The Grove for eastsiders

I really wanted to hate Americana at Brand, a new outdoor mall in Glendale created by the same guy who built the Grove on Fairfax. But the truth is, it’s a pleasant, easy way to spend a morning. The $3 and up parking fee annoyed me at first, but the free perks make up for it. We rode the glass elevators to the roof and looked out over the city, followed the trolley tracks to nowhere, and watched the twice-hourly dancing fountain show. There’s a small playground, but Jack got bored with that fast. The whole place is more compact than I thought and must be elbow to elbow on weekends, but I’d definitely spend another morning here, if only to ride the trolley (for Jack) and buy cream puffs from Beard Papa (me). I’ll also bring a camera next time!