WORDS Melissa Tsai
Los Angeles is really what you make of it; the city is rich in so many ways: food, art, music, shopping, nature. There’s a neighborhood for every personality. We’ve chosen Pasadena to be our first home on the West Coast. Pasadena is the home of the world famous stadium, renowned cultural attractions and educational institutions, and some of the best hotels and restaurants in the Los Angeles area. Having just moved here a few months ago with my husband and 19-month old, we already have a list of our local favorites.
Copa Vida (70 S. Raymond Ave) is my favorite coffee spot in our neighborhood. This is where I’d go to satisfy my caffeine kick and get some work done on the side. If you’re not a coffee drinker, I’d take you down the street to Flour + Tea (238 S. Arroyo Pkwy). This cozy little teashop has a long list of teas that will satisfy every palate. They also serve up some delicious desserts and breads.
For a quick lunch, our go-to is Lemonade (146 S. Lake Ave). The atmosphere is casual and vibrant. Their seasonal menu embraces what Southern California cuisine is all about. I never pass up the white truffle mac’n cheese. Afterwards, we love hanging out by the fire pit and the iconic British red telephone booths in the courtyard behind the restaurant. Another lunch (or brunch) favorite is La Grande Orange Café (260 S. Raymond Ave). If you’re going to order only one thing here (which I highly doubt), get the deviled eggs.
For a low-key dinner, we’ll stop by Umami Burger (49 E. Colorado Blvd). You seriously can’t go wrong with anything from their menu. Our little one can eat a whole order of sweet potato fries by himself. Being so close to the Pacific Ocean, sushi is a must-eat here. My husband and I love going to Sushi Roku (One Colorado, 33 Miller Alley) on our date nights. If you still have room, walk over to The Coolhaus Shop (59 E. Colorado Blvd) to top the night off with an ice cream sandwich. I bet you’ve never tried some of these flavors: Guinness chip or fried chicken & waffles.
If you’re visiting Pasadena with young children, Kidspace Children’s Museum (480 N. Arroyo Blvd) is a great place to burn off their energy. There are tons of hands-on activities for one-year olds and up. Old Pasadena Farmer’s Market (54 E. Holly Street; Sunday 9am-2pm) is another place we love going to as a family; it’s become a part of our weekend routine. We love walking around sampling berries while doing our weekly produce shopping.
Melissa is an architect, mom, and blogger. www.madebymelis.com
WORDS Jeremy Silver
For music, I recommend Hotel Cafe which is by far the best place to see up and coming artists in LA, it’s a very intimate room, and occasionally some big names will pop up just to hang out or maybe even play a stripped down set. Room 5 on La Brea is another small room with great singer/songwriter talent coming through. For slightly bigger, louder shows there’s the Troubadour (another LA classic) which is another favorite of mine; the front bar at the Troubadour is also a great hang for a beer before or after a show. The calendars for those places are already up, and good shows are happening around the weekend of the 10th.
As far as food, for great authentic Mexican food I’d recommend Loteria in the Farmers Market at the Grove. Since you Alabama folks might be barbecue connoisseurs, I would offer up Bludsoe’s on La Brea as some of the best BBQ out here. Village Idiot on Melrose is a great pub and I definitely recommend the steak & potato pie. An old-school Hollywood place for maybe the best Italian food in the city is Dan Tana’s on Santa Monica (located right next to the Troubadour). Oh, and obviously In-and-Out for a hamburger. No question, it’s a must.
If you want to hang out in bars the LA classic sports bar is Barney’s Beanery, there’s one in West Hollywood and another location in Santa Monica. For a dive bar, I like Snake Pit on Melrose, it’s not your typical LA flashy bar scene, so it’s a natural favorite of mine.
Jeremy Silver is a songwriter and producer who writes music for film, television, and commercials. @iamjeremysilver
WORDS Kedist & Becky Tsadik
If you’re planning to cheer on Auburn at the BCS National Championship at the Rose Bowl in January, there’s something we have to tell you. You look like a tourist. Why? Because you’re spending all of your free time snapping pictures on the Hollywood Walk of Fame rocking burnt orange and navy blue.
Swap out your football swag for some shorts--it’s 70 degrees in January!--and steer clear of the those double decker tour buses. In the spirit of rivalry, we pit some of the city’s more famous locales against our classier, lesser-known, favorites. Enjoy Los Angeles like a local with these five destinations that are #onlyinLA.
5. Santa Monica Pier vs. Manhattan Beach Pier
This adorable enclave just south of LAX is packed with charming shops, delicious restaurants, beautiful beach homes and more room to breathe than it’s northern cousin. No, MB’s pier doesn’t include a Ferris wheel or “jokes for $1,” but it’s also completely devoid of huge crowds and screaming ice cream vendors interrupting your blissful beachside nap. Head to MB Post for their seared diver scallops with bacon butter. YUM.
4. In n’ Out vs. Umami
Don’t get us wrong; we heart a Double Double Animal Style just as much as the next girl. But, there’s just something magical about the Umami mini-chain’s rich, creative concoctions tucked into buttery buns that’s crave-worthy. I mean, just look at this menu. House-made truffle cheese? Done and done.
3. Venice Boardwalk vs. Venice Canals
If you’re into scenery that includes men painted silver, street musicians and the half-naked gentlemen of Muscle Beach, then by all means, brave the crowds on the moving circus that is the Boardwalk. But, if you’re looking for a saner escape with a view that’s still near water, head south to the Venice Canals. Continue your stroll through L.A.’s hippest neighborhood Abbot Kinney.
2. Sprinkles vs. Sugarfina
Perhaps The Original Cupcake Bakery’s $4 red velvet cupcake is “worth” all the hype and the perpetual lines. But, why subject yourself to that madness? Stroll a few blocks down to the magical Sugarfina, which is literally on the same street. Step inside the brand new Tiffany-blue storefront, which sources gourmet candies from around the world and presents them in the most adorable packages for gift-giving--flavors like candy-coated martini olive almonds.
1. The Standard vs. The Bungalow at The Fairmont
If you’re not on the list at The Standard, you’ll be standing in line for awhile, surrounded by more fake bake, 5-inch heels and plastic surgery than you ever thought possible in one space. Go hang out with real people near the ocean at The Bungalow, an indoor/ outdoor multi-room haven with multiple bars, a pool table and lots and lots of comfy seats and couches for hanging out. Do go early though as a line has been known to form on the weekends (but there are often food trucks or vendors nearby to help you pass the time!)”
Find out more about their company at www.facebook.com/BereketKitchen or at www.bereketkitchen.com.