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September 19, 2017

18 Unique Brunches in Los Angeles

Whether you prefer a boozy breakfast or a more caffeinated morning, few weekend outings top a solid brunch experience.

L.A. always offers up a plethora of places to get your brunch on, but sometimes you want to switch things up from your tried-and-true favorites. That’s where this list comes in.

Do you want to try breakfast pizza in a West Adams party atmosphere with live music? Chilaquiles in a 1920s Spanish-style house in Toluca Lake? Share brunch with your pooch in Mid-City? Listen to live jazz at a luxury retreat surrounded by nature in Westlake Village? Imbibe a breakfast Old Fashioned paired up with duck hash in Playa del Rey? We’ve got choices.

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1. The Mar Vista (Mar Vista)

This gorgeous space, opened in early 2017, is loaded with greenery and features a smartly designed Murphy bed-style stage that can be eased down the wall for frequent musical performances. Dedicated to using “ugly” produce, the Mar Vista’s menu is globally inspired and a refreshing addition to the up-and-coming neighborhood. This Sunday-only brunch is served in the company of chill DJ-spun tunes and live art. Food options include a beautiful “cranked bowl” of yogurt and shredded frozen fruit, chilaquiles, a smoked salmon-loaded baked potato, and a bacon & egg hotpot. Pair them with a bellini or a michelada for a boozy affair. -> More info here

2. Manuela (DTLA)

Located at Hauser & Wirth gallery, Manuela is an art-laden restaurant with a menu heavy on fermenting, pickling, preserving and in-house smoking. Many of the herbs, vegetables and fruit served here are grown right outside in Hauser & Wirth’s garden, while eggs come directly from the 12 rare-breed chickens in the adjacent chicken runs. Brunch offerings include hush puppies with molasses butter, grilled Texas quail with labne, a deer burger, Dungeness Crab Louie, and cinnamon churros with dulce de leche. -> More info here

3. Jane Q (Hollywood)

Located at the just-opened Everly Kimpton Hotel near the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine, Jane Q. is a bright, airy, counter-style spot utilizing lots of fresh-off-the-farm produce. For brunch, try the Savannah B.E.L.T. sandwich (pickled green tomato, pimento cheese, bacon candy and a fried egg), the roasted sweet potato with spiced walnuts, yogurt and pickled Fresno chiles, duck confit monkey bread enrobed in mushrooms and melted teleggio cheese, or the avocado parfait. Pair these dishes with an Aperol spritz, Smog City coffee porter, or Sicilian coffee. -> More info here

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4. The Ponte (Beverly Grove)

If the idea of pasta for breakfast appeals to you, check out this casually elegant Italian eatery that’s drawing crowds for its excellent Italian cuisine and superior cocktail list. At brunch, standout dishes include spaghetti pomodoro, which The Ponte’s chef Scott Conant perfected during his years with Scarpetta, and Eggs in Purgatory. A scrumptious take on shakshuka, it features eggs poached in house-made puttanesca sauce atop creamy polenta. Sip on a Lucano Correcto (composed of coffee-infused amaro, rum, coffee liqueur, coffee, chocolate bitters and cream) or the Bloody Mary made with green chile vodka. -> More info here

5. Herringbone (Santa Monica)

This seafood-focused eatery in Santa Monica offers a gorgeous, beachy decor, lush greenery, a playful vibe, and extremely fresh and delicious fish. Oyster fans will want to check out the Salt & Brine Bar’s fresh oysters with kimchi mignonette. At brunch, try the lobster scramble with Maine lobster and caviar, or the crab cake benedict with sriracha hollandaise. You can enjoy endless rose at brunch for $25. -> More info here

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6. Friends & Family (East Hollywood)

Located in East Hollywood’s Thai Town, Friends & Family’s brunch is exceptional, offering dishes like olive oil fried eggs topped with chickpeas, harisa & yogurt with olive toast; baked pancake with rhubarb/blood orange house-made preserves; and duck in the hole (an egg fried within a slice of crusty bread, with a duck drumstick on the side). All the jams, breads and pastries served here are made in house, while heritage grains are used for the baked goods. Standout baked options include summer corn hand pie, spinach breakfast galette, and bacon leek quiche. Cool off with the agua fresca of the day. And who says you can’t finish your meal with a meringue ice cream sandwich? -> More info here

7. Delicious Pizza (West Adams)

Delicious Pizza — from the guys who started Delicious Vinyl — is home to one of the most delicious and unique brunch options in Los Angeles. At their West Adams location, it’s a friendly, multicultural scene that frequently offers live hip hop and jazz on Sundays. Check out the current exhibit at the location’s art gallery, then settle yourself on the spacious back patio to savor brunch selections like the Pick Me Up Pizza (topped with ricotta, mozzarella, homemade sausage and eggs), the Lean Green Pizza (laden with pesto, mozzarella, mushrooms, roasted peppers, pureed eggplant, basil and eggs), fluffy ricotta-heavy pancakes and some very tasty sangria. -> More info here

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8. Aroha (Westlake Village)

The only New Zealand eatery in L.A., Aroha is a beautiful, romantic space that’s great for anyone eating gluten-free, as every item on the brunch menu can be made sans gluten. Top brunch dishes include banana pancakes with rum caramel, caramelized pineapple pancakes, and New Zealand venison sausage and eggs. Try a brunch cocktail like the Hamilton (sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, lavender and lemon) or the Aroha Nui (Mount Gay Rum with butterfly pea flower). -> More info here

9. Baltaire (Brentwood)

A beautifully sprawling dining room, a huge patio with a retractable roof, a ridiculously good-looking clientele and a cut-above wine list help make this ultra-glamorous Brentwood steakhouse a superior place for brunch (or any meal, for that matter). Try a glass of rosé with a globally inspired dish like the albacore and salmon poké bowl with yuzu ponzu, avocado, and house-pickled vegetables, Eggs Sardou with artichoke hearts, spinach, and hollandaise on a housemade cheddar-scallion biscuit, roasted cauliflower steak with lentil chimichurri and sunny-side-up egg, or an ahi nicoise with banyuls vinaigrette & peewee potatoes. -> More info here

10. mar’sel at Terranea Resort (Rancho Palos Verdes)

At mar’sel, enjoy stunning ocean views, exquisite food, and unique drink offerings like the Pacific Granita (a cocktail served tableside and cooled with liquid nitrogen until frozen), seasonal mocktails, and a sangria basket for two. The aforementioned basket offers your choices of three unusual sangrias, including a Pinot Grigio-based sangria with St. Germain, apricot, peach, lavender, gooseberries and a carafe of Prosecco for topping up. Notable brunch dishes include grilled wagyu with roasted bone marrow rice, bok choy, yuzu aioli, and a 65-degree egg; buttermilk fried chicken with a green juice shooter, kimchee, and wild arugula; and black-ink flatbread served with a soft scrambled eggs, diced pancetta, shaved pepato cheese and red chili. -> More info here

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11. The Bellwether (Studio City)

How do you improve on a Bloody Mary? Find out at The Bellwether in Studio City, where Mama Betty’s Bloody Mary is not only made from vodka infused in-house with habanero, but is also garnished with an adorable mini BLT. This Studio City eatery also features Pimm’s Cups, cocktails on tap, and brunch dishes like Eggs in Purgatory (baked in spicy tomato sauce with Calabrian chili, ciabatta bread and pecorino), the Ploughman’s Burger with Branston pickle and clothbound cheddar, or a vanilla kouign-amann. -> More info here

12. Sawyer (Silver Lake)

Serving up seasonal California cuisine with a nod to Southern U.S. influences, this Silver Lake eatery, inspired by Mark Twain’s classic Tom Sawyer, is a beautiful, airy space offering superior cocktails and seafood-centric fare. Try brunch on their lovely patio, enclosed with birch trees, olive trees and vibrant bougainvillea on chilly days the roaring fireplace can be seen put to use. Standouts include smoked trout salad with horseradish creme fraiche, Maine lobster roll, the catfish po’ boy, pork loin breakfast sandwich and cornmeal blueberry pancakes. -> More info here

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13. Ray’s & Stark Bar (Mid-Wilshire)

Situated next to LACMA behind one of L.A.’s most iconic photo sites/artworks —- Chris Burden’s Urban Light — Ray’s recently instituted its “Barky Brunch,” with a menu of canine-friendly dishes, including a chicken liver and brown rice cookie, a steamed chicken and broccoli bowl or a giant bone shaped pizza crust. Their human companions can brunch on dishes like a crispy pork belly sandwich with scrambled eggs and arugula; Croque Madame with béchamel, pistachio ham, aged gruyere, fried egg, and rosemary; or eggs tartine with Maitake mushrooms. -> More info here

14. The Tripel or Playa Provisions (Playa del Rey)

Brooke Willamson’s two Playa del Rey restaurants both offer great brunch experiences. Like the idea of a beer-centric brunch? Then visit The Tripel, known for its amazing beer flights. Here you can savor unique brunchy fare like the sweet carrot farrow with wilted kale, linguica, poached egg, and truffle pecorino, or duck hash with lobster-salted peewee potatoes, duck confit, fried egg, pancetta, and vinegar-cooked greens. At Playa Provisions, you can gaze upon the beach, listen to live jazz, sip the Breakfast Old Fashioned (bourbon, cold brewed coffee, Frangelico, and chocolate bitters) and partake in a coconut chia seed pudding, a bagel topped with beet-cured salmon, or Nutella and banana French toast. -> More info here and here

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15. Cascabel (Toluca Lake)

This unique Mexican restaurant is housed within a beautiful 1920s Spanish house with original details. Exposed beams, wooden floors, windows made of leaded or stained glass, seating made of turquoise velvet or burnished leather, and an enormous snake painted on one of the walls all contribute to the very cool decor at Cascabel. Serving Mexican food with a strong L.A. influence, you’ll want to sip on a rosewater margarita, a michelada or a jamaica sangria while enjoying dishes like smoked bacon guacamole, chile relleno with chorizo, shrimp and chile soup, toast topped with anchovies, or chilaquiles with sesame salsa. To really enliven an already festive scene, Cascabel will soon feature live Latin Rock bands during Sunday brunch. -> More info here

16. The Raymond (Pasadena)

Housed within a 19th-century Craftsman house, The Raymond is a gorgeous spot to get your brunch on. Tucked away off Fair Oaks Avenue the location transports guests into a serine hideaway from the bustling streets of Pasadena. At 1886, The Raymond’s bar, talented mixologists painstakingly create some of the best cocktails in Los Angeles. A perfect brunch libation is the gin-based Ramos Fizz, lightly fragranced with orange-flower water and topped with frothy egg white. Or you may want to try a whimsically named cocktail such as the Foghorn Leghorn (made with peach black tea-infused bourbon) or the mezcal-based Woody Woodpecker from the new Cartoons & Cocktails menu. Brunch-time standouts include grapefruit brûlée, apple fritters with maple syrup, avocado eggs benedict topped with chipotle hollandaise, and savory breakfast tacos stuffed with lightly gamey house-made lamb bacon, avocado, black beans and fried eggs. -> More info here

17. Four Seasons (Westlake Village)

Located in Westlake Village, the verdant Four Seasons Hotel is an outstanding place to get away from it all. Lushly landscaped and surrounded by mountains, the resort offers a Jazz and Champagne Brunch every Sunday on its gorgeous Waterfall Lawn. Listen to live jazz as you sip champagne and enjoy the farm-to-table buffet featuring freshly made sushi, crab legs and other seafood, fresh-baked bread, organic produce and much more. -> More info here

18. Valerie Confections (Echo Park)

Valerie Confections offers up tea and dishes that pair well with it, their recently expanded tea program includes small-batch artisanal tea brands offering robust flavors like velvet cacao, blood orange, and smoky green akinomori houjicha. Settle in on the shaded patio with a hot, aromatic cup as you enjoy dishes like kale and goat cheese bread pudding with a fried egg, the croque madame with onion marmalade, or an herb-and-goat-cheese scone. -> More info here

Article courtesy of We Like LA.

September 18, 2017

Planning Commission approves two-tower project near LA Live

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission gave its approval Thursday to a massive mixed use project set to rise across the street from LA Live.

The project, proposed by developer Shenzhen Hazens, would replace the existing Luxe City Center Hotel on Figueroa Street with a pair of towers rising from a flashy podium structure. Previous plans called for three towers, but the developer recently unveiled an alternative design consolidating the project into two structures.

The taller tower, designed by Steinberg Architects, would rise 49 stories and include 435 units of housing. The other structure, designed by Gensler, would be a 29-story hotel tower operated by W Hotels. It would have 300 rooms (significantly more than the 178 offered at Luxe City Center).

The two buildings would be connected by a three to five-level podium adorned with digital signs—in keeping with plans for many of the new projects planned for the Figueroa Corridor.

In addition to the hotel rooms and housing units, the project would also feature a total of 58,959 square feet of commercial space, including shops, bars, and restaurants. A total of 738 parking spaces for cars and 654 spots for bikes would be found in a four-level subterranean parking lot.

A pair of public plazas would be located at the base of the development, intended to provide a pedestrian connection to the project along Figueroa Street and at the corner of Figueroa and Olympic Boulevard.

Now approved by the planning commission, the project will next go before the city council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee.

Article courtesy of Curbed.

September 16, 2017

Economic update for the week ending September 16, 2017

Stock market indexes hit record highs – Markets closed the week at record highs as news that an outline of a tax reform plan would be released later this month. Recent compromise on other issues had investors feeling that tax cuts or tax reform could improve prospects for growth in the coming years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the week at 22,268.34, up from 21,797.79 last week. It’s up 12.7% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,500.23, up from its close last week of 2,461.43. The S&P is up 11.7% YTD. The NASDAQ closed the week at 6,448.37, up from last week’s close of 6,360.19. It’s up 19.8% year-to-date.

Bond yields higher this week – The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week at 2.20%, up from 2.06% last week. The 30-year treasury yield ended the week at 2.77%, up from 2.67% last week. Mortgage rates follow treasury bond yields so we watch bond yields carefully.

Mortgage Rates unchanged last week – but higher by week’s end – The September 14, 2017 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 3.78%, unchanged from 3.78% last week. The 15-year fixed was 3.08%, unchanged from 3.08% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.13%, down slightly from 3.15% last week. Rates rise at the end of the week and are now slightly higher.

Consumer Prices rise in August – The Labor Department reported that its Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent in August after edging up just 0.1 percent in July. August’s gain was the largest in seven months and lifted the year-on-year increase in the CPI to 1.9 percent from 1.7 percent in July. Economists had forecast the CPI rising 0.3 percent in August and climbing 1.8 percent year-on-year. Gasoline prices surged 6.8% for consumers as refineries shut down due to hurricanes. This should just be a temporary spike and added to the CPI increase. The Core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy, increased 0.2% in August. Year-over-year Core CPI has increased 1.7%. Inflation, while a little higher in August, is still below the Fed’s target level.

Have a great weekend!
Syd

September 15, 2017

Rodeo Realty's Beverly Hills agent Jimmy Heckenberg reps buyers who purchased home of 'Game of Thrones' Lena Headey

Lena Headey, known as Cersei Lannister on “Game of Thrones,” has sold her home in Sherman Oaks.

Rodeo Realty’s Jimmy Heckenberg represented the buyers, who purchased the property for $2.05 million—$105,000 above the asking price, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Aside from the LA Times, the sell has also made headlines on Curbed, Mansion Global, and Observer.

The 1950s Midcentury Modern-style home has been remodeled with contemporary finishes and expanded into a two-story.

The property comes with five bedrooms, and 4.5 bathrooms. Features include a living room with a brick-surround fireplace, a family room, an ample patio space, a swimming pool and an outdoor shower.

To read the LA Times feature on this sale, click HERE.
Curbed, HERE.
Mansion Global.
Observer.

September 15, 2017

Los Angeles Officially Named Host For 2028 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to name Los Angeles as host for the 2028 Summer Olympics. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the host city contract in Lima, Peru shortly thereafter, officially locking in L.A.’s plans to host the Olympics for a third time. L.A. previously hosted the games in 1984 and 1932. The city of Paris was awarded the 2024 games, which L.A. had previously been vying for.

The success of L.A.’s bid had been all but a done deal since July 31, when L.A. reached an agreement with the IOC after weeks of negotiations. “It has been certainly a roller coaster,” L.A. bid chairman Casey Wasserman told the L.A. Times at the time.

“This is a momentous day for the people of Los Angeles and the United States. For the first time in a generation, we are bringing the Games back to the City of Angels,” Garcetti said Wednesday, according to City News Service. “L.A. loves the Olympics because the Games have lifted up our city twice before. But to us, the Games have always represented an even brighter future and the chance to harness the power of sport and the Olympic Movement again to inspire the next generation—for the next 11 years and beyond.”

L.A. City Council approved bringing the Olympics to L.A. in 2028 in a unanimous vote last month, despite not yet having an approved budget for the new bid. Meanwhile, a growing coalition of local activists known as NOlympics LA has been protesting the forthcoming games, which they argue will bring increased displacement and police militarization to the city. “Despite the fact that the IOC has awarded LA the bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, the fight isn’t over,” NOlympics organizers said in a statement released late Tuesday night.

Article by LAist.

September 15, 2017

Weekend Events: September 15 – 17

Need something to do this weekend? Check out the schedule below!

Friday September 15th, 2017

1. Pacific Standard Time LA/LA kicks off this weekend! Enjoy a four-month-long exploration of Latin American and Latino art in relation to the City of Angels. Dozens of art institutions across the city will be participating, and we’ve listed specific openings, receptions, and special events for this weekend throughout our article below.

2. Los Angeles Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium will host Lost & Found at the Movies: Stories from Latino L.A. This new series will celebrate the art of cinema and how we both lose ourselves and find ourselves at the movies. In addition, Edward James Olmos and Academy film archivist Alejandra Espasande-Bouza will make a special appearance! This free event is part of Pacific Standard Time: L.A./L.A. FREE

3. Roaring Nights at the LA Zoo concludes their summer series with a themed night of 80s vs. 90’s music. Activities for the evening include live bands, DJs, pop-up zoo keeper talks, special animal encounters, food trucks, lawn games and more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

4. George Lopez and Cedric the Entertainer will join Yvette Nicole Brown in conversation following a premiere screening of BET series Comedy Get Down at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles. Guests will enjoy a pre-screening reception with appetizers and beverages. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

5. Los Angeles Anime Film Festival celebrates 100 years of anime films during its three-day event September 15-17 at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE.

6. Circles and Circuits opens this Friday at CAAM (California African American Museum) in Downtown Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. The presentation will trace the history of Chinese Caribbean art from the 1930s through the period of the region’s independence movements, showcasing the contributions of artists little known in the Unites States. FREE

7. Movie Under The Stars at Malibu Wines will screen 1985 flick Clue. Admission is free but they suggest each party purchase a bottle of wine. Cheers!

8. Garbage Pail Groundlings is the latest main stage show at the renowned LA theater. The show is filled with sketch comedy, improv and a cast of growing comedians who’ve made appearances in movies like Ted and television shoes like Workaholics. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

9. Odd Nights At The Autry feature a collection of over 200 vendors from 20 gourmet food trucks, a beer garden, custom handmade treasures and live local bands.

10. Sip wine perched on a iconic L.A. hill that’s also home to an architectural gem at The Barnsdall Art Park’s annual Wine Tasting Nights. Now in its ninth year, the series feature tastings of boutique artisanal wines, along with food trucks, amazing food pop-ups and this Friday includes music from KCRW DJ Marion Hodges.

11. The LA County Fair takes over the Fairplex in Pomona from Sep. 1-24 with fair-style foods, live musical performances, carnival-style games, rides, and unique attractions such as an expanded farm section (over five acres) featuring tons of interactive agricultural experiences for guests to enjoy. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

12. Get a peek into the Fall TV season during the 11th annual PaleyFest Fall TV Previews Sept. 6-16. Located in Beverly Hills The Paley Center for Media will play host to the ten-day festival featuring some of the most anticipated shows both new and old, as well as star-studded panel discussions with series cast and creatives.

13. Start the Halloween fun this Friday during Son of Monsterpalooza 2017 Sept. 15-17 happening at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank. The convention if full of horror themed shopping like costumes, apparel, toys and special appearances by celebrities and artists in the horror world.

14. LACMA’s award winning Department of Music Program provides hundreds of free concerts and musical events every year for Angelenos to enjoy. This Friday their jazz series continues at the BP Grand Entrance.

15. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. Dirty Dancing at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and The Terminator at Montalban in Hollywood.

16. Free admission day at the Long Beach Museum of Art. FREE

Saturday September 16th, 2017

17. The Hammer Museum is kicking off their Radical Women exhibition with a late-night party this Saturday. Radical Women: Latin American Art, 1960–1985 will highlight over 100 exceptional Latin American women artists from 15 countries. This event is free, open to the public and part of Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA. FREE

18. The 15th annual Tarfest is back for 2017 with a FREE showcase of music, dance, live artwork, a biergarten and wine Bar,and installations, all at the iconic La Brea Tar Pits. FREE

19. The “Ghosts” of Paramount’s Past will return to Paramount Ranch this weekend for a night of spooky stories at the historic movie ranch and learn the answers to what ghosts haunt the ranch? Why did the racetrack shut down a year after it opened? Why were witches hiding in the nearby woods? The event is free. Bring a flashlight and your courage. FREE

20. The L.A. Public Library will host a free party this Saturday for a new Oaxacan art exhibition titled Visualizing Language: Oaxaca in L.A., an exhibition celebrating the rich social fabric of Los Angeles through the lens of our city’s vibrant Oaxacan community. Saturday’s opening festivities will feature a performance from Grupo Folklórico Guish Bac and la Banda Grandeza Oaxaqueña, a stencil workshop with the exhibition artists, plus special exhibition tours and refreshments. FREE

21. Esotouric Bus Adventures hosts a four-hour luxury coach tour of Downtown LA featuring tales of hotel horrors and main street vice. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

22. The Open Arts & Music Festival returns to Downtown Glendale with music from Run River North and DUCKWRTH plus craft beers, kiddie fun, $1 vinyl, and more. FREE

23. The California Vegetarian Food Festival returns to Raleigh Studios in Hollywood on Sept. 16 and 17, with animal friendley eats, speakers, and entertainment. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

24. Angel City Brewery’s Saaztoberfest, a new spin on Oktoberfest, is coming on September 16 and 17 with the launch of their new SazzBerry brew. SaazBerry is a new violet-colored ale, created by the brewmasters of Angel City Brewery. Expect music from The Munich Boom-Steiners, along with fun contests, SaazBerry-inspired art, Saazberry beer cocktails, and a sweet treat-themed Beer Bazaar. The event is 21+ and free to attend.

25. Eat|See|Hear is back with a screening of Amelie at Santa Monica High. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

26. The 2nd Annual Monrovia Station Beer, Wine & Music Festival heads to Station Square Park in Monrovia for a fun filled day of brews, vino and tunes. Sample over 30+ beers and wine, participating vendors include: Modern Times, Hop Secret, Wine of the Month Club members and more.

27. 5th Annual Long Beach Folk Revival Festival heads to Rainbow Lagoon Park for a day of 17 folk and roots acts, local beers and food trucks, a mustache/beard contest, a Polly’s Pies pie-eating contest, a kid-friendly pumpkin patch and more.

28. Street Food Cinema this Saturday features two screenings on Saturday: The Princess Bride 30th Anniversary at Brand Library Park Glendale and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind at Poinsettia Rec Park West Hollywood. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

29. The Autry presents a photographic archive of La Raza, the Los Angeles newspaper essential to the Chicano Rights Movement in the 1960s and 1970s. This event is part of Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA.

30. Get a taste of Downey during the Downey International Food & Music Festival. There will be live entertainment, a beer & wine garden, festival attractions and plenty of grub from local restaurants, food trucks and more. There will be an outdoor movie screening in the evening as well.

31. Rockabilly festival Horton’s Hayride returns for the fourth year in a row at San Pedro for an all-day music fest with Reverend Horton Heat, The Bouncing Souls, and more. In addition there will be food, classic cars, and pinup models for your viewing pleasure.

32. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. Top Gun at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and A Space Odyssey at Montalban in Hollywood.

Sunday September 17th, 2017

33. As part of the launch for Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA over 50 SoCal museums will offer free admission this Sunday!

34. Love house music? Head to Sunday Sessions Gets Deep in Grand Park to celebrate DEEP-LA. Hear sets from three DEEP-LA DJs, hang out at the 21+ Cocktail Garden and bid adieu to summer. This event is open to all ages. FREE

35. Find out what’s good to drink in the DTLA Arts District during Art Share L.A.’s bar crawl. This community event will kick off at Art Share L.A., where guests can enjoy a vodka tasting. Attendees will then move onto additional participating bars and resturants including Bar 82, Angel City Brewery, Edibol and more.

36. The Central Library in Glendale is hosting a conversation between Bill Esparza and Gustavo Arellano. Esparza is an acclaimed food journalist who has covered L.A.’s Mexican-food culture including profiles of local chefs and vendors, neighborhood guides and traditional and modern recipes. FREE

37. There’s an opening reception for Afro-Cuban painter Harmonia Rosales known for her re-imaging of Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam,” replacing Adam and God as black women. Covered by BuzzFeed, BET.com, The NY Post, The Huffington Post and more, this show will be the first time, the artist is exhibiting her work in a gallery setting. Happening at the Simard Bilodeau Contemporary in Downtown Los Angeles. FREE

38. The Roaring Twenties Street Jam returns to the historic Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round where the park will host a lawn party by day and a merry-go-round dance party by night. Dress in your best vintage and enjoy lawn games, live music, dance lessons and exhibitions, food trucks, vendors and more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

39. Get a tasty history of the soda fountain when Vintage Ice Cream Man Cary Farnsworth brings his illustrated presentation to the Egyptian in Hollywood. The presentation will be followed by silent classic SPEEDY. The event also includes an ice cream social in the courtyard!

40. The Spider Pavilion at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County will open this Sunday in a new whole new outdoor pavilion. The special exhibit will run through November 26.

41. Take in a few laughs at the end of the weekend at Cool Beans Comedy at the Ice House in Pasadena. FREE

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

September 14, 2017

Rodeo Realty's Calabasas agent Desiree Zuckerman reps Star Trek alum Jonathan Frakes in home purchase

“Star Trek: The Next Generation” actor Jonathan Frakes and his wife, soap star Genie Francis, have purchased a home in Woodland Hills.

Rodeo Realty’s Calabasas agent, Desiree Zuckerman, represented the buyers and has since made headlines for her sale, being featured in the Los Angeles Times and Variety.

The Mediterranean-vibe house has six bedrooms and seven full and two half bathrooms in more than 8,900 sq. ft. of living space.

Built in 1988, the home also includes a formal entry with a curving staircase and a colossal crystal chandelier, formal living and diving rooms, and a family room, which features a sunken wet bar and walls of windows that take in the grounds. Additional features include a paneled library/office with a coffered ceiling and a black marble fireplace.

Sitting on more than a third of an acre, the property also comes with a swimming pool, a gazebo, and lush landscaping.

The couple purchased the property for $2,800,000.

To read the LA Times feature on this property, click HERE.
Variety, HERE.
View property website, HERE.

September 14, 2017

The Best Jewish Delis in Los Angeles

New York may be the Jewish deli capital of the world, but Los Angeles is no slouch when it comes to putting together a nice spread.

With Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur coming up, there’s no better time to familiarize yourself with the best of Los Angeles’ Jewish deli options.

Canters (Photo by Terry Olsen via the LAist Featured Photos Flickr pool)

CANTER’S DELI

An oldie but a goodie, Canter’s has been a beacon of fine delicatessen since it first opened in 1931. Painted a distinctive shade of Creamsicle orange, Canter’s is open 24 hours, a true gift when you find yourself wandering the desolate streets of the Fairfax district at 3:47 a.m. and longing for a steaming-hot cup of matzoh ball soup. (If you’ve never found yourself in this predicament, you haven’t lived in L.A. long enough.) There’s a certain gloomy glamour to Canter’s Deli; the Pfefferman family on Transparent, the “most Jewish show on television“, has a standing order there. And in her 2009 essay “Ten Notes on Oscar Season,” author Zadie Smith describes repairing to Canter’s—a “sprawling Jewish diner where you can get good chicken soup at two in the morning”—with a handful of celebrities after the Vanity Fair Oscar party. Canter’s is also home to The Kibitz Room, a wonderfully grubby dive bar that’s seen appearances from Guns N’ Roses, Joni Mitchell and other legendary musicians.

Canter’s Delicatessen is located at 419 N Fairfax Ave, Fairfax. (323) 651-2030

Pastrami and fries at Nate ‘n Al. (Photo by Celestine A. via Yelp.)

NATE ‘N AL

New York, you can keep your Katz’s and your Barney Greengrass; for us Angelenos, nothing hits the spot quite like a languorous Sunday-afternoon feast of matzo brei and cinnamon French toast at Nate ‘n Al. After you’ve finished digesting your brunch and perusing the “Arts & Leisure” section, order half a grapefruit to go and take a slow drive over to the Beverly Hills Athletic Club for an invigorating game of tennis. Then, ease yourself into a schvitz while complaining loudly about your lower back pain. Congratulations, you’ve just reached peak Affluent L.A. Jewish Grandfather.

Nate ‘n Al is located at 414 N Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 274-0101

Langer’s Delicatessen on Alvarado Street. (Photo by Jasmine N. via Yelp.)

LANGER’S DELICATESSEN

We’ve written before about Langer’s legendary pastrami sandwich, which no less a food authority than Nora Ephron famously deemed the best in the world. The 70-year-old Westlake deli is no one-hit wonder, though; Norm Langer, who inherited the business from his father Al, can often be spotted at the restaurant, doling out corned beef and cheese blintzes with a side of Borscht Belt humor. Sadly, Langer’s closes at 4 p.m. daily—if you’re in a rush, avail yourself of their “curb service” and get an order to go, but be warned that the famous #19 Hot Pastrami Sandwich is best enjoyed at one of Langer’s signature brown booths.

Langer’s is located at 704 S Alvarado Street, Westlake. (213) 483-8050

Black-and-white cookie goodness. (Photo courtesy of Wexler’s Deli, via Instagram)

WEXLER’S

While some Jewish delis refuse to stray from tradition (insert Fiddler On The Roof reference here), Wexler’s isn’t afraid to try new things. The downtown L.A. deli opened just three years ago in Grand Central Market, but its hearty, applewood-smoked fish and meats landed it on our most recent list of L.A.’s best breakfast spots. When it comes to a Jewish deli, so much depends on a pickle; while some establishments that shall remain nameless are content to serve up sad, soggy specimens alongside your entree, chef Micah Wexler brings the crunch with barrel-fermented pickles made in a salt brine. If you’re dining at Wexler’s Santa Monica location en route to the beach, pick up a “Big Poppa” (pastrami, egg and cheddar cheese on a bagel) to go, and don’t sleep on the chocolate babka.

Wexler’s is located at 616 Santa Monica Blvd in Santa Monica, (424) 744-8671. And at 317 S. Broadway in downtown L.A. (213) 620-0633

The lox plate at New York Famous Deli. (Photo via New York Famous Deli)

NEW YORK FAMOUS DELI

In a city teeming with high-concept “eateries”, there’s something wonderfully simple about New York Famous Deli. Nestled between a cheese shop and a hair salon on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock, the restaurant offers an impressive Northeast L.A. counterpart to Langer’s famous pastrami sandwich, plus some New York-inspired offerings all its own. The eggplant parm really holds its own, and you haven’t lived until you’ve tried the “Rachel’s Belly Fries”, which come piled with cheese, grilled peppers, onions and roast beef. (Not exactly what they ate in the old country, but hey, it’s okay to get a little Reform at lunchtime.) In New York terms, NYFD is less of a Katz’s Deli and more of a random-place-next-to-your-subway-stop”: you drop in unexpectedly, and you don’t regret ending up there. Plus, you don’t really want to wait in that never-ending weekend line for Belle’s Bagels, do you?

New York Famous Deli is located at 2108 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock. (323) 255-3354

Chicken noodle soup at Brent’s. (Photo by Alan B. via Yelp)

BRENT’S DELICATESSEN & RESTAURANT

Next time you’ve got a hankering for Jewish deli in the San Fernando Valley, drive directly to Brent’s. Even if it were located in the Fairfax district, this Northridge spot would hold its own in the matzo-ball department, and the kreplach—meat or potato dumplings in soup—is the perfect comfort food. (We would have included a picture of Brent’s kreplach up top, but it is a cruel fact of life that all kreplach looks disgusting in photos. We don’t know why, that’s just the way it is.) The portions at Brent’s are staggeringly massive, so come with an appetite or be prepared to leave with a doggy bag. To that end, Brent’s is a great place to take your Jewish grandma to lunch if you want to give her a built-in subject to complain about: “Why do the portions need to be so big? Back in my day…” et cetera, et cetera.

Brent’s is located at 19565 Parthenia Street, Northridge. (818) 886-5679

Fleishik’s sign on Beverly Boulevard. (Photo via Fleishik’s.)

FLEISHIK’S

While many of the delis on this list are as old as Moses, Fleishik’s just opened in March. Still, the deli is already attracting a cult following to its location near the Grove. Fleishik’s is in the mold of New York’s updated Russ & Daughters Cafe, offering cheeky modern interpretations of old-school deli favorites. Sandwich-wise, you can’t go wrong with the “Bubbe” (brisket, raw red onion and horseradish on a challah roll) or the “Zayde” (grilled salami, pickles and caramelized onion.) In an extremely L.A. update on a New York deli classic, Fleishik’s offers an “almond milk egg cream”, as well as a host of liquors with which to wash down your nosh. The menu might be playful, but Fleishik’s does not play when it comes to Jewish dietary law—the restaurant keeps kosher, with an on-site rabbi supervising the food’s preparation, and observes shabbat on Saturdays.

Fleishik’s is located at 7563 Beverly Blvd, Fairfax. (323)-746-5750

Complimentary pickles at Factor’s. (Photo by Winnie L. via Yelp)

FACTOR’S FAMOUS DELI

There are restaurants that perform wild gastronomical feats to get your attention, and then there are restaurants like Factor’s. Occupying the same space on Pico Boulevard since 1948, Factor’s shines brightest when it comes to the simple things—smoked fish, matzo brei, corned beef. While Canter’s may attract more star power, Factor’s does a brisk, no-frills business just fifteen minutes away, serving up food that can best be described as “delightfully predictable.” Just to clarify, there’s zero shade in that description; the best Jewish delis are marked by their predictability, serving up the same menu standbys—smoked salmon, whitefish, matzo ball soup—in a way that makes you feel at home, no matter what corner of the world you’re noshing in.

Factor’s is located at 9420 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles. (310) 278-9175

Story courtesy of LAist.

September 12, 2017

The Broad Releasing More Tickets For Yayoi Kusama 'Infinity' Mirror Rooms

Were you one of the unlucky ones who didn’t snag a ticket to the upcoming extended Infinity Room exhibit at the Broad? If so, luck is in your favor, because the museum plans to release 40,000 more tickets for the selfie-ready exhibit.

The additional tickets will go on sale Monday, October 2 at 12 p.m. This won’t be the same process as the first ticket go-around, though. Instead of sitting in an online waiting room with no knowledge of your chances, the museum will host a waiting room from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on its website. At noon, you’ll receive one of two messages: either you’ve received a randomized number giving you access to buy tickets, or you didn’t.

How are they managing to sell more tickets for a specifically-timed exhibit? Well, the Broad knows what the people want, and apparently the people want to come to the exhibit outside normal museum hours. Normally the museum opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends, and closes at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on popular nights. For the exhibit’s two-month run, however, the Infinity Rooms will be open for a few hours outside of those regular hours. Here are the new special times:

Tuesday/Wednesday: 5-7 p.m.
Thursday/Friday: 10-11 a.m., 8-9 p.m.
Saturday: 9-10 a.m., 8-10 p.m.
Sunday: 9-10 a.m., 6-8 p.m.

That’s an extra 14 hours of Instagram content per week.

If you still don’t manage to get a ticket ahead of time, the museum will be offering a limited number of first-come, first-served, same-day standby tickets for the exhibit. Online, the tickets will cost $25; in person, they’ll be $30.

And remember, this exhibit isn’t for those who spend long amounts of time absorbing art. You’ll have 30 seconds of personal time in each room (infinity mirrors =/= infinity time) and about 15 minutes of group time at each room while everyone waits for the 25-person group to finish cycling through the space. If all goes well, you’ll leave with six new photos to fill your Instagram grid and some newfound connections with other digitally-obsessed museum-goers (or, at least, some new followers).

Article courtesy of LAist.

September 9, 2017

Economic update for the week ending September 9, 2017

August new jobs disappoint – The Labor Department reported that The U.S. Economy added 157,000 non-farm jobs in August. Economists had expected a gain of 180,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate grew to 4.4% from 4.3% in July. Wage growth also stalled growing just .1% over July and up just 2.5% from last August.

Stocks drop this week – Stock markets dropped this week following a disappointing August 2017 jobs report, and concerns about the cost of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma frightened investors. Investors were calmed by a deal to extend the debt ceiling and avoid a government shutdown for three months. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the week at 21,797.79, down from 21,978.56 last week. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,461.43, down from its close last week of 2,476.55. The NASDAQ closed the week at 6,360.19, down from last week’s close of 6,435.33.

Bond yields lower this week – Bond yields hit the lowest levels in over a year – The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week at 2.06%, down from 2.16% last week. The 30-year treasury yield ended the week at 2.67%, down from 2.76% last week. Mortgage rates follow treasury bond yields so we watch bond yields carefully.

Mortgage Rates near 18 month low – The September 7, 2017 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 3.78%, down from 3.82% last week. The 15-year fixed was 3.08%, down from 3.12% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.15%, almost unchanged from 3.14% last week. Rates at the end of the week were slightly lower.

Have a great weekend!
Syd