Tony D.

The fabulous (and hot) Tony D. of Hollywood, California

One of the really fun things about traveling to another part of the country is meeting up with fellow bloggers. When Pat and I were in California recently, we met up with Tony D. of "Leaving California."

Tony standing in front of Cafe Gratitude

We agreed to meet at a wonder vegan and vegetarian restaurant called "Cafe Gratitude" near the fabled Paramount studios.  Great choice of a vegan restaurant Tony!

Tony meets Pat - L.A. meets Toronto

I'm always thrilled the first time I meet a blogger in person.  To me it's like meeting a celebrity.  In fact, it's better because they're glad to see you (at least so far bloggers I've met are glad to see me).

"Hey guys, how about a picture of both of you together?

Of course I had to get a selfie of the three of us.  History in the making here folks.

Pat, Tony and guess who in front of Cafe Gratitude, L.A.

Then it was time for lunch.  Cafe Gratitude was packed, confirmation of the fact that vegan and vegetarian food isn't a fad but a change in our eating habits.  I'm repeating myself but Tony selected an excellent restaurant. We each got something different and everything was superb.  Not a crab cake in sight.

The obligatory "table shot" that I always asked the server to take before we order food - so much to choose on that vegan menu - oh how I wish we had a restaurant like that here in LSD

Lunch was great.  Lots of conversation, never any uncomfortable lulls in the conversation.  Tony gave us a lot of helpful tips of places to visit,including the Griffith Observatory, to visit while we were in Los Angeles.

All too soon lunch was over and Tony had to get back to work.  I was so discombobulated that I took the restaurant's copy of the check out with me.  The server had to run out into the street to get their copy of the check.  

The server going back into the restaurant with their copy of the check which I tried to abscond with, that's Tony's bike (his ride).  He doesn't have a car but gets around L.A. with his bike (hear that Pat?)

Well, it wasn't the Bloggerpalooza but we did get to meet the first of two blogger followers. Next year we hope to meet more (hear that Cindy from Sonoma?) Maybe we'll even see Tony again.

Another good day in L.A.