Los Angeles Indefinitely

Old Jul 21st, 2016, 12:58 PM
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Los Angeles Indefinitely

My fiancé and I will be in the Wilshire - Robertson area for a month possibly a few weeks longer. Can you recommend your favorites in Los Angeles? Restaurants, museums, views - everything the city has to offer! Thank you!
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Old Jul 21st, 2016, 08:19 PM
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Do you like Korean food? You're in for a treat if you are staying in the Wilshire area. I highly recommend Kang Ho Dong Baekjong (3465 W 6th St) and Genwa Korean BBQ (5115 Wilshire). You can get steak anywhere but you will not find better Korean food elsewhere in the United States.

If you really want to explore the heart of downtown L.A., I highly recommend the area surrounding Pershing Square. In this area, there's Angel's Flight (unique landmark), Grand Central Market (great food vendors), Jewelry District, Disney Concert Hall, The Broad (excellent museum), and last but not least, Clifton's Cafeteria. Clifton's Cafeteria is so unique I doubt you will ever forget this gem.

If you want a great view of the Hollywood sign, I highly recommend visiting the Griffith Observatory. It also offers an incredible view of downtown L.A. at night and a chance to see the moon through the high-powered telescope.

I do not recommend Santa Monica Beach nor Venice despite their recognition. Frankly, I think they are dirty and over-crowded and I rarely visit this area. I prefer MUCH cleaner places like Hermosa and Redondo Beach.
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Old Jul 21st, 2016, 10:50 PM
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You're going to be there for quite awhile, so you will want to explore many parts of the city. Young people like the Japanese restaurants on Sawtelle Boulevard in West Los Angeles, and you will always find a crowd around the restaurants. Beverly Hills is always fun, and the restaurants on Canon Drive are excellent, especially the Italian ones. Westwood Village has a lot to offer and is worth an excursion.

Venice and Santa Monica are interesting. The third street promenade in Santa Monica offers street entertainers, many shops, and restaurants.

In Beverly Hills, Wally's is a good restaurant with an incredible selection of wines. Much cheese as well, but you will want to go a short distance away (on Beverly Drive) to The Cheese Store.

West Hollywood is a great place to visit, especially for young people. We had Father's Day brunch at Beach Nation. The food was delicious, and the venue has sand and some beach chairs in the middle, so you feel as if you are on the beach.

Lucques is a favorite restaurant of ours.

The Getty Center and Getty Villa are both worth a visit. LACMA is a good museum. Music on Friday nights.

There are many opportunities for fun activities, especially in the summer. My twenty-something granddaughters do karaoke one night and a trivia night on another.

If you ask specific questions, I can add more, but I can write forever. This is a great city.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2016, 07:55 PM
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One recommendation is an excellent restaurant downtown - Maccheroni Republic (I still dream about the squid ink pasta sauce) on Broadway. Also, search for posts by maitaitom - he recommends sightseeing and restaurants regularly.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2016, 09:10 PM
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The Huntington Museum and gardens are marvelous. For more art options you have the Norton Simon and the Gettty.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2016, 04:01 AM
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http://www.fodors.com/community/profile/maitaitom/
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Old Jul 23rd, 2016, 08:40 AM
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"Venice and Santa Monica are interesting. The third street promenade in Santa Monica offers street entertainers, many shops, and restaurants."

3rd St Promenade is definitely worth the visit (especially at night). The walkway at Venice is indeed interesting (think "legal" pot shop every 3rd store). However, the beach areas at both Venice and Santa Monica are both filthy despite trash cans everywhere on the beach.
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 05:10 PM
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Blue skies and palm trees. I love this city!!

Thanks DebitNM and Maitaitom.. I'll keep checking your blog http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/california-dreaming-1/

Thank you everyone for the terrific list of restaurants and things to see. We love Korean..have you been to Chosun Galbee?

We arrived yesterday and got settled in our 3 BD/3 BA apt with crazy views. One master bedroom and 2 office rooms (company rental). MY GOD the views are insane. I can see miles and miles away... narrow balcony but can sunbathe with no one peeping! From the kitchen and the living room I can see the downtown skyline. I can also see the Hollywood sign and part of the Hollywood hills and midtown all the way south to LAX and if I really turn my neck I get a glimpse of all the buildings in West Los Angeles. The place is not exactly big but the high ceilings and large sliding doors just really bring the outside in. I've never seen so many palm trees in my life. I've missed LA! The views from the roof are even more amazing but you're not allowed there unless of course you're friends with the owner who gives you a key to do whatever you please. BOOYA! Washer dryer top floor corner unit, sunrise...sunset, espresso machine, very comfortable Cal King bed. No pots and pans, not a single one lol

Any farmers markets nearby? Sushi also Chinese, Mexican, hiking trails? Thank you.
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 05:56 PM
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While there may be local ones where you are...this is the Grand Daddy of LA Farmer's Market:

http://www.farmersmarketla.com/
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Old Jul 27th, 2016, 11:07 AM
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If you are new to Los Angeles, I like the old-timey "classics"...

La Brea Tar Pits, Walk of the Stars/Hollywood sign, Olvera Street, Chinatown, Griffith Park observatory, Farmers Market/The Grove. Also the boardwalk at Venice Beach and Pacific Palisades in Santa Monica.
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Old Jul 27th, 2016, 04:46 PM
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"We love Korean..have you been to Chosun Galbee? "

Have not but would love to. Koreatown has too many restaurants it'll take me decades to try them all.


"Any farmers markets nearby? Sushi also Chinese, Mexican, hiking trails? Thank you."

Although not exactly nearby, I highly recommend "Spicy City" and "Chengdu Taste" in San Gabriel. Both are excellent and frequented by Chinese immigrants. There are hundreds of authentic Chinese restaurants on Valley Blvd alone.
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Old Jul 27th, 2016, 07:00 PM
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Where is your home? Just curious.

So you are staying practically down the street from where my mom lives and just east of me in WLA.

DebitNM is right about Farmer's Market @ 3rd and Fairfax being the mother of all farmer's markets. They also have FREE Thurs = Sat. evening concerts there, right in the middle of the market. http://www.farmersmarketla.com/event...Night-Music/94 There's 2 bars there that serve alcohol.

Also recommend the Twilight series Thurs. night at the SM Pier (take Expo Line to the end in Santa Monica and walk to the pier). You can bring food/drink.

Head to the Landmark for the best of the new movies, especially the Sundance "artistic" ones. Reasonable prices for movies and popcorn. https://www.landmarktheatres.com/los-angeles

Definitely get a last minute ticket to the Greek or the Hollywood Bowl this summer, from classical to pop to new wave to whatever floats your boat. I was at the Bowl last weekend for Sting/Peter Gabriel, and the Greek for 80's Howard Jones/OMD.

Go up to Griffith Park Observatory for the view, planetarium.
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Old Jul 28th, 2016, 09:12 AM
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Here are a few of my recent favorite restaurants (with photos).

Guelaguetza (fantastic Mexican restaurant in Koreatown)
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22459-2/

Officine Brera (Spectacular Northern Italian!)
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22424-2/

Union (Pasadena Italian)
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/union-pasadena-ca/

Redbird (great restaurant housed in a former cathedral)
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/redbird-los-angeles-ca/

Have a wonderful time!


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Old Jul 28th, 2016, 11:21 AM
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I used to live in that area many years. For simple, authentic Mexican I liked La Talpa at 11751 Pico Blvd. It's been there abut 40-50 years. That's more towards Brentwood.

http://thetalpa.com/
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Old Jul 29th, 2016, 10:22 AM
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I haven't left the apartment since we got here UGHHH I need to get out. This is one of the drawbacks of having an awesome space. You just never wanna leave. I have to go to urgent care to refill an Rx in the valley What a drag.

Surfergirl that is a loaded question but the simple answer is SF, though MF (my fiance) and I met in LA. I used to live in Westwood.

Thanks so much for the additional restaurants. I also have my old favorites I want to share but gotta go Dr is about to close...the guy is going to prescribe meds without me having to take labs. Twice he's done this, so reliable!! Lesson?? Always have at least one corrupt doctor in your life.
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Old Jul 29th, 2016, 04:53 PM
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Other farmer's markets. Obviously, everyone loves the one in Santa Monica on Arizona. But I found the one at Virginia Park at Pico & 20th, I think (Saturdays to 12) to be my favorite. I used to love the one at the Veteran's Administration they had on Thursday, but I think that moved to Westwood Village, and that one (also on Thursday) is awful. I heard there's a pretty good one on Sundays, at Melrose Place (relatively close to you).

Best view with yummy food was Yamashiro above the Magic Castle, but that closed. Suggestion, though, take the Metro light rail or subway downtown this summer and go to Perch by Pershing Square. Great views, great atmosphere, great cocktails and food. If you want to dine there, you HAVE to make reservations unless you get there early.
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Old Jul 30th, 2016, 08:24 AM
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Yamashiro re-opened in June.

http://yamashirohollywood.com/

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Old Aug 1st, 2016, 01:42 PM
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Got the meds, doctor was consistent with previous corrupt behavior and everything is back to normal. We still don't have pots and pans. I'm wondering if I should just buy cheap ones at TJ Max or invest which I'll have to lug home. MF says invest.

I've always wondered about Yamashiro but never enough to go. After reading they've closed I got so sad then SO relieved when I read it reopened! We must go now. Another place we're curious about is the tasting menu at the Bazaar.

Clifton's Cafeteria looks so cool and Redbird. MF has been to the Tar Pits and enjoyed. Will try to make it to the Getty Villa this time.

Grandot we've actually been to Lucques for lunch! It must be so pretty at night.. romantic vines and soft lighting, and also been to Perch but only for late night drinks. Both outdoor dining are perfect especially on nights like we're having this week! I love LA.

If you hate money but love chocolates, don't miss Teucher in Beverly Hills. It'll put you back $3.15 per Champagne truffle but you will thank me and you are welcome. I usually get an assortment of 4 or 5 pieces and gobble them all down unless of course when I'm with MF then I get double. They charge by weight. http://teuscher-bh.com (VT)

If while strolling around Beverly Hills you feel the sudden urge to get waxed well I have just the right place for you too. Portofino. They do all kinds of waxing, place is very clean a little pricey but worth it. If you time it right a Brazilian might just do your Brazilian. Make an appt they also sell clothes, jewelry, swim suits but I've never bought anything from there...items are a bit overpriced, just go for the wax (VT).

9431 S Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 276-8855

Over the weekend MF informed me that an Amorino near us just opened. For those who are not in the know, that is a dangerous place. That is a place where you buy an addiction. Do not bring yourself there let alone your kids. You've been warned.

For really yummy blueberry pancakes we love BLD. Also great for business breakfast meetings during the week NOT the weekends. (VT)
http://bldrestaurant.com

It's been a while and not sure if they still serve it but the lemon ricotta pancakes are delicious at Casa Del Mar. The ocean views aren't too shabby either.

**(VT) = Vouched by Tessietoes meaning I've literally been to these places more than 15 times = fail proof = I do not get paid $ for vouching (yet).

I have more if you want more. Any other favorites??

Maccheroni ..Yum!
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