I had a blast being an improv student at UCB.
The infamous UCB
Although I trained at UCB’s new Sunset Blvd location, students are required to see performances at their original location in Franklin Village, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. This is the original UCB location, where the magic happened. Franklin Ave has a cute strip with shopping and food. I finally had an afternoon to explore this area in depth and had a blast doing so. I started with happy hour specials at La Poubelle.
La Poubelle
5907 Franklin Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-465-0807
http://lapoubellebistro.com
I love the Parisian bistro atmosphere at La Poubelle. I have been here for dinner and although it’s very good, I wanted to show off their Happy Hour. All food and drinks on the Happy Hour list are under $8, with a bottle of Rose as the exception (even that is only $16). This is such a steal for Los Angeles, so my girlfriend and I had ourselves a feast.
Swingset Cocktail
I had the Swingset Cocktail, which is made with champagne, strawberry and rhubarb shrub and has Pop Rocks in it! I felt like I was a little girl again when I heard it crackle, you can watch the video here: La Poubelle. This cocktail is fizzy, fun and only $6 on Happy Hour. My friend ordered the Ancho Daiquiri, which is ancho chile liquor, lime juice and cilantro syrup, also only $6. It’s a little odd to have a Daiquiri without rum but it does have a nice kick from the chile liquor.
Ancho Daquiri
Bruschetta
We started with the Bruschetta, which was $5. It seemed a little small, even for a happy hour portion, but it was tasty. The tomatos were very fresh and it’s tough to go wrong with burrata cheese on anything.
Warm Chicken Confit
For only $6, this is a pretty great plate. The crispy chicken sits on ciabatta and is topped with yummy pickled onions. It sounds simple but it’s very good and perfect to share.
Mac & Cheese Gratinee
This is the most decedent dish we ordered. Their mac & cheese is made with comte, mozzarella and a béchamel sauce. This was also $6 and stuffed us up. It’s so rich and creamy. We couldn’t possibly order more after, but we did have another round of their fantastic cocktails.
This is such a great spot to eat at before a show at UCB. Here are some other spots on Franklin Ave worth checking out.
The Oaks Gourmet
The Oaks Gourmet
1915 N. Bronson Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90068
323-871-8894
http://theoaksgourmet.com
Around the corner from La Poubelle is The Oaks Gourmet, a quaint speciality food shop specializing in what I call “picnic food”: Meats, cheeses, beer and wine. There is also a fantastic selection in mixers, olives, chocolates and pasta supplies. There is a coffee bar and they serve sandwiches out of their deli. This is a great spot to grab a sandwich before a show at UCB if you’re in a rush and don’t have the time for table service.
The Daily Planet
The Daily Planet
5913 1/2 Franklin Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-957-0061
http://thedailyplanetbookstore.com
The magazine selection at the book store is amazing. You can find the usuals but they also feature a lot of foreign fashion, news and cooking magazines. I could gaze through their selection all day long. They also sell fashion books, fun stationary and candles. This is a great place to get your gifts.
Counterpoint Records and Books
Counterpoint Records and Books
5911 Franklin Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-957-7965
http://counterpointrecordsandbooks.com
This used bookstore has a heaping selection of cookbooks. I found so many classics and a few newer ones at low prices. They also have a wide variety in vinyl records. Plus, if you’re a geek for VHS, this is a great spot to load up. I found copies of “Cry-Baby”, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Harold and Maude”.
There’s also a coffee shop, sushi spot and women’s boutique in this strip. The parking is always a little tough at night, best to valet at that time. So, there’s a lot to do before and after a show at UCB. You really could make a day out of Franklin Ave.
