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.



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



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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).











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).



A spicy jalapeno margarita for Hanh.



And a tamarind margarita for HC.



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.







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