The chase: very good burger, very friendly service, and an ambiance that fit like a glove.
Details? Sure.
It's a rainy day. I generally like rainy days, but this day... I don't know, I am just feeling sad and I can't figure out why.
Part of it is missing my girlfriend (who I've known since we were teenagers at summer camp) who lives in New York. It was going to be another week till we'd be together, so that was part of it.
I'm also feeling a bit down about myself -- where I am in my life, my career, my bank account, my blank passport pages... Kind of an existential sadness one finds when they take a deep and honest look in the mirror (which was much easier since I picked up my new glasses earlier in the day).
But, I digress...
I was sitting on the couch next to my dog, Edward von Chocula, watching "Rick and Morty" (a show to which I had recently been introduced by my 16 year old -- absolutely brilliant, both show and child) and I needed more to make me feel whole. I needed comfort food, and more than that I needed a "comfort place"*
[*If this is not a term in common usage I call first dibs at registering it!]
Thing is, I don't have a comfort place, and I really wasn't in the mood for my regular comfort Chinese food.
So, driving down Wilshire Blvd I drove by Snug Harbor.
I'd always wanted to eat here, but for some reason never have, usually going to Flapjax for the herb pancakes (but this isn't about Flapjax, which you can read about it my other review).
I pulled the car over, put money in the meter and sauntered in... 20 minutes before close. They were cool, though, and said they wouldn't kick me out till 2:30. I told them I'd be out by 2:20.
Negotiation out of the way, I took my seat at the counter, looked around and realized I had found m comfort place!
The aesthete is pretty barebones, but being a reincarnated radio comedy writer (and former airman in WW2) I felt immediately at home. I ordered a coffee (decaf, which is something I couldn't get in 1946) and without thinking much about it, ordered their special burger, the Zwiebel.
Quick aside: I'm assuming this is named in honor of Alan Zwiebel, who is a brilliant comedy writer, was one of the original writers on SNL, the creative force behind "It's Garry Shandling's Show" and "North." I worked on two of his shows as a PA, he was always very nice to me even though I am sure I annoyed the hell out of him, being the eager (though only somewhat talented) 20-something comedy writer that I was.
But, I digress...
The burger was 98% perfect -- well cooked (not well done), tomato and lettuce and pickles and cheese, but points off for having "just over the line" too much special sauce (Russian dressing?). But, otherwise Exactly what I needed.
The coffee was very good -- exactly what one would expect.
I will come back. Maybe tomorrow.
I would like to come here with my girlfriend when she comes West. I'm not sure she'll like it, but there's a certain psychological reveal every time I take her to one of my "places" (usually dark "old man alcoholic" bars that still have their Christmas lights up), something revealing about me that I can't put into words, but when you see it and experience it, you just get a better understanding of who I am. (Kudos to those of you who stick by me despite all this.)
Yeah, I'll be back. read more