Mortimer George Creations

I’ve always had a penchant for the unconventional as described in my post, 24 hours of Pali-Hotel.  It brings to mind my clubbing days.  The trendy Los Angeles night scene never appealed to me, well, maybe,  not  until after I broadened my horizons.  It didn’t matter whether  celebrities or hot bands were in attendance because it was always the same place, same thing.  The venue was over-run with wannabe’s.  You know the type, happy to be selected from behind the red rope.  Dressed in their reliable black outfits with just enough cash to get in the over-priced club and purchase two or three watered-down drinks.  And  then they’d hit up the fast food drive-thru joint for late night grease to take the edge off.  At times their camouflage was so brilliant, you couldn’t separate them from the upscale until they drove home.  The Their celebs went one way and they went another.

Not me.  I was a hipster long before the word was coined.  I went to the underground clubs, the ones where the location moved from week to week; Dives.  No fancy bars or lounges, just some of the best D J’s and red cups ever. The stench of heart and soul and mad crazy cool saturated your jeans and T-shirt;  dancing in a haze  while dripping from everyone’s sweat.  And we oft closed the night at The Original Pantry cafe.

The same holds to this day, I despise the conventional and that includes dining.  I find that chain restaurants are quicker… everything is quicker.  Assembly line meals.  You get your food faster, you eat faster and you leave the restaurant faster all after waiting hours to be seated.   In other words, they take your money faster…Same place, same thing, same food.

The local establishments seat you quicker if the timing is right but everything slows down from there and it’s all for the best!  Sometimes you rearrange the tables yourself to accommodate your party.  You may have to wait around for your food…Only because it is freshly cooked with their own personal touch.  The employees strike-up meaningful conversations.  They refill your drink when a refill is not required.  They allow you time to hold a discussion as the anticipation peaks.  After your meal the check  does not beckon you to vacate. Not only are they catering to you, but you are supporting small business in which the president believes to be the back-bone of our economy.

I took my  Hipstamatic to a local restaurant for brunch…Patience truly is a virtue.   It is latin-owned.  The combination European style with latin flare brings your taste-buds to life.  The name speaks for itself and the “Carrot Bar” dessert was the best such cake I’ve ever tasted.  No lie. Why not support the hip local cafes… And enjoy ambiance and  a quality meal at the same time?

I’d like to hear about your hip local spots to dine and maybe we’ll pay them a visit one day!