Come one come all

We're having a little LA blogger's meetup at my place on April 29.  Hope you can make it!

Maximiliano!

This past weekend, Scott and I visited the newest restaurant to open up on York in Highland Park, Maximiliano. It's just east of the York, HP's great gastropub and is on a stretch of street not particular hipster-ified or trendy.  Started by Andre Guerrero the mind behind Max in Sherman Oaks and the insanely popular Oinkster in Eagle Rock, Maximiliano claims to be "kinda old school Italian".  I would say, it does the job.

Saturday was the second day it was open. It took a bit of convincing to get Scott to go since restaurants usually have a lot of kinks to iron out in their first week. Maximiliano, though, had a laid back vibe. Our waiter was chill and recommended some great beers and even had Scott sample them gratis.  We started with a porcini muschroom rissoto, and baked fennel and moved on to the Bianca-Verde pizza with preserved lemon. All were delicous and served piping hot (Scott's only comment was that the crust on the pizza could have been thinner).  For dessert we had the olive oil ice cream with sea salt carmel which was surprisingly smooth and subtle (we were a bit skeptical after a mishap with some parmesan ice cream I'd tried to make a few years back, but this was delicious).

 There was a nice variety of patrons - families, hipsters etc. The decor was simple but well thought out - graphic, slightly industrial.  And the menu was similarly refined - classic, easy to read and well priced.  I always love seeing new restaurant concepts come into my neighborhood.  Can't wait to see the back patio when they have it completed and bring the babe there for family meals once he is restaurant-ready.

Eagle Rock Garage Sale this Sunday

Around the hood

Took an evening walk a couple of weeks ago. A beautiful full moon over the hills.

 And this badass tree house (it was pretty dark so it didn't photograph very well).

Happy Friday!  Here's wishing everyone hefty tax refunds!

Curve Line Space

So recently we attended the NELA Art Walk with a group of friends. The art walk occurs every second Saturday and consists of various galleries in the Eagle Rock and Highland Park area opening their doors to the public, serving drinks and being generally convivial.  This past one, we hit up Curve Line Space in Eagle Rock and Larkins (yum!) and then made it to the York for drinks.  Curve Line Space was featuring these great ink drawings by Greg Andrade which were actually done with roll-on deodorant applicators!  I was fortunate enough to meet Tim the owner of Curve Line Space and got the chance to talk to him about his gallery and framing shop, the types of work he collects, and being a creative person in our local community.  Here is what Tim said:

The Eagle's Nest: How did you get into the gallery business?  How has the artist and gallery community changed since you started?

Tim: I have a background in music and art.  The picture framing business has been my bread and butter business since 1993. So an art gallery just seemed like a natural addition to my over all business purpose which is to support the arts and bring a refined aesthetic into the community.

TEN: So, why Eagle Rock?

Tim: The time was right. I was in Glendale for nine years and my landlord wouldn't sell me the building. I moved to eagle rock in 2001 before it took off. I love the community feel of this town. Coming from a small town in the midwest, I'm used to knowing many local friends and families. Eagle rock has that small town feel in the middle of Los Angeles. Plus there's so many creative people in the area... artists, musicians, film folks. In Glendale i would get posters and commercial art for retail framing. Here there is such a great understanding of fine art and popular culture i really feel at home.

TEN: What made you decide to focus on drawing and graphite?

Tim: I tend to be interested in many things and like to dig deep into any subject mater of interest.  I am also a musician so i felt that i wanted to limit the gallery to a very simple and honest medium - in this way there would be less areas to require attention and deal with as a gallery.  I'm a total minimalist so keeping the gallery closely defined as to medium also allows me better focus.

TEN: Do you have any suggestions for younger folks who want to start collecting art but are limited in funds?

Tim: Buy art that moves you emotionally.  There are so many talented unknown artists who sell their pieces for the down low.  Also check out the art school sales.  Art Center has a student art sale every year and I've found many treasures there.  Look at the piece of art as an investment not in traditional terms but rather as an expression of aesthetics.  Really tune yourself to the particular wave length of a piece of art and discover if it aligns with your own unique viewpoint.  If you aren't yet in touch with your viewpoint, there are many galleries and museums, books and what not to form your own opinion  This is the purpose of art - to communicate a wave length - but to receive that wave length i feel that the person must quiet their own thoughts and really vibe with the art work. This is true for music, dance, sculpture...

 Thanks Tim!  Can't wait to see what Curve Line Space has up its sleeve next.

Early morning on La Loma

Full Moon 7:00 am La Loma on an early morning run.

Restaurant Roundup

Restaurants I've been to recently that I recommend

Auntie Em's Kitchen- great brunch on Eagle Rock Blvd.  Amazing baked goods, local ingredients.

Little Flower Candy Co- sandwiches, salads, baked goods and of course candies on Colorado Blvd between Eagle Rock and Pasadena. I haven't tried the candy yet, but have heard it's amazing.  Great hostess gifts.

Cafe Stella  - Little french Bistro in Sunset Junction. Great ambiance and outdoor patio.  Stop in at the Silverlake Cheese shop next door. And make sure you order the escargot.

The York on York - Highland Park. Great bar, great burgers.  cool industrial vibe.

Bacaro Wine Bistro - in the West Adams area. Fun little place in an interesting up and coming neighborhood. The food was surprisingly good.  The decor could use a little help, but it was definitely worth it with a Groupon.

Lazy Ox Canteen - tapas style gastropub in Little Tokyo.  Stopped in her for apps before a ramen dinner. Excited about going back for a real meal.

More to come.  Have any recommendations for future nights out?  Let me know?  Need any other recommendations?  Let me know as well.

Hurry on up

And get yourselves over to this Open House on Sunday at 1517 North Ave 47 in Eagle Rock.  Admittedly, this is another plug to get all our friends to populate our hood, but c'mon, this is a great deal!  A cute newly renovated 2 bedroom main house, a back garage converted into a studio, and a one bedroom back house that you can rent out to offset your mortgage!

At just $499,000 this is a steal!

Welcome Home!

Our real estate agent Charlie Clark, did a great job listening to what we wanted in a house and finding us our wonderful Eagle Rock chalet. We adore our location and are trying to convince all our friends to move to our area. And we think we've found the perfect little place for those of you who want to join us in our little slice of LA. 

It's a 1700 square foot newly renovated bungalow, priced to sell at $499,000.  The owners did a great job with the finish seletions, creating a light, airy and inviting space.

The landscaping look great as well and the native plantings should keep those water bills down!

Take a look and give Charlie a holler if you're interested. 

Blue Dot

After a grueling morning of piano tuning and estate sale trolling, we stopped by Blue Dot off of Colorado in downtown Eagle Rock.  Blue Dot serves up traditional Brazilian Acai and frozen yogurt. The Acai treats are a concoction of frozen acai (like a sorbet), granola, bananas and honey.  And you can also get other healthy toppings such as berries, mango, pomegranate, coconut etc.  It's chalk full of antioxidants and a great midday sweet treat or morning breakfast alternative. 

Yerms!

Oxy Lofts!

Recently on a fall bike ride through Eagle Rock, Scott and I came across an open house for the new Oxy Lofts.  Now, for those of you who don't live in our hood, Eagle Rock is home to Occidental College (our President's first alma mater before he transferred to Columbia).  Oxy is Occidental's nickname.  That said, I don't think Oxy Lofts is a good name for a real estate development.  I can't help but think of high pressure Oxi Clean sales pitches of the 90's.  Despite that, we went to the open house.  The real estate agent was very nice and knowledgeable and did not give us a high pressure Oxi Clean pitch. 

The lofts range in size from 1 to 2 bedrooms and are in the 400 to 500K range (with room for negotiation I'm sure). Some are more loft like while others are more like a standard single-story apartment. They have a mid century modern feel, a central courtyard and generous balconies and terraces.  Of course, as a designer, I couldn't help but notice some of the ways they could have better planned the units or some of the builder-grade items in need of upgrading. But all in all, I think the Oxy Lofts are a nice addition to the Eagle Rock community. The lofts are right across the street from Auntie Em's, one of my favorite brunch places, and next door to the Bucket, which I've heard has a killer burger.  And I'm excited to see what type of business goes into the retail space that is also for sale below. 

Gurney Journey

LA artist and creator of Dinotopia James Gurney recently posted about LA's hazy light on his blog. He included this watercolor illustration that he did while sitting outside on the corner of York and Eagle Rock Blvds.  Great shoutout to my hood! 

I do love LA's hazy light.  And I think one of the best spots to experience it is in Eagle Rock, driving on the 134 and looking towards downtown (just make sure you're in the passenger's seat).

Eagle Rock Historic Home

On my way home from work I learned from KCRW that the Koons House in Eagle Rock achieved historic landmark status today.  The Spanish-colonial revival house on Escarpa Drive was built in 1928 for Arther Koons who later became the president of Occidental College.

It's a beauty - I think I'll have to swing by one of these weekends.  Nice that our little "town" surrounded by LA and Pasadena has a bit of history of its own.

A penny for your thoughts

Do you get the penny saver? 

Do you just throw it in the trash, or hopefully the recycling? 

Well, next time take a look.  My friend Jess (yes, another one) turned me onto the penny saver for estate sale ads.  However, this morning I was perusing it and decided to go beyond the sale section.  Just a few of the selections.  I have so many witty things to add, but I think they speak for themselves (sorry, no visuals, but none needed):

Ventriloquest Dummy
30' L, asking $40

Readers Digest
2009 (whole year available), 2010 (January - August) never used, $25 / all

Civil War Book
Picture history of the Civil War, good condition, $7.50

Leather Pants
Men or women, pink, size 12/32 $40

Womens Jumpsuit
Large, purple, Sequence, V-neck, 4 buttons down, unusual, $10

If you want any of these items, email me and I will give you the phone number to call.   Sorry, no interwebs.

SALE!

At Lady in Eagle Rock. 

50% off select clothing, jewelry, and handbags from July 23 to July 31st.

Mexicatessen!

Yes, it's really a word.... At least here in Eagle Rock that is.  Cacao Deli Mexicatessen opened up about a year ago and was just featured on Tasting Table.  So Scott and I decided to take our newly revamped bikes and trek down Colorado this weekend to try it out.  Really great authentic and well-priced Mexican food in a casual quaint atmosphere.  We sat out on the patio overlooking Eagle Rock.  No liquor lisence so it's BYO and on the DL but aside from lacking margaritas and Dos Equis, this place leaves the likes of El Coyote, El Cholo, and Gardens of Taxco in the dust.

Check out the grilled cebollitas (green onions) with lime and cilantro sauce and super flavorful chile burrito.

And if you're not too full afterwards, cross the street to Blue Dot and try their healthy frozen Acai treats!

Rummage Sale

This Sunday at Lady in Eagle Rock.

Everything is $10 - cash only - 8am to 10am

Bling!

Icky sore throat and fever going around our office. I guess I'm feeling better enough to blog though!

So this necklace from Lady Eagle Rock is pretty fab. 

Would be stunning paired with a simple casual black  dress.

Larkins

is by far the best BBQ in LA - I would maybe even go so far as to say the best BBQ I've ever had. AND it's in Eagle Rock!

not to sweet, perfect spiciness

Collard Greens = yum
Mac and Cheese = yum

Fried Chicken = yum

Cute little cottage it is housed in also = yum

Coveting

these shoes from Lady Eagle Rock.

Can't decide if they would actually be comfortable though. Perhaps a visit to them in person is in order