The Tavern

Brentwood is not the same as it was when I first moved here. And that is a good thing. For quite a number of months, I have watched the slow transformation of a Hamburger Hamlet (a restaurant I have never been) turn into a beautiful hot spot, Tavern (a restaurant I want to go to everyday). Tavern (and Larder) is the product of renowned restaurateurs Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne. Their other amazing restaurants include A.O.C. and Lucques. Also, Suzanne Goin and her husband, David Lentz, own the delicious Hungry Cat.

A few weekends ago, my roommate and I decided we would go for drinks and appetizers at the bar. We went around six, which was early enough to avoid the dinner crowd. The stools at the bar counter were full, but the chairs and tables surrounding the bar were still available. The bar is beautiful. The design of the bar (and everywhere else) is well thought out; fluidly chic from the lighting to the upholstery on the chairs. The service was also excellent and consistent even as the place progressively became more crowded.

First drink: I had a glass of Cabernet. Instead of writing down the exact wine or trying to memorize what I ordered, I thought I could just go online and check their wine menu. Sadly, they don’t have it up. So I don’t know exactly which one I ordered.

Second Drink: Lucques Gimlet - Hangar One Vodka, fresh lime juice, and mint. Delicious. In my humble opinion, I prefer the cocktails to the wine. And in no way is that a criticism to the wine list, but instead a compliment to the cocktail menu. All their cocktails are creative and delicious. I would order any of them and be satisfied.

While I was there to just have a few drinks, my roommate ordered some bar food which I was fortunately able to sample:

Steak tartare with quail egg - It is hard to believe that I was a vegetarian for eight years, because I could eat this perfectly seasoned tartare with quail egg everyday. And part of me wants to only to catch up on the lost carnivorous years.

Gougères with french radishes - A gougères is a choux pastry (light  pastry dough made from butter, water, fllour and eggs) filled with cheese. I think Tavern follows tradition and makes their gougères with gruyere cheese, but I could be wrong and plan to return soon to taste again. A French radish, also known as French Breakfast Radish, is an elongated red-skinned and white root base. I only had one, but that is all I needed to fall in love. It’s a cheese pastry in a ball form that you can pop into your mouth. What’s not to like about it? 

The Tavern and the Larder (marketplace/café) are wonderful additions to my neighborhood. I love that in a short walk I can be consuming tasty drinks and amazing dishes. I plan to go back in the future, repeatedly.

I own these, but you wouldn’t know.

Because they are still in their original shipping packaging. I am hoping that if I post about them, maybe… just maybe, I will get around to buying frames and hanging them up. On numerous Target trips, I have stood contemplating whether or not to purchase cheap, but still kind of expensive, frames. In the end, I always decide against it because of the poor quality. I want to get them professionally framed, but am conflicted because it will probably cost more to have them framed than it cost to purchase the art itself. We’ll see what happens. But for now, enjoy what should be hanging from my walls! :)

Fake Beard by Jay Ryan

Flood by Jaclyn Mednicov

Stacked Upon by Jaclyn Mednicov

Check out Jay Ryan’s store, The Bird Machine. Find Jaclyn Mednicov (and other cool artists) at the great marketplace of design: 20×200.

AWOL

There really is no excuse for my lack of posting. But, it happens. I am sorry. I will try to keep up. Here is the current excitement in my life:

I was able to return the 3rd generation iPod Shuffle and downgrade (but more like upgrade) to the 2nd generation. Unfortunately, I had to pay a 10% reshelfing fee. This is ridiculous to me because the product was broken. And I was only returning it so I wouldn’t have to repeatedly get it replaced. Oh well. I learned my lesson. This shuffle’s name is “the third” as in the third shuffle I had gotten in the past two weeks. So far, it has been good. As you can see, it looks like Shuffley, but pink.

In other news, I did not do anything really special over Memorial Day weekend. Part of this was because my boyfriend and I were so busy going back and forth to Ikea. On Saturday, we drove to the giant blue playground of cheap modern furniture and meatballs to buy a desk for my bedroom. It was a madhouse. With my anxiety high, I chose the desk I wanted and we left as soon as possible. I was a little worried about buying the right parts because there were six separate products I had to find in their warehouse section: the top, the frame, and 4 legs. I quickly asked an Ikea worker if I had chosen the appropriate parts and if it was all I needed to make the desk. I also asked if the tools and screws were also included. He reassuringly said “Yes, they are included in the frame box.”

We got home, exhausted and drained, and attempted to build the desk. Immediately, we realized there were no tools, just an empty compartment for where they should have been. I should have known better. I always encounter problems at/from Ikea. Everyone always encounters problems at/from Ikea. My boyfriend did not want to drive back to Ikea that night, so we went to Casa Escobar and had margaritas instead. The next day, we woke up and drove out to pick up the tools necessary.

At first, I did not like the desk in my bedroom because it felt cramped. But having a few days to adjust, I have learned to like it. I just now need a new comfortable chair (NOT FROM IKEA).

My Latest Favorite Thing

I am hesitant to post about how much I love my Made By Hank handmade bag because I know these bags (and anything else Katie Henry makes) sell out immediately after she posts them (if not before!). But, it really is one of my favorite things in the world. So here is one of several pieces I have in my Made By Hank collection. I highly suggest checking out her bags on her website and then ultimately buying one (for me :P) on etsy if you can. Also, Katie Henry is from Philadelphia. And she owns an adorable pug!

Ork Posters!

Ork Posters was my fun find of the day. Soon, this orange Los Angeles and all it’s 111 neighborhoods will be found in my apartment. Check out their other maps (Chicago, Brooklynn, D.C., Toronto, Seattle, Manhatten, Portland, San Francisco, NYC, and Boston). Super cool.

A Dozen Walrus

I also am getting Jay Ryan’s A Dozen Walrus for my walls:

One day a year or two ago I completely forgot what a walrus was. I knew I was supposed to know the word. I mean, everyone knows what they are! But, that one day it just did not register. I repeated the word over and over again…walrus, wallruss, wall-rus…but nothing came to mind. Tomato.

Must be a case of the…

Spent most of the day in bed. Tried writing a post, but didn’t have the energy to finish it. Will make another attempt at it tomorrow. A lot on my plate, but unfortunately it’s not food. I’m going to watch Heroes right now. However, today I registered for the 31st Annual Santa Monica - Venice Christmas Run (10K). And, I am also going to be getting this poster by Jay Ryan that I fell in love with to decorate my walls: Swimming Diplodocus.