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Spontaneous Tourists
My wife and I live 2 hours north of Los Angeles. She had a doctor's appointment at UCLA on Friday. Following her appointment (everything is fine, thanks for asking) we headed over to the Farmers Market, a landmark she had never visited.
One of the first things we encountered was "Gilmore Gas." At first, I wasn't too sure why they had a depression-era gas station display.
Turns out that Earl Gilmore, the entrepreneur who came up with Red Lion gasoline and oil, owned the land at 3rd Street and Fairfax.
Roger Dahlhjelm and Fred Beck approached E.B. Gilmore with an idea envisioned as a village square where artisans would sell handmade goods in a central market where farmers would sell their produce to housewives. Gilmore went for it and LA's Farmers Market was established in 1934.
No shortage of food and drink, including lots of fresh produce.
There are dozens of restaurants, too, ranging from ice cream and donuts to sushi and Brazilian BBQ.
After the Farmers Market, we went next door to explore the "Grove." This is an outdoor shopping Mecca modeled on the Disney concept. All the stores are extremely expensive, there's valet parking and a concierge. Not my cup of tea at all, but interesting to look around nonetheless.
If the three-block length of the shopping plaza is too daunting, there's a trolley that runs back and forth all day.
Tell me this doesn't look like Disneyland.
Lots of trendy shops.
Old-World European achitecture abounds.
There's grass, a bridge, and a water-feature for the stroller set.
From the folks that brought you the Bellagio water show in Las Vegas.
This girl was intently interested in the water fountains.
Finally, a trip to Hollywood for Pink's! Neither my wife nor I had ever been, though I've driven past it a hundred times.
You'll wait 20-25 minutes to order. This was at 4:00 p.m.
Serious Polish sausages. And when they say "spicy," they mean spicy.
Chili dogs were a dime when Pink's opened in 1939.
This was our lunch. Mine were the hot dogs, my wife's the Polish sausages. She was mortified at how big they were and only finished one. Our total came to $18.90 with two drinks. In 1939, I estimate this meal would have totaled less than $1.00. My how times have changed. . . .
Pink's was an interesting experience and one I would recommend to any visitor to Hollywood. The small restaurant is covered with autographed celebrity photographs (like ever other Hollywood eatery) and they have several amusing specials named for celebrities (Huell Howser, Rosie O'Donnell, Johnny Grant, etc.). The chili was a bit bitter and oily, though. Frankly, Cupid's in the Valley has it all over Pink's: much better chili dogs.
That's all I've got. What few photos remain can be viewed here.
Thanks for viewing. Q & C welcome.
One of the first things we encountered was "Gilmore Gas." At first, I wasn't too sure why they had a depression-era gas station display.
Turns out that Earl Gilmore, the entrepreneur who came up with Red Lion gasoline and oil, owned the land at 3rd Street and Fairfax.
Roger Dahlhjelm and Fred Beck approached E.B. Gilmore with an idea envisioned as a village square where artisans would sell handmade goods in a central market where farmers would sell their produce to housewives. Gilmore went for it and LA's Farmers Market was established in 1934.
No shortage of food and drink, including lots of fresh produce.
There are dozens of restaurants, too, ranging from ice cream and donuts to sushi and Brazilian BBQ.
After the Farmers Market, we went next door to explore the "Grove." This is an outdoor shopping Mecca modeled on the Disney concept. All the stores are extremely expensive, there's valet parking and a concierge. Not my cup of tea at all, but interesting to look around nonetheless.
If the three-block length of the shopping plaza is too daunting, there's a trolley that runs back and forth all day.
Tell me this doesn't look like Disneyland.
Lots of trendy shops.
Old-World European achitecture abounds.
There's grass, a bridge, and a water-feature for the stroller set.
From the folks that brought you the Bellagio water show in Las Vegas.
This girl was intently interested in the water fountains.
Finally, a trip to Hollywood for Pink's! Neither my wife nor I had ever been, though I've driven past it a hundred times.
You'll wait 20-25 minutes to order. This was at 4:00 p.m.
Serious Polish sausages. And when they say "spicy," they mean spicy.
Chili dogs were a dime when Pink's opened in 1939.
This was our lunch. Mine were the hot dogs, my wife's the Polish sausages. She was mortified at how big they were and only finished one. Our total came to $18.90 with two drinks. In 1939, I estimate this meal would have totaled less than $1.00. My how times have changed. . . .
Pink's was an interesting experience and one I would recommend to any visitor to Hollywood. The small restaurant is covered with autographed celebrity photographs (like ever other Hollywood eatery) and they have several amusing specials named for celebrities (Huell Howser, Rosie O'Donnell, Johnny Grant, etc.). The chili was a bit bitter and oily, though. Frankly, Cupid's in the Valley has it all over Pink's: much better chili dogs.
That's all I've got. What few photos remain can be viewed here.
Thanks for viewing. Q & C welcome.
0
Comments
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
I didn't.
Someone recently posted a series on a visit to Pink's. Was that you? In any case, it's a popular spot.
Thanks for the comments!
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