenshaw … Jenn Harris’ immersion into Nobu Los Angeles vibes … the post-fire rebirth of Altadena’s Bernee as Betsy … plus a new restaurant with no-tip, no-fee, no-surprises menu pricing and more. I’m Laurie Ochoa, general manager of L.A. Times Food, with this week’s Tasting Notes.

Saving L.A. soul food

Greg Dulan inside Dulan’s on Crenshaw.

(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

On May 26, 1978, at 4:45 a.m., Adolf Dulan took out a black marker and yellow legal pad. The future “king of soul food,” who a few years later would open the Southern food mecca Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch, noted the date and time in the upper right-hand corner and wrote across the top sheet in capital letters: “GREG.”

Then, itemizing each point in Roman numerals and underlining key words twice, the late social worker-turned-entrepreneur, who started out with an Orange Julius franchise and had at that point opened his first independent restaurant, Hamburger City, wrote instructions to his eldest son, Greg Dulan, on running a business.

One of Adolf Dulan’s five guidelines: “Find out [the] cost of each item you sell and how much profit it brings in — determine if you need to drop or add items to be sold.”

At the bottom of the second sheet of paper, taped to the first sheet to form a scroll-like document, Adolf Dulan wrote this directive to his son: “If you are ever going to be a business man, this will be your bible to use … [for] ‘making the nut.’ ”

One piece of advice the elder Dulan didn’t pass on to his son: Don’t let a parking lot deal take you down.

Earlier this week Greg Dulan, who in 1992 opened his own successful soul food restaurant, Dulan’s on Crenshaw — years before his father started Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen — posted a call on social media for help from the community.

“I bought some adjacent real estate with the goal of building parking for the restaurant and a culinary kitchen for training and workforce development,” he said on a video collaboration with radio station KJLH. “The real estate portion is dragging down the restaurant. The restaurant is doing great but the overall business is in trouble and maybe won’t survive unless I get some kind of support.”

On a fundraising page put up by the nonprofit civic and public arts organization Destination Crenshaw, the situation for the restaurant, which reopened early last year after a two-year renovation, was presented as dire: “With foreclosure looming on September 6,” read the plea, “time is measured in days, not weeks.”

During a phone interview on Friday afternoon, however, Greg Dulan wanted to make one thing clear: “I’m going to be here.” There’s no way, he insisted, that he’s giving up on his restaurant without a fight.

“It’s more of a real estate issue than a restaurant issue,” he said. “The remodel took longer than I expected, and it went over budget. It ate up a lot of my reserve capital.”

Dulan’s on Crenshaw, on a busy section of Los Angeles’ Crenshaw corridor, which has become denser with redevelopment and the building of the Metro K line. After a two-year renovation, the restaurant, which has been a fixture for more than 30 years, reopened early last year.

(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Redevelopment along the Crenshaw corridor, which prompted Dulan’s renovation, also put pressure on the restaurant. “We lost a lot of parking,” Dulan said. “The density on Crenshaw has been increased.”

He added valet parking to help relieve the pressure but hasn’t had the money to build a proper parking lot for the restaurant. Earlier this year, however, he started using the production kitchen on one of the two lots he bought to prepare heat-and-serve meals for Vallarta supermarket’s Hyde Park location and hopes to expand that operation.

The problem is that he took out a hard-money loan to fund the business and now a big balloon payment is due. “Sept. 6,” he said, “is the deadline for me to satisfy my loan obligation or refinance.” He’s hoping to avoid selling the two parcels he bought or even the land with the restaurant itself, but if he is forced to sell he says he would find a way to keep the restaurant going.

“I can run a successful restaurant,” Dulan said over the phone, “but real estate development is a whole different animal.”

Since the word went out that Dulan’s was in trouble, many people have responded with offers to help the restaurant, a soul food fixture for more than 30 years. “We’re getting calls from a lot of celebrities and people from the community,” he said. “Revenue is up 40% at the restaurant.”

Whether these offers will lead to a solution for Dulan’s money troubles is still uncertain, but for Los Angeles soul food lovers, the remodel has been a success. Dulan’s refurbished patio area has become a popular gathering spot for family parties, political events and even yoga classes. And his fried chicken is still some of the best in the city.

Fried chicken, meat loaf and more soul food favorites at Dulan’s on Crenshaw.

(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

“I had no idea that that my little soul food restaurant would go viral,” Dulan said of the community response, “but apparently we built up a lot of goodwill that I underestimated.”

Vibes and miso cod at Nobu Los Angeles

A view of the sushi bar and main dining room at Nobu Los Angeles on La Cienega Boulevard.

(Catherine Dzilenski / For The Times)

Nobu Los Angeles, “which opened in 2008, several years after its more famous Malibu cousin,” writes columnist Jenn Harris, “is somewhat of a hidden gem on a stretch of La Cienega Boulevard, where black cars once swarmed its valet stand and reservations were elusive. Now … weeknight dinner reservations are procured with ease.” Though it “still vibrates with a current of money, celebrity and those who seek it,” Nobu L.A., Harris says, “suffers from the aesthetic malaise of an Asian-themed chain restaurant in the mid-2000s … The menu, for the most part, is … past its prime even if everyone (this writer included) still loves the black cod with miso.”

With a new chef at the helm of Nobu Los Angeles and a Netflix documentary on founder Nobu Matsuhisa released this summer, Harris tries to determine the value of the younger restaurant, up the road from the original Matsuhisa, which after nearly 40 years, she writes, has “exemplary” nigiri. Can Nobu L.A. “continue to thrive on vibes”?

Post-fire rebirth

At the newly reopened and renamed Betsy in Altadena (formerly Bernee), owner Tyler Wells, in a wide-brimmed hat, huddles with his staff at the bar overlooking the hearth.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

I was one of the few who was able to eat at the ambitious Altadena restaurant Bernee in the single month it was open before the Eaton fire destroyed much of the neighborhood around it. The restaurant, which was saved from the flames, was one of the spots that had been attracting diners from all over Los Angeles to the neighborhood. After the fire, chef Tyler Wells — who lost his home and was in the process of separating from his wife and restaurant partner, Ashley — thought he might leave the state and start over. But as Food’s Stephanie Brejo writes, Wells was drawn back to Altadena and is reopening the restaurant this weekend with a new name, Betsy, in honor of his late mother. Breijo’s story has all the details of Wells’ post-fire journey.

Chef-owner Justin Pichetrungsi’s doodles of new dishes for the renovated Anajak Thai Cuisine, left, and dishes served before the restaurant’s extensive remodel.

(Stephanie Breijo and Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times

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And if you missed it, Breijo also talked with Anajak Thai‘s Justin Pichetrungsi last week about the two-month renovation of his family’s restaurant, which has reopened. “The hardest part of the business is the organization part, not the innovation,” he told Breijo. “Innovation is so fun…. But with all the behind-the-scenes stuff, people never saw how broken [the restaurant] was in order to make the show go on.” I can’t wait to check out the new show.

‘Instant-izing’ food

Customers shop and eat in the dining area at CU Ramyun Library convenience store in Hongdae, Seoul. Ramyun packets are ranked in terms of spiciness levels from “mild” to “very hot & hell.”

(Tina Hsu / For The Times)

Imagine “nearly every conceivable dish” … “turned into a packaged meal,” even “fried rice that you squeeze out of a tube,” writes Times Seoul correspondent Max Kim. “These have turned convenience stores into a $25-billion industry in South Korea and those food products are churned out at a staggering pace: up to 70 new food items hit the shelves each week, effectively offering a live feed of South Korean tastes.”

“In South Korea’s food retail market,” convenience store critic Chae Da-in tells Kim, “you go extinct if you’re not quick to change.”

Cooling down

The refreshing Mexican drink suero with lime and sparkling water.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

For these sweltering days, contributor Carolynn Carreño wrote about the refreshing Mexican water cocktail suero. It’s made with lime, sparkling water and lots of ice, then served in a salt-rimmed glass. She also includes two other cooling drink recipes, including IPA-Lada Michelada from the much-missed Whittier restaurant Colonia Publica and Salty Angeleno Micheladas, developed in our Times Test Kitchen using our own L.A. Times Salty Angeleno blend developed in collaboration with Burlap & Barrel. Salty Angeleno and our other spice blends, California Heat and L.A. Asada, are available online at Burlap & Barrel.

In the kitchen

Martin Draluck prepares sweet potato chili in the Times Test Kitchen.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Black Pot Supper Club chef and founder Martin Draluck, who was featured in the Netflix documentary series “High on the Hog” on Black food traditions, came to the Times Test Kitchen recently for our “Chef That!” video series. Watch him make sweet potato chili with a secret ingredient — a tab of Abuelita chocolate. As deputy food editor Betty Hallock writes, it “gives the chili a mole-reminiscent richness.” The vegetarian chili, she adds, “comes together in under an hour. Find the recipe here.

And if you missed last week’s “Chef That!” episode, you can watch Adrian Forte, the cookbook author of “Yawd” and chef at Sam Jordan’s modern Caribbean restaurant Lucia, make easy fried plantains with Scotch Bonnet aioli. Get the 30-minute recipe here.

Early bird tickets

VIP tickets (allowing early entry) to The Times’ Food Bowl Night Market, presented by Square, are already sold out for the Saturday-night session taking place Oct. 11 at City Market Social House in downtown L.A. But Friday-night VIP tickets are still available and for early birds, there is a “date night deal” with two general admission tickets available for $199, a savings of about 20%. More than 40 restaurants are participating, including Holbox, Baroo, the Brothers Sushi, OyBar, Heritage Barbecue, Crudo e Nudo, Hummingbird Ceviche House, Rossoblu, Perilla LA, Evil Cooks, Villa’s Tacos, Holy Basil and Luv2Eat Thai Bistro. Check lafoodbowl.com for tickets and info.

Also …

A recent latte art throwdown at Picaresca Barra de Café in Boyle Heights.

(Julie Wolfson / For The Times)

• Latte art “throwdowns, special menus, omakases, pop-ups, speakeasies and out-of-the-box events are part of L.A.’s growing underground coffee scene,” writes contributor Julie Wolfson in her guide to 9 places to check out IYKYK coffee events. Kumquat, Be Bright, York Manor Market, the Pasadena branch of Woon, Mandarin and Picaresca Barra de Café are some of places that host the events. Of course, if you don’t want to wait for a special event to immerse yourself in coffee geekdom, Jack Benchakul is almost always pouring and, as restaurant critic Bill Addison described a while back, talking water alkalinity at Endorffeine in Chinatown.
• “The American beverage firm Keurig Dr Pepper,” reports the business section’s Caroline Petrow-Cohen, plans to buy JDE Peet’s, the European parent company of California’s gourmet coffee trailblazer, Peet’s Coffee, in an all-cash transaction worth about $18 billion.” Note that JDE Peet’s also owns Stumptown.
• Cracker Barrel is keeping its old-time logo after a new design elicited an uproar, reports Dee-Ann Durbin.
• Durbin also breaks down the rise of Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte business, by the numbers.
• And here’s a restaurant model to watch: San Francisco’s soon-to-open 14-seat counter spot La Cigale from chef-owner Joseph Magidow is instituting all-inclusive pricing with no additional tax, tip or service fees. “When the bill arrives, there will be no surprises,” reports the San Francisco Chronicle’s Elena Kadvany. “The price on the set menu — $140 — is exactly what diners pay.”

The walk is just as magical as the sunflower farm offering sweeping views over the rolling Chiltern Hills, woodlands, a deer park and a National Trust House once linked to a king

Tucked away in the heart of the Chiltern Hills, a bustling sunflower farm awaits discovery. Not only do they produce sparkling wine from the chalk-rich soils just north-west of London, but they also harvest their own honey and offer you the chance to pick your own sunflowers.

The journey to the farm is as scenic as the fields themselves, offering sweeping views over the rolling Chiltern Hills, woodlands, a deer park and the National Trust House that was once the residence of Catherine Carey, one of Henry III’s alleged offspring.

A train ride from Paddington Station, with a change at Twyford, will get you to the riverside town of Henley-on-Thames in just under an hour. Once there, face the church tower and choose either a left or right turn.

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After navigating some sizeable hills (a less strenuous option is to walk from Marlow), you’ll find yourself at the imposing 14th-century house, steeped in medieval origins and Tudor history. The gardens at Greys Court are encircled by ancient ruins and offer panoramic views of the Chiltern Hills.

First mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, this was once the dwelling of the powerful de Grey family. Among its notable residents was Catherine Carey, who married Sir Francis Knollys, a descendant of the de Greys, reports MyLondon.

She was the daughter of Mary Boleyn, and is widely believed to be the illegitimate child of Henry VIII. Centuries later, British politician Sir Felix Brunner resided in the house with his wife before donating it to the National Trust.

After immersing yourself in the rich history of Greys Court, it’s a brisk 90-minute journey to the sunflower farm. You’ll find a few pubs along the way, and the sunflower farm welcomes visitors from sunrise to sunset.

Upon reaching Stonor Farm, you’re greeted with two hectares of vibrant sunflowers – that’s larger than two football pitches. The farm has thoughtfully cut footpaths through the flowers for easy exploration.

Purchasing the sunflowers is a bargain at £2 per stem or £5 for three stems, with all proceeds going to charity. For a few extra quid, you can wander through a second field filled with even taller sunflowers. The farm also hosts themed events throughout August, including sunflower yoga and sunflower sound baths.

As for walking routes, there’s no shortage of options. If you fancy a stroll around Greys Court itself, there’s a circular walk through classic Chilterns scenery of beech woodlands and open countryside.

For a longer trek, you can walk from Henley-on-Thames to Greys Court. If you prefer driving to the sunflower farm, ample parking is available at the entrance to The Wine Farm on Stonor Road. Additional car parks are located in Henley and at Greys Court.

From London Paddington to Henley-on-Thames, the journey takes approximately an hour. Walking from Henley to Greys Court will take just over an hour and a half, and from there to Stonor Farm, it should take around one hour and forty minutes.

Netflix have finally dropped the highly anticipated Love Is Blind UK season 2 reunion trailer – and fans believe they’ve ‘worked out’ which couples are still together

There’s only two days to wait until the Love Is Blind UK season 2 reunion – in which fans will find out which couples are still together after their big day. However, some fans think they’ve already worked it out from a huge ‘giveaway’ in the trailer.

Earlier this week, Netflix released the final two episodes of the show which saw all four couples walk down the altar. However, only three out of four had a happy ending.

Sarover and Kal, Kieran and Megan and Ashleigh and Billy all said ‘I do’, although Bardha revealed it was too soon to tie the knot with Jed – although hoped they could still remain together. From the explosive trailer however, it doesn’t look like that was the case…

READ MORE: All the Love Is Blind couples that are still together – as Netflix drops shock UK finaleREAD MORE: Love Is Blind UK season 2 reunion trailer and release time as photobooth ‘truth’ uncovered

A snippet of the reunion, hosted by Matt and Emma Willis shows Bardha in tears, as she exclaims: “I wish you all the best, far away from me.” Fans are certain she’s talking to her former fiancé Jed – as they suspect they called the relationship quits after the wedding day.

Elsewhere, one eagle eyed fan noticed that Kieran and Megan had their wedding rings on – suspecting they’re still married to one another.

“Kieran and Meg both have their rings on. Yes, I froze the frame, snapped the pic and zoomed in,” one wrote, while another said: “From the trailer you can already see that Kieran and Megan are still together and that’s all that matters.”

It’s not the only huge clue the couple have dropped, with many realising that they’d been to the same places over the last year from their similar Instagram posts.

Not only that, fans noticed that the couple have the same background when posting in their houses – seemingly ‘confirming’ that they’re still married after the show.

However, one of the biggest clues fans believe they noticed from the trailer was the telling seating plan. In previous seasons – fans noticed that those who are still together are placed next to each other.

From this, fans think they’ve worked out which couples are still together – and who isn’t.

“Meg and Kieran are sitting next to each other and matching,” one penned, while another said: “And Kal and Sarover!”

Of course, the only way to find out is by watching the reunion in full when it’s released on Netflix this Sunday, August 31 at 9pm BST.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

My Life With the Walter Boys fans were left in a frenzy after spotting a clue that could suggest Jackie Howard and Cole Walter are endgame in the Netflix drama.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from My Life With the Walter Boys.

My Life With the Walter Boys fans were absolutely thrilled to hear a Gracie Abrams hit featured during a pivotal scene between Jackie Howard and Cole Walter.

The second series of the Netflix teen romantic drama dropped today, Thursday, August 28, 18 months after that cliff-hanger ending.

Despite being in a relationship with Alex Walter (played by Ashby Gentry), Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez) shared a steamy kiss with his brother Cole Walter (Noah LaLonde) in the barn.

This led her to abandon Silver Falls and head back to New York but following some words of wisdom from Katherine Walter (Sarah Rafferty), Jackie makes her way back to the ranch.

During the opening episode, Jackie did everything possible to steer clear of Cole, determined not to create drama once more but it’s the closing scene where he corners her alone in the barn.

Following an uncomfortable initial meeting, she attempts to leave when he pleads: “Can you please stop running away from me? Don’t go.”

Whilst this scene unfolds, Gracie Abrams’ 2024 smash Let It Happen soundtrack the moment with the tune intensifying until she spins round and they gaze at each other with burning intensity.

Delighted viewers flocked to social media to share their thoughts on this scene, with one posting: “Not them playing Let It Happen for Jackie and Cole OMG. The buzz.

“Let It Happen playing during the Jackie and Cole scene? Gracie OMG? I might change team,” another declared, alluding to supporters’ Team Cole and Team Alex split.

One fan hailed it as “Gracie world domination” as another of the singer’s tracks featured in the latest episode of Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Another viewer chimed in: “Cole and Jackie…Let It Happen…OMFG…Baby that’s endgame right there.”

But does this hint at a future for Jackie and Cole, or could a reignited flame with Alex throw a monkey wrench into their plans?

Regardless of how this series concludes, there’s plenty more drama to unravel, with the show already securing a third season set to premiere in 2026.

My Life With the Walter Boys is currently streaming on Netflix.

STEPHEN LEE has returned to snooker following a 12-year ban from competition.

The Wiltshire native, 50, received the ban in 2013 when he was found guilty of match fixing.

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The charges came in relation to seven matches in 2008 and 2009, including one at the World Championships.

Lee was adjudged to have accepted thousands of pounds in exchange for influencing the outcome of matches.

But the five-time ranking event winner’s ban expired last October, leaving him free to return to the table.

Now he has finally made his return through an event with the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand.

He played in an exhibition match earlier this month against former world number three James Wattana.

Lee showed that he still had some of his class, beating Wattana two frames to one, and garnering praise from viewers.

One fan said: “Stephen can still play. Still got that wonderful cue action.”

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One commentor on YouTube praised both players, and suggested Lee still has what it takes to compete on the World Snooker Tour.

“2 brilliant players still. I’d love to see how Stephen Lee would get on if he was back on tour.

“He still has much more class than the other Q-School regulars.”

Lee has twice held a top five ranking during his peak in the early 2000s.

He has been keeping his skills sharp during his ban by teaching aspiring players in China.

He would have another run-in with the law when he was caught up in an immigration raid in Hong Kong and was found to be working illegally in 2018.

SUN-SEEKERS are challenged to test their IQ to the max with this mind boggling beach brainteaser.

With temperatures soaring this bank holiday Monday, many Brits are flocking to the beach to soak up the late summer sun.

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But do you have the skills to spot the two beach essentials hidden within this image in 10 seconds or less?

Whether you’re hoping to improve your problem solving skills or boost your memory, this puzzle is bound to be a challenge for many readers.

Put your observation skills to the test and figure out whether you have what it takes to spot beach essentials in just a few seconds.

Make sure to set your stopwatch before undertaking this challenge, to make it extra hard for yourself.

If you can do it in under 10 seconds, you are said to have the eyes of a hawk.

At first glance, it looks like the image provided by Super Label Store shows multiple of each of the beach essentials.

However, those with the sharpest eyes will immediately be able to tell that this is not the case.

This puzzle tricks your eyes into thinking that all of the beach items are duplicates.

However, there are two essentials that only appear once in the image.

Unless you’re lucky enough to find the odd one out immediately, we recommend analysing the pattern very closely to spot the answer.

The visual deception of this image will have you scratching your head trying to solve it, but the payoff is worth it.

If you need a hint, we recommend focusing on the bottom half of the image.

One of the hidden items can be found in the bottom left hand corner of the image.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, this clever puzzle asks you to find the playing card suits that are the wrong colour.

And only those with the eyes of a hawk will be able to spot the two odd items out in this summer themed brainteaser.

Festival fans are challenged to spot the drummer hidden in this festival scene.

And finally, jewellery fans are urged to locate the diamond ring hidden at the beach in this summer puzzle.

Coming back to our challenge, were you able to solve it in under 10 seconds?

For those struggling to find the answer, we have marked the solution for you.

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By Tuesday, NFL teams must cut their rosters to 53 players.

So the Rams’ third preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday in Cleveland is the final opportunity for coach Sean McVay and his staff — and other pro teams — to evaluate players.

“We have a good idea of what a handful of things look like,” McVay said of the roster, adding, “while also knowing that hey, things can change with the snap of a finger, if you will, just because of injuries and some of the uncertainty.

“I’m looking forward to watching a handful of guys compete because there are still some spots to be determined.”

Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who practiced for the first time this week, will rest his back and not make the trip. McVay said he was still determining which other players would not make the trip.

Here are five things to watch when the Rams face the Cleveland Browns on Saturday at 10 a.m. PDT (ABC):

With the terrible year they’ve had in MLS, expectations weren’t exactly high for Galaxy ahead of their Leagues Cup quarterfinal match against Pachuca.

The Galaxy suffered embarrassing defeats during their past two MLS games, falling at home to the Seattle Sounders and on the road against Inter Miami.

However, Galaxy coach Greg Vanney’s players put the losses behind them and continued to perform well in Leagues Cup play, surprisingly eliminating Pachuca 2-1 on Wednesday night at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Liga MX leading Pachuca entered the match as the favorite despite losing to Xolos de Tijuana at home last Saturday.

The Galaxy opened the scoring in the 27th minute thanks to an own goal by Pachuca defender Daniel Aceves, who seemed to be struggling with ball control and spacing.

Diego Fagundez took a short corner kick for Marco Reus, who sent in a low cross and Aceves, unfortunately for his team, pushed the ball into his own net to give the Galaxy a 1-0 lead.

The Galaxy kept pushing forward and their efforts soon paid off when Joseph Paintsil launched a swift attack down the left wing to Matheus Nascimento inside the box, who backheeled the ball to Reus to make it 2-0 in the 37th minute.

In the sixth minute of second half stoppage time, Pachuca found space to score a consolation goal. The goal came from a half-volley inside the box by Brazilian Alemao to make the score 2-1. The match ended a minute later, sending the Galaxy to the Leagues Cup semifinals.

All Mexican teams were eliminated from the tournament Wednesday night.

The Galaxy will play the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami will play Orlando City for spots in the Leagues Cup final.

This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.

BAD Bunny fans were left gobsmacked after spotting an A-List movie star at the singer’s latest gig.

Fellow concert-goers at the vocalist’s home-town gig in Puerto Rico did a double take after the Mad Men alum was seen in the crowd.

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Golden Globe award winner Jon Hamm donned a white and blue patterned shirt paired with a white bucket hat and trainers for the lengthy show at the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan.

Part of his No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí residency, Bad Bunny‘s VIP guest was seen boogying with a glass of drink in hand.

The Baby Driver actor, 54, then busted out a series of energetic dance moves, throwing his right arm in the air, as he embraced the tunes.

His appearance was captured on TikTok where one user confessed: “Seeing Jon Hamm vibing out at the Bad Bunny concert in Puerto Rico was not on my 2025 bingo card.”

They added: “A whole vibe” before hailing him “an icon.”

Another TikTok user confessed: “I can’t stop watching this video.”

One put: “He’s living his best life” as a fan added: “This man is everything I expected him to be.”

A fan then surmised: “Just another reason to love him.”

SUPER FAN

Jon has previously gushed over the Monaco hitmaker and his talents – and spoken publicly about his plans to head to the gigs.

The Morning Show star told Today ahead of the August show: “We’re hoping to go to Puerto Rico.

“I’m excited because he’s doing this residency where he’s doing a month and a half of shows in Puerto Rico.

“First of all, I think it’s really cool that he’s going back to his home, to really give back to the fans.

“He’s reserving the first four, five or 10 shows, or whatever it is, for only residents of Puerto Rico, which is so cool.”

Meanwhile, on a previous Saturday Night Live episode, he added of the chart star: “He’s a really nice guy.

“And he’s funny. And he’s fun and his music is awesome.

“You can’t listen to his music and not smile. I just love his story.

“He’s a really nice guy. He’s funny.”

He then told how the music icon had given him the nickame Jon Jamón which is the Spanish translation of his name.

Meanwhile, Jon isn’t Bad Bunny’s sole famous fan.

Recently, he sparked a bromance with LeBron James as they headed to a party after another of his home town gigs.

At the time, a source told the US Sun of Bad Bunny’s aims for the shows and said: “It’s an elaborate thing where he is making the tickets available at a low price, you have to prove you’re a fan and a Puerto Rican resident, like people have to get the tickets at the supermarket he worked at when he was a kid.”

They added: “LeBron was at the concert, there were a bunch of videos of them together, but before that, they had hung out and played golf together all day.”

The insider added that the NBA star is still a newbie at golfing and has been enjoying the sport lately. 

They added: “After all that they partied their a**es off at the St Regis property nearby with a lot of beautiful women.”

“They have this fun new bromance energy going on.”

BUNNY CAREER

Bad Bunny has collaborated with artists including J Balvin, Ozuna, Farruko, El Alfa, Arcángel, and Daddy Yankee.

He’s also made guest appearances on songs by Drake, Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Will Smith.

He rose to fame almost immediately after he released “Soy Peor” (“I’m Worse”) in 2016.

While speaking to Rolling Stone, the musician described himself as being a wallflower, though he developed a reputation at school for coming up with creative raps.

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The feel of an Italian festa in Altadena, the South Bay’s “time capsule” Japanese food scene, delivery drones, a tasting menu hidden in a parking lot, more downtown L.A. closures, a Basque restaurant’s last days. Plus, recycle or reuse? And a bar that celebrates burlesque and red Solo cups. I’m Laurie Ochoa, general manager of L.A. Times Food, with this week’s Tasting Notes.

Good food, good wine, good neighbors

The happy, chaotic scene outside Good Neighbor Bar and West Altadena Wine + Spirits with families enjoying Triple Beam Pizza, one of the rotating vendors appearing during the shop and bar’s summer pop-up series.

(Laurie Ochoa / Los Angeles Times)

When I first started going to Italy for summer vacations with my late husband, Jonathan Gold, and the extended friends and family of chef Nancy Silverton, we’d get to know different areas of Umbria and Tuscany through festas or sagras, local gatherings centered around a specific regional dish or ingredient — maybe cinghiale (wild boar), porcini mushrooms, summer truffles or various pastas such as strozzapreti (which is being celebrated this week in the Umbrian town of Paciano). These are kid-friendly, come-as-you-are parties, typically on a soccer field or town square with long tables, local wine poured into plastic cups and food often served by volunteer cooks pitching in to help raise money for a good cause.

Until recently, the closest I’d come to experiencing that sagra spirit in Los Angeles was the run of summer movie nights that Leo Bulgarini used to host outside his Altadena gelateria and restaurant Bulgarini Gelato Vino Cucina. He and his crew piled plates with pasta and salad before sunset signaled the start of the movie, often an Italian comedy or melodrama, projected onto an outdoor wall or a large, jerry-rigged screen. People would bring their kids and dogs, meet up with neighbors and settle into camping chairs or benches with their wine or cups of gelato once the movie began.

Bulgarini’s restaurant, which escaped the flames of the Eaton fire in January, has yet to reopen because of smoke damage and the loss of so much of the neighborhood around his shop — not to mention the fact that he, his wife and their son lost their home in the blaze.

But two other Altadena business owners have joined forces with local restaurants to create one of the most welcoming neighborhood gatherings with the soul of an Italian sagra.

As senior food editor Danielle Dorsey wrote in the guide she and Stephanie Breijo put together on the 21 best new bars in Los Angeles, a summer pop-up series has emerged outside Good Neighbor, “the first cocktail bar to open in Altadena in 40 years,” and West Altadena Wine + Spirits, both opened last year by Randy Clement and April Langford, the couple behind Everson Royce Bar in the Arts District, Silverlake Wine and the former Pasadena wine shop Everson Royce.

On Tuesday nights, Brisa Lopez Salazar’s Casa pop-up serves tacos with a different handmade tortilla each week — maybe white heirloom corn with beet juice or masa infused with turmeric or activated charcoal. On Thursdays, Triple Beam Pizza shows up; Fridays there are oysters, poke bowls and lobster rolls from Shucks Oyster Co.; Saturdays you can get smash burgers from For the Win and, new to the line-up, Altadena’s recently reopened Miya Thai restaurant is serving on Sundays.

Triple Beam’s heirloom tomato pizza served at the summer outdoor pop-up series hosted by Good Neighbor Bar and West Altadena Wine + Spirits.

(Laurie Ochoa / Los Angeles Times)

Two weeks ago, an Instagram post from Triple Beam about its newest heirloom tomato pizza drew me to the outdoor space just outside the Altadena burn zone. I found the patio packed, sagra-style, with groups of families and friends from the neighborhood and beyond. Kids chased each other in and around a wood-chip-bedded play area fitted with reclaimed tree stumps; more freshly sawed stumps were repurposed as stools and tables around the outdoor space. Dogs sat on laps or at customers’ feet. A roving Good Neighbor barkeep took cocktail orders at the picnic tables. And on the side of the building, at a takeout-style window, a West Altadena Wine merchant was selling glasses and flights of wine.

Almost as soon as I arrived, I reconnected with a friend I hadn’t seen in years as well as a family from my daughter’s old high school. The San Gabriel mountains in the near distance turned pink and purple during sunset, framed by a U-Haul sign as we ate our pizza, which arrived with all colors and shapes of tomato. With it, we sipped Sébastien Bobinet and Émeline Calvez’s Piak blanc de noir from clear plastic cups. It was a perfect summer evening, made poignant with a stop on the way out at the wall-sized map created by Highland Park production designer Noel McCarthy marking the more than 9,000 homes and businesses destroyed or damaged in the fire, and the places where people died. The map, as writer Marah Eakin reported in April, has helped people visualize the shocking extent of the fire’s devastation, even as Good Neighbor’s summer gatherings have brought people together, a reminder of why so many want to rebuild this community.

The map Noel McCarthy made displaying the extent of damage in Altadena from the Eaton fire. It is installed outside the parking lot and patio area of the Good Neighbor Bar and West Altadena Wine + Spirits.

(Marcus Ubungen / For The Times)

Japanese food ‘made the Japanese way’

The D-Combo at Fukagawa in Gardena.

(Rob Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Food’s summer intern Lauren Ng is headed back to school soon, but before she left to resume her studies at New York University, the Torrance native finished a project examining the “time capsule” nature of Japanese food in the South Bay. The area is “home to the biggest suburban Japanese community in the United States,” thanks in no small part to three of Japan’s biggest automakers — Toyota, Honda and Nissan — establishing their U.S. headquarters in the region during the 1960s. The car companies are now gone, but many of the restaurants remain, with a new generation of South Bay places opened in recent years. Ng visited many of them and wrote a guide to 18 of the best Japanese restaurants and food producers in the South Bay.

A loss for Chinatown

Yue Wa Market owner Amy Tran holds up dragon fruit and cherimoya at her Chinatown market in 2019.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

In 2019, when former Times columnist Frank Shyong reported on the changes in Chinatown that contributed to the closure of Ai Hoa Market and G and G Market, he wrote that one of the few places left to buy affordable fruits and vegetables in the neighborhood was Amy Tran’s Yue Wa Market. Now, as columnist Jenn Harris wrote this week, Tran and her family will close Yue Wa next month after 18 years serving Chinatown. A spate of robberies, slow pandemic recovery, ICE raids and the forces of gentrification contributed to the family’s decision.

“I don’t feel ready to let go of the store, but there’s not much I can do to bring more people in,” Tran told Harris. “Business was booming and a lot of people used to come around, but now there is no foot traffic and a lot of people have moved away from Chinatown.”

More downtown losses: It was only a couple of weeks ago that I was at downtown L.A.’s Tokyo Fried Chicken, where, I must admit, the dining room was sparsely populated but four-wheeled robot carts were kept busy with takeout deliveries. Yet as Karla Marie Sanford reported this week, after owners Elaine and Kouji Yamanashi announced they were closing the restaurant Aug. 10, customers suddenly showed up and waited in an hours-long line for one last chance to eat the chicken known for its super-crisp skin and soy sauce-ginger marinade. It was a brief return to the restaurant’s days in its original Monterey Park location where lines for a table were constant.

The downtown location had the bad luck to open just before the pandemic and never had a chance to reach its full potential. Elaine Yamanashi told Sanford that she and her chef husband hope at some point to find a new location for Tokyo Fried Chicken. “We’re taking this time, not off,” she said, “but to reflect.”

Angel City Brewery.

(Sam Samders)

Meanwhile, Angel City Brewery, founded in 1997 by Michael Bowe then acquired in 2012 by Boston Beer — a year after the company established its downtown brewpub location notable for its distinctive neon signage that acted as a welcome to the Arts District — announced that it will close next April when the building’s lease is up.

“The brand no longer lines up with our long-term growth strategy,” said a Boston Beer spokesperson, adding that the company plans to focus on its “core national brands,” which include Samuel Adams.

And LA Cha Cha Chá in the Arts District, with its lush, tropical rooftop, is also set to close sometime this fall according to co-owner Alejandro Marín.

End of the Basque road

In addition to prime rib at the Glendora Continental, which is being put up for sale, French Basque dishes like slow-braised lamb in a Burgundy demi-glace, pickled tongue and escargots à la bourguignonne are on the menu, along with crab cakes and salads.

(Catherine Dzilenski / For The Times)

There wasn’t an empty seat at Glendora Continental when contributor Jean Trinh stopped into the 45-year-old restaurant on Route 66, “a reminder,” she writes, “of fading connections to the Basque diaspora in California.” Now that the owners have put the restaurant up for sale, its days are numbered so regular customers have been showing up for live music and the Continental’s “mix of Basque, French and American food,” including lamb shank, prime rib, pickled tongue and escargots à la bourguignonne. “I would say it’s Basque with a sprinkle of American,” co-owner Antoinette Sabarots told Trinh, “or vice versa.”

Yes, restaurants are still opening

Oy Bar chef-owner Jeff Strauss, left, with sous chef Esteban Palacios at Vey, the tandem outdoor bar.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Despite all the closure news, as Stephanie Breijo reports, good restaurants keep opening in Los Angeles, including Baby Bistro from chef Miles Thompson and his sommelier business partner, Andy Schwartz. They call it an “Angeleno bistro,” with inspiration from Japanese, Korean, Italian, Mexican, French and more cuisines. “I think the food is really defined by the cultures of Los Angeles,” Thompson told Breijo. “If you already eat at any of the regional or international restaurants in this city, you’ll find inspiring foods that go into this menu.”

And chef Jeff Strauss, of the Highland Park deli Jeff’s Table and OyBar in Studio City, has set up a weekend-only six-course tasting menu spot called Vey in the back parking lot of OyBar. As Strauss described it to Breijo, he thinks of it as “a casual, rolling omakase.”

Another hidden spot is Evan Funke’s new Bar Avoja (slang for “hell yeah”), a Hollywood cocktail lounge accessed through the dining room of the chef’s Mother Wolf restaurant. In addition to drinks, Roman street food is on the menu. Meanwhile, the chef’s namesake Beverly Hills restaurant, Funke, is temporarily closed due to a fire in the kitchen’s exhaust system on Tuesday. As Breijo reported, no one was hurt and there was minimal damage.

Also, Hong Kong’s Hi Bake chain has opened a pet-friendly branch in Beverly Hills serving “banana rolls, thousand-layer cakes, meat floss rolls and egg tarts. And San Francisco’s Boichik Bagels, which opened in Los Feliz earlier this year, is now serving at downtown L.A.’s landmark Bradbury Building.

Burlesque and red Solo cups

Uncle Ollie’s Penthouse owner Brian Houck in the “backvan” at his downtown Los Angeles bar.

(Roger Kisby / For The Times)

Former L.A. Weekly nightlife columnist and Los Angeles magazine editor Lena Lecaro writes about Uncle Ollie’s Penthouse, a new downtown L.A. bar with “wild, color-saturated decor, potent cocktails served in red Solo cups and a soundtrack that inspires stomping the floor with pals or singing along with strangers.”

”I can’t remember the last time I felt so connected to my hometown as an L.A. native,” musician Taleen Kali told Lecaro. “I also love that you get to keep your own party cup all night — it’s a total vibe, plus it’s less wasteful and more sustainable.”

Noodles easier to make than you think

Mei Lin, chef and proprietor of 88 Club chef in Beverly Hills, right, makes mung bean noodles in the Times Test Kitchen. Left, the finished spicy mung bean noodles.

(Mark Potts / Los Angeles Times)

When Mei Lin, chef and proprietor of 88 Club in Beverly Hills and former “Top Chef” and “Tournament of Champions” winner, demonstrated her spicy mung bean noodle recipe in the Times Test Kitchen for our “Chef That!” video series, we all wanted to try making the noodles. It’s a lot easier and fun to do than most of us thought. You start with a startchy base that thickens into jelly in a bowl. After you unmold the gelatinous blob, you scrape a grater over the mound, forming the noodles. Then it’s just a matter of seasoning the noodles with chile, peanuts and herbs.

Mark the dates

The Times’ Food Bowl Night Market, this year presented by Square, is taking place Oct. 10 and 11 at City Market Social House downtown. Among the participating restaurants announced so far are Holbox, Baroo, the Brothers Sushi, OyBar, Heritage Barbecue, Crudo e Nudo, Hummingbird Ceviche House, Rossoblu, Perilla LA, Evil Cooks and Holy Basil. VIP tickets that allow early entry always go fast. Check lafoodbowl.com for tickets and info.

And at this year’s LA Chef Conference on Oct. 6, an all-day event taking place at Redbird and Vibiana in downtown L.A., I’ll be on a panel with Roy Choi, Nancy Silverton, Ludo Lefebvre and Evan Kleiman talking about the legacy of Jonathan Gold. Find information on tickets and other events at the conference here.

Also …

(Los Angeles Times photo illustration; Photo by Nick Agro/For The Times)

Gabriel Morris has been travelling the globe for over 30 years and has managed to visit six continents and 97 countries — but there’s one spot he refuses to go back to

Globe-trotting YouTuber Gabriel Morris has spent more than three decades exploring the world, clocking up visits to six continents and over 90 nations.

To be exact, Gabriel has travelled to “97 United Nations member states plus the three disputed countries of Kosovo, Northern Cyprus, and Taiwan which do not have UN member status.” Yet there’s one ‘soulless destination’ from his adventures that he’s vowed never to revisit.

Boasting 613,000 YouTube subscribers, Gabriel’s travel content consistently draws massive viewership and interaction, with fellow wanderers and admirers keen to hear about his journeys and insights. In his recent upload entitled ‘I’ve Been to 100 Countries – Which Place is the Worst?’, the content creator disclosed that the most disappointing location he’s encountered is the Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf). It comes after one Turkey holidaymaker shares travel warning as he exclaims ‘don’t bother coming’.

Addressing his audience, Gabriel explained: “I’ve seen a fair amount of the world and many of those countries I’ve been to over and over and travelled around a lot. I’ll just tell you at the beginning here, my least favourite part of the world is the Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf).”

Whilst Iran refers to it as the Persian Gulf, the nations situated on the southern and western shores of the Gulf know it as the Arabian Gulf, reports the Express.

So, why does Gabriel consider the Persian Gulf region his least favourite destination worldwide? The content creator explains: “Now, I haven’t been to Iran, and Iran looks absolutely incredible. And so I’m not including Iran in this. I don’t know that along the Persian Gulf there is anything especially nice to see there.”

Gabriel has explored numerous locations throughout the Persian Gulf vicinity. These include Saudi Arabia – particularly Riyadh and Jeddah, where he hired a vehicle for a day to venture beyond the urban boundaries – plus Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, encompassing Dubai and Abu Dhabi, though none managed to capture his enthusiasm.

He added: “There’s a little bit more to see in the desert outside of the cities, but not very much. Mostly it’s just flat desert. Basically, I am thinking of the main cities on the Persian Gulf, and then including the cities of Saudi Arabia, which aren’t near the Persian Gulf but do border it. I just find these cities to be devoid of anything particularly interesting as a traveller. I find them to be very boring and stale.

“The streets are practically empty of people other than those in their cars. You don’t get the bustling, busy marketplace experience. All of those cities are built in a very similar style of massive skyscrapers. It makes for an impressive skyline, but then you get there on the ground and it’s big, wide streets that can be almost impossible to cross. There’s lots of traffic, massive distances, and not really anything that I want to do there. You can go in malls, you can go to some restaurants. Alcohol is banned for the most part, so that’s another drawback.”

Describing them as “soulless”, Gabriel went on to say: “I just find them to be kind of soulless and not unique in any way. You could drop me in any one of those cities and not tell me which one it is, and unless you had a view of, say, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai or some particular landmark, if you were in a typical neighbourhood you couldn’t distinguish it from any of the others. They’re all built exactly the same and just super boring. Now, they aren’t bad places to live necessarily or to raise a family. They are safe, they’re clean, and they’re hassle-free. There’s no hustling, scams, or anything really to worry about.”

Apart from Qatar and Dubai, which Gabriel places in first and second positions respectively, Gabriel believes that amongst all the destinations worldwide, he has “no desire to go back to that part of the world”, though he acknowledges the culture is “certainly fine”. However, Gabriel believes there’s another factor at play.

He explained: “Most of the people you’re going to interact with aren’t even the local Saudis, Emiratis, Qataris, Kuwaitis, or Bahrainis, because the local populations in all those countries are actually a minority. The majority of people you’ll encounter are workers from South Asia – Indians, Pakistanis, lots of Bangladeshis – who are working in restaurants, malls, hotels, and other service positions.

“The locals, as I understand it, receive paychecks from oil revenue and don’t really have to work, at least not in the typical service jobs. Maybe that’s not true in every country, but in general, if they are working, it’s more likely to be in business or professional roles, so you’re unlikely to interact with them as a visitor. That’s just one more thing that makes the experience feel kind of watered down – you don’t really get much of a local cultural experience. So, it’s nothing personal against the people,” Gabriel concludes.

In fact, the digital creator had a rather unsettling experience in Kuwait City when he was stopped and questioned for filming. Recalling the incident, Gabriel said: “I think it was in Kuwait City where I got questioned for filming. I was filming near one of the palaces – or something like that – and I had made a point of not filming one particular place that I thought could be a problem.

“But then I started filming something else, and a security guard waved me over. At that point, you definitely don’t want to run or try to avoid them, because that just makes things worse. So I walked over, and I believe he spoke English. He asked me what I was filming for, asked a few questions, and then let me go. But despite the relatively harmless outcome, it was still a very harrowing experience in the moment – being questioned by an authority figure without knowing how it’s going to play out.”

Reflecting on all the ways the situation could have escalated, Gabriel admitted: “They could easily say, “I want you to talk to my superior,” and then you’re being taken into some office where they’re suspicious of you and start asking more questions. It’s always a pretty traumatic experience, and it basically makes you want to leave. That’s exactly how I felt afterward-I just hoped I could get out of there without any more hassle. So that was one more drawback.”