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The LABJ list their annual pick of the Top Brokering Agents throughout L.A. for 2019

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (September 13, 2019)- Recently the Los Angeles Business Journal unveiled their picks for the top agents brokering throughout Los Angeles. The list showcased the Real Estate All-Stars that lead the way in the past year. From Rodeo Ben Bacal, Josh Flagg, Jimmy Heckenberg, Jordana Leigh, Adi Livyatan, Peter Maurice and Tregg Rustad al made the cut for this year’s honoree’s.

LABJ bases the decision on the total average sales volume for the year making it a tough call when selected nominees.

The residential real estate market in Los Angeles is a complex landscape to say the least. Whether you are buying or selling, having the right broker in your corner can be the difference-maker in terms of getting a good deal, landing in the right location for your specific needs, and navigating the process painlessly. In an attempt to shine a light on those hardworking brokers who have the knowledge, skills and dedication to go the extra mile for their clients, we welcome you to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s first ever “Who’s Brokering LA” special section focusing on residential real estate professionals, where we recognize the most dynamic brokers.

To read the full article, click here.

The last official weekend of summer is here and California already knows it. With the swift change into fall wind and foliage decor, so comes the fun for fall! Grab your Pumpkin Spiced everything and jump into the weekend with our round up of fun things to do throughout L.A. in and the Valley.

Friday, September 13

Mid-Autumn Festival

Location: WP24 by Wolfgang Puck- 900 West Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles

Join us for an evening of happiness and prosperity in the harvest season. Enjoy a reception with interactive food stations helmed by chefs from WP24, Spago, CUT and Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel Air, along with live entertainment. Admission includes unlimited access to food stations plus one signature cocktail. Currently all Table reservations and Ultimate Experience reservations have been booked.

Friday The 13th at Scum and Villainy Cantina

Location: Scum and Villainy Cantina

Kick off Halloween season with horror trivia, themed drinks and more. Stop in for a night that is sure to get you in the fall spirit. Costumes are encouraged. No cover just genuine enthusiasm for all things ghoulish!

86th Annual Simi Valley Days Parade and Carnival 

Location: Simi Valley Town Center

The Simi Valley Days Parade and Carnival is produced by the Simi Valley Days Foundation. In store is carnival games, contests and prizes, live music, shopping, arts and crafts, great food, family entertainment, car show, rides and much more!

Saturday, September 14

17th Annual TARFEST Music & Arts Festival

Location: La Brea Tar Pits & Museum

The La Brea Tar Pits will be hosting the 17th annual TARFEST music and arts festival. Attendees can enjoy art installations, live painting, DJ’s, food trucks, kid’s activities, and much more. The event is free for all! The iconic Serpentine Pavilion at Second Home can be experienced by all for free along with TARFEST’s partner The Natural History Museum of L.A. County.

Taste of Japan in Long Beach

Location: The Pike Outlets

The first-ever Taste of Japan festival comes to The Pike Outlets in Long Beach showcasing Japanese culture and cuisine. The family-friendly festival takes place September 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features culinary creations, Japanese pop culture and entertainment, shopping, anime, martial arts, and more. Food experience range from sushi, fresh baked goods, BBQ, and soups and noodles.

Colors by the Sea Summer Art Walk and Craft Fest

Location: Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theatre

Surfside Drive Port Hueneme is proud to present Colors by the Sea Summer Art Walk and Craft Fest Saturday Sept 14, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. FREE admission. This free event will feature talented Local Artist’s and Vendors from Ventura County, Food Trucks and much more! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to meet local vendors and Artists.

For additional information call Oceanview Pavilion at (805) 986-4818

Sunday, September 15

Santa Monica’s 4th Annual COAST Open Streets

Location: Ocean Avenue, Colorado Esplanade, and Main Street, Santa Monica

On Sunday, two miles of Santa Monica streets will close in celebration of a more people-powered and sustainable Santa Monica. Guests will be able to bike, skate, run, and walk the sections of Ocean Avenue, Colorado Esplanade, and Main Street. There will be roaming musicians, hands-on activities, and free artist-led workshops where attendees can create and decorate costumes. A COAST Contest will take place where judges will look for creativity and innovation in various mediums such as floats, costumes, headpieces, people-powered conveyance, and more. This is a family event that is free to all!

UNIDENTIFIED LANDED OBJECT

Location: The Row, DTLA

“ULO” opens at ROW DTLA for an otherworldly experience. The Art Pop-Up will feature  an adaptation of the installation Light Leaks by technology artist Kyle McDonald and Jonas Jongejan, Creative Technologist at Google Creative Lab can be experienced. Visitors will be pulled into an optical illusion of millions of flickering reflections that dance off of mirror balls hitting every inch of the space. ULO will run Tuesdays through Sunday until September 28.

San Fernando Valley Audubon Bird Walk at Malibu Creek State Park

Location: Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek State Park

Considered the recreational crown jewel of the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek State Park has over 8,000 acres of rolling tall grass plains, oak savannahs and dramatic peaks. It’s no wonder many call it “The Yosemite of Southern California.” Seasoned birders and beginners alike will enjoy good bird watching and a beautiful, easy hike. Meet at the second (lower) day-use parking lot.

When remodeling your kitchen, so many of the decisions you’ll have to make involve the overall function of the space. Your appliances are the perfect example. The color and finish of your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher are important, but it’s even more crucial to consider how these elements fit the layout of your space and your lifestyle. That’s why choosing the finer details, like your kitchen backsplash, feels so liberating. Though you should always keep your budget and the amount of effort you want to spend on upkeep in mind, a backsplash is your opportunity to have some fun in the kitchen.

In fact, the backsplash is one of the key features that define the style of the space, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association 2019 Design Trends Report. The report—which polls 583 leading designers, remodelers, architects, and manufactures to identify the styles that will be popular in the next three years—confirmed that kitchens with distinct backsplash designs are here to stay.

Check out these designer favorites!

Luxurious Marble

Playful Mosaic

Sleek Slabs

Elegant Arabesque

Can’t decide on making a statement or keeping it subtle? Choosing a shapely tile in a light color gives you the best of both worlds. “The arabesque shape is a design motif that has timeless attributes,” says Subaran. “We are seeing the arabesque—along with other geometric shapes return—as more homeowners are looking for unique shapes in backsplash materials, like ceramics.”

High-Contrast Marble

For a new twist on marble slab backsplashes, opt for marble with high-contrast veining. “Dramatic black and white marble brings contrast and movement on the counter and backsplash to the otherwise balanced design,”says Shannon Kadwell, kitchen/project designer at Anthony Wilder Design/Build. “The swirl of black and white marble mimics a drift of smoke.”

Space Saving Mosaic

Smaller tiles help solve a common kitchen problem: They’re a great way to cover awkward-sized areas. “For kitchens where we wrap tile around windows with limited space in between, finding a small mosaic is the most balanced and practical option,” says Subaran.

America’s favorite fast food bite just got a whole lot…healthier! With a mountain of food options in L.A. sometimes a cheese smothered burger is necessary. And while we could list plenty of burger joints Angeleno’s know by heart, these plant based picks are just as delicious and equally craved. Who said healthy fast-food was “Impossible”?

Burgerlords

Location: 943 N Broadway #102, Los Angeles, CA 90012 – Chinatown & 110 N Ave 56, Los Angeles, CA 90042 – Highland Park

Check out the vegan burger options at Burgerlords. Their Housemade Vegan Burger consists of a patty made fresh daily that’s topped with lettuce, onion, tomato, and vegan Thousand Island. And if you prefer cheese with your burger, they’ve also got their Housemade Vegan Cheeseburger, which includes the additional vegan American cheese.

By Chloe

Location: 2520 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 – Silverlake

Fully-vegan By Chloe has two burger options, The Classic Burger and The Guac Burger. The first is comprised of their tempeh-lentil-chia-walnut patty, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, beet ketchup, and special sauce, all on a potato bun. And the second is made up of their black bean-quinoa-sweet potato, guacamole, corn salsa, lettuce, tomato, onion, tortilla strips, and chipotle aioli on a whole grain bun.

Doomie’s Home Cookin

Location: 1253 Vine St # 9, Los Angeles, CA 90038 – Hollywood

Choose from the Classic Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger, Chili Cheeseburger, Peanut Butter and Bacon, Western (onion rings, bacon, BBQ sauce), Memphis Burger at all-vegan Doomie’s. Their burgers come with the expected bases, along with house-made cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles on top, plus, a side of fries.

Monty’s Good Burger

Location: 516 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020 – Koreatown

One of the newest plant-based spots in LA, Monty’s makes ordering easy. Choose either a single or double, add fries or tots, and dipping sauces. Made with Impossible Burger patties, Monty’s burgers are as close to the real thing as you can get. Monty’s has vegan milkshakes too!

Native Food

Location: 1114 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024   –  Westwood

Native Foods’ Native Double Cheeseburger is two Native patties, melted American cheese by Follow Your Heart, house-made pickles, red onions, shredded lettuce, Thousand Island dressing, and spicy BBQ sauce on a slightly-toasted, whole-wheat bun. Plus, it comes along with a side of seasoned fries, lemon dill potato salad, side salad, or steamed kale.

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar

Location: 1800 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025

Walk into any Plan Check and all burgers can use Beyond Meat. They recently added a new item, the Plan(t) Check Burger which comes with melty swiss, butter lettuce, fried onions, tomato, and mayo. An especially nice addition is the Portuguese milk bread bun, also known as a crunch bun.

Tony’s Darts Away

Location: 1710 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank

Tony Yannow’s vegan-friendly craft beer pub has no shortage of snacks (anything from buffalo wings to disco fries), but serious hunger calls for a twist on the Western Bacon Cheeseburger: two Impossible Burger patties, vegan bacon, vegan provolone, barbecue sauce, and frizzled onions.

Modern Times Beer’s Dankness Dojo

Location: 832 S Olive Street  Los Angeles 90014  – Downtown

This 100-percent vegan tasting room and gastropub, with a menu that’s just as fun as its retro-inspired setting. For its one and only burger, this spot doubles up and makes one massive meatless meal ($15): two thin, seared Beyond Meat patties get topped with smoked mushrooms, shallot jam, melty coconut-based American cheese, pickles, roasted tomato spread, sandwiched between house-baked sesame buns. It’s messy, and so enormous it gets served with a steak knife through the top. Who said veggie burgers aren’t filling?

Umami Burger

Location: 852 S Broadway., Los Angeles, CA 90014

Umami can create any existing burger with Impossible Burger “meat.” With vegan buns as an option, there is the Truffle-maker which oozes truffles, or the Impossible VBQ with grilled onions, barbecue sauce, and jalapeño. For the more reserved eaters, try the Impossible classic.

HoneyBee Burger

Location: 1820 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA

This Los Feliz fast food joint may be the new kid in town but they clearly know their stuff, offering the rare option of either Beyond or Impossible patties as well as crispy sweet potato “frots” (fries + tots), shakes and soft serve. Limited seating inside and tables outside make it dog-friendly, too.

From nationally-heralded hotspots like Mh Zh to wonderfully charming staples like Pine & Crane and Alimento, Silver Lake is in the throes of a dining bonanza with more great restaurants to enjoy than ever before. Most nights, locals traffic the same places that folks from across town drive an hour to experience. Here are the 13 essential restaurants in Silver Lake:

1. Ceviche Project – 2524 ½ Hyperion Ave., Los Angeles 90027

After years of popping up at hotels and food festivals, Ceviche Project chef and owner Octavio Olivas now has a home of his own. The compact room is mostly meant for bar dining, where Olivas works his ceviches and tostadas with more than a little bit of flash and flair.

2. Burgers Never Say Die – 2388 Glendale Blvd Unit A, Los Angeles 90039

After two years of selling burgers from his backyard and popping up around town, Shawn Nee has an actual restaurant at the edge of Silver Lake where the smash burgers are as good as ever, and so is the CVT soft-serve for dessert.

3. Ma’am Sir – 4330 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90029

Is there a hotter Filipino restaurant in Los Angeles than Ma’am Sir? The place is both a critical darling and a financial success for chef Charles Olalia and partners Wade McElroy and Russell Malixi, thanks entirely to Olalia’s thoughtful and modern comfort fare.

4. Bowery Bungalow – 4156 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles 90029

George Abou-Daoud’s modern Middle Eastern restaurant has a strong local following and one of the best sunny patios in the neighborhood. Best of all are the outstanding mezze plates, Istanbul-style lamb sandwiches, and plenty of beer and wine.

5. Tacos Delta – 3806 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90026

Silver Lake residents gather at Tacos Delta for just about everything, from quiet chats with fellow neighbors to quick and inexpensive meals on-the-go. There are fewer and fewer places like this left in the neighborhood, making it all the more important.

6. Pine & Crane – 1521 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles 90026

Pine & Crane has been serving its tight menu of Taiwanese and Chinese classics since 2014. Seasonal produce is sourced from the owner’s family farm, while the cooking is dependable, skilled and fresh.

7. Alimento – 1710 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles 90026

Alimento offers inviting northern Italian fare that is great for sharing. Zach Pollack’s signature tortellini in brood and chicken Milanese sandwich can be washed down with $9 grüner veltliner all night long.

8. Mh Zh – 3536 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90026

Here at Mh Zh, the menu is handwritten daily on brown paper bags, the majority of seating is on a sloped sidewalk, and throngs of effortlessly trendy diners congregate at the front door. The largely Israeli dishes are undeniably delicious and extremely affordable.

9. Millie’s Café – 3524 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90026

Every Silver Laker has strong opinions on Millie’s, the enduringly popular breakfast option that’s been on Sunset Boulevard since before the Great Depression. This is a pancakes, bacon and coffee sort of place – no frills, just got food.

10. El Cochinito – 3508 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90026

Established in 1988, El Cochinito is one of Silver Lake’s true success stories. The longstanding staple has been slowly modernizing over time, and even won a coveted national award for its Cubano sandwich, but the focus is still on family and lots of delicious porky flavor.

11. Botanica Restaurant & Market – 1620 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles 90026

Opened by food journalists Heather Sperling and Emily Fiffer, Botanica has quickly become an essential addition to the neighborhood. There’s no doubt that the restaurant and marketplace’s healthy-living ethos and sunny vibes is resonating with the local set.

12. Night + Market Song – 3322 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90026

Kris Yenbamroong’s followup to his successful flagship restaurant in West Hollywood, Night + Market Song feels right at home in Silver Lake with its cheerful pink exterior. Dine on blazing hot Thai street fare with a few frosty Singhas.

13. Café Tropical – 2900 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90026

Café Tropical, Silver Lake’s indomitable Cuban corner restaurant, setup shop next to Silverlake Lounge in 1975. Even after four decades, the beloved bakery and restaurant continues to crank out dependably good guava pasteles, Cubanos, medianoche sandwiches and cafes con leche.