I'm pleased to say I can recommend these hiking shoes. The FieldLite Collection is available now on Amazon and at NORTIV8.com. Men’s sizes range from 7–14 and women’s sizes from 5.5–11, with retail prices between $70–$80.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
NORTIV 8’s New FieldLite Collection Offers An Impressive Mix Of Style, Technology, And Value
I'm pleased to say I can recommend these hiking shoes. The FieldLite Collection is available now on Amazon and at NORTIV8.com. Men’s sizes range from 7–14 and women’s sizes from 5.5–11, with retail prices between $70–$80.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Travelore News: Italy Ruling Tells Millions With Italian Roots They Have Lost The Right To Citizenship
Since Italy became a country in 1861, there has been a surefire way to know who is and isn’t an Italian citizen: look at their parents.
The first page of the civil code, published in 1865 as the rulebook to Europe’s newest country, declared that a child born to an Italian citizen was an Italian citizen.
This founding tenet of the Bel Paese now looks set to change — ending diaspora dreams of returning to the mother country, and meaning that Italians who move abroad risk denying citizenship to their descendants.
On Thursday the Constitutional Court said it would rule in favor of the government and its controversial 2025 law that restricted citizenship for those born abroad. The law — issued last March via emergency decree — had been challenged by four judges, who questioned its constitutionality.
Now, after the first of four hearings was held on Wednesday, a statement issued by the court indicates it will support the government’s position.
“The Constitutional Court has declared the questions of constitutional legitimacy raised by the Turin court partially unfounded and partially inadmissible,” the court announced. It is expected to release a detailed verdict within the coming weeks.
The announcement will be a devastating blow for those who believed the court would uphold Italy’s 160-year history of citizenship by descent, or ius sanguinis.
“It was an extremely clear, harsh intervention, so I had a hope that it would be judged in breach of some constitutional points, but that wasn’t recognized by the court,” professor Corrado Caruso, one of the lawyers who made a case against the new law.
Italy’s citizenship rules have been bound up with its diaspora since the country was formed.
Previously, Italians who moved abroad could pass citizenship to their children as long as they didn’t renounce or lose it, often by acquiring another nationality. What many now see as the country of the “dolce vita” was once an impoverished nation that, between 1861 and 1918, saw 16 million citizens emigrate for a better life.
Many who left out of necessity rather than volition considered themselves Italian for life, and chose to retain their citizenship while living and working abroad — meaning that citizenship, along with cultural traditions, was passed down the generations.
Established in 1865, the principle of ius sanguinis was confirmed in Italy’s first targeted citizenship law in 1912, which added a clause stipulating that Italians born and residing abroad would retain their citizenship, and then again in a law in 1992.
However, a law introduced on March 28 last year by emergency decree states that only those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy will be recognized as citizens. It also effectively outlaws dual citizenship for the diaspora, as that parent or grandparent must have held solely Italian citizenship at the time of their descendant’s birth, or at their own death if it came earlier.
There have long been complaints on both sides about foreign-born descendants acquiring citizenship.
For those born abroad, obtaining recognition is a long and costly process. They must source birth, marriage and death certificates from their ancestors’ hometowns (which can take years, at a cost of up to 300 euros per document), prove that nobody in their ancestral line lost their citizenship, then win an appointment at their local consulate, where waiting lists can stretch to 10 years — if they are able to get a spot on it.
Hiring a lawyer to sue the government can speed up the process, but costs can run to the tens of thousands of euros for a family.
What’s more, women were not able to transmit citizenship until 1948, meaning descendants of Italian women who gave birth before then are blocked from recognition. Since 2009 many have successfully sued the state for gender discrimination — if they can afford it. They too have now seen the door slammed shut.
Meanwhile, Italy’s regional courts are clogged with thousands of citizenship cases, while consulates are inundated by applications.
Between 2014 and 2024, the number of Italian citizens residing abroad increased from 4.6 million to 6.4 million, Italy’s foreign ministry said at the time of passing the decree. Argentina’s Italian consulates processed 30,000 applications in 2024, up by 10,000 from the previous year.
“The granting of citizenship was perceived as problematic for various reasons,” said Caruso, who is a professor of law at Bologna University. “There were lots of requests, the consulates couldn’t keep up. There was an idea that descendants had tenuous links to Italy over time. They were considered to not take part in civil duties — they weren’t in the country, they didn’t pay tax. What’s more, there was a geopolitical question. These citizens could move around the world on their Italian passports, so maybe there was some pressure from Italy’s historical allies.
“I wasn’t optimistic about our chances, because I could tell that the government and their lawyers felt extremely strongly about this reform. It was politically huge. So there were interests at stake.”
Citizenship by descent has not always been so unpopular. At the Tokyo Olympics, 12% of the Italian national team were born abroad, including 10 in the US. And three months before introducing the new decree, Argentina’s right-wing president Javier Milei, an ally of prime minister Giorgia Meloni, was granted citizenship by descent on a state visit to Italy.
While Italy slams the door on its diaspora, the country continues to deal with a shrinking and ageing population.
In 2024, a record 155,732 Italians emigrated, and over half a million residents left the country between 2020 and 2024. Most emigrants left from Sicily, where enterprising local authorities have tried to redress the balance by tempting back Italian descendants from abroad. In Mussomeli, a town known for its one-euro homes project, Argentinian doctors were recruited to staff the ailing local hospital. Such projects will no longer be possible under the new citizenship restrictions.
“This has cut loose a vast number of descendants who had requested recognition but hadn’t been given an appointment,” said Caruso. “There is now disparity within nuclear families. One sibling might have citizenship, but another couldn’t get the same treatment.”
The state’s legal counsel successfully argued that descendants who had, until now, been considered to have been born citizens, were in fact born with the expectation of citizenship — and if they hadn’t officially claimed it by 2025, they had a “fictitious link” with the country and had lost their right to it.
Verdicts of the constitutional court cannot be appealed and Caruso was downbeat. “I don’t want to lose hope,” he said. “Maybe it’s not the end of the war but it will be a difficult war.” Although the constitutional court still has the two other referrals to consider, he believes that descendants’ last hope will be at EU courts. “Anyone who’s already filed their case should ask the judge to refer it to Luxembourg,” he said, adding that he did not advise anyone who had yet to file to go ahead.
Not everyone is so downbeat, however. Another citizenship lawyer, Marco Mellone, said things could still change.
“This doesn’t mean the new law is 100% valid and forever,” he said. “There is still space for argument for cases brought by Italian judges to the constitutional court. In July 2025, the constitutional court issued a judgment saying that descendants had a right to Italian citizenship at birth, from birth. They changed their opinion I suppose. It is very weird.”
Mellone plans to take aim at the new law in his separate April 14 hearing at the Court of Cassation, Italy’s highest legal authority, whose opinion trumps that of the constitutional court.
“This is a very sad day for millions of people, but I didn’t study law for 25 years to see this kind of thing happen,” he said. “Descendants were born Italian citizens. If you are a citizen at birth, you have a right that nobody can touch. You can’t say, what I said when you were born was not true, you’re not an Italian citizen anymore. You can’t say, I was joking. This is the first step in a long battle.”
He advised that descendants with a case already going through the courts should request a postponement until the fall. For those who haven’t yet filed, he suggested waiting.
“With this judgment … it’ll be much more work for lawyers now than before, but I’m still confident,” he said. “A little less confident than last week. But while the battle is lost, the war is not.”
By Julia Buckley
The first page of the civil code, published in 1865 as the rulebook to Europe’s newest country, declared that a child born to an Italian citizen was an Italian citizen.
This founding tenet of the Bel Paese now looks set to change — ending diaspora dreams of returning to the mother country, and meaning that Italians who move abroad risk denying citizenship to their descendants.
On Thursday the Constitutional Court said it would rule in favor of the government and its controversial 2025 law that restricted citizenship for those born abroad. The law — issued last March via emergency decree — had been challenged by four judges, who questioned its constitutionality.
Now, after the first of four hearings was held on Wednesday, a statement issued by the court indicates it will support the government’s position.
“The Constitutional Court has declared the questions of constitutional legitimacy raised by the Turin court partially unfounded and partially inadmissible,” the court announced. It is expected to release a detailed verdict within the coming weeks.
The announcement will be a devastating blow for those who believed the court would uphold Italy’s 160-year history of citizenship by descent, or ius sanguinis.
“It was an extremely clear, harsh intervention, so I had a hope that it would be judged in breach of some constitutional points, but that wasn’t recognized by the court,” professor Corrado Caruso, one of the lawyers who made a case against the new law.
Italy’s citizenship rules have been bound up with its diaspora since the country was formed.
Previously, Italians who moved abroad could pass citizenship to their children as long as they didn’t renounce or lose it, often by acquiring another nationality. What many now see as the country of the “dolce vita” was once an impoverished nation that, between 1861 and 1918, saw 16 million citizens emigrate for a better life.
Many who left out of necessity rather than volition considered themselves Italian for life, and chose to retain their citizenship while living and working abroad — meaning that citizenship, along with cultural traditions, was passed down the generations.
Established in 1865, the principle of ius sanguinis was confirmed in Italy’s first targeted citizenship law in 1912, which added a clause stipulating that Italians born and residing abroad would retain their citizenship, and then again in a law in 1992.
However, a law introduced on March 28 last year by emergency decree states that only those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy will be recognized as citizens. It also effectively outlaws dual citizenship for the diaspora, as that parent or grandparent must have held solely Italian citizenship at the time of their descendant’s birth, or at their own death if it came earlier.
There have long been complaints on both sides about foreign-born descendants acquiring citizenship.
For those born abroad, obtaining recognition is a long and costly process. They must source birth, marriage and death certificates from their ancestors’ hometowns (which can take years, at a cost of up to 300 euros per document), prove that nobody in their ancestral line lost their citizenship, then win an appointment at their local consulate, where waiting lists can stretch to 10 years — if they are able to get a spot on it.
Hiring a lawyer to sue the government can speed up the process, but costs can run to the tens of thousands of euros for a family.
What’s more, women were not able to transmit citizenship until 1948, meaning descendants of Italian women who gave birth before then are blocked from recognition. Since 2009 many have successfully sued the state for gender discrimination — if they can afford it. They too have now seen the door slammed shut.
Meanwhile, Italy’s regional courts are clogged with thousands of citizenship cases, while consulates are inundated by applications.
Between 2014 and 2024, the number of Italian citizens residing abroad increased from 4.6 million to 6.4 million, Italy’s foreign ministry said at the time of passing the decree. Argentina’s Italian consulates processed 30,000 applications in 2024, up by 10,000 from the previous year.
“The granting of citizenship was perceived as problematic for various reasons,” said Caruso, who is a professor of law at Bologna University. “There were lots of requests, the consulates couldn’t keep up. There was an idea that descendants had tenuous links to Italy over time. They were considered to not take part in civil duties — they weren’t in the country, they didn’t pay tax. What’s more, there was a geopolitical question. These citizens could move around the world on their Italian passports, so maybe there was some pressure from Italy’s historical allies.
“I wasn’t optimistic about our chances, because I could tell that the government and their lawyers felt extremely strongly about this reform. It was politically huge. So there were interests at stake.”
Citizenship by descent has not always been so unpopular. At the Tokyo Olympics, 12% of the Italian national team were born abroad, including 10 in the US. And three months before introducing the new decree, Argentina’s right-wing president Javier Milei, an ally of prime minister Giorgia Meloni, was granted citizenship by descent on a state visit to Italy.
While Italy slams the door on its diaspora, the country continues to deal with a shrinking and ageing population.
In 2024, a record 155,732 Italians emigrated, and over half a million residents left the country between 2020 and 2024. Most emigrants left from Sicily, where enterprising local authorities have tried to redress the balance by tempting back Italian descendants from abroad. In Mussomeli, a town known for its one-euro homes project, Argentinian doctors were recruited to staff the ailing local hospital. Such projects will no longer be possible under the new citizenship restrictions.
“This has cut loose a vast number of descendants who had requested recognition but hadn’t been given an appointment,” said Caruso. “There is now disparity within nuclear families. One sibling might have citizenship, but another couldn’t get the same treatment.”
The state’s legal counsel successfully argued that descendants who had, until now, been considered to have been born citizens, were in fact born with the expectation of citizenship — and if they hadn’t officially claimed it by 2025, they had a “fictitious link” with the country and had lost their right to it.
Verdicts of the constitutional court cannot be appealed and Caruso was downbeat. “I don’t want to lose hope,” he said. “Maybe it’s not the end of the war but it will be a difficult war.” Although the constitutional court still has the two other referrals to consider, he believes that descendants’ last hope will be at EU courts. “Anyone who’s already filed their case should ask the judge to refer it to Luxembourg,” he said, adding that he did not advise anyone who had yet to file to go ahead.
Not everyone is so downbeat, however. Another citizenship lawyer, Marco Mellone, said things could still change.
“This doesn’t mean the new law is 100% valid and forever,” he said. “There is still space for argument for cases brought by Italian judges to the constitutional court. In July 2025, the constitutional court issued a judgment saying that descendants had a right to Italian citizenship at birth, from birth. They changed their opinion I suppose. It is very weird.”
Mellone plans to take aim at the new law in his separate April 14 hearing at the Court of Cassation, Italy’s highest legal authority, whose opinion trumps that of the constitutional court.
“This is a very sad day for millions of people, but I didn’t study law for 25 years to see this kind of thing happen,” he said. “Descendants were born Italian citizens. If you are a citizen at birth, you have a right that nobody can touch. You can’t say, what I said when you were born was not true, you’re not an Italian citizen anymore. You can’t say, I was joking. This is the first step in a long battle.”
He advised that descendants with a case already going through the courts should request a postponement until the fall. For those who haven’t yet filed, he suggested waiting.
“With this judgment … it’ll be much more work for lawyers now than before, but I’m still confident,” he said. “A little less confident than last week. But while the battle is lost, the war is not.”
By Julia Buckley
Monday, March 16, 2026
Travelore News: Amex Opens Its First Sidecar Lounge In Las Vegas With A Restaurant-Style Dining Experience
The issuer’s first-ever Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge location opened March 4, 2026, at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS). This newest lounge concept reimagines the traditional Centurion Lounge experience with an “express” format designed just for travelers short on time.
It’s also the tiniest airport lounge in the entire network. With space for just 33 guests, the emphasis on express is huge.
However, it’s a worthy stop instead of the nearby Centurion Lounge the next time you’re visiting Las Vegas. Rather than a traditional buffet, guests can enjoy a restaurant-style dining experience, with menu items ordered via QR code served both quickly and efficiently.
Here’s a first look at what travelers can expect inside.
Amex Sidecar by Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas (LAS)
The very first Amex Centurion Lounge debuted in Las Vegas in 2013. And just a lucky 13 years later, the issuer is returning to its roots to launch something new to its portfolio.
“Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge was born out of the fact that a significant portion of Centurion Lounge visitors stay for an hour or less,” said AmexTravel.com’s president, Audrey Hendley. “This is not only an exciting return to LAS, but a new approach we created for those travelers looking for an upscale and efficient respite — even when they have a short window before boarding their flight.”
Measuring at just 1,500 square feet, the new Sidecar lounge is easily the smallest outpost in the Centurion Lounge network. In fact, it feels more like an elevated Escape Lounge, though with food and drink taking center stage here.
Sidecar is designed as an ideal stop for cardmembers who want a quality bite and a crafted drink without committing to a full lounge visit. Through its dining platform Resy, American Express tapped into top James Beard-award-winning chefs to curate the menu for this new lounge concept.
Location
The new Sidecar lounge is located near Terminal 1’s D Gates, joining an already competitive lineup that includes the flagship Centurion Lounge, the Capital One Lounge, a United Club, and The Club LAS.
The new Sidecar lounge is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Time. Notably, Sidecar is less than a 5-minute walk from the Centurion Lounge — a smart move that gives eligible cardmembers an alternative when the main lounge is crowded, or vice versa.
In fact, the new Sidecar Lounge at LAS is only available to eligible cardmembers within 90 minutes of their departing flight, helping maintain the steady flow of its quick, in-and-out dining concept. That’s a notable change from traditional Centurion Lounge locations, which allow entry up to 3 hours before a scheduled departure.
Guests are personally greeted and ushered to their bar seat or table. However, with room for just 33 guests, only time will tell whether waitlists prevail or if Amex can nail down the timing to satisfy each guest.
Food and Drink
The shredded lettuce paired well with the panko-breaded chicken cutlet.
If you’re tired of lounge buffets with a seemingly stale menu, this isn’t what you’ll find at Sidecar.
Sidecar is where you’ll want to visit instead of the traditional Centurion Lounge, if only for the food and drink alone.
The Sidecar by Centurion Lounge is very reminiscent of the Capital One Landing concept — the first major credit card lounge network to introduce true restaurant-style dining in late 2024.
Despite the express nature of this space, there’s no grab-and-go offering like you’ll find at other competing lounges.
Upon entry, guests are seated at the bar or a table. They can place orders for complimentary, made-to-order hot dishes, small plates, and beverages via a QR code powered by the popular restaurant ordering platform Toast.
The experience feels far more like a restaurant than a lounge. Food and drinks are delivered by a server, creating a seamless, sit-down atmosphere. Even better, you can order craft cocktails, small-production wines, and nonalcoholic beverages that are intentionally paired with the dishes.
All dishes are made to order and are all intended to come out in 8 minutes or less.
I started with a couple of appetizers: avocado toast with black sesame seeds, a refreshing cucumber salad with crispy rice pearls and (optional) chili oil, followed by mushroom and egg bites with hints of garlic and mustard greens.
Sidecar aims to bring a fresh new menu. Each month, it will rotate a new “Chef Signature Sandwich.” This month, guests will get to savor a unique take on a slider with chicken parmesan.
All of the dishes (and desserts!) I sampled were tasty, fresh, and full of flavor. I loved how diverse the menu was, offering something for every dietary restriction.
Amenities
Though Sidecar is a much smaller space, it still offers amenities you’d expect from a traditional lounge. This includes private restrooms but no shower suites.
Power outlets and updated USB ports are plentiful throughout the space, so you’re never far from a place to plug in.
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is also available and performs reliably.
How To Access Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge at LAS
This newest Sidecar lounge is another addition to the growing Amex Centurion Lounge portfolio and broader Global Lounge Collection. While the entry times are slightly different for Sidecar, the lounge access policies are the same as for any other Amex Centurion Lounge.
A digital waitlist will be available to guests, just as it is at the main Centurion Lounge. However, cardmembers can add themselves to only 1 waitlist at a time.
The following cards will give you access to the Sidecar Lounge and other Centurion Lounges: Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Centurion® Card from American Express*, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (when you book your same-day Delta flight with your Delta Reserve card), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (when you book your same-day Delta flight with your Delta Reserve Business card).
By Stella Shon
It’s also the tiniest airport lounge in the entire network. With space for just 33 guests, the emphasis on express is huge.
However, it’s a worthy stop instead of the nearby Centurion Lounge the next time you’re visiting Las Vegas. Rather than a traditional buffet, guests can enjoy a restaurant-style dining experience, with menu items ordered via QR code served both quickly and efficiently.
Here’s a first look at what travelers can expect inside.
Amex Sidecar by Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas (LAS)
The very first Amex Centurion Lounge debuted in Las Vegas in 2013. And just a lucky 13 years later, the issuer is returning to its roots to launch something new to its portfolio.
“Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge was born out of the fact that a significant portion of Centurion Lounge visitors stay for an hour or less,” said AmexTravel.com’s president, Audrey Hendley. “This is not only an exciting return to LAS, but a new approach we created for those travelers looking for an upscale and efficient respite — even when they have a short window before boarding their flight.”
Measuring at just 1,500 square feet, the new Sidecar lounge is easily the smallest outpost in the Centurion Lounge network. In fact, it feels more like an elevated Escape Lounge, though with food and drink taking center stage here.
Sidecar is designed as an ideal stop for cardmembers who want a quality bite and a crafted drink without committing to a full lounge visit. Through its dining platform Resy, American Express tapped into top James Beard-award-winning chefs to curate the menu for this new lounge concept.
Location
The new Sidecar lounge is located near Terminal 1’s D Gates, joining an already competitive lineup that includes the flagship Centurion Lounge, the Capital One Lounge, a United Club, and The Club LAS.
The new Sidecar lounge is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Time. Notably, Sidecar is less than a 5-minute walk from the Centurion Lounge — a smart move that gives eligible cardmembers an alternative when the main lounge is crowded, or vice versa.
In fact, the new Sidecar Lounge at LAS is only available to eligible cardmembers within 90 minutes of their departing flight, helping maintain the steady flow of its quick, in-and-out dining concept. That’s a notable change from traditional Centurion Lounge locations, which allow entry up to 3 hours before a scheduled departure.
Guests are personally greeted and ushered to their bar seat or table. However, with room for just 33 guests, only time will tell whether waitlists prevail or if Amex can nail down the timing to satisfy each guest.
Food and Drink
If you’re tired of lounge buffets with a seemingly stale menu, this isn’t what you’ll find at Sidecar.
Sidecar is where you’ll want to visit instead of the traditional Centurion Lounge, if only for the food and drink alone.
The Sidecar by Centurion Lounge is very reminiscent of the Capital One Landing concept — the first major credit card lounge network to introduce true restaurant-style dining in late 2024.
Despite the express nature of this space, there’s no grab-and-go offering like you’ll find at other competing lounges.
Upon entry, guests are seated at the bar or a table. They can place orders for complimentary, made-to-order hot dishes, small plates, and beverages via a QR code powered by the popular restaurant ordering platform Toast.
The experience feels far more like a restaurant than a lounge. Food and drinks are delivered by a server, creating a seamless, sit-down atmosphere. Even better, you can order craft cocktails, small-production wines, and nonalcoholic beverages that are intentionally paired with the dishes.
All dishes are made to order and are all intended to come out in 8 minutes or less.
I started with a couple of appetizers: avocado toast with black sesame seeds, a refreshing cucumber salad with crispy rice pearls and (optional) chili oil, followed by mushroom and egg bites with hints of garlic and mustard greens.
Sidecar aims to bring a fresh new menu. Each month, it will rotate a new “Chef Signature Sandwich.” This month, guests will get to savor a unique take on a slider with chicken parmesan.
All of the dishes (and desserts!) I sampled were tasty, fresh, and full of flavor. I loved how diverse the menu was, offering something for every dietary restriction.
Amenities
Though Sidecar is a much smaller space, it still offers amenities you’d expect from a traditional lounge. This includes private restrooms but no shower suites.
Power outlets and updated USB ports are plentiful throughout the space, so you’re never far from a place to plug in.
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is also available and performs reliably.
How To Access Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge at LAS
This newest Sidecar lounge is another addition to the growing Amex Centurion Lounge portfolio and broader Global Lounge Collection. While the entry times are slightly different for Sidecar, the lounge access policies are the same as for any other Amex Centurion Lounge.
A digital waitlist will be available to guests, just as it is at the main Centurion Lounge. However, cardmembers can add themselves to only 1 waitlist at a time.
The following cards will give you access to the Sidecar Lounge and other Centurion Lounges: Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Centurion® Card from American Express*, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (when you book your same-day Delta flight with your Delta Reserve card), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (when you book your same-day Delta flight with your Delta Reserve Business card).
By Stella Shon
Sunday, March 15, 2026
San Diego: A Fine Dining and Food Festival Destination- From Michelin to James Beard recognitions, San Diego's culinary talent draws visitors from around the globe
While San Diego’s tacos and burritos are legendary, they’re only one facet of the city’s diverse culinary scene. In recent years, San Diego has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting fine dining destinations, thanks to several innovative chefs and restaurateurs who have received both international and national acclaim — and the city itself was named one of the top food cities in the U.S. in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards. Here, you can find Michelin-starred experiences and fine-dining tasting menus, often delivered with friendly, welcoming service that fits the city’s laid-back lifestyle. The region offers a wealth of dining experiences that celebrate the diverse cultures and bounty of local produce and seafood — book a table at one of these acclaimed restaurants to see why San Diego’s culinary scene is in the spotlight.
THE STARS ALIGN FOR SAN DIEGO’S DINING
San Diego’s rising restaurant scene is reaching for the stars these days — and it has brought home a fistful of them. More specifically, Michelin stars, which are coveted honors bestowed ultra-selectively on top restaurants worldwide. San Diego previously had only one Michelin-star establishment — Addison by William Bradley at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in Carmel Valley. Now it has five. On top of that, Addison was bumped up from two stars to three in 2022, making it one of eight restaurants with three Michelin Stars in California.
Addison by William Bradley is Chef William Bradley’s epicurean juggernaut at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, which reached heights hardly dreamed of in 2022 with its promotion to three Michelin stars. In describing Bradley’s approach to “California gastronomy,” Michelin notes that “no dish captures this better than sesame-seasoned Koshihikari rice finished with applewood-smoked sabayon and crowned with Regiis Ova reserve caviar,” adding that “dishes are playful yet polished.”
Jeune et Jolie (French for “young and beautiful”) has made a big splash since its 2018 founding. Michelin credits owner John Resnick (who also owns the nearby Campfire) and Executive Chef Eric Bost for delivering what it calls top-notch food with a playful twist and “solid ingredients, unique combinations and beautiful presentations that are ‘almost’ too pretty to eat.”
Lilo is John Resnick’s and Chef Eric Bost’s second fine-dining endeavor in Carlsbad, and the restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2025 shortly after its highly anticipated opening. Guests are treated to what Michelin calls a “moveable feast” of amuse-bouche and a welcome drink in the restaurant’s scenic patio before settling into a 22-seat dining room that offers a look into the inner workings of the kitchen. Michelin praised the tasting menu, noting Chef Bost and team “take clear pride in providing an extra level of care in their dishes,” and says the course of orgeat ice cream with dried and cured celery root and topped with ossetra caviar is a standout.
At Soichi, the namesake chef behind this intimate Japanese restaurant in University Heights, Soichi Kadoya, serves sushi that Michelin says “leans straightforward, but it flaunts a great deal of skill.” Soichi is centered on a chef-driven experience characterized by the Japanese term omakase, which translates as “I leave it up to you,” that’s enhanced by Chef Soichi’s personable service. The full omakase dinner is the best way to savour the breadth of the fresh seafood selections, which could include sea bass, Hokkaido mackerel and bluefin tuna.
Chef Roberto Alcocer's much-buzzed restaurant Valle, near the Oceanside Pier, pays tribute to Baja California's vineyard-studded Valle de Guadalupe, “the source of a plethora of interesting options on the wine list” and serves as inspiration for Chef Alcocer’s modern expression of Mexican cuisine, Michelin inspectors said. They praised the eight-course prix fixe meal: “Dishes strike a winning balance between tradition and creativity, as in a tetela made with heirloom corn masa and hoja santa, filled with juicy chanterelle mushrooms and creamy goat cheese, and paired with a complex salsa of morita chiles — at once earthy and bright.” The recognition is a major coup for Alcocer, who moved to San Diego County from Baja in 2021 with the express purpose of earning a Michelin star. Today, Valle remains the only Mexican restaurant in San Diego County to achieve the accolade.
Michelin honored nine San Diego restaurants with its Bib Gourmand designation, accorded to restaurants that are more affordable but still offer exceptional dining. They are: Atelier Manna, Morning Glory, Lola 55, Callie, Cucina Urbana, Ciccia Osteria, Dija Mara, Mabel’s Gone Fishing and Cesarina. In addition to its starred and Bib Gourmand selections, Michelin adds new restaurants every year to its California Guide, which recently included Tanner’s Prime Burgers and 24 Suns in San Diego County.
Other San Diego restaurants included in the Michelin Guide California are Kingfisher, a modern Vietnamese restaurant led by Chef David Sim; Juniper & Ivy, which has been a fine dining stalwart in Little Italy for over 10 years; Menya Ultra Ramen, known for its rich tonkotsu paitan broth; and Paradisaea, a tropical-themed restaurant in La Jolla (named after a bird of paradise).
Another shining example of the city’s elevated dining scene is Animae, where Chef Tara Monsod incorporates the flavors and cooking traditions from her Filipino heritage into the menu. She was honored twice by the James Beard Foundation as a finalist for the Best Chef: California award in recognition of her innovative fusion dishes, such as tuna kinilaw with coconut and calamansi (a citrus fruit found in the Philippines). Another highlight is the short rib kare-kare — tender beef in a savory peanut sauce with a dash of bagoong (shrimp paste) oil. Monsod also leads the kitchen at Le Coq, a refined yet playful French-inspired steakhouse in La Jolla (try the baguette with chicken skin bu'tter).
Lucien has been making a buzz since it opened in La Jolla, as it solely offers a ten-course tasting menu by Chef Elijah Arizmendi, whose culinary pedigree includes Michelin-starred establishments Per Se and l’abeille. The intimate dining room houses just 30 seats, and the meal starts in the courtyard with canapes and sips before the main seating. Arizmendi’s menu is hyper-seasonal and emphasizes California seafood, produce and wine, and could feature a rich egg custard presented in the shell and topped with oscietra caviar, a medley of shellfish served with oyster ice cream and Masami Ranch wagyu ribeye.
Recently opened is Fleurette, the second act for Chef Travis Swikward, whose Mediterranean restaurant Callie has been praised since it debuted in 2021. Swikard brought a taste of the South of France to an office park near Westfield UTC, turning the area into a new dining destination.
For a fine-dining experience that is tried and true, look no further than Mister A’s. Crowning the 12th floor of a high-rise in Bankers Hill, Mister A’s has been a landmark for 60 years and is a go-to for special occasions — the view of the skyline and airplanes landing at San Diego International Airport is breaktaking. The seasonal menu from Chef Stephane Voitzwinkler features a blend of California and French influences, and the bar debuted a new happy hour experience. The Marine Room is another gold standard for fine dining in San Diego, as the seaside restaurant has one of the best views around. Perched right on La Jolla Shores, diners can admire sweeping beach scenes from their table and waves may crash against the restaurant’s panoramic glass windows during high tide. The King Tide Brunch and High Tide Dinner, which happens seasonally on select dates, is a celebrated tradition. The standard dinner menu features a raw bar, traditional caviar service and cuts of premium beef from Creekstone Farms.
TOP-TIER FOOD FESTIVALS
San Diego’s perfect weather and culinary clout makes it an ideal location for foodie festivals. The annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival takes over the Embarcadero every November for an entire weekend, and features endless wine tastings from vineyards around the world and bites prepared by the region’s top chefs. The Del Mar Wine and Food Festival at the end of September is a fun-filled series of events complete with celebrity sightings. While the main tasting takes place at the Surf Sports Park, the festival also includes the Drew Brees Celebrity Pickleball Tournament, hosted by the former NFL star to raise funds for charity, alongside appearances from headlining chefs like Jet Tila and Michael Voltaggio.
THE STARS ALIGN FOR SAN DIEGO’S DINING
San Diego’s rising restaurant scene is reaching for the stars these days — and it has brought home a fistful of them. More specifically, Michelin stars, which are coveted honors bestowed ultra-selectively on top restaurants worldwide. San Diego previously had only one Michelin-star establishment — Addison by William Bradley at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in Carmel Valley. Now it has five. On top of that, Addison was bumped up from two stars to three in 2022, making it one of eight restaurants with three Michelin Stars in California.
Addison by William Bradley is Chef William Bradley’s epicurean juggernaut at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, which reached heights hardly dreamed of in 2022 with its promotion to three Michelin stars. In describing Bradley’s approach to “California gastronomy,” Michelin notes that “no dish captures this better than sesame-seasoned Koshihikari rice finished with applewood-smoked sabayon and crowned with Regiis Ova reserve caviar,” adding that “dishes are playful yet polished.”
Jeune et Jolie (French for “young and beautiful”) has made a big splash since its 2018 founding. Michelin credits owner John Resnick (who also owns the nearby Campfire) and Executive Chef Eric Bost for delivering what it calls top-notch food with a playful twist and “solid ingredients, unique combinations and beautiful presentations that are ‘almost’ too pretty to eat.”
Lilo is John Resnick’s and Chef Eric Bost’s second fine-dining endeavor in Carlsbad, and the restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2025 shortly after its highly anticipated opening. Guests are treated to what Michelin calls a “moveable feast” of amuse-bouche and a welcome drink in the restaurant’s scenic patio before settling into a 22-seat dining room that offers a look into the inner workings of the kitchen. Michelin praised the tasting menu, noting Chef Bost and team “take clear pride in providing an extra level of care in their dishes,” and says the course of orgeat ice cream with dried and cured celery root and topped with ossetra caviar is a standout.
At Soichi, the namesake chef behind this intimate Japanese restaurant in University Heights, Soichi Kadoya, serves sushi that Michelin says “leans straightforward, but it flaunts a great deal of skill.” Soichi is centered on a chef-driven experience characterized by the Japanese term omakase, which translates as “I leave it up to you,” that’s enhanced by Chef Soichi’s personable service. The full omakase dinner is the best way to savour the breadth of the fresh seafood selections, which could include sea bass, Hokkaido mackerel and bluefin tuna.
Chef Roberto Alcocer's much-buzzed restaurant Valle, near the Oceanside Pier, pays tribute to Baja California's vineyard-studded Valle de Guadalupe, “the source of a plethora of interesting options on the wine list” and serves as inspiration for Chef Alcocer’s modern expression of Mexican cuisine, Michelin inspectors said. They praised the eight-course prix fixe meal: “Dishes strike a winning balance between tradition and creativity, as in a tetela made with heirloom corn masa and hoja santa, filled with juicy chanterelle mushrooms and creamy goat cheese, and paired with a complex salsa of morita chiles — at once earthy and bright.” The recognition is a major coup for Alcocer, who moved to San Diego County from Baja in 2021 with the express purpose of earning a Michelin star. Today, Valle remains the only Mexican restaurant in San Diego County to achieve the accolade.
Michelin honored nine San Diego restaurants with its Bib Gourmand designation, accorded to restaurants that are more affordable but still offer exceptional dining. They are: Atelier Manna, Morning Glory, Lola 55, Callie, Cucina Urbana, Ciccia Osteria, Dija Mara, Mabel’s Gone Fishing and Cesarina. In addition to its starred and Bib Gourmand selections, Michelin adds new restaurants every year to its California Guide, which recently included Tanner’s Prime Burgers and 24 Suns in San Diego County.
Other San Diego restaurants included in the Michelin Guide California are Kingfisher, a modern Vietnamese restaurant led by Chef David Sim; Juniper & Ivy, which has been a fine dining stalwart in Little Italy for over 10 years; Menya Ultra Ramen, known for its rich tonkotsu paitan broth; and Paradisaea, a tropical-themed restaurant in La Jolla (named after a bird of paradise).
Another shining example of the city’s elevated dining scene is Animae, where Chef Tara Monsod incorporates the flavors and cooking traditions from her Filipino heritage into the menu. She was honored twice by the James Beard Foundation as a finalist for the Best Chef: California award in recognition of her innovative fusion dishes, such as tuna kinilaw with coconut and calamansi (a citrus fruit found in the Philippines). Another highlight is the short rib kare-kare — tender beef in a savory peanut sauce with a dash of bagoong (shrimp paste) oil. Monsod also leads the kitchen at Le Coq, a refined yet playful French-inspired steakhouse in La Jolla (try the baguette with chicken skin bu'tter).
Lucien has been making a buzz since it opened in La Jolla, as it solely offers a ten-course tasting menu by Chef Elijah Arizmendi, whose culinary pedigree includes Michelin-starred establishments Per Se and l’abeille. The intimate dining room houses just 30 seats, and the meal starts in the courtyard with canapes and sips before the main seating. Arizmendi’s menu is hyper-seasonal and emphasizes California seafood, produce and wine, and could feature a rich egg custard presented in the shell and topped with oscietra caviar, a medley of shellfish served with oyster ice cream and Masami Ranch wagyu ribeye.
Recently opened is Fleurette, the second act for Chef Travis Swikward, whose Mediterranean restaurant Callie has been praised since it debuted in 2021. Swikard brought a taste of the South of France to an office park near Westfield UTC, turning the area into a new dining destination.
For a fine-dining experience that is tried and true, look no further than Mister A’s. Crowning the 12th floor of a high-rise in Bankers Hill, Mister A’s has been a landmark for 60 years and is a go-to for special occasions — the view of the skyline and airplanes landing at San Diego International Airport is breaktaking. The seasonal menu from Chef Stephane Voitzwinkler features a blend of California and French influences, and the bar debuted a new happy hour experience. The Marine Room is another gold standard for fine dining in San Diego, as the seaside restaurant has one of the best views around. Perched right on La Jolla Shores, diners can admire sweeping beach scenes from their table and waves may crash against the restaurant’s panoramic glass windows during high tide. The King Tide Brunch and High Tide Dinner, which happens seasonally on select dates, is a celebrated tradition. The standard dinner menu features a raw bar, traditional caviar service and cuts of premium beef from Creekstone Farms.
TOP-TIER FOOD FESTIVALS
San Diego’s perfect weather and culinary clout makes it an ideal location for foodie festivals. The annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival takes over the Embarcadero every November for an entire weekend, and features endless wine tastings from vineyards around the world and bites prepared by the region’s top chefs. The Del Mar Wine and Food Festival at the end of September is a fun-filled series of events complete with celebrity sightings. While the main tasting takes place at the Surf Sports Park, the festival also includes the Drew Brees Celebrity Pickleball Tournament, hosted by the former NFL star to raise funds for charity, alongside appearances from headlining chefs like Jet Tila and Michael Voltaggio.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
"Visit Bangkok" Launches As The Definitive Digital Gateway To One Of The World’s Favorite Cities
As one of the world’s premier travel destination, Bangkok continues to captivate hearts by masterfully blending its golden heritage with a pulse of modern innovation. To bring this vibrant soul closer to travelers worldwide, The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Tourism Division has officially launched "Visit Bangkok", the city’s premier tourism gateway, offering an authentic and local perspective on the Thai capital.
Moving beyond traditional travel guides, "Visit Bangkok" is designed to be a reliable digital companion for the modern explorer. By utilizing five distinct digital platforms, this initiative provides a curated look into the city’s lifestyle, ensuring that every visitor—whether a first-timer or a seasoned traveler—can find a story that resonates with their personal journey.
Experience Bangkok Through Four Unique Lenses:
The Global Culinary Capital: From the aromatic sizzle of legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred dining experiences overlooking the skyline, discover why Bangkok remains the ultimate "Foodie Paradise."
The Harmony of Traditions: Experience the timeless elegance of shimmering temples standing in perfect contrast with futuristic shopping hubs and avant-garde creative spaces. Asia’s Beating Heart for Events: Bangkok serves as a front-row seat to world-class entertainment, from the adrenaline of Muay Thai to global music festivals and the charm of national celebrations like Songkran and Loy Krathong.
An Ever-Evolving Discovery: This city never sleeps. Journey beyond the typical tourist spots to find hidden neighborhoods, secret cafes, and pop-up events that keep the city’s energy fresh and exciting every single day.
Whether planning a detailed itinerary or seeking spontaneous adventure, travelers can now stay connected with the pulse of the city through these five official creative channels:
Website: https://visit.bangkok.go.th
Facebook: VisitBangkok
TikTok: VisitBangkok
Instagram: visitbangkok_official
YouTube: visitbangkok_official
Bangkok is calling, and there is always a new story waiting to be found. Join the journey and discover why this metropolis remains the world’s favorite destination.
Moving beyond traditional travel guides, "Visit Bangkok" is designed to be a reliable digital companion for the modern explorer. By utilizing five distinct digital platforms, this initiative provides a curated look into the city’s lifestyle, ensuring that every visitor—whether a first-timer or a seasoned traveler—can find a story that resonates with their personal journey.
Experience Bangkok Through Four Unique Lenses:
The Global Culinary Capital: From the aromatic sizzle of legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred dining experiences overlooking the skyline, discover why Bangkok remains the ultimate "Foodie Paradise."
The Harmony of Traditions: Experience the timeless elegance of shimmering temples standing in perfect contrast with futuristic shopping hubs and avant-garde creative spaces. Asia’s Beating Heart for Events: Bangkok serves as a front-row seat to world-class entertainment, from the adrenaline of Muay Thai to global music festivals and the charm of national celebrations like Songkran and Loy Krathong.
An Ever-Evolving Discovery: This city never sleeps. Journey beyond the typical tourist spots to find hidden neighborhoods, secret cafes, and pop-up events that keep the city’s energy fresh and exciting every single day.
Whether planning a detailed itinerary or seeking spontaneous adventure, travelers can now stay connected with the pulse of the city through these five official creative channels:
Website: https://visit.bangkok.go.th
Facebook: VisitBangkok
TikTok: VisitBangkok
Instagram: visitbangkok_official
YouTube: visitbangkok_official
Bangkok is calling, and there is always a new story waiting to be found. Join the journey and discover why this metropolis remains the world’s favorite destination.
Friday, March 13, 2026
Los Angeles County Museum of Art Sets Opening Date For Highly Anticipated David Geffen Galleries
LACMA’s David Geffen Galleries, the pinnacle of a two-decade campus transformation, will officially open April 19.
That Sunday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off two weeks of priority member access to the galleries, with general admission beginning May 4, the museum said Thursday. Online ticket reservations open Thursday to members.
The announcement comes nearly a decade after news broke of business magnate David Geffen’s record-high $150-million donation toward the construction of a new museum building to be designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor. Since the beginning, the Brutalist design has been polarizing — Angelenos have cheered or jeered the concrete vision.
The $720-million Geffen Galleries, which museum members got a first look at over the summer, will serve as the new home for LACMA’s permanent collection. It will display 2,500 to 3,000 objects at a time from its collection of approximately 170,000 objects. Stretching across Wilshire Boulevard, the structure houses 110,000 square feet in 90 exhibition galleries that will be organized thematically rather than by medium or chronology.
“The idea is for you to make your own path — not to speak at you, but to let you wander like you would through a park or a place,” LACMA Director and Chief Executive Michael Govan said in an interview with The Times. “That change in attitude, and how the building is built, is really exciting.”
Of the $720 million, Govan said, the majority came from private donors, with $125 million funded by L.A. County. Aside from paying off interest and principal, additional funds from a $875-million fundraising campaign will go toward public art, collection moving costs, office renovations and general landscaping.
The inaugural installation will use global bodies of water as an “organizing framework, emphasizing the cultural exchange, migration and commerce prevalent throughout the history of art,” LACMA said in a statement. Standout entries include Georges de La Tour’s “The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame” (c.1640), Vincent van Gogh’s “Tarascon Stagecoach” (1888) and Henri Matisse’s “La Gerbe” (1953). Art installation is currently in progress.
The four buildings that the Geffen Galleries replaced were “all broken up into little, tiny pieces, and they were not well traveled,” Govan said. The new structure is meant to make LACMA’s eclectic permanent collection more accessible on one extra-long floor.
“It’s kind of a worldview,” the executive said. “It’s big enough that it can hold the world.”
Guests tour the Geffen Galleries for an early preview on June 26, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
While the new building does not boast more gallery space than its predecessors — a point of public contention — Govan said that was never the plan due to county size regulations. Instead, the complementary additions of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum in 2008 and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion in 2010 added 100,000 square feet of gallery space. In all, the campus transformation brought LACMA’s total exhibition space from 130,000 square feet in 2007 to 220,000 square feet at present. (The Pavilion for Japanese Art, which has been undergoing a retrofit and renovation, is 10,000 square feet. It remains closed and will reopen at some point after the David Geffen Galleries.)
Along with complaints about the building’s size, the Geffen Galleries’ heavy use of concrete had been criticized as an impractical choice for hanging art. According to LACMA’s preparators, that’s not a problem given the right tools.
Among the building project’s donors were Tony Ressler, co-chair of the museum board of trustees, after whom the Geffen Galleries’ south wing will be named, the museum also announced Thursday. Willow Bay, a longtime board member, will join Ressler as board co-chair.
“LACMA is a global cultural force that brings millions of people together through the power of art, connecting communities across Los Angeles and around the world,” Bay said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful for Tony’s leadership and generosity, and honored to join him as co-chair at this transformative moment in LACMA’s history as we advance our mission of enhancing access to art and education.”
Bay and her husband, outgoing Disney CEO Bob Iger, in 2018 made a “historic capital contribution” to support the preservation of Chris Burden’s “Urban Light,” which has become an iconic L.A. landmark. (Disney earlier this week named parks chief Josh D’Amaro as Iger’s successor.)
LACMA previously announced that the north wing of the Geffen Galleries would be named in honor of the late former board co-chair Elaine Wynn, who contributed $50 million toward the construction project.
As LACMA looks to the future, Govan said the museum isn’t ruling out future expansion. But any additions would be off the Wilshire campus, in areas such as South L.A and the Valley.
A guest tours one of the 90 galleries within the new space during a preview opening on June 26, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The idea is, Govan continued, “Let’s change the model. Let’s just put the wings, you know, the rest of the museum, in other places and strategically located.”
Expansion, he said, is important for an encyclopedic museum, responsible for chronicling art history across many genres, geographies and media.
If you’re the Frick and you only collect things of a certain period, you don’t have to expand,” Govan said. “But if your job is to keep up with the practice of artists and the world being bigger and bigger in terms of what people recognize as art, then you have to keep expanding.”
For now, though, he’s content to create a “big, beautiful gathering place” for Los Angeles.
“I always refer to our plaza as the living room for Los Angeles,” Govan said. “So this idea of the public space was so important from the beginning, and you see how the campus integrates with this.”
Zumthor’s building design, which includes overhanging canopies, intentionally creates shade with outdoor events in mind, the executive explained. It’s all about diversity of experience.
“You can take your selfie at ‘Urban Light.’ You can go to the jazz concerts, go see dozens of masterpieces outdoors... you can go inside somewhere and really focus quietly on a single work of art,” Govan said. “I wanted the range of all those experiences in a package where you wanted to hang out for the day.”
https://www.latimes.com/people/malia-mendez
That Sunday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off two weeks of priority member access to the galleries, with general admission beginning May 4, the museum said Thursday. Online ticket reservations open Thursday to members.
The announcement comes nearly a decade after news broke of business magnate David Geffen’s record-high $150-million donation toward the construction of a new museum building to be designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor. Since the beginning, the Brutalist design has been polarizing — Angelenos have cheered or jeered the concrete vision.
The $720-million Geffen Galleries, which museum members got a first look at over the summer, will serve as the new home for LACMA’s permanent collection. It will display 2,500 to 3,000 objects at a time from its collection of approximately 170,000 objects. Stretching across Wilshire Boulevard, the structure houses 110,000 square feet in 90 exhibition galleries that will be organized thematically rather than by medium or chronology.
“The idea is for you to make your own path — not to speak at you, but to let you wander like you would through a park or a place,” LACMA Director and Chief Executive Michael Govan said in an interview with The Times. “That change in attitude, and how the building is built, is really exciting.”
Of the $720 million, Govan said, the majority came from private donors, with $125 million funded by L.A. County. Aside from paying off interest and principal, additional funds from a $875-million fundraising campaign will go toward public art, collection moving costs, office renovations and general landscaping.
The inaugural installation will use global bodies of water as an “organizing framework, emphasizing the cultural exchange, migration and commerce prevalent throughout the history of art,” LACMA said in a statement. Standout entries include Georges de La Tour’s “The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame” (c.1640), Vincent van Gogh’s “Tarascon Stagecoach” (1888) and Henri Matisse’s “La Gerbe” (1953). Art installation is currently in progress.
The four buildings that the Geffen Galleries replaced were “all broken up into little, tiny pieces, and they were not well traveled,” Govan said. The new structure is meant to make LACMA’s eclectic permanent collection more accessible on one extra-long floor.
“It’s kind of a worldview,” the executive said. “It’s big enough that it can hold the world.”
While the new building does not boast more gallery space than its predecessors — a point of public contention — Govan said that was never the plan due to county size regulations. Instead, the complementary additions of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum in 2008 and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion in 2010 added 100,000 square feet of gallery space. In all, the campus transformation brought LACMA’s total exhibition space from 130,000 square feet in 2007 to 220,000 square feet at present. (The Pavilion for Japanese Art, which has been undergoing a retrofit and renovation, is 10,000 square feet. It remains closed and will reopen at some point after the David Geffen Galleries.)
Along with complaints about the building’s size, the Geffen Galleries’ heavy use of concrete had been criticized as an impractical choice for hanging art. According to LACMA’s preparators, that’s not a problem given the right tools.
Among the building project’s donors were Tony Ressler, co-chair of the museum board of trustees, after whom the Geffen Galleries’ south wing will be named, the museum also announced Thursday. Willow Bay, a longtime board member, will join Ressler as board co-chair.
“LACMA is a global cultural force that brings millions of people together through the power of art, connecting communities across Los Angeles and around the world,” Bay said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful for Tony’s leadership and generosity, and honored to join him as co-chair at this transformative moment in LACMA’s history as we advance our mission of enhancing access to art and education.”
Bay and her husband, outgoing Disney CEO Bob Iger, in 2018 made a “historic capital contribution” to support the preservation of Chris Burden’s “Urban Light,” which has become an iconic L.A. landmark. (Disney earlier this week named parks chief Josh D’Amaro as Iger’s successor.)
LACMA previously announced that the north wing of the Geffen Galleries would be named in honor of the late former board co-chair Elaine Wynn, who contributed $50 million toward the construction project.
As LACMA looks to the future, Govan said the museum isn’t ruling out future expansion. But any additions would be off the Wilshire campus, in areas such as South L.A and the Valley.
The idea is, Govan continued, “Let’s change the model. Let’s just put the wings, you know, the rest of the museum, in other places and strategically located.”
Expansion, he said, is important for an encyclopedic museum, responsible for chronicling art history across many genres, geographies and media.
If you’re the Frick and you only collect things of a certain period, you don’t have to expand,” Govan said. “But if your job is to keep up with the practice of artists and the world being bigger and bigger in terms of what people recognize as art, then you have to keep expanding.”
For now, though, he’s content to create a “big, beautiful gathering place” for Los Angeles.
“I always refer to our plaza as the living room for Los Angeles,” Govan said. “So this idea of the public space was so important from the beginning, and you see how the campus integrates with this.”
Zumthor’s building design, which includes overhanging canopies, intentionally creates shade with outdoor events in mind, the executive explained. It’s all about diversity of experience.
“You can take your selfie at ‘Urban Light.’ You can go to the jazz concerts, go see dozens of masterpieces outdoors... you can go inside somewhere and really focus quietly on a single work of art,” Govan said. “I wanted the range of all those experiences in a package where you wanted to hang out for the day.”
https://www.latimes.com/people/malia-mendez
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Travelore News: Lufthansa’s Allegris Business Class Seats In The Boeing 787-9 Are Now Available For Booking On Flights Departing From March 29
As the partial certification of the new Allegris Business Class in the Dreamliner has made further significant progress in recent days, the seats – with the exception of three seats in the second row – are now expected to be approved even earlier. For travel from March 29 – and thus in time for the start of the summer flight schedule – bookings are now possible for 25 of a total of 28 seats.
On February 16, the Lufthansa Group announced that the seats would be available for booking from April 15. Now, Business Class on the Boeing 787-9 can be booked, with virtually no restrictions, for flights from the end of March. At least ten Dreamliners are expected to be in service from Frankfurt at this time. With 25 Allegris seats available for booking starting today, over 200 additional business class seats in the state-of-the-art and successful Allegris class will be available for purchase every day.
From Frankfurt, Allegris will fly to Austin, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Cape Town, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Hong Kong at the start of the summer flight schedule. From June, the destinations will be New York JFK and Los Angeles, followed by Delhi in July. The Dreamliner will also fly to Toronto, Montréal, Lagos, and Malabo, initially with some flights featuring Allegris and others without.
The Boeing 787-9 has been flying with Allegris from Frankfurt since October 9, 2025. Nine brand-new aircraft have already arrived in Frankfurt, and 20 more Dreamliners have been ordered. Lufthansa Airlines plans to have a total of 29 Boeing 787-9s by the end of 2027.
On February 16, the Lufthansa Group announced that the seats would be available for booking from April 15. Now, Business Class on the Boeing 787-9 can be booked, with virtually no restrictions, for flights from the end of March. At least ten Dreamliners are expected to be in service from Frankfurt at this time. With 25 Allegris seats available for booking starting today, over 200 additional business class seats in the state-of-the-art and successful Allegris class will be available for purchase every day.
From Frankfurt, Allegris will fly to Austin, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Cape Town, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Hong Kong at the start of the summer flight schedule. From June, the destinations will be New York JFK and Los Angeles, followed by Delhi in July. The Dreamliner will also fly to Toronto, Montréal, Lagos, and Malabo, initially with some flights featuring Allegris and others without.
The Boeing 787-9 has been flying with Allegris from Frankfurt since October 9, 2025. Nine brand-new aircraft have already arrived in Frankfurt, and 20 more Dreamliners have been ordered. Lufthansa Airlines plans to have a total of 29 Boeing 787-9s by the end of 2027.
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