Craving a return to a simpler time? Want to relive your days of adolescent abandon? Now's your chance: Old-school activities are making a big comeback in L.A.--only this time with a much more modern twist. Whether you want to rehash the '80s at a disco rollerink, get nostalgic at a drive-in theater, or mix it up with some drag-queen bingo, in the City of Angels, what's old is new again.
Originally from the small village of Spaichingen, Germany, Joachim Splichal has built a restaurant empire around Los Angeles--and the country--that includes Patina, among other French bistro-style restaurants. He began his career as a saucier in the Michelin three-star La Bonne Auberge in Antibes, France, and excelled at other top spots before settling in L.A. Here, he shares some of his food (and non-foodie) faves.
He's concocted cocktails at Little Branch and Milk and Honey in New York, Sona in L.A., and at his own bar, Ginger, in his native Melbourne, Australia. Also the mind behind the deliciously inventive drink menu at Comme Ca, this New York resident took a break to tell us about his favorite spots, at home and on the road.
Much like cilantro and goat cheese, sweet potato fries are one of those foods that inspire strong reactions: People either love 'em or hate 'em. And while the perfection of regular French fries is hard to improve upon, the tuber wars rage on with the increasing popularity of sweet potato fries on menus. Get to the root (vegetable) of the matter and dig into the slightly sweet, slightly salty fries at these five Westside spots.
With so much craziness going on, now is the perfect time to calm those frazzled nerves with one of nature's natural cures: Lavender. Some of L.A.'s best bars and restaurants mix up the most delightful cocktails, savory dishes and soothing desserts made with the fragrant purple flower. It's famous as an antidote to anxiety, so just take a deep breath, dig in and relax.
Known offstage by his real name, Greg Gillis, this music producer and electronic mash-up artist has played at Coachella and shared the stage with Kanye West and Gnarls Barkley. His precision sampling and onstage antics have earned him a party-heavy cult following. Here he shares some of his favorite haunts, in and around his hometown of Pittsburgh.
There may not be breadlines and moonshine peddlers, but right now, history's playing a strong hand of déjà vu. So go ahead and enjoy the best the Prohibition-era had to offer--namely, an illicitly cool nightlife scene. The recent surge of '20s and '30s-style bars across Los Angeles are finding inspiration from the days of backroom speakeasies, sultry jazz music and, oh yeah, scantily clad girls in fishnet stockings. We may be in the worst financial crisis since the big D, but look on the bright side: This time around getting liquored up is totally legal.
Just because you're low on dough doesn't mean you can't look like a million bucks. We know how to save without scrimping on style. From cool kicks to fab finds for the home, our editors uncover some of the best shopping deals in L.A.
Forgot to get your flu shot? Don't sweat it. Get yourself over to Koreatown and enjoy a bowl of samgyetang, a potent equivalent to American chicken soup. The ginseng-enriched broth helps prevent and kill those nasty winter germs and tastes better than any old doctor's concoction.
What makes a happy hour an even happier hour? Free food, of course! They may be few and far between, but we've found a handful of spots that offer complimentary nibbles to pair with your poison of choice. Maybe there's no such thing as a free lunch (especially in L.A.), but these free bar munchies come pretty dang close.
The City of Angels' nightlife scene is more than the TMZ crowd entering and exiting cars on Hollywood Boulevard. Santa Monica's Bar Chloe brought chic drinks to the beach, and ABH at the Thompson Hotel blatantly ignored the economic crisis by taking luxury lounging to new heights. ("Above Beverly Hills" to be exact.) Homesick New Yorkers got Sunset's Delancey and Valley-ites now have a slick newcomer in The Fifth. Read on for the rest of '08's greats ...
He's been the drummer for Mötley Crüe for more than two decades (his rotating drum kit at concerts is legendary), but Tommy Lee is almost as famous for his bad-boy antics and recent reality TV appearances. When he's not on the road with the Crüe or his side project with DJ Aero, where does the notorious rocker chow down in his hometown? Read on …
No longer relegated to the smoke-filled dives of Koreatown, Korean BBQ spots are turning up the heat all over L.A.--and they've got fancy downdraft grills and crafty cocktails to boot. From Hollywood's sceney Shin to WeHo's playful Jian to Culver City's laidback Gyenari, it's time to indulge in a little kimchi and kalbi where your clothes won't reek and you can actually read the menu.
In a restaurant rut? Dinner conversation getting a little stale? Add a little more gusto to the typical dining experience at one of L.A.'s most entertaining restaurants.
Does acting like a grownup hold little to no appeal for you? Do you watch "Spongebob" by yourself to decompress? You're not alone. Even dame Diane von Furstenberg, designer extraordinaire, released a Wonder Woman-inspired comic book strip character named "Diva." L.A. is just the place for marveling at shiny things and indulging in childlike behavior. Yay!
