hitting up venice

While I was having breakfast with someone, Emily was walking through Temescal canyon.  I am not much of a hiker but Em and her friend really enjoyed it.  No mountain lions around so that was a good thing.  Only kidding.

The street has completely grown and transformed over the past 7 years.  Many stores have remained the same but from someone who pops in once a year the changes are huge.  To see the renovations and the different merchandise being carried is pretty amazing.  It is a fantastic street and a must every time we come to town

The Guild is a new store, about a year and a half old.  I started talking to the owner and it ends up his kids owned a store in the Meatpacking area for a few years that was closed due to the building being bought.  I knew the store, shopped in the store and was so bummed when they closed. Obviously a family business

We walked into Bountiful hat has been there for years but for whatever reason today we walked in.  Great shop.  Soaps and ample supply of cake plates.  Their e-commerce site will launch soon.  Looking forward to that.

Koko has been around for as long as I can remember.  Not my thing but I loved the tiny roosters in the window.  Unfortunately those were not for sale.

Altered Space Gallery which was not here last time I was in town is unique.  Art and jewelry in front and a garden store in the back.

I definitely do not remember this sign from last time.

Heist has also been around for a long time.  They took over new space and renovated.  Looks fantastic.

For lunch we went to Gjlena.  I love that place but the service is god awful.  We shared everything.  The food is really good and if you can score a seat in the backyard, do it.  I will just hit the highlights. Here is the smoked trout salad

Kale salad

Okra

Chickpea stew with israeli couscous and a dollop of yogurt on top and sauteed spinach. Really delicious.

Their pizzas are top. Here is the zucchini blossoms with spicy red peppers and slices of zucchini.

After our long lunch we headed over to Bergamot Station.  Years ago I bought a piece of art there that I love but was so incredibly disappointed on how downhill all the galleries were that I will not return. I do like the area of Culver City where there are some great galleries, Blum and Poe to name one but they are all so spread out and that wasn't happening today

We stopped by Sparkys in Santa Monica for some frozen yogurt to take home for dinner.  The guy who owns that place is hilarious. Back to my brothers where we made dinner for them and relaxed

Tomorrow is the countdown.  We will probably go to LACMA in the afternoon and will definitely have to fill up on food before we head out to Coachella.