Good Morning & Hello Friday — from LA!

1. It’s my first time back in LA since November 2018!! Can’t believe it’s been that long.
2. Today’s post is brief because I am BUSY but I must add that yesterday’s exploration (with my friend Kara) was awesome and totally got me excited to be in LA (despite its problems, which are many!).
3. Big thanks also to so many friends who provided great tips on what to see/do in these short few days. Couldn’t have done it without you!
4. Next week I’ll go into more detail on the best and worst of LA, plus the general ups and downs of travel in 2022.

And with that please scroll down for today’s LA Highlights.

1. NEW SOHO HOLLOWAY HOUSE AND soho warehouse DTLA

1. Am staying at Holloway House and absolutely love it. More on the rooms, the staff, and the amenities next week.
2. Also checked out the Soho Warehouse in the Downtown Arts District. Super cool property (altho I doubt I would stay there unless I had business downtown).
3. This trip, as always, I’m opting for hotels where I not only feel welcome but that also provide a complete home base! Soho House does that for me every time!! Thanks to all – especially Toni and Jakara (apologies for spelling).

2. Bike Shed Moto Downtown!

1. I’ve been tracking this place since July 2021 (#3 in this blog post) so was excited to see it open just prior to my LA visit. And many thanks to Gene Danenhower, Membership Manager, for giving us the tour.
2. The place is spectacular. It’s open to the general public but also has fabulous members-only lounges and facilities.
3. Their restaurant/bar, store, barber, and tattoo parlor are all the ultimate in cool (more photos below).

3. Frogtown Update: One of LA’s hippest neighborhoods!

1. First wrote about Frogtown in 2016 (thanks to a great tip from my friend Clint Peralta, #3 in post).
2. Revisited this week and it’s gotten even better!
3. Especially loved the new La Colombe Roastery (top two pics), the soon-to-open Quantum Clinic (bottom left), the Spoke Bicycle Cafe, and the wonderful trail for walking/biking along the LA River (great for bird sightings!!).

4. Matte Black Coffee in DTLA

1. Major shout out to Billy Melnyk for tipping me to Matte Black with its Joshua Vides designs. This Southern California-based illustrator and visual artist defines the premise of pop art through immersive illustrations.
2. This location has become a top destination for social media influencers.
3. And the staff are super nice!

5. The scoop on Mother Wolf: Food is great but noise levels are unbearable!!

• I went to all kinds of trouble to get this reservation (set alarm for 3 am etc) only to be left sorely disappointed by the overall experience – not the food which is awesome or the staff who are great – but by the music levels which are excruciatingly loud. Ultimately, we left exhausted after 2 hours of shouted conversation.
• The restaurant is a total scene. We were seated next to 3 tables of celebs: Bob Iger, Shaun White, and Aisha Tyler.
• It’s a hot ticket but I do not recommend it for business dinners, or any get-togethers, where conversation is a priority. Evan Funke, what were you thinking?

And that’s a wrap for today.

Next week, look for the comprehensive “Snapshot of America: LA Edition.” In the meantime, wishing you all a fabulous 4th of July weekend!