Interlude at Clifton's

After touring the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale, the UCDA group reconvened at Clifton's in downtown Los Angeles until our Neon Cruise began (more on that later!).



Unfortunately, the cafeteria part of Clifton's was closed when we arrived...



so drinks had to suffice. A Moscow Mule on tap. Who knew???



Never content to just sit, I began noticing (and photographing) little details.



Then got up and wandered around to see the taxidermy...



and this gorgeous "tree" that's the centerpiece of the building.



Oh those light fixtures!



This gothic bar is a beauty.



One of these days I'll get to see the South Seas room. I just need to plan my trip to Clifton's a little better next time!

See more Clifton's Brookdale Cafeteria photos at my main website.

Clifton's Neon

On my last trip to LA, I stopped by one of my favorite places for lunch, Clifton's Cafeteria! While waiting for my friend Tony to show up, I went downstairs to use the restroom. For the first time I noticed this display:



It's the historic neon I had read about. Installed in the 1930's by Clifford Clinton himself, it was discovered hidden in a wall during the restoration/renovation in 2012. STILL GLOWING!!! According to the accompanying sign, the only time it was off was during blackout drills during World War II and when the City electrical grid field. INCREDIBLE! I think this calls for another photo:



I also discovered this tiki bench downstairs:



Some of the Christmas decor was still up:





The highlight of the lunch? The rainbow jello.



...which deserves a closeup:



See more Clifton's photos at my main website.

Back to Clifton's

Last month marked my third time to Clifton's Cafeteria since it's very successful restoration/overhaul. Each time I struggle between taking photos of new details versus enjoying the delicious food. Always a battle. Take a gander at this beautifully sculpted watermelon!





And the signage...so vintage...so well done...it boggles this type-lover's heart.



Organic chicken tenders?!? Why go to McDonald's when you get so much more at Clifton's!



I'm a sucker for Clifton's meatloaf; one of my favorites to dine on here.



Who else makes jello look this cool?



And then of course the decor; like this huge-ass tree in the middle of the restaurant:



The little framed wonders:



And of course the taxidermy:



Silent film siren Louise Brooks was playing on a wall nearby:



One of these days I need to sample Clifton's at night when it REALLY comes alive.

More goodies from Clifton's at my main website.

The Return of Clifton's

It took many years to finish the much anticipated restoration/renovation of Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown LA, but I can assure you that it was worth the wait!

The vintage terrazzo tiles still greet you at the front entrance:





The inside is even more spectacular than before.





Cleaned and polished, it still has that kitschy retro vibe but now boasts a very hip and happening feel.



You'll still find many of the much beloved hidden delights throughout the space:









The good ol' taxidermied animals:







But they now coexist with some very happening spaces that just scream come back at night!







Even the bathrooms look great!



Of course most important of all is the food. I give it a rousing 2 thumbs up! The meatloaf was out of this world, and so was the very flavorful mac and cheese.



Naturally, I had to go with a shooter of jello for dessert. It only seemed fitting.



More jello and other retro Clifton's delights at my main website.

June 1959 Trip to California, Pt. 1

This may be hard for today's generation to comprehend, but at one time, plane travel was pretty sexy. This batch of June 1959 snapshots show a bit of the excitement that once accompanied a trip through the "friendly skies." People actually dressed up to board a plane.



And then there was the thrill of descending the steps of the plane like a movie star, waving to friends/family that were there to greet you at the gate. Yes…the gate. Note the friendly stewardess (sorry but the term "flight attendant" was not part of the vocabulary back then) helping the young child down the stairway.





The images from this set are not numbered, so I will attempt to recreate this group's trip. I know after a long flight I would want lunch, so let's follow the gang to Clifton's Brookdale Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles.



It's been years since I dined at this quirky and kitschy little gem, but it is also my understanding that it has been closed for renovations. The grand re-opening date has been anxiously anticipated by many.



Be sure to return tomorrow for more of this June 1959 journey!

More vintage Los Angeles at my main website.