Just another WordPress.com weblog
Yesterday I woke up and was greeted by this beautiful sky…
Only to be further greeted by this image, from one of my oldest friends, on Facebook.
Our tiny camera phones capture very nearly the same images of our Los Angeles lives. Old friends think alike.
No More Stories / Are Told Today / I’m Sorry / They Washed Away // No More Stories / The World Is Grey / I’m Tired / Let’s Wash Away
Saw Mew last night at the Fonda. Ridiculously good. I’m still thinking about it. Their music has some amazing soaring heights and the music is full of unique twists and turns. Some really, grandiose and epic vocals and guitars. Like walking in a dream.
If you haven’t heard them before, they have elements of Arcade Fire and one songs’ intro was pure Joy Division but they are pretty singularly Mew. No More Stories…is on repeat but my favorites right now are Introducing Palace Players, Cartoons and Macramé Wounds, and Hawaii. Check them out:
The Coup: I really wanted this sweatshirt, almost desperately, but some girl in front of me bought the last one. When I asked where else I could get it, the merch guy said were reprinting them for April when they tour again. And we said, “Oh, you’re touring again in the US?” He said yes and then MC asked, “So are they playing Coachella?” and the guy nodded and said he’s not supposed to say anything but YES!!!!!!!!!!! So we got the first scoop on that! They’re not even rumored to play yet and MC assumed they wouldn’t play Coachella because of this tour but they are! I’m freaking out about seeing them again AND I can get my shirt there! Also, some guy gave us after party wristbands and we got to meet them. Didn’t really talk to them though…didn’t know what to say…never really do when I run into someone I like. No photos either. I’m just happy to hear their music. Anyway, yes, I’m a bit consumed by getting that sweatshirt. It was only $30 at the show but online it’s like 40 euro…$60!!!! Hope it’s cheap at Coachella. I love them but I’m not paying 2x as much.
In my experience traveling, when people find out I’m from LA their first reaction is a kind of awe (I’m not trying to sound superior, it’s just what I notice and it’s a much better reaction than the one I get when I tell them I’m from the US so I’ll take it) and the the second thing is almost always the question, “Do you see a lot of celebrities?”
The answer is generally to tell them that they’re not on every street corner but I do see them periodically.
To date I have randomly seen the following celebrities (and I use this term lightly):
Wow, this list is kind of shitty. I’ll have to remember the bigger celebrities and add them. I know people who have seen Peter Krause, Bret and Jermaine from Flight of the Conchords (why not me?), all of whom I would have loved to see. I always forget who I’ve seen so I’ll update this again later.
People always want to come to LA to see the “Hollywood” places. I’m writing a short list of what people want when they visit here. I’ll allow you to go to these places but only if you promise not to tell others that this is LA. These are yucky, self-fulfilling perceptions of LA that further propagate the stereotypes that everyone in LA works in the industry, is superficial, and is stupid.
The Sunset Strip: A lot of touristy stuff here. You could spend some time just walking up and down the Strip to see all the “Hollywood” type bars and people. Almost nothing of redeeming value here other than the site of where I broke my collar bone (Saddle Ranch…yes on the mechanical bull) and the spot which used to house Dublin’s (I miss you and your comedy nights, Dublin’s) and these are only memories. It’s time has long passed.
Universal Studios: This is not the most exciting theme park and actually is probably the least exciting place in Los Angeles that people always want to go to. I would suggest if you are short on time, or not short on time, to skip it. It should be the first thing off your list.
Venice Beach: I find this place revolting. Everyone always wants to go there and all they offer is a dirty beach, Bob Marley posters, and bongs.
The Ivy: I think this is still the restaurant to go to if you want to see A-Z list celebrities.
Better and Great Alternatives:
The Getty Museum: Where you will have an incredible collection of art, amazing views of LA and the museum itself is gorgeous. http://www.getty.edu/museum/about.html
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Either just to see the buiding (Frank Gehry-designed) or actually go see a performance. http://www.laphil.com/about/wdch_overview.cfm
Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery: The place where, most famously, Marilyn Monroe is buried. This is actually really cool. A great “Hollywood” cemetery but it is hard to find. It is located at 1218 Glendon Avenue. It is very close to a major street (Wilshire) but the driveway/entrance to it almost looks like you are going into the parking lot of the nearby hospital. I drove past it a few times before locating it. You may need to ask for directions when you are in the neighborhood. Many other famous people are also there including Dean Martin, Truman Capote, and Don Knotts (!!!), among others. Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451, will be buried there. He already has his name on the tombstone.
Graumann’s (Mann’s) Chinese Theatre: It has some history. Where all the old movie stars have their handprints and footprints in the cement in front. [Avoid the nearby Hollywood and Highland shopping complex like the plague. The Kodak Theater is there (where the Academy Awards are held) but I think the complex is a horrid place with terrible architechure. There are a few major stores there though, if you just want to do some shopping. It's cliche but The Grove is a cuter, newer outdoor shopping area that is very popular and probably a better alternative. At least it has the Farmer's Market.]
Movie Premieres: Frequently on Tuesdays in Westwood, there are major movie premiere at either the Bruin or Fox theaters (which are across the street from each other) where you can see all the celebrities arriving. You may want to look into this.
Disneyland: It’s not the same thing as Universal Studios as a theme park, it’s so much better. Disneyland is ALWAYS fantastic and highly recommended for people of all ages.
I’m updating this list as I just learned that some of these places are closed now…they still count towards my total!
(updated 9.21.08: Now 39 down! And 40 when I go to Tacos Baja Ensenada tonight!)
(updated 9.22.08: I went to El Hurache too!)
Abode (closed)
Alcazar
Angeli Caffe
Angelini Osteria
A.O.C.
Apple Pan
Attari (updated June 7, 2008)
A-Won
Babita
Bar Marmont
Beacon: An Asian Cafe
Bin 8945 (closed)
Blue Velvet
Border Grill
Bulgarini Gelato
Caioti Pizza Café (updated July 26, 2008)
Campanile
Canele
Casa Bianca
Chamea
Chichén Itzá
Chung King
Ciudad
Cora’s Coffee Shoppe
Cut
Daikokuya
Dino’s Burgers
Drago
El Huarache Azteca (updated September 22, 2008)
El Parian
Elite
Euro Pane Bakery
Father’s Office (updated June 6, 2008)
Fogo de Chao
Foundry
Fraîche (updated August 9, 2008)
Golden Deli
Golden Triangle
Grace (updated September 14, 2008)
Green Village
The Grill on the Alley
Guelaguetza
Hatfield’s
The Hungry Cat (updated July 26, 2008)
Il Moro
Jar
JiRaffe
Kagaya
Kiriko
Koi
Krua Thai
Langer’s
La Casita Mexicana
La Terza
Literati II
The Lodge
Los Balcones del Peru (updated June 20, 2008)
Lou (updated June 17, 2008)
Lucques
M Café de Chaya
Macau Street
Marouch
Max
Meals by Genet
Mélisse
Metro Café (updated May 2008)
Michael’s
Mimosa (updated June 13, 2008)
Musso & Frank Grill
Noodle House
Nook
101 Noodle Express
Oinkster (updated June 16, 2008)
Opus
Orris
Ortolan
Patina
Philippe the Original
Phillips’ Barbecue
Pizzeria Mozza
Pollo a la Brasa
Providence
Rajdhani
Royale (closed)
Sapp Coffee Shop (updated May 2008)
750ml
Simon L.A.
Sona
Spago (updated September 2, 2008)
Square One
Tacos Baja Ensenada (updated September 22, 2008)
Tama
Urasawa
Uzbekistan (closed)
Valentino
Village Idiot
Vincenti
Water Grill
Woodlands
Recently, I have been trying to come up with ideas of places in LA to take out of towners in. I know there are some traditional spots to take people but these aren’t the places that I want to show them (I think Venice is kind of gross and definitely overrated). I have decided that LA is a great place to live, but not necessarily visit, so my choices vary. This is a work in progress but here are places that I want to highlight in Southern California. Some traditional and some not so much.
Attractions:
Food:
Drink:
I went to 2 more this weekend! Now 29 down, 70 to go! This is getting expensive.
Abode
Alcazar
Angeli Caffe
Angelini Osteria
A.O.C.
Apple Pan
Attari (updated June 7, 2008)
A-Won
Babita
Bar Marmont
Beacon: An Asian Cafe
Bin 8945
Blue Velvet
Border Grill
Bulgarini Gelato
Caioti Pizza Café
Campanile
Canele
Casa Bianca
Chamea
Chichén Itzá
Chung King
Ciudad
Cora’s Coffee Shoppe
Cut
Daikokuya
Dino’s Burgers
Drago
El Huarache Azteca
El Parian
Elite
Euro Pane Bakery
Father’s Office (updated June 6, 2008)
Fogo de Chao
Foundry
Fraîche
Golden Deli
Golden Triangle
Grace
Green Village
The Grill on the Alley
Guelaguetza
Hatfield’s
The Hungry Cat
Il Moro
Jar
JiRaffe
Kagaya
Kiriko
Koi
Krua Thai
Langer’s
La Casita Mexicana
La Terza
Literati II
The Lodge
Los Balcones del Peru (updated June 20, 2008)
Lou (updated June 17, 2008)
Lucques
M Café de Chaya
Macau Street
Marouch
Max
Meals by Genet
Mélisse
Metro Café (updated May 2008)
Michael’s
Mimosa (updated June 13, 2008)
Musso & Frank Grill
Noodle House
Nook
101 Noodle Express
Oinkster (updated June 16, 2008)
Opus
Orris
Ortolan
Patina
Philippe the Original
Phillips’ Barbecue
Pizzeria Mozza
Pollo a la Brasa
Providence
Rajdhani
Royale
Sapp Coffee Shop (updated May 2008)
750ml
Simon L.A.
Sona
Spago
Square One
Tacos Baja Ensenada
Tama
Urasawa
Uzbekistan
Valentino
Village Idiot
Vincenti
Water Grill
Woodlands
[updated June 20, 2008...2 more this week! Lou and Los Balcones del Peru. Now 31 down.]
I had a pretty food filled few days…7 meals out from Wednesday night to Sunday morning. Managed to hit some ”99″ places as well. Also went to the Getty. It’s been at least 8 years since I went last. It wows.
Father’s Office – definitely lives up to the hype, which is rare. The burgers are more like steak sandwiches. Really incredible. the only think I would have like more would be if there was more blue cheese. I love blue cheese! I was concerned about the sweet potato fries as I don’t like my food to be sweet but they were perfectly cooked and delicious. Can’t want to go back and will recommend to everyone I know.
Attari – was pretty good. The guy at the counter (I assume owner) was so nice and offered us free soup because we were first timers. Everything was good but I wasn’t wowed but anything. I may try it again.
Tried to go to Royale but it was closed on a Saturday at 7:30pm? What’s up with that? Also realized that I’ve been to Guelaguetza before and that we went to Metro Café before I left for the trip so I’ve updated the list. 27 down.
Abode
Alcazar
Angeli Caffe
Angelini Osteria
A.O.C.
Apple Pan
Attari (updated June 7, 2008)
A-Won
Babita
Bar Marmont
Beacon: An Asian Cafe
Bin 8945
Blue Velvet
Border Grill
Bulgarini Gelato
Caioti Pizza Café
Campanile
Canele
Casa Bianca
Chamea
Chichén Itzá
Chung King
Ciudad
Cora’s Coffee Shoppe
Cut
Daikokuya
Dino’s Burgers
Drago
El Huarache Azteca
El Parian
Elite
Euro Pane Bakery
Father’s Office (updated June 6, 2008)
Fogo de Chao
Foundry
Fraîche
Golden Deli
Golden Triangle
Grace
Green Village
The Grill on the Alley
Guelaguetza
Hatfield’s
The Hungry Cat
Il Moro
Jar
JiRaffe
Kagaya
Kiriko
Koi
Krua Thai
Langer’s
La Casita Mexicana
La Terza
Literati II
The Lodge
Los Balcones del Peru
Lou
Lucques
M Café de Chaya
Macau Street
Marouch
Max
Meals by Genet
Mélisse
Metro Café (updated May 2008)
Michael’s
Mimosa
Musso & Frank Grill
Noodle House
Nook
101 Noodle Express
Oinkster
Opus
Orris
Ortolan
Patina
Philippe the Original
Phillips’ Barbecue
Pizzeria Mozza
Pollo a la Brasa
Providence
Rajdhani
Royale
Sapp Coffee Shop (updated May 2008)
750ml
Simon L.A.
Sona
Spago
Square One
Tacos Baja Ensenada
Tama
Urasawa
Uzbekistan
Valentino
Village Idiot
Vincenti
Water Grill
Woodlands
MC and I went to Coachella last weekend without R, who at the last minute jumped ship! She missed out. So much fun, even though I felt like an old lady with all the foot, knee, and back pain I had after 3 days in the desert. The weather was slightly cooler and more bearable than most years, around 95-99 the whole weekend.
Biggest regret: I completely missed Cold War Kids! I was in the Sahara tent for Boys Noize and totally lost track of time!
Second and Third biggest regrets: Missing the Shout Out Louds and The Cool Kids. We were supposed to meet up with this guy who was hooking us up with VIP passes and didn’t meet up with him until 3:10pm…Shout Out Louds started at 3:00pm and there was no way we were getting in before the end of their set. The Cool Kids were already done. Oh well.
Biggest surprise: Prince still has so much energy and puts on a great show for whatever age he is!
Celebrity sighting: Scarlett Johansson with unnamed gentleman in the Sahara tent (I think it was Boys Noize)
Highlights:
Friday: Cut Copy, Goldfrapp, The Verve (the crowd was a little lame)
Saturday: Hot Chip, Boys Noize, Portishead, and Prince
Sunday: late start…Gogol Bordello (still like them much more in a smaller venue), Simian Mobile Disco, Justice
Parking: Nightmare as always. When will they figure this out? It’s been 9 years and it still takes hours to get in and out…luckily, we got some good tips to put into play for next year – Washington to 50th saves about an hour.
Loo: Nightmare as always. When will they figure this out? It’s been 9 years and…okay only used it once the whole weekend…the desert dehydrates you. And with the VIP wristband, I get a special loo with running water!
I had a good time despite my misgivings about the lineups. And it seemed like there were just as many people as any other year.
Photos will be posted shortly! I took a ton over the weekend to make up for Filter party.
Update: Photos posted
This post is a bit late but oh lordy!
I had such an amazing time at the Filter party! I wish I took photos! Free booze and to be announced djs. MC was so right about going to this. We parked at the Augustine Casino and got wristbands and a shuttle to take us to an undisclosed location. After what seemed like an eternity, we were dropped off at the Corona Yacht Club. I know you’re thinking, “Yacht Club in the desert”? Yes! Anyway, the place was actually really cool looking and had a fake lake in the middle of it.
MC and I walked around for a bit and checked out the scene. The djs were Blake Miller of the Moving Units, Cut Copy, and Does It Offend You, Yeah? So exciting! There was no one dancing yet. We got 5 drinks each, in a quick row, and got out to the floor. We saw this boy in a turquoise shirt and white hat who had been circling for a while, and that we were sure wanted to dance!
Had a great time! Danced nonstop until the last dj we wanted to dance to, Does It Offend You, Yeah? Met tons of people, including Brits…who, as I have told numerous people, are automatically bumped up a notch on the attractiveness meter (but I love A). Turquoise shirt told me he was Canadian. Having one too many, I was like “No, you’re not”. To which he said, “Yes, I am Canadian”. To which I said…wait for it…”Say something Canadian”. Seriously. I realized it as soon as I said it (what was I thinking?). He smartly replied, “Yes, I am Canadian…eh?”. I sweetly (sheepishly?) smiled and said, “Okay” in approval. I’m sure I was looking for an “aBOOT”.
So excited for him when we saw him later hooking up with some random girl. Decided that he was our friend but never saw him again.
I also had a conversation with someone…I don’t know who…about the glorious 99 cent 1/2 lb. Bean and Cheese burrito from Del Taco. Don’t ask me how that happened. I think I forgot to mention that it had to be a green burrito and you needed tons of Del Scorcho.
Didn’t find out until after the weekend about the messed up shuttle situation on the way home. Some fight broke out at the party, I guess some shuttles were being shoved around, and they were no longer going to shuttle people and some ended up walking home. So maybe this is why I was trying to memorize how to get to this place on the way in…well I realized I was trying to remember and then thought, this is stupid, a shuttle will take us back…see my subconscious knows better! We must have gotten out just in time because as we were leaving, we remember there was a big rush of people trying to exit right behind us.
I don’t live in Silver Lake but here’s a pretty good rundown on the area from laist.com.
