A Ship That Passed

I love the subject of restaurants. I love great restaurants that remain today. I mourn the ones that have passed. I love the royalty and the commoner. Ships was among the latter although enthroned among the former. I mentioned it yesterday but couldn't quite let it go.

Ships was a coffee shop in Westwood where I grew up. It was a hangout. Not the type where you sat with friends and had milkshakes or pop. Ships is where you ventured when you were old enough to meet friends for breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning. When you were too young perhaps to drive it was still accessible on foot or bike. When you were still building hours as a young driver it was in familiar territory, safe and close to home.

The food was coffee shop good. The memorable element, though, was the toaster located at each table. Every patron had the privilege of making their own toast to just the right degree of doneness.  The only catch being the toasters were not automatic. One had to pay attention and pop the toast up in proper time. We always  enjoyed watching a newcomer sitting there at his table, enjoying his coffee, reading the LA Times, oblivious to the tower of smoke rising from the unwatched small appliance. You felt smug that you knew better.

There are a few coffee shops around still. The Fountain Coffee Shop is one I love for breakfast on a Saturday morning when I'm in LA. Fuller's in Portland is another. They're out there and definitely worth the trip. And the wait.