More Celebrations

Yes, I do have some incredible friends. Hugs to Natalie for bringing the most gorgeous and delicious chocolate birthday cake to the WeHo SnB on Thursday night. Also, thanks to all my sisters in crochet and knit for their good wishes and gifties! I'm so lucky to have so many thoughtful people in my life.

Natalie "Pom-Pom" Yamashita

On Friday, the actual day of my b-day, I started out early on my adventures. I headed toward Culver City....time to explore all the new shops and restaurants in the downtown area.

Culver Hotel, Downtown Culver City

I had a pedicure at a nail salon on the edge of the area, near the old Ivy SubStation. Then, I started walking around the downtown area. There are so many new shops, galleries and restaurants that you don't see when you are driving through the area.

I went to the early show at the Pacific Theater to see the new movie version of the stageplay, "Hairspray." I am a huge John Waters fan and really love the original movie. I saw the stageplay about 3 years ago at the Pantages. It was good, but I still liked the movie better with all the original music from the late '50's and early '60's. HOWEVER, this current movie is really fun. Marc Shaiman's mock-50's music comes off much better here than in the stageplay. The actors are great...John Travolta (in Divine's part); Christopher Walken (in Jerry Stiller's part), Michelle Pfeiffer (in Deborah Harry's part), Queen Latifah (in Ruth Brown's part), etc. It's a very enjoyable, old-fashioned musical.

After the show, I walked down the block, across from the Culver City City Hall to a newish restaurant called Meltdown.

I'd heard that they specialized in all sorts of grilled cheese sandwiches. It was yummy. I had a Market Melt, which is herbed goat cheese, fontina cheese, grilled vegies, carmelized onions and walnut pesto on ciabatta bread. Delish.

I did a little more shopping in the area, then I drove home. I rested up and later that evening Mr. Larry took me to dinner at Chichen Itza. I've written about this restaurant previously. It was good. There was a trio singing romantic Spanish songs.

Shrimp Ceviche

Puerco Pipian

Cochinita Pibil

Platanos Fritos

We topped off the evening by going to my favorite Pinkberry in Larchmont Village.

Thanks so much to everyone for the e-cards, b-day blog wishes, etc. I do appreciate it. More birthday news to follow.