Echo Park Edition
Updated: Mar 17
Food & Fun in ECHO PARK
Foodie Files Spotlight
Taix French Restaurant
(LA's Oldest French Restaurant - since 1927)
Ahhhh Taix, LA's Grand Old French Classic.
When you’re craving a little slice of vintage France in Los Angeles, you can’t beat Taix Restaurant, serving up French comfort since 1927. This place oozes old-school charm: dim lighting, wood paneling, big cozy booths that practically beg you to lean in for family conversations, and soft French tunes floating through the air.
We came with one thing on our minds: French Onion Soup. We first got hooked at another old-world French spot, Figaro Bistrot in Los Feliz, but Taix takes it to the next level. Their version? EXTREMELY cheesy—like, “dig through a golden cheese blanket to find the broth” cheesy. Totally worth it. From there, we kept the classics rolling. I couldn’t resist ordering a Niçoise Salad, partly because it always takes me back to the French countryside, where I first decided this dish would be my deserted-island pick. It’s hearty yet refreshing—a salad that eats like a meal.
But the real pièce de résistance? Steak au Poivre with sweet potato fries. Let’s just say the peppercorn gravy was so good I was tempted to lick the plate—finger-lickin’ deeee-licious.
We wrapped up the evening with a short walk to the Echo Park Swan Pedal Boats for a twilight cruise. (SEE BELOW FOR THAT along with our child drama of 10 years ago!) An hour on the water, watching the city lights flicker on, was the perfect ending. It was one of those “fun dates for young and old alike”.
Taix French Restaurant
1911 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
213.484.1265
Open Wed-Sun 5-10 p.m.
Flexner’s Family Fun Guide
Echo Park Swan Boats
(A great spot to take those out of town guests)
In our never ending search to find fun things to do with the kids that doesn't make them roll their eyes, we headed over to Echo Park Lake. We hadn't been in nearly a decade, and not since the kids were all under the age of five. We heard that the old school paddle boats had been updated with fancy new light up swans, so set out to give them a whirl. Because who doesn't love a light up swan???
I figured I must have some photo evidence of our previous visit amongst the ten thousand photos on my phone, and wow, did I hit the mother load of parenting memories! This photo from 2015 pretty much sums up the total chaos that parenting can sometimes be. 😂
Here the unthinkable has happened. Tessa's emotional support blanket has flown into the water, and the meltdown of all meltdowns is in full swing. Tessa screaming at the top of her lungs, Luke plugging his ears to drown out the noise, and Jenna attempting to rescue her prized possession from disappearing into the abyss...ahhh what a relaxing day on the water. 😳
We are missing a couple of the original players, but Tessa and I thought it would be fun to recreate the photo. Check out our masterpiece below. 😂
Okay, so now for our review! The Echo Park Swan Boats offer a whimsical, budget-friendly water adventure right in the heart of Los Angeles. It is perfect for families looking for city charm, mild exercise, and memorable moments—especially when the sun goes down and the swans start glowing. We had a blast, and it is a seriously gorgeous view of the city at night. While lines can get long on weekends and parking can be tricky, reserving ahead and arriving early makes the process smoother. Overall, the swan boats at Echo Park are a great blend of relaxation and adventure—perfect for families and date nights. Highly recommended for anyone looking to add a little sparkle to their day or evening plans.
Where to Park / Getting There
Address: 751 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (this is the boathouse location).
There is a paid public parking lot with limited spaces at 1149 Echo Park Ave.
Street parking along Laguna Avenue is suggested as another option.
How to Rent / Reservation Details
Reservations required. Walk-ups are generally not accepted
You make reservations online via the Wheel Fun Rentals booking site (see link below).
All boaters are given instructions, required to wear life vests.
Duration: Rentals are typically for 1 hour.
Cost / Pricing
$13 per hour for adult passengers. Wheel Fun Rentals+2Traveler's Universe+2
$7.50 per hour for children (17 years or younger). Wheel Fun Rentals+1
Night rides cost the same in most cases.
Erik and Jenna’s
Entertainment Picks
JENNA's PICK: I looove movies, and every year my girlfriends and I make an annual trip to the Telluride Film Festival over Labor Day Weekend. It is a glorious four day marathon of movie watching from 9am to 11:30pm, and we get to preview both big and small films before they hit the theaters. This year, my favorite movie of the 13 I saw was Blue Moon, starring Ethan Hawke, Andrew Scott, and Margaret Qualley.
Blue Moon is an intimate, dialogue-heavy drama that unfolds over a single night in 1943, centering on lyricist Lorenz “Larry” Hart, played by Ethan Hawke. Set almost entirely inside a New York bar on the opening night of Oklahoma!, the film follows Hart drinking, reminiscing, and sparring with friends and collaborators, including Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott). The story doesn’t rely on big twists or action; instead, it lingers in conversations, exploring themes of fading relevance, creative longing, and the personal cost of being an artist who feels pushed aside.
Ethan Hawke is the real heart of the film, and he delivers a performance that is both charming and heartbreaking. He does an incredible job of capturing Hart’s wit and bravado while also showing the insecurity and loneliness beneath the surface. Andrew Scott offers a grounded counterbalance as Rodgers, and Margaret Qualley is absolutely luminescent, and provides moments of warmth and lightness that break up the melancholy. The performances keep the film alive and make it sparkle, causing the audience to lean in to every glance and line of dialogue.
That said, Blue Moon isn’t for everyone—as it’s more like watching a stage play than a traditional movie, and its deliberate pacing might test viewers who prefer fast-moving stories. But for those who appreciate strong character work and films that value mood and meaning over action, it offers a poignant meditation on legacy, loss, and the fleeting nature of success. I thought the writing was stellar...it beautifully captures the full range of human emotions, in all of it's glorious and heart wrenching messiness. It’s a quiet film, but one that lingers, powered by Hawke’s layered, deeply human portrayal. I'm still thinking about it all these days later, which for me is a hallmark of a great film. I definitely smell an Oscar nod for Ethan Hawke. :)
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Until the next adventure,
- Erik & Jenna
ERIK AND JENNA'S CONTRACTOR LIST
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Erik Flexner
DRE# 01352476
Broker Assoc.
M: 310.254.2285
Jenna Flexner
DRE# 01779858
Broker Assoc.
M: 310.367.8280
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