News from Los Angeles
1. The city of choice this year – Los Angeles. To quote that noted philosopher Jed Clampett “land of swimming pools, movie stars” The trip begins April 14, so stay tuned.
2. Everyone but everyone is always on their cell phone, all the time, in LA.
3. Everyone drives in LA, asked any number of people about public transportation, waitresses, clerks, and they all looked at us like we are crazy.
4. The two most favorite foods in LA must be pizza and hamburgers. Not only are there 100’s of pizza and hamburgers restaurants but in every other restaurant, even upscale, there is a hamburger and pizza on the menu!
5. What they say about LA is true. If you have a rental car, you never have to take the keys out of the ignition. Every place has valet parking. Used it twice one day, for breakfast and then out in the evening. If we didn’t want to drink and drive, we would use it all the time.
6. It is expensive to eat in Los Angeles, 30% more than NYC and 10/15% more than Paris. Some of this may have to do with the current state of the Canadian dollar.
7. We are always surprised by the distances in LA, places are always farther way then they look on the map.
8. Everyone in LA seems to be so nice! Is it the weather?
Day 1
A very early morning, an uneventful flight and a safe arrival at LAX. Weather is beautiful. Welcome to LA, we got stuck in traffic on the way to the apartment. The apartment, actually a small townhouse, in West Hollywood, is great! Roomy, clean and well stocked – what a good but expensive choice Monique made! Went shopping at Trader Joe’s and stopped at neighborhood bar for Happy Hour which turned out to be only if you wanted Budweiser or the house wine. Late dinner, at “Taste on Melrose”, an upscale trendy restaurant. Good ambiance but not great food. Have to be careful where you walk in LA, what seems like an easy walk going there, turns out to be uphill on the way back specially if you decide to stop at the liquor store.
Day 2
Our first full day. Breakfast at Champagne French Bakery was excellent and then some time spent waiting for the rental car. An hour or two trying to find a place to buy a bus pass and after a couple of false starts and much stress about the ability to drive in LA, located them at a great supermarket. Then into our Senator gear and walked to Barney’s Beanery a huge Sports Bar filled with, as it turns out, both Habs and Sens fans. Most of the Sens fans were actually Leaf fans but don’t like the Canadians – A great game, despite the result. At Barney’s snacked on wings and calamari and then later dinner was fajitas. We were stopped on the way back by a Sheriff, a Kings’ season ticket holder and a wannabe actor, a Ranger fan, to commiserate over the loss. Coffee at The Coffee Bean, frozen yogurt at the Yogurt Stop and early to bed (jet lagged and/or too many margaritas).
Day 3
Jet lag has set in, I was awake at 6:00 AM and then much to my annoyance 🙂 Monique soon afterwards. Breakfast at home and then our first attempt at using public transportation. Took the bus to the corner of Hollywood and Vine catching our first glimpse of the Hollywood sign along the way. Spent most of the day following the stars going west along the Blvd and then back again along the other side taking in the history of Hollywood including Pantages Theater and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (and being asked every 5 minutes if he wanted to take a tour). Had a lobster roll from a food truck at the half way point and spend 1 1/2 hrs in the Hollywood Museum, which was quite interesting. If one was into Hollywood memorabilia one could spend hours and hours there. Last stop was Amoeba Music, the “Record Store” to end all record stores, on Sunset. Took the bus back home, along Sunset Blvd (but didn’t see 77 🙂 ). Had supper at the Bossa Nova, an Brazilian restaurant, very reasonable priced and good food, but much too much of it. Stopped for Yogurt on the way home, a nightly ritual?, and then early to bed.
Day 4
A short day writing wise. Breakfast at Kitchen 24: “The Home Skillet: Skillet cooked hash browns topped with two eggs any style with your choice of applewood bacon, pork, turkey or chicken apple sausage and toast: 10.95”. Maybe one of my best straight eggs and sausage breakfasts ever. After a short break, our first drive over the hills through Laurel Canyon took us to Studio City and CBS for the taping of an episode of Young and Hungry. Y&H is a sitcom, and because of the time of year one of the few available. Interesting to see how it is done, how they all react, how they use the audience etc. for each scene they tape they do 3/4 takes and sometime just repeat a line or two. Also have to stop and start when an actor misses a line. We were there 5 hours in total and half had been done before we arrived. A quick dinner at Rounds Premium Burger’s the winner of the 2013 Hamburger Challenge. Kind of like The Works in Ottawa but with more options.
Day 5
We had breakfast on the patio with croissants and lattes from French Champagne Bakery and then a day stroll through Beverley Hills. We saw how the rich and famous live; both bought something on Rodeo Drive and had a late lunch at the Beverley Hills Hilton (Cob and Asian salads by the pool). Then, we had our first experience with Uber.  Although the restaurant, Cafe Med – a cute Italian restaurant on Sunset Blvd, was not far, it was straight uphill so decided to “Uber†up and walk back. It worked flawlessly. Opened the app, put in addresses, saw the amount of time to wait and how much ($3.65). Once it was ordered, saw the name of the driver, her picture and the type of car, and we’re kept updated on her arrival. Dinner (Risotto with grilled lobster, Paccheri Pasta with lobster) was great and then a nice walk home (downhill :).
Day 6
A funny day, had 2 options, go to the Farmers Market in Studio City or go to Brunch.  Decided on the market so headed out early but could not get out of the neighborhood, all the streets were blocked because of a marathon. So option 3, waited until 11:00 and headed to brunch at Scorpion West, which as it turns out, has closed. Option 4 was to walk downhill to one of the large shopping centers but on the way, passed a place called “Open Air†which Bill had read reviews on so decided to try it. We were lucky to get in and had to promise that we wouldn’t stay all afternoon. Well worth it. Great atmosphere and great food i.e. Bill had the fried chicken and waffles, I settled for just the waffles. Two hours, 3 bloody Mary’s (mix your own…) and bottomless Mimosas later, we decided the rest of the afternoon should be spent sleeping on the couch waiting for the hockey game. The hockey game ended with a disappointing result but the steak off the BBQ and the salad were great.
Day 7
Breakfast at home and then a day to explore downtown LA. Our bus route went all the way to Union Station, about 40 min, so did not switch to the subway. Started at Union Station and then went on to: Olvera Street  (Mexican market filled with shops and restaurants – Bill tried his 1st burrito), Los Angeles Mall, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles Times, City Hall, edge of Financial District, Criminal Court Buildings, Court of Flags, Performing Arts Center, Los Angeles Cathedral (an impressive modern building) and Chinatown. Ended up back on Olvera Street, where we ended  the day with Margaritas and Chicharrones and Taquitos. After the bus ride home, we decided to go out for pizza. While there are 1000’s of pizza restaurants, most are like Pizza Pizza or Gabriel’s, and specialize in selling by the slice or take out (See above). We finally found one that had a nice decor and where we could get a glass of Chianti. Pizza was equivalent to what we find on Wellington Street. Ended with yes… a little frozen yogurt for the road.
Day 8
We were very late getting going so scrapped our original idea and walked down into Central LA (Beverley Grove) and along 3rd Avenue to the Grove. Upscale shopping center attached to the original Farmers Market (which seemed to be only places to eat). Did lot of shopping but only bought a brimmed hat (for golf). Had a great late lunch at La Piazza, grilled seafood and pasta Arrabbiata with shrimps to be our main meal of the day. Afterward Bill took the bus home and Monique went to a “Dry Bar” for a wash and dry. Monique did a little more shopping and then a light dinner at home.
Day 9
Monique’s Birthday.  A cool day weather wise! Finally found a place to print some tickets we had, at a Fedex outlet. Spent a good part of the day traveling along Mulholland Drive. This included some beautiful views of Los Angeles including the Hollywood Bowl, Runyon Canyon and some fantastic houses. Got home in time for the hockey game and Monique got her birthday wish – a Sens win!!! Go Sens Go!!!!! Finished the day at Boa – Steakhouse to the Stars – wonderful but expensive food, good service, a walk home (downhill…), overall a great evening.
Day 10
A very funny day. We started very late but decided to take the bus to Santa Monica and explore. Made a mistake on choice of bus so had to change half way. At which time, we realized that is was very chilly and would be even colder when we got to the Ocean. So we turned around came back home, changed, and decided to go to Beverly Center. Stopped at Zinque, a trendy restaurant for young Hollywood for lunch. Bill got the Levi jeans he loves and only seems to be able to find at Macy’s and Monique is still undecided on a Michael Kors’ purse. For the 1st time, walked up the hill to Sunset Blvd and had Chinese food at Chin Chin for dinner. The walk home was easier!
Day 11
Started with breakfast at Mel’s Diner which I understand was the model for the diner in American Graffiti  and  the TV series Alice. Then having heard about it and the Bruins all my life, decided to tour UCLA .  What a beautiful campus! makes you want to go back to school. Also did some shopping at the UCLA store. Then had to hurry home, get into our Senators outfits and head to Barney’s Beanery for the hockey game. We missed the 1st goal but saw the next 4 although had some nervous moments. We had dinner at Barney’s and then headed home for an hour or two before heading to the Laugh Factory, a comedy club, for the 10:30 show. All the comedians were good but a few were really really good. The show actually ran right into the late show so we didn’t get out until close to 1:00 AM. Decided we were hungry so went to Hamburger Haven for a early morning burger. Across from Hamburger Haven was The Abbey, an obviously popular late night club complete with huge number of people,many inebriated, 2 sheriff cars and the paparazzi. Into bed, very late!!! Used the valet parking twice that day.
Day 12
Got up very very late because of the night before, relaxed a little and then had brunch, with the mandatory sparkling and Bloody Marys, at Pearls, up on Sunset Strip. Two types of Eggs Benedict, one with fried chicken, and French Toast. Did a little shopping, actually got rained on, and then took the rest of the day off – BBQ for dinner.
Day 13
Started the day with English Muffin toast. Not English Muffins, but a loaf of sliced English Muffin bread. It  tasted just as good and so much easier. Every time we walk into a large American supermarket, we realize how little there is in Canadian supermarkets, at least in Ottawa. We spent the morning at the Farmers Market in Studio City. This was a real farmers market where the farmers out number the food sellers. Started with a breakfast burrito, now that was a good burrito! And there were also a number of individual food producers, and we bought some old balsamic vinegar that tasted marvelous. After the market, drove down Ventura Drive to explore Sherman Oaks, which was VERY similar to Studio City. Shopped a little at TJ Max and had lunch at The Garden Café – Croque Madame and a Beet Salad. Relaxed atmosphere, good food, and the cheapest place we have eaten in LA so far. Got home in time for the hockey and 2 hrs later the bad news!!!! However the Sens had a good run and they gave us 2 months of such exciting hockey!! As I told a Habs fan at Barney’s earlier, we shouldn’t have even been there and were playing with the house’s money. Ended by a goal that shouldn’t have counted and a disallowed goal that was good!!!   The day ended with dinner at Le Café Etoile, near by – pasta and lamb shanks plus finally a reasonably priced Californian wine and finished with what else, frozen yogurt.
Day 14
The weather forecast was for warm so made our 2nd attempt to explore Santa Monica only this time took the car rather than the bus. Spent the day exploring:  Started with Palisades Park, and then the Santa Monica Pier (lunch was funnel cake and Jalapeno bottle caps –deep- fried pieces of Jalapeno) – we both agreed that the funnel cake from the Atlantic (Coney Island) was better than the Pacific; after that, we did Tongva Park, Ocean Avenue, 3rd Avenue Promenade, a residential area and then finally, the new Mall. We had dinner at Ivy on the Sea, where we shared oysters and then the humongous fish and chips which included sea bass, shrimp and calamari. Then negated the 8 miles we had walked by having two desserts. We ended the day by watching a beautiful sunset over the Pacific. We missed Montana Street, the Rodeo Drive of Santa Monica except to drive along it after dark but agreed if we had time we would return for lunch. We also agreed that if we were ever to winter in the south, Santa Monica would be a wonderful place.
Day 15
Had a tour of Warner Bros. Studios planned because our tickets for Conan were at the same place later in the day. We went early for breakfast in the WB cafeteria before the tour. The tour, which is well worth it, included the back lot where many outdoor scenes for TV programs and movies have been filmed, then a exhibition of Harry Potter and Batman memorabilia, and a soundstage (Big Bang Theory). We returned to the cafeteria for lunch (the cheapest good food in LA to date) and then to the other side for Conan. We really enjoyed it, although not the most exciting guests (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – Game of Thrones, Zach Woods – Silicone Valley and the musical guest was The Lone Bellow). Took about an hour and a half and was interesting. Bill even won a Conan T-shirt for his dancing ability – no lies guys! You can tell we find our apartment very comfortable, we had dinner at home but it was like being at Coney Island – we had Nathans hotdogs on the BBQ.
Day 16
It was going to a very hot day, close to 100F, so we started off easy and headed off for a late breakfast. Headed off to the Urth Café, one of West Hollywood’s most trendy meeting places for celebs.  However, the long line to get food drove us crazy so left after a while to go down the street to the “Le Pain Quotidien†– only semi-trendy but with a nice table on the deck and… Sex in the City  Samantha’s LA boyfriend sitting next to us. Both of us had the Gazpacho soup and shared a Tartine – ham and aged gruyere. Monique went off to have her hair done, but got lost and I went home to escape the heat. We had ticket to see “Immediate Familyâ€, a comedy about a dysfunctional black family, at the Music Center downtown – went early and had dinner at the Kendall Brasserie. Oysters and steak & frites for supper and then the Play. Both the food and the play were excellent!!!!!!
Day 17
We had to do some planning for the rest of the trip so spent some time in the morning to do that and then went off to explore Brentwood, neighborhood of the rich and famous. As it turns out the rich and famous also like hamburgers so the Burger Lounge is where we had lunch. Bill is getting hooked on Turkey Burgers!!! After lunch we explored the rest of Santa Monica, mostly along Montana Street. We returned to Prova for pizza for dinner and then, what else, some frozen yogurt.
Day 18
When I was sitting on a bench at the Grove soon after we arrived, started talking with a guys also waiting on his wife (and daughter) in Michael Kors. When I told him what we were doing, he said there were two things we had to visit, the Venice Canals and Catalina Island. Venice was already on our list and yesterday we decided to take the money we would have spend going to Las Vegas and go to Catalina instead.  Got up early and started out for Long Beach, now that is a freeway, 7 lanes in each direction. Of course took the wrong exit and got lost but soon were back on track (Thank God for smart phones with GPSs). After a breakfast burrito at the terminal, we took the ferry and were on Catalina by 12:30pm. After a quick lunch, we hired a jeep and driver for the afternoon for a tour of the island. Magnificent scenery as well as buffalo and eagles!!! On return Monique went for a massage and I went to catch up on the blog. Dinner was at the Blue Water by the sea (Blackened Snapper and  Cioppino)and then fresh made waffle cones at Big Olafs. Overall taking a vacation from the vacation!
Day 19
Our second day on Catalina. Had a late breakfast and wandered around Avalon, the main town, doing some exploring and shopping even saw some traditional Mexican dancing.  And you guessed it mainly pedestrians and golf carts… We had lunch at Steve’s Steakhouse – Sea Bass and Sand Dabs (a very small member of the Halibut family). Both were incredibly good!!!!! Then the ferry back to Long Beach, last goodbye to the buffalo and the freeway home. No wrong exit this time! Dinner at home!
Day 20
Game day!!!! We are going to see the Dodgers play the Diamondbacks. You can tell we are becoming Los Anglos? – were supposed to take the bus to Union Station and then the Dodger Express to the stadium but at the last moment we decided to drive to Union Station. It was a beautiful day for baseball with maybe 40,000 people there, most in Dodgers regalia. There were even a number of babies in their Dodger caps, t-shirts and socks. We ate the appropriate things: hotdogs, peanuts and crackerjack (the popcorn was much too large). Our seats were great but after 4 innings and the sun, we moved up into still great seats but in the shade :). Great game, the Dodgers won 1-0 in 13 innings. (we did not stay till the end). Back at Union Station, there was a Mexican celebration going on in the square which we explored and then had a early dinner at La Golondrina (margaritas, chicharrones and queso fundido con chorizo) on Olvera Street. Tonight, frozen yogurt was replaced by caramel and chocolate filled churros!!!!
Day 21
Hard to believe but we are into our last week. We made a list of things yet to do and they all won’t get done. A good reason to come back! We had breakfast (late) at La Conversation – a little french patisserie/cafe between West Hollywood and Beverley Hills. Bill had Eggs Benedict on a croissant with filet mignon and Monique had pumpkin pancakes with her her eggs. Monique then went for a facial, her hair and a little shopping while Bill chilled out. Supper at the Fig and Olive, another trendy upscale restaurant. Mixed reviews, great ambiance, service was a little spotty although our waitress was obviously run off her feet, wonderful appetizers but Monique’s main course did not come as it was supposed to… A little disappointing!
Day 22
Monique’s friend arrives today so did some planning in the morning and then headed to Chateau Marmont, another place frequented by the rich and famous, for lunch. Food was great and service wonderful and, this is LA, expensive. Half way through lunch, people arrived with a dog, the size of a small calf. Normal in LA, I suppose. We heard that the dog’s trainer had suggested that they took Charlotte with them as much as possible to “Cafe train her”. Had to race home for Louise’s arrival. At 5:00, the 3 of us headed off to “Sur” for drinks. A place made famous by a reality show. Went back to Bossa Nova for dinner, just across the street. Finally, introduced Louise to our frozen yogurt place.
Day 23
It is really chilly today, high was around 65F. Up early to head for Paramount Studios and our studio tour, a combination of the old Paramount and RKO studios. Tour was interesting and much different than the Warners’ tour and and including the prop shop. After that Bill dropped Monique and Louise off on Hollywood Blvd to do the walk of fame, see the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and take their tour of Celebrity homes. This included a session at the Madame Tussaud Wax Museum. Bill headed home but picked-up his lunch at El Pollo Loco, a Mexican style Kentucky Chicken’s place. Monique and Louise had lunch at Mel’s – Hamburgers and milkshakes. They ended their afternoon shopping and visiting the biggest shoes store one has ever seen ! and then bused home. Supper was at the Corn Grill , a typical LA healthy food restaurant.
Day 24
Another chilly day! After breakfast at the Dialog Café and the first “up to Sunset†for Louise, Bill took the day off while Monique and Louise explored and shopped.  Started by walking from Sunset in our neighborhood, to Rodeo Drive via one of the many beautiful residential streets of Beverley Hills. Did some “window shopping†on Rodeo drive including at look at a new Rolls and proceeded  to the Grove shopping plaza by bus.  Walked some more to finally get back home – 10 miles in all!!! Supper was at the WeHo Bistro, including great mushroom soup, lamb sliders, deep fried oysters, pasta and turkey meatloaf.
Day 25
Once again where is the warm weather?? It is 8 degrees warmer in Ottawa then in LA. Despite the weather, we decided we had to get to Venice Beach. We explored the canals, walked the beach and the Boardwalk and shopped along Abbott Kinney. We had lunch Part 1 at Big Daddies (funnel cake and apple fries) and Part 2 at the Sidewalk Café. After having had funnel cake in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Coney Island, Santa Monica Pier and Big Daddies in Venice Beach, Monique agreed that Big Daddies claim to have the best in the world, may be true. Paid a return visit to the Santa Monica Pier (the birth place of beach volleyball) on the way back and had dinner (leftovers from the night before) at home.
Day 26
Went back to Kitchen 24 for breakfast/brunch and their wonderful skillet items. Then Monique and Louise went back to the monster shoe store for a final look and to Saks 5th Avenue to see if they had a purse Monique is interested in. No luck. Then the three of us headed out for a tour of the Stahl House high in the hills. A example of mid 20th century architecture at it’s best. Fantastic views and the pictures will say it all. Stopped at Beach Nation for a drink, on the way home. Monique and I had our 34th anniversary dinner at The Little Door, another Hollywood trendy restaurant, with a great ambiance, with a semi celebrity Lily Collins, sitting beside us! Monique had the steak and I had the lamb, both excellent. Getting there we had a bad Huber experience as the Driver couldn’t find our street even with her GPS 🙂 ! The ride back was much better.
Day 27
Finally it is warm!!!!!! Sunday, so it is Brunch with Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s. We returned to Open Air Kitchen for another wonderful brunch of deep fried pickles, and chicken and waffles. After that Bill headed home to read the Sunday times (and sleep) and Monique and Louise headed to Melrose and Beverley Boulevard for the last of the shopping and a little afternoon frozen yogurt! Dinner was at the Rainbow Bar and Grill made famous in the 60s/70s/80s as a hangout for musicians mostly heavy rockers.
Day 28
Our last full day and it is warm! So we have to have an outdoor activity – decided to visit the old San Fernando Mission in the San Fernando Valley. We took the scenic route through Cold Water Canyon, Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys to the Mission. A beautiful old Mission that has lots of history! and the final resting place to Bob Hope. On our way back, stopped at Griffith Park, the Griffith Observatory and great views of all of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. We had a late lunch at the Roosevelt Golf Course in the Park, (to get Bill back in the mood) where we got the news that we had had a water pipe break in the wall. Monique then went off to her Blow and Go place while Louise did some last moment shopping.  Before dinner, Monique and Louise went to Pump, another landmark in Reality TV land for Happy Hour. Finally, it’s one last walk up the hill to Sunset for a great dinner at Eveleigh. Monique and I shared the small dishes, oysters, grilled baby artichoke hearts, grilled calamari and lamb meatballs and Louise had a great hanger steak. We all had incredible desserts as it will be a long time before we will be eating desserts again. Ended the day packing.
Day 29
Up early to finish packing and then the car service to LAX for our last good moment of the vacation. The rest of the day was a tale of woe which ended with an overnight in Montreal but at 11:00 at night, we did meet a friendly bartender.
Day 30
There was not supposed to be a Day 30 but there was!!! An early flight from Montreal to Ottawa and Melissa is at the airport to pick us up… Halleluiah! When we arrive home, we have water, the plumber has been there and the pipe has been repaired! What wonderful neighbors we have!!!!!
NEXT YEAR ?????????????
