Sunset Junction - Los Angeles

We just returned from a fun weekend in Los Angeles - Fri-Sun so we could be back in town for the 4th. We went to celebrate a birthday, but like good little hedonists, we slipped a second night in there for some extra fun. We had lunch at Pizzeria Mozza (as usual) and went to see the Tim Burton exhibit at the LACMA - which was great, but awfully crowded. I want to go back and check out the rest of the museum - I'd never been before and we only had time for the traveling exhibits this time. The "Gifts of the Sultan" was great too, so don't miss that if you go.

We stayed in a great little place in Los Feliz - the Los Feliz Lodge - which we found by looking for accommodations close to the party location (on Vermont Street). It also turned out to be just down the street from this great little corner called Sunset Junction. The coffee shop Intelligentsia, the Cheese Store of Silverlake and Cafe Stella are all located in a row in this cute little building - like a little slice of hipster foodie heaven.

On our first morning we drove over for coffee and a pastry before heading out on a hike in Griffith Park - just up the hill from Los Feliz. The coffee was good, but what really got me was the French encaustic tile floor. I love it.

I poked around in the Cheese Store - it was well stocked with attractively packaged condiments, pickles, crackers and other pantry items. They make sandwiches which they sell for $7. and of course, they offer a kick ass selection of cheeses. We also peeked next door at Cafe Stella - and decided to have brunch there the next day with some friends.

It turned out to be a good choice. We started with some deliciously decadent pastries and coffee (which they brought over from next door) and then moved on to some interesting brunch dishes - like James' Moroccan eggs with lamb merguez sausage...

Hilary's Croque Monsieur - a baked ham and cheese sandwich served with a butter lettuce salad...

And my sherry mushroom eggs on ciabatta bread with cheese and arugula. This was by far the best egg dish I can recall eating in a long time. (If I'm not mistaken I believe they make something similar at Cafe Chloe.)

Here are some photos of our accommodations. They only have a four rooms - two studios and two one bedroom apartments. The decor is cute, the price is right and the location is great. We liked it just as well as our other spot in Hollywood, the Villa Della Stelle - and it cost just a little more than half the price per night.

This was the view from the front porch...

And the living room...

All of Los Feliz is within walking distance, and a good bit of Silverlake too if you have on comfortable shoes (including the Junction.) There are great boutiques like the Mohawk General Store and Vivier and Bentley in the area, and the hiking trails of Griffith Park and the Greek Theater are just up the street.

Yes, I can definitely see us going back for another weekend visit soon!