L'Artisan du Hype

I don't want to start off complaining. So let me list the positive things about the "best chocolatier in Los Angeles," L'Artisan du Chocolat.

~ Homeboy is French

~ The sweetness is understated, not over the top 

~ The designs on the top of his chocolates are tres chic

~ The flavors are inventive and fun

The problem? My dearest bought me a little sampling box with flavors I'd love. $14 bucks for 4 chocolates and a pilgrimage to Silverlake later, I have made you a little list of what I ate, and what it tasted like:

I'm cool with the sweetness being understated, but not the flavors. I want to taste that wasabi mango, the bacon, all of it. No one wants to shell out for bland ganache and waxy chocolate, no matter how pretty it is. Good day sir!

Best Coffee Shops in L.A....and I'm open to suggestions)

#5 Insomnia - Hollywood

Pros
Great music
Great atmosphere
Plenty of room to work

Cons
You have to PAY for the wifi - as if!

#4 Aroma - Toluca Lake

Pros
Great atmosphere - tons of outdoor greenery and patio warmers
Fantastic neighborhood

Cons
Overpriced food items ($8 for a slice of cake?! As if!)
More of a dining place - don't feel comfy lounging too long

#3 Zephyr - Pasadena

Pros
Set in an adorable Craftsman home
Free wifi
Miles of outdoor seating
Good food

Cons
New ownership turned the outdoors into a slightly sleazy hookah bar hangout

#2 Psychobabble - Los Feliz

Pros
High-quality looseleaf teas
Plenty of room to work
Right next to the Los Feliz 3
Free wifi

Cons
Closes before the bars do
Flavored espresso drinks are too sweet

#1 The Bourgeois Pig - Hollywood

People complain that they don't serve real coffee, but no one would say that in Italy or Paris. All of their drinks are espresso drinks, and if someone is really craving goods that can come from a coffee pot, they can always order the Americana. Espresso watered down with, well, water.

Pros
Open till 2 AM
Great atmosphere
Great drinks
Ethereal back room, dark with private cubbies

Cons
Greasy Armenian gangsters
Hipsters that take themselves too seriously
PS) Careful when dissing Scientology - the Scientology Celebrity Center is right cross the street

Not your average walk

Happy haunting? It's July. What's going on in there?

I tend to give L.A. a hard time, but it's more than the weather than makes up for it. Mountains spring up all over the city; Mother Nature's big "F*** you" to freeways and hideous housing developments. 

cherry blossoms and Korean "polka dot" grass

Because of this, we can take walks in the hills, which means a better workout, breathtaking views and an end to the boring. Save for the geriatric wholesomeness of Beverly Hills, elevation comes with a real personality in this town. The hills are everywhere. The hills are alive. For those who feel depressed when surrounded by ugly tract housing, get out and go up.

Signs reading "Fight the Blight" and "Dogs Not Dozers" are a rallying cry to save La Rocha trail from developers

hacienda hideaway

A generous neighbor gave this lofty perch a bench, with views to the sea

man vs. nature

Olivia