Curry with a Side of Decor - Electric Lotus

My dear friend Sarah just informed me that she will be cooking dinner for me tonight...score! What makes this free meal even better is that it won't be your average college student microwaveable pizza, but some home cooked curry, yum!

Of coarse at any mention of food my head begins to file through the endless experiences I have had with the dish; which versions I have had, where I have eaten it, who cooked it, which was the best, etc. I may not have the best memory when it comes to say, where I left my keys, Spanish vocab words, or even my friend's birthdays, but there is probably no food detail that I can't remember....

I have had some awsome curries in my day; great homemade ones (my brother wins this one so far), and eaten at some incredible Indian restaurants. However, one of my favorite places to hunker down for a family-style Indian feast is the Los Feliz find, Electric Lotus. There are alot of fantastic Indian restaurants in the L.A. area where you will find the curries full of flavor, the naan a perfect mixture of soft and crispy, and the basmati rice cooked to impeccable fluffiness, and Electric Lotus is no exception. However, it's not just the food that that makes me come back to this specific location time and again, but its the vibrant ambiance that makes this it this spot special. Upon entry to the Vermont Ave corner spot you will be greeted by a flush of colors; bright blue walls, hanging golden curtains, and plush red booths. Choose to sit in one of the tucked-away booths where you can chow down on some garlic naan and a bowl of bubbling curry lit by the glow of hanging lanterns. Curry doesn't get much better than this.

Electric Lotus

4656 Franklin Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 953-0040

Croissants, Croissants, Croissants

Flaky, buttery, sweet, savory, delicious. What more could you want?

Medialunas (croissants) are a serious staple of the Argentine lifestyle. Tres Medialunas con Cafe (three croissants and coffee) are on every single menu in Buenos Aires (well almost). After spending six months there last year I obtained a serious love-hate relationship with the buttery little morsels; love because of their buttery deliciousness, and hate because of, well, their buttery (and carb loaded) deliciousness. However, I still find them to be one of the best occasional treats to accompany a morning or afternoon coffee.


Since coming back to the states I have had a seriously difficult time matching the deliciousness of the croissants from my favorite cafeteria in Buenos Aires. Although I haven't matched the same melting goodness, I have found a place the competes in a whole other realm of croissant divinity.

Behold the largest, most filling croissants that at least I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. Seriously, we are talking huge. But, grandness alone doesn't equal greatness. The croissants at Cafe Los Feliz come in a multitude of tempting flavors including savory versions like mushroom, ham and Swiss, and spinach and cheese, as well as some mouth-watering sweet versions like chocolate filled, apple filled, and my personal favorite the almond paste filled croissant. The almond filled is a large, traditional half-moon croissant filled with a thin sugary almond past, with toasted, sweet almonds on top...perfection. The creative versions offer something for every croissant desire, and yes they are all delicious; flaky, buttery dough, fresh flavorful ingredients.

The tiny, unassuming exterior of Cafe Los Feliz is easily missed, but once you enter the gleaming display of baked goods and the impeccable service will charm you. While you're there grab a cafe latte with one of your treats. The woman behind the counter may seem a little serious at first, but when she asks, with a smile, if you would like a little cocoa and cinnamon on top of your latte I guarantee you will be in a child-like enchantment (cocoa on top of a latte? Who would have thought!). Of course this only works if you haven't already snuck a bite of that warm croissant; you'll instantly be under the magic spell of Cafe Los Feliz.

Cafe Los Feliz

2118 Hillhurst Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 664-7111

Apple Filled Croissant at Cafe Los Feliz

Living Like a Los Feliz Local

One of my favorite neighborhoods in all of L.A. is the east-side hipster haven, Los Feliz Village. This neighborhood0d has an abundance of hip boutiques, eateries of all types, and independently owned galleries, and the best part is it's all located within a few walking friendly blocks. It's situated directly East of Hollywood, North of Silverlake, the other happening East-Side neighborhood, and just South of Griffith Park. It is located off of the 101 and I-5, and is conveniently positioned off of the Metro Red Line Stop at Vermont and Sunset.

A couple of weeks ago I dragged a few friends from Whittier out of our little hide-away and into Los Feliz. We had an awsome day, starting with a stop at Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Ennis House, off to The Griffith Observatory for a killer sunset, then ending on Hillhurst in Los Feliz for a highly anticipated bar hopping happy hour.

Ennis House

by Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright, renowned architect, built the Ennis house in his signature textile block style for Mabel and Charles Ennis in 1924. Unfortunately you can't go inside because it is currently under rehabilitation, but the building itself is worth the visit, and the view from on top of the hill, adjacent to Griffith Park, doesn't hurt either.

by Frank Lloyd Wright

2655 Glendower Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323-660-0607

http://www.ennishouse.org/

Griffith Observatory

We next ventured off to the nearby Griffith Observatory, in Griffith Park off of Vermont Ave., to take in the view of those burning L.A. sunsets. There is no admission cost to enter the observatory and take in its stately views.

2800 East Observatory Road

Los Angeles, CA 90027

213-473-0800

http://www.griffithobservatory.org/

Vinoteca Farfalla

After watching the sun go down my friends and I decided to head to Vinoteca Farfalla a hidden boutique wine bar on Hillhurst to enjoy some half-off Italian and Brazilian inspired appetizers and discounted wines and beer on tap. Although not in the wine mood we all opted for the discounted Stellas and dug into some killer food including and assortment of well prepared empanadas, crispy Parmesan cheese, and a creative take on bruschetta...yum.

Happy hour is 5pm-7pm daily.

1968 Hillhurst Avenue,

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323.661.8070

http://www.vinotecafarfalla.com/

Tangier Restaurant and Lounge

After some serious food and wine bliss at Vinoteca we continued our happy hour fun up the street at Tangier Restaurant and Lounge. This Saharan inspired venue sports some seriously discounted cocktails ($3 cosmopolitans!), and although we left a little early if you go also consider sticking around for the nightly entertainment.

Happy hour is served 5:30pm-7pm daily.

2138 Hillhurst Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323-660-1033

http://www.tangierrestaurant.net/

Welcome to Los Angeles

I am starting this blog for a number of reasons, the main one being that I want to encourage others to take advantage of the state and city that we to go to school, and yes, live in. In fact, I think that for many of you, this location was a huge draw when picking where you pursued your higher education. But now that you are here, you are probably thinking “I don’t even know how/where to start exploring this city”.

Since my first year at Whittier College (I’m currently a senior) I have seen a definite interest from my classmates regarding what Southern California and Los Angeles has to offer, but I have also noticed a distinct lack of action. So… I have decided that it isn't due to lack of interest or motivation that many Whittier and Southern California College student's aren't taking advantage of the wealth of opportunities around them, so what is it?

This is where I hope to come in. I have come to find that many student's don't have the time, knowledge or motivation to investigate, plan and encourage others to actually make their desire to explore become a reality. There is a endless wealth of opportunities, destinations, locations and explorations in the Los Angeles area, and it can be seriously daunting to figure out where to start. I however, am one of few people who enjoy this research and planning process and who is willing to motivate (and sometimes force) my friends to leave the comfort of our campus and explore what is out there in the "real world." Most of them will tell you it is (almost) always worth it in the end.

The purpose of this blog will be to give others the where, when, how, and why of getting off campus and into the big, bad, beautiful world of Los Angeles. I will be posting new and interesting locations, information about them, experiences from past trips and will be letting people know of future trips to come.

I am indeed hoping to motivate as many people as possible to venture out. Many of us are here for only a short period of time and will then return to our homes of origin. It would be the greatest tragedy of all to have come all this way and not be able to say you explored the city of Los Angeles.

I am also encouraging everyone to send me feedback, lots of feedback:

Let me know places you might want to visit and learn more about (beaches, restaurants, vintage shops, hiking..?).

What have been your obstacles in getting off campus (transportation, time, money, knowledge of the area?).

How do you like the format of the blog? Is the information helpful?

All comments would be helpful!

Welcome to Los Angeles,

Whitney

PS here are a few photos for motivation.

Sunsets in Venice Beach.

(some of the best in L.A.)

Happy Hour at Cuba Libre in Los Feliz

Rockin' out to Steel Panther in Hollywood

(Weekly 80s cover band)

Hiking in Griffith Park