Happy 2nd Anniversary

It's been 2 years since I started this blog. I love posting and wish it was my full-time job. It gives me a chance to talk about the places I go for entertainment, food and life in general. It has also given me a creative outlet to post some of the many pictures I take. I know there are only a few loyal readers and I appreciate all your comments and posts. Keep em coming.
So this anniversary I took the opportunity to do something in L.A. that I've wanted to do for a very long time. I went to see a movie at the Hollywood Cemetery. I know, sounds odd, it is, but it was honestly the best thing I've ever done in L.A. This past Saturday they played the movie "East of Eden," with James Dean. Really the movie is just bonus. I had so much fun up till the movie I would have been happy even if they hadn't shown it.
Here's how it works. You line up in front of the gates before they open up at 7:30. This isn't your usual line. It's on the grass area in front of the cemetery. Only things is you plop down on the grass and break out your lawn chair or blanket, uncork (or unscrew) your bottle of wine and get to sippin. If only you could do this waiting in line for a ride at Disneyland. You Pay $10 to see the movie, walk on through the cemetary, not on the graves, on a road. Then plop yourself either in the middle, blankets only, or on the sides, blankets and low lawn chairs. We had chairs so we took to the right side. This is where the low tables, candles and the eating get started. These guys came prepare, at night the table was lit with candlelites. We took a quick run to my favorite Italian deli, Bay Cities in Santa Monica. My Turkey sandwhich with all the fixings was delish, as usual.

A DJ spins music till it get's nice a dark.
This evening we had a great DJ spinning groovy tunes. As it get's darker they start projecting old movie posters on the mausoleum wall. At about 8:50PM it was tribute to Farrah Fawcett, old classic movies. At 8:55PM the DJ spun a tribute to the King of Pop. Everyone got up and started dancing in the dark. Favorite quote of the evening, "Danieeellll, for god sakes get up it's the King of Pop." (That's Daniel below, never met, but thought it was funny)Movie starts at 9PM, James Dean's first movie and you see him ooze with talent. Your under the stars, those that you can see, we counted about 2 and the moon was glowed behind us. It gets damp on the grass at night so make sure you bring lots of layers. Oh and just so you know you aren't sitting on anyone's grave, your purely on grass and dirt. Bathrooms are porta potties...go early, if you know what I mean. Movie is over at 11PM and you pack up and walk out. My tip is park on the street, the poor folks who paid $5 to park in the cemetery had a long wait to get out as all us pedestrians wound our way through the walkways.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monice Blvd at Gower

Intelligentsia - Venice Coffee Bar

Finally I got to visit this place. The other SoCal location is in Silver Lake, but I never get that way, so I was super happy it opened on Abbot Kinney in Venice.

Though it took a while for them to open the space is modern and cool

The barista's take there time and are very attentive to each and every guest, so it's not for someone in a hurry. As you can see in the guest book above a few people left because it was too slow. The line on Saturday was out to the door to the sidewalk. Meanwhile Abbot's Habit was very quiet, I would be really upset if that placed closed because on Intelligentsia. But it's the new spot, so we all want to check it out.

I do have to say the coffee is really good and the pour is art in itself.

If you have the time check it out.

The croissant and chocolate almond brioche were delish.

If you don't have the time to visit the artful coffeebar then run down the street to Abbot's Habit. There you can check out the art on the wall, drink a cup-o-joe, order a tofu muffin (seriously good) or some Rosemary Toast and sit outside with the local's and their canine friends.

Intellgentsia Venice Coffeebar
1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291

La Grande Orange

I think I'm addicted to the color "Orange." I regularly read L.A.'s Daily Candy and get the weekend updates on things to do in L.A. So for literally 5 days I had been trying to go to the new Intellentgensia Coffee shop on, you guessed it, Abbot Kinney. Well they must have delays to get it opened despite the promotion on Daily Candy. So C and I took a Tuesday detour to another place I have yet to try, La Grande Orange on Main Street in Santa Monica.

This place is always packed at night but when we drive by in the morning we parked right in front and walked in the dining room which was pretty cool even though it was a bit dark for morning. They have only been open about 2 weeks at this point.

It was not what we had in mind for a cup of coffee and a small breakfast.

However, we were directed to walk down this way (see above)

Once we got to the other side we said "aaaah" ok this is better.
Pastries and coffees a galore.
We ate in the dark dining room and they brought us our coffee.

I had a Havana latte, and believe it or not I added sugar in it before tasting it. Seriously what kind of Cuban am I if I can't remember that a Havana (should be spelled Habana) latte's (or Cafe con leche) has LOADS of sugar. Seriously with the coffee and my amazing scone I was having a sugar rush.

Check out the blackberries in this scone. Mega berry.

Outdoor patio with you guessed it

,
Orange umbrellas.

C loved this place so much she back that night for dinner and said it was amazing.

La Grande Orange
2000 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-9152

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