Guide to L.A. – Part 1
I’ve only lived in Los Angeles for four years, but in that amount of time, I’ve compiled a pretty solid list of things to do in the city. I contributed a few of those favorites here, but I thought a more in-depth series would prove useful. To kick things off, here are some of my favorite restaurants and why they shouldn’t be missed.
Breakfast
Where to go when you’re hungover: The Griddle Cafe. Known for their plate-sized pancakes in flavors like “Banana Nana” (brown sugar-baked bananas) and “Hear Me Roar” (strawberries and frosted flakes), this has a fantastic blues-y feel with exposed brick walls and an intimate setting. Don’t miss their french press coffee, but if you’re looking to get the “Addicted to Noisella” (french toast made with nutella), insist on sharing. Nobody can handle that much chocolately hazelnut spread.
Place that won’t derail your diet: Urth Caffe. As I’ve noted time and time again, everything you order at Urth is clean, organic and ridiculously tasty. This comes with quite a price tag, but since their lattes are so addicting, I somehow justify spending $4 a cup. Their bread pudding is equally as fantastic (and I’m not even usually a fan) as is their oatmeal with homemade granola, berries and milk.
Will make you feel like you’re in your mom’s kitchen: Grub. Nestled in a residential area in Hollywood, this unsuspecting little restaurant is as cute as it is delicious. Bowls of dry cereal are put on the table when you first arrive so you can snack on Fruit Loops while you wait for your order. All of their egg dishes are great, but their appropriately named “Friggin’ Amazin’ French Toast” is just that (especially if you go with the Croissant).
Lunch
Where to spot a celebrity: Toast Bakery Cafe. Squeezed between trendy boutiques on 3rd Street (I’ll be dishing my favorites in a future post), this place is always packed and with good reason. Their salads are hearty, the Arnold Palmers are perfectly sweet and tart and I keep going back for their Hummus Falafel. Try to find a seat outdoors for good people-watching, but don’t forget to head inside on your way out. They have the best red velvet cupcake in the city.
Feels far from L.A.: Sur. After an afternoon spent walking around Robertson Blvd, Sur is the perfect follow-up to pushy tourists and overpriced shops. The decor is undeniably sexy, with a breezy patio, all-white curtains and wonderfully intricate chandeliers and a simple menu. The ‘Fantasia Salad’ (arugula, blue cheese and a grapefruit vinaigrette) is my favorite with a glass of their too-strong-to-go-back-to-work-afterward sangria.
Place to meet a good friend: Clementine’s. The parking and table situation can be a little hairy, but the their homemade seasonal food is well worth the wait. I almost always get the ‘Rare Roast Beef Sandwich’ (with a horseradish mustard dressing, marinated onions on rustic bread) and their fresh limeade. On my to-do list: their BBQ Fridays for summer fare and a fun, casual atmosphere.
Dinner
Sushi that will knock your socks off: Sasabune (so small there’s not a website). My boyfriend first took me after a particularly tough day and promised the best sushi I’d ever tasted. He was not lying. Though it sounds intense (there are no menus), the signs on the wall that say”Trust Me” are telling the truth. The fish melts in your mouth and has the most unbelievable buttery texture you’ll ever experience. The decor isn’t much to write home about, but I swear you won’t even notice.
Best experience you’ll have eating at the bar: Pizzeria Mozza. As a self-proclaimed pizza fanatic, I order it whenever possible. With combinations like “Fennel Sausage, Panna, Red Onion and Scallions” and “Squash Blossoms, Tomato and Burrata” you can’t go wrong. They also have a nice wine list that doesn’t break the bank and appetizers that are refreshing and unique.
Casual meal close to the beach: La Grande Orange. The vibe in this newly-opened restaurant is surprisingly relaxed with fun sections on the menu like “Things We Put On Chips” (Shrimp Ceviche and Tuna Tartare) and “Very Special” (Dixie Pan-Friend Chicken and Turkey Meatloaf). Plus, they have an entirely separate menu for dessert (always a good sign in my book) and a warm brownie with ice cream that is other worldly.
image via Flickr
94 comments
I’ve lived in l.a. all my life and I’ve never been to any of these restaurants. Then again, I don’t go out to eat that much so that’s probably why. A couple of them sounds great. I’ll have to stop by and check them out. Thanks!
What a great list – and I love the headings! In particular I love the “where to go when you’re hungover”! Genius. (And essential!) Am visiting LA in October and I really can’t wait now! X
awesome!!!! I wish I’d visit LA soon..great guide
)
i have always wanted to live in L.A… one day maybe
oh how I wish I would be in LA soon to try these places out. sound delicious
This makes me want to visit L.A. again! Good thing one of my besties is moving there soon; I’ll pass along this list to her!
Oooh! Thanks for the list. I want to go to LA for a winter break and now I have some solid plans of what to check out. Groovy. Good post.
This makes me want to visit L.A. (and it makes me hungry, too!). Can’t wait for the shopping installment! Can we expect a New York guide too…?
Great list! I haven’t been to L.A. in ages, but I’m bookmarking it for my next visit, hopefully in the near future. And 4$ for a latte? Not bad at all- I once paid 12$ for a latte in Seoul. That’s how desperate I was!!
I haven’t been to LA in years & am yearning to go back! Your list only hastens my travel plans…
Y-U-M!!!
The sushi place (along with every where else you mentioned) sounds AMAZING. Maybe I’ll take the trip out to Cali to visit my friend sooner than later now
This makes me miss LA! I used to go all the time for work. Something tells me I need to go back and have some of those nutella treats!
Filing this away for when I finally have the dough to visit my L.A. buddies!
fantastic info…thanks emily!
I’ll have to add some of those to my list of places to try!
yum! i love how you’ve listed each place according to the kind of experience it offers–makes me want to head to LA!
I’ve been to almost all of those places (and first time at La Grande Orange over the weekend) and love them all! My sis and I are always looking for new places to eat and having a recommenation is the bes! Yay!
Great list…used to live in LA, but skipped town & ‘never turn back’ ps: added your blog to my links…hope it’s alright!
Have a gorgeous day, beautiful!
xo*
I’ve been to LA once 2 years ago, and I am dying to go back! Can’t wait to hear your shopping suggestions
what a great guide! i have never been to LA…but now you have me suddenly daydreaming about jetting off to Cali.
welp, guess this means i have to make a trip over to the west coast now…
What fabulous suggestions!! Two of my friends used to live in L.A. and they always say how they miss it like crazy because it was perfectly wonderful.
Wow, I really really want to go to LA now!
i love los angeles – i’ll be going back in september and will be adding several of these spots to my list!
i did something similar with must have big city eats and shops. i love the idea and the suggestions!
xx
Love your title! Hope to get to use your tips in the future. I’ve never been to LA.
Great guide! I need to go back to Grub and love Toast!
Great choices – I would have selected the same!
L O V E this! I’m heading to LA this weekend – I may have to scope out some of these spots! xo
can’t wait for my next trip to LA!
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Oh, sign me up. All of this sounds so perfect for a weekend of eating. I’ll be bookmarking for my next trip down the coast.
Wow, the brown sugar baked bananas sound heavenly…
Good list! I love Clementine (across the street from my work and super tempting) and completely agree about Sur. As for Urth Cafe – have you tried the quiche? Incredible. Dying to check out The Griddle Cafe, thanks for the rec!
Born in L.A., but never back since, you make this Nor-Cal girl (who now lives in Denver) want to make a trip “home.” Thanks for sharing! I’ll definitely be asking my L.A.-based sister about these places.
Fun!!! I’d love to see LA!
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i love the artichokes at Toast! and i actually DID see jessica simpson there once
La Grande is a Phoenix institution – they own about 5 restaurants within a 1 mile radius and all are unique and amazing. A few months after moving to Santa Monica, I found out that there was an LGO in Pasadena and they were building one on Main St right by me… It was like fate. Fate that makes me fat….
I adore your little list! I’ll keep in mind these places when I head down to LA!
I just came back from LA this morning…wish I’d known about these places before!! =)
Can’t wait to plan a trip to LA! Most of my vacations revolve around food – thanks for the great recommendations
Alexandra
Was going to check out Urth last time I was in LA but forgot to. Heard you have to fight celebs for a table lol
Mmmmm…such good picks. Now I’m dreaming of pancakes and coffee from The Griddle.
Don’t forget about Downtown LA! That is one of the most walkable places in the city. The buildings are beautiful to look at, the restaurants are great, and I’ve never seen more people on foot than in Downtown!
great choices! i have lived in LA my whole life and havent been to all of those. lol
Great list. Will be bookmarking this.
Love these suggestions! Totally adding this to my favorites.
You make LA seem almost nice. I have severe road rage, so driving in LA make me crazy!
You have a lovely blog!
Great list! I’ve lived in LA for about a year and a half now (but grew up about an hour away) and these are all great recommendations. We are so lucky to have such great food around here!
Can’t wait to try some of these places out, especially the sushi place!
http://my-life-in-style.blogspot.com
nice. I’ve never been to L.A, I’m going to miami this fall
and have no Idea where to go to do anything (since I’ve never been there either nad I’m not from the states). shoppign specially.
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I might be heading out to visit LA for a couple of days at the end of the summer and will def. think to hit up at least one of those…
I can’t wait to go to L.A. Totally stopping at all these places!
what kind of sushi do you eat? I´ve just tried with salmon, and I´m afraid of the unknown, haha!! Regards from Buenos Aires!
such perfect timing! I’m going to L.A. next week!
you could not have had better timing with this…I am headed to LA tomorrow!
I’m going to LA tomorrow, and I’ve been scouring blogs all week looking for restaurant recommendations. I can’t wait to check these out! They all sound so yummy!
I loooooove Sasabune! It costs loads of cash, but it’ll be the best meal of your year. Glad to find another fan!
wonderful post! i dont know when i’ll be making out to LA, but i will remember this for future reference.
Thanks for the great guide… now I know where I’ll be eating at next time I visit LA.
that’s so great! LA is on my must-see-places – list.
best sandwich=Bay Cities on Lincoln!
i just moved out to LA with my band… this list is perfect. PLEASE do a list of great shopping spots soon. and include some vintage, if you don’t mind!
http://www.rocknrollgypsy.com
i love sasabune! omakase is the way to go!
Oh LA is one of my dream country. And i wanted to live there one day. ;D
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Travel and Living
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Greattt listt
Sounds yummyyy
I desperately want to go to LA …
Maybe somedayy
thank you so much for the link love! xo
you should try Auntie Em’s Kitchen in Eagle Rock. I used to work there. And I swear they have the best red velvet cupcakes in the city. Go for breakfast!
what makes this list so special is that i TRUST all your suggestions! can’t wait to try a few of these spots some day
Excellent list! Will definitely add some of these places to my LA list as well =)
fantastic. am bookmarking this for our next trip to LA. thanks for posting this!
Ooooh, I hope to use this info once. L.A. is a dream for me so far, but I believe dreams come true…
Great post, looots of interesting stuff!
This is a fabulous post! Thankssss!
I’m coming to L.A in september and this is a great post!
excellent post! I’m dying to go to California!! last time I went I was 9 years old!
where is Sasabune? my man and i do sushi 2-3x weekly…thanks doll.
Great post! You listed most of my favorites. Awe how I miss living in LA.
Your list is spot-on. There’s nothing like a pancake the size of your head to cure a hangover. And you’ve turned me on to a few places I’ve never been in my four years (small world, huh?) of living in L.A. Thanks!
This is perfect! I’m going to LA next Wednesday so YAY!
Thank you.
I’m moving to L.A. in January so this post is super helpful! I’m dying to go to The Griddle Cafe and try their pancakes. Thanks for the info! :]
Great suggestions…pizzeria mozza makes me so happy
Come to Delfina Pizzeria in San Francisco for the BEST pizzaaaaa!!! I’ve been to Mozza, nice ambient, but taste wise…..Delfina wins
the chefs aren’t mexican either unlike Mozza. No offense for mexicans tho.
[...] Guide to L.A. two things: 1. i love to go on adventures and see new places. mind you i’ve only gone two places recently-NY and TX. which were awesome but in 2010 i intend on going to L.A. and 2. i love to eat. this guide to l.a. food places is perfection! [...]
totally agree with your list! it’s perfect! i havent been to le grande orange but will def try it now that you suggested it!
I would love to go to LA and try all of the fantastic places that you have been talking about! I absolutely love your blog and love all the wonderful things you talk about because it is everything that I enjoy also!
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Great idea. I should make one of these for NY.
TOAST IS MY FAV. never seen a celebrity there but I’ve never tried something I didn’t like there. Tomato soup and the chicken salad in a pita. Yum!
I’m a new reader here and that is why I’m reading your blog backward haha. Anyway, I haven’t been to most of the restaurants listed here. I really have to get out more. I’m most interested in Sasabune since my mom loves sushi. Can you give me the address because I heard there was more than one Sasabune? Thanks Emily!
[...] and one of those college streets. allegedly, it’s the best sushi in the city. emily from cupcakes and cashmere fame recommended it and i’m kind of intrigued by this whole “there’s no menu” [...]
I live in la too, and i have been to most of these places and they are amazing! sasabune is defiantly one of my favorite sushi spots, and mozza is amazing!
this is great! i’m new to LA (a little over one year in) so i’m always looking for unknown places to explore. i’ve been to ‘the griddle’ a few times, and it’s absolutely delicious
I have lived in LA for about a year and a half and am always looking for cool new places to see and eat! Your list is perfect, can’t wait to try them:)
Please please write more Los Angeles tips! I’m moving there for 4 months and I want to see everything!
Hi, Sorry to be so tech challenged but can I subscribe to your blog thru my email? I saw some “Follow Me” options but didn’t see a “subscribe” option. I’m not too clever on a computer. Love your blog!! Thanks!
Great List!!!!! Very excited to try all of these!
x
Kimberly
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