Posts from — July 2009

This weekend marks the one year anniversary since I moved in with my boyfriend.  Ironically enough, we’re heading out of town.  I’ve been positively giddy all week in anticipation for the desert and these are just a few pictures that have helped fuel the mood.

Would you believe he was voted “best-dressed” in high school?

I’ve only lived in Los Angeles for four years, but in that amount of time, I’ve compiled a pretty solid list of things to do in the city.  I contributed a few of those favorites here,  but I thought a more in-depth series would prove useful.  To kick things off, here are some of my favorite restaurants and why they shouldn’t be missed.

Breakfast

Where to go when you’re hungover: The Griddle Cafe.  Known for their plate-sized pancakes in flavors like “Banana Nana” (brown sugar-baked bananas) and “Hear Me Roar” (strawberries and frosted flakes), this has a fantastic blues-y feel with exposed brick walls and an intimate setting.  Don’t miss their french press coffee, but if you’re looking to get the “Addicted to Noisella” (french toast made with nutella), insist on sharing.  Nobody can handle that much chocolately hazelnut spread.

Place that won’t derail your diet: Urth Caffe.  As I’ve noted time and time again, everything you order at Urth is clean, organic and ridiculously tasty.   This comes with quite a price tag, but since their lattes are so addicting, I somehow justify spending $4 a cup.  Their bread pudding is equally as fantastic (and I’m not even usually a fan) as is their oatmeal with homemade granola, berries and milk.

Will make you feel like you’re in your mom’s kitchen: Grub.  Nestled in a residential area in Hollywood, this unsuspecting little restaurant is as cute as it is delicious.  Bowls of dry cereal are put on the table when you first arrive so you can snack on Fruit Loops while you wait for your order.  All of their egg dishes are great, but their appropriately named “Friggin’ Amazin’ French Toast” is just that (especially if you go with the Croissant).

Lunch

Where to spot a celebrity: Toast Bakery Cafe.  Squeezed between trendy boutiques on 3rd Street (I’ll be dishing my favorites in a future post), this place is always packed and with good reason.  Their salads are hearty, the Arnold Palmers are perfectly sweet and tart and I keep going back for their Hummus Falafel.  Try to find a seat outdoors for good people-watching, but don’t forget to head inside on your way out.  They have the best red velvet cupcake in the city.

Feels far from L.A.: Sur.  After an afternoon spent walking around Robertson Blvd, Sur is the perfect follow-up to pushy tourists and overpriced shops.  The decor is undeniably sexy, with a breezy patio, all-white curtains and wonderfully intricate chandeliers and a simple menu.  The ‘Fantasia Salad’ (arugula, blue cheese and a grapefruit vinaigrette) is my favorite with a glass of their too-strong-to-go-back-to-work-afterward sangria.

Place to meet a good friend: Clementine’s. The parking and table situation can be a little hairy, but the their homemade seasonal food is well worth the wait.  I almost always get the ‘Rare Roast Beef Sandwich’ (with a horseradish mustard dressing, marinated onions on rustic bread) and their fresh limeade.  On my to-do list: their BBQ Fridays for summer fare and a fun, casual atmosphere.

Dinner

Sushi that will knock your socks off: Sasabune (so small there’s not a website).  My boyfriend first took me after a particularly tough day and promised the best sushi I’d ever tasted.  He was not lying.  Though it sounds intense (there are no menus), the signs on the wall that say”Trust Me” are telling the truth.  The fish melts in your mouth and has the most unbelievable buttery texture you’ll ever experience.  The decor isn’t much to write home about, but I swear you won’t even notice.

Best experience you’ll have eating at the bar:  Pizzeria Mozza.  As a self-proclaimed pizza fanatic, I order it whenever possible.  With combinations like “Fennel Sausage, Panna, Red Onion and Scallions” and “Squash Blossoms, Tomato and Burrata” you can’t go wrong.  They also have a nice wine list that doesn’t break the bank and appetizers that are refreshing and unique.

Casual meal close to the beach: Le Grande Orange.  The vibe in this newly-opened restaurant is surprisingly relaxed with fun sections on the menu like “Things We Put On Chips” (Shrimp Ceviche and Tuna Tartare) and “Very Special” (Dixie Pan-Friend Chicken and Turkey Meatloaf).  Plus, they have an entirely separate menu for dessert (always a good sign in my book) and a warm brownie with ice cream that is other worldly.

image via Flickr

Yesterday someone informed me that I was one of the quirkiest people they’d ever met.  [Insert awkward pause here] I didn’t know exactly how I should respond, but upon further thought, I realized it’s the little things that make a person who they are.  Here are some of the things about me that might be considered a bit different:

I hate being touched with wet hands.
I prefer my soda/sparking water to be kind of flat.
I still jump in puddles (in these of course).
I like having things lined up at 90° angles.
I talk gibberish if I’m awakened from a deep sleep.
I don’t like drinking milk with anything other than dessert or peanut butter.
I’m horrible at understanding lyrics and often make up my own words to songs.
I crave sweets throughout the whole day.
I get hiccups if I laugh too much.
I despise when movie characters talk directly to the camera.*

*I make an exception for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but still cringe when I watch the first two seasons of “Sex and the City.”

What are some of your quirks?

image via dooce.com

In the amount of time that it takes to call for pizza, you can make your own pie (minus the creepy delivery guy at your door and bad stomach ache to follow).   Trader Joe’s sells refrigerated dough* for less than $2, which is not only economical but incredibly easy.  Just roll it out, throw on some pizza sauce, a blend of four cheeses, fire-roasted peppers and some fresh basil and you’ve got yourself a simple, one-dish meal.
*Extra points if you choose whole wheat dough.

Vintage Dress, Forever 21 Belt, Urban Outfitters Cuff, Gryson Bag, Cynthia Vincent Wedges

Lucky Magazine has a section dedicated to clothes you can wear now that transition seamlessly into the next season.  It’s a refreshing idea that you can use a single piece multiple times throughout the year with some simple adjustments.  I picked up this mini dress at the flea market yesterday (for $10) and it proved to be the ideal weight for an afternoon trip to get frozen yogurt.  Somehow I think it will be just as great with a pair of knitted tights, a long sweater vest and some black booties once the weather cools.

There’s something so wonderfully casual about summer that just doesn’t apply to the other seasons.  Yesterday I spent the day by the Viceroy pool with co-workers and though I anticipated middle school-esque awkwardness, it turned out to be quite the opposite.  A slightly overcast morning morphed into a beautiful afternoon and set the stage for a relaxing weekend.

Urban Outfitters Top, Michael Kors Watch, Skinny Style Ring, Korcula Ring, H&M Skirt, Seychelles Heels

I typically shy away from billowy tops since they’re not terribly flattering, but after stalking this top on Urban Outfitters for weeks, I finally took the plunge.  I embraced its naturally effusive shape and bought a size that’s quite larger than I’d normally wear, but I think it just adds to its breezy silhouette.  As an added bonus, it somehow transforms into a streamlined top that I can just as easily tuck into tulip skirts and wide-legged trousers.