I made a leap of courage (or stupidity depending on perspective) last week when gave up my job as a theatrical agent to pursue a life of creativity. Call it a whim, but I’m craving an outlet, and my job was starting to feel unbearably stifling. I’ll go into more details on this soon, but right now I’d like to focus on my present task: writing.
I’m an atmosphere whore, who did not quit her job (and paycheck) to sit in my gloomy apartment and stare at my macbook all day long. Since being freed, I have searched for the perfect writing spots around the city. This list is a work in progress that I plan to update as I go… but here are my favorites thus far:
1. The courtyard between Bouchon and the Montage hotel. Beverly Hills has free internet, so you could sit at one of the small tables and let your dog enjoy the grass. Or you could do as I did and relax at one of the outdoor tables at Parq with, appropriately enough, their most delectable drink: The Agent. (And a cheeseboard of course).
2. Le Pain on Melrose. A quaint cottage feel where they will fill up your coffee until your hearts content. The front patio is perfect for car and people watching.. the back for a quitter existence. While this location is definitely my preferred Le Pain spot, I’m no stranger to the Beverly HIlls location, where you can almost always find me at the communal table with avocado toast and a pot of coffee.
3. Alfred Coffee & Kitchen on Melrose Pl. What a slice of heaven this little coffeeshop is. With outdoor seating overlooking the quiet side street and a charming fireplace inside, this place is a writers paradise.
4. Palihouse Hotel has a lovely al fresco brassiere in their internal courtyard. You could stay from morning to night as they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner before turning into a lounge.
5. LACMA. Nothing like getting your creative juices flowing quite like… being surrounded by creativity
6. Roosevelt Hotel. By the pool or sunk into an oversized couch in the lobby, you can’t beat the charm of this hollywood classic.
July 5, 2015 – It’s funny to read the angst I had over quitting desk job hell when I consider how happy I am with the decision now, two years later. I thought it’d be a good point to update this list, as I have found quite a few more reading nooks that I just adore.
7. Brick & Scones. A little garden oasis located in the heart of Larchmont Village.
8. Also notable Larchmont Village spots: The Hatchery Press, a place where writers can pay a membership fee to join this lovely little think tank. They have weekly workshops geared to enrich the writing experience.
9. And let us not forget about the vegan delight Cafe Gratitude either. Mind as well throw in that it would be a shame to come here and not order the lasagna.
Adding a few more on 10/27/2015. Still happy, and still writing!
10. Kreation juicery on 3rd is one of my new favorites. Something about ordering a juice and coffee for breakfast and staying until you order a salad and smoothie for a late lunch is just wonderful to me.
11. If you’re after a quiet and cool writing nook that you don’t have to keep spending money at… well then the old faithful library is your best bet. The Beverly Hills library is oozing with history and offers a nice escape from the busy world outside its doors.
12. When the weathers right and you want to escape to the beach without leaving Weho, post up at Beach Nation with a coffee and croissant.
13. If you find yourself up over the hill Teapop in Noho has quite possibly the best bobas coupled with an adorable outdoor patio & living wall.
14. It might not initially strike you to head to the top floor of a furniture store with your laptop and journal, but atop the new Restoration Hardware store on Melrose, you’ll find a little writing oasis.
15. Coffee Commissary on Fairfax is always busy, but for good reason. Grab your coffee and secure an outdoor seat. And when writers block hits you carry your laptop next door to refuel with a libation and complimentary rosemary roasted almonds from The Fat Dog. Who knows, maybe it will conjure some creative genius? Say hello to the world’s best bartender Katie for me while you’re there.
16. Javista is definitely your best bet for good organic coffee in Hollywood. It’s like starbucks, but not as crowded and overpriced. You won’t find outside seating, but then again, in this area of Hollywood you really won’t want to be parked on the street.
17. Intelligensia Coffee, of course. The Abbot Kinney location will have you driving in endless circles looking for parking… but it’s worth it. Feels like a bustling think tank full of espresso fueled energy. Not for the easily distracted, but for the writer who likes a good scene.
…Okay back to work, Shelly and I have a lot more locations to scout. Until the next update,
