I have flipped through People magazine enough to know that The Ivy is THE restaurant for celeb citings in LA.  We were delighted to know we could make early dinner reseys during my LA spring break trip with my daughter.   I thought this sidewalk cafe would be a hip, outside eaterie for Taylor, my sister-in-law Sarah, and I for a quick bite after our walk down Wisteria Lane.  Had much debriefing to do.  Not to mention, anything to avoid the drive home during the LA rush 2 hours.

We arrive late for our 5pm table -- hey, LA time -- and  realize there was Definitely something missing -- anyone to see or anyone to see us!!  We were the only ones there.  Maybe 5pm dinner was not such a good idea.   So, since my only scenery was now The Ivy itself ... I gasped!!   We were dining alfresco at one of the most charming restaurants I have ever been to.  French provencial, Isle of Capri, country cottage, shabby chic all rolled into one sweet bistro.  White picket fence, over stuffed throw pillows on our chairs, potted violet centerpieces on white tablecloths, hanging geraniums, ivy streaming down, chippy paint shutters, and Italian & French pottery everywhere!!  This is what I want heaven to look like!  WHO needed celebrities??!!  Even the trip to the ladies room was literally, beautiful.  Vintage plates on the walls, huge, wild flower bouquets at the bar, slanted, worn, wood floors, rustic antiques ... LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Even sans celebrities, I would go to The Ivy anytime to feel chic, comfortable, girly, cozy, french -- a restaurant that evoked all these emotions!  

Guess what - the best was yet to come --- The Mojito and The Grilled Shrimp Salad!   Now, I am realizing that the food alone would have been a draw!  Truly fresh ingredients and gorgeous to look at!   My daughter had a mound of spaghetti, meatballs, fresh basil spilling over!  But, oh my word, THE berry COBBLER!!  I think desserts are stupid if they do not contain chocolate ... so Sarah ordered this.  I ate most of it.  I may reconsider ordering fruit after meals.

And then ... in he walked.  A celebrity.  Usher & a buddy appeared -- it was the day he was on American Idol.  Shades, leather jacket, and sorta lookin around to be seen.  So, I guess we were  "seen" too!!  And then ... again.  Michael Clarke Duncan, most notably from The Green Mile, walked in with a sweetie.  Blue baseball hat, casual, giving her his attention.  He was there for the food.  I did sneak a picture -- LOVING the cell phone cameras!
Celebrity video: Michael Duncan

It ended with fireworks .. I left the restaurant steps behind Michael Clarke Duncan and the waiting papparazi went nuts!!! Flashes and cameras following him to his car.  And I thought it was me -- maybe they had seen my I AM Modern feature??  I even saw one pap give the valet money.  Well, it is LA.  And I loved every minute of it.

Next post about prop houses!!!!