Monthly Archives: December 2008

LA Brakeless

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One of the newest shops to open on Venice Blvd. is LA Brakeless, a bike shop for those daredevils among us who feel no need to stop the old-fashioned way, with brakes.

 

Originally made for the racing circuit, where brakes were superfluous, this type of bike gained favor with the Bike Messenger crowd, especially in New York, since for them, speed is a way of life and a way to make a better living (more deliveries, more dollars). 

 

Now they’ve spread to regular street bikers as well, although I say regular and that doesn’t apply to those of us who want to avoid crashing with all we can muster.

 

They also appeal to those who appreciate a pure form of bike — no brakes to mess up the look or the ride.

 

As a mom, Mar Vista Mom can’t endorse this kind of bike for her little ones, of course, but obviously, we are not their target demographic. Those who fit the category give the store high marks, noting that both their customer service and repair service are top-notch.

 

I can say that being a total mom walking in off the street, they were very nice to me in the store, which by the way is tucked into a small, unmarked storefront just 2 doors east of the Venice Grind. A great addition to the neighborhood — I wish them great success!

 

LA Brakeless, 12220 Venice Blvd., LA 90066 (310) 294-9051
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.

Hotcakes Bakery

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Hotcakes bakery is located on a super busy part of Centinela in Mar Vista, and let me tell you, parking’s a pain in the butt. I parked way down on a side street and walked back. But it was worth it!

 

PS — when I got there they told me it’s cool to park in B & B Hardware’s lot right behind them, which is really good to know and please take that advice when visiting, which you should definitely do, by the way. It’s very cute and the food is DEE-lish.

 

I had a little morsel of delciousness called a cannele, a tiny, carmelized custard baked in a mold, which comes both big and small. Either way, yummy!
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Some of you know I’m not really into sugar anymore, but this was just faintly sweet and had more of a savory nature, perfect for me. I did also try a bite of their pecan squares, which are also not too sweet, like a regular big ole pecan pie — something my husband, who thinks pecan pie is way too sweet, would appreciate, I think.

 

Anyway, they have a full compliment of cupcakes, of course, which must be required for a bakery these days, but they looked adorable, just not on my list the day I was there. 
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And for the holidays they have a fantastic-looking yule log, even.
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They also have a lunch menu, which I didn’t realize, so I’ll be back for an egg salad sandwich, which you know I’m fond of, one of these days.

 

I met the owner the day I was there, Elfie Weiss, and the manager, Barbara as well, both super nice and very friendly. 
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(Barbara on the left and Elfie on the right.)

 

If only they had a bigger area for sitting, it would be a great place to hang out. As it is, with only a couple of little tables, I’m perfectly happy to take my treats to go.

 

Hotcakes Bakery, 4119 Centinela Avenue, Mar Vista, 90066 (310) 397-2324
Open Monday – Saturday 9am – 7pm and Sundays 10am – 7pm
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.

My Morning In Mar Vista

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I am a mother of 2 boys, I write some blogs, and I am PTA President at my kids’ school, so I am not normally in the habit of taking a lot of time for leisure activities. Therefore it was a little like playing hooky to spend the morning having fun. And after being sick, I REALLY needed a break!

 

So I strolled along Venice Blvd. yesterday, starting at Soaptopia so I could pick up some candy cane soaps, which they had just finished making; I still needed a few for teacher gifts and some stocking stuffers.
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Then I stopped in at the Venice Grind for a cup of coffee with OBJ. It was nice to catch up and the atmosphere at the Grind is perfect for it. It’s the quintessential coffee meeting space, with a back patio that’s great in warmer months. And I love that they have Wi-Fi.

 

After that, I had a real treat in store. I went to the Oasis Healing Center and got a beautiful massage from Elise. She’s amazing! And I totally needed to be worked on: I had really wrenched my back doing god knows what. And Elise made it all better! She does this cool thing with your feet at the end — ooo, it feels like I float out on little clouds after she’s done.
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Then, I floated over to the Curious Palate and picked up an egg salad sandwich to go. Yum! The bread they use is so chewy, I love that. I am looking forward to trying the rest of their menu.

 

That was it. Then I walked home eating my chewy delicious egg salad sandwich and realizing how lucky I am to live so close to so many cool places. And so lucky to have a morning to myself!
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.

Neighborhood Chili Cook-Off And Movie Night

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Here in Mar Vista, I have some great neighbors. We all know each other and we really get along well. We have an annual block party (always capably organized by Elise) that is so much fun, instead of a birthday party this year, my son just had his friends over and they played all day long in our street! (With the safety of barricades, of course.)

But I digress. We had so much fun, we couldn’t wait until next summer for a party, so we decided to have a chili cook-off, which wouldn’t have been complete without a movie screening, now would it? So we added that, too. Pretty convenient that one the neighbors actually sets up home theaters for a living!

It was our first one but I can tell it won’t be the last! The chili was delicious, the company was scintillating, and the movie was Iron Man. Couldn’t have been better! My neighbors rock!

There was a black bean chili made with bacon — yum!
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And a white chili with chicken that was so rich, I could swear there was butter in it!
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And then my husband made his famous chili verde, which was a big hit!
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And of course we had cornbread,
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rice,
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and salad
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on the side. Someone even made enchiladas!
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It was a ton of fun and I highly recommend doing it in YOUR neighborhood! 

 

With or Without external movie screen.
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Ahhh, Soaptopia!

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Mar Vista has enjoyed Soaptopia for several years now, but you should see it at Christmastime! All the Halls are Decked.

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It started out as just the awesome soaps, but they’ve expanded to scrubs, creams, lip balms, shaving kits, and more adorable gift-ables, too numerous to mention here (check out their website). They make all their “cleaning products” right there in the store front (OK, and some in the store-back) with love and care — so check it out:

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Those are going to be soaps just like this one some day:

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The most popular product of the season, apparently, is the candy cane soap, which smells just like its namesake, but does the opposite (i.e., doesn’t make you sticky). So popular, in fact, that they were OUT OF IT the day I went in to check. (Horrors!) But not to worry, they are making more, even as I write this, and it will be on the shelves in time for us last-minute shoppers.

 

Mar Vista Mom has been buying these delicious* soaps for my own home and for gifts for years now, and they are always appreciated. If you’re in a hurry, there are gift boxes already made up, but for you custom-lovers, you know you’re out there — you can totally customize any size gift box you like. 

 

They’re open every day, M-F from 10am – 7pm and Sat/Sun from 10am – 6pm. They also have a web store.

 

Soaptopia, 12228 1/2 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista, 90066 (310) 398-8333
*Note: soaps not edible, nor literally “delicious”, simply the use of flowery language; DO NOT EAT SOAP.
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.

The Curious Palate Is Open In Mar Vista!

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And it’s Adorable! They serve sandwiches and salads, which all look delicious. My neighbors ate the roast chicken and the prosciutto salad and raved about both. Personally, I’m an egg salad kind of girl.

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But the Curious Palate is also a market, and they sell provisions for gourmet feasting. You can buy goat’s milk butter if you like, or hand-pressed apple cider, or a selection of the most beautifully-packaged chocolates I’ve ever seen, like Michel Cluizel, Cafe-Tasse, Coco-luxe, or Kshocolat.
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It’s a super cute place, a handful of tables inside and a patio coming soon. There’s even Wi-fi you can pull from the library 2 doors down. (Don’t tell!)

 

They’re open every day but Mondays, from 10am – 8pm.

 

The Curious Palate, 12034 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista  (310) 437-0144
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.