Brunch Time! There's No Place Like HOME

Ah, Sunday brunch! After our morning stroll turned into a very invigorating, nearly two-and-a-half hour long neighborhood trek, it was definitely time for brunch complete with Bloody Marias. (Sub tequila for vodka in a Bloody Mary and you get a Bloody Maria!) One of our go-to brunch spots is Home in Silverlake. I went for the vegetarian breakfast burrito, Paul snagged the huevos rancheros, and our friend Amy tackled the California Eggwich. Everything was so super yum and filling that we had to go for a second walk along the L.A. River to work off all of the deliciousness!

Pit Stop: Stella Barra

We had 45 minutes to kill before a screening, so we bopped into Stella Barra for a sip and a nibble. Their daily happy hour (3:30 to 6:00), though a little limited, is a super steal with $3 well cocktails and $5 glasses of wine. Leah, the bartender was really friendly and patient. (I was being super indecisive.) We wound up skipping the happy hour specials and split an order of very yummy crispy brussels sprouts and a cup of rich and satisfying tomato soup. A glass of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and one of Sangiovese rounded out our quick meal. Less then $40 (including tip) for appetizers and drinks for two: yum and easy! Yay!!

Spare Afternoon: Golden Road Brewery

Sooo... Golden Road Brewery kicks ass. I wish we had had a little more time to linger. I so would have explored the croissant bread pudding, but as it was, we only had time for an awesome apptetizer—fried Roman artichokes—and amazing entrees—Bahn Mi sandwich and the vegan Southwestern burger. (Doggie bag, anyone?). Oh, and let's not forget the beer: two flights (the core flight and the hoppy flight) and thier rockin' barrel aged Porter, Hudson Porter (super yum and growler-worthy). Will definitely head back there for the awesome atmosphere, fantastic food (vegan and veg friendly), and of course the beer!

Wandering around

Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Hollywood, CA, USA
8:30 a.m.

Prime Pilates = I ♥ Math

My friend Sara, Pilates instructor extraordinaire, called me this morning to offer me her 3:30 time slot at a reduced, one-day-only rate of $45:

E: I don't think I can make it today. What do you normally charge?

S: I offer a sliding scale. The lowest is $X (contact her to find out what $X is)

E: That's an interesting number. Is it prime?

S: I don't know. Is it? I left the trauma of math behind me when I left high school. I had to leave it behind so I could heal.

E: I think it is prime. It's time to heal.

Obviously I couldn't make it. However, if you're in the greater Los Angeles area and can make it to El Segundo (Westside) by 3:30 there is a kickass Pilates private ($45 today only!) with your name on it.

Sara @ TranceForm Movement Arts
(310) 367-1303

Designer fragrances to chickens' feet

I love where I live. Right above Downtown L.A.'s Grand Central Market. You can get anything there. The place is mostly a combination of produce stalls and dry goods stands with various lunch counters sprinkled throughout. Today I went downstairs for a yummy vegetarian Thai meal. On my way through the market, I passed a falafel and kebab shop and stopped just shy of the pizza joint next to my Thai food destination. But that's not all GCM has to offer. There's a stall devoted to Chinese massage (chair and table), two bakeries, a florist, a liquor store, a deli, a coffee shop, a couple jewelry/gift/key copying spots, a currency exchange, and in the basement, a 99-cents and up store. Of course, there's also the perfume shop and the butcher.