Holidays in my family has many empty chairs now. It is usually the elders that keep the family traditions going and make sure that we gather for every holiday. We are lacking in those elders so us younger generations spend more time apart than together. Some of us, like me, have created new traditions to carryon and of course there are those who are not yet onboard for some of the more modern ways of celebrating holidays. As a new YouTube creator, I wanted this trip to be my first of many travel vlogs. So this trip was new territory for me meaning I was vlogging for the first time but more importantly celebrating Christmas in a different city. I am thankful I decided to celebrate Christmas this year in this way and had a wonderful time going it!
Day 1 Itinerary
Drop Bags
Lunch: Country Style Jamaican Restaurant
Dessert: Sweet Red Peach
Happy Hour & Dinner: Post & Beam
Movie & Nightcap: Rooftop Cinema
I touched down in Los Angeles at about 10:30am local time and of there was a mishap. My checked bag was damaged. Two of the wheels were broken making this huge bag difficult to maneuver without basically dragging it. Needless to say, my arms were aching from forcing this huge bag down the terminal walkway to the pickup area. This was not a great start, when all I wanted to do when I got in from my flight was see the fam, drop my bags and get some good food. So, after finally dropping my bags in the guest room we headed out for some local eats. Los Angeles has many great options and we wanted some Caribbean goodness.
Lunch at Country Style Jamaican Restaurant was just what I needed to get this holiday trip kicked off. I ordered all my favorites: Oxtail Plate w/ Cabbage, Rice n Peas, a side order of Fried Plantains, a Veggie Patty and a Beef Patty. Everything was absolutely delicious. This more than made up for my damaged bag.
I was with the dessert queen of our family, so we had to stop at our favorite dessert spot before we went headed back. We arrived at Sweet Red Peach and I was hoping that my go to flavors were not already sold out. Gladly they were not! I was able to get Red Velvet cake, which is hard to find made the correct way outside of the south. And I choose the Peach Cobbler cake since I did not want a whole Peach Cobbler, this time. The dessert queen ordered a Banana Pudding cake. After picking up dessert we headed back to eat lunch, we got everything to-go, unpack and relaxed before it was time to get ready for happy hour and dinner.
The atmosphere of Post & Beam was cool and had a local hot spot vibe. Our waiter was friendly and welcoming, which I appreciated because I was hungry and we didn’t want anything to make our experience a negative one. The food and drinks were all on point and made us quite happy. I will definitely come back when it is warmer because there was a beautiful patio and I love a good patio vibe.
From Post & Beam we had planned on going to the Rooftop Cinema for a fireside movie to cap the night, but the next movie was not going to start until 10:45pm. The fireside movie included a heater, blankets and hot cocoa. There was a menu to order movies watching drinks and eats as well. Unfortunately, the next showing was just too late. We thought there was a showing earlier than that, but there wasn’t one. So we will have to save that for the next time trip back to LA. I was very tired as this was a travel day for me and we needed to rest up for a full itinerary the next day.
Day 2 Itinerary
Coffee & Lite Bites: Sip n Sonder
LA County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Brunch: My 2 cents
Dessert: Southern Gal
Cocktails: The Gathering Spot x Washed n Reckless
Dinner: Harold’s & Belles
Businesses open so late in LA, probably because commuting issues from the horrible L.A. traffic, we had 4 hours to kill though. I am on a different time zone and woke up very early and was very hungry by 8am. So, we made a coffee run to Sip and Sonder to grab a quick bite. From there the Los Angeles County Museum of Art was our next stop to see the Black Diaspora exhibit. When I tell you that I love seeing how other creatives choose to express their thoughts, feeling and convictions, believe me. There is nothing like experiencing a moment through the eyes of an artist.
Finally, the magic hour had arrived where our chosen brunch spot was open, so we headed straight there from LACMA. I was so happy being that, for me, it was now past lunch time. It is so hard adjusting to a later time zone than your own, but I always make do. My 2cents gives a local downhome place that you’d imagine locals visiting multiple time a week for their favorite eats and a vibe. The place had character and the staff was super friendly and warm as they made certain that they all said bye to each guest as they left. I mean it when I say guest and not customer because they make you feel as if you visited their home.
It was the time of the day once again for dessert so Southern Gal was the next stop and they did not disappoint. They had a variety of desserts and drink options to choose from. We left with our goodies, courtesy of the family dessert queen, and when back to relax a bit and get dressed for a DJ event and cocktail party.
So, we arrived at The Gathering Spot x Washed n Reckless DJ event and the place had energy. There were several DJs that completed a set to keep the crowd rocking. Influencers were recording and guys lurking about with a crowded bar. The place was nice and full but not too crowded. The drinks were holiday appropriate and made perfectly, not the usual watered-down catfishing drinks you may get at an event. We didn’t stay too long and dinner was in order.
It was a cold night, so a good and hearty dinner was needed. We arrived at Harold’s & Belles, there was a very short wait and we were seated near a group with a very loud talker. She was super annoying to me since I was attempting to vlog my trip. I wanted to do a quick review of the evening and vibe on camera before we ordered and couldn’t get that footage. I ordered a mixed green salad, grilled salmon and mac n cheese. Our food for the most part was very good. The bread was soaked in oil, which was weird, and the potato salad was so terrible my niece had to send it back. We finish dinner and was ready for some much needed sleep. After a great day spending time together and doing all the things that we enjoyed doing together it was time to call it a day.
Day 3 Itinerary
Coffee: Hilltop
Brunch: Alta Adam’s
Depart: LAX
Waking up on day three felt satisfying because I was able to enjoy my fam, take a trip and vlog for the first time for my new YouTube channel. I think I did a good job, it was definitely a learning experience despite knowing the type of footage that I’ve enjoyed seeing in the many travel vlogs I’ve watched over the years. Needless to say coffee was in order so after packing up last night I already had my airport outfit on and was ready for my Caramel Latte.
Hilltop is one of the family’s favorites for that perfectly made morning drink and I always go when I am in Los Angeles. The menu has grown since I was last here and the vibe is still the same. Very black and full of culture and I love every bit of that. It is always disappointing when a black owned business becomes commercialized and rinses the culture out of their brand the more successful they become.
We enjoyed our morning drinks and made our way to Alta Adam’s for a stellar brunch. The atmosphere, staff and food were well above average. The cool aesthetic was complemented by open kitchen layout that gave an elevated feel. Our food was perfect and arrived quickly and was delicious. I still think about those oxtails and grits today. I immediately starred this place and saved it to my must have list for L.A. on my way to the airport.
This trip was just the kind of trip that I want to make a holiday tradition. Maybe next year there may be even more of us going on the holiday trip, but I think at some point they will come around and see the value in trying new ways to celebrate together. We have done the traditional methods for decades and there is nothing wrong with a good remake to freshen up how we gather. Not only does a family that prays together, stays together, the same can be true of a family that travels together. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
