3 Hours on Larchmont Boulevard

A friend and I met in one of LA's coziest neighborhoods for a New Year's catch-up, and spent a tranquil morning exploring unique places to dine and shop. Here's a quick outing for a date with friends.

Cookbook on Larchmont

“Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose” is the charming French phrase that reminds us that the more things change, the more they stay the same. It’s not a sentiment associated with neighborhoods, especially in a city like LA where gentrification is a constant factor. But after a lovely morning on Larchmont Boulevard, I can tell you that the idiom applies to this neighborhood, in a wonderful way. I’ve visited this Hancock Park shopping area for over twenty five years and even though I stop in only a few times annually, it has somehow maintained its charming neighborhood vibe. Maybe it’s because the large chains have not moved in, with the exception of the low-key Le Pain Quotidien and craft ice cream Salt and Straw. The street has loaded up with some of LA’s low-key local eateries, but no matter how the individual shops change over time, an unspoiled energy resonates. I ran into an old friend grabbing a London Fog tea, who reported that she regularly comes from the East side of LA to spend time along these blocks. She was born and raised in NY, and it occurred to me that this was high praise from her lips.