Cecilia’s Bar and Club Review
By Cecilia Le

I’m a recent transplant to Los Angeles from the Bay Area and I do what normal, red-blooded, Americans do: PARTY!

Although, I just celebrated my 24th birthday, I still get carded and given the once over each and every time I go out. If I had a dollar for each time I’ve been asked, “do you have a stamp?” I’d be one filthy rich woman. I guess being Asian has it’s perks, plus, there’s always pearl cream!

So join me in my weekly bar/club column to find out where the hip and happening spots in So. Cal are!

It wasn’t any different when I approached Renee’s Courtyard Café. As I entered, I was instantly drawn to the open courtyard, packed full of transplants. Please! Are there any real Angeleno’s here? The ones I’ve met all hail from Orange County and even they’ll tell you there’s a DIFFERENCE. We’ve all migrated to the mecca of the entertainment world for various reasons and what better to do than drink and smoke in this lovely establishment? There’s a down-home atmosphere at Renee's, offering a nice after-work retreat or a place to start the night out. The mid- twenties crowd, mostly in jeans, smokes with script-talking voracity.

Most people enjoy the courtyard, however, there are also booths and tables offering privacy for those star-crossed lovers. Beware of the dolls and toys that leer at you from the shelves above; their eyes can get pretty freaky after a few drinks, especially when it’s dimly lit.

On most nights, Renee, herself, helps the hipsters at the bar sell projects and fall in love.

Renee's, 522 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica (310) 451-9341