…Continued from previous post…
Coffee from Happy Bones.
Amazing Italian.
This is a terrible photo but I have to put it up because it was a really great meal. Ben’s friend Amir took us there, it’s a place called Saraghina and it’s in the middle of Bed-Stuy and we had to wait like, 45 minutes for a table but the food was delicious.
Later that night we went to Jenny’s for some drinks for Corinna’s birthday.
Happy Birthday Corinna!
Jenny and Sean, who is actually a New Zealand contestsant on the current season of Project Runway.
This is a ridic photo of Jenny and there’s a plant where her crotch is but you know, I had to post it.
My mate Jonathan outside Dim Sum Go Go.
We ate yum cha at Dim Sum Go Go. Pretty great.
Models, huh.
Met up with Raina (left) and Evelina (right) for a little walk around Central Park, another place I’d never been. Ben had his first NYC hotdog. I still remain a NYC hotdog virgin, something about those things makes me feel skeezy.
Lobster Joint menu.
We were in a mad hurry at the Lobster Joint. It was like, 5:15pm and we were supposed to be meeting up with our friends at 6:30pm at the venue for Ella’s first NY show, which was ‘Pier 97′ at Hudson River Park (or something) which is super far west at like, 55th street which was the opposite side of town to where we were. We got an Uber which was kind of idiotic to do at that time – it ended up costing something like US$58.00. Anyway, we got there, saw Majical Cloudz which was really awesome, and then Ella’s show which was amazing – I tweeted a bunch about this but just to reiterate, I hadn’t seen the show before this (Boston didn’t count because it wasn’t the full show) and I was blown away by the production. There were smoke-filled bubbles! Confetti! She did two great covers, the sound was really good, the costumes were fantastic, the lighting was BEAUTIFUL.
Me and Corinna. I dunno why my face looks like that. James took this and the one below.
iPhone photo of those smoke-filled bubbles.
Pretty great last night in the big smoke.
Ben’s luggage in the hallway.
We left early the next morning – Newark to LAX.
Touchdown in Los Angeles.
Ben driving our rental car.
One thing I have to say about Los Angeles and driving. I didn’t drive the whole time, Ben had to. I wouldn’t – I’m too nervy and paranoid about the wrong side of the road in the wrong side of the car and that weird rule where you can turn right through a red light, and the lanes and lanes of traffic. So basically I shouldn’t really be complaining but holy shit it is stressful being in a car on the wrong side of the road when you don’t know where the hell you’re going. No crashes, but.
Our drive to Anaheim.
I last went to Red Lobster with my family when I was like, 12 years old, and I wanted to relive the memory. I know what you’re thinking and you can just shut up for a bit okay.
We stayed the night in Anaheim for something super cheap, like US$85 for the night at this hotel near Disneyland/Disney California Adventure Park. The whole next day was spent at the happiest place on earth – we got there at like 9:30am and left at 6:30pm. Nine hours, 11 rides. It was a long, long day in temperatures ranging from 31 degrees (Celsius, obv) and 37. IT WAS SO HOT. Insane.
Unfortunately the Indiana Jones ride was closed for restoration or whatever, which sucks because it was my favourite ride from the last time I was there (at 12 years of age).
Great range of frozen treats.
View from the roller coaster, mid ride.
Clam chowder served in a bread bowl.
This meal was another nostalgia-based decision. Again, I last had this when I was 12 and I was so impressed by the fact that the bowl was made. of. BREAD. Not a bad soup, to be honest. I mean, maybe it wasn’t the best choice considering the 35 degree heat, but tasty nonetheless. Can’t say the same for that bloody juice box. That was horrible.
That night we drove through In ‘n’ Out and picked up a burger on the drive back to L.A, where we checked into The Standard hotel for two nights.
Good old Le Pain Quotidien.
Our New Zealand mate Rohan with a lemonade on the way to Venice beach.
Ay! Hank Moody’s house!
Quick stop to see Evan, who moved to L.A last week.
Masa of Echo Park pizza.
Fellow New Zealander Connor Nestor took us to Masa in Echo Park, this pizza joint he swears by. I was skeptical – it was deep dish Chicago style pizza which I had never tried but wasn’t sold on for starters, and it took 45 minutes to cook. Anyway, he was right, we ordered one and a salad, it was yum, and the meal cost the four of us something like US$40.00 including tax and tip. (We couldn’t even finish that one pizza, there were two slices leftover.)
So many pool rules at The Standard West Hollywood.
Spent the last day at the pool, shopping and lunching at Chateau Marmont which was probably the best meal we had the whole trip (and the most expensive).
Our meal at Chateau Marmont – Burrata with English Pea Bruschetta (DELICIOUS), Arancini of Black Truffle with Mushrooms and Parmesan, and Steak Sandwich with Caramelised Onions, Cheddar and Pickles.
I don’t have any more photos of what else we did (went shopping Downtown, picked up some great takeaway sushi from Zip Izakaya, panic drove the rental car back to Alamo in traffic, had the last cigarette (Ben, not me), checked in for our flight, waited around, flew home (I had a middle seat in a row of four) and arrived at 6:15am this morning) but you get the idea and I’m back in New Zealand now.
So I guess that’s where I’ve been.
The end.
awesome
fun and tiring.
did you seriously go eat at marmont?