On to the next chapter

I started this blog at a point in time when I needed some reframing.   I was feeling pretty down about my job, and I needed to focus on all the things that make my life wonderful – and I have to say that it has been very successful in helping me to do that.  While I haven’t found my career path just yet – even after all of this time -- plans are finally beginning to take shape and I think and hope that food and travel have to play a big role.  At very least they will continue to be a big personal focus, as this blog has helped me to realize just how deep my passion for them runs.  Add all of this up with the fact that I now find myself in a new city, and my conclusion is that it’s time to start a new blog.  If this has been my “Happiness Project,” I hope the next one will become something of a Purpose Project.

So, this isn’t the end, it’s just time to start the next chapter, and from now on you can find me at NibblingGypsy.com.

Please continue with me on the next part of my journey.

Goodbye Hike

 I wrote a piece for an online writing course I'm taking. The assignment was to write about your hometown.  I lived in LA for 8 years, which is the longest I've lived anywhere consecutively, so I figured that it qualified as much as anyplace. This is a version of the story -- a goodbye letter of sorts.

The trail is a little steep, but Marc, Ben, and I plow through the Runyon Canyon loop. I insist that we have to walk to the end of the path so that I can kick the fence that serves as a divider to the Valley-side parking lot, a tradition I’ve developed over the years.  Marc rolls his eyes at me, but is happy to tease as he does me the favor of snapping a picture as I carry out my hill-conquering
tradition. Afterwards, we walk down towards some vista points to take some pictures.

I’ve been waiting all week to do this hike.  It’s been cloudy and rainy all week, which is unusual in LA, but today it finally cleared up.  Just in time too, because tomorrow I’m moving away.  I hiked up this trail to say goodbye to Los Angeles.

The view from the top of Runyon Canyon is one of my favorites of LA.  From this vantage the whole of Los Angeles spreads out before you – the good, the bad, and the ugly.  You see the trendy areas of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, and the more industrial sections to the east and south.  The Hollywood Sign stands up as a symbol of the city’s dreams, and the LA River anemically creeps along, all but shriveled up in its concrete tomb.  Downtown pops up in the distance, not really central to anything at all, but still trying to make its big comeback. 

It took me a long time to appreciate this city. The first time I came here was as a teenager. My family hit all the requisite tourist spots, but most of the tourist spots here suck. It was kind of fun to compare handprints to those of the stars at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, but otherwise, Hollywood seemed pretty dingy with its string of sex shops and cheesy souvenir stores. Since then they’ve put some real effort into revitalizing the area, but Hollywood is still far from glamorous, I don't care how many stars you put on the sidewalk. 

I was not impressed and after that I certainly didn’t intend to make LA my home, but fate had other ideas.  My college boyfriend, now husband, is a California boy and after school he was ready to ditch the winters. I wanted to work in the entertainment biz, so it was easy to comply.  The first year wasn’t easy, especially since I didn’t know how to drive. In Los Angeles that’s like missing a limb. It’s extremely limiting since public transportation is not this city’s strong suit. I spent a year and half making my way to internships via long, sketchy bus rides.

Eventually, I learned to drive and that turned out to be my key to the city. My husband and I call her a “treasure hunt city,” because you have to dig to find the gold amongst all the crap. I learned to relish finding the gems hidden in the cities patchwork of ethnic enclaves. It’s quite a project to find your favorite dim sum spot (Dim Tai Fung) or taco stand (Yucca’s). My favorite wine bar, Lou, is hidden in dingy strip mall next to a laundromat.  Palate, a wonderful restaurant with a particular gift for potted meats (go figure!), is sandwiched between two car dealerships in Glendale.  When you tire of exploring the city, a fifteen-minute drive will allow you to escape into nature at the beach or on a hike in the hills.

Also, you really can't argue with the weather. Southern California is famous for its sunny days, but the days after it rains are my favorite – today is one of those days.  The skies look like someone cleaned them with a squeegee and suddenly the world is in hyper color. It’s so clear that you can see snowy mountains far off in the east, and all the way to ocean in the west.  The faults are still there to see, but the world looks new again. Today, it illuminates just how much I’m going to miss this city that I never meant to love.

At our vista point, Marc and I take turns jumping up and down as we try to frame ourselves floating over the skyline.  It takes us a while to get the optical illusion. It’s Ben’s turn to roll his eyes, and I’m sure the other hikers think we’re crazy, but eventually we get our shots. It was just a matter of getting the framing right.

 

Diary of a Move

It might have appeared that I went MIA over the past couple of weeks, but the truth is that I've been trying to teach myself to use my video camera and the some basic video editing tools.  While we were in the process of moving from LA to NYC I took some video to put together a little diary of the process. I also am including a video of Greg and I reminiscing about our first home in Los Feliz, where we lived for six years.  I admit that if I were a better editor these video would be a lot shorter, but well, it's a start. 

LA Bucket List: Fun Stuff To Do and See

The sad truth is that the majority of LA’s most famous tourist attractions kind of suck.  The first time I visited the city as teenager with my parents that’s all we saw and I remember feeling very disappointed.  I mean sure, Mann’s Chinese is a cool theatre, and it’s fun to match up your hands to the prints of the stars, but the surroundings in Hollywood are otherwise kind of dingy.  If that’s all you see without knowing where else to go, the image is pretty dim. 

Luckily, there’s a lot more to LA than that. It is a huge city with many treasures, however, it requires a guide. Thus, here is a list of 15 great places to go and things to do . . .  other than eating and drinking. (Add in the Hollywood Bowl and it becomes 16)

I should note that a lot of these are summer activities and summer is my favorite time in LA, even with the added heat. However, a lot of “summer” programs stretch from spring to early fall – one of the many benefits of LA’s fantastic weather.


1. Outdoor Movie Screenings

For a long time, Hollywood Forever Cemetery would have held this spot on it’s own. You’d think it be really creepy to watch a film surrounded my tombstones, but it is a surprisingly beautiful place.  Movies are screened onto the side of a mausoleum, and people bring their picnics and lawn chairs and hang out while DJ’s play music before and after the show.  The only problem is that the secret’s out.  Nowadays, to get a decent spot you have to arrive before the gates even open and wait around in line.  The last time we went, we waited in line outside for over an hour, and even then only managed to score a mediocre spot. That was a couple of years ago and it has only gotten more popular.

Luckily, a few other places have caught on to the trend and have started their own screening series. This past summer our friends Danielle and Jason invited us along to a screening at Barnsdall Art Park.  It’s a great setting on hill with great views of the city.  Crowds seemed less intense, so far at least, and they have a wine and beer bar providing drinks, which means you have one less thing to carry.  We caught a screening of LA Story a couple of weeks before moving.  It’s the quintessential LA comedy and this was a perfect farewell to the city we’d come to love.

2. The Vista Theatre

LA has a lot of wonderful modern theatres, nonetheless, the Vista was always our favorite place to see a movie. It’s a 1920’s single screen theatre in Los Feliz with wonderful faux Egyptian décor adorning the interior.  They play one current release film at a time, and while the screen isn’t the newest in town, the rows of seats are widely spaced apart so you can really spread out and get comfy. To top it off, tickets are considerably cheaper than at most theatres.

The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood has a similar old-Hollywood appeal and has an interesting slate of film programs run by the American Cinematheque.


3. Last Remaining Seats

If you ever wonder what it would have been like to see a film in one of the opulent movie palaces of yesteryear, this is your chance.  The LA Conservancy runs a series of screenings (usually in the spring and summer) of classic films in the few movie palaces that are still leftover from the glamorous early years of the silver screen.


4. Beach Day

Venice Beach was one of my favorite places to take pictures. There was always something new to look at.

 

It’s LA, you have to hit the beach.  They’re not the most beautiful beaches, nor are they the warmest, but they certainly are colorful.  You can’t find much better people watching than you’ll see at Venice Beach. It’s crowded as hell on the weekends, but I love the graffiti, the wacky street artists, and the vendors selling all manner of merchandise.  If you’re lucky you might even see a big, pounding, drum circle.

5. Get Wright - Hollyhock House and Ennis House

Two of Frank Lloyd Wright’s home designs in Los Angeles are easy to see.  Tours are offered at Hollyhock House in Barnsdall Art Park several times a day from Wednesday to Sunday.  A large part of the house is still beautifully furnished in all its Art Deco glory.  The complex surrounding the house is still a functioning art complex, complete with an art gallery, a theatre, a Junior Arts Program, and many events including the outdoor screenings I mentioned in #1.

Ennis House isn’t currently open for tours, as its foundation is currently trying to sell it to a private owner. However, it’s just short drive from Hollyhock House and you can easily view the exterior and patios with wonderful views of the LA skyline from the street.

6. Greystone Mansion

Greystone is another destination for architecture and movie buffs.  It’s a beautiful English Gothic mansion in Beverly Hills with lovely grounds and it has been used in an impressive list of films.  They do have events and offer tours, although we’ve never taken one.  Greg discovered this destination and we’ve always stuck to roaming the beautiful formal gardens and taking exterior photos – the tour will have to be a future to-do item.

7. LA Conservancy Tours

New York and San Francisco’s architectural charms are readily evident, whereas LA’s may not always be so evident. I get that; however, it’s not to say that LA doesn’t have them as well.  You might just need someone to point out where to look. The LA Conservancy’s tours do a great job of this and they’re really inexpensive.  We’ve done the Art Deco tour twice and I’ve heard the Theatre tour is also really interesting.

The Biltmore Hotel is near the starting point of the tour and they have a gorgeous lobby and offer a wonderful tea service that would make a lovely addition to the day.  I also like Angelique Café, which is near where the Art Deco tour ends. It’s an adorable French café that just whisks you away to France. 


8. Huntington Gardens

This is a nerdy girl’s paradise. The Huntington has stunning gardens, art galleries, and a rare books collection. Add in the tea at the Rose Garden and you’re in a scene out of a Jane Austen Novel.  My one gripe is that altogether it can get pricey, but you definitely spend a beautiful day here. (Here is a link to a previous post on the Huntington Gardens.)

9. Take a Hike

One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is that you can drive for just a few minutes and feel worlds away from the city.  If you have time for a longer drive, Solstice Canyon and Malibu Creek State Park are both well worth the effort. Solstice Canyon has a great loop that takes you past a waterfall and the ruins of an old house that burned down.

Greg's pics from a camping trip we took to Malibu Creek.

You need not go that far, however, to get a quick escape.  There are great hikes at Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon, and Baldwin Hills.  Griffith Park has a lot of routes to choose from.
 

The view from Runyon.

Runyon Canyon and Baldwin Hills have two of my favorite views of Los Angeles and they’re basically mirror images of each other—one from the North and the other from the South.  Neither is all that long and from each you get  a full view of LA, the good, the bad, the ugly . . . and um, the beautiful. The city spreads out before you so that you see the industrial sections, the cool spots of Hollywood and Beverly Hills, the skyscrapers of downtown, and of course, the Hollywood sign.  On a really clear day you can see all the way to the ocean.  There is a great Scenic Overlook complete with a Visitor Center hidden at the top of the Baldwin Hills hike.  On the flip side, Runyon Canyon is a strangely good place to spot celebrities while getting in your exercise.

10. The Griffith Observatory
 

Borrowed from Flickr.

One of the many hikes you can take in Griffith Park is the route up to the Observatory.  (We did this once at night, and while not exactly something you’re supposed to do, it was a lot of fun.)  Of course, you don’t have to hike to it – they do have parking and entrance to the Observatory is free.   It’s fun for science geeks and movie lovers – it was featured in James Dean’s Rebel Without a Cause among many others. They also have a huge Tesla Coil and you can’t deny those are really cool.

Borrowed from Flickr.

11. Museum of Jurassic Technologies

It’s hard to describe this little museum that’s hidden over in Culver City, and I think it’s best not to try to explain it too much. I think of it as part museum of curios, part art installation, and part mind trip. Beyond that, I think it’s best to preserve the element of surprise.

12. Take in the Museums

LA gets a bum rap as a cultural vacuum. It actually has a wonderful crop of great museums.  LACMA is right in the middle of Wilshire Blvd, and therefore easily accessible to just about everywhere.  You can spend all day here. I particularly like the Japanese Pavilion and the Broad Contemporary Art Building.  MOCA has three different locations to choose from around town– MOCA Grand, MOCA Geffen Contemporary, and the MOCA Design Center.

Outside LACMA

If you can make it out to Pasadena, the Norton Simon Museum is one of my favorites. It’s a nice size – neither too big, nor too small – and the collections are great.  UCLA’s Hammer Museum is another compact space that’s easy to see in a short time without being overwhelmed.

The Getty

Finally, of course, there are the Getty Museums. To be honest, I don’t always love the exhibits at The Getty Center, but the architecture and views are fantastic.  They have an expansive lawn than makes me think of some futuristic Utopia.  The Getty Villa takes you back in time instead. It’s modeled after a Roman villa that was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and later excavated in Herculeum. The Getty’s Antiquities collection is housed here, it boasts fantastic views of the ocean, and the architecture tour is quite interesting.

All of these museums have great public programs, such as film screenings or summer concerts, so it’s worth taking a look online at what they have going on. I also have to add that if you need a good meal to complete your day—as I usually do -- a few of these have great options.  The restaurant at the Getty Villa is surprisingly tasty.  Many of LA’s most trendy food trucks hang out right outside LACMA. Finally, MOCA Geffen is immediately adjacent to Little Tokyo downtown, where there are lots of tasty options, and the Lazy Ox Canteen is right around the corner.


13. Art Walks

It seems to me that there are Art Walks going on all of the time in LA. (Here is a list with info).  They can be a great way to see different parts of the city.  The Brewery has one of my favorites because the space itself is really cool. The Brewery used to be exactly that, a brewery, and has since been converted into a huge artist’s colony. I love to see all the creative things that the artists have done to make their industrial lofts interesting and comfortable places to work and live. Culver City’s has some great galleries and the Downtown Art Walks have a wonderful vibe that really brings sometimes dead downtown to life.

14. Walt Disney Concert Hall

When The Hollywood Bowl and the Greek shutdown in the winter, the Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown is an excellent alternative.  It’s a very interesting building designed by Frank Gehry. For some reason, the thought that was put into the rest of the design was apparently not applied to the interior upholstery, which seems like a bad throw back to the 80’s, but the acoustics are fantastic.

Borrowed from Flickr.

You can’t picnic beforehand as at the Bowl and the Greek-- and it’s often too chilly to do so in the winter anyways-- but there are many great new restaurants and bars opening up downtown to provide ample distraction.


15. Disneyland

Ok, Disneyland isn’t exactly off the beaten tourist path, but as Greg says, I drank the Kool-Aid a long time ago.  I grew up loving Disney World, and now I love Disneyland too.  I can’t help it --- I turn into a five-year old the moment I walk through the gates.   The price can get prohibitive, however.  At certain times of the year they do offer the Two-for-one deal for CA residents, where you get two tickets for two days to use at either park.  You can also sometimes find discounts if you pre-buy your tickets.  Or you can do what I did this last time – beg your friends working for Disney to ‘Please! Please! Please!’ take you one weekend.  Thanks for indulging me guys!

LA Bucket List – The Hollywood Bowl

 

This was going to be a part of a longer forthcoming list of fun things to do in Los Angeles, but it soon became evident that the Hollywood Bowl needed its own post. It was the most glaring omission from my pre-Sydney Bucket List and it is my absolute favorite thing to do in LA in the summer.

Let us be clear, there is a right way and a wrong way to do the Bowl.  The wrong way is to just show up for the show, watch it, and go home.  That completely ignores half the point, which is that the venue is half the draw.  The Hollywood Bowl is a beautiful amphitheater nestled into the Hollywood Hills complete with picnic grounds with wonderful views. Here is how you do it right:

Step 1.  Arrive as soon as they open the doors. This is usually about 3 to 4 hours before a show.

Step 2.  Find a picnic table. Preferably, aim for one as close to the top of the Bowl as possible to enjoy the best views.  Since you got there so early, snagging a table should not be hard. If you arrived late, good luck.

It looks all clear now, but they fill up fast.

Step 3. Set up your picnic.  Prior to arriving at the bowl, you stopped off for goodies like bread and cheese at Trader Joe’s and/or you picked up sandwiches and salads at Joan’s on Third or another delicious eatery. Many restaurants around town offer special Bowl picnic bags to go. You also remembered to pick up a couple bottles of wine. This is key.  Spread all your goodies out on the table now, pour the wine, and enjoy.

No time for shopping? They do also have concession stands at the Bowl with very nice food and wine. It will just cost you more.

Step 4. Spend the next couple of hours eating and drinking with you friends.  This is an activity best enjoyed with a group. The more the merrier.  Share the tasty snacks and let the wine flow freely.

Step 5. Enjoy your show.  By now you should be sufficiently full of delicious snacks and wine that it should not really matter what you’re going to see. You should be feeling all good.  You’re in high spirits and ready to enjoy any act that comes on stage.

We have used this formula prior to enjoying all kinds of shows – from Classical Fireworks Spectaculars, John Williams Night, to World Music and Rock concerts. It is pretty foolproof.

The only acceptable alternative is to find friends that live in the Hills within walking distance to the Bowl, have them invite you over, and follow the pre-gaming procedures at their house.

By all accounts the Greek Theatre is a very similar experience, but sadly, despite living down the street from it in Los Feliz for six years, we have never made it there.

This past summer we made up a little for not making it at all in 2009 and caught two shows.  The first was a staged performance of Carmen conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.   The show was lovely, but he is so animated that he is a show all on his own.

The second show was a Pheonix concert that Jesse convinced us to go to at the last minute.   Greg and I aren’t the best about keeping up on the latest music – nobody’s perfect, this is a weak spot and luckily we have friends who are far more informed to help us along. We thought we had no idea who they were, only to discover that we’d been hearing their songs repeatedly on the radio for weeks.  So maybe I’m more up on music than I thought.  Either way, even if I was completely clueless, I still got to reap the benefits of getting to tell all my more hipster friends that I got to see them in concert while feigning a knowing look.

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LA Bucket List : Drinking Spots

Here are 10 awesome places to get a drink around LA.

The Edison  

Friendly Green Fairies come by to offer you 

Absinthe and other drinks.

I’ve already covered the Edison quite a bit.  I think I spent half of the summer of 2009 there. Housed inside an old power plant, it’s a little quirky and very Prohibition Era retro.  They often have burlesque dancers performing –and I love burlesque -- and the cocktails are fantastic.

Beware boys, there is a dress code.

La Descarga 
Hidden away in a relative no-man’s land on Western Avenue, you’d never find this place if you’re not looking for it. It’s a Cuban speakeasy. Why there would be a speakeasy in Havana when the entire country was basically a prohibition refuge? No idea.  Don’t ask questions, just go with it.  Once you here live the band playing and the salsa dancers start strutting their stuff across the bar, you won’t care about logic.

The specialty here is rum and they have an awesome library. They will help you find one to suit your tastes, but if you really think you need a mixer, they also whip up delicious cocktails.  Need to take a load off? Step into the cigar bar in the back for a smoke. Don’t worry if you don’t know anything about cigars. They have a wide selection and will help you choose one, whether you’re a novice or an expert.

Reservations are encouraged, but simple to make online.

The Dresden 

Made famous by its cameo in Swingers, the Dresden is still an awesome place to get a drink as Marty and Elayne sing their standards. It is surprisingly chill, low-key, and while it's little bit hipster, it's not at all sceney.

For a clip from the film and an interview with Marty and Elayne, check out this video.

The Varnish 

Yes, it’s another speakeasy.  The Varnish had been on my to-do list for ages and we finally made it there as part of one of our going away events. 

The cocktails are handcrafted with very fresh ingredients and quite delicious. They will create one for you if you can’t find anything that calls to you on the menu.

The big thing is that you have to know where you’re going. It’s located hidden at the back of Cole’s restaurant behind a non-descript door. Just proceed with confidence straight through the restaurant.  (The website gives little info besides the address, so you’re going to have to take my word on this one.) It’s a very small space and they purposefully keep the numbers down, so it’s best to go early.  However, if you draw a bit of bad luck and don’t get in, the trip need not be a loss.  You can enjoy a beer and a French dip right there at Coles.

Culver Hotel 

The Culver Hotel doesn’t have to try to cultivate a retro aesthetic; it comes by it authentically.  The hotel opened in 1924 and it is steeped in Hollywood lore.  The actors playing the munchkins stayed here during the filming of The Wizard of OZ.  Supposedly, they got frisky on their downtime, giving rise to the legend of the ‘Munchkin Orgies.’

Nowadays, the hotel retains its Old Hollywood style and the lobby is great place to enjoy classic drinks – the Sidecar was a personal favorite.

Lou
This is another hidden gem.  It’s in a rundown looking strip mall near the corner of Vine and Melrose.  Inside the décor is cozy, quirky, and fun. The focus is on organic and biodynamic wines, and the staff is really helpful. Lou himself is there on most nights and happy to share his knowledge. Oh, and the food is tasty to boot.

Borrowed from Flickr.

Although I didn’t make here as often as I would have liked, it was my favorite wine bar in the city.

Father’s Office  

 

I realize that I already put it on my favorite Burgers list, but they also have a fantastic beer selection. It seemed to me that whenever I’d find a beer I liked on a trip, we’d come back and find they had it here -- including my favorite, Trappistes Rochefort #10.

The Cat & Fiddle 
For a city with such great weather, LA really doesn’t have enough bars and cafes with patios on which to enjoy it.  This English Pub has one of the best.  It’s usually pretty casual, but it does get some spillover from the nearby trendy areas in Hollywood on the weekends.

This lovely image borrowed from Flickr.

Tiki-Ti 

This is one of the last bars leftover from the original Tiki Movement.  It is tiny – miniscule in fact—and it has limited days and hours that we could never seem to keep straight, so we were only able to get in here a couple of times despite the fact that we lived right down the street for the majority of our time in LA.  That said, it is as Tiki as Tiki can be, and the drinks are STRONG.

For the record, the hours are Thursday to Sunday, 4pm to 2am. Cash Only.

Malibu Wines

We were members of the winery for years. They have a tasting shack in a private park in the Malibu Hills and it served as our day escape whenever we needed to get away from LA for an afternoon. You bring a picnic and have a tasting, maybe buy a bottle, and you have yourself a wonderful afternoon. They also tend to have events in the evenings throughout the summer such as live  music and movie screenings.

My friend Amy discovered it while doing research for a trip out to come visit.  Back then it was our little secret hideaway. The secret is out now and it can sometimes be hard to grab a table. Nonetheless, we have had quite a gatherings here -- groups events, birthdays, we even brought out of town guests here before our civil wedding in LA.  We had going away parties here before our move to Sydney and our move to the East Coast.  Sadly, the last one got rained out a bit, only at the end. We have so many good memories here!

Cheers!

LA Bucket List– My Favorite Eats

 

After we returned from our tour of California it soon became apparent that we’d be moving away from LA again soon.  The truth is that we kind of saw this coming a while ago.  Greg graduated from B-school and unfortunately, even though he was at the top of his class, he graduated into a tough economy. We would have loved to stay in LA, but LA wasn’t biting.  Ultimately, the best job opportunity and the one he was most excited about was on the East Coast. (Let’s face it, as much fun as I was having with production work, it didn’t make sense to stay based on my paychecks.)

We love LA and were sad to be leaving, so we decided to enjoy it to the fullest before the cold Northeast roped us back in.  Therefore, we made a new Bucket List of all of the places we most loved and wanted to revisit and all the places we’d been meaning to try, and we hit up as many as possible before moving.  I give it to you now in three parts – 1) Food 2) Drinks and 2) Everything Else. 

Here we go with my ultimate LA Eating List --

Top Splurges:

These are my favorite spots for when it’s time for a little something special. I have magical memories of celebratory meals at each one of these places, which admittedly, may have contributed to their selection.

 #1 The Bazaar

This is Jose Andre’s LA restaurant.  Sr. Andre is the protégé of Ferran Adria of El Bulli Fame.  This restaurant is a complete trip.  Located in the SLS Hotel, and designed by Philipe Starck, the restaurant is divided in sections to provide different dining experiences and you are encouraged to hop around.  This place is trendy to a level that might normally put me off, however, the food is fantastic and ultimately all the elements come together to create a culinary experience that is way out of the ordinary and extremely fun.

The menu in the main restaurant, Rojo y Blanco, is split between Traditional and Modern Tapas, the later which falls into the realm of molecular gastronomy. Olives Two Ways gives you a little of both – traditional cured olives and a modern preparation that really distills the essence of the olive.  Off the traditional menu, the chicken croquettes are perhaps the best I’ve ever had. The Modern menu is fun all around, but my favorite is The Philly Cheese Steak – air bread topped with wagyu beef and filled with a delicious cheddar sauce.  If your wallet can spare an extra splurge, I would HIGHLY recommend the Nitro Caipirinah, which is much like drinking a mad science experiment. This one does not show up on the Rojo y Blanco menu, it’s a feature at Bar Centro, but go ahead and order it with dinner as they will serve it in the restaurant.  Make sure to cap things off at the whimsical Patisserie, which looks like it was plucked right out of wonderland, and whatever else you get for dessert, make sure to accompany it with the Chocolate Pop Rocks – they always make me laugh!

If your wallet or time don’t allow for a full meal, the Bar Centro is also a wonderful place to stop in for drinks and appetizers.

#2 and 3 Pizzeria and Osteria Mozza

I’m a Batali fan. There are a lot of celebrity Chefs out there these days with restaurants that leave something to be desired. I have not yet been disappointed by this Iron Chef, however, so both of his LA outposts (in collaboration with Nancy Silverton and Joe Bastianich) make my list.   The Osteria is wonderful, albeit pricey.  The Pizzeria is also really good, however, be warned that it is extremely noisey to the point that it might be difficult to hear the person right in front of you. It is also easier on the wallet. Actually, the food is pretty reasonable but we always end up driving up the bill with wine.

My quick and easy guidelines for dining Batali, based on my pretty limited experience, is that his appetizers, veggie sides, pizzas, and pastas all tend to be great, but the protein mains don’t blow me away.  At the Pizzeria, the pizza list is extensive, so I always tried to get something different, but the appetizer we had to get on almost every visit was the Chicken Liver Bruschette. 

I finally got to the Osteria last year as a birthday present from my mother-in-law. The Burrata from Puglia with leeks & fett'unta blew us away with its simple decadence.  Greg and I were split on favorites between the pasta dishes we ordered. I was blown away by the Ricotta & Egg Raviolo with browned butter, while Greg swooned for the Orecchiette with sausage & Swiss chard – you really can’t go wrong with either.

Both restaurants get predictably full, so it’s good to go on off hours. The Pizzeria also has a pizza bar area for walk-ins.  I never made it, but it’s worth noting that the Osteria offers a special menu Sunday through Thursday at their Amaro Bar. For $35 you get an item from the Mozzarella Bar, a pasta dish, a dessert, and a glass of wine.  My friend the Domestic Diva has often raved about this deal, and given the experiences that have lead to my Batali Dinning guidelines, I’d have to say this would be the way to go.

#4 Animal Restaurant

The food at Animal has been described as haute stoner cuisine. I’d say this is a good description as the dishes borrow inspiration from all over the place – flavors from all over the world, and from high to low cuisine-- and mixes it altogether to get concoctions that could only be dreamed up while high. However, you want to describe it, it is sooo good and extremely rich.  Oh, and vegetarians should stay far, far away. There is nothing for you here. As implied by the name, pretty much every dish on this menu involves some kind of meat, down to the veggie sides. They even have a bacon chocolate crunch bar for dessert.  The menu changes all the time, but one of the dishes their best known for is the foie gras loco moco with a quail egg, spam, and a hamburger, all stacked up on bed of rice and drizzled with a mix of sauces.  This one is definitely for sharing. The BBQ pork belly sandwiches are delicious and for the more adventurous, the crispy pig ear with chili, lime, and a fried egg was surprisingly tasty.  We once got a pork belly dish that was really simply prepared –it was pretty much a pork belly steak—and it sent Greg into fits of ecstasy. Sadly we never it saw again on the menu. I guess some experiences are just too profound to live more than once.

I never managed to get good pictures at Animal because of the low lighting. 

This guy got awesome pictures of the Loco Moco.

#5 A.O.C

A.O.C.  is classy little place that specializes in small plates and has an excellent wine list. The menu is seasonal and does change often, and I grant that some dishes are more successful than others.  That said, overall our experiences here have been excellent.  The brioche topped with prosciutto, gruyère and an egg alone earns it a place on the top five, and their veggie dishes tend to be delicious. The charcuterie and the cheese selection is also excellent. We’ve had some wonderful celebratory meals here.

Top spots for a little bit of romance:

Yamashiro was our go-to spot for romantic occasions for years. I’ve written about it in the past, but it’s worth restating that it has one of the most beautiful views of LA and a lovely Japanese garden inside.  If there isn’t time for a full dinner, the bar area has an equally fantastic view and they make some lovely cocktails.  It is also a great place to bring out of town guests to show them LA at its best.

Image borrowed from their website.

To get lost in a secret garden, step through the Little Door. A small door in a fence is all you see from outside and gives no indication of the loveliness that awaits inside. The restaurant is divided into sections – a patio, a winter garden, and two inside room -- and they all ooze cozy romance. The food is quite good, but the ambiance is absolutely enchanting. 

Favorite Gourmet Burgers:

Greg is a bit of a burger connoisseur, so we’ve tried a few; therefore, I’m including a top 5.

Father’s Office – It is still my favorite gourmet burger in the city.  Some people claim that they’re over-hyped and I can see how it might be annoying that you can’t make any substitutions – it’s caramelized onions, gruyere, and bacon or bust.  However, every time I take a bite, the harmony of the flavors  only reconfirm my loyalty.

25 Degrees – This is the first runner up, and it is also the antidote to the restrictions of the Father’s Office Burger. Here the burgers are big and juicy and you get to choose from dozens of toppings to make your own perfect burger, or you can select from three predesigned options.

Rustic Canyon - The way the cheeses oozes on their Niman Ranch Burger is pure heaven.  Also, if the cinnamon sugar doughnuts with hot chocolate happen to be on the menu, do not pass them up. They’re the perfect decadent chaser.

Umami Burger – This LA chain offers a wide variety of interesting burger creations that are in constant rotation. I’ve liked everything I’ve tried here beside the actual Umami Burger, which just pales in comparison to all of the other flavor combinations.  The Truffle Burger and the Pork and Stilton Burger are both particularly good.

The Street – Greg has not had the pleasure of trying this one.  I stole a couple of bites from a friend on my last visit, but those bites left a big impression. The Yuzu kosho mayonnaise adds an exotic, spicy kick that made it stand out among burgers.

The rest of the menu is lots of delicious fun as well. They also have fantastic fried chicken and wonderful cocktails. Here are a few more pics:

Honorable mentions go to Ford’s Filling Station, Stout Burger, and Golden State; all are great places to go for a burger and a beer. However, I think Golden State’s Muffaletta sandwich might win out for me over their burger. They also get bonus points since they serve delicious Scoops Ice cream.

 

Ford’s Filling Station is a wonderful gastro-pub all around. It also became a regular brunch spot for us once we moved to Culver City.  I think it might take Greg ‘s #5 burger spot.

Favorite Fast Food Burger - In N Out

THE west coast burger. For the uninitiated, In N Out has “secret” menu.  To be honest, the regular In N Out Burger is pretty good, to understand what all the hype is about you have to order it Animal Style – the beef patties are grilled in mustard sauce, grilled onions, special sauce, and extra everything.  The patties are thin, but the way they fuse together with the layers of cheese is amazing. You can also order you fries Animal Style, get your burger Protein Style with no bun, or get a grilled cheese.

Favorite Taco Stand– Yuca’s
It ain’t fancy, but it sure is tasty. Yuca’s is basically a little shack in a parking lot across from a liquor store, which is perfect since you probably want a beer to go with that taco.  The cochinita pibil is the bomb.  I like the simplicity of the tacos, Greg prefers the sustenance of the burritos.

My friend SB and I once had a carne asada taco showdown, where we collected carne asada tacos from four stands in the Los Feliz, Silverlake, and Echo Park area, and Yuca’s came in second in this particular battle. The top spot went to Burrito King on Sunset.   However, Yuca’s still wins out overall in my book.

Favorite Pizza (Neopolitan Style) -  Antica

I have to give credit where it is due, SB turned me onto this place. She’s particular about pizza and claims this is only one in Los Angeles she’ll eat.  I have to hand it to her, she’s right -- it is really good.  The crust is thin, crispy and lightly charred and the toppings are fresh and delicious.  They have a good selection of toppings, but I prefer to keep things simple and get the margherita with thing slices of prosciutto added on top.

Favorite Pizza (Delivery Style) – Palermo Ristorante

Don’t bother with the rest of the menu and go straight for the pizza. It is my favorite version of a delivery-chain style pizza out there – although they aren’t a delivery chain.  I’m not certain why, but I think there might be crack in the cheese.

Favorite Hot Dog - Let’s Be Frank

This is still my favorite hot dog in LA. I love the spicy Devil Sauce, I love the sausages, and I love that I don’t feel gross after eating one. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about where the meat came from – they use only grass-fed beef free from hormones, steroids, nitrates, or nitrites.

Favorite Brunch Spot – Alcove Cafe
I really enjoy the food at Alcove, however, the beautiful patio is really what makes this my favorite place to get brunch. It is the perfect place to enjoy a gorgeous Los Angeles day.  However, it can get really hard to snag a table once peak brunch hours hit. Go before 11 a.m. on a weekend morning to avoid the crowds. (That’s generally a good rule of thumb for brunch in L.A.)

Favorite Cupcake – Joan’s on Third

You can keep your Sprinkles and Yummy Cupcakes, my favorite confection in town is the Snickers cupcake at Joan’s on Third. It’s a delicious chocolate cake topped with crumbled snickers frosting that is surprisingly not cloying in the least.  They have good selection of flavors to suit other tastes as well.

This lovely high-end deli is also my favorite spot to grab prepared picnic foods for the Hollywood Bowl.

Favorite Lunch Spot – Doughboy’s

Doughboy’s was our favorite soup, salad, and sandwich spot for years because of the great value and tasty food. They went away for a while, but now they’re back under new ownership and they're all spruced up. Some dishes aren’t exactly at the same level as before, but on the whole, the value is still there.  They’re famous for their Red Velvet Cake, and it’s as good as ever, but the Hummingbird Cake is my favorite of their desserts.

Favorite Dim Sum

Our friend Jesse has made the search for the best dim sum his mission, so we would always follow his lead on this one.  To get the really good stuff you have to get out of Downtown and head inland, and the journey to Din Tai Fung is well worth it as they have the most AMAZING soup dumplings.

More Deliciousness by Neighborhood


Culver City

Fraiche – A beautiful, romantic spot with excellent food. The menu is seasonal and constantly changing, but the monkfish is a perpetual favorite. The beet salad with ricotta and the pastas are also delicious. 

Downtown

Bottega Louie – A big, bustling brasserie with an appetizing market area attached.  I enjoyed a lovely brunch with a couple of girlfriends here, and the food was simple, fresh, and well executed.

Church and State -  I had one completely indulgent meal here with Greg and his mom. The escargot are even more decadent than usual as they’re served en croute.  The roasted beef marrow is amazing. Greg appropriately called it meat butter.  Their French bread is also amazing, a perfect balance of crunchy exterior and soft, chewy center.

The Lazy Ox Canteen– We met so late into our time in LA. We only got one visit here and our choices were limited because it was during restaurant week. However, even the dishes that didn’t sound like much were awesome.  There were so many more amazing sounding dishes on the menu. *Sigh* The damage we could have done here.

Glendale

Palate – I’ve written about Palate before. It’s hidden away in Glendale between car dealerships. The stars of the menu are the smaller plates – the appetizers, the pickled items, and the mason jars. They also have an amazing cheese selection, charcuterie, and a wonderful wine list.

Hollywood/West Hollywood/Mid-city

Campanile – I’ve had wonderful experiences here, and mediocre ones. However, when they’re on, they’re on. We went for my last birthday dinner and everything was fantastic.  Service is also usually wonderful and they make you feel well taken care of.

Cobras and Matadors – This little tapas joint was one of our first foodie favorites in Los Angeles. We haven’t been in a while, but it used to be another regular on our special occasion rotation. Not every dish is 100% successful, but on the whole it is excellent. My biggest tip is to save room for dessert and get both the French Toast and Churros. The Churros come with a delicious chocolate dipping sauce and there is always a good bit leftover.  That extra chocolate sauce elevates the caramely French Toast to new levels.  One more note, it’s BYOB, but they waive the corkage fee if you buy from the wine shop next door.

Jar – The feel of Jar reminded me of an Eames chair. It has an easy, mid-century American elegance, and the food follows suit.  The focus here is on retro American dishes and the strength is in the braised meats and roasts.

Loteria Grill - I love tacos and I love sampler platters, so their Probaditas taco sampler platter is right up my alley. Everything else I’ve had here has also been very good, with the exception of the Jicama Enchilada salad, which was too hot to handle. (And I have a decently high tolerance for spicy foods)  I love the cocktails and micheladas as well.

Santa Monica

La Cachette – A classic French bistro plopped down next to the beach in Santa Monica. It’s the perfect place for classic dishes like bouillabaisse, mussels, and coq au vin.

Happy Eating!