Universal Studios and El Conquistador

Our friend Steve, from Washington DC, was in town for a conferene this past week. So he extended his stay by a couple of days to spend some time with us in L.A. Steve, as you remember, is accompanied us on our trip to the Virgin Islands last year. We've already taken him to Disneyland. We've done the Getty Center. The only thing in the area he hasn't done is Universal Studios. So that's what we did (and we even invited our friend Jason along to boot).


The Universal backlot taken from the top of the hill. (03/31/07)

Tim and I each hadn't been there in years. The last time for me was in 1996. It was the first time I met Lisa, my cousin Michele's partner. I remember getting along well with her from the moment I met her (she was the only one who wanted to do the Backdraft experience with me).


On the famous Universal Studios tram. (03/31/07)

It's actually changed a lot since I was last there. They no longer have the dumb E.T. ride, and they've added a Terminator 3-D experience, as well as The Mummy roller coaster (which was disappointingly short). The best part, as always, is the backlot tour.


The Grinch That Stole Christmas set. (03/31/07)

Yes, the tour is cheesy, especially with all those tired gimmicks, like the Earthquake, King Kong and the Jaws shark that is so old it has to be carbon dated. But what I like about the tour is, unlike the backlot studio tour at the Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando which seemed so manufactured, you get the feeling that there was actual filming done at the Universal backlot. The other cool thing was the crash site from War of the Worlds, which was pretty impressive (much more so than the film, so I'm told).


The crash site from War of the Worlds. (03/31/07)

Afterwards, we headed to one of our favorite restaurants, El Conquistador in Silverlake. The food is pretty good, but the main attractions are definitely the margaritas (or in Tim's case, the Blue Margarita) and the molcajete salsa, all of which were in high demand after our long day at Universal.


Steve and Tim share one last blue margarita at El Conquistador. (03/31/07)

If you ever get a chance to go, may I suggest the Sonorense - a chicken dish with peppers, onions and crubled bacon. It's so good. My second favorite, which I got this time, is the Ropa Vieja, a dish of tender, slow-roasted beef.


Jason and James pose with longtime waiter Ricardo. (03/31/07)

It was a great day and the perfect closing to a fun month!