you know I was hoping, that I could leave this star-crossed world behind...

I'm trying to fit a month's worth of clothes and amenities into a backpack and rolly suitcase... This is gonna be a toughie! Half of it needs to be empty so I can smuggle some souvenirs aka. baby koalas and coral reef species back home. Even though I'm tight on space, I refuse to leave behind my massive journal, which I carried through all my collegiate travels. It weights 5 lbs, but it'll be worth it when I jot down my adventures blustering through the rain forests and drinking Foster's on the Outback while waiting for kangaroo meat to finish roasting on the Barbie so I can top it off with some Vegemite. At least I think that's what Australians do...

There were lots of sacrafices to make this trip happen, including a secure job at an IBank, time for grad school apps, reflective moments to figure out the looming future, my mother's complacency and her assurance of my sanity (actually, don't think she ever had that), responsible adult life, and basically... stability.

But hey, no guts no glory! --is what I tell myself to feel better about this semi-reckless, I-can-barely-afford-it trip.

These last two months since finishing UCLA have been semi-hellish. Well OK, they've been ridiculously fun and I've filled up all my time by industriously playing way too hard for a technically "unemployed" post-grad. But along the way, I sort of lost track of things and shifted into high gear without realizing I was heading for a cataclysmic last couple of weeks. Sure in these last two months I drank, ate, danced, frolicked, swat away nagging tugs at my conscience... but I also worked hard, 5 days a week, at what I thought were carvings of a clearer path for the future days to come. But I'm not exactly sure what the result of that is now.

I had devoted almost half my college career to Econ and torturous accounting classes, the other half to ridiculously fun but pointless English classes, and flirted with journalism through stints at Daily Bruin, LA Times, LA Mag, and KCET... but even so, for these last two months outside the comforting, padded walls of an institution, I haven't really have a solid sense of direction. And it may have been extremely fun, but it was also... internally tumultuous. So I'm glad I have this time off to get away and "find myself" (yes I said 'find myself'', don't roll your eyes at me!). I'm really not some broody, beanie-wearing, no-one-understands-me, what-is-my-purpose-in-life, lost soul. But these may be the signs of a quarter-life crisis? Only mildly though. But Geebus, how many times can you have those before you reach your mid-life crisis??

I'm burned out from working for and thinking about things that I'm not really sure matters, and I miss the travel flowing through my veins. And that high from falling head over heels with someplace completely unexpected, and having those rosy specs plastered over my eyes for the longest time. I guess my perspective has gradually worsened since Europe. I'm gonna get me some new ones!

So this blog begins with Europe and ends with Australia. It's been a good run, blogger!

Hostels, new friends and adventures, memories, cultures, miles and miles of un-traversed roads, here we go again...

WORLD, I'VE MISSED YOU!

like an apple on the tree, hiding out behind the leaves, I was difficult to reach, but

A Fine Frenzy @ The El Rey Theater

Pretty sure she had her O-face on when she played the piano yesterday... but I would too, the music is orgasmic :)

But if you really want the (semi) well-articulated, PG-version of what I think, it'll be up on Los Angeles Magazine Spyglass in a few days. It will be my first for LA Mag cuz I was supposed to cover the Jay-Z concert but writing Grad school apps seemed a bit more important. Just a weee bit. So I was looking at my bank acct lately... maybe I spend a little too much money on concerts? OH WELL. Btw, December issue of LA Mag out across news stands (but ask me and I'll get you one for free!)

Here's Landon Pigg, who's sweet but clearly got a little too comfortable with his beer while backstage

This song gives me goosebumps:

I'm never gonna get over you

The last time Jason Reeves came to play in LA was over a year ago (with Jon McLaughlin, talk about an epic show!), but I was on my way out of the country so I couldn't go. It was tragic. Now that he finally came back to play at my favorite venue, Hotel Cafe, I only managed to catch the last 2 songs. Bummer deal. Guess it wasn't meant to be... which is too bad cuz he's amazing

His new song Wishing Weed is swoon-worthy :)

Wishing Weed [Acoustic Version] - Jason Reeves

His oldies but goodies:

Reaching:

Reaching. (Album Version) - Jason Reeves

And you know I'm fine, But I hear those voices at night sometimes...

The last two days have had their acmes and their nadirs (GRE words!). But let's not talk about the lows.

My internship at Los Angeles Magazine requires a ton of time -and a soso amount of dedication. From the outside with my nose pressed against the glass, I thought this magazine was flawless. Now I'd say that it's still pretty flawless, but there are surprising and disappointing little details that I've slowly discovered within these last 2 days. But I still respect this magazine a lot. And even though they've had just about a billion "Best of LA" issues and half a billion "Food Lover's Guide to LA" ones, I guess the novelty never wears out because LA is constantly changing, and that's why it's beautiful to write about this city. The magazine has been around since the 1960's. I had to work with really old issues on my first day, so I got to see how the magazine has evolved from one that was extremely politically oriented, to eventually becoming more arts and culture oriented, to one that is now more or less directed at sybarites (GRE again!) and how to maximize their hedonistic lifestyles.

Magazine life really is as organic as it seems, compared to corporate 9-6's. First of all, hours here are 10AM -6PM, if even that. On Wednesday (my first day), first thing my editor said to me, "I'm not really a stickler for time. If you come in late, it's fine. Just let me know if you're gonna be really late." Last thing my editor said to me before I left, "I'll probably be in late tomorrow." :]

And luckily for me, our building is right across from LACMA so I can just jump over and buy coffee for lunch, and peruse the gift shop because that's kinda like a mini, free version of the actual museum right?

Anyway, this internship is turning out to be pretty awesome! If there's an event I want to go to, I just propose to cover it and then get tickets for FREE! So my mission for next week is to propose "The Swell Season". Don't judge me, why shouldn't I milk this?!?

Some pretty cool things about LA I stumbled upon while working:

Remember the guy who did this Sarah Palin effigy a while back during the election at his West Hollywood home and caused a huge squabble?

Well I got to talk to him today! ChadMichael Morrisette (yes that is his name), the professional Window Display Designer (ohhhh now the whole "hanging mannequin" setup makes sense!) was very cordial and accommodating, and well, perky!

Mark Laita is a photographer who has been working on a series called Created Equal since 2002. He travels across the US and takes pictures, putting together diptychs of contrasting (or maybe complementing) characters. These photos really deserve multiple looks. They're ironic, sad, funny, and shocking. Really makes you think... He'll be at the Fahey Klein Gallery from Dec to Jan, for those interested. Here are a few:

Polygamists/Pimp

Nuns/Prostitutes

Fur Trapper/Woman with Dog

Halloween was Epic!

it was fun to be home again

I've been pondering a lot lately about the future, especially since I've been skipping around my career options for the last 2 months. Would it be scary to start from scratch? All over from the very beginning? Personally, I don't think it's ever too late for anything. No matter how crazy it is. Hmm... am I being vague? Well what else is new. It should all come together in a few months, when I come back from my hiatus in Aussieland.

The future looks bright : )

future room in future apartment

big BIG windows

painted walls

minus the ugly pillows on that bed

KCET internship is fureeeaking AWESOME!!! I got to watch the in-studio filming of The Tavis Smiley show, where he interviewed Ron Paul, Bob Herbert (NY Times Business Columnist), Anthony Edwards (ER!), and Andy Williams, who wrote "Moon River" (so I guess the lyricals from my header is courtesy of him and not Holly Golightly). It's extremely intimate, and the only people present are Tavis and the interviewee, some camera ppl, the producer, director and a few technical peeps. It's an entirely testosterone-filled room except for me and my supervisor. Here's Tavis and his Smiley self:

It's kinda funny to see what goes on on-set when the camera turns off. The make-up lady practically attacks Tavis Smiley's face from the moment he's out of the spotlight, and a mirror is obsessively held up to make sure his hair is ok (in case his buzz cut abruptly decides to go haywire). But besides the slightly abundant narcissism, it's so respectable how he handles his presence on camera. I could never do that. There was one moment when he was joking with the producer and everyone was laughing, but right when the camera turned on and he had to say his lines, he immediately turned off the hoopla and handled it like a gangsta. It seems like one of the best jobs in the world, to be able to talk to such prominent people everyday. He's considered by Time Magazine to be one of the '100 most influential people'... but sadly enough, I've never heard of him until this internship. He interviews celebrities as well, but mostly politicians, authors, artists, other big movers and shakers. The only sad part about this internship is that I MISSED HIS INTERVIEW WITH THE SWELL SEASON!!! They were IN STUDIO, on Monday!!! BUMMY BUMMERSONNN IM BUMMED.

KCET is the oldest running lot in LA and they shoot tons of random footage stuff here (esp note for the Grey's Anatomy fans!). The people here are so friendly! And everyone is my age-ish, which is a nice change of scenery from the 40-something Jewish men that dominate Blumberg Ribner. And plus they have snacks strewn around the office everywhere. Also, did I mention it is about 2 blocks away from Intelligentsia?!? Another reason to get here early in the morning: Best coffee in LA!

Every time I mention a prospective future at J-school, I get a whole slew of depressing factoids from new acquaintances. So according to a new sympathizer, jobs in journalism are obviously dying but J-school applicants are increasing(?). And I thought I was the only crazy one... but I guess the list just grows. But I have faith that journalism will transition from print to the Internet, instead of simply becoming extinct. Definitely not smoothly, and most probably in a kicking, biting, screaming, grappling way, with a legion of casualties, but writing WILL survive!

Anyway, I am pleasantly surprised by this internship. I have zero experience in broadcasting, and before this, I had zero interest. But now it all seems really intriguing, and I really have no idea what to expect. We shall see!

transition

time to transition to word press? hmmm seems like the evolutionarily proper thing to do.

ever since I've moved home, all my clothes have kinda just been jam packed into my closet. I guess I could be considered a pack rat... i have way too much STUFF for an average person. maybe even borderline... ok probably SEVERLY excessive. I should organize. It'd probably help with the clutter upstairs too. And by upstairs I mean in my head. When I move into my own apt someday, I would love to have a proper closet that actually fits everything. I don't think it's asking for much... maybe just something that looks like this:

Then I can just sleep in it and be happy forever and ever.

I feel like I'm in a transition state again. like I'm in between big things, moving towards that pinnacle but very, tortuously slooooowly. It's not that I'm waiting on Australia, just a restlessness bug. Restless of right now. These moments.

Speaking of Australia, maybe I should warn my boss(es) that I'm leaving for Australia in 6 weeks... might be a good idear?

Since I'm home more often now, I've been trying to hunt down gastronomic hideouts around this humble little town. This weekend I went to Cook's Tortas, which happens to be on S. Atlantic Blvd, right before Atlantic Square. I've probably driven past it a bajillion times and never gave it a second glance, which is a shame because it's gotta be one of the most adorable places in East LA/Mpk. It's completely unpretentious on the outside, but inside looks like it should belong in Silver Lake or Culver City or some artsy fartsy hipster neighborhood. Plus they have awesome drinks like "Watermelon/Mint" and "Celery/Lime" that looks absolutely refreshing!





So a torta is basically a Mexican sandwich that OD-ed on mayo. I think in this case, though, they skimped on the mayo to save all of our cholesterols, since most of us don't have the artery capacity of a massive Hispanic luchador. I cannot imagine finishing the other half of that sandwich in one sitting.

Ok this sounds completely creepy but ever since I friended my professor on FB, he shows up on my newsfeed since he constantly updates the world about his 3 yr old son. And how do I know his son is 3 (and named Gibson)? Shut up, I'm not a stalker! Anyway, if you know me at all, I have never, ever, in all of my existence, ever desired a nuclear family, nor harnessed maternal instincts of any kind. I'm more of a "I'll take care of ME ME ME and you can go screw yourself if you even ask me to share half of my oreo with you" kind of person. Being a baby mama has never really been a goal of mine, and I may adopt someday but that's kinda like signing a death certificate.

But watching my professor's videos of his son and wife... it almost makes me reconsider. Maybe, there's just a minuscule ounce of possibility that having a precious, darling, and sometimes psychotic little kid and a loving partner who basically worships you (and likewise), isn't the worst thing in the world. Watching them is too heart-melting... it almost makes me want to say, "I want that someday!" Almost. But I'm also aware that my professor's family is just one lucky, very rare example that worked, out of the trillion that fail. So... I'm not a creep for watching his family videos, am I? Am I? Am I? Am I? AM I?!?

Anyway like I said, I'm in a transitional phase. Lack of substance in this post duly noted. Peace out 'till it's over!

I'm still feelin the rain fall

yet another up-and coming(?) singer/songwriter that I would love to see live:

Holly Conlan

VEGAS WAS FUN :O) time to recuperate.

I have a huge urge to run away and open my own cozy cafe filled with books and flowers and big windows and colorful walls and space to paint and delicious (and healthy) treats and coffee that doesn't screw up your heart rate, and bask in warm sunlight and chat the afternoons away with friends and customers.

Can you say...

Just a tad depressing?!?

“I was 22 or 23 when I made a decision not to be actively Hamlet-like and miserable in my daily life, and the decision helped a lot. Living vitally is not easier than living morbidly — it’s just better.”

-Stephen Colbert, Rolling Stone (September)

life of a professional gallivanter: day 1

AND SISSY'S 24TH BIRTHDAY!!!

So after I went to my job interview for a "writer/researcher" position at the Beller Nutritional Institute, I felt pretty defeated and also like I made the biggest mistake of my life rejecting the Bank of NY Mellon job. Beller Nutritional Institute is an institute that supposedly prevents cancer through research and preventative dieting. Or at least that's what the description said when I applied for it, and I was semi-excited to do something productive part-time, like researching and writing for a legitimate scientific center that saves lives.

But here's what happens to people who have expectations:

Firstly, the lady kept me there for 3 hours because she wanted to do a trial run to see if I would be a good fit. And that's when I found out that it is not really a cancer research/prevention center at all, but more like a Beverly-Hills-high-profile-celebrity-focused-dietitian facility, where celebs and rich folk who want to lose weight and look good before going on the red carpet come to her for advice. Secondly, there was no writing at all, what-so-ever, for the next 3 hours. Oh, except I guess when she wanted me to re-word/organize her thoughts for a slightly angry e-mail to some company that misused her name for a dieting program. Yes, staunch, hardcore journalism. Thirdly, I spent the rest of the day saying "Beller Institute, Stephanie speaking, how can I help you?" and constructing a daily dietary intake schedule for some girl who hates broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, and every other vegetable you can think of.

Needless to say, at the end of the "interview", I was like... this is what I gave up a high-paying pointless job for? An even MORE pointless job that pays shit? I am a fickle, temperamental brat, so I couldn't do it. Yes she has a degree in nutrition, she wrote books on healthy eating, she's a big deal with big time clients. It was just a weeeeee bit misleading to title a receptionist job (which was exactly what it was) "writer/research" position.

I mean, I already rejected a crappy travel writing job whose "office" actually turned out to be an old house in North Hollywood, whose writers never actually really traveled anywhere, and a readership whose ideas of "exciting travel writing" consists of maximizing cruise ship luggage space, and getting more leg room on an economy-class flight to Las Vegas.

And so I thought it would be amusing for the next couple blog entries to document all the trials/errors of my failed job attempts. Wouldn't it be darkly comedic to see me, a person who is apparently not meant to be content with any kind of job because of my high expectations and exasperating need for a purpose in life, wander from interview to interview never being satisfied? Well I thought it would have been a good experimental mini-project that I may compile into something titled "See how many times it takes a hopeless optimist to get disheartened, disappointed, and squashed down before she becomes jaded and disillusioned enough to settle for reality, and understand what the real world, real jobs, real life, is really like."

But lucky for me, I'm an avid believer of opportunities, potentials, and happy endings, and I guess I wasn't meant to waste my time like that... as wonderfully promising as that road sounds. Cross my fingers, I might be employed soon in a part-time job I'm actually very excited about, and may actually (grudgingly) enjoy :] but I'm scared of jinxing it so I'll keep it on the dl. Plus, I contacted my awesome LA Times boss and asked if I could come back for a few days out of the week. Unpaid, yes, but those 10 hrs/wk of writing may actually get me a good letter of rec, some more substantial writing, and... maybe even change my title from "intern" to "contributor"!!! No? Pushing my luck?

Anyway, I hope all will go well!!! Maybe when you take risks, do what you love, do what you want, things have to fall in the dumps before they start looking brighter! And a whole new slew of opportunities seem to be waiting on me to give them a shot, opportunities I've always wanted to pursue but didn't have time to try out, or even have time to learn more about. I made the right choice. And I know this because I slept for the first time in ages last night. My brain shut up for once and I got a legitimate 8 hours without yapping, nagging voices. And I closed my eyes knowing that everything is going to be A-OK.

Oh yes, and I need to start GREs, amongst many other things. And Frank Bruni spoke for the Writers Bloc today and I completely forgot and missed it! and the left side of my face is still numb from a gi-normous cavity filling today. Who says being unemployed is easy?

I just rejected a $48k job and I would love to say it feels one hundred percent spectacular, but honestly part of me regrets the security I would have had, the money I could have used to pay off my loans, and that spot on my resume I need to fill with something substantial. And I can't help feeling that way, it's just the nasty, lingering aftertaste of a missed opportunity. It took me two weeks of agonizing, countless sleepless hours, Mobius thoughts, "but what if's" and "maybe I could's". But... I thought about it a billion, trillion times, imagined every scenario possible of me sitting there all day looking at arbitrary numbers and financial statements that don't matter... things I couldn't care about and couldn't see a purpose in, interacting with the same people doing the same things every single day, and I couldn't do it. No matter what I just couldn't see myself being happy, even if I could buy every drink in the world to ease the pain, and every dress on the rack to look good while doing it. And even if I don't get into graduate school, I just couldn't see this path playing out in any way that would be even satisfactory. I know everybody says that a job is a job is a job and nothing more. But I guess it takes a lot to make me happy and maybe you'll see me pay the consequences for it.

But I have this feeling that no matter how hard these next couple months will be, with no steady income, no stable 9-5, no sense of solid direction... everything will be rosy. or at least rosier than it would have been.

New Day :0)

it's gonna be that kind of week

New Slang (Album) - The Shins

got lifted

Saw JOHN LEGEND and INDIA ARIE at the Greek Theater, with surprise guest Estelle!!! AMAZING! Even with the really awkward couple sitting in front of us and a semi-beer fight. India Arie has a soulful, uplifting vibe that holds its presence live, and she even brought her mom out to sing and it was so precious and almost made me teary but I DID NOT CRY because I am not a weak little pansy. John Legend has tremendous energy... and that voice is WOW. Besides B. Spears, this is the only other large concert I've been to, and one of the few where I wasn't at least 5 feet from the performer. We were sitting all the way at the wee top, but that did nothing to lessen the smooth, flowing, soulful melodies of his voice :) Not to mention it was also the blend of a perfect summer night outdoors with warm (ashy) air and griffith park trees creating the perfect backdrop to a smaller, cozier version of the Hollywood Bowl.

And to top it all off, I got ridiculously lucky and found free parking, J. Legend sang every great song ever like Slow Dance, Save Room, and Alright, including an encore of the claim to fame Ordinary People, AND he ended the night with my favorite John Legend song of ALL TIME "Stay with You", which was never a hit or single, but maybe his own favorite too?

Stay With You - John Legend

The night definitely obliterated that banging headache I had due to a problem... that I'd rather just forget about. Forgotten! Oh, the wonders of music!

needs to put that first 30 seconds on repeat

is it september yet?

"Delicious autumn!
My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

and now for ANOTHER to-do list!

Jonathan Gold's 99 Essential LA restaurants... geebus and the yet-undone continues to grow

"Does he know you love him?"

"Of course."

I paused. The obstacle seemed unreal to me.

"If you love him," I said, "you'll love somebody else someday.”

"Neurotic, ha!" I let out a scornful laugh.
"If neurotic is wanting two mutually exclusive things at one and the same time, then I'm neurotic as hell. I'll be flying back and forth between one mutually exclusive thing and another for the rest of my days."

"The streets of London have their map; but our passions are uncharted. What are you going to meet if you turn this corner?"

I remember being naively optimistic during my early college years when I thought that I could be anything I wanted, do anything I liked, and all the pieces would just fit together and tick along like rotating gears in a clock. First I wanted to be an architect, and then I didn't. Then I was set on being a travel writer, thinking that I could actually travel the world on someone elses' wallet and all I'd have to do was write about it. And there'd be a naturally captivated audience at my fingertips, because I could turn words into magic, even if writing about a banal pile of rocks at the edge of a Coors Lite white-sand beach. Now that I'm technically "graduated", the real world is mowing my wildly rampant expectations down like a bulldozer. And those rose-colored glasses? Shattered a long ways ago.

I'm starting to rethink a lot of the plans I made when I was still safely secure behind my books, papers, and CLICC lab computers even just a few months ago. If I go to live in Australia and play and play and play and maybe work a little but all the while still playing, what will I do when I come back? Can I just jump smoothly onto the career train like I never got off? Won't people look at my resume and think... wtf did you do that year? If I get into graduate school, how will I afford it with the already hovering slabs of student loans above my head? Or even worse, what if I DON'T get into graduate school... what will I do then? What if I don't want to get my PhD, what will I do with a useless MA in English? What if I'm stuck in LA forever, and never get to relocate to even as close as NYC? Would I really have to get a 9-5? Or at the lowest pond-scum point, what if I CAN'T even get a desk job and am stuck moping around for who knows how long? What if I can't shake this noose of uncertainty and apprehension from around my neck, and the knot just slowly tightens itself with each day past, until...?

All I've ever wanted was to not have a giant wall ahead of me, to have a clear, open road, winding freely and endlessly to an existential wonderland. But now I can't see the paving anymore. The road just ends at my feet while I stare confoundedly out onto a dry, vacant space. I guess that obviously means I have to pave the road myself. but what if I really don't know where I'm going? or what if I can't go anywhere at all?

I think this "life is a road" Robert Frost metaphore is starting to get old. Don't you think?

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well

~Virginia Woolf~

Whether I've been doing the previous three are questionable, but I've definitely been dining well. In the last two weeks, I've eaten out almost every day. "How do you afford it on a poor college student's income of $0/hr?!?" you might ask. Well, you know those yelp ratings? I never go anywhere that doesn't have just one "$" sign. Maybe "$$" when it's real special. And you know those things called happy hours? I abuse them to no end. Those happy hours that start at 10:00 pm on a Sunday night that no one else will ever possibly take advantage of? Well, I'm there! I've had some failures, but success is oh-so-delicious! It's summer after all, what else would you be doing? At least that's my excuse. I guess you could be doing a lot besides becoming a fat ass. Ok, so I'm a hedonist, I ain't denying it! Here are some of the places worth checking out, cuz I have a camera now:

25 Degrees (Hollywood)

Smack in the middle of the tacky end of Hollywood Blvd

inside the Roosevelt Hotel

Happy Hour: 3-7pm everyday;

better for drinks, not so much for food

known for their burgers but we didn't have any. $12?!

Who do they think they are, Father's Office??

but their $2 sweet potato fries are piled-on worthy! Even if served with ketchup and mustard...

And yes, that is a GUINNESS MILKSHAKE!!!

The milkshake shakedown is officially over,

and this one takes the Gold!

Bodega Wine Bar (Santa Monica, picture stolen from Jo):

Happy Hour: Everyday from 4-6, and Sundays all day

half-off wine by the glass, and selected appetizers

PS. the bruchetta sucks

cheese platter looks promising

Cabo Cantina!!! (Wilshire, exclamations not in name)

awesome crowd and environment, constantly packed

Taco Tuesdays: $4.99 for all-you-can-eat tacos

Happy Hour: 4-8pm buy one get one drinks

They basically have some kinda deal every single day,

aka. foot-long burrito Weds.

Scoops (somewhere near downtown LA)

Cute little ice cream shop near Downtown in shady neighborhood, but worth the possible drive-bys

Unique flavors like Brown Bread (I think it's the most popular), Black Sesame, Peanut Butter and Wine, Pistachio and Cream Cheese, and Guinness Chocolate (BUT THEY WERE OUT!!!)

Pure Luck Restaurant (across from Scoops)

important note: VEGAN (I know why did I even bother)

looks sooooo shady outside but ADORABLE inside, like a little hipster hide-away

great beer selection

YUMMY sweet potato fries (the sauce pairing adds the OOMPH)

fusion foods with America, Mexican, Indian, etc...

Lots of Jackfruit, Beans and Tofu... things that herbivores eat

Blu Jam Cafe (Melrose)

Daily Breakfast Special (8-11AM)

All breakfast plates $7.95

So filling and delicious... great for hangovers AND sober days

Cozy/artsy atmosphere, interesting crowd, AMAZING potatoes

Easy to find street parking

Vienna Cafe (Melrose)

SWEETEST WAIT STAFF EVER!!!

Olive Oil dip and bread in the beginning is easily worth the trip

GIANT PERK: FREE BREAD TO TAKE HOME

they literally give you a bag of bread fresh from their bakery, rolls or loaves, to take home at the end of your meal. And they're gargantuan and generous.

The Steak Sandwich looks gross but is SO DELICIOUS and gooey

Chicken Sandwich with guacamole, etc.

all bread is fresh from the oven, so they recommend sandwiches

More Than Waffles (Encino)

HANDS DOWN MY NEW FAVORITE BREAKFAST PLACE because

1. Most precious atmosphere ever, like you're transported back to the South

2. Every single thing on the menu looks good

3. Omelet is stuffed to the max AND comes with golden waffles

4. Sweet, sweet vanilla Coffee

5. Is hidden in a deserted, sad little commercial mall

6. Gabrielle Union and Essence Atkins brunch here (we have proof!)

The Well (Hollywood)

GREAT Happy Hour: 5-9pm weekdays

$3 well drinks, $5 beers, half off appetizers (which are yummy but heart-attack inducing)

Hot n' Dirty Martinis are ZINGERS... basically hot sauce with a dry martini

Innovative drinks, but only for the strong-stomached and courageously-palleted

And there you have it! The hits of my excursions in the last 2ish wks. These are places I would definitely go back to! But only after a DD miraculously appears in our lives!