The city of Los Angeles is a rather small place. You continually run into people on a routinely basis as if they’re on some hidden radar map; and even when you draw to the conclusion that we live in some sort of a bubble, there is a lot more to the world outside of the bubble we continue to live in.
Just this past week, Los Angeles celebrated a holiday that I assure you many of us were unaware existed. Australia Day. A day of history and memorable events. While we continue to ignorantly celebrate days that have a more darker tone such as Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Mothers Day; we truthfully only acknowledge these his-storic events with shopping, bbq’s and pool parties unbeknownst to what we’re really celebrating or that the majority of this generation simply doesn’t care.
Australian history isn’t all that much different from our own. Dating back hundreds and thousands of years, lands were stripped from natives and taken by intruders forming their own recollection of what they preferred as a way of truth to be told.
Now, I’m far from a history buff, but as it is with most of our human history, nothing is actually accurately accounted for as we’d like to believe it to be; but we won’t get into the thorough details of this particular day because Australians as a whole are something worth celebrating.
The men for one are phenomenal. At least from the manly ones I’ve encountered. They’re incredibly down to earth both male and females and if you work in the restaurant industry, they are by far thee best tippers. Again, this is only based off my personal experiences.
So, of course I was fully on board to join in on the celebration when I heard about a day party at the Australian owned rooftop bar E.P+L.P.
EPLP has become one of my favorite go to spots these past several months where I continue to introduce my friends to my little treasure box. The food, the drinks and of course the ultimate eye candy.
The man of the business hour and LP manager that practically wrote the book on hospitality, Jake Rose, made sure that the rooftop would be filled with every Australian hidden in this city. Funny enough, I had no idea there were so many that actually lived here; but they flocked out of the woodworks for this specific day and this was the place worth being.
I asked my friend Carmen to join me for the days festivity starting at noon and we arrived promptly before a crowd gathered. The first handsome face I wanted to see, Jake, greeted us and told Carmen and I that we were welcome to sit anywhere before the place would fill up at 1pm. We sat in a reserved sitting area not realizing that it would be hotter than the weather was to be expected and we were started off with my favorite cocktails The Pibs.
Jake was not exaggerating when he said the place would be packed by 1 sharp and it was. One thing I have to give to the Aussies is their sense of style. We live in Los Angeles, but lately with the new crowds of people moving into this city, I get the feeling that it’s more of a Vegas atmosphere where it’s becoming “cheaper by the dozen”. Normally when I’ve gone to the rooftop, I find more or rather less articles of clothing and originality from the next piece of fabric from the garment district. Though this day, everyone was stylish and fit the LA appeal that once was.
What I assumed would be just a casual group of people using Sunday Funday as a way to sip bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s, I heard more accents within the groups of people. I know I’ve switched up my social scenes in the recent years, but I did not see one familiar face in the crowd. It might not seem all that odd, but it was as if every person there knew each other and I just happened to stick out like the sore thumb. Mind you, this place hasn’t been open no more than possibly a year, so this was definitely a hidden gem.
A bbq station was set up near the bar that catered to the limited menu option for this particular day. It felt like Memorial or Labor Day weekend gazing at the beautiful Los Angeles view. I wasn’t necessarily there to get tipsy, but I surely wasn’t there to be a starving model either, so Carmen and I chose several items. Once ordering, we received tickets per person in order to give to the people behind the grill. First we started off with the prawn cocktails.
Knowing Carmen and myself, there wasn’t a chance in hell that we were going to share this small teaser. Three fresh prawns with a dipping sauce and slaw. As delicious as they were especially with that sauce that had a salty tangy punch of flavor, it was only enough to appease the hunger of a kitten. I’m a full grown cat and I was still hungry, so we then went with the tofu dogs.
Even though I’m gradually weaning myself off of red meat at pork, truth be told, I can’t stand the invisible taste of tofu nonetheless the texture, so I swapped for the lamb. These thumb size sausages came on a piece of bread with sautéed onions which were good, but again I wanted more. I was wearing a tight blue dress though and needed to simmer down on my food cravings.
Feeling like a bit of an outsider in my own city, I started becoming more introverted and observant watching everyone else around me interact. Being a social butterfly didn’t feel necessary, but every once in awhile someone would catch my eye. Like this guy.
I was so taken aback by his overall handsome look that I actually forgot his name, but I do remember that he works in real estate which use to be a breath of fresh air from the clichés of being a model or actor. Unfortunately, he didn’t come with an accent, womp womp. Jake frequently checked in on us to make sure we were having a good time with any given chance he had to sit down. Shortly after a small conversation, he was back on his feet engaging with the crowd.
While still observing, I watched as some individuals showed the pride of their flag in a tasteful manner. Blow up kangaroos were planted throughout the sitting areas giving the opportunity of taking many photos and selfies.
The female dj was playing hits that would be perfect with a buzz and more and more Aussie locals were gathering in groups.
During a quick pause in the music an Australian group started to play a few songs and then it was right back to the dj. I literally felt like I was in their country which is one I’ve always wanted to visit ever since Oprah’s show where she flew her entire audience for a freaking week vacation. Man I miss that show
Not a lot of people were eating, but one woman who seemed to be in her own world was trying to juggle her drinks food and purse until I motioned her and her partner to sit with us. That was only after I assumed her two glasses of champagne were compliments of a party goer who brought it to our table. Good thing I didn’t take them at the first chance I got.
Yeah I had already taken a bite before the photo.
Carmen and I started to get a sweet tooth and we ordered one last thing off the menu. The Violet Crumble Bars. We still had to receive them from the BBQ, but they were definitely worth the wait. They were like candy bars that probably could’ve had ice cream inside, but instead it had chewy wafers in the center. Not a bad little selection on the menu even though I’ve been begging Jake to bring back my beloved calamari.
Carmen and I spotted a number of attractive men, but she had her eye on one for a friend who looked as if he could’ve played a taller version of Jason Statham.
After awhile the weather started to cool down and become brisk. By this time I was getting over an exhausting work week and just wanted to crawl into my bed so we paid our tab with our waitress and started walking over to Jake. Of course the real fun hadn’t even started after Jake asked why we were leaving so early, but it wouldn’t had been a good look with a pillow and a blanket nodding off asleep. As much as he works I don’t know how he has so much energy without crashing down, but once upon a time I could do that too.
I finally recognized one familiar face from my past, but I ignored him and made my way to the exit, until I forgot I wanted to take a photo with Jake. Damn it! By this time it was like a fish swimming upstream and that crap is hard when you’re flopping against unmoving guest who you have to gently nudge out the way. I’ll admit, Jake is by far one thee most attractive men I’ve seen in this town and I always refer to him as my Sébastien from Cruel Intentions played by Ryan Phillippe, so I get pretty giddy around him.
??
Look at him wouldn’t you?
Anyways, after our photo sesh we left and headed downstairs and what would you know that there was a long line of people waiting to get in. Sayonara!
The day was nice and eventful and I’m happy I got a chance to experience and celebrate the Australian day. Now I just need to figure out where they are the rest of the years. Olley olley oxen free!
For more information or to make reservations please check their website at E.P+L.P
Xox
