Sunday, April 3, 2011

Castaways

Yesterday, my friend of 23 years took me out for a belated birthday lunch at the Castaway in Burbank. This is a place where you go for the views.

The view here is to the southwest overlooking Burbank, Forest Lawn and Griffith Park (the hills in the distance). At night it's all lit up (not the hills) and if you look more west than south you can pick out Disney, Warner Brothers and Universal studios. The 101 freeway is easy to spot, flowing like red and white water.

But you'll have to imagine all that. Our two-day heat wave is over and yesterday was cool and misty. The hills were like description in a story--not central to the action but complimentary, a setting or a mood. If it's true, as the Irish author Anne Enright says, that "all description is an opinion about the world," then yesterday those hills looked like they hadn't changed in 23 years, except after all this time they're even more green.

17 comments:

Birdman said...

I like this conversation lurking in the shadows.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Birdman. That's just it.

TheChieftess said...

Excellent description Birdman!!! The view is a gorgeous one from up there...but this is a mood setting!!! Always fun to have belated birthday celebrations!

pasadenapio said...

Gosh, I haven't been to The Castaway in a long time. Must get back over there one of these days. What a thoughtful friend you have!

Steve Scauzillo said...

Gosh, I haven't been there in years. Last time was for an Easter Brunch.

Petrea Burchard said...

It's still there, after all this time. I had only been there once before, many years ago, and had forgotten how huge the place is. The champagne flows freely at Sunday brunch.

Bellis said...

I went there when we first came to LA - we were searching for restaurants with views, and there are surprisingly few of them. It looked like a big wedding was on, so we didn't stay. Now if only I could remember how to get back up there - on one of those clear days after a rainstorm, the view would be amazing.

Wonder what the people in your photo are celebrating?

Antjas said...

Had my rehearsal dinner there some 32 years ago. The view at night was just as beautiful. Glad it's still there.

Petrea Burchard said...

Castaway and Yamashiro are all I can think of, Bellis. And one in Malibu called George's, I think.

The people in my photo were having their wedding pictures taken.

Those are some memories, Antjas. I don't know if that amount of time speaks to the quality of the restaurant or the quality of the view.

Margaret said...

Yes, well done Birdman. I've never been, but it looks fun. Hope you had a great time.

Susan Campisi said...

It's great to have friendships as old as the hills. I don't know Anne Enright but after reading about her I'm intrigued.

Petrea Burchard said...

Margaret, we had fun. Much blabbing.

Ha! Funny, Susan. I haven't read Enright's work but I love that quote.

The Writing Goddess said...

Totally jealous.

An ex-boyfriend was going to take me there for my birthday one year, but time got away from him, he didn't make the reservation. However, in his eyes I was supposed to be as grateful as if he'd really taken me there, because it was such a great place.

Grrr. As I said, EX-b-f.

Petrea Burchard said...

WG, that is some convoluted thinking. As you say, EX.

Sidney said...

We live just down the hill from there, and after a good rainstorm we try whet our appetite with the sunset at happy hour, and follow it with a dessert of twinkling valley lights.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, too, Petra. Happy belated birthday!

Petrea Burchard said...

That sounds luscious, Sidney.

Mister Earl said...

Went to Castaways for the 50th birthday of a friend whom I thought was 46.