L.A. Restaurants and Bar Openings of July 2017

Sushi Bar
ENCINO

SUSHI|BAR

CULVER CITY
VESPERTINE

 

The Highlight Room
HOLLYWOOD

THE HIGHLIGHT ROOM

MID-WILSHIRE

VESTRY

Gusto 2.0

GUSTO 2.0

DOWNTOWN

18 SOCIAL

Hayden
CULVER CITY

HAYDEN

WEST HOLLYWOOD

WILD BEAST

 

The San Fernando
GLENDALE

THE SAN FERNANDO

LAX AREA

THE PROUD BIRD

Barbara Jean Hush Puppies
WEST HOLLYWOOD

BARBARA JEAN

MALIBU

MALIBU BURGER CO.

SANTA MONICA

MEAT ON OCEAN

Los Angeles' Best Spots For Vintage Finds

Love vintage? For those looking to save money and not break the bank, there are plenty of vintage shops in the city!

Below are some of L.A.’s best spots for vintage finds. Don’t overpay and reflect your unique style with your vintage wardrobe!


(The Left Bank, photo via Facebook
The Left Bank

The Left Bank, 2479 Fletcher Drive in Frogtown. (818) 839-1992

ct.JPG
(Photo by Emma Specter/LAist)

Cannonball & Tilly

Cannonball & Tilly, 1029 S. Fairfax Avenue in Little Ethiopia. (323) 384-2640

paintedbird.jpg
(Photo via Painted Bird’s website)

Painted Bird

Painted Bird, 4208 Santa Monica Blvd. in Silver Lake. (323) 522-3368

gotta.jpg
(Photo by Joan S/Yelp)

Gotta Have It

Gotta Have It, 1516 Pacific Avenue in Venice. (310) 392-5949

recollection.jpg
(Recollection Vintage, photo via Facebook)

Recollection

Recollection Vintage, 606 N. Hoover Street in Virgil Village.

replay.jpg
(Photo by Collin C/Yelp)

Replay Vintage

Replay Vintage, 1766 N. Vermont Avenue in Los Feliz. (323) 667-9773

bb.jpg
(The Bearded Beagle, via Facebook)

The Bearded Beagle

The Bearded Beagle, 5926 N. Figueroa Street in Highland Park
4646 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Feliz. (323) 258-5898

14 Unique Walking Routes In Los Angeles

Walking is easy to do and one of the best things you can do for your health. Getting your steps in can help you lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and even reduce your risk of several chronic diseases.

It’s an excellent form of exercise and a great way to stay active! With that being said, Los Angeles has many options for those who want to get out and get their walk on.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. The Hollywood Bowl

Many may not know this, but The Hollywood Bowl is a public park during the day. Visitors can explore, learn more about the Bowl and take a beautiful walk along the way. -> Learn more.

2. Lake Hollywood Trail

You can get about 7,000 steps out of the Lake Hollywood Trail. The 3.3 mile loop takes you around the Hollywood Reservoir. -> Check out the trail here.

3. Echo Park Lake

One loop around the Echo Park Lake will give you around 2,000 steps. The loop is under a mile and offers steppers the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful lotus plants and blossoms during the spring months. -> Walk the lake.

Echo Park Lake

Echo Park Lake. Photo by Brian Champlin

4. Exposition Park Rose Garden

One loop around the Exposition Park Rose Garden and you’re looking at around 5,000 steps. Here you can enjoy more than 200,000 rose bushes along your walk. Go here.

5. Encino Golf Loop

Encino Golf loop is almost 5 miles long and takes you round the Valley golf course. You can get about 10,000 steps on this loop. -> Walk the Encino Golf loop.

6. Venice Beach

Venice Beach is a well-known beach-walking area in L.A. Beginning and ending at Ocean Front Walk, you will get about 4,000 steps on the trail. -> Walk here.

Venice Boardwalk Afternoon

Venice Beach Boardwalk. Credit: Brian Champlin

7. Veterans Parkway

Veterans Parkway, referred to by locals as the “greenbelt,” runs through Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. You can get about 15,000 steps in if you walk back and forth from both communities–that’s about 7 miles. Go here.

8. The Music Box Steps

The Music Box Steps are located in Silver Lake and will not disappoint your step tracker! If you plan on doing all the staircases, you will get about 5,500 steps in–it’s a total of 2.5 miles and 705 stairs.  -> Details.

9. Descanso Gardens

The museum has many natural displays. Visitors can count their steps while also enjoying the rose garden, the Japanese garden and several other collections at the Descanso Gardens. -> Walk the garden here.

10. Ikea in Burbank

You can get approximately 2,000 steps in just by walking through The new Burbank Ikea. Make sure to take some comfortable shoes and enjoy the furniture displays and the food. -> Walk and shop at Ikea Burbank.

11. The Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl is a popular spot to exercise. The loop is about a 90 minute walk and 6,500 steps. Visitors are here daily to get their exercise in.  -> Walk the Rose Bowl.

Rose Bowl Entrance

Rose Bowl. Photo credit: Brian Champlin

12. UCLA Drake Stadium

Four times around this 9-lane track equals one mile, which is about 2,000 steps. The Drake Stadium is a great place to get your collegiate spirit on and to work out. -> Get on track.

13. Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

You can get more than 2,400 steps in just by hiking the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Whether you take the 282 stairs or the trail, you’ll get a workout and also enjoy a great view. -> Climb the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook.

14. Mandeville Canyon Trail

Mandeville Canyon is a 7.2 mile hike. You can get almost 16,000 steps at this trail. Located within the Santa Monica Mountains, the trail gives you an amazing view of Los Angeles once you reach its highest point of elevation. -> Take the hike.

Rodeo Realty’s Sherman Oaks agent Neal Leviton sells former home of legendary film actress Marion Davies

The desert estate originally built for American film actress Marion Davies has sold for $2,175,000. Rodeo Realty’s Neal Leviton was one of the listing agents to the property, which headlined in the Los Angeles Times and Curbed when it first went on the market.

The 9 bedroom, 11 bathroom estate has nearly 14,000 sq. ft. of living space and sits on 2.77 acres. Outdoors, the property includes a pond with a waterfall, a tennis court and a pool/spa. The grounds are immaculate and the property is maintained by two full-time employees.

In 1956, Davies, who was William Randolph Heart’s mistress and a legendary film star of the silver screen era in the 1930s, purchased a piece of land from the founder of Hyatt Hotels, Hyatt Robert von Dehn. She built a home on the property that is known as 1 Von Dehn Road in Rancho Mirage, CA.

Hearst was a publishing magnet, best known for building the nation’s largest newspaper chain and the magnificent and over the top Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA. Hearst and Davies were publicly a couple for many years, as Hearst’s wife would not grant him a divorce. They had a child together, Patricia Van Cleeve Lake, also an actress. Both kept Lake’s true identity a secret for many years.

Upon Davies death in 1961 the property transferred to the man she married after Hearst passed away in 1951, Horace Brown (another well-known actor).

Brown eventually sold the property in 1972 to the family that owned Trader Vic’s, a well-known restaurant chain. In 1996, the property was sold to a private family. The property was upgraded throughout the years to its present state today. The original structure still remains along with the upgraded portions of the home.

Popular Breakfast Spots In Los Angeles

Los Angeles has plenty of options when it comes to breakfast–food in general! Those with a 9-to-5 job, may not get to enjoy breakfast with friends during the week, but on the weekends–that’s an entire different story! Angelenos love to have brunch, some even tend to eat breakfast all day! 

Below are some of LA’s best breakfast destinations to enjoy over the weekend. 

Wexler’s Deli – 317 South Broadway at Grand Central Market in DTLA.
616 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica. 

Paper or Plastik – 5772 West Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles. 

AromaCandT_Web.jpg
Aroma Coffee & Tea – 4360 Tujunga Ave. in Studio City. 

Destroyer_3.jpg
Photos via Destroyer

Destroyer – 3583 Hayden Avenue in Culver City.

SquareOne_Yelp.jpgSquare One Dining – 4854 Fountain Ave. in Los Angeles.

KitchenMouse_Pic.jpg
Kitchen Mouse (Photo via Kitchen Mouse/Facebook)

Kitchen Mouse – 5904 North Figueroa St. in Los Angeles. 

NBCSeafood_Yelp.jpg
Photo by Nadine C. via Yelp

NBC Seafood – 404 South Atlantic Blvd. in Monterey Park.

MBPost_Facebook.jpg
Photo via Manhattan Beach Post/Facebook
Manhattan Beach Post – 1142 Manhattan Ave. in Manhattan Beach.

The Broad announces release date for tickets to ‘Infinity Mirror Rooms’ exhibit

The Broad announces release date for tickets to Yayoi Kusama’s ‘Infinity Mirrors’ exhibit

The Broad has announced the released date for tickets to “Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors.”

The exhibit is a more in-depth take on Kusama, the artist behind the “Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away,” which is the biggest draw at The Broad.

Tickets will go on sale Friday, September 1 at 12 p.m. The exhibit will include six of Kusama’s Infinity Rooms, including:

Infinity Mirror Room – Phalli’s Field

Infinity Mirrored Room – Love Forever

Infinity Mirrored Room – All the Eternal Love I Have For The Pumpkins

Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (currently at the Broad and included in the exhibit)

Infinity Mirrored Room – Dots Obsession – Love Transformed into Dots

Infinity Mirrored Room—Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity

..and for those who would like to participate, there will also be ‘The Obliteration Room.’ Guests can cover every space of the all-white gallery with polka dot stickers!

The exhibit is making a tour across six venues in North America, which includes one stop in California. The experimental artworks will be at The Broad from October 21 to January 1, 2018.

Tickets for adults will be $25 and free for children 12 and under. On-site standby tickets for adults will be $30. Same-day general admission to The Broad’s third-floor galleries is included with the ticket purchase. Tickets can be purchased on the museum’s website.

For more details on the exhibit, click HERE.

The Broad is located at 221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles.

Where to find the best bagels in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is full of New Yorkers, Chicagoans, and other east-of-L.A people who love a good bagel! And while many may think delicious bagels can’t be found here, the truth is, there are plenty of authentic and delicious options in LA.  

Here are some of the best bagel places in the city:

milo_olive_bagels1.jpg
Milo & Olive (Facebook)

MILO & OLIVE

Milo & Olive 2723 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-453-6776.

brooklyn_water_bagel.jpg
The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel (Via Facebook)

THE ORIGINAL BROOKLYN WATER BAGEL

The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel 262 South Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-786-7400
8732 S. Sepulveda, Westchester, 310-645-2243

bagel_factory.jpg
Bagel Factory. (Facebook)

BAGEL FACTORY

Bagel Factory: 8986 Cadillac Ave., Los Angeles, 310-837-6046
3004 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A., 310-477-8460

21221 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, 310-540-2077

belles_bagels.jpg
Belle’s Bagels. (Facebook)

BELLE’S BAGELS

Belle’s Bagels 5043 York Blvd., Highland Park, 323-208-9408

manhatnna_bagel.jpg
Manhattan Bread & Bagel (Via Facebook)

MANHATTAN BREAD & BAGEL

Manhattan Bread & Bagel 1812 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach, 310-545-7553

wexlers_bagel.jpg
Wexler’s Deli (Via Facebook)

WEXLER’S DELI

Wexler’s Deli Grand Central Market, 317 S. Broadway, Downtown, 213-620-0633
616 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 424-744-8671

yeaties_boys.jpg
Yeastie Boys (Via Twitter)

YEASTIE BOYS BAGELS

Yeastie Boys Bagels Check website for location updates.

ny_bagel.jpg
New York Bagel & Deli (Photo by Meghan D. via Yelp)

NEW YORK BAGEL & DELI

New York Bagel & Deli 2216 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-828-3228
11700 National Blvd., Mar Vista, 310-391-6226

lot_o_bagels.jpg
New York Bagel Company (Photo by Matt H. via Yelp)

NEW YORK BAGEL COMPANY

New York Bagel Company 11640 San Vicente Blvd., Ste 111, Brentwood, 310-820-1050

bagel_broker.jpg
Bagel Broker (Via Facebook)

BAGEL BROKER

Bagel Broker 7825 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, 323-931-1258

Rodeo Realty’s Woodland Hills agent Lonnie Mintz lists home of ‘As the World Turns’ writer Craig Heller

Emmy-winning soap opera scriptwriter Craig Heller and his wife, actress Lenora May are selling their Woodland Hills home. Lonnie Mintz of Rodeo Realty Woodland Hills has the listing.

The split-level home made news this week in the L.A. Times when it was featured as a ‘Home of the Day.’

The 2,333 sq. ft. home has a dramatic vaulted entry, a large living room with a fireplace, a family room, formal dining room, and an updated kitchen.

Additional amenities include a wet bar, a blue-tiled swimming pool and a guest house.

The three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms home is offered at $1,089,000. According to the L.A. Times, the couple owned the property for more than a decade.

Heller has worked as a scriptwriter on several television series such as, General Hospital, Full House and Happy Days. May recently guest starred as Phyllis Hayes in ‘Scandal’ and she also plays Pamela Raymond on ‘The Young and the Restless’ and Dr. Alana Chertoff on ABC’s ‘Mistresses.’

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

Summer Volunteer Programs In L.A.

Summer time is a great time to give back to the community and spend time volunteering.

With that being said, below are just a few volunteering options for you to check out and see which one is right for you!

1. Children’s Hospital LA

Children’s Hospital LA has a volunteer program that allows you to spend time with patients. Volunteers must be 18 years old and older and must pass a health clearance, go through orientation, an interview process, and training. A volunteer program is also available for teens 15 to 17 years of age. More info here

2. L.A. Kitchen

Create healthy meals for disadvantaged communities at L.A. Kitchen. Volunteering here consists of 3-hour shifts where you will help prepare the food: washing, peeling, chopping. Sign up here

3. 826LA

Make a difference in a child’s life and help students ages 6 – 18 with their writing skills. Volunteers have to take a 101 orientation and can then begin working with students through workshops and after-school tutoring. Orientation is July 8, 15 and 29 and August 12. -> Start here

4. Project Angel Food

Many who face poverty and life-threatening illnesses rely on Project Angel Food to receive home-cooked meals. Volunteers are always needed to help prepare and package meals in the kitchen. Orientation is offered throughout July and August for new volunteers. Make a difference here.

5. The Trevor Project

Help young individuals who may be struggling with issues such as suicide, depression and LGBTQ identity. Through The Trevor Project, TrevorChat/TrevorText volunteers help answer instant messages and online texts. Trevor Lifeline volunteers help by answering calls in the L.A. call center. To volunteer here, orientation must be completed as well as an interview, background check, and training. Support here.

6. Los Angeles Mission

Every year in August, Los Angeles Mission helps hundreds of families gear up for going back to school. Their annual End of Summer Arts and Education Fair helps students with school supplies. Volunteers needed here.

7. LA Animal Services

Make a difference in a four-legged furry friends life. Volunteers are needed at the LA Animal Services (LAAS) to help at one of the six shelters in L.A. Orientations are currently being offered. Visit LAAS Facebook page for orientation dates. More info here.

8. Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks

Volunteering through the Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks is a great way of giving back. Volunteer jobs include coaching,  helping with senior programs, special events, and much more. Learn more here.

9. Friends of Griffith Park

Help preserve Griffith Park’s 4,310 acres of land. Volunteers help with clean-ups, tree planting and other projects. Preserve here.

10. Santa Monica Mountains Fund

Help the Santa Monica Mountains Fund restore native plant life, build hiking trails, and much more. ->  All ages welcome here.

11. Reading to Kids

Volunteer on Saturdays at one of the local elementary schools throughout Los Angeles and help students become better readers. To volunteer to help Reading to Kids go to their website and complete an online application and RSVP to read at a specific school. Training and reading strategies are provided by teachers. -> Read this.

12. Food on Foot

Help Food on Foot distribute meals and clothes to homeless families and individuals on Sundays. You can help by registering online, making a $20 donation (used to purchase food to distribute) and show up on Sundays from 3:15 – 5 p.m. at the Food on Foot Hollywood location. Learn more here.

13. Swan Center Outreach

Swan Center Outreach is always welcoming volunteers ages 9+ to help with its farm and horses. To volunteer,  all you need is a kind heart and a gentle hand. If you want to work with the horses, you must sign up in Swan Center’s training class. Volunteer here.

14. The Music Center

Surround yourself around great culture and art. Volunteering for The Music Center allows you to work in various positions, whether it’s assisting at Center events or helping out with technology and social media. “Symphonians” volunteer in conducting public and private tours of the center. (email symphonians@musiccenter.org to learn more about volunteering opportunities). -> Sign up here.

Weekend Events: June 23 – 25, 2017

Have any plans for this weekend? Below is a list of things to do from Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25. Enjoy!

Friday June 23rd, 2017

  1. L.A. Zoo’s annual Roaring Nights
  2. The Levitt Pavilion’s annual free concert series.
  3. Shakespeare By The Sea
  4. 4.BET Experience
  5. Summer Movie Nights
  6. The Music Center’s Dance DTLA series.
  7. Dwell on Design
  8. Constitution Happy Hour
  9. Grand Performances
  10. The3rd Annual Angel City Games
  11. LA’s LGBT Center Out Under the Stars’ What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
  12. The Barnsdall Art Park’s annual Wine Tasting Nights.
  13. Los Angeles Beer Week
  14. The Groundlings: The Completely Different Late Show
  15. Greenbar Distillery cocktail classes
  16. Black Rabbit Rose
  17. “Take Your Dog To Work Day”

Saturday June 24th, 2017

  1. Summer Happenings at The Broad
  2. Free Shakespeare this summer
  3. 20.Eat|See|Hear
  4. Grand opening ofWallis Annenberg PetSpace
  5. The Electric Dusk Drive-In
  6. Arroyo Seco Weekend
  7. Outdoor summer concert series Off the 405 at the Getty Center.
  8. Big Sing L.A.
  9. Night Life LA (02)
  10. 40th annual Riviera Village Summer Festival
  11. Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp
  12. 31st Annual Long Beach Bayou Festival
  13. Last Remaining Seats
  14. Street Food Cinema
  15. Cigar Festival Americana at Santa Anita Park
  16. Cliftons Living History Tour

Sunday June 25th, 2017

  1. Seu Jorge – The Life Aquatic: A Tribute to David Bowie
  2. 17th annual Summer Soulstice
  3. Smorgasburg LA
  4. 40z & Waffles
  5. Art Beyond the Glass
  6. A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  7. Art Fair in the Garden
  8. Science Time with Alex Berg
  9. The Floor Improv Day