Barney’s Beanery is slightly grubby, the way you feel when you’ve slept in your clothes, but kinda warm, too. Lots of comfort food, especially if your idea of comfort is a pint of beer and a bowl of chili. There’s no denying Barney’s Beanery’s claim to fame. It’s been around since the 1920s and for a long time was considered...
Bennett’s Ice Cream has been scooping at the Farmer’s Market for 64 years – eons-long in LA time. They’re famous for their soft serve cones but the real reason to blaze a trail to their Farmer’s Market location is their homemade ice cream. Sure you’ll find the flavor stalwarts of choc/van/straw but you’ll also have the option to go elegant...
As the book-buying public shifts their cash to the big chains and Amazon, independent book stores have become a dying breed. If you value the kind of bookstore where the owner’s stamp is clearly seen, where the clerks’ enthusiasms are on display, go to Book Soup. Here you’ll find small-press books sharing space with mainstream blockbusters. As expected, you’ll find...
Canter’s Delicatessen has been serving up piled –high pastrami sandwiches since 1931. You’d expect steeped in the bull Hollywood types to be Canter’s Deli regulars, but a surprising group of regulars were the members of Guns N’ Roses. First time? Go for the hot corned beef and cabbage. Canter’s also has freshly made goods from their own bakery. Canter’s provides...
Settle in at the Chamberlain West Hollywood’s rooftop pool and imagine Turtle from Entourage trying not to slosh his martini as he checks out the players. When you stay at the 112-room Chamberlain you’ll feel like you’re at your own West Hollywood condo. Nice touches in the rooms are a gas-log fireplace and private balcony. One-Bedroom Suites have separate bedrooms...
A very good deal. First of all, the Comedy Central Stage at the Hudson is free. Second, you might catch the next big star on Comedy Central, since the theater is run by the Comedy Central TV network. It’s not a huge venue, so definitely book in advance. Street Parking.
Folk art can sometimes be narrowly defined; this isn’t the case at CAFAM. They take a multi-cultural approach that embraces the contemporary. Exhibits range from Polynesian body tattoos, to a photojournalist’s observations of the complexity of contemporary Iranian society.Who wouldn’t be intrigued by “Paper Cuts: 200 Years of Black Paper Doll,” “Tigers and Jaguars: LA’s Asian-Latino Art Fusion?” There are...
This place has been around for more than 45 years. They drive an Italian menu right down the middle of the road, with a décor to match, including red-checked tablecloths and chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling. But it all works. Chances are it will be super-crowded and you’ll have to wait. Chill at the bar with a generous cocktail...
They’ve been serving south of the border cooking since 1931 – icy cold margaritas, albondigas soup (kind of a spicy meatball), shrimp fajitas and green corn tamales. I’m getting hungry just writing this. Tripping in off the sun-blasted sidewalk into cool Mexico – can’t wait to get back. Friendly people, too.
The film Crash made the point that the citizens of LA never really connect – they have to crash into each others cars to have a conversation. This is definitely not true of the Farmer’s Market, a collection of more than a hundred stalls and eateries, many of them al fresco. This is where LA effortlessly rubs elbows and spills...
Operable words are seedy and cheesy, but that’s part of the Formosa Café’s charm. This eatery is rich in Hollywood history and dates back to the early 30s, in fact the rear of the restaurant was fashioned from an old trolley car from the Pacific Electric Railway. A long line of stars have dined at the Formosa, from Bogart to...
Frida Tacos has a distinct artistic flair while serving up good traditional Mexican food. The price isn’t the lowest around, but when you sample one of their fresh and delicious dishes you can taste the difference from cheaper restaurants in the area. While dining, you can enjoy the abstract mural on the wall that brings to mind Diego Rivera if...
A well stocked and trendy comic book store, Golden Apple carries everything from vintage R. Crumb to Superman, and everything in between. Whether your passion is for superheroes, manga, or more esoteric comics. Golden Apple most likely has what you’re looking for. A large life sized Spiderman is propped up outside, while an autographed R2-D2 hangs out in the back.
The Grafton on Sunset blends South Beach with Hollywood, intimacy with excellence and tradition with style. The Grafton on Sunset has the largest outdoor salt water pool on the Strip, giving guests a little bit of South Beach chill in Cali. The 108 guest rooms have iPod docking stations and WiFi and 24/7 concierge service. Check out Boa Restaurant &...
Irv’s has been around for 60 years, long before America’s love affair with fast food turned into love gone bad. Anybody who’s been around this long is sure to show some miles, and Irv’s is no exception. Come here for the friendly service and burger-shack atmosphere. And try the double cheeseburger and chili fries.
This Beverly Hills chophouse serves comfort food with panache. Jar has the feel of a 1940s supper club, all in snug brown tones. Signature dishes are the crab deviled eggs, pot roast, French fries and Kansas City Steak. They do a mean brunch and pour a stiff martini. You can also order gourmet dinner and lunch boxes from Jar To-Go,...
Wow – hot sauce aficionados will think they’ve died and gone to Hell. A whole store packed with row upon row of hot sauces from around the world. You’ll find regional hot sauces like Eaton’s and Marie Sharpe’s next to those selling humor as much as heat, with names like Scorned Woman Sweet Majic Hot Sauce and Arizona Gunslinger Red...
Ivy-covered Lucques (pronounced “loox”) brings understated continental elegance to LA. Owner Suzanne Goin has been thrilling diners since 1998 with her Pan-Mediterranean comfort food composed of the freshest ingredients available. Those in the know head towards the covered garden in the back, where as they dine al fresco they can imagine they’re uncorking a heralded vintage in a European villa....
The Museum of Contemporary Art is the only museum in Los Angeles devoted exclusively to contemporary art, which they type as art produced after 1940. Today the museum is housed in three unique facilities: MOCA Grand Avenue, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, and MOCA Pacific Design Center, which is located in the heart of West Hollywood. MOCA Pacific Design Center...
This little English-style cottage is packed with first editions. While they display the literary greats of the modern world, they also have a wide selection of American and English mysteries, as well as books made into films. In addition to the posted hours, they also can be contacted for private appointments – something celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Bono, Mel Gibson,...