Night on the Town

It’s rare that I find myself out in WeHo (West Hollywood) on a Friday night with a troop of my favorite gays. Not because I’m a shut in, but because normally we avoid the crowds and gather in apartments or small restaurants. However, yesterday one of my besties Michael texted me up and invited me out for some camaraderie with he and his boyfriend in gay town. It had been a long time since I had seen Michael or been out to WeHo, so I was down. Now I have to tell you, I drink very rarely, and even less so out at bars. Why? Alcohol just doesn’t do it for me… I’d rather be eating. And it’s way overpriced at bars. Truthfully I have had many-a-good night out with friends who drink – it doesn’t really phase me. Besides, I’m quite a handful when I’m sober – no need to complicate things further. I was puzzled as to why Michael and his bf had me meet them at their car on Santa Monica Blvd. I got in and found them chugging vodka from a Nalgene bottle they had brought with them. Pregaming – I laughed hysterically. What is this, college? High school??? But then I realized that Michael is a starving artist just like me and if I were a drinker, this is exactly how I would do it. Bring it from home, chug it in the parking lot, then go have a good night. Brilliant.

Eventually we walked down to the strip and met up with two other good friends of mine, Brett and Eric. After having a drink at a ridiculously loud and overcrowded Micky’s, Eric, Brett, and I realized we were not only done, but hungry. So we broke off from the hubbub and walked down to a place Brett was raving about called Kitchen 24, shockingly open 24 hours. This place had no idea what it was in for. We walked in and immediately met a star from the most recent season of RuPaul’s drag race, Willem, which caused Eric to hyperventilate. After getting a table, Brett had to use the bathroom, so he left, and ordered from a waiter who didn’t know there was a difference between cheddar and American cheese. Brett then gets back to inform us he slipped on leaking soap on the bathroom floor and asked for the manager. The manager comes to our table, Brett retells his near death experience using phrases like “I’m not sure I can walk” and “I am so shaken up” (he barely even lost his balance). The manager was fantastic – brought us a free round of cocktails and gave us a discount. The whole bill for the three of us was $25. Not bad for a Friday night dinner in WeHo.

Oh and I almost forgot – the food was fantastic. Literally some of the best french fries I have had in a long time – reminiscent of McDonald’s, but in the best possible way. I got the veggie burger, which is made in house with chickpeas on a brioche bun. I got it topped with avocado. Utterly fantastic and only $10.50. Eric is obsessed with Salad Nicoise – the Food 24’s rendition did not let him down. Overall we were thrilled with the whole experience. It’s rare you can find both quality food AND service at a 24-hour establishment but Kitchen 24 seems to have it down. As I mentioned, our waiter was not the sharpest knife, but I can overlook it since he was very pleasant and attentive to our table. The menu is absolutely affordable – plenty to choose from under $10 AND they have a phenomenal bakery in house: cupcakes, pie, cookies. Can’t wait to back and indulge.

Eventually Anton and Michael rejoined us and we called it a night after finishing our meal. Though venturing into WeHo is fun on occasion, at the end of the day all of us were much happier at a place where we could actually talk to each other and share a meal rather than shelling out money for overpriced cocktails and having to scream to be heard. Really, that is how the starving artist rolls: cheap, intimate location providing quality time with your friends. Couldn’t ask for a better evening.

Kitchen 24
1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
http://kitchen24.info/Home.html