Why I love Dusty's

1. It's good karma to support the little guys. I feel like I'm giving back to my neighborhood to eat a block from my house.

2. They left up the "TAMALES" sign from the previous occupant even though they don't serve them and have nothing to do with Mexican cuisine.

3. The decor reminds me of my trip to Paris. And that's reason enough.

4. The food is outstanding. From their frequent fish specials to their long list of sides, including mac n' cheese and potatoes au gratin. Yum!

5. Service is always great and they never rush you through your meal. I don't consider myself a picky diner at all, but nothing infuriates me more than taking a bite of a starter salad and having my entree brought to the table two seconds later.

Or, when eating sushi, ordering a few dishes and having them all brought out at once. (Hello Pazazz on Hyperion!!!) It's not an eating competition folks. I'm out to eat because I'd like enjoy myself for a minute and savor the experience. (Unless, due to unforeseen circumstances I'm forced to eat at a Chili's or the like and in that case, please,PUH-LEASE just bring the food out as fast as you can..... and bring the check with my entree. And don't tell ANYONE you saw me here!)

6. One of the waiters is a Sommelier and always has great recommendations. AND doesn't make you feel inferior when you ask if the Chianti he suggested is dry as gasoline. (It wasn't. It was delicious.)

Some pics from lovely DUSTY'S BISTRO in Silver Lake.

Hooray For Hollywood

All too often I take for granted that I live in one of the coolest cities in the world. When I travel, (abroad especially,) I get such a kick out of saying I live in Hollywood. But when I'm home it's just another east/west street that's congested at five. (And filled with tourists and transvestite hookers.)

However, to break up the monotony of having a ladies lunch in Silver Lake, AS USUAL, we decided to go to Musso and Franks for some steaks and a cocktail. (Which turned into lamb chops & THREE cocktails but that's between you, me and the lampost.)

After a delicious meal the four of us stumbled out with the best of intentions, only to mosey into a tattoo/piercing parlor and consider doing something painful or permanent.

OR BOTH!

The cashier, who looked like something out of National Geographic, tried to convince my friend that piercing back through her scar tissue on her stomach would actually hurt LESS than the first time.

The thought of that pretty much sobered us up and we left with no additional holes in our bodies. The rest of the day played out like a montage scene in an eighties chick flick. Kind of a cross between Can't Buy Me Love meets Valley Girl meets Absolutely Fabulous. =)

In between bar-hopping we bought trashy lingerie at Frederick's of Hollywood, took a tour of the Hollywood Wax Museum and had our Tarot cards read. Cindy Lauper might as well have been singing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun while dancing behind us the whole day.

The beauty of the entire day was the fact that there was no plan. For me to say that really means something since I plan when I'm going the bathroom next. I love these girls and have such a good time with them. Here are a few screencaps from the day.


BEFORE THE WAX MUSEUM


AT THE WAX MUSEUM


AFTER THE WAX MUSEUM


AFTER ONE TOO MANY MARGARITAS AT THE CAT N' FIDDLE


"DRY OATMEAL." ME ON GEORGE TAKEI'S STAR.