Mischa Barton Lives in the Armpit of America

Mischa Barton grabs lunch with friends at art-world hangout restaurant Sant Ambroeus in NYC’s West Village on Tuesday.

On her table was a copy of Mark Mathabane‘s “Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography –The True Story of a Black Youth’s Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa”. The book brings to light how the young black children dealt with racism and stereotypes.

Mischa, 21, is in town filming Assassination of a High School President with Bruce Willis in New Jersey. The former O.C. star currently lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.

“Every time I’ve come recently I’ve stayed in a hotel, which just feels lame,” said Mischa, who grew up in a NYC apartment. “I’ve been hanging at friends’ flats in the city, and it made me want to get a place of my own.”

She added, “I think I need to be back here. I’m in my twenties now, and it would be nice to finally have my own place in the city. I like the East Village, Greenwich Village, and the meatpacking. I’m sort of a downtown girl.”