The thing I hate most about going to the more popular LA nightclubs is figuring out how to beat the rope. All we knew was that the Garden of Eden had a soft spot for women, so Hui Chin did all the talking when we arrived. After she got the green light from the bouncer to go in, she signalled me over. I sprung from hiding to join her, very similar to what you see in the movies where the sexy hitchhiker babe shows some leg by the side of the road to get Mr. Mustbemyluckyday to stop his vehicle, while her husband, Mr. Toogoodtobetrue, waits behind some bushes.

The Garden of Eden was indeed very impressive, split on several levels with ample seating, a Moroccan-themed interior, several full bars, tasteful lighting, a grand spiral staircase leading to the mezzanine, two garden patios and some of Hollywood’s most plastic people. The garden patio was brilliant. The first thing you see as you step out onto the patio is this huge Warholian Marilyn Monroe mural painted along the entire length of the building next door. Once you’re actually out on the patio itself, you’ll find yourself in an enclosed yard, its walls lined end to end with candles. Cute little sitting booths, that looked like they had been carved out of the wall or lifted off the set of the Flintstones, took up one chunk of the patio. The stone seats were padded with cushions and pillows and the patio was heated by overhead heat lamps and a fireplace. And the people. It was actually a lot of fun watching the people, each trying to dress as differently as the next, so much so that they all looked the same, weird. Here’s a snap shot of GOE couture; clunky glasses with freakin’ thick rims, furry scarfs, white cowboy boots crowned with sequined tassles and, of course, transparent handphones that ring Britney tunes.

Hui Chin and I spent most of the night sitting by the fire place, keeping our buns toasty, and talking about stuff. My apple martini had a mild effect on me, and that made the night more dreamy and unreal. It then started to drizzle, so Hui Chin and I moved indoors and we called it a night soon afterward. We were both hungry so we stopped by Denny’s on the way home. Buffalo wings, eggs, bacon, toast, hash browns, water with ice cubes. Back to the real world. It was nice to be home.