This week in honor of my trip to LA, I've complied a list of things I'm smitten with from home. Next week, I'll be blogging about the second part of my trip to the city by the bay, San Francisco. Enjoy!
In and Out Burger
Except for a brief stint as a vegetarian in high school, I have always been the characteristic carnivore. As any good meat eater does, I LOVE a good burger. For me, In and Out has cornered the market on the fast food variety. Besides the fact that it's laden with childhood memories of my father treating me to a double-double, In and Out is just darn good. A family owned operation they use only the freshest ingredients. 100% pure beef patties made at their own facility, hand-leafed lettuce, ripe and juicy tomatoes, fries cut directly from the potato before cooking (it's true, I've seen it right before my eyes). No microwaves, no freezers, no heat lamps EVER, and it's a difference you can taste. Sadly, I can only get my fix when I'm home in Cali or traveling through Nevada, Utah, or Arizona, they've yet to infiltrate the east coast. Their menu is simple, order either hamburger or cheeseburger, if you're hungry a double-double, fries, and a hand -poured shake. Locals know about their secret menu (which it turns out is not so secret and is posted on their site). I order mine Animal Style: with pickles, extra sauce, and grilled onions. Yummo.
http://www.in-n-out.com/default.asp
TIKI-TI
I lived in Silverlake on the east-side of LA for 10 years. Once I discovered this tiny whole in the wall, you couldn't keep me away. Born in 1961 to Ray Buhen in a former violin shop on Sunset Blvd, the TIKI-TI is a neighborhood institution serving classic tiki drinks, some originated back in the 30's.Today the TIKI looks almost the same as it did back in the 60's and is survived by Ray's son and now grandson. The drinks are mostly rum based, my favorite is the classic Mai Tai, but if you order the a Blood & Sand or the Uga Booga the bar erupts in cacophony of cheers. If you want a good hang-over order the Zombie and pray that you won't wake up a zombie yourself! Go early (it's tiny and get packed), check the calendar (the bar is closed when the owners are on vacation), drink slowly (these are expensive, but STRONG), and bring cash (they don't take cards). inu a'e! Drink up!
http://www.tiki-ti.com/pages/home.html
Zumba
My best friend from High School and I have reconnected after years of being apart (thanks facebook). Now when I come home to Orange County we spend time together fanning the flames of our once ashen friendship. This trip she had planned for us to take a 2 hour Zumba class. Zumba, combines all styles of Latin dance (ie: Salsa, Merengue, and Mambo) with other dance styles such as Hip-Hop, Belly Dance, and Reggaeton into a cardio frenzied workout. Being a former professional dancer, I thought I dancing for 2 hours would be a breeze, wrong! That Zumba stuff is HARD! Most classes, held in gyms or at dance studios nationwide, are 50-60minutes in length (not the marathon length class Khristina and I took) and burn upwards of 500 calories (we made sure to have desert after ours to replenish). I was sweating, huffing and puffing after 20 minutes. Shaking my bootie off literally! It was so much fun it didn't seem like a workout at all. I enjoyed it so much I may even look for a class in my neck of the woods...stay tuned!
Chop Chop
About 8 years ago, living in LA, I was looking for a new hairstylist. My good friend, facial-ist, and client Akiko suggested I try her friend Darin. Darin, or Darin Birchler, is the owner and head stylist of Chop Chop Salon on La Brea. Two parts salon, one part gallery, Chop Chop is a laid back, un-artificial oasis of locks. Originating from San Francisco, Darin's put in his time at various salons as well as in the freelance world of photo shoots, commercials, and music videos up and down the California coast. When I sit in his chair, I have complete confidence that I will leave with a hot modern haircut- a look I longed for because everything Darin does is magic. One of the first things I do when I hit the ground in LA is make a bee-line right for his sissors, and although I've auditioned other stylists, I still haven't found anyone in New York that compares. This visit he left me with a cute, a-symmetrical short-ish, but sure to grow out, crop as well as expertly placed highlights by his colorist in crime Chelsea. Chop Chop your mop and you won't be disapointed.
http://chopchopsalon.com/main.html
Sawdust Festival
Almost every summer since I was 5 my family has vacationed in Laguna Beach, CA. That visit wasn't complete without a trip to the annual Sawdust Festival. Since it's inception in the 60's, the non-for-profit organization has supported and promoted the work of local Laguna artists. All artists are actual residents of Laguna and build the festival village booths with their own hands. Over the years I have collected many treasures I discovered at the festival. Jewelry, pottery, art. It's a saw dust covered maze of hand crafted works and workshops galore. Enjoy live entertainment and food while filling your shoes with saw flooring. Trust me, it's worth getting a little dirty for.
