Happy Birthday Day & Hello Blake

Today was Dayan’s birthday. And as if that’s not enough to celebrate, I also got to meet Blake Langdon, a very cool kid with a brand new body. He’s already exhibiting great style. Later on, a feast at Philippe’s on Melrose. Not quite up to the standard set by the one in NYC, and the bartenderness is a twat, but the Peking Duck is a cut above Mr. Chow’s and the chicken satay is crack. Worth a college try if you like very sweet, rich, overpriced food… and really, who doesn’t.

Dogs like moto

One of the better social rides in Los Angeles is out to the famed Rock Store on Mulholland Hwy. This morning I had the pleasure of taking in that ride with two of my favorite people (and a couple of moto hot shots too), Dylan & Keith Code. These two were wringing out a pair of the new BMW S1000RR’s. Keith is the racing legend who decoded the secrets of getting around very quickly (and with great control) on two wheels. Keith’s book, ‘A Twist Of The Wrist’ cracked the subject wide open and his California Superbike School is a must for every biker with a go-fast urge and desire to get better at left-right-left. After 20 years of riding, I finally did the school; it completely changed the game for me and got me into much better control. If you ride, give yourself a treat. Tell them I sent you and you’ll score an extra muffin in the morning.

Torn between two tastes

Our friend Tamara was in town from Calgary, sorting out her wedding dress and the last deets of their rings (photos to follow in a couple weeks). She was staying at the Beverly Wilshire, home to one of our favorite slow food spots, Cut. Wolfgang a sears a mean bit of Kobe, and it’s a hard place to drive away from when you’re hungry, but we managed to squeeze into our most favorite Osteria Mozza. If you haven’t been, you may be missing the best meal available in Los Angeles right now. Not much more to say about the food, it’s perfect. When you do try it, there’s a good chance your waiter will be named Roman. And if you’re very lucky, you’ll get the pleasure of meeting Jeff at your table, the coolest Sommelier this side of Bordeaux, with a special love for and knowledge of the Bourbon. Their well bourbon is Buffalo Trace, it’s better than most at twice the price. The Buffalo Trace Distillery is the oldest in the U.S. and also home to the venerable pappy Van Winkle, a personal favorite. Somehow a bottle of Four Roses and another of Hudson were parked at our table for last half of our stay, both also incredible, though I prefer the FR. And as if the meal wasn’t rich enough, when we dropped Tamara off, I had to confess to Wolfgang that we ate elsewhere. Good sport that he is, he still posed with his favorite jeweler.

CafÈ Habana

A regular and favorite stop on every trip to NYC is to CafÈ Habana for a steak sandwich (best East of the Hudson), corn and to see the beautiful Leslie Meenan. To go or to stay. So worth the stop. Corner of Prince & Elizabeth.

Alex Prager takes NYC

Timing was perfect for us to catch Alex Prager’s first New York show. Nearly a dozen photos from her recent Week-end series were spread across the walls of the main room in the Yancey Richardson Gallery. Check out more here.

Joby Cummings’ The Hug

Joby and I have been friends for about 15 years now and in that time I’ve never know him to sit idle.† He’s always smack in the middle of something creative.† He’s an earnest artist (not a pair of words I throw around loosely).† He tattoos most days at Freak Chic on Melrose.† He also works as a hired gun for a few clothing companies and continually presses on with his drawings and other art projects. A couple weeks ago he stopped in to bring me a skateboard he’d adorned with the GOOD ART Rosettes, just for fun. He’s that sort.

The latest of Joby’s creature drawings have a great vibe to them, and you can almost hear their voices if you stare long enough.† I easily imagine these characters animated in cartoon high-jinks and expect they will be soon. The series is called The Hug. You can see more magic for yourself and purchase prints on his website.

Shibuya Big War

Comic Book.2crop.665

Famed writer Soudesu Tawaraya immortalized GOOD ART HLYWD on the cover and in the pages of his latest comic book with the use of the Spanish Cross. That’s a black-belt homage, thank you!

Adrian slows down in HLYWD

JW & Adrian.4crop.2.665On vacation from being one of the fastest men alive, Formula One driver Adrian Sutil spent some time in LA this last week. Sunshine, fat-arse foods, California girls… it didn’t take much to drag him away from Switzerland for a week. Adrian drove the 2009 season for Force India and he’ll start training again for the 2010 season in a couple weeks. Follow his progress this next season on his website.