Pubs, Cafes and Coffee Shops

My first visit to the White Horse was two years ago during the bizzard (something like 26 in).

It was warm and inviting and a great place to spend an entire day while it snows outside. We had lunch and stayed for dinner. One of my favorite days in New York. I have been back several times. It is a must for anyone who comes to New York. Not only does it have great burgers and cold beer it boasts a history worthy of making a stop for sightseeing. That is if you are looking to find "real" New York and not the Disney version. Now this is not a well kept secret but it is a far cry from Bubba Gump. You will find tourist (like me), but mostly it is students and regular New Yorkers. Now back to that history stuff I was talking about. Evidently, it was a hang out for poets, writers and artists back in the day. The most famous of which is Dylan Thomas. You will find his mug on every wall. The mugs that keep me coming back are the ones filled with beer. New York is expensive. So when you can find great food and beer at cheap prices, a rich authentic New York atmosphere in the West Village you should go and enjoy. Plus the added bonus of hanging out where Dylan Thomas used to hang out? How cool is that. Just don't follow his footsteps too closely, I think he drank himself to death.

Ok, this place is a must. It is a cozy charming restaurant serving really, really good seasonal food. The chef, Suzanne Goin, is a James Beard Winner but this is no fussy, stuffy palace of pretention. The warm brick walls, fireplace and timbered ceiling make you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in. In overly plastic LA this place is like a warm blanket. The food is seasonal and wonderful, starting with the Italian bread which is perfectly crusty and the Tuscan olives (which is the namesake for the restaurant) and almonds. I had braised beef short ribs with sautéed greens, cippolinis and horseradish cream ($28). The food is uncomplicated and delicious comfort food. The best quality ingredients prepared in a way that the flavors of the ingredients speak for themselves. Nice wine list, although complicated by the fact that it is listed in liters. So figure that out before you go. The menu is somewhat pricey but not overly so for the quality of food. Go, Eat and Enjoy.

Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 655-6277
http://www.lucques.com/

Ok. I'm a relatively young guy. I'm not that far past my prime. But since when does your hotel lobby have to look and sound like fucking night club. Don't get me wrong, I like designer and botique hotels. I love the Viceroy in Santa Monica. I love the Soho and Tribeca Grand in New York. I even love the Stark designed Hudson on 58th with the insanely small rooms. They are trendy and hip but they are also clean and quiet. The Grafton on Sunset Blvd., which sits next door to another Stark owned hotel the Mondrian (which I also like), makes a good first impression. The trendy restaurant BOA is on the left and the BOA lounge on the right. I was excited when I saw that as I I have had good meals at BOA in Santa Monica. The lobby looked nice enough, although a little wankish, with the gigantic photos of half naked women and hot pink furry pillows. It was dark and the club music was so loud that I could barley hear the receptionist. There were candles, waterfalls, and space age looking chairs. Yes, it is a scene but it seemed a little off. The Stark hotels have a point of view in their design, but The Grafton seemed like a copy. But, I was pleased after two nights in the 80's style (like my Aunt Phylis' style) Pasadena Sheraton. So, on to my room. Zebra print bed spread. Check. Another large photo of a half naked chick. Check. Stains on the lounge. Oh yeah, baby. Stains on the rug. Yes! Missing door to the closet, hair in the tub, empty mini bar. YES, YES, YES! My first room (thats right, I had more than one), shared a wall with the steel door that led to the kitchen. Every five minutes it would slam. I could hear it over the t.v. Also, thanks to the thin walls and the fact that my room ajoined the wall to the outdoor bar area, I was treated to screams and howls. At 10:00, I was ok with it. At 1:30 I was not. As I walked out to change my room and I witnessed in person the origin of the screaming. Six fucking idiots in suits, afro wigs and fake glasses. I hate L.A. My next room on the other side of the hotel. Ahh, quiet. Until a frat party broke out at 2:30. My friend was woke up to some people fucking next door. My boss had a plumber in his room. Twice. If you are going to be hip and sexy and clubby then you better not fake it. The Mondrian is renovating. The Grafton should copy them again.

The Grafton
8462 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069
http://www.graftononsunset.com

After a long break I am back. It is well known among the people who know me that I detest L.A. (not California, specifically L.A.) It is an ugly sprawling nightmare. Yes, it has its fine parts (Malibu, Beverly Hills) but most of it sucks. As some one stuck in the middle of the country, I would head east to New York or Boston every time. This trip was for work (the only time I go to L.A.), and it had it's ups and downs. Hotels: DOWN, Flight: DOWN, Weather: SCRATCH, Food: UP! First up was the Hungry Cat. It was recommended to us by, as it turns out, a very credible source. It was a small seafood restaurant with minimal decor. The food was as outstanding as the location was retarded. It was sold to us as a hip new place, as it might well be, but it is hidden behind a fucking Borders bookstore. We sat on the quaint patio looking out over fat ass housewives bending over with a scone hanging out of their mouths in the self improvement section. Weird. However, I had some mind blowing oysters from the raw bar for an appetizer. As fresh and as good as I have ever had. You know sometimes you have to douse with hot sauce and swallow? Not here. They came with condiments but it would have been a crime to use them. I savored every bite. That was accompanied by a nice local Pale Ale that was a special of the night. My main course was scallops and pork cheeks. Fucking amazing. The scallops were perfectly cooked and amazingly fresh, although the first bite was too peppery. Fortunately, the rest were seasoned fine. The pork cheek was SO tender and delicious. I want to start a campaign to get this on more menus in the midwest. If it was called something else like "Canadian Ham" it would be on every menu in the midwest. I am now a Cheek man. The scene was alright aside from the location. If you love great seafood this is a can't miss. If you don't skip it. The only non seafood on the menu was the pug burger. That is not a typo. P-U-G burger. Was worried when the chef walked in with an actual pug dog. (True story.) Not to worry it was her pet, not ingredient. The burger was just good old beef. Extensive and fancy cocktail list, with very talented bartenders I understand, but I am a beer and wine guy who likes vodka toniq's and that doesn't take much talent.

The Hungry Cat
535 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
http://www.thehungrycat.com/

Did you know that it is someones job to shoot deer on the runways of our airports? I did not. Although, it makes perfect sense and I am grateful. The last thing you want is a deer running out in front of your plane as you are going down the runway. A friend of mine has a cousin who does this at O'Hare. I asked him if they ever got any. His response was "by the truckload." Maybe that explains all the delays! Evidently they fill up the back of pick ups get them processed and feed them to the homeless. This sounds crazy even as I am typing it. The last time I checked O'Hare wasn't surrounded by the Hundred Acre Woods, so where are they coming from? Anyway, I hope Santa doesn't make a pit stop in Chicago. Rudolph with your nose so bright... BAM! Merry Christmas everyone! Travel safe.

Brian