My Chic Life

Danke Schoen

For months and months I’ve heard rumblings about a mythical sausage factory in downtown LA… and today, I found it!

Wurstkuche, while possibly the worst name ever for a restaurant, excels in just about every other category. Although it’s a little tough to find (Erika and I drove around a questionable neighborhood in DTLA for at least 30 minutes) once you find it you’re were smack dab in the middle of the Art’s District and surrounded by adorable bars and restaurants as far as the eye can see. Be forewarned, the building doesn’t technically have a sign (that’s around the corner) but once inside you’ll be blown away by how modern a german sausage house can be.

Their menu boasts everything from Pork to Rattlesnake (apparently the house fave) and includes a litany of vegetarian and even vegan options for your friends who are less than inclined towards Bratwurst. The fries are double dipped, meaning, extra delicious and the beer menu alone could keep you debating for hours. Most delightful though is the totally modern, industrial seating area with long Oktoberfest style wooden tables forcing you to mix it up with everything from hipsters, to artists, to the suit-clad financial district types.

I’m not sure who dreamed this place up… but I so appreciate that something this cool is located in my city. It’s an absolute MUST the next time you’re in the DTLA hood!

When I was in Art school, I had to take a class where we had to design a nightclub based off of a theme.  Our professor would ask us to compile concepts and then, as a class, we would collectively share our ideas.  The most obvious ones were struck out first. Things like; Safari, Candyland, Industrial, 50’s, and so on were eliminated almost immediately along with the hopes of the kids who had proposed them.  I was sad to see that among them was a personal favorite of mine; Alice in Wonderland.  Apparently this concept was constantly being proposed as an idea and as such, our professor was way over the Alice in Wonderland concept.

Alice

Let me just say that I have loved every incarnation of this tale; from the movies, paintings, tales, everything.  There is something completely enthralling about this alternate world of anthropomorphic animals, giant fungi, and quirky characters.  I, like so many people, am eagerly awaiting the new Alice in Wonderland film by Tim Burton with baited breath.   This, however, is not the reason for the post.  Dear Chic Readers, and Alice fans a like, let me introduce you to Wonderland.

Wonderland is one of the newer hotspots here in Hollywood and if you haven’t put two and two together by now, it is based off of Alice in Wonderland! It seems that the Alice theme, while not terribly popular with my professor, is a hit with the Dolce Group.  The Dolce Group owns and operates several of LA’s most popular restaurants and clubs including; Geisha House, Les Deux, Ketchup, etc.

I had the chance to see the interior of this space and it is even better than I could have imagined.  With something like Alice in Wonderland there could be some taste issues when designing a space that needs to be modern and chic, but Wonderland manages to incorporate the style within an LA nightclub setting.   The color palette stays true to what most people expect to see; blacks, deep purples, greens.  There are inverted mushroom chandeliers that illuminate the dance floor and VIP booths, as well as a wall of character silhouettes.  Other fun elements include a warped armoire that’s very Mad Hatter-ish, a Queen of hearts carpet, and topiaries.  All of the elements combine to make a genuinely fun and hip space.  Check it out below!

VIP booths

A la Madhatter

Queen of hearts carpet + mushroom lights

Fun colors throughout

Silhouette wall

These fabulous daytime photos were taken by the folks over at Biz Bash.  Im sure it would be hard to notice all the details with all of the LA glitterati tearing up the place.

In a city like L.A. it’s pretty hard to find a bar/club that stays open for more than a few months.  The life span of any club/bar tends to be relatively short if it’s considered a “hot spot”.

However, just because a place isn’t crawling with celebs and wannabes doesn’t mean it isn’t super cool and just as fun.  Dear Chic readers, let me introduce you to Bordello.

The current downtown renaissance has brought  an influx of young professionals, businesses, and an entirely new vibe to what was once a scary barren wasteland.   Bordello is a favorite for many for its carefree vibe, cheap (but yummy drinks), and lack of doorman attitude.

I have been to Bordello several times and each time has been amazing.  The decor itself is worth the trip.  Staying true to its namesake, Bordello boasts deep reds, elaborate moldings that look like  a frosted cake, and a sexy interior.  One of my best friends had her birthday party here recently and it was amazing.  The space really lends itself to being a great birthday spot.   But don’t take my word for it, check out some photos!

Sexy lounge area

From the outside, however, Bordello can give you the wrong impression.  The rumor goes that Bordello was once a fully functioning..well, Bordello, so it’s way on the outskirts of “Downtown LA”.  It’s in an area that is largely abandoned after 5pm, so it can be a little unnerving if you’ve never been, but never fear the area is totally fine.

The only down side to Bordello is that there is a cover.  BUT at least you avoid the snooty Hollywood bouncer who can make any night into a disaster.

Check out the website for nights and all the 411.

The dancefloor

Drinks please!

I’m always on the hunt for fun and delicious restaurants and was lucky enough to stumble upon Wurstkuche in downtown LA. One of my classes went on a field trip to this restaurant because one of its owners and founders is a graduate of the USC entrepreneurship program. We all enjoyed delicious sausage, french fries, and beer and enjoyed the unique atmosphere.

Yummy!

Wurstkuche has a fairly simple menu, only offering sausage, french fries, and beer, but they seem to have perfected all three of them. They have a wide range of types of sausage, ranging from your typical bratwurst to rattlesnake or rabbit. I stuck with a pretty simple but delicious SantaFe Jack Cheese and Jalapeno Peppers with Spicy Peppers on top and a Belgian beer, La Chouffe. My mouth was on fire from all of the spice but I loved every single bite of it!

This restaurant has been around almost a year and hopefully for much, much longer. It’s located on E 3rd Street and you can find out more by checking their website!

As a major movie fan, Tuesday night was a very exciting night for me. It was the grand opening of the Regal Theaters at LA Live! LA Live was swamped with people because of this…and maybe because of the Lakers vs. Clippers game. Right now, it is only showing the Michael Jackson movie, but has a ton of great movies coming soon.

LA Live!

Living in the LA area, I’m so excited about a new movie theater. I always hated driving out to the Grove and going through all of the hassle to get there. Now, there is conveniently a brand new, fancy shmancy theater right down the street. I’m seriously considering going down there to see the MJ movie and get a sneak peak of the setup!

Did any of you check it out last night or are you planning on heading out there? If you’ve gone, let me know what you think of it! You can find out showtimes and more info at lalive.com.

Goat Cheese Fondu...MMMMMM

Everyone has their favorite place to eat. Maybe its a little diner, or a coffee shop, or even a hamburger stand…. well My favorite place is kind of a combination of all those things wrapped into one amazing dining experience. When I lived in Los angeles everyone knew there was one place you could find me EVERY Sunday night at 9pm. This was my weekly (yes weekly) pilgrimage to Luna Park on La Brea and Wilshire blvd. in Los Angeles. Every week was a new experience because there is nothing half-assed on the menu. Reasonable prices and a chic euro environment (with just the right splash of rock and roll), Luna park was truly my home away from home. The staff is young energetic and honest. I’m primarily a Whiskey guy but if you want the best Mojito in Town, go see Amanda Alva behind the bar on any given weekend…. she’ll even call you a cab home (She’s also super HOT)… Remember to tell her Johnny says “HI”!!! Now I know your asking “Johnny, what do you recommend I order when I visit Luna Park?”… Well I’m glad you asked…. Start off with my favorite appetizer, warm goat cheese fondu with bread and apple sliced… Its just enough to entice the pallet. For the main coarse go in for the kill with the Hanger steak… No A1 sauce necessary. The Salsa topping is good enough to bottle and wash your hair with….. Finally for desert, try the Banana Fosters. Soft hand whipped vanilla Ice cream topped with fresh bananas and crispy caramelized topping!!! (Don’t forget to schedule a spin class the minute you get home)….. I Miss Los Angeles everyday because it is full of gems in the ruff… Luna Park is my Chic gem and I hope you give it a chance to be yours too…….

BEST MOJITOS IN TOWN!!!

Check out their whole Menu and Location at www.LunaParkla.com

Trick-or-Treat

Every year when I see the Pumpkin Spice Latte on the Starbucks drink menu, a little shiver of excitement runs down my spine. Fall has arrived!!!  Temps are down (kind of), leaves are falling (not really), and I have a great urge to go back-to-school shopping (even though I graduated years ago). While we may get screwed out of many Autumn merriments, there is one fall tradition that us Angelenos participate in with pride.

HALLOWEEN is the holiday where men and women of all shapes, sizes, races, and sexual orientation come together with one common goal…to dress UP and party DOWN!!! Now comes the challenge: finding  the perfect costume.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret Chic Readers. After fighting my way though crowds of teeny boppers at SPIRIT stores last year, I had seen one too many Sexy Pirate Wench ensembles. Defeated and depressed I drove home. Then, I found it. COSTUME MECCA!! A giant blow-up Frankenstein lead me to an otherwise inconspicuous warehouse called The Costume Shop.

Ghoulishly Good Deals

This place has it all and does things a little differently. You literally walk in, an associate asks you what you’d like to dress up as, and 10 minutes later, you are holding all of the components to your perfect costume in your hot little hands. Large items such as coats, boots, and full walkabout furries are rentable while smaller accessories can be purchased. Once all of the elements of your get-up have been gathered, your handy helper will give you a price on renting the lot for 2 nights and 3 days. A-MAZING.

I would like to conclude this post with 3 Reasons why you should visit The Costume Shop.

1. Renting is green. Be good to Momma Earth.
2. No one else will have the same costume as you. PHEW.
3. Do you really want that hot pink tutu sitting in your closet the other 364 days of the year??? Didn’t think so.

The Costume Shop  746 W. Doran St. Glendale, CA 91203  (818) 244-1161

Bon Voyage

Tucked away behind the bustling Sunset Boulevard, Le Petit hotel offers a refuge to out-of-towners and Angelenos alike. This Bohemian paradise houses a funky and eclectic collection of local and European touches. In typical French fashion, it’s all in the lavish little details. A tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies is offered to guests upon check in. As you breeze through the lobby to your sleeping quarters, feel free to admire the Picassos that adorn the hallways. They’re originals.

Care for a swim? Oui!

Stop for a snack at the kitchen where the chef will concoct a healthy, fresh, and locally grown, bite just for you. Enjoy the spectacular view as you sip a freshly muddled martini from the bar and relax by the rooftop pool. Make sure you stay until Monday; Sunday nights are a cinematic adventure on the roof of Le Petit hotel. Grab some popcorn and cozy up to a classic flick projected on a big screen under the LA night sky.

Au revoir real world...

With rooms averaging around $170, Le Petit Hotel is tres cheap! Book a night soon, mon ami, this pace wont remain a secret for long.

Welcome Home

One of LA’s main drags, Hollywood Boulevard, can be… well… a drag. The mix of freaks, bums, and tourists can make the blocks from Las Palmas to Vine nearly unbearable for normal folk like me. With the cat-calling, honking, paparazzi, and loitering, it’s almost too much to handle. 

Fear not, I have found a sanctuary amid the chaos and flashing lights. A safe haven where you can escape the smog and schmucks. It is the ESSEX Public House, a place where the fries are hand cut and the drinks are poured with love. This cozy abode is perfect for people-watching through the big open front windows or cozying up in a back booth.

mi casa es su casa

Last Thursday, Alex Lorton of Dolce Group and I had the pleasure of enjoying lunch with our dear friend Allie Greenburg of Puma. ESSEX boasts a pretty diverse menu with something to please the adventurous as well as the traditionalist lunch The duck confit- magnifique! The ahi burger was a swimming success and Alex’s portobello sandwich was the SHITAKE.

Quack House

We were a little too swamped with work to relax with beers that afternoon but the beer menu was quite impressive. I’ll have to make the trek back to Hollyweird for some brews. Hey, at least I know where to find refuge.

Turkey Lurkey

Insider information about Rachel Hollis… I spent many summers of my youth working at a deli, and I’m quite the expert dagwood stacker because of it.

Also, because of it, I’m super picky about any imposter sandwich shops who claim to be unique fresh delis, but really end up being just another turkey sandwich. However, I was SO excited today when I tried Just Baked in the Gas Co. building in downtown LA… the names says it all. All their breads are freshly baked and warm from the oven when they begin making your sandwich. 

The true test of a good sub is… if I get the “healthy” version, meaning no cheese, no “special sauce” etc will it still make me happy, and the answer is yes. And just imagine how much better it would have been if I could have had any of that tasty (although high caloried fare).

I loved the home made pickles and the surprise cookie they slip into your bag that both come with every sandwich. I really recommend the place for any of you Downtowners like myself who are tired of the fried food display at Famima.