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September 5, 2018

Schedule Of Free Museum Days In Los Angeles For September

The intent of this “cheat-sheet” is to denote specific free days in any given month where Los Angeles museums that normally charge an admission waive their entry fees (not including parking). For this post we’re detailing September, 2018.

There are a couple highlights we want to call out to for the coming month: First, Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day will feature more free admission to more than a dozen museums in Southern California as part of a national free museum day event. Secondly, be advised that both the Natural History Museum and the La Brea Tarpits Museum are both free every Tuesday of September.

Free Museum Days in Los Angeles – September 2018

[SEPTEMBER 4] Kidspace Museum (4 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 4] Natural History Museum

[SEPTEMBER 4] La Brea Tarpits Museum

[SEPTEMBER 6] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 6] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 6] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 6] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 6] Huntington Library (note that you have to reserve passes for the free day in advance, and it books up fast. For this reason we’d suggest you take a look at the free day for October and start planning when you need to be online to grab the tix)

[SEPTEMBER 7] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 7] Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 7] Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 9] Museum of Latin American Art

[SEPTEMBER 9 ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[SEPTEMBER 11] Natural History Museum

[SEPTEMBER 11] La Brea Tarpits Museum

[SEPTEMBER 11] Los Angeles County Museum of Art (also free for L.A. County residents with valid I.D. after 3:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays all month long)

[SEPTEMBER 11] Autry Museum of the American West

[SEPTEMBER 13] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 13] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 13] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 13] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 13] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 13] Santa Monica History Museum

[SEPTEMBER 16] Museum of Latin American Art

[SEPTEMBER 16] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[SEPTEMBER 18] Natural History Museum

[SEPTEMBER 18] La Brea Tarpits Museum

[SEPTEMBER 18] Los Angeles County Arboretum (note: the tram doesn’t run on this day)

[SEPTEMBER 18] South Coast Botanic Garden

[SEPTEMBER 18] Descanso Gardens

[SEPTEMBER 20] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 20] Pasadena Museum of California Art (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 20] Japanese American National Museum (all day)

[SEPTEMBER 20] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 20] Skirball Cultural Center

[SEPTEMBER 20] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 22] More than a dozen SoCal museums and botanical gardens will be free for Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day.

[SEPTEMBER 23] Museum of Latin American Art

[SEPTEMBER 23] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[SEPTEMBER 25] Natural History Museum

[SEPTEMBER 25] La Brea Tarpits Museum

[SEPTEMBER 27] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 27] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 27] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 27] Skirball Cultural Center

[SEPTEMBER 27] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[SEPTEMBER 31] Museum of Latin American Art

As a reminder, it’s ALWAYS good to verify the status of free days before you visit, so be sure to check the official museum websites to verify visiting hours, parking costs, and any other pertinent details. Keep in mind free admission days may not include specially ticketed exhibitions.

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

August 28, 2018

Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants In LA

The fact that even your dad has heard of cashew cheese and veggie dogs proves that vegan food is officially mainstream. While plant-based eaters were once relegated to steamed veggies and pasta with marinara sauce on many menus, LA’s restaurant scene has changed faster than you can say teriyaki tofu to capture the veg-head set. From high-end hip spots to fast-casual finds, it’s easier than ever to go veggie when dining out, whether you’re a die-hard vegan or an open-minded omnivore looking to expand your meatless horizons — here are 15 top spots for vegetarian and vegan eats in LA worth knowing.

CULVER CITY, ECHO PARK, PASADENA

This trio of organic vegan eateries boasts a massive menu running the gamut from tacos and tostadas to burgers and banh mi, along with a creative selection of pizzas and Sage’s signature cauliflower-based wings. Founder Mollie Angelheart’s small-batch raw vegan ice cream is available at all three locations as are wine, cocktails, and craft brews. The larger Culver City venue also features a 1,500-square-foot outdoor beer garden.

DOWNTOWN

After a revamp last year by Tony Yannow’s beer-and-vegan-focused Artisanal Brewers Collective, Beelman’s Pub is now simply Beelman’s: a plant-based pub doling out casual fare with Asian influences. There’s snacky stuff like smoked tofu wonton bites, crispy garbanzos tossed with togarashi and gochujang, and heartier offerings including a loco moco bowl made with Impossible meat, tater-tot “Tachos” topped with cashew cheese, and a kicky chili dog. In addition to the big beer selection, the bar’s cocktail menu — including a few offerings on draft and a smattering of frozen drinks — is a solid one.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS

The growing fast-casual chain now has 13 locations around LA, all of which offer a much-appreciated quick bite for vegans and those who want a break from the Double-Double (hard to believe, but those people do indeed exist). The place offers vegan alternatives not just to burgers, but also stuff like taco salads, brats, and that food-world darling the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich. The chain also recently rolled out an all-day breakfast burrito stuffed with soy chorizo and the mung bean-based Just Egg.

VENICE

If you’re looking to seal the deal with a vegetarian, Matthew Kenney’s vegan venue should be your go-to date spot. The space is stunning, the patio is pretty, and you’re in Venice, so it’s automatically uber-cool; then there’s the upscale inventive menu, with seasonal dishes like yellow watermelon poke with gooseberries, cashew raclette, and kelp noodle cacio e pepe. The organic wine list is a good one, and you can also opt for the 6-course tasting menu if you really want to impress.

EL SEGUNDO, PASADENA, SANTA MONICA

Wellness guru Dr. Andrew Weil originally founded this string of bright-and-airy eateries, focused on a vegetarian-heavy menu centered around his anti-inflammatory food pyramid; think black rice, berries, kale, and avocado. The result is pretty delicious, drawing in a serious weekend brunch crowd for juices and smoothies, avocado toasts, and egg-and-grain bowls. It’s worth a stop-in for dinner, too, thanks to a solid selection of salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and entrees, along with fresh fruit-laced cocktails and beer and wine.

MARINA DEL REY

We can’t tell you exactly what dishes used be offered at this longstanding Lincoln Avenue bar (famous for its crowd-drawing turtle races) before it reopened last December — and that’s because we don’t know anyone who ever ate there. But after a total renovation both to the formerly divey space and the menu (once again by Artisanal Brewers Collective), there’s all kinds of vegan-friendly fare on offer including a hummus-and-pickled veggie plate, some super salads, an Impossible burger. Bonus: Nearly all of the pizzas can be made with vegan cheese, and even vegan sausage if you like.

HOLLYWOOD, VENICE, WEST HOLLYWOOD

Delis can be dangerous; if you stop paying attention for a second, you might very well wind up devouring a pastrami sandwich the size of your head with a side of mayo-soaked potato salad, and a knish for good measure. Doling out healthy, sustainable fare, Locali can be your safe place with veggie-friendly versions of deli sandwiches including its fabled Reuben, along with quinoa bowls, killer vegan breakfast sandwiches served all day, probiotic smoothies, and coconut fro-yo. There’s omnivorous fare too, but the place is happy to customize dishes and make them vegan-friendly — hear that, every other restaurant in LA?

SILVER LAKE

This vegan New York import has been super-buzzy since opening next to the first 365 by Whole Foods in Silver Lake. It makes everything in-house – from its pesto “meatballs” to its burgers – and also does vegan ice cream, as well as a packed weekend brunch.

VENICE

There is, perhaps, no single restaurant on Abbot Kinney that is more Abbot Kinney than this “vegetable slaughterhouse” that’s equal parts hotspot, brunch hangout, juice bar, and vegetarian eatery housed within an absolutely stunning space, with a people-watching patio we’re assuming costs somewhere around $600 million a month to operate. Look for small plates of veggies as well as larger dishes of stone-oven pizzas, pistachio pesto lasagna, and a mushroom tempura po’ boy — then, wash everything down with a cold-pressed cocktail.

ECHO PARK

Located in an old Vaudeville theater, this Echo Park gastropub touts more than 70 beers on tap along with a vegetarian-heavy menu with both straight veggie items (like a smashed pea toast with almond ricotta and street corn) as well as vegan plays on crab cakes and chili cheese fries — and it throws a couple bones to carnivores with burgers, fish tacos, and pepperoni pizza. On weekends, expect live music from DJ Twist every Friday and Saturday along with a late-night menu until 1am and pizza by the slice till 1:30pm.

WESTWOOD

According to tabloids, for the brief moment Beyonce went vegan, Native Foods was her go-to spot — and if it’s good enough for the Queen, it’s good enough for you. The Santa Monica and Culver City locations have closed, but the Westwood store is still going strong, and its various versions of faux meat are so meat-like that they’ll fool all but the most devoted carnivores.

SHERMAN OAKS

The Valley’s stacked with veggie and vegan options, but this meatless Pan-Asian kitchen blasts out coconut curries, pad Thai, and Japanese gyoza that could easily compete with any meatier options. Make sure to hit the goji berry-infused ginger-quinoa fried rice for a bit of sweetness to balance all that savory.

WEST HOLLYWOOD

It’s probably the most famous vegan restaurant in town (and it ain’t cheap), but the Med-inspired fare at Crossroads is always excellent, and the scene’s always a fun one. Start with the lentil flatbread, then work your way through the rest of the menu — highlights include the shishito-and-peach salad, almond ricotta-stuffed zucchini blossoms, and corn ravioli. End with a hot fudge sundae, and realize that vegans are also capable of walking out of a restaurant filled with regret.

EAST HOLLYWOOD

This hidden Indian restaurant is an all-vegetarian Mecca in a part of town where you’d be far more likely to find a great selection of bargain tires than incredible Far East eats. Step through the iron gate into the surprisingly spacious dining room and order up one of the remarkably reasonably priced combos or curry dishes.

WEST HOLLYWOOD

This vegan Mexican restaurant will make carnivores forget how much they love carne asada with flavorful, organic, plant-based plates of chilaquiles, enchiladas, pozole, coconut ceviche, and plenty of other interesting Mexican-inspired dishes. The cocktails are killer, and there’s a popular $7 food-and-drink happy hour during on weekdays, too.

Story courtesy of Thrillist.

August 24, 2018

Restaurants You Have To Try In Marina del Rey

Situated next to the Silicon Beach enclave, small-but-mighty Marina del Rey has attracted a boatload (!) of seriously good restaurants over the past few years — to the point where it’s now one of LA’s strongest food destinations. This 1.5 square-mile coastal community is packed with everything from rustic Italian eateries to fancy waterfront restaurants… and then there’s the iconic pub that turns into a turtle-racing hub on Thursdays. What more do you need to know?

Best fancy restaurant for when you’re not paying: Cast & Plow

4375 Admiralty Way
Located inside The Ritz-Carlton, Cast & Plow is an upscale hotel restaurant that stands on its own. Aside from a picturesque view of the marina, you’ll also get impeccable service and dishes made with organic, locally grown and raised ingredients — like made-in-house herb brioche, ham and Manchego cheese fritters waiting for a dunk in paprika aioli, and lobster agnolotti cooked with brown butter and walnuts. Plus, if you’re visiting during off hours, a small bites menu is available from 3-5:30pm and 10pm-midnight daily.

Best sandwich spot: Mendocino Farms

4724 Admiralty Way
Get here early if you want to avoid the rush hour mob: Mendo’s fantastic and flavor-packed sandwiches, served on freshly baked artisanal bread, are a huge hit in the neighborhood. Now’s your last chance to snag summer specials — like a ripe heirloom tomato BLT drizzled with habanero honey, or chicken banh mi served with lemongrass relish — but the usual staples (hello, Study of Heat) will always be there. There’s also a ton of other stuff you probably didn’t know about this husband-and-wife-run sandwich shop, which is why we’ve outlined it all in a separate article.

Best brunch: Cafe del Rey

4451 Admiralty Way
At Cafe del Rey, $44 gets you a three-course prix fixe brunch served with your choice of sparkling wine, cider, mimosas, or Bloody Marys — not a bad deal when there’s a Kobe burger and cured salmon toast on the menu. You’ll also be treated to a spectacular vista of yachts parked in the marina (they even livestream the view from coveted Table 18). Plus, if you’re coming during the day, you won’t have to worry about parking; unlike most LA restaurants, valet here is complimentary (and only $6 in the evening).

Best cheap eats: Taqueria Chihuahua

505 Washington Blvd
This strip mall joint — which is close to the beach without the inflated prices or tourist crowds usually associated with those establishments — makes killer burritos that all hover around the $5 mark. For a little extra, get yours either Pancho Villa-style (smothered in enchilada sauce and melted cheese) or El Norteño-style (stuffed with guac, cheese, and sour cream). They don’t skimp on the meat here, so expected a heavily loaded vessel that should satiate you for hours.

Best pizza: Settebello

13455 Maxella Ave Suite 250
Settebello’s Neapolitan pizzas are the real deal, made with imported Italian flour and briefly tossed inside a wood-fired oven crafted by Italian oven makers (yes, that’s a thing). The result? Soft, slippery, delicious pies best eaten with a fork and knife — as they do in Napoli. Protip: Grab yourself a Margherita DOC pie, with crushed tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella, basil, parmigiano reggiano, and EVOO.

Best for vegetarians: Rainbow Acres Natural Foods

13208 W Washington Blvd
Locally owned Rainbow Acres has been hawking kombucha drinks, coconut ice cream bars, and yucca-flour bread since 1981, long before Whole Foods opened up in nearby Playa Vista. Vegans and vegetarians alike flock to this health food store’s hot-food counter, but its rotating selection of legitimately delicious takeaway food (like cranberry and wild rice pilaf and creamy shroom pasta) can satisfy everyone.

Best late-night food: Killer Cafe

4211 Admiralty Way
One of the only spots in MDR that’s open 24 hours a day, Killer Cafe whips up hearty comfort food reminiscent of what you’d find at your county fair (only better). Load up on juicy peel-and-eat shrimp dripping in butter and lemon, beer-battered fried cod sliders, and blue cheese mashed potatoes — washed down with something from an extensive wine, beer, and specialty drink list.

Best breakfast: Cafe Buna

3105 Washington Blvd
This hole-in-the-wall’s breakfast menu is impressive on sheer length alone; you’ll find it includes at least 20 different omelettes and leans heavy on griddle items like pumpkin-nut or lemon zest pancakes, cornflake French toast, and nutella crepes. If — for some crazy reason — you’re not feeling breakfast, don’t sleep on the wet mole burrito or signature Buna burger with all the fixings.

Best burgers: J Nichols Kitchen

4375 Glencoe Ave
J Nichols’ menu has a lot going on — there’s everything from roasted beets to topped flatbreads and smoked ribs — but the burgers are what you want to eat here. The West LA version is a clear winner, bursting with flavor-packed bacon balsamic onion compote, melty blue cheese and gruyere, and a generous smear of lemon aioli on a buttery toasted French baguette.

Best happy hour: SALT Restaurant & Bar

13534 Bali Way
SALT’s happy hour, which runs weekdays from 4 to 6pm, is the area’s best-kept secret. Deals include quality apps like pork meatballs in San Marzano sauce and fried Alaskan cod tacos (both $9), $6 wines, and priceless harbor views — okay, that last one’s not so much a deal as a reason to scope the place early and get a seat by the outdoor fire pits. The restaurant, which is part of the Marina del Rey Hotel, also has food offerings for every other hour of the day, including a poolside menu (get the fried chicken bucket), breakfast (served with bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys on weekends), and dinner (where the Maine lobster pasta flavored with yuzu, vadouvan, and brown butter dashi is a must, as are the other seafood-heavy entrees).

Best for carb feasting: Casa Ado

12 W Washington Blvd
The pastas at this cozy Italian spot are homemade and perfectly cooked, which means you won’t feel too bad blowing your cheat day budget here. Menu all-stars include the black ink tagliolini noodles tossed in a spicy marinara, as well as Casa Ado’s famous red beet pasta served in Parmesan fondue.

Best Italian: Locanda Positano

4059 Lincoln Blvd
Marina del Rey clearly has plenty of top-notch Italian spots, but this intimate restaurant is the local favorite. Don’t be fooled by its unassuming location across from an IHOP; the wild boar pappardelle and fresh seafood linguine here will transport you straight to the Amalfi Coast. Don’t skip the complimentary bread, which is served warm and crusty alongside flavored olive oils, or the dessert: people rave about the lemon sorbet served with homemade limoncello and gelato trio

Best BBQ: Morfia’s Ribs & Pies

4077 Lincoln Blvd
When you’re craving legit Texas BBQ in MDR, go to Morfia’s for sauce-drenched ribs smoked in a brick pit — alright, maybe the sauce-drenched part is a bit more LA than TX, but you won’t be complaining. The portions are always generous, the meat’s always moist, and even if you’re stuffed, you can’t end the meal without a slice of peach cobbler or sweet potato pie.

Best date spot: Brennan’s

4089 Lincoln Blvd
Yep: the dive bar known for its legendary turtle races every Thursday is actually a fantastic date idea. Thanks to a facelift last year, this long-standing MDR pub has a new, airy look with a marble-topped bar and spacious outdoor area for cornhole, Jenga, and other games (just in case there are any awkward first-date silences). The menu got an upgrade too, so you can snack on fried chickpeas, Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, and for late-night eaters, great pizzas — all while guzzling some eclectic beers. And aside from the excitement of the turtle races (which are still going strong), Brennan’s always has something cool going on — whether it’s Sunday dog yoga or Friday pizza nights where you can get a complimentary pie while listening to live music.

Best multi-ethnic food: Doma Kitchen

4325 Glencoe Ave #8
Family-owned Doma Kitchen’s moved around a bit (first opening in Redondo, then relocating to Manhattan Beach) before settling on its current home. Now it’s serving Uzbek rice, borscht, and other Eastern European/Central Asian dishes to Marina del Rey diners who didn’t realize they loved Lithuanian-style slow-braised buckwheat but can’t imagine their lives without it now. Chef Kristina Miksyte, a Lithuanian native, uses farm-fresh ingredients and house-made spices in every dish. For summer, there’s a peach-themed menu that stars a raspberry-drizzled bistro salad and a grilled peach dessert with toasted walnuts and balsamic glaze.

Best lunch spot: Tender Greens

13455 Maxella Ave
No place does a build-your-own lunch plate better than Tender Greens, with options like consistently tender chipotle barbecue chicken, garlic vinaigrette-dressed kale, and silky mashed potatoes on the menu. They’re also mixing things up with a new special called the Endless Summer Bowl, which is packed with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients and flavors like tahini yogurt, eggplant, grilled trumpet mushrooms, and pickled golden raisins served with earthy kamut grains and a coriander- and cumin-infused dressing.

Best Japanese: Irori Sushi

4371 Glencoe Ave #B4
The tone is set the minute you step foot inside Irori, where — in true Japanese tradition — you’re not allowed to wear your funky-smelling shoes (they provide sandals instead) at the low, sunken tables. The incredibly fresh fish just further solidifies this place’s authenticity; if it’s in season, get the succulent toro trio that boasts a scary-but-worth-it market price. Irori also does a few creative takes on sashimi, though, mixing bluefin tuna with burrata and putting black truffle on halibut for an umami sensory overload.

Best place to take the family: C&O Trattoria

31 Washington Blvd
This beach-adjacent institution straddles the Venice/Marina del Rey border, but if you want to get technical, it belongs to the latter (plus, Venice’s restaurant scene is already brimming). The outdoor patio is always lively, the staff hosts a nightly sing-a-long, and everyone’s happy because even if you’re not full off of the generous pasta portions, there’s an unlimited, complimentary supply of garlic knots that practically slip out of your fingers because they’re so drenched in olive oil and butter.

Story courtesy of Thrillist.

August 20, 2018

Every Pit Stop You Need To Take From Los Angeles To San Diego

With zero humidity and palm trees in the rearview mirror, cruising down the Pacific coast to San Diego from Los Angeles is summer. Of course, LA traffic can make it less cruise-worthy and more bumper-to-bumper. But with authentic taquerias, whale watching, and iconic surf breaks, there’s a quintessential SoCal pit stop just about every mile of the ride to distract you. Here’s seven summer getaways you can easily hit on the way to San Diego — just don’t forget the sunscreen and a swimsuit.

EL DORADO EAST REGIONAL PARK

Long beach
Sure, you may have just left La La Land, but it’s never too soon to kick off a trip with some light target practice. Right off the 605 freeway, head to the archery range at El Dorado East Regional Park for free community classes every Saturday. Not up for arrows? Take a nature-filled walk around one of the park’s six serene lakes with plenty of wildlife to keep you company — it’ll shake off any traffic anxiety you just built up driving here.

LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

Laguna Beach
No trip down the 405 is complete without a Laguna Beach ‘gram. Take in some of the last remaining coastal canyons in SoCal at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park with over 40 miles of trails that lead to water point vistas and rocky bluffs. Even though every trail is sweet, a quick hike to Barbara’s Lake (Orange County’s only natural lake) will refuel you for the rest of the drive.

DANA POINT HARBOUR

Dana Point
Stretch your legs, grab a pair binoculars, and hop on one of the accessible public boats at Dana Point Harbour to see whales up close (it’s known as the “whale capital of the west” for a reason). Feeling a bit hungry after watching these giants swim? Peruse the many coffee shops, chocolatiers, and fresh seafood joints right on the waterfront.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

Taquerias, fine art galleries, and old-school western bars: Stroll around the historic downtown in San Juan Capistrano and you’ll teleport back to 1776. With Spanish-style architecture, plenty of lunch options, and enough quirky antique shops to keep you there for an entire day, you’ll wish you explored this area of SoCal sooner.

SAN CLEMENTE PIER

San Clemente
Fishing off the iconic San Clemente Pier to celebrate the halfway mark to San Diego is the only way to do it this summer. Rent a pole right on the pier, grab some bait, and soak in the 360-degree SoCal views from one of the greatest views of the whole beach. Don’t forget to take plenty of pics.

SAN ONOFRE SURF BEACH

San Clemente
San Clemente is so nice, you have to stop twice. No, really — the world famous surf break at the Lower Trestles area of San Onofre Surf Beach is something you need to witness at least once. Both pro surfers and weekend warriors have been to known to whip out aerial maneuvers at this break. If you go swimming, you might even find yourself next to a few sea lions and dolphins.

GASLAMP QUARTER

Downtown San Diego
After almost 130 miles on the road, reward yourself by ending the trip in the heart of San Diego’s nightlife. In the Gaslamp Quarter, more than 100 local restaurants, lively pubs, and beach shops sit right in front of the Pacific Ocean. Whether it’s hitting up a summer baseball game (well, it’s always summer in SD) or joining a downtown foodie walking tour, it’s the only way to end this SoCal road trip.

Article courtesy of Thrillist.

August 17, 2018

Rodeo Realty’s 2018 Summer Picnic

The weather was perfect for Rodeo Realty’s 2018 Summer Picnic! The annual event was held Thursday, August 16 at the Roxbury Memorial Park in Beverly Hills.

Rodeo Realty agents enjoyed a day filled with games and delicious food.

To view more photos of the picnic, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2055024934516422&type=1&l=00d32b2960

August 15, 2018

LAFC's New Food Hall Is Now Open

The Fields LA opened this Tuesday, August 14, billing itself as “a stylized urban food hall” as well as a celebration of Los Angeles’ culinary diversity. Situated in Exposition Park next to Banc of California Stadium — the recently opened home to Los Angeles Football Club — The Fields’ main floor features nine different vendors offering a variety of cuisines, plus two bars.

Some of the city’s best chefs are part of the culinary team here. Tim Hollingsworth (Otium and Barrel & Ashes) helms C.J. Boyd’s Fried Chicken, which features five different chicken sandwiches and banana pudding. Jason Fullilove drops in a third location of his soul food restaurant Barbara Jean. Other cuisines represented include Chinese-American, Middle Eastern, Italian, and Mexican (a burrito spot, Nayarit-style seafood, and a Mexico City-style taqueria).

Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

Open every day of the year except Christmas, this food hall isn’t just for soccer fans on game day. Developers are betting that the unique offerings, combined with the location (a stone’s throw from the USC campus and the nearby Expo Park Metro station) will make The Fields LA a year-round destination. The pricing — $10 for a top-quality gourmet chicken sandwich and $7 or $8 for many of the craft beers — is more accessible that you might expect from an operation of this scope. The size — seating for 200 inside and 90 at the outdoor cafe — is ambitious.

During a press preview this past week, We Like LA sampled some of the many offerings, and left impressed by more than a few standouts: short rib on a bed of smoked hummus dotted with pomegranate seeds at Akko Port; the K-Town chicken sandwich (laden with chili, ginger, cabbage, daikon, and sesame mayo) at C.J. Boyd’s; beef and sweet carrot potstickers and cheese foam oolong tea at Ms. Chi; mac and cheese studded with crawfish at Barbara Jean; tostaditas, heavy with shrimp and octopus, at Coni’Seafood; the birria quesadilla at Burritos La Palma. They also loved the focaccia sandwich with mortadella and parmesan crema at Piccolo Antico Pizzeria Focacceria, a pop-up that will be there for just three months.

Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

The drink menus include a well-curated array of wine, craft beer, and handmade cocktails from Nick Meyer and Julian Cox. The cocktails are exceptional, including two shockingly good frozen concoctions: a Mai Tai and the spicy, tequila-based Poblano Escobar. Also very good: the Strawberry Fields and a margarita, both served on tap. Tin City’s rosé cider is also a singular choice.

Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

The Fields’ second floor, expected to open as soon as September, will be home to Free Play, a new restaurant and bar from Hollingsworth, featuring bar bites, a full bar, live music, a DJ booth and games. The third floor, an expansive rooftop deck with impressive city views, will be available to rent as an event space.

The Fields LA, is located at 3939 S. Figueroa. The food hall is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Article by We Like LA.

August 13, 2018

Rodeo Realty's Sherman Oaks agents Marly Tempel lists home of actress Maureen O’Hara

The onetime Encino home of the late Irish actress Maureen O’Hara is on the market for $2.399 million. Marly Tempel of Rodeo Realty Sherman Oaks holds the listing, which is featured in the LA Times.

Tucked behind private gates, this traditional-style home features an atrium-style entry, new hardwood flooring, black marble pillars, high ceilings, three fireplaces, a wet bar, a wine room, and French doors that open to the pool deck.

Built in 1961, the single-story home comes with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a study/office. The master bedroom includes walk-in closets that are hidden behind a mirrored wall.

According to the Los Angeles Times, O’Hara purchased the house in 1993 and owned it for about five years. The late Irish actress starred in films such as “Miracle on 34th Street,” “The Black Swan,” “How Green Was My Valley,” and many more. She was one of the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

To read the LA Times article on this property, click HERE.

August 10, 2018

The Best Escape Rooms In Los Angeles

Escape rooms are popping up in just about every major US city, and thanks to Hollywood’s stacks of storytellers and set designers, the trend’s infiltrated LA as well. There are now dozens of places throughout the city where teams of players can solve puzzles and use clues to escape a (temporarily) locked and painstakingly themed room before the timer runs out.

The premise might sound challenging at first, but escape rooms are some of the coolest things to do in LA; they’re seriously fun for groups of friends or as team-building for a small company, or as a date that’ll let you know whether or not you can actually trust the person you swiped right for. We tested a slew of rooms across the city to come up with the following checklist of must-try escape experiences in LA — gather up a few of your favorite people, and start sleuthin’.

(Note: New rooms open constantly, sometimes taking the place of others, so call ahead to make sure the one you want to do is still around.)

Stash House

Koreatown
Standout room: There’s only one
In a nondescript K-town building, you’ll be initiated into a drug gang by a crew expecting you and your teammates to find all the baggies of dope and flush ‘em down a toilet in a locked room before the cops bash down the door. Totally immersive and entirely on-theme, Stash House is the rare escape room with replay value, thanks to an in-game decision that sends various groups in different directions.

60 Out Echo Park

Echo Park
Standout room: The Cartel
60Out is a multiple-location franchise spread across the city, and their Echo Park location’s completely devoted to a game they call “The Cartel: DEA Undercover.” It’s almost the opposite of Stash House, in that you’re an undercover agent who needs to escape from the drug gang you’ve infiltrated. Our group got gummed up on some pretty frustrating stuff in this room, but the experience ends with a bang that makes it all worthwhile.

Evil Genius

Mid-City
Standout Rooms: Occam’s Apartment/Norcross Art Gallery
The two escape rooms at Evil Genius can be played back-to-back — and that’s what you’re going to want to do, since the story (involving an art thief framing you) crosses over between them. The rooms might look bare-bones, but that’s part of the appeal: keys, clues, and even doors are hidden in ingenius spots.

ESCRooms

North Hollywood
Standout Room: Nuclear Option
Full disclosure: Thrillist contributor Wilder Shaw and his dad are the guys behind this new escape room, which is located in two shipping containers behind a small theater in North Hollywood. It’s not just nepotism that locked their spot on the list, though: the room’s full of pop-culture in-jokes and the setup (you’re tasked with disarming a nuclear weapon) is one that’s perfect for the escape room countdown trope. Just try not to MacGruber yourself.

QuestRoom

Koreatown
Standout Room: Red Giant
Though their Cannibal’s Den room is also pretty great, QuestRoom’s Red Giant has got a big ‘ol twist that would be terrible to give away, but literally breaks just about every rule of escape room protocol, and makes it a total must-play. The Indiana Jones-esque story (and the very, very cool special effects that go along with it) are presented in a way that’s as immersive as possible; you’re definitely going to Instagram your adventure-seeker photo when you’re done.

Get The F Out Room

Downtown
Standout Room: The Virus
Both of the rooms at Get The F Out are fun, but The Virus gets our pick over the more challenging Experiment for its interesting method of clue-giving: with a real-live person acting a part that totally makes sense in the story, sitting in the room with you. You and your team are scientists who’ve been exposed to a deadly virus and are tasked with finding an anecdote in time; there’s some high-tech sorcery hidden throughout, as well as some low-tech puzzles that take serious brainpower to solve.

Hatch Escape

Mid-City
Standout Room: Lab Rat
Lab Rat unquestionably has the highest production value of any of the rooms we’ve mentioned so far. You’ll start off locked in a cage in which you are the rats being experimented on by an evil doctor, and (if you can get out of that first section, which is harder than it seems), you’ll be thrown into a madcap maze that takes true teamwork to solve.

Virtual Room

Hollywood
Standout Room: Chapter I
Bordering on being a tourist trap, Virtual Room is also LA’s first all-virtual-reality escape room (as you can probably tell by the name), which gives it sort of a more kid-friendly appeal than some of its competitors. This also gives it the ability to transport you and your team to different worlds, which is part of the fun as you solve puzzles involving dinosaurs, mummies, and the gravity on the Moon. Note: There are multiple experiences here, and your team will have to choose between them on the spot.

60Out Hollywood

Hollywood
Standout Room: Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle
60Out’s Hollywood location has three rotating rooms — and, when it first opened, the Jumanji room seemed like just a temporary promotional tie in to the (actually pretty good) Rock reboot. It’s become semi-permanent, though, and the fact of the matter is it’s actually one of the best escape rooms in LA, with stunning set design, slick special effects, and puzzles that require different players to take on different avatars from the movie. Clever!

Catalina Room Escape

Avalon
Standout Room: There’s only one
The appeal of this one-room business lies in its simplicity. It’s on Catalina Island, which means it’s not going to be as sophisticated as its mainland counterparts, but if you’re on the island and are an escape room aficionado it’s totally worth your time: the puzzles’ homemade feel are refreshing after the whammo-bammo aspect of some of the other rooms, and there’s a strong logical element that’ll make you proud of each clue you get correct.

The Basement

Sylmar
Standout Room: The Courtyard
Escape room enthusiasts rightly love all four of the Basement rooms for their attention to detail and their serial story, which keeps adding new “chapters” as the business expands. The latest, room “The Courtyard,” is a tech-and-actor-heavy offering that’s fully immersive, and continues the story of Edward Tandy — a man with a peculiar love of taxidermy. Beware: he may be coming for you.

Maze Rooms Hollywood

Hollywood
Standout Room: World of Illusions
Similar to 60Out, Maze Rooms are actually all individually owned rooms under the same umbrella, so there’s not really a standard of greatness across the board. That said, one that most escape enthusiasts can agree on is World Of Illusions, with circus and magic tropes playing a part in challenging, technologically impressive puzzles.

Story courtesy of Thrillist.

July 12, 2018

The Best Waterfall Hikes In Los Angeles

With its canyons, parks, nature preserves, and forests, Los Angeles boasts a ton of hikes, but not many end with the reward of a majestic waterfall (thanks, drought). And since we can all agree there’s something magical about watching a stream of water cascade over rocks, especially after sweating your way there, here are 10 excursions that lead to terrific tumblers, with a difficulty-out-of-five scale for each.

Millard Canyon Falls

Altadena
Short and sweet is the best way to describe this abbreviated hike to Millard Falls. The trek takes you alongside a picturesque stream that you occasionally do have to cross, but it’s easy enough to bring the kids. At the end, you’ll find a pretty waterfall splashing from a massive boulder — a rewarding sight considering the mere 1.5 miles it takes to get there. Pro tip: Before you go, look into purchasing an Adventure Pass parking permit, which allows you to park your car in a private lot.
Difficulty level: 1

Solstice Canyon Falls

Malibu
Hike less for the exercise and more for the bragging rights? This 2.1-mile nature walk masquerading as a hike is your jam, with a kid-friendly path leading to a modest 30ft waterfall (it’s dried up a bit these days, but there’s still a trickle) and creek. You’ll also find the ruins of the Roberts Ranch House that burned down in a 1982 wildfire — meaning you get to play Indiana Jones and explore the crumbling remnants of the estate. For a more serious workout, continue onto the Rising Sun and Sosotmo Trails, two slightly more taxing hikes with an ocean view payoff, or the Dry Canyon Trail, which ends in a taller seasonal waterfall.
Difficulty level: 1

Sturtevant Falls

Sierra Madre
City dwellers yearning for an escape will find it on this picturesque and mostly shaded 3.5-mile hike, starting at the Chantry Flats trailhead in sprawling Angeles National Forest. Along the way, you’ll spot rich foliage, occasional wildlife, and a handful of privately owned rustic cabins nestled in the forest. Be prepared for a few obstacles — like shallow stream crossings and a hilly incline toward the end — that make you feel as if you’re in a real-life Super Mario Bros. game.
Difficulty level: 3

Hermit Falls

Sierra Madre
Located just downstream from Sturtevant Falls, this 2.5-mile hike starts in Chantry Flats at the same spot as its neighbor. Though Sturtevant is a longer trek, this one demands a slightly more treacherous journey through a lush canyon; you’ll navigate narrow trails with a sheer drop-off at certain points and handle some rope-climbing action (a must if you want the most scenic views of this 30-foot tumbler). In the summer, watch out for cliff jumpers and swimmers taking advantage of the refreshing swimming hole created by the falls.
Difficulty level: 4

Eaton Canyon Falls

Altadena
Just when you think you’ve aced this moderate 3.4-mile hike it does a big 180, switching to rocky, rugged terrain that’s trickier (but admittedly more fun) to navigate. You’ll never be lonely on this trek, which is wildly popular with slow-moving families and dogs on the weekends, so be prepared to share the stunning sight of the 40ft-tall cascade with a crowd of other waterfall-seekers.
Difficulty level: 4

Monrovia Falls

Monrovia
For proof that size doesn’t matter, head to Monrovia Falls. What this 30ft cascade in the San Gabriel Mountains lacks in height, it makes up for in consistency thanks to an underground spring that keeps the water flowing no matter what time of year. That same water source also means verdant foliage flourishes everywhere, providing a shaded canopy (and relief from the sun) along the mostly level, less-than-two-mile trail.
Difficulty level: 2

Paradise Falls

Thousand Oaks
Pro: 40-foot Paradise Falls in Wildwood Regional Park flows impressively year-round, even when it’s not rainy season. Con: Because its source is sewage runoff (yep, gross), the water isn’t clean, so refrain from allowing your dog (or anyone else) to splash around in there. Numerous routes can lead you to the falls, with most trails ranging from a few miles to over four.
Difficulty level: 3

Trail Canyon Falls

Tujunga
Though the infamous Station Fire ravaged this area in 2009, the all-levels trail has since reopened and been repaired. The approximately four-mile hike in a quiet, secluded canyon includes a handful of stream crossings, gorgeous greenery, and 700 feet of elevation gain — all leading to a pretty 30-foot waterfall.
Difficulty level: 2

Switzer Falls

La Canada Flintridge
To see a waterfall without putting in a lot of work, try this hiker-approved excursion in the San Gabriel Mountains. Clocking in at just over three miles, the easy-in, easy-out path snakes across a photogenic stream lined with oak trees. Unlike other waterfall hikes, this one doesn’t quite lead you to the base (unless you’re a somewhat skilled climber), but enjoying the 50-foot tumbler from a short distance is good enough for most.
Difficulty level: 2

The Grotto

Malibu
Brush off your bouldering skills for this truly unique three-mile expedition, which takes you to a small, slightly hidden grotto surrounded by giant rocks. You’ll find a mini waterfall (best right after it rains) at the grotto’s base and — as long as you’re willing to get a little dirty — plenty of opportunities to explore.
Difficulty level: 3

Article by Thrillist.

July 11, 2018

Schedule of Free Museum Days in Los Angeles For July

A reminder for this month that The Natural History Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits Museum both skip their free admission first-Tuesdays for the months of July and August. That said, La Brea Tar Pits offers free late-night Fridays (5 to 8 p.m.) starting this month and ending in August. NHM and La Brea Tar Pits Museum will also have free admission days on every Tuesday in September.

As always remember there are over two dozen museums in and around Los Angeles that offer free admission ALL the time which are not listed here.

Enjoy!

Free Museum Days in Los Angeles – July 2018

[JULY 1] Museum of Latin American Art

[JULY 1] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[JULY 5] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 5] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 5] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 5] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 5] Huntington Library (note that you have to reserve passes for the free day in advance, and it books up fast. For this reason we’d suggest you take a look at the free day for August and start planning when you need to be online to grab the tix)

[JULY 5] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 6] Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 6] Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 6] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 6] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 8] Museum of Latin American Art

[JULY 8 ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[JULY 10] Los Angeles County Museum of Art (also free for L.A. County residents with valid I.D. after 3:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays all month long)

[JULY 10] Autry Museum of the American West

[JULY 12] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 12] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 12] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 12] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 12] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 13] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

[JULY 13] Free late-nights at La Brea Tar Pits Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[JULY 15] Museum of Latin American Art

[JULY 15] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[JULY 17] Los Angeles County Arboretum (note: the tram doesn’t run on this day)

[JULY 17] South Coast Botanic Garden