Rodeo Realty

February 23, 2018

Rodeo Realty’s Sunset agent John Galich lists former home of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis

The former home of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis is now available for $3.199 million. John Galich of Rodeo Realty Sunset has the listing.

Since entering the market, the property has been mentioned by the Los Angeles Times, The Real Deal, and DIGS magazine.

The three bedroom, four bathroom property recently underwent a renovation by Aux Architecture co-founder Brian Wickersham. The contemporary two-story home has a modern interior, Fleetwood doors, Poliform cabinets and surfaces of stone and wood. Retracting walls of glass offer a seamless indoor/outdoor setting.

The striking architectural also comes with a pool, spa, and city views.

For more information on this home, visit www.3120hollyridge.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTR2tPDym34

To read the LA Times article on this property, click HERE.
The Real Deal, HERE.
DIGS Magazine, below.

February 22, 2018

Weekend Events: February 23 – 25

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome.

Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for everyweekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend in L.A. (February 23-25) includes Bob Baker Day, Firecracker Festival in Chinatown, Airtalk’s FilmWeek: 2018 Oscar Preview, a Star Party at Griffith Observatory, Dine Out Long Beach Restaurant Week 2.0 and MUCH more.

Enjoy!

Friday February 23rd, 2018

1. The Urban Chuck Wagon: 100 Years of Food Truck Fare is a new tasting event coming to The Autry this Friday. Come sample dishes representing a century of food trucks and discover the historic flavors of items such as tamales and oyster cocktails, then experience the modern versions of food cart cuisine from contemporary chefs.

2. The Landmark Regent presents two screenings of The Room with Tommy Wiseau in person this Friday.

3. Head to The Madelin Garden in Pasadena for high tea and a performance of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Happening Friday through Sunday. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

4. Visit Angel City Brewery for a free live taping of the popular podcast Go Fact Yourself quizzes comedians, actors and musicians about topics they claim expertise in. If they slip up, real experts on hand share the actual facts.

5. Caltech Astronomy presents a free stargazing and panel event focused on The Milky Way’s crash course with Andromeda. No reservations are needed, the lecture is 30 minutes long and stargazing lasts 90 minutes. FREE

6. Greenbar Distillery will open up their facility for a tour of their organic distillery. The tour is one hour long and guests will have a chance to learn about the process of spirit making and taste some of the Greenbar portfolio.

7. 4th Fridays on 4th Street activates the “Retro Road” business district in Long Beach on the fourth Friday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m. through extended hours, dining specials, discounted merchandise, pop up shops, art shows, live music, double decker bus rides and more.

8.The world’s first premium cinematic VR chair, Voyager will screen three critically acclaimed short films at the Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles from February 19-25. Check for discounted ticketsbefore making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

9. Palm Springs Modernism Week returns February 15-25 to celebrate all things midcentury modern including architecture, art, interior landscape design and vintage culture.

10. QuiltCon 2018 takes over the Pasadena Convention Center from February 22-25 to see over 550 modern quilts on display, shop from specialty vendors and attend workshops and lectures led by experts.

Saturday February 24th, 2018

11. It’s Bob Baker Day at the historic Bob Baker Marionette Theater. The day pays homage to the famed puppeteer with a carnival like event featuring live music, entertainment, puppet-making workshops, round-the-clock puppet shows, a pop-up puppet museum and lots more. FREE

12. Meet travel celebs like PBS’ Rick Steves and Samantha Brown, learn how to pack well and decide where to go for your next trip during the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center happening February 24-25. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

13. Stop by the Firecracker Festival in Los Angeles’ Chinatown for two days filled with friendly-competition, carnival games, food trucks and more.

14. Celebrate like it’s 1928 during Venice Arts’ Annual Speakeasy at the Townhouse. The Prohibition-era Speakeasy which dates back to 1915 will feature complimentary whiskey tasting, appetizers and desserts from local restaurants, along with a silent auction, raffle prizes and other surprises.

15. FLAX Project presents “The Dialectic of the Stars,” a free art festival taking place at five iconic venues in Los Angeles in the month of February. The festival will feature stimulating arts events incorporating cinema, music, mobile artworks, a concert of motorcycles, dance and more. This Saturday the event continues at L.A. Dance Project with a screening of The Pit and a performance by Noé Soulier. FREE

16. Milk Bar join forces with fashion label Reformation for a tasty pop-up at their Melrose location. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. swing by Reformation to shop through the sustainable brands collection and snack on Milk Bar’s cookies, truffles, and their new Crack Pie Latte. Customers with a Reformation purchase will also get a free treat so shop away!

17. SAP Chili Cook Off returns to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia for a tasty competition in the categories of red chili, green chili, salsa, CASI (Chili Appreciation Society) chili, people’s choice, and most tasted. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

18. Playful Los Angeles lifestyle brand ban.do will host a huge warehouse sale on Saturday and Sunday with up to 70% off accessories, shoes, stationery, jewelry, clothing and tons more. Expect over 12K items on sale over the weekend. Their sale also takes place online.

19. One special Saturday every month the Griffith Observatory hosts a free public star party to highlight interest in observing the cosmos. The event is a great chance to try out a variety of telescopes, check out visible objects of our solar system and exchange ideas and knowledge with amateur astronomers. FREE

20. My Valley Pass and The Valley Relics Museum presents the San Fernando Valley Film Tour. Explore the Valley in a comfortable limo bus and check out some of the most iconic filming locations like Marty McFly’s house in Back To The Future to the guitar shop in Wayne’s World.

21. de Plume Gallery presents SHADE, new works by New York Surrealist ClockWork Cros. Over 400 portraits of famous faces wearing sunglasses made of clocks will line the floor to ceiling of the gallery.

22. Second Class Citizens is a new monthly political comedy show featuring underrepresented but hilarious voices happening at the Nerdist School in Los Angeles.

23. NO TASTE FOR BAD TASTE comes to the A+D Architecture and Design Museum in DTLA featuring forty cult objects in lifestyle design selected by forty international figures from the world of arts. These 21st century pieces were designed by or for figures such as Ligne Roset, Fermob, Philippe Starck, Hermés and more.

24. There’s a sample sale hosted by Charlotte Stone at their Platform Pop-Up space this Saturday and Sunday featuring additional brands like VereVerto, loup, Seek Collective, BackBeatRags and Graf + Lantz.

25. The 7th Annual Whittier Area Classic Car Show will feature live music, vendors, food trucks, games, dragsters and some of the coolest cars you’ll see in SoCal. FREE

26. The 27th Annual Alhambra Lunar New Year Celebration takes place this Saturday with a dragon/lion dance, magic show, petting zoo, food booths, a grand drum roll and much more. FREE

Sunday February 25th, 2018

27. KPCC in Person Presents Airtalk’s FilmWeek: 2018 Oscar Preview at the Ace Hotel. Larry Mantle and the film critics of KPCC’s AirTalk will convene on the stage to discuss and debate this year’s Oscar nominees for a special taping in front of a live audience.

28. Learn the Olympic sport of curling during this Sunday at the Ice Station in Valencia. DISCOUNTED

29. Dine Out Long Beach Restaurant Week 2.0 will host specially priced prix fixe lunches and dinners at some of the city’s best restaurants. From February 25 through March 3. To launch this seven-day culinary event, there will be a free Chef’s Cooking and Tasting Kick-Off on February 24 from noon to 4 p.m. at Friedmans Home Experience. Stella Artois will be hand to offer complimentary beer samples, while Blue Marble Cocktails will offer some pours of their own.

30. FLAX Project presents “The Dialectic of the Stars,” a free art festival taking place at five iconic venues in Los Angeles in the month of February. The festival will feature stimulating arts events incorporating cinema, music, mobile artworks, a concert of motorcycles, dance and more. This Sunday the event concludes at Zebulon with a screening of Animal Glisse and multiple performances. FREE

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

32. There’s a Ferrari Cruise-In happening at the Petersen Automotive Museum this Sunday to celebrate Enzo Ferrari’s birthday. The cruise-in will take place on the 3rd floor of the museum’s parking structure and all cars, trucks, and motorcycles are welcome. Coffee and snacks will be free to all attendees.

33. Friendship Buddies is a weekly stand-up comedy show at the Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park. Come hangout in the back patio, enjoy a cocktail, and LOL to outstanding stand-up comedians in Los Angeles. FREE

34. Free admission at: Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can) and Museum of Latin American Art

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

February 21, 2018

Cherry Blossom Festivals Return In March

Spring is on our doorstep, and the corresponding flower blooms in Los Angeles County (such as they are) are right around the corner. While places like the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve are likely to have a down year due to lack of winter rains, there are still spots in the greater L.A.-area where you can enjoy a bit of colorful and fragrant fun. Case in point: Cherry blossom festivals.

To that end, if you’d like to check out some of the cherry blossom related events/festivals/walks available in and around our city, ‘We Like LA’ has compiled a handy list of locations, dates, times, and costs for you to peruse below. These include the South Coast Botanic Cherry Blossom Festival, The West Covina Cherry Blossom Festival, the Torrance Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival, and Cherry Blossom Festival in Monterey Park.

And of course if you need a little inspiration to plan a date, you can check out the video below showing off the cherry blossom bloom from last year (2017) at Descanso Gardens.

One quick note on Descanso for 2018: Instead of back-to-back weekends of cherry blossom festival events, this year they’re spreading out their talks/workshops/performances on various dates throughout March, while also offering ‘spring bloom walks’ every weekend in March and April.

Just something to bear in mind as you scan the list. In any case, enjoy!

2018 Cherry Blossom Festivals and Events in L.A.

South Coast Botanic Cherry Blossom Festival
Saturday, March 3, 2018, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
26300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
General Admission is $9, seniors and students are $6, and children are $4

2018 Cherry Blossom Festival in West Covina
Saturday, March 17, 2018, noon to 6 p.m.
112 Plaza Dr, West Covina, CA 91790
FREE

2018 Cherry Blossom Festival in Huntington Beach
Sunday, March 18, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
711 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA
FREE

Torrance Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival
Sunday, March 25, 2018, 11 am.m. to 4 p.m.
Columbia Park, 4045 190th St, Torrance
FREE

2018 Cherry Blossom Festival in Monterey Park
Saturday, April 21, 2018, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 22, 2018, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park, CA
FREE

Spring bloom walks and cherry blossom-related events
various dates throughout March and April 2018
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
General $9. Seniors 65 and over/Students $6. Children (5 to 12 years) $4.
Keep in mind some special talks and workshops include additional costs.

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

February 21, 2018

Uber Launches 'Express Pool' In Los Angeles

A new Uber service is launching in Los Angeles today. It’s called Uber Express Pool, and it works by asking pool riders to walk to and from nearby pick-up and drop-off locations.

The POOL option already offers lower prices to riders who are willing to share their ride with other passengers. This typically takes a bit longer, as drivers take brief detours to pick up and drop off other riders along the way.

Express Pool seeks to streamline that process. Here’s how it works:

In the Uber app, Express POOL will appear as an option on the slider next to POOL. Choose Express Pool, then call for a ride. Within a few minutes, the app will assign you a driver and that driver’s ETA, just like with a standard uberX ride. However, the app will also provide you with walking directions to a nearby location where you will meet your driver. When your driver arrives, you’ll get in a car that may or may not contain other Express Pool passengers. When you get close to your destination you’ll be assigned a drop-off point and provided with walking directions from that spot to your final destination.

Uber Express Pool Photo: Uber

Ideally, this ride will be faster than your typical POOL ride because the driver is picking up and dropping off passengers stationed along the route. Uber also estimates that an Express Pool rides is 50 percent cheaper, on average, than POOL and as much as 75 percent cheaper than uberX.

This is potentially an ideal situation for commuters who regularly rely on ride sharing services to get to and from work, or for people going for a night out who don’t mind a brief walk.

It could also potentially alleviate some of POOL’s problems, such as an anecdote published in Motherboard in which a POOL passenger and their driver spent 40 minutes looking for another passenger who was seemingly lost “somewhere between a road closure and his hotel.” The author finally snapped, using the driver’s speakerphone to ask the passenger why he couldn’t just walk to a nearby gas station.

Uber first launched this service in San Francisco and Boston in late 2017. The service launches in San Diego, Denver, and L.A. today, while Miami, Philly, and D.C. will get it tomorrow.

Of course, there’s another service that already functions very much like Uber Express Pool: the Metro system, where standard fare is always $1.75, with free transfers within two hours. It may not always be as reliable as calling a car, but it’s pretty cheap!

Article courtesy of We Like LA.

February 20, 2018

Video: LAX's Automated People Mover

LAX’s Automated People Mover (APM) is part of the Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP), which is a multi-step plan to make it easier for us to get around the busy airport without relying solely on cars or buses.

According to Los Angeles World Airports, the APM is an electric train system that runs 2.25 miles on an elevated guideway. There are three stations inside the terminal loop, and three outside. There will be nine trains total, each with four cars, capable of carrying 200 passengers and their belongings at a time. They’ll show up every two minutes, shuttling passengers between terminals, to car rental agencies, or to Metro. The entire journey will take each train about 10 minutes.

Construction on this project will begin in 2018, with a projected completion date in 2023. Under that timeline the People Mover will be functioning long before the 2028 Summer Olympics, which is visually referenced in the video.

Story courtesy of We Like LA.

February 17, 2018

Economic update for the week ending February 17, 2018

Key index shows inflation picking up – The Labor Department reported on Wednesday that the Consumer Price Index rose 0.5% last month. Economists had expected a 0.3% jump. Core CPI, which strips out food and energy as they tend to be more volatile, rose 0.3% in January. Although that was the largest month-over-month increase since last January, the year-over-year increase was just 1.8%. After 10 years of inflation below the target level, this report shows that fears of inflation normalizing may be sound. Low inflation has kept interest rates at historically low levels for a decade. Higher inflation would cause higher interest rates. Bonds and mortgage securities reacted negatively to the report and interest rates rose sharply after the release. The CPI has been so stable for so long, at such low inflation levels, that it’s something we have not been talking about. As inflationary pressure picks up, it is an index we will be paying a lot of attention to.

Stock markets rebound this week – Stocks rebounded from two weeks of steep declines to close the week making up about half of the losses seen in the previous two weeks. Investors, while still fearful of how higher interest rates and labor costs will effect profits, embraced that these factors are a symptom of a more robust economy. They felt that while interest fears are rational, the market oversold and over corrected. Stocks gained about 4.3% for the week, and all major indexes are higher than they were at the start of 2018. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 25,219.38, up from last week’s close of 24,190.90. It is up 2% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,732.22, up from 2,619.55 last week. It’s up 2.2% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed at 7,239.47, up from 6,874.49 last week. It is up 4.9% year-to-date.

Treasury Bond Yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.86%, up from 2.83% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.13%, unchanged from 3.14% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates.Mortgage continues to rise – The February 15, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.38%, up from last week’s 4.33%. The 15-year fixed was 3.84%, up from 3.77% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.63%, up from 3.57% last week.

Retail sales weak in January – The Commerce Department reported that retail sales unexpectedly decreased 0.3% in January. Economists had expected a 0.2% increase. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, was reported to have increased at a 3.8 percent annualized rate in the fourth quarter. The economy grew at a 2.6 percent pace in the final three months of 2017, and holiday spending in 2017 was 4.9% higher than 2016. After a strong holiday season, the largest decline in retail sales in 11 months took experts by surprise.

California home affordability slightly higher in fourth quarter over third quarter of 2017 – The California Association of Realtors released their housing affordability survey for the fourth quarter of 2017. According to the report, 29% of California homeowners could afford to purchase a $550,990 median priced detached home in the fourth quarter of 2017. That was up from 28% in 3rd quarter, but down from 31% in the fourth quarter of 2016. The minimum income required to qualify for a median priced home was $111,260. The payment was $2,780 a month with a 4.17% mortgage. 37% of California households could afford to purchase a condo, or townhouse. It took a minimum income of $90,810 to qualify for a median price of $449,720, with a mortgage payment of $2,270. The Los Angeles region had a higher affordability rate than the state as a whole. 31% of Los Angeles households could afford to purchase a median priced detached home compared to 29% statewide. Interest rates are higher in the first quarter of 2018, so I’d expect affordability to be even lower now.

Home sales down in numbers, but prices higher in January – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing home sales in California totaled 388,800 in January on a seasonally adjusted basis. This represented a drop of 7.6% from December’s pace, and a drop of 2.9% from last January. We watch year-over-year because January closings are often much lower than December. The statewide median price paid for a home in California was $527,800, up 7.3% from January 2017. The unsold inventory index rose to a 3.6-month supply from just a 2.5-month supply of activity listings in December. It was 3.7 months in January 2017.

Have a great weekend!

Syd

February 16, 2018

Rodeo Realty's Studio City Agent Todd Jones Talks About LA Luxury Market With Forbes

An article published this week by Forbes takes a look at several markets around the country where “the luxury segment is currently showing some weakness signaling buying opportunities.”

According to Forbes, there are currently several luxury markets to consider if you are shopping for your dream home.

“…if you are in the market for a luxury home, now may be the time to make an offer,” said Forbes.

One of the luxury markets compared and talked about in the article is Los Angeles. Forbes interviewed Todd Jones of Rodeo Realty Studio City to get a better idea on the luxury market in the area.

“For the higher end, I look at Days on Market (DOM),” said Todd to Forbes contributor, Ellen Paris. “When I last checked there were 406 active listings with an average of 208 DOM in that luxury category. That would tell you it’s a buyer’s market in that $5 million and up price range.”

The article also looks into the luxury market in Chicago, Atlanta and Boston.

To read the entire Forbes article, click HERE.

February 15, 2018

Weekend Events: February 16 – 18

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome.

Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend in L.A. (February 16-18) includes the Chocolate & Art Show, NBA All-Star events, the Golden Dragon Parade, a Boozy Bake Off, and MUCH more.

Enjoy!

Friday February 16th, 2018

1. Palm Springs Modernism Week returns February 15-25 to celebrate all things midcentury modern including architecture, art, interior landscape design and vintage culture.

2. The Chocolate & Art Show Los Angeles returns to The Vortex in DTLA on February 16-17, with chocolate fondue, the work of up-and-coming artists & more.

3. The NBA All-star extravaganza is back for another year of fan celebrations, celebrity games and all things basketball. Beginning on February 16, then continuing till February 18, Los Angeles venues including Staples Center and Verizon Up Arena at Los Angeles Convention Center will host a variety of All-Star events, including showcases, games and trainings.

4. Jack Daniel’s has been selling its whiskey since 1866 and this weekend they will bring a pop-up shop to Los Angeles for just three days. From February 16-18, the Jack Daniel’s Lynchburg General Store will offer Angelenos a unique assortment of goods, services and events featuring live music and Southern food from Miss Mary Bobo’s, a Lynchburg institution for over a century.

5. See percussionist Antonio Sanchez performs his critically acclaimed score for Birdman at Royce Hallwhile the movie is projected behind him. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

6. Celebrate the Year of The Dog during a Lunar New Year Celebration at Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights. The temple will host Chinese traditional cultural performances and the grounds will be decorated with dog decorations. Happening all weekend.

7. Bootie LA presents a 90’s vs 80’s mashup night at the Echoplex this Friday.

8. The Groundlings Theatre presents their latest main stage show, Sweet Valley Groundlingsperforming this Friday. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

9. The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) continues through February 8-19. Now in its 26th year, the 12-day festival will showcase over 100 new films and the talented artists who created them.

10. Free admission at: Long Beach Museum of Art

Saturday February 17th, 2018

11. Celebrate the Year of the Dog during Lunar New Year at Santa Monica Place. Enjoy Asian-themed stilt walkers, traditional Korean fan dancers, Chinese music, The Voice’s Katherine Ho as emcee and more.

12. The 119th Golden Dragon Parade and Chinese New Year Festival returns to Los Angeles’ Chinatown with floats, marching bands, entertainers, a culinary stage, artisans & much more. FREE

13. Long Beach Comic Expo, a celebration of comic books and pop culture, returns to Long Beach Convention Center on February 17-18. Check for discount tickets for making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

14. Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXV returns February 17-18 to celebrate 25 years of the annual event with an array of authentic Scottish activities, athletics, dancing, entertainment, drinks and cuisine. Check for discount tickets for making your purchase. DISCOUNTED(via Goldstar)

15. The 40z & Waffles Brunch Series is back for NBA All-Star Weekend. Not your ordinary Sunday Funday, attendees will enjoy brunch, cocktails, a surprise live performance and more at Viva Hollywood. Early-bird tickets are currently $40.

16. The American Youth Symphony celebrates Bernstein’s centennial with a free concert at Royce Hall this Saturday. FREE

17. The J. Paul Getty Museum will host a handful of free events to celebrate the Getty Center’s 20th anniversary, this Saturday and Sunday will host Afro-Cuban percussionist Francisco Aguabella (1925-2010) with two performances featuring Latin jazz standards and Aguabella’s original compositions. The series will run through May 20. FREE

18. The St. Valentine’s Day Speakeasy Party & Pie Fight hosted by Roaring 20’s Street Jams is a throw back extravaganza with music, dance, cocktails, a staged reenactment of the historic St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and one epic pie fight to close out the night. Check for discount tickets for making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

19. Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles will host an opening reception for Geta Brătescu. The Leaps of Aesop, the first Los Angeles solo show focusing on the work of the 92-year-old pioneer of Romanian Conceptualism. FREE

20. There’s a midnight showing of indie flick Once Upon A Superhero at the Hollywood Playhouse theatre. The screening will also have various live entertainment, music, comedy, a 420 market and food vendors.

21. Comedy show that’s BYOB and dog friendley? Yup On Deck Comedy is just that and they’ll be performing at the Nerdist Showroom this Saturday.

22. Long Beach Mardi Gras takes over Shoreline Village with a full day of music, dance, parades, and more. The party is free to attend and guests are encouraged to dress up. FREE

23. See My Neighbor Totoro in 35mm at the Aero Theatre this Saturday.

Sunday February 18th, 2018

24. The Great Boozy Bake Off will take place at Angel City Brewery in DTLA this Sunday. The bake off will feature bakers testing their skill at incorporating booze into cupcakes, candies, breads and more. A $2o ticket gets you a sampling of all the contestants creations and all proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There will also be games, a cookie-decorating station and more to be announced. Beer is not included in the ticket price.

25. FLAX Project presents “The Dialectic of the Stars,” a free art festival taking place at five iconic venues in Los Angeles in the month of February. The festival will feature stimulating arts events incorporating cinema, music, mobile artworks, a concert of motorcycles, dance and more. This Friday the event continues at Ford Theatres with installations and performance throughout venue. FREE

26. The New Bad Boys of Magic have got some dirty tricks up their sleeves at Hollywood’s Three Clubs Cocktail Lounge this Sunday. These boys are fresh off of their sold-out run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival so expect some magic you’ve never seen before.

27. The Minor Threat art exhibit pays homage to the 80’s straight edge band of the same name with more than a dozen artists and vendors showcasing mixed media work, plus live music. Taking place this Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. at 5 Star Bar in Downtown. Tickets are $20 at the door. You can read more background here via LA Taco.

28. L.A. Stories combines writers and musicians to create a story inspired by living in Los Angeles. This music and storytelling show will have performances about the L.A. droughts, celebrities, dating in L.A. moving to L.A. and more.

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

February 14, 2018

The Best Restaurants in Santa Monica

Santa Monica used to be the redheaded stepchild of the Los Angeles culinary scene — sure, there were some good eats in the neighborhood, but restaurateurs focused their efforts on Downtown, Hollywood, and elsewhere, probably figuring our proximity to the beach was a decent enough deal. But no longer! Now we get fancy tasting menus, imported Bolognese pastas, and a sweet ocean breeze: these 30 restaurants — some old, some brand-new, all very delicious — are proof that Santa Monica has something for everyone.

Belcampo Meat Co.

Organic, grass-fed meats for the conscious carnivore
West Hollywood has Animal, but the Westside has Belcampo, where you go to binge on meat-centric dishes like grilled beef heart, goat tartare, and tallow chips. It’s an ethical carnivore’s dream, too, since Belcampo prides itself on humane practices and high-quality, 100% organic cuts.

Estate Restaurant + Bar

Craft cocktails and farm-to-table food in an elegant setting
Estate’s good-looking downstairs bar and lounge has SaMo’s best non-basic happy hour, which takes place seven days a week from 5-7pm. While other places are content to ply us with greasy sliders, fried mozzarella sticks, and spinach artichoke dips, Estate supplies an eclectic selection of crisp, panko-breaded shrimp, filet mignon skewers, and grilled salmon salad. And then there are the well-priced (and stiff) drinks — like $5 draft beer, $7 glasses of wine, and $8 mixologist-approved cocktails.

Bay Cities

Gourmet Italian deli beloved for its substantial sandwiches
It’s easy to forget that this OG Italian deli makes over 20 different kinds of sandwiches, because most people only talk about its famed Godmother — and we can’t blame ‘em. That salty, satisfying stack of Genoa salami, mortadella, capicola, ham, and prosciutto tucked into a chewy Italian sub is hard to beat, and well worth the trek west.

Mélisse

Michelin-starred restaurant serving fancy French food
This contemporary French spot does things the old-school way; after all, it boasts two Michelin stars, 10-course tasting menus, and the kind of service that includes folding your napkin every time you leave the table. Bring mom and dad here for the egg caviar and foie gras.

Swingers

Late-night diner with a ‘60s vibe and massive menu
Many an inebriated Westsider has stumbled through the doors of Swingers, which stays open until 3am Thursday through Saturday. This ‘60s-style diner serves alcohol, too, but it’s better-known for classic late-night fare to help sop up all those tequila shots.

Milo & Olive

Warm, welcoming pizzeria/bakery with wood-burning ovens
Milo & Olive serves as the bread-making epicenter for Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan’s Rustic Canyon group of standout SM restaurants — which include Rustic Canyon, Huckleberry Cafe, Cassia, Esters, and more. The bread baked in its wood-burning ovens may sneak onto other menus, but the crust is the focal point here at this perpetually busy pizzeria. And if you judge your pizza by its crust (who doesn’t?), you’ll appreciate M&O’s crisp, thin-crust artisanal pies made from Nathan’s 48-hour, whole-wheat dough and topped with seasonal Californian ingredients.

Tacos Por Favor

Tasty, quick, street-style tacos for cheap
If you’re looking for an authentic taqueria on the Westside, this cheap, no-frills joint is it. Go for the street-style tacos — made with corn tortillas, fresh toppings, and salsa that’s legitimately spicy — and massive burritos.

Herringbone

Seafood-focused menu in a stunning atmosphere
To be fair, there aren’t enough oyster happy hours anywhere (a discussion for another day) — but Herringbone’s, which runs daily from 4-7pm, is still exceptional. For just a buck each, load up on as many juicy, fresh-shucked West Coast oysters as you can handle, in addition to $6 wines, $5 beers, and more substantial fare like shrimp louie toast and three-cheese arancini balls.

Pono Burger

Charming Hawaiian-inspired burger joint with craft beers and wines
Pono has perfected the art of the creative burger. After locking down the base — patties made from organic, grass-fed, locally sourced beef and cooked over an oak-fire grill — chef Makani focused on dressing each one up with Hawaiian-fusion-inspired extras. The popular Kuawa Crunch oozes spicy guava rum sauce, the Paniolo (which is also stacked with onion rings and smoked cheddar) is decked out with Kona coffee bourbon BBQ sauce, and the Sassy Wahine includes wasabi mayo and sesame ponzu dressing.

Cassia

Reservations-needed Asian fusion spot with al fresco seating
This Southeast Asian fusion spot — which has been lauded a dozen times over by critics from all over the country — has much more to offer than seafood, but Angelenos know that Cassia boasts the city’s most stunning seafood tower. The other chilled seafood options are equally delectable, like Vietnamese prawns, raw scallops in chili oil, and snow crab claws accompanied by grilled country bread. As for the mains, you can’t go wrong with either a delicate black cod bathed in clear, light broth or the perfectly seasoned whole grilled sea bass. Pro tip: If the weather’s nice, dine alfresco; with exposed lights strung up overhead and plenty of heat lamps, the patio’s a looker.

The OP Café

Family-owned restaurant with consistently good eats
From its owner (a third-generation SM resident) to the surf-inspired décor and hearty breakfast dishes featuring fresh farmers market ingredients, this Ocean Park café is a neighborhood institution. Even better, the prices are budget-friendly with all entrees under $15.

Inotheke

Contemporary Greek eatery for modern palates
The name’s a mouthful, which is fitting since the modern Hellenic food here is meant to be ordered en masse. There’s no Greek mother to ensure you leave with a full stomach, but between the scallops saganaki, moussaka, and spanakopita, you’ll do a fine job by yourself.

Air Food

Experimental, beautifully plated French-inspired fare
This four-month-old gem is the brainchild of two Parisians with a love of good food and sweet sneakers. The latter might seem irrelevant, but this duo’s passion for design is all over the food, from edible egg-white filigrees decorating your mashed potatoes to artfully arranged rows of pickled veggies. There’s an unmistakable French stamp on everything, but the menu culls influences from Japan (tempura escargot), the US (fatty foie gras-topped burger), and other countries. Every ingredient — even dressings and mayo — are made in-house, but the 55 various still and sparkling waters are imported from all over the world. And while the fancy H2O offerings are actually shockingly good, we’re guessing this spot will get more popular when its liquor license is approved.

Tar & Roses

Perpetually buzzy, New American date night favorite
When Tar & Roses took an extended hiatus in 2015 due to a kitchen fire, the neighborhood was — quite literally — starved for its phenomenal food (which, because of its kinda-New American, sorta-Asian-slash-Mediterranean-leaning feel, is sometimes hard to categorize). Luckily, the restaurant made a wildly successful comeback last year and returned to becoming a date night favorite thanks to shareable small plates (including bacon-and-brown-sugar popped corn, melt-in-your-mouth oxtail dumplings, and Sriracha-and-honey-glazed pig tails) and close-quarters candlelit dining. If you want something heavier, the star entree — a crunchy whole snapper fried to a delicate, golden crisp — serves two… and then some.

Ingo’s Tasty Diner

Elevated diner food with an emphasis on local produce
Ingo’s does food that others have done before, but with more farm-to-table finesse (a lot of its produce is sourced from the Santa Monica Farmers Market). Brussels sprouts get an upgrade with tangy goat cheese sauce; juicy Jidori chicken is marinated in lemon, herbs, and roasted garlic; and the prime rib French dip boasts fatty, marbled beef just begging for a dunk in the flavorful au jus. Plus, there’s always a platter of complimentary French sea salt chocolate chip cookies by the door. And if you’re a fan of Misfit, you’ll love the similar vibe and solid eats at Ingo’s — which is owned by the same people but doesn’t quite attract the same decibel level.

HiHo Cheeseburger

Ojai transplant specializing in quality wagyu burgers
High-quality, 100% grass-fed wagyu beef makes all the difference at HiHo, a burger joint that uprooted its Ojai operation and relocated to Santa Monica earlier this year. The lean menu has only three burger options, but take our word for it and order the HiHo — two tender, beefy patties nestled inside a squishy bun with sweet onion jam and melty cheese. It’s an uncomplicated but irresistibly tasty combination that goes well with crispy, hand-cut, perfectly salted fries and, if you still have room, a slice of made-from-scratch banana cream pie.

Sweetfin Poke

Build-your-own poke bowls with inventive toppings and fresh fish
Dozens of poke places have sprung up around the Westside to service our seemingly never-ending obsession with raw, cubed fish over rice. But, if you judge your bowls by the freshness of its seafood, no one does it better than Sweetfin. This California chain also one-ups the rest by offering unique toppings, such as wasabi-toasted coconut flakes and blistered shishito peppers, and quality sauces like citrusy yuzu kosho, or a Sriracha ponzu that packs some heat.

1 Pico

Upscale hotel restaurant with seafood-heavy menu and ocean views
Shutters on the Beach — a hotel with a West Coast-meets-Nantucket vibe — is a Santa Monica institution. Out-of-towners book rooms for its proximity to the water, and even locals come here for staycations, or to dine at 1 Pico, a restaurant that’s pretty much right on the beach and offers window tables with million-dollar sunset and ocean views. Naturally, the dinner menu’s heavy on seafood — fresh-tasting kumamoto oysters, delicate fluke crudo dressed in olive oil and lime, beautifully seared scallops, and the like — but there are a few pastas and decent steaks, too. On weekends, there’s also a lobster brunch: a $60-per-person affair that lets you OD on lobster-enhanced Benedicts, bucatinis, or BLTs.

Esters Wine Shop & Bar

Art deco-inspired spot offering tasty small plates and over 200 wines
Esters started off as a great wine bar that offered a few bites like gourmet nuts and charcuterie, but over time, its menu expanded to include killer “real” food. Weekend brunch means cornmeal waffles topped with Bavarian cream, or heirloom tomatoes and burrata, while lunch brings a selection of grab-and-go sandwiches made with fresh bread from Milo & Olive (both belong to the Rustic Canyon restaurant group). Dinner offers heftier fare, like crispy chicken confit or sausage served with truffle aioli and pepper relish: the kind of stick-to-your-bones food that pairs well with a robust red or artisanal beer. On select Tuesdays through January, inventive burgers created by guest chefs (like Felix’s Evan Funke or Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe’s Erin Eastland) are also on the menu.

Dialogue

Intimate tasting menu restaurant in an unexpected location
Helmed by a James Beard Award-winning chef, Dialogue is housed in a former food court on Third Street Promenade — a curious location for an 18-seat fine dining experience in LA. But foodies near and far will brave the tourist hordes for Dave Beran’s 18-to-22-course tasting menu, which changes seasonally and features farmers market produce, petals, leaves, and other natural elements, all arranged in an exquisite feast for the eyes. Dishes even come with names and stories, like “Springtime for Sean” (a composite of caviar, white peanut butter, and charred scallions designed to look like a tree) or a made-ya-look-twice mash-up of pork belly, strawberry sambal, and trout roe.

Flower Child

Fast-casual salads, grain bowls, and kombucha on tap
You can’t walk a few blocks on the Westside without stumbling on a make-your-own-salad bar, but bright, zippy Flower Child is a cut above the rest. It’s a full-service restaurant masquerading as a fast-casual joint, where soups are made in-house and avocado toast, grain bowls, and yes, plenty of wholesome salads, are all on the menu. But hearty portions and the use of interesting spices and sauces, like garam masala or red pepper miso vinaigrette, keep you surprisingly satisfied — not starving — hours later.

Meat On Ocean

Spacious, stylish steakhouse for both locals and tourists
Unless your visitors are vegetarians, this sleek, massive chophouse on Ocean Avenue will properly impress. It’s got ocean views (a prerequisite for tourists), the shiny patina of a still-newish restaurant, striking red leather booths and warm wood decor, and lots and lots of quality meat to live up to its name. The best is an order from the on-site aging room, where steaks are aged for at least 30 days, but sugar-cured pork ribs, racks of lamb, house-made terrines, a smattering of seafood, and typical steakhouse sides round out the rest of the vast menu.

Uovo

Traditional, popular pasta bar perfect for a quick bite
Before Uovo came along, there was nothing quite like it in the area: a decently good, fast-casual pasta bar where you could enjoy a plate of traditional tonnarelli all’Arrabiata by yourself in under 30 minutes. Uovo rightly prides itself on its pasta, which gets made in Bologna using special eggs that aren’t available stateside and shipped overnight to be prepped in Uovo’s kitchen. If you’re dining alone and want something a little fancier (and more Italian) than Chipotle or Lemonade, this easy-in, easy-out spot is your best bet.

Wexler’s Deli

Classic Jewish deli eats including house-smoked fish and bagels
Since opening its beach-adjacent location last year, this Jewish deli quickly became a neighborhood favorite, so co-owners Chef Micah Wexler and Mike Kassar launched an expanded, exclusive-to-SM menu over the summer. In addition to being the only Wexler’s that serves matzo ball soup, this outpost now slings brunch-centric dishes, including kippered salmon on toast, an ultra-rich gooey French toast made with chocolate babka, and Cheddar-cheesy scrambled eggs.

FIG Restaurant

Sophisticated neighborhood favorite with Mediterranean flavors
Santa Monica’s got its fair share of fancy-pants hotels, but classy FIG — tucked inside The Fairmont — is a consistent favorite even among locals. Bungalow-bound day drinkers get solid brunch food, like lemon ricotta pancakes and corned beef hash, while the upbeat lunchtime crowd enjoys elevated burgers, salads, and pizzas. Dinner is a slightly more sophisticated affair, with the kitchen turning out seasonal, Mediterranean-slanting items like harissa-spiced fries, grilled halloumi, a puffed-up bread balloon, and a slow-cooked lamb pasta flavored with fennel, mint, and black garlic yogurt.

Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar

Lively Italian spot known for its cheese wheel pastas
This always-bustling eatery is famous for serving pastas tossed in giant cheese wheels, like butternut squash risotto in grana padano or a perfectly peppery cacio e pepe in pecorino romano. But you’d be remiss not to explore the rest of the menu from chef Piero Topputo, who grew up in a small town in Puglia and now whips up fried artichokes, branzino, and panzerotto Pugliese — a mozzarella-stuffed fried pastry that’s a specialty from his region — for the Montana Avenue crowd.

Michael’s

Santa Monica classic with an updated creative menu
Michael’s has been a Santa Monica pillar for over 30 years, but last year’s brilliant hire of chef Miles Thompson (who’s worked in the kitchens of Animal and Son of a Gun) has reinvigorated the place. While the sunken, leafy outdoor patio is still there, Thompson’s seasonally changing menu features interesting ingredients and inventive flavor combinations, like potatoes dusted with bonito flakes and furikake aioli, or hamachi collar accompanied by baba ganoush. Plus, it helps that even though Michael’s is situated on the Promenade, it’s a ways away from the tourist scene — which, over the course of the restaurant’s decades-long lifespan has grown more scene-y than ever. Look out for a new lounge menu, featuring bar snacks and wine specials, coming later this year.

STRFSH

Customizable fish sandwiches for the hungry lunch crowd
If you live or work in Santa Monica, this build-your-own-fish-sandwich spot — a recent addition to Third Street Promenade’s The Gallery food hall — is a compelling option. The Maryland-born Voltaggio brothers know a little something about well-made fish sammies — a staple on the East Coast — so they’ve produced a tightly edited menu with room for personalization: Choose between freshly grilled swordfish or salmon, a few house-made seasonings and tasty smears (including yuzu kosho mayo and jerk rub), and a toasted potato roll or tostada.

Terrazza

Italian-leaning restaurant with 180-degree Pacific Ocean views
Santa Monica has tourist traps, venues vying to appear trendy, and divey joints, but there aren’t many places here as quiet, elegant, and refined as Casa del Mar — which, like the aforementioned Shutters, is super nice and super close to the ocean. The hotel’s best-kept secret has to be its European-inspired lounge Terrazza, where there are floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the Pacific and SM Pier, scheduled live entertainment or cool electro beats on weekends, an ocean breeze, and a menu that includes barrel-aged cocktails and tons of sashimi and shareable plates (the Dungeness crab crostini on country bread and deep-fried artichokes are standouts).

Cava

Build-it-yourself Mediterranean menu with hearty portions
Cava is yet another build-it-yourself concept in SM — but it’s very well-executed… and may very well be one of the first of its kind to offer customized Mediterranean eats. Choose between bowls or pita sandwiches, spicy lamb meatballs or falafel, handcrafted dips and spreads like harissa or roasted red pepper hummus, saffron rice or black lentils… and the list goes on.

Story courtesy of Thrillist.

February 13, 2018

L.A. County Set To Build First New Freeway Since 1993

California’s Department of Transportation plans to purchase land for the development of a six-to-eight lane, 63-mile freeway in the Inland Empire, according to an in-depth report by the Los Angeles Times.

The freeway is part of an $8 billion High Desert Corridor project that would also involve rail and bike paths, and would connect Palmdale and Lancaster to Victorville, Apple Valley, and Adelanto.

Ideally this new freeway would reduce congestion in the area, including on the 210, 10, and 60 freeways. According to Ryan McEachron, coordinator of the joint powers authority working with DOT, the freeway could be open sometime within the next 20 years.

Opponents of the project argue that a new freeway would cause additional air pollution and increase sprawl, turning areas of scenic desert dotted with Joshua Trees and home to wildlife into bustling off-ramps crammed with gas stations and fast food drive-throughs. Though the project’s Environmental Impact Report has already been approved, Climate Resolve, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit founded in 2010 to fight global warming, has filed a complaint with the Los Angeles Superior Court contesting it. They are currently seeking donations to help them continue to fight the High Desert Corridor.

L.A. County’s last new freeway was the 105, which was completed in 1993.

Story courtesy of We Like LA.