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Whether we’re sharing a plate with friends, getting ready to watch a game or soaking up a night of drinking, a towering plate of nachos is always a winner. From cheese-drenched, old school versions with jalapeños and guacamole to creative new twists like kimchi, L.A. has plenty of excellent options for one of our favorite feasts. Here are our favorite nachos around town, and as always, feel free to share yours in the comments.

EL CHOLO

Considered by many as the granddaddy of nachos, the historic El Cholo, which first opened in 1923, claims to have introduced Los Angeles to nachos back in 1959. The story goes that longtime waitress Carmen Rocha, who passed away in 2009, brought an old recipe for the now-ubiquitous dish from her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. “Carmen’s Original Nachos (1959)” features tortilla chips doused with plenty of melted, shredded cheese, and topped with jalapeños and the optional—but encouraged—house salsa and sour cream. You can also opt for the “Sonora Style Nachos (1983)” with the added bonus of beans and guacamole.

El Cholo is located 1121 S Western Avenue, Harvard Heights, (323) 734-2773; 1037 S. Flower Street, downtown, (213) 746-7750; and 1025 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, (310) 899-1106.

CARNITAS MICHOACAN

This old-school, no frills taco stalwart serves up a mean plate styrofoam box of super cheesy nachos. For the Super Nachos, crispy tortilla chips are drenched in molten cheese, which can be topped with a variety of meats—though we definitely recommend carne asada. We also suggest topping it off with the pickled carrots and jalapeños for a spicy kick, and for a refreshing bite ask for the cilantro and onions. If you’re taking the order to go, definitely ask for the cheese on the side to avoid a soggy mess. If you’re looking to mix things up, order the Papas Nachos where french fries take the place of the chips.

Carnitas Michoacan is located at 1901 North Broadway, Lincoln Heights, (323) 225-2729; 741 South Soto Street, Boyle Heights, (323) 266-7188; 15039 Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City, (818) 830-1196.

KOMODO

If you weren’t already won over by Komodo’s Asian-inspired mash-ups, like their ramen burritoor the recent, limited-time return of their phoritto, you’re definitely going to want to check out their Kimichi Nachos. These bad boys are stacked with fried corn tortilla nachos, topped with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and then covered with hot kimchi, bacon, chicken, green onions, sour cream, jalapeños and, of course, sriracha aioli for good measure. If you’re a kimchi fan, get in here.

Komodo is located at 8809 West Pico Boulevard, Pico-Robertson, (310) 246-5153, and 235 Main Street, Venice, (310) 255-6742.

MY TACO

This family-run, vibrantly-decorated Highland Park taco spot has made a name for itself with their barbacoa de borrego, which features super tender and beautifully spiced lamb, as well as their addictive carne asada fries. You can go with the small or large version (go large!) of their nachos, which are topped with a healthy dose of melted nacho cheese, sour cream, beans, tomato, and guacamole, and your choice of a wide variety of meats if you wish. While carnitas, carne asada and chorizo are all solid choices, we definitely recommend the lamb. With chef Jorge Garduño, a Cordon Bleu grad, at the helm, you’re in good hands.

My Taco is located at 6300 York Boulevard, Highland Park, (323) 256-2698.

LOTERIA GRILL

We’ve been big fans of Loteria Grill ever since their start at the Original Farmers Market. And now that they’ve expanded to multiple locations around town, we’re happy to report they haven’t lost their flavor, charm or their reliable nacho recipe. Grab a seat with your nacho-loving friends and order up a plate of their house-made, crispy tortilla chips, topped with black beans, pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa, jack cheese, onions and cilantro. And for a heartier feast, add shredded beef or chicken. We also recommend taking advantage of their house salsas, particularly the fiery and flavorful chipotle.

Loteria Grill has locations in Studio City, Hollywood, Santa Monica, downtown, Westlake Village and Beverly Grove. More info here.

SWINGERS

With mixed-dietary-needs company late at night? Hard to go wrong with Swingers’ vegan nachos: blue corn chips topped with all the usual fixings (black beans, house-made guac, pico de gallo and green onions) but capped off with soy cheese and soyrizo. They’re so satisfying that even a hardcore carnivore won’t mind or even notice the difference. You can still order steak & eggs and their wonderful peanut butter & banana shake, no one’s stopping you. —Carman Tse

Swingers Diner is located at 8020 Beverly Blvd in Beverly Grove, (323) 653-5858, and 802 Broadway in Santa Monica, (310) 393-9793.

MANUEL’S ORIGINAL EL TEPEYAC CAFÉ

While most crowds gather for the famous Hollenbeck burrito or the hulking, five-pound “Manuel’s Special,” the nachos at this classic Boyle Heights (and City of Industry) institution are not to be missed. The house chips are doused with your choice of melted cheddar or jack cheese (or both!) and beans, and served with huge scoops of guacamole and sour cream. Take things up a few notches by adding the pork chile verde, carne asada or chicken. Manny, the legendary owner who passed away in 2013, would be proud.

Manuel’s Original El Tepeyac Café is located at 812 N Evergreen Avenue, Boyle Heights, (323) 268-1960, and 13131 Crossroads Parkway South, City of Industry, (562) 695-2277.

TINGA

Tinga brings a welcome, artisanal-twist to the standard nacho equation and their Cochinita Pibil nachos are some of our favorite. Topped with orange and achiote-marinated pork that is sweet, smoky and spicy all at once, these nachos are covered with habanero salsa, Monterrey jack, guacamole, pico de gallo, pickled red onions and queso fresco. The Chicken Tinga version is a respectable option as well, and if you’re looking for the vegetarian version, check out the Black Bean and Goat Cheese.

Tinga is located at 142 South La Brea Avenue, Hancock Park, (323) 954-9566, and 522 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, (310) 451-9341.

GUS’S BBQ

Since 1946, Gus’s has been winning hearts with their delicious, pecan wood-smoked BBQ and comfort classics, and they bring a killer smoked meat game to the nacho party. Their pulled pork nachos are no mere appetizer, despite being listed on the menu as such. They top crispy, house-made tortilla chips with pulled pork, BBQ baked beans, a molten four-cheese sauce, smoked mozzarella, jack cheese, and then heavily garnish it with guac, tomatoes, red onions, pickled jalapeño, and plenty of house BBQ sauce. The whole thing is fired up in a cast-iron skillet and is always a crowd pleaser. If you’re looking to mix things up, ask to swap out the pulled pork for their super tender brisket.

Gus’s BBQ is located at 808 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena, (626) 799-3251

BRITE SPOT

This Echo Park diner is perfect for a late-night fix after a show at the Echo, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’ve refined their nacho game. Their veggie version features freshly chopped tomatoes, onion, jalapeño and cilantro, as well black beans, cheddar, sour cream, and an excellent house-made guacamole. For a couple bucks more you can make them un-veggie by adding chicken. And don’t forget to order a slice (or two) of their amazing house-made pie.

Brite Spot is located at 1918 Sunset Boulevard, Echo Park, (213) 484-9800.

CASITA TACO AL CARBON

Located in a Burbank strip mall, this Mexican eatery offers hefty plates of nachos with all the toppings. The popular choice is the carne asada nachos which, in addition to the steak, comes abundantly topped with cheese, guac, sour cream and pico de gallo. Might seem simple enough, but you’re going to have to bring a few friends because these plates are huge. —Juliet Bennett Rylah

Casita Taco Al Carbon is located at 405 North Victory Boulevard in Burbank, (818) 848-3242, and 11300 Magnolia Boulevard, North Hollywood, (818) 508-8118.

PETTY CASH

Petty Cash offers two bold twists on the typical nacho platter, both for meat-eaters and veggie-lovers alike. You’ve likely heard about their deservedly headline-grabbing Pig Ear Nachos, topped with crema poblana, Fresno chilies, a runny egg and, yes, crispy pig ears. But if that’s not to your liking, both of their locations also feature their refreshing and satisfying Roasted Cauliflower Nachos with crema poblana, jack cheese, rainbow cauliflower, kale, and pickled fresno chilies. You also can’t go wrong with one of their signature margaritas or one of their craft cocktails to help wash down your nachos.

Petty Cash is located at 7360 Beverly Boulevard, Fairfax District, (323) 933-5300; and 712 South Santa Fe Avenue, Arts District, (213) 624-0210.

CASA GARCIA

Nestled into a strip mall in Pico Rivera, this tiny outpost has earned a decidedly reverent following for their signature Chile Verde Nachos. Loaded up with incredibly tender chile verde pork, tons of shredded jack cheese, beans, sour cream and a heaping scoop of guac, these nachos are a delicious force to be reckoned with. You’re also definitely going to want to hit them up with a healthy dose of their bright red house salsa.

Casa Garcia is located at 8528 Whittier Blvd, Pico Rivera, (562) 948-3776

 

Article courtesy of the LAist

The stock market was able to recover from steep losses to close slightly lower on Monday as investors looked past another steep drop in oil prices and renewed concerns about economic growth in China and the U.S.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 17.12 points, or 0.1 percent, to 16,449.18 after being down roughly 150 points earlier in the day. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 0.86 points, less than 0.1 percent, to 1,939.38 and the Nasdaq composite rose 6.41 points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,620.37.

Stocks had been lower most of the day after separate reports showed manufacturing slowing last month in both the U.S. and China. The reports initially caused a sell-off in commodities, notably energy and industrial metals like copper. The price of U.S. benchmark oil plunged $2, or 5.9 percent, to $31.62 a barrel in New York. Natural gas also fell about 6 percent.

But as the trading day drew to a close, investors began to buy up utilities and other dividend-paying stocks. The Dow Jones utility index, a collection of 15 utility companies, rose nearly 1 percent on Monday. Telecommunications stocks, another traditional dividend play, posted the second-biggest gains in the S&P 500.

J.J. Kinahan, chief strategist at TD Ameritrade, said part of the reason dividend stocks did better than the rest of the market was speculation that the Federal Reserve, faced with a more uncertain economic environment, would likely not raise interest rates as fast as investors had thought at the beginning of the year.

Dividend stocks perform poorly in a rising interest rate environment, because the value of the yield on dividend stocks gets worn away as yields rise on bonds and other dividend-paying investments.

“We’re looking at probably only two (interest rate) raises this year instead of four, and that makes dividend stocks look relatively attractive again,” Kinahan said.

Energy stocks, not surprisingly, were the biggest losers on Monday, following the price of oil lower. The energy component of the S&P 500 fell nearly 2 percent, versus the nearly flat performance of the broader market.

Southwestern Energy declined 39 cents, or 4.4 percent, to $8.50, Transocean dropped 63 cents, or 6 percent, to $9.79 and Chesapeake Energy fell 18 cents, or 5 percent, to $3.21.

In other company news, Alere jumped $16.91, or 46 percent, to $54.11 after Abbott Laboratories announced it was purchasing the health care company, which is focused on diagnostics, for $5.8 billion. Abbott Labs shares rose 60 cents, or 2 percent, to $38.45.

U.S. government bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.95 percent. The dollar fell to 121.02 yen from 121.10 yen on Friday. The euro strengthened to $1.0893 from $1.0829.

Prices for precious and industrial metals closed mixed. Gold rose $11.50 to $1,127.90 an ounce, silver gained 10 cents to $14.34 an ounce and copper slipped a penny to $2.06 a pound.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline lost 4.9 cents to $$1.083 a gallon, heating oil fell 4.2 cents to $1.037 a gallon and natural gas plunged 14.6 cents to $2.152 per 1,000 cubic feet. In London, Brent crude fell $1.75 to $34.24 a barrel.

 

Article courtesy of the LA Times

Actress Kerry Washington of “Scandal” and her husband, retired NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha, have sold their home in Hollywood Hills West for $2.68 million — just under the $2.695 million asking price.

The fenced-and-gated French Country-style house, built in 1926 and since updated, sits up from the street and takes in views of the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory.

The 3,855 square feet of white-walled space includes a rotunda entry, a living room with a fireplace, an updated kitchen and a gym.

The master suite has a custom walk-in closet and a tiled bath for a total of five bedrooms, five full bathrooms and a powder room.

French doors open to a wooded setting with a courtyard, an outdoor living room and large lawn. Stone-lined paths wind through the three-quarter-acre grounds to chauffeur’s quarters, a guesthouse, a swimming pool and a basketball half-court.

There’s also a two-car garage.

The couple bought the property two years ago from actress and comedian Nicole Sullivan for $1.865 million.

James Foreman of Sotheby’s International Realty was the listing agent. Jordana Leigh of Rodeo Realty repped the buyer.

Washington, 38, is known for her leading role on the television drama “Scandal.” Her film credits include “The Details” (2011), “A Thousand Words” (2012) and “Django Unchained” (2012).

Asomugha, 34, spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, making three Pro Bowls as a defensive back.

More recently, the former first-round pick out of UC Berkeley has taken on acting, appearing in episodes of “Friday Night Lights” and “Kroll Show.”

 

Article courtesy of the LA Times

Actors Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell have bought a duplex in the Mid-City area of Los Angeles for $800,000 and put both units up for lease at $2,400 a month.

Set within a slatted wood fence and gated entry, the duplex was recently remodeled and features bleached walnut and tile floors, pendant lighting and crisp white interiors.

Each residence includes an updated kitchen with quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances, a living room and dining area. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms and washer/dryers in each unit.

A small patch of grass, two single-car garages and an additional parking area are within the grounds, which has front and rear exits.

The property came to market in October for $799,000, records show. It previously sold for $345,000 in 2007.

Morgan Pasco of Morgan Real Estate Group was the listing agent. Peter Maurice of Rodeo Realty repped the buyers, according to the Multiple Listing Service.

Shepard, 41, is known for his roles in the films “Without a Paddle” (2004) and “Employee of the Month” (2006) as well as the TV series “Parenthood.” He will direct and appear in the upcoming film “CHiPs,” based on the 1970s television drama.

Bell, 35, gained notoriety for the television series “Veronica Mars” (2004-2007). Among her film credits is the 2008 comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” (2008) “Couples Retreat” (2009) and “Frozen” (2013).

 

Article courtesy of the LA Times

Below is the Westside Market Report for December 2015 detailing local real estate market statistics and including year-over-year data:

Westside

Below is the SF Valley Market Report for December 2015 detailing local real estate market statistics and including year-over-year data:

SF Valley

Below is the Conjeo Market Report for December 2015 detailing local real estate market statistics and including year-over-year data:

Conejo

Latin music artist Marc Anthony and his wife, model Shannon de Lima, have put their house in Tarzana back on the market for $4.35 million.

The East Coast-inspired Traditional, built two years ago, sits behind gates on a half-acre knoll with a large motor court and an oversized four-car garage. Views take in the cityscape, valley and surrounding mountains.

Within the 6,500-square-foot two-story are formal living and dining rooms, two family rooms, a den with a wet bar and a library/office. A chef’s kitchen comes fully loaded with two islands, double ranges and a backsplash of herringbone-patterned cut stone.

Outdoors, hedged grounds center on a built-in barbecue and a swimming pool and spa. A fire pit, a covered patio and a raised gazebo complete the setting.

The couple, who decamped to the Atlantic coast last year, bought the home a year ago for $4.125 million, records show.

Maggie Oreck of Rodeo Realty is the listing agent.

Anthony, 47, has won five Latin Grammy awards and two Grammy awards, including one for Best Latin Pop Album in 2004. Last year, the singer launched Magnus Media, an entertainment and marketing company focused on the Latin market.

 

Article courtesy of the LA Times

The famed Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles’ Holmby Hills is for sale: all 5 acres, 29 rooms, the storied grotto, a zoo license, and Hef himself.

The former playboy who founded Playboy almost 63 years ago comes as a package deal with the mansion: As part of a “life estate,” any buyer would have to rent the home to Hugh Hefner until he dies. Hefner, who turns 90 in April, rents it from mansion owner Playboy Enterprises.

The property is being listed at $200 million, which makes it the most expensive home on the market. A sale at anywhere near that price would make it the most expensive known home sale in U.S. history. (The record is thought to be Connecticut’s Copper Beech Farm, which sold in 2014 at a reported $120 million.)

We asked a few local luxury real estate agents – unaffiliated with the property listing, which is held by Drew Fenton and Gary Gold of Hilton & Hyland as well as Mauricio Umansky of The Agency – what they thought of the price and the property.

Catherine Marcus of Sotheby’s International Realty didn’t flinch a bit. She’s one of the agents who brokered the deal for America’s first $100 million house, billionaire Yuri Milner’s Silicon Valley purchase.

“I think it’s absolutely worth it — that land and that location alone is phenomenal.” She said the buyer will be a guy who says, “I want to live in this trophy property” (and yes, she definitely thinks it’ll be a man; “I can’t imagine a woman buying it”).

“Think about it! Right? You know: the mentality of ‘I want all the toys.’ … The guy who gets it, gets to be that guy.”

We asked her about TMZ’s report that local agents say it’s a teardown.

“I think it IS a teardown, but nobody is going to tear it down.

“I think it’s going to be the tackiest house ever” – but it’s a trophy. Maybe the buyer will build elsewhere on the property, since it’s plenty big enough at 5 acres. “That’ll be their party house and they’ll have their real home.”

“I guarantee you the place is in a state of disrepair,” she said, but “that’s what makes it so great, that it hasn’t been touched in that whole time.” In fact, “if anyone remodels it, it won’t be worth as much.”

In that case, is this what passes for history in Los Angeles?

“Of course!” she said. “Anything over 30 years old we knock down.” But this house is “part of Americana, when you think about it. … Every one of these tour buses, they drive by the Playboy Mansion.”

Josh Flagg, star of Bravo TV’s “Million Dollar Listing,” said the mansion is “one of the trophy properties of California” and “one of the top five great estates of Los Angeles,” so he thinks it’s conceivable that the home could attain the asking price. But he’s skeptical.

“Last year I had an adjoining 10 acres – the largest residential property in Holmby Hills – listed at $150 million,” and it’s still available, he said.

For the Playboy Mansion, “I could see someone paying possibly $100 million because of the cachet along with the value of the land. With the price of $200 million they will still receive offers and likely go with the best terms for the seller.”

He has visited the mansion and says that while “it’s a very dated home, the bones are incredible.”

“Anyone who says it’s a teardown is crazy,” Flagg said. Of course someonemight tear it down, and “it definitely needs some remodeling and some cleaning up,” but “it’s not a teardown by any means.”

Ben Bacal of Rodeo Realty, on the other hand, thinks $200 million is wildly optimistic. He too has been to the mansion himself. “It’s pretty old and grimy,” he told Yahoo Real Estate. “It’s dated. It doesn’t have a cool factor.”

The lot is “terrific,” he conceded. “It’s very difficult and rare to find that much acreage in Bel Air.”

But the mansion?

“Yes, it’s a teardown.”

And the Hef factor – the pesky “life estate” contingency?

“That doesn’t help,” he said.

“I think [the price is] a little high. It’s probably worth a little less than half that,” maybe in the neighborhood of $70 million, he said. He compared it to the  estate next to Minecraft founder Notch’s new mansion (dubbed “L.A.’s most extreme home”); that promontory estate, which once belonged to comedian Danny Thomas, is “worth what they’re asking”: $135 million. “That is just an unreal property. … If somebody remodels it, it could be worth $300 million.” He called it “one of the last epic view properties – actually, maybe it IS the last one” in L.A.

Article courtesy of Yahoo Real Estate