I'm not exactly sure what we're supposed to be honoring or observing on Presidents day, but for me it was that I was getting paid to go out and have the time of my life in Hollywood.We started out on foot and took the Metro Red Line to the Hollywood and Vine exit to see Wicked which was listed on la.com as having a show scheduled yesterday at 1 pm. Well that was not to be, no shows on Mondays, but they are selling tickets for shows now through June 1. Since it was lunch time we decided to head across the street to Katsuya. One of the two (soon to be three) ultra modern SBE sushi compounds with impressive decor and OK sushi. We started out with a couple of the fresh fruit elixirs, kiwi-lime and the watermelon-cucumber, both of which were extremely tasty. The shishito pepper is exactly that, shishi, with the slightest hint of bite it was billed as "the new edamame". The seaweed salad rocked and was my favorite item but he tuna and crispy rice is the most popular item on the menu and my least favorite dish so consider this source. Next up was the yellow tail & jalapeño sashimi which was fairly good and the giant clam sashimi which I wont be having there again. When the final item arrived I was wishing it were sashimi but it was what we ordered; lobster dynamite. In retrospect I feel like I should have kept it simply to sashimi which is what I like most. Unfortunately I was swept up in the ambiance of the place and compelled into ordering some of the obvious Haku-Jin dishes (e.g. crab and mozzarella tempura). It's fancy, it's beautiful, it's expensive and it's a blast, too bad it's food wasn't quite on point as the rest of the experience.
Well from there we hit S Bar which was totally closed, thank you Jesus, but Iguana Clothing a few doors down wasn't so in we went. Well we had a blast trying on all the wigs, silly hats and peeping the naughty sex toys upstairs. I'd love to have provided pictures but they don't allow it. Downstairs is a very large selection of vintage clothing with secluded fitting rooms. I'm no fashionista but I recommend this place for wacky outfits, accessories, vintage clothing and more.
From there it was on to Amoeba, the
worlds largest indie record store for a used Sonic Youth CD. The adventure continued to Borders accross the street where I picked up The Four Hour Work Week, even though that sounds a bit excessive I think it's time to buckle down. We made it to No Country For Old Men, at the Archlight the hilarious new romantic comedy from the Cohen brothers about a very funny, lovable loser as he makes his way across the Southwest in 1980 making friends and learning lifes lessons of love along the way. Great for the entire family, it's a movie you want to see again because you just know there was stuff in there that you missed. I can't wait for a repeat performance.After the movie and a quick subway ride back home to freshen up we headed out again to a no show at On The Rox for Corey-Oke with Corey Haim, Feldman and Hardt and a live karaoke band doing 80's covers. This may have been fun had the club been open and anyone actually been there. So we went for late night eats at La Velvet Margarita Cantina where we had 2 for 1 margaritas (Monday nights only), Malinda the cool server and the best guacamole we've ever had. I've been to this bar/club a number of times and thought the decor, food and scene were equally radical. With the flamenco bar in the front and Alejandro's patio bar in back it's no wonder this concept is making its way to Vegas in a HUGE way. But I must not have ever had the guac before because I would have remembered, it was un real. I don't think it's possible but If any one can name a better batch served up somewhere else please contact me at brian@labarhopper.com, if indeed a better guacamole is available then dinner (for two) is on me at Velvet Margarita.
What an awesome day in Hollywood, thank you Mrs. Wilcox where ever you are.
