ABBOT KINNEY IN VENICE

Recently, I went to the ABBOT KINNEY Festival in Venice, CA. The Festival is always FABULOUS (check out October 3rd, 2007 blog) and this year was no different. Street vendors filled the blocked off stretch of ABBOT KINNEY, one of the hippest and most eclectic streets in LA. Bands rocked at every corner as people from all over mingled on the streets enjoying fresh foods and partying in the beer gardens.

ABBOT KINNEY is one of my favorite areas. Located just blocks from the beach, It’s filled with unique shops, restaurants and partying locations. Some people say this area is unsafe and infested with drugs and gangs and yes, there is still some of that… but there is so much more!

FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP

ABBOT’S HABIT is a laid-back coffee house located right in the middle of ABBOT KINNEY. The walls are lined with art by local artists and the tables always filled with neighborhood regulars chatting, working on computers or perusing the paper. I can to sit here and write for hours with a steaming cup of Joe and a hardboiled egg (My breakfast of choice lately).

WORKOUT SPOTS

YAS is an awesome new workout regime whose flagship gym is located here. They offer yoga, spinning for athletes and their signature YAS class, which is 30 minutes of Spinning followed by 30 minutes of yoga. I go at least once a week to get a good full body workout and stretch all in just one hour.

CURCUIT WORKS just opened on ABBOT KINNEY. I’ve only done this unique workout once, but I can say for sure that I got one of the most serious workouts that I’ve gotten since my rowing days in college (I rowed CREW at Georgetown all 4 years). You start off with cardio to warm up then move through a series of weight lifting activities, back to cardio and back again to weights. Your heat rate stays pumped way up while strengthening multiple muscles. I was sore for days, but I’ll be back soon for sure!

SHOP TILL YOU DROP

ABBOT KINNEY is known for its antique stores, but I like clothes so PRINCEPESSA and VAMP are two of my favorites. They are connected in the middle and both carry gorgeous dressed and fashion-forward looks. VAMP is a bit cheaper (I’m a bit of a frugal fanny) so you will find me shopping there more often.

FIREFLY is the best shop for unique gifts and books. I’ve bought everything from a book of Venice graffiti art to a fortune telling fish. They recently moved into a new bigger space, so they have more cool stuff than ever!

EQUATOR BOOKS is an edgy gallery and bookstore (and you know I LOVE books)! They have a cool selection of coffee table books as well as a back room filled with vintage records (I’m always looking for old Supremes albums)!

LUNCH

ABBOT’S PIZZA is the best stop for a quick lunch. Delicious bagel crusts and a variety of different pizzas, keep the small space overflowing with locals from morning till night. My favorite is the salad pizza (the crust is slathered with goat cheese, piled high with a vinaigrette tossed salad and topped with avocado slices! YUM!)

DINING

HAL’S BAR AND GRILL has the best steaks, the yummiest French fries (outside of McDonalds) and a cool drink menu. Photos of famous Jazz musicians line the walls and a funky Jazz band plays most nights making HAL’S a rockin’ good time!

AXE is a minimalist, healthy person’s haven. The organic California cuisine is fresh and delicious and paired with organic wines. My sister Tracee had her birthday dinner here a couple years ago.

PRIMATIVO WINE BISTRO is one of my favorite restaurants of all time! It’s a hip and stylish tapas joint that serves great food, delicious wines and the most FABULOUS sangrias (I love the red sangria by the pitcher)! This is a great spot for a ladies night or a date on the romantic back patio. They also have a great lunch!

JOES is the fancier dinner choice on ABBOT KINNEY with delicious French cuisine in a sexy atmosphere. Good for a date night or a special night on the town!

COCKTAILS

THE OTHER ROOM is a very hip local’s bar. They serve only beer and wine, but they have a great selection. In the summer, they open the huge garage style windows, so you feel the ocean breeze as you sip your wine or beer. You can also order take out food and eat it at their tables, which is fun (Abbot’s Pizza will deliver to the window). If your drivers license has a Venice address, you can skip the line like a VIP (and yes, there is usually a line outside on the weekends). Sadly, on the night of the festival two people where shot outside.

THE BRIG is a super cool lounge-y hangout on ABBOT KINNEY. They have a great DJ, a pool table and always a cool crowd. I used to be a regular here when I dated a guy who lived near by. Haven’t been in a while, but I should definitely go back soon. It’s fun!

ABBOT KINNEY also has a super cool history. It was named after the founder of Venice, who was born in 1850 on the East Coast. ABBOTT KINNEY was a well-educated man who traveled the world. When he came to California, he was excited to find a place where his asthma symptoms were alleviated and so he stayed. He then won the area of Venice in a coin toss. ABBOT KINNEY set out to re-create Venice, Italy complete with a network of canals, Venetian style buildings, even gondolas. The town of "Venice Of America" unveiled in 1905. After his death in 1920 (He died of lung cancer), Venice was passed onto the city of Los Angeles, resulting in the filling-in of most of the canals to build streets and the demolition of 550 structures to be upgraded to current standards. Fortunately, a large section of the canals remain intact in Venice.

ABBOT KINNEY (and in fact all of Venice) is FABULOUS!