06.2024
Another month, another trip back across the country to a perfectly sunny Los Angeles. This time for a family trip. Old haunts and new discoveries. Retracing steps from a former life. Reimagining what a current life might be on the west coast. Back in New York, it is the early days of summer. Knowing the rest of summer would be heavy on travel, this was the month to relish the best of a New York summer. Afternoons spent looking at art and walking the sidewalks of the city. The longer days mean more time for leisure, and we’re definitely in summer mode.
west coast wanders
One more time walking the hills of Westwood, circling around for street parking, climbing up and down the many many many stairs of this campus. One more time walking through Kerckhoff, remembering long nights in the dungeon of a newsroom inside. One more time admiring the views of this institution that once was my world.
East side, west side. Long drives down the boulevards that cross the city. Things I miss about LA, that I took for granted until I moved to a concrete jungle. The access to the ocean vistas, and the hills to get a clear (or hazy) look at the city. For a little bit, one could fantasize, romanticize trading walks around the block and zips underground through a city buzzing with energy with this eased pace of life, where you hop into a car to run an errand, but also have the freedom of stopping to admire the view.
culture fix
Two coasts, and a lot of art. A sunny afternoon spent at LACMA. Funny that I’ve been here twice since moving away from LA, but never in my many years in California.
Back in New York, another visit to the Met, specifically to go to the roof. Because we love some outdoor sculptures and we love the view of the city from here.
A first visit to Salon 94. Tiktok fame. But to be honest worth the hype. I’ll take any excuse to sit in an expansive townhouse surrounded by art. Sitting on a bench, catching up with a friend. Admiring the light coming in through the windows. What I love about this city.
kendrick’s juneteenth concert will forever be my roman empire. in LA of course, but even Brooklyn identifies as West Coast now.
an album played on repeat. very different. but cathartic in a different way.
NEW FIND
Larchmont Village looks a little different these days. Still maintaining the quaint small town neighborhood feel with small shops and cafes and restaurants, but a lot of new players on the few blocks, including Suá, a new superette and cafe that features curated pantry goods and snacks and Asian-inspired lunch fare.
good bites
I think I eat better on the west coast.
A: Tacos 1986: an easy choice for any time of the day
B: Golden Deli: forever my craving, and worth driving out just for the meal
C: Sapp Coffee Shop: go to no frills thai restaurant that i miss the most
D: Pasta Sisters: nothing special, but that’s usually what we need. plus good parking
E: Artelice: still unmatched, even when eaten on paper plates outside a strip mall
F: Botanica: first time sitting on the patio and the perfect brunch spread
G: Telegrama: new cafe, and excellent post hike lunch
H: Clark Street: baked goods + kale salad is a new format we can get behind
I: All’Antico: first time having this sandwich in America, it slaps
J: Bigg Chill: still one of my favorite spots in the city, and an obligatory west side stop
New and old favorites. Quarter Sheets lived up to the hype (and the slab cake lives up to the pizza). Friends & Family’s pastry spread is a familiar sight for sore eyes. And a great lunch spot that takes me back to a different life, many years and many jobs ago.
Few things would bring me to Brentwood, but I suppose when celebrating on the west side, it’s worth the scene. And Teleferic delivered a more than solid dinner of Spanish delight. Can never say no to paella.
camera roll
this
art
i miss the pch
art
dinner with an old friend
and more art