Birthday Weekend Extravaganza

Hello followers of the LA Queen Pins.  Yes, this is Brittany.  Yes, I’m actually writing a blog.  Yes, I can’t believe it either.  I’m sorry that poor Mel’s back is aching from carrying this blog the past few months.  I’m sorry to use being busy as an excuse, but things have been quite hectic…  But on to fun things!

This past weekend was my 25th birthday (YES, OFFICIALLY A COUGAR) and it was spent doing a lot of random fun things I had never done before in LA.  Well, mostly Pasadena and Anaheim.  Here were my birthday spots I visited this past weekend!

1)  Lucky Baldwin’s Pub

A dive little pub right off the busy Colorado street in downtown Pasadena.  It was a beautiful day last Saturday and there was nothing more I wanted to do then drink a nice cold beer outside.  One thing you learn is that this is a hard mission to accomplish in LA.  I don’t know why, you would think with the 365 days of beautiful weather, there would be more places to sit outside and have a cold one.   My boyfriend and I did a little research and found that Lucky Baldwin’s Pub had a small beer garden.  We went around 3pm and found primo parking right out front, which NEVER happens to us.  We stayed for almost two hours, each having two beers and sharing some delicious bruschetta.  They have killer prices too!  For four beers and a big plate of bruschetta, it was just $24.00!  If you are interested, you can check it out at:

Lucky Baldwin’s Pub
17 South Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA
(626) 795-0652
http://www.luckybaldwins.com/iweb/

Beers and Bling at Lucky Baldwin's Pub

2)  Arclight Cinema

After a couple of beers and feeling good, we headed to the semi-new Arclight cinema in downtown Pasadena.  It’s located in a pretty swank mall with plenty of parking inside.  We decided to see the Joe Wright directed Hanna before dinner.  Most people in LA know the Arclight, but if you are new to the area you may not.  The Arclight is an awesome movie theater with 3 locations:  Hollywood, Pasadena, and Sherman Oaks.  It’s an awesome movie experience with huge screens, amazing surround sound, and super large and comfy chairs.  And speaking of large and comfy chairs, Arclight is one of the few movie theaters you can choose your seat before you even walk into the theater.  You can buy your tickets online, which allows you to see how full the theater is and if the seats you always prefer are available.  This makes it easier for most folks that don’t like to watch all the previews before hand, but still want a good seat.

The only drawback from this great movie viewing mecca is the price of tickets.  Unfortunately, tickets range from $12.50 to $15.00.  So going to the Arclight is always a special occasion kind of experience.  Hence, going when it was my birthday.  But if you can save a few dollars, I highly suggest seeing a summer blockbuster movie film here!

For showtimes, theater locations, and to buy tickets, visit:

https://www.arclightcinemas.com/ArcLight/faces/Home.jsp

3)  El Cholo

I think I have written about El Cholo one, two, maybe even three other times.  But this Mexican food will melt your heart.  Since it was my birthday, I had the very hard decision of where to dine in honor.  It was between sushi and El Cholo, and since I eat sushi pretty regularly and calories DON’T count on one’s birthday, I decided Mexican was the best choice.

El Cholo Pasadena just moved to their brand spanking new residence which is also conveniently located in the same mall as the Arclight Pasadena (there is also a sweet antique mall in this place that you could lose yourself in for HOURS.  So if you have a wait till your movie starts or a wait at El Cholo, you should wander around a bit and find some treasures!).  I think the old restaurant is a lot bigger then the new one, but I also didn’t get a good look at the whole place.  There was of course a long wait, but it’s always worth it there.  I always get the Chicken Chimichanga’s and have yet to try something different in the last 3 years.

You can check out El Cholo’s hours, locations, and menu here:

http://www.elcholo.com/

4)  Baseball Game at Angel’s Stadium

One of my favorite things to do in the great city of St. Louis, MO was going to Cardinal baseball games during the summer.  Nothing better than the blistering heat, a nice cold beer, and the roar of an effervescent stadium full of fans.  Since I have moved to LA, I had yet to go to a baseball game.  Not only because going to a Dodger game terrifies me, but also because it just seemed like a pain in the butt.  And with my work schedule, I could never make the weekday games.

Since the entire weekend was supposed to be beautiful, Bry (that’s my boyfriends name.  I know it’s been a long time since I have posted anything, so you may have forgotten by now) and I decided we should just head to Anaheim and go to an Angel’s game.  He jumped on Stubhub.com, got us 2 decent tickets for $13 a piece and we were good to go!

Besides forgetting sunblock/hats and looking like lobsters when we left the game AND the price of food and booze, the game was a lot of fun!  Angel’s stadium is really nice and so are all the fans.  And I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw the  Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale parked out in front of the stadium!  A little piece of home thousands of miles away

LOVE!

BEFORE Sunburns

FYI: The Bottom Of This Glass Lights Up. SAY SOMP'THEN!

5)  Portillo’s

And last but certainly not least, I gave my boyfriend his first Chi-Town food experience!  One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Anaheim this weekend was for a scrumptious meal from Portillo’s.  And the Angel’s game just happened to be an added bonus.  If you are from the Chicago area, I’m sure you are more than familiar with Portillo’s Hot Dogs and Italian Beef Sammy’s.  If not… Oh my, you need to make the trip here and eat this heaven wrapped in wax paper.  I love Portillo’s because it’s a little piece of Illinois right here in the West.  There is only one location, so check it out at:

8390 La Palma Avenue
Buena Park, CA 90620-3208
(714) 220-6400

http://www.portillos.com/portillos/

Mr. Roy's First Portillo's Experience

Until next time (which who knows when that will be!) take care, darlings!

LUV,

Britt