march 2023 - Wanderlogue

03.2023

March breezed by unexpectedly. Still cold but a tolerable kind of cold, on a sunny day. March was chaotic. In so many ways. Physically, mentally, professionally. At many moments it felt like an out of body experience, observing the absurd unfold from a 3rd person perspective.

LA provided the much needed distance from reality and responsibility. And coming back it was time for all the pick me up appointments: hair, brows, teeth. A detour to meet a new kitten. Dopamine hits all around.

And, earlier than expected, the first bridge walk of the year.

vignettes from la

But let’s be real, most of what this month had going for it was that I got to ease into it from a much sunnier LA. After the rain finally cleared, it became tolerable to be out and about. Walking around in a level of comfort that felt particularly freeing after winter.

It’s a little bittersweet each trip, seeing old stomping grounds transform to be less and less familiar. A neighborhood I once called home now nearly unrecognizable. It’s like the Platform took over all of Culver City.

A yes, the side quest. Booking it from the west side all the way to City of Industry and Hacienda Heights. Working up an appetite while stuck on the freeway. Gleefully eating the newest Taiwanese chain import (and they did so good!). And, of course, the obligatory take out order. If you’re not ordering scallion pancakes as a car snack for the road, are you even living?

Meanwhile Atwater is thriving. That cute little strip has expanded over the years with more shops and boutiques and cafes and restaurants opening up. Pastries at proof, perusing the shoppy shops, picking up coffee and ending with a hot bowl of pho = perfection without having to re-park.

Had a few hours to kill before having to go to LAX. And needed to stay somewhat close to Westwood, so where better to loiter than a three part brunch in brentwood? Breakfast meetings taken in the backyard of Good People, picked up some hand pies at Winston, and people watched at Caffe Luxxe. Brentwood is another world. I love it.

current obsessions

Actually good non-dairy/healthier ice creams. After a dark summer spent in an AC-less apartment in LA, I became emotionally attached to ice creams that cool you from the inside without making you feel sick, and ever since I’ve always been on the lookout for new products on the market.

Obsessed with the Yuzu Ripple pint from Trader Joe’s, can’t leave without grabbing one.

This N!ck’s ice cream is actually good.

LITTLE TREATS GALORE

Really indulged this month, tapping into the imaginary seasonal depression budget.

A | icons only. celebrating the first sunny day and first day of march with a walk around the neighborhood to pick up coffee from andante and a pastry from bottega louie.

matcha kick — couldn’t stop, didn’t want to stop

B | old favorite. finally got around to revisiting tilt. still as good as before.

C | new favorite. tiktok might ruin this one but memorylook still has a parking lot and ample seating, so we stan.

D | no frills classic. tea master matcha is still the best though.

E | two timer. went to stereoscope. and then went again. not mad.

F | goat. i miss destroyer more than i miss most things. i will move back for destroyer.

G | throwback. felt weird being back at the place where i used to cram for midterms but honestly profeta still slaps.

H | reliable stop. in the 3-4 drink days it becomes less about the vibe more about the convenience, and commissary has always had my back.

I | decision paralysis. sometimes cafe menus have too many items, this is one of those times. location and hours were convenient and it served as a decent enough pick me up but otherwise a pass.

J | nostalgia’s sake. many mornings were spent in this sterile space that it makes me feel warm and fuzzy returning. and honestly if i may say so myself, bar nine is an iconic location to hop on the wildest zoom meeting of my life.

K | dynamic duo. really said “indulge yourself” and got a pastry from lysee and coffee from foreigner before spending even more money at the salon.

L | morning coffee run @ apo

M | more matcha @ brooklyn ball factory

culture fix

comfort show at this point

love a stressful show

also any spy show

And another round of Chelsea gallery hopping for good measure.

wholesome activity

A brisky sunday scavenger hunt at the brooklyn botanical gardens.

NEW FIND

Juliet is a new restaurant in Culver City that serves up classy contemporary French fare in a pretty indoor/outdoor space. Almost too classy for Culver, but I guess Culver is having her glow up, and I guess I’m here for it.

chasing spring in dc

Did a spontaneous trip down to DC for a weekend. Peak cherry blossoms did deliver. And it was a redemption trip after my last one (ahem, during a government shut down in the dead of winter while trump was still president).

The cold and rainy Saturday let up to a beautiful sunny and mild Sunday where it seemed the entire DMV was out to play.

Stayed at The Morrow Hotel. Ate very well. Slept early. Minimal planning delivered delightful results. Getting out was not a good time, but everything up until the end was lovely.

good bites

Feasted at all the hits in LA. The category was “new & newish” – tried some new buzzy ones, revisited some new-ish that are quickly becoming favorites.

This meal deserves it’s own little spotlight. Maydan in DC was an incredible meal. So filling. So fun. Amazing service. Everything was delicious and the set menu for two was enough food to probably feed four. Lesson learned: pace yourself, go easy on the bread and save room for dessert.

what's cooking

Admittedly didn’t really cook much this month. When I wasn’t out to play, I was at home sick. So this is the hilarity of the white to beige foods I cooked.