teeth, audio books, eating out., farmer's market

We ate at Kitchen 24 the other night with the kids. Drew hates Fred 62 (except for the Ty Cobb) so we're always trying to find an alternative. This might just be it. A really good burger & fries, a few nice salads and believe it or not: a Monte Christo Sandwich which combines Maud's three favorite foods - ham, cheese and french toast. A side of syrup and she thought she'd died and gone to heaven.

Stylish and whimsical atmosphere, friendly service, big booths and a full bar (!) would have been enough....but they also have Anchor Steam. And a candy counter.
Kitchen 24
1608 n. cahuenga blvd.
hollywood 90028
465.2424
http://kitchen24.info/

If you are looking for a dentist (speaking of candy counters) I can highly recommend mine.
Roy Martinian. He's gentle and kind (and handsome). I always feel in the best of hands. His lovely wife Annie runs the front office. Even Maud and Hugo love going there. He's on Lucas between 6th and Wilshire. I can get there in 12 minutes if it's between 10am and noon (101 fwy. to glendale blvd. exit).
213.481.2080

In preparation for my long drive north, I asked for an audio book from my friend Cassandra who highly recommended (and leant me) one called "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.
It is absolutely delightful. Three characters read by three different actresses, all magnigicent. The story takes place in Jackson, Mississippi in 1962, at the start of the civil rights movement. Two of the main characters are black maids; the other is a young, white plantation owner's daughter who wants to write their stories. It's funny, tragic, socially relevent (the murder of Medgar Evers is featured and it really captures the political mood of the south at that time) and has a couple of mysteries that are woven throughout.
I've been found sitting in the car late at night listening to it. I can't get enough, and want it to never end. I wonder if reading the actual book would be better, or not as good. My sense is that the voices of these readers add so much to the story, I'd go with the audio book, if you can.

I think I'll check out this market. A Saturday option for farmer's market on the east side + a keihl's store!

Gigi's Farmers Market at the Americana

The Americana in Glendale will have its Grand Opening for a new designer farmers market this Saturday morning (10am to 2pm). It will feature the best that our farmers markets have to offer in each category. This outdoor mall is a great time for the entire family. Come see Dry Dock make it's debut, representing the best in the seafood category.

jesca hoop, dry dock and beeswax

I hadn't been to the Hotel Cafe before.  It's a really nice venue with good sound and a decent bar.  Jesca Hoop was there last night with Tristan Prettyman and a girl called Annie Bethencourt.  I didn't hear Annie sing, but talked to her afterward.  She's really lovely (except why are all these girls so young?)  and told me she spends half the year in Costa Rica teaching a woman's surf camp.  She's also involved with this group called These Numbers Have Faces which appears to do really good work.  

Jesca Hoop is moving to Manchester, England at the end of the month.  I urge you to see her perform before she goes.  (Dates below)

If you haven't already been wowed by Dry Dock Fish (Sundays at the Larchmont Farmer's Market) please check them out.  They also deliver for free mid-week to your door.  They sell a miso paste that is so good it's almost obscene.  Equal parts that and rice wine vinegar tossed with boiled potatoes and arugula made a nice bed for their grilled salmon.  It's just as good cold.

When I worked at Deetjen's in Big Sur one of the restaurant staff's daily side-work was to roll candles from sheets of beeswax.  Nothing is as satisfying to the fingers or the nose as that.  It's easy and the candles are beautiful.  It's something I've done ever since and I'm getting ready to order another box of beeswax sheets.  They're a warm natural honey-color.  They make great gifts and the sheets can be cut or layered to make an endless variety of sizes.  If anyone is interested in going in on an order, please let me know.   The cost is $1.00 a sheet;  each sheet makes two tapers.  The minimum order is 200 sheets.  I'd love to get 4 or more people to go in on the order.  That's candles enough for end of the school-year teacher's gifts, a summer of outdoor dining and some holiday presents, as well.  You can come over and I'll open a bottle of wine, put on some music and roll with you, baby.  At least till you get the hang of it.

JESCA HOOP

 (jescahoop.com)

Thursday, April 9 @ 9pm 

Thursday, April 16 @ 10pm 

Wednesday, April 29 @ 10pm

Tickets are available on the Hotel Cafe website. Hotel Cafe is located at: 

1623 1/2 N Cahuenga Blvd 

Los Angeles, CA 90028

DRY DOCK FISH

Sundays at Larchmont Farmer's Mkt.

email to order for delivery:  scohrs@gmail.com

ANNIE BETHENCOURT

anniebeth.com

THESE NUMBERS HAVE FACES

thesenumbers.com

believe it or not, I've started a blog

After having a discussion with drew that featured his omnipresent lack of faith in my ability to tackle anything technical (and of course my immediate willingness to admit he was right), I came upstairs and well, started this blog. Damn, really? Is this all it takes?

So, here I go. If you think my tendency to ramble on and on within the confines of facebook is notable, then this should be avoided at all costs.

That said, I have a few things to point out.

Firstly: Jesca Hoop is playing at Hotel Cafe tomorrow night.
Secondly: Will Oldham is at the El Rey on Thursday.
Thirdly: Leonard Cohen can be seen (among other dates and venues) a week from Saturday.

I mention this because I'm going to see/hear them all. I, who hardly ever go to live shows of any kind, other than the occasional play, have a line-up of concerts to attend!
Music heard in public is like, well, sleeping in public for me. Not optimal, not sought after, not really all that comfortable. Sometimes, though, there will be that tree, that lawn, that dappled light, that much too powerful pull to close the eyes or to open the ears...

Another thing to point out is that Jenny Wayland and I are venturing into our first attempt at an underground dinner group, of sorts. This will be an event in May for which you can pay a reasonable amount of cash money and enjoy a delicious 4 or 5 course dinner, some entertainment and a foray into the world of community dining and socializing in an intimate setting with as little pretense as possible. That means you'll be packed in like sardines, if all goes well. Details to follow.

Speaking of sardines: I was sorry they weren't available the day I cooked at canele. I did overhear the waitstaff there comment on how "trendy" they've become. Whoops.

Speaking of waitstaff: The four of us had a late dinner at LOCAL on Sunset one recent Saturday night and they could not have been more accomodating and pleasant. We brought in some beer and ordered the Albondigas burgers with their incredible french fries. They kept the beer in the refrigerator, retrieving and pouring as needed. (They even poured a glass for Hugo, what with his newly sprouted moustache). By the time we finished, both kids were asleep on the table and the busser's attempt at providing pillows was thwarted only by our firm refusal.