It’s Friday. It’s snowing. I’m about to try to get home, but I leave you with our friend Jim Williamson‘s California adventures. It’s recap time—time to give you the highs and lows of my weekend away in what proved to be not-always-sunny California during Oscar weekend. I’ve just had a donut with sprinkles, and I need to work off that sugar buzz.
We have recapped California many times throughout the years—from Beverly Hills and Malibu to a more recent trip to San Francisco. This time, we begin our story just outside of LA, in the city of Pasadena, a place I had yet to visit. It is home to the Rose Bowl, lots of beautiful Craftsman-era homes (the Gamble House is considered the crown jewel), and lots of stately homes along beautiful streets, which you will recognize from many a Hollywood b-roll. That’s the good side of town.
It is also home to some world-famous pastrami according to the flashing sign we drove past many times. We didn’t actually try it. From our experience, we do know that it is not home to delicious Mexican food. I would love for someone to provide evidence to the contrary. Please, I beg you. When even the refried beans (that you didn’t order) taste like Mexican night prepared for people with digestive issues at a retirement center, well, need I continue?
We also explored San Marino, home of delicious brunch spot, Julienne; extra wide boulevards with 1960s-era homes with expansive lawns; and The Huntington, which boasts the famous botanical gardens, library, and art collection of former railroad magnate, Arabella and Henry Huntington. You should definitely find time to explore this gem. The gardens are extensive so wear comfortable shoes or you might end up looking like Arabella in her final portrait. If you go during the week, chances are you won’t have a big crowd. It is the perfect way to spend a beautiful California day. I have to admit, I did sneak off and walk through the former Beau Arts Mansion again so I could “work” the grand staircase just one more time. We all have our priorities. The docents have seen it before. Their expressions said it all: “Lord, not another one.”
We also checked out some of our favorite spots in LA. A new favorite dining spot is Church & State, a French bistro located in the old industrial section of LA. It was really delicious. I had an interesting cocktail. I don’t recall the name, but it was strong and kind of tasted like a Band-Aid. We also went to one of my all-time favorite spots, The Ivy. Luckily, we had reservations, but they don’t hold long, which might explain why everyone was rushing me as I was trying to get dressed that morning. Is it my fault I had to wait for the freaking bathroom to be free, I ask you.
We had a great table and worked our best LA looks. It is a see-and-be-seen kind of place with lots of black luxury cars dropping people off in droves. Lots of tour buses slow down as they pass so the tourists can catch (or at least hope to catch) a star sighting or two. But seeing as how it was one day before the Oscars, you aren’t likely to find a star actually eating—much less in public. Since there were no actual stars (Well, we did see Kim Richards from RHWOBH but…. like I said.), the fans went for the next best thing, Max and I. From the open-air buses, they waved at us and snapped our photos. It was pretty damn funny. Even more funny? When they review those pictures, they’ll think, “Who the hell are these guys?” Maybe they thought Max was a silent film star or Robert Redford with a fresh head of highlights? Anyway, here is a helpful hint: Sangria runs about $25 a glass. Just telling you now so you don’t have a heart attack when the bill comes. Bonus, they have some damn good cookies, and everyone gets a box when you leave.
I will skip over all the walking and shopping and walking and shopping and shopping. I didn’t buy one thing, although Max did get me a super cute shirt. I saw lots of things that I totally did not need, so I was good with the no spending. Then we headed over to Brentwood, where we met friends for a drink at their new home followed by dinner out.
I won’t mention my friends’ names, but I will drop some titles: “network executive” and “president.” The house looked great, and I got to see all the changes taking place and others soon to happen. Design-wise, I was in heaven. When it came time for us all to go to dinner, we couldn’t find the key to the car. Ruh roh. Yes, there is nothing quite like meeting a network executive for the first time and then not being able to leave his home because we could not find the damn car key. The last person who had the key was Max. He moved the car so the housekeeper could leave. He swore on a stack of Vanity Fairs that he put the key back in Jean’s black purse, which was sitting on a window seat. But there was no key. We dumped the purse out. Nothing. Since it was a keyless ignition, we then took the purse to the car to see if we somehow missed it. Nothing. So all six of us went back inside and started searching the house, which was spotless so had the keys should have been visible. Still nothing. Then out came the iPhone flashlights and a search of the driveway. We even called the housekeeper to see if she had mistakenly picked them up. No keys.
Having been through one of Max’s can’t-find-something rants only to ultimately find it either where it should have been or on his person, I did a TSA pat down on him. Nothing, but I do think he enjoyed it. We were all completely stumped. Forty-five minutes had passed, and I was starving. Our reservation was now long gone. I was almost to the point of looking in the fridge when I heard the car start. I go outside and see Jean with our hostess’purse, also black, sitting on the passenger seat. Turns out Max had indeed put the keys back in the wrong purse. Luckily, we all laughed about this later over dinner of what was actually good Mexican food and several delicious ’ritas. Bonus of having understanding new friends who hold high positions in Hollywood: It only takes one phone call and a table for six is at your disposal. Now do you understand why I like LA so much?
So that was our weekend. I’ll skip over the part where we mistakenly decided to skip our scheduled Oscars party due to all the calls telling us we should head home Sunday instead of Monday. Yet another helpful hint, don’t try to fly standby with two people on a Sunday. Just don’t do it.
Here is the world famous Gamble house in sunny California to help keep you warm on this messy winter day. Happy Friday!
