365

I arrived in Los Angeles a year ago today.

To commemorate the anniversary, we went out to one of the best kinds of restaurants in Los Angeles: the ones that are hidden behind unpromising facades in the midst of strip malls.

This place happens to have a good sense of humor about its surroundings.

One of things I really liked about it—in addition to a delectable sweet-corn soup with avocado—was the fact that you could order a "taste" (aka a two-ounce glass) of wine, which is perfect for a lightweight like me.

Several months ago, at our (nineteenth!) annual New Year's Eve dinner party, one of our guests asked me what I liked so far about LA.

There was a long (and embarrassing) pause before I was able to summon an answer, although (with Zach's prompting) I eventually came up with more than one.

Every time I see this friend now, he asks whether I've added anything new to that list.

Here's the current version:

1. our home
2. our neighborhood, otherwise known (to us) as "the Brooklyn of LA"
3. our Saturday-morning farmers' market
4. our local cheese shop
5. our favorite neighborhood restaurant
6. having the best gelato in the city within walking distance
7. the yummy bakery that's an even shorter walk
8. having a great place to see both blockbusters and indie films, all with reserved stadium seating
9. being so close to LA's signature public park
10. discovering great restaurants hidden behind unpromising facades in strip malls