Yesterday, I joined a group of Junior Leaguers for a Day at City Hall. It was an opportunity for us to watch the city council in action, meet with city staffers, and, for a brief moment, act like big-wig politicians. We wasted no time getting down to business.
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The JLLA Beach Cities girls are ready for our interview.
(Merry Wife, second from left) |
The last item on the agenda was a trip to the wrap-around observation deck on the 27th floor.
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| The Times Building in the foreground. |
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| Grand Park |
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You call it smog, we call it haze. You can just make out the
Hollywood sign. |
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| Union Station |
In true socialite style, our "day" of "hard work" was over at noon, so we high-tailed it over to
Bottega Louie on 7th and Grand for lunch and some of their famous macarons. The macaron has been the New Cupcake for a few years now, but if the crowds were any indication, no one is ready to move on the next big thing yet.
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| So many macarons, so little time. |
It was hard to decide what flavors to bring home and share with the Merry Husband, but I finally settled on this box of five.
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Left to right: Pistachio, Earl Grey, Rose, Strawberry,
and Grand Cru |
The Earl Grey macaron is the prettiest I have ever seen - pale blue flecked with gold. It was as if Marie Antoinette came back as a cookie.
If you happen to find yourself in downtown, I highly recommend stopping by to gawk at the pastry counter. I have it on good authority that the best time to go is at brunch, and that the thing to get (besides the macarons) are the lemon ricotta pancakes.
Your pictures really impressed me with an attractive view of Los Angeles, and realize how much I missed when I was there. I would welcome another chance to visit, and perhaps to sample those lemon ricotta pancakes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Parnassus! The problem with visiting L.A. is that all the things people associate with the city - the beach, Hollywood, Disneyland, Rodeo Drive - are all spread out. Until fairly recently, nothing good was to be found in downtown, so visitors would just skip it entirely. But now with L.A. Live, downtown is a lot more interesting!
DeleteFantastic views from the observation deck.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking how strange it is these days that food fads such as the cupcakes and now the macaroons go worldwide in no time at all - I wonder what will be next.
I really wonder sometimes too. I've heard Mexican popsicles, gourmet marshmallows, and donuts offered as possibilities. I wish I knew - I'd get in on the ground floor! :)
DeleteDear MW,
ReplyDeleteBeing an aficionado of macaroons I can say those examples look delicious! Did they have cassis? That and raspberry are my favourite flavours.
I have only been to Los Angeles airport while changing planes en route from here to there although I do have some distant relatives living there. It looks big!
I'm not sure I could go to the 27th floor . . .
I believe they make a violet cassis flavor, but I didn't try it. My friend says that their salted caramel is excellent.
DeleteViolet Cassis - yes that's the name. Ladurée in Paris make them too and they are 100% fab (in my humble opinion!)
DeleteI will have to try one on my next visit then! They also had pistachio eclairs that immediately reminded me on the ones you posted recently.
DeleteAren't you a beauty? You'll be too coy to answer that but yes yes you
ReplyDeleteare. The macaron truly looks like the reincarnation of MA in biscuit form!
Thank you, Tabitha. :)
DeleteI agree, you are lovely. Never spent time, except airport, in LA. My sister went a few years ago for work and had a blast. Macaroons have not made it over here yet. We seem to still be in the " add your own toppings to yogurt " fad. Just have ice cream I say.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, we had yogurt shops on every corner there for a while. I'll take Ben & Jerry's any day!
DeleteSo, um, what is the Junior League?
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for sharing a picture (in which you look very smart, BTW). Although so cautious of doing it myself, I am so glad to put a face to blogfriend!
Hi pins and needles!
DeleteThanks so much. :) The Junior League is a charity group for women. It used to have a very staid reputation, but most of the women I've met through the organization are young professionals who want to contribute their time and energy back to their communities. The LA chapter's focus is on the health and education of women and children.