Bar Centro

It didn't take long after moving to discover that we had landed in the heart of the movie industry. Almost everyone I have met is either a producer, actor/actress, writer, director, you name it. If not, they are probably involved in the music industry. Yet it occurred to me last night that, while we may live in the heart of the industry, we live far from the glamorous side of Los Angeles. Sure, George Clooney lives up the street, but most likely he's heading over the hill when he heads out on the town.

My friend Jane is determined to show me and Sarah (both new to Los Angeles last summer) the Los Angeles that we don't normally see. Last time we went out, she took us out for a hilarious night of drag queen bingo. This time we headed over the hill to Bar Centro, where the people watching is at least as good as the exotic drinks. Despite being known for glamor, Bar Centro's signature drink involves an ingredient typically found at the county fair - cotton candy. Sarah ordered a "magic mojito", which the waitress made at our table by pouring out a drink as shown below.

While we sipped our drinks (mine a Bellini, not involving any spun sugar) and chatted, I couldn't help but notice that pretty much every other woman in the bar looked like she had just stepped out of a magazine spread. And yes, the camera adds ten pounds. Aside from being a little top heavy, these women were extrodinarily tall and skinny. I wanted to steer them to the nearest steak house. And yet, they fit quite well with the ambiance. Everything was designed with an air of fantasy. From the drinks to chandaliers to the people, as Sarah said, it almost felt like a bar meets Alice in Wonderland.

In general, a prefer a good Irish bar where you can wear jeans and a t-shirt, sit in a booth with friends, and enjoy a cold mug of beer. But I will say this for Los Angeles - there are a lot of interesting places to explore.