Sunday, April 9, 2017
Pre-brunch: one navel orange. Rode Uber Pool to the Castro. Wrote a review of Hotel Normandie on Orbitz. My experience: I needed a hotel in this area, and I chose Hotel Normandie over the nearby Line Hotel primarily because of price and value, especially considering that a continental breakfast buffet and evening wine reception are included—both very nice. I found my room very clean and very tastefully decorated. The decor is modern antique combined with suggestions of art deco and early-20th-century charm—a pleasing blend of old with new. Koreatown isn't very clean. As of March 2017 it's at the bottom of the top 50 in crime by neighborhood—search the web for [latimes crime by neighborhood]. What I liked: Personable and efficient staff, decor, breakfast buffet, wine reception. What could be improved: My top request is a safe in the room. I wish the toilet filled with water more quietly after flushing. The location and things to do nearby: 1. the lobby, 2. Cassell's, 3. ask about the secret bar nearby, named in October 2016 to the top 50 bars in the world by Bloomberg. Rode Uber Pool to the Castro. Brunch at Finn Town with Romy, Drew, and Phil. (Paul had planned to attend but canceled due to transit problems getting across the Bay Bridge.) Doughnut holes with vanilla cream and chocolate sauce and pancakes with lemon curd and huckleberry syrup to share. Romy had granola with yogurt and fruit, Drew had a Finntown chop salad, Phil had a fried egg sandwich, I had a fried chicken sandwich with fries. We enjoyed our visit except it was far too noisy for our tastes from both patrons talking and raucous music. Errands in the Castro. Rode Uber Pool home. Nap. Dinner at home with Patrick: tuna mac and cheese, sirloin and vegetable soup from a can. Watched Twin Peaks s1:e4 on Netflix instant watch with Patrick.