Notes From: Bar Pintxo

If this weather isn't made for staying in surrounded by books, coffee and movies, then I just am not certain I get the point of June Gloom. And so that is how we spent a Saturday (and no I didn't even put on shoes the entire day). Come Sunday, it was out to watch the sailboats in Santa Monica, stop in for a delicious lunch at my favorite little spot in all of L.A.—Bar Pintxo—and back downtown to share our neighborhood with friends. If you haven't yet been to Urbano Pizza Bar, stop in, won't you? The Wood Roasted Artichoke is perfection, the Funghi and Quattro Formaggi worth ordering for yourself and the interior welcoming. I've been twice already. The count could easily get to five by Friday. See you there.(And that's Rocky patiently waiting to continue his walk down the Promenade).

Notes From: Bottega Louie

Good company and good food these past days! Another one for the books and a few tips learned. One, go to Bottega Louie early in the day as the light streams beautifully through the windows and your ears can rest. (Mr. Louie and I aren't OK for dinner as he happens to be quite loud after the sun goes down. We may be neighbors, but no). Also, after spending time at Malibu Wines again, I can't say how much I suggest you pack your picnic, roll your windows down and drive down Highway 1 to visit! Lastly, always keep open to the chance to meet fantastic people in this fine city, for they are out there. We ended Sunday in the company of SF-expats Junia Isabel and her other half Andres. Welcome to Los Angeles, new friends. (Oh, and that's our rescue pup Colette being as cute as ever. What a long way she's come).
 

Fat and Fed

As if October couldn't get any better, it went and outdid itself with the impending, amazing, stupendous Tour de Fat and Artisanal LA. One weekend of bicycles, brews, brownies and blue cheese. If I kick the bucket the following Monday, count on me being a happy soul.

The Tour de Fat, the traveling festival from New Belgium Brewing, rolls through LA on October 23 in a celebration of the most popular velocipede--the bicycle. Teaming up with C.I.C.L.E., the Bicycle Kitchen, and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, the tour promotes advocacy for the pedal-driven cause in a day of biking, beer and bands through Downtown LA. The ride starts at 10:00 a.m. in the L.A. Historic Park. For more information click here.

Also on October 23, Artisanal LA, the weekend food celebration, commences a few blocks away at the Cooper Building. With participants ranging from Gotta Have S'more to The Olive Press, it is truly going to be an epic edible event that will showcase the bounty of local artisanal vendors and craftsmen while benefitting the LAUSD School Gardens Program. Make sure not to miss the very seasonal Growing and Cooking with Artisanal Pumpkins workshop on Saturday and the Biodynamic Wine Pairing demo on Sunday. For more info and a full schedule, visit Artisanal LA.

Gone to the Dogs

We're off to play with Ezzie, Beatty, George and Snoopy. Happy weekend!

(And don't forget the $5 parking lot sale at DNA in Venice).

Greetings from LA

LACMA+ picnic + Getty Villa + Barbrix+ Greek Theatre + Kings Road Cafe + family= good weekend.

* Picture from Unsure Shot