Tag: spot

Luxury Fredericksburg vacation spot to open summer 2023

Ginna

The Texas Hill Country has so much to explore that visitors might need more than a day to experience the wineries, shops, and places to eat. A newly renovated property in Fredericksburg will soon offer a “one-of-a-kind” luxury experience.

The Menagerie, a Fredericksburg property that’s been converted into a “luxury vacation experience,” will open for bookings this summer, according to a news release. 

The Menagerie in Fredericksburg will be ready for bookings this summer.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Stacey Interior Design, photographed by Avery Nicole

The Menagerie is split into three locations over a 9,500-square-foot property. The main anchor location is a Queen Anne Victorian-style mansion, which was built in the early 1900s. There is also a carriage house and a five-unit converted barn/garage. Across the street, there are four units that are split into three 1930s cottage-style bungalows, according to the release. 

Altogether, the property features 12 units with a combined 14 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. The Menagerie can house 34 guests, according to the release. The cost of the rental will be released as the grand opening date inches closer.

Guests are able to rent individual units or the entire property depending upon availability. Large groups are recommended to book in advance and speak to a member of The Menagerie team to ensure availability if they want to rent the entire property. The Menagerie can accommodate up to 34 guests.

Renderings of the exterior of The Menagerie.

Renderings of the exterior of The Menagerie.

Courtesy of Twistleaf

Renderings of the exterior of The Menagerie.

Renderings of the exterior of The Menagerie.

Courtesy of Twistleaf

Owners Nicole and Ramzi AlRashid wanted to keep the charm of Fredericksburg, but also bring something different to the town, according to the release. The duo hired Twistleaf, an Austin-based design firm, who are currently working on the property’s final phase of landscape design. 

“It’s an exciting opportunity to work on a historical property and build on the existing beauty of the space, while also leaning into the playfulness of the exterior colors and interior designs,” said Twistleaf founder and principal Sarah Yant in the release.

The Menagerie is located just a five-minute walk away from downtown

… Read More... Read More

Burgers, hot dogs plus a side of food nostalgia hit the spot in West Hollywood

Ginna

Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It’s Monday, July 25. I’m Andrew J. Campa, a metro reporter writing from the San Gabriel Valley (you know, the place where In-N-Out ? was invented!).

It’s been a month of nostalgia dining in West Hollywood (WeHo, if you know), where warm memories and hot plates fed a crowd of salivating well-wishers.

Our Food Team documented a pair of returns in the iconic Westside enclave, leading with Irv’s Burgers.

The stand reopened July 1 after a four-year hiatus and has been celebrating a month of ceremonies, including a ribbon-cutting event ✂️.

Scores of crowds waited in long lines and shared recollections with our Stephanie Breijo, who documented the stand’s renaissance.

Among the fans were couple Dovie Mamikunian and Laurent Suchel, who lived in Paris until recently, and ventured to West Hollywood to and from Los Angeles International Airport.

“We … would have a hamburger before the plane,” Mamikunian said. “When we got off the airplane, first place we’d come is here.”

The duo visited Irv’s for 20 years at all three of its locations, including the newest version on Santa Monica Boulevard.

The burger stand has become a family tradition for Mamikunian, who grew up in Los Angeles. She discovered Irv’s with her brother, dined there with her husband, Laurent, and passed down the culinary custom with her daughter.

Like Mamikunian, regular diner James Evans was ecstatic to hear about the return of Irv’s. The location’s closing in 2018 brought about a sense of communal loss, said Evans.

“I was devastated — I felt so bad for them because they’re such a staple of the neighborhood,” he said.

On the first day back, Evans ordered his usual: a single cheeseburger, fries and a Coke. Mamikunian’s first trip back also heralded her familiar order of a patty melt.

The food was a welcome comfort for both. However, what made Irv’s stand out for Mamikunian, Evans and scores of others was the return of Sonia Hong, the restaurant’s former owner.

Hong ran and owned the locale from 2000

… Read More... Read More