The Must

Couple of things to do in LA this week, as filtered through my curious brain:

“Unleash your inner fair!!!” is the theme of this year’s LA County Fair, opening Friday in Pomona. Not sure about y’all but I’m unleashing my inner fair, at the concierge desk, as we speak. Hope our guests can tell! Get up close to marine animals including sea lions, sharks, and mermaids. Yes. Mermaids. Indulge in such culinary delights as Krispy Kreme Sloppy Joes and, well, I’ll just stop there. Catch the End of Summer Concert Series featuring artists including Demi Lovato and The Bangles. I like to sing “Manic Monday” around my non-hospitality friends, especially when my work week begins during their Sunday brunch. Try it, so fun and confusing for them!

Labor Day Weekend: As a wee one, I thought this holiday was in honor of birthin’ babies. Boy, was I wrong. It’s to celebrate workin’ hard, of course! Or, get real crazy and celebrate my favorite bundle of joy: The Food Baby. The LA Times is hosting The Taste food and wine festival at Paramount Studios Friday through Sunday. On Saturday, join Michael Cimarusti of Providence and Connie and Ted’s (Responsible for my most recent F.B....I’m sorry, but you offer a hot and a cold lobster roll on your menu? Concierge-ing dictates I order both). Sunday, join critic Jonathan Gold and Sang Yoon of Father’s Office (B.F.B. anyone?) as you enjoy a day of authentic dishes from around the world, courtesy of LA’s best restaurants. Wrap this delectable weekend up with a Labor Day Block Party hosted by Nancy Silverton and lastly, partake in the Cocktail Confidential, hosted by some of LA’s finest mixologists. Labor Day barbeque, smarbeque, I’ll see y’all at Paramount!

Delight

The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight. The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention.

I remain tattoo-less but if I were to inscribe words on my body, that last sentence is a particular favorite of mine. I'm also considering the state birds of Alabama and California, one for each wrist. However, that frankly seems a tad ambitious so perhaps I'll just settle for a couple of prints off of Etsy.

I was reminded of this quote tonight, while watching two little adorable boys play in front of the lobby mirrors. Starck placed some pretty crazy things in our hotel but the funhouse mirrors are always a hit. The littlest one was very taken by how skinny or fat they made him appear, and he kept giggling and babbling in Spanish and then giggling and falling to the floor. Must have done this nine times. And then I started giggling too, at witnessing his pure joy. His delight was my delight. We've had some very lovely guests lately, and I'm sometimes too quick to stop and pay attention to the gift that is constant, varied human interaction.

Though it was my seventh day of work in a row and I was quite beat, I ended it by writing my weekly little email. I'll share that with you, along with the tiny idea to pay more attention. The ability to be delighted seems like such a given, but it's not. It's absolutely not.

“I'm a perpetual tourist, and that's the best way to travel. Nobody gets used to you, you make new friends without having to hear anyone's everyday problems, and you jet back still feeling like a know-it-all.” John Waters is full of fabulous quotes, most of which are a little NSFW. Google ‘em on your lunch break! Apparently Johnny Ramone was a big fan of his as well. Sunday at 5:30 pm, the 9^th Annual Johnny Ramone Tribute will present an Outdoor Screening of Cry Baby at Hollywood Forever. Special guests include host John Waters, co-star Traci Lords, and there’s even a Ramones look a-like contest. Gonna see lots of vegan leather jackets…

Here’s an intriguing (and free) event: The Cardboard Yacht Regatta will be held Saturday at the Annenberg Community Beach House. Cheer on teams who’ve constructed their own watercraft from cardboard and duct tape.  Each paddle-powered vessel is a work of art, vying for such awards as Best Theme and Most Likely to Sink. I’m already mentally building “Monkey Business” for next year’s regatta.

Did you know our very own Lori Trimble is President of the Los Angeles Concierge Association? (Side note: she likes it when you bow in her presence.) The LACA invites you to our 2013 Hospitality Expo, held at the lovely Langham Pasadena. Next Tuesday August 20^th from 6:30 to 9:30, come mingle with other LA hospitality professionals and vendors. There will be games, prizes, and all sorts of circus-y entertainment!

The Must

I've been writing a little weekly must-do newsletter that is sent from the concierge desk to all hotel employees. Don't tell anyone, but I actually kinda enjoy it. Thought you might, too:

Robert Redford once said, “Storytellers broaden our minds: engage, provoke, inspire, and ultimately, connect us.”  The same can be said for wine and beer.  Enjoy these three things together (!) when you visit Redford’s Sundance Cinema at 8000 Sunset for Next Weekend, LA’s version of the Sundance film fest.  Friday through Sunday, stop by the delightful theater for screenings and discussion panels.  Grab a glass of Sonoma’s finest and brag about how you saw that indie film first. Oh my stars, you’re so hip!

Speaking of suds, the Craft Beer Crawl takes place Saturday and Sunday across seven unique bars and restaurants downtown.  Sample over 100 craft beers hosted by the coolest gals in the biz, The Beer Chicks.

Forget Christmas in July, it’s all about Halloween in August. Travel back in time to the Roaring 20s, and get all flapper-ified at the Great Gatsby Party.  This Saturday, downtown’s historic Park Plaza Hotel turns into the “Gatsby Mansion” with specialty cocktails, swing music, a New Orleans jazz room, and a courtyard where you can purchase treats from LA’s best food trucks.  It’s sure to be the bee’s knees AND the cat’s pajamas!

Concierge-ing

I had to complete a bit of homework for the hotel this evening, and in the middle of it I realized I was totally geeking out and actually enjoying the assignment. This week, each of us had to visit a neighborhood restaurant and share what we learned with the rest of our team.

And I enjoyed writing it so much I thought, why not share it with y'all too? So here's a little taste of what I do on a weekly basis:

As a concierge, we (ideally) try all the notable spots in LA. This helps us guide our guests in the right direction when they're looking for dining options, nightlife, what have you. This week, I was thrilled to visit Crossroads, the new vegan restaurant in West Hollywood. Without further ado, please enjoy my book report/review:

I visited the delightful Crossroads twice this week, first with the LACA board and again on a veggie dinner date.  Apparently I’m a fan.

Crossroads is located on Melrose at Sweetzer, in the building which most recently housed the dearly departed Philippe Chow.  As a mainly pescetarian (but sometimes Pikey-burger fiend) I don’t have the discipline to go full veggie.  Crossroads just might be the push I need.

They bill it as “Mediterranean” cuisine, and it is the only vegan restaurant in the city boasting a full bar.  The space is lovely: décor in dove grey and white, with soft lighting courtesy of several handcrafted chandeliers.  The private dining room off of the front remains, as does the indoor/outdoor dining space that will soon offer a coffee bar and treats for takeaway (think vegan-ified Larder at Tavern). 

Celeb vegan chef Tal Ronnen was present both times I was dining, and gave us a little insight into the menu.  Some items were inspired by dishes he can no longer enjoy as a vegan (artichoke “oysters” were a favorite of mine) The menu is comprised of small plates, a nice little wine list (we enjoyed champagne from Oregon; quite lovely) and seasonal cocktails.

Crossroads would appeal to our guests hoping to enjoy a healthful, yet elegant, dinner.  I can imagine it would suit vegetarians and curious meat-eaters alike, as the cuisine is inventive enough you don’t feel like you’re missing out by foregoing your steak or poultry.

If y’all want to get your veggie on in an atmosphere a little more sparkly than RFD, Crossroads is a promising new destination.  Let me know if you stop by; I’ll meet you for a negroni.

So there you have it. A day in the life of a concierge.

Actually, here's a little sound clip from this evening, so you can really get a feel for what we do:

(Helpful background info: our lobby features a plastic Philippe Starck-designed pig and horse.)

• Drunk Guest 1: You talked about wanting to ride that bull! There ya are; go for it girl!
• Drunk Guest 2: This thing better have stirrups! *It does not* She mounts the pig, and begins wildly air-lassoing with her right arm.

And scene.