Travel along with scribe Yvette Caslin on her fascinating West Coast adventure to cover Lincoln Motor Company’s Lincoln MK-series experience. Let’s go …
Tuesday at 4:30 a.m. EST
Early to rise and I have less than 30 minutes before it’s time to drive to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. No luggage to check, that’s a plus.
5:45 a.m. EST
You have to be kidding, no parking in the garage. Aargh! I have to hurry to an ancillary parking lot and catch a shuttle. No time to cruise the aisles and search.
7:30 a.m. EST
Wheels up. We’re off to Los Angeles. Haven’t made the trek to the West Coast in over a year. I’m super excited about this Southern Cali jaunt. And to boot, as a rewards traveler, it will be a nice boost to my frequent flier account. From lunch to the evening’s red carpet gala, the Lincoln’s press junket itinerary looks ideal.
10 a.m. PST
EURWeb’s Gerald Radford and I were booked on the same flight. It was nice seeing my media crony’s face first thing in the morning and upon our arrival at a busy LAX, calming to wander with him around baggage claim scanning the sea of drivers who were holding up signs with hopes of finding the one emblazoned with our last names.
(20 minutes later)
Here comes our escort to lead us to an elegant, metallic silver 2013 Lincoln MKT. Talk about riding in style along La Tijera and La Cienega Blvds. We’re receiving the red carpet treatment already? This luxury crossover’s most notable features are the restyled grille, the quite spacious interior and the exterior bearing no resemblance to an SUV or a minivan.
11 a.m. PST
After making our way through the midmorning traffic, we arrive at the Sofitel in Beverly Hills, a boutique hotel that sits on the edge of Beverly and La Cienega. Check-in is a breeze. I can’t wait to get upstairs and step in the rain shower. It’s one of my favorite amenities since the hotel’s renovation from its South-of-France styling to a modern and minimalist Parisian décor. A second favorite, which may sound puerile, is the window in the shower that overlooks the plush bed. It goes from crystal clear to cloudy at the flip of the switch – my amazement with technology.
Sofitel Los Angeles
8555 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca. 90048
(310) 278-5444
www.sofitel.com
1:30 p.m. PST
It’s time to meet the organizers in the hotel lobby for another ride in a Lincoln to our lunch destination. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe in the metallic Ruby Red Lincoln MKX I must go. Plush, powerful and it’s smooth sailing through construction traffic and around the corner to our private lunch. Siamo arrivati al ristorante Ago, (We arrived at Ago restaurant), an Italian eatery nestled in West Hollywood. It was an elaborate lunch, hearty and delicious.
Lincoln Motor Company’s manager of multicultural marketing, Shawn Thompson, toasted our guest of honor British singing sensation Lianne La Havas and expressed to the intimate gathering of reporters and record label executives that it’s a new day at Lincoln. “Be open minded when you think of Lincoln now; it’s the Lincoln Motor Company. We’re not your grandfather’s Lincoln Continental anymore. We’re fresh, new and bold.”
Ago Restaurant West Hollywood
8478 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, Ca. 90069
(323) 655-6333
www.agorestaurant.com
5 p.m. PST
The temp is dropping. I have just enough time to go to Macy’s at Beverly Center for a pair of lace tights to complement the adorable LBD (little black dress) by Trina Turk.
8 p.m. PST
The time has finally arrived. The much-anticipated meeting will take place at Greystone Manor, which is touted as an ultra-luxurious LA nightclub. When the driver of yet another 2013 Lincoln MKT, pulled up to the scene and opened my door, I sprung out. I spotted him immediately. What a devilishly handsome piece of metal. The 2013 Lincoln MKZ owned the purple carpet at the Essence Black Women in Music event. Sitting in the corner, he was so attractive even the stars couldn’t resist a photo opportunity.
It was standing room only and honorees Lianne La Havas and soul sensation Solange’s performances were outstanding.
Greystone Manor Supperclub
643 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca. 90069
(310) 652-2012
www.greystonemanorla.com
Wednesday at 1 p.m. PST
OK, my review of last night’s event has been published. I have a few hours left to window shop at the Beverly Center and the Beverly Connection before my late afternoon flight.
Breakfast in bed was great but it’s nearly time for my late checkout and lunch downstairs at Estéreal, a contemporary French restaurant featuring a Mediterranean fare. Au revoir!
