Monday, November 28, 2011

Great Los Angeles Walk 2011

After a wonderful time walking through Los Angeles via Wilshire Blvd. last year, I was ready to take on the Great Los Angeles Walk again this year. I was especially thrilled that the walk would be going through some of my favorite parts of town, like Silverlake and Hollywood. Though there was rain in the forecast, the sun actually came out to play and the weather stayed dry for our stroll around town.

We started at the Triforium in Fletcher Bowman Square. The statue, while not particularly pretty, does light up to music which I would like to see some time.

The Triforium at Fletcher Bowman Square

Right across the street is Los Angeles City Hall. It's hard to believe this was once the tallest building on the west coast.

Los Angeles City Hall

Of course you can't visit downtown LA these days without seeing an Occupy Protest.

Occupy LA Protests

The beginning of the walk was not so scenic, but one of the things I do appreciate about it is that you get to see things you would oridinarily miss while driving around town. Like the beautifully colored leaves hanging from a stretch of the freeway.

Under the 101

Tribal Cafe in Echo Park has a very colorful facade. I must go back and try their eats some time.

Tribal Cafe

At long last we reached Hollywood Blvd. via Vermont Ave. Before you get to the actual Hollywood Walk of Fame, there is an amusing, self-deprecating stretch with signs like this. This was right near Taron Bakery where HC stopped for a delicious spicy beorek.

Pre-walk of fame in Hollywood

At Hollywood Toyota, a food truck "army" was set up to feed hungry walkers. None of the trucks interested us much so we pressed on.

Food Truck "Army"

We instead decided to rest our feet and fill our stomach with brews and food at Blue Palms Brewhouse. Even though this place is right down the street from me, I'd never been. Shame on me! The food and beers were delicious. Hanh and I split the scuplin sandwich and an order of truffle fries ($12). Jon was content with his tuna melt and sweet potato fries ($12) and HC seemed to love his fish tacos ($9). My food went perfectly with the Uinta Monkshine Belgian Style Blonde Ale ($6).

Blue Palms Brewhouse

Sculpin Sandwich

Truffle Fries

Tuna Melt with Sweet Potato Fries

Blue Palms Brewhouse

This was also the point when our walk turned into a bar crawl. It was all downhill from there. We followed up our lunch with a few cocktails at Loteria Grill. Dos XX Ambers for me and Jon ($6 each).

Esi 018

A spicy jalapeno margarita for Hanh.

Loteria

And a tamarind margarita for HC.

Loteria

The downward spiral continued at Musso & Frank. The oldest restaurant in Hollywood has bartenders and waiters almost as old as the location. It's quaint, quiet, and kind of hilarious. Our bartender Manny has been serving at the restaurant for over 20 years.

Manny the bartender

Musso and Frank

Musso and Frank

At this last stop, the walk (crawl) was basically over for me and Jon. We managed to hobble a few more blocks to Hollywood and La Brea before turning back. HC and Hanh kept going and walked the full 19.5 miles to the ocean (their energy is amazing). Though this is only my second year participating, the Great LA Walk has become one of my favorite LA traditions. I can't wait to see what the route is next year!

One year ago: Little Ethiopia
Two years ago: Pavlova with Pomegranate Curd
Three years ago: Penne with Pesto, Mascarpone, and Bacon


Taron Bakery
4950 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 663-4809

Blue Palms Brewhouse
6124 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 464-2337
Website

Loteria Grill
6627 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 465-2500
Website

Musso & Frank Grill
6667 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 467-7788
Website

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8 comments:

emily (a nutritionist eats) said...

How cool! How do I find out about these types of things?! Any suggestions?

vanillasugarblog said...

i love when you share photos of la.
i sure do miss it and some parts i've forgotten :::gasp:::
how miles did you walk?

Esi said...

Emily, I read a lot of LA blogs that share info on events. LAist is a great one for finding out about upcoming things. Also, following various LA bloggers on Twitter helps :)

Dawn, we walked about 10 miles. Good to work off those beers!

Joanne said...

The walks in NYC definitely don't have cocktails or beer in the middle of them...how fun!

Let Me Eat Cake said...

I can't believe i still haven't been on this! AND i've never been to Musso&Franks two LA things I need to do stat!

marla said...

This looks like a total BLAST!!

Elliott said...

I love Blue Palms - and Musso & Frank is one of my most specialest favoritest spots in Hollywood!!

Kristina Vanni said...

Tamarind margaritas are the best!