July 4th
5 Jul
With the always possible threat of fire or riot, the helicopters patrol the night skies; tonight its concerning that a flare is released nearby. A bright red dot on July 4th is a near miss – who’s going to see it amidst all the fireworks?
The helicopter:
The Flare:
Fireworks were scaled back to only a handful of shows across L.A. because of California’s budget crisis. The Hollywood Bowl, a local concert and event venue, has their own celebration off of Highland Avenue which, although fantastic up close, only makes the hills look like they’re on fire. Above the city, only a handful of colorful bouquets can be seen above the Los Angeles skyline. There’s 15 million people here, so there’s never going to be a single destination. It’s a penury display but a satisfying day. Requisite grilling was done, skin got sun-scorched and we ended up amongst friends.
Daily Photo: Blank Space
3 Jul
How this happens in L.A. I have no idea. Grass growing in a plot that would nicely fit a small apartment building seems foreign. However, with the economy in the throes of a melt-down, construction projects have stopped, and the shiny buildings we were all looking forward to are now uninspiring steel skeletons.
Bottega Louie
2 Jul
Never in my life has waiting for a table for 50 minutes been so enjoyable. The casual elegance of Bottega Louie and it’s Downtown Los Angeles location make it a hipsters paradise. When we arrived at 8pm, we quickly registered our names with the hostess, were told it would be thirty to forty minutes and so quickly proceeded to the bar. The restaurant/patisserie/gourmet market, with lofty ceilings and white-washed walls, exposes everything. The cooks can be seen behind pellucid glass – chopping the onions, preparing Capreze, stuffing the artichoke; while distant ovens advertise fire cooked Italian pizzas. The crowd is eclectic. Charming in its fashionable sensibility, a conglomerate of the high-end and casual; t-shirts and jeans, short shorts and low tops aka club gear, colorful eccentric vintage and designer suits. There are no rules (especially in L.A., especially Downtown L.A.). On the shelves in the Gourmet market, I find Squid Ink spaghetti, canned Octopus and a variety of imported goods. Though the Bottega is largely Italian, it’s patisserie and comestible fare speaks to its European neighbor, France. While I sip my Vodka in the shop, a waitress offers a complimentary appetizer of delectable white or chocolate chipped bread.
When we are called to the Hostess’ table, she introduces herself as Erica, and Erica politely lets us know it will be just a moment. When we sit down, our waiter promptly attends our table and also makes his introduction. His name is Will. Will serves us perfectly. He takes our order, fills our glasses, brings our food and wine and delivers the check when asked without any vexatious hovering or leaving us elaborately gesturing for his attention. I am thrilled and the food is delicious, our bill manageable. Bottega Louie was recommended to me by a friend, and after our inviting experience, I would do the same.
Daily Photo: Messages to the Public
1 Jul
In front of Whole Foods. Fairfax Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard.
Berd AKA Browne/4eightyone
1 JulBanksy is not alone in his endeavor to turn L.A. into an open gallery. The enigmatic Berd, who like Banksy, wears a bandanna and strikes during the wee hours of the morning, is bent on swaddling telephone wires with his small, handcrafted wooden “Berds” that look like something out of a Mario Brothers video game. The Berds are connected to a padlock and wire, an easy swing skyward and up they go. At first a diversion, (Browne wanted to do something other than spraypaint city property) its quickly become an art phenomenon that started in Venice Beach, California. The whimsical objects continue to grow in numbers from Venice to New York since 2006, easily seen whirring above some of the busiest intersections. Though Browne has admitted to mixed feelings about tagging property, he seems to have no remorse about the flocks he’s loosed on the city; but no one seems to mind. Amid the Graffiti, electrical box posters and billboards flooding the city space, Browne’s birds are an amusing distraction. Though it looks like he’s taking a new approach:
I can’t decide if this is a “B” or Boobs.
And…there might be a new kid in town:
Cute C Maw looks an awful lot like a Banksy: I allege an imitation artist is at work. Or Banksy got sloppy.
The real thing:
Weekend News
30 JunApproach with caution: 8am So very, very sore….
Breakfast: 9am
Beverly Hills Park Art
Afternoon Tea: Royal/T Cafe
The Maid Cafe: A Review
I was really here to visit the Poketo pop-up shop, but was drawn to the artwork instead. While artists worked on cardboard pieces for Poketo’s window display and a little Asian girl held her own cardboard tree up high for a cameraman taking photos, I took some shots of my own.
Royal/T Cafe is noted mostly for its Japanese maid theme, and I wonder if they are allowed to hire anyone outside of Asian, least it ruin the otherworldliness of the restaurant and gallery. Although the service was a bit slow, the food is rich in flavor and texture (the tiramisu heaven), and the aromatic teas attractive. I think the Cafe achieved what it is meant to; a serviceable space for artists and patrons alike.
NO SAINTS IN L.A. 