Why Didn’t They Ask Me Dining Guide – Issue 1

I'm asked all the time - where do I like to go? My doctor asked me to put together some recommendations for him... This first issue is what I've compiled to date. Issues 2 and 3 feature different locations and delicacies. Stay tuned...

Downtown

Sip

-Varnish – secret door in the back of Cole’s (French Dip palace) – lovely mixology spot

-Groundwork, Handsome Coffee, Coffeebar [http://coffeebarla.com/]

- Syrup has great desserts and grilled cheese sandwiches – on Spring near 6^th Street

-Ollie’s - this former Mexican gay sports bar is a hoot… fun, diverse crowd, good music and just a happy vibe. http://www.myspace.com/bar107/photos formally called Bar 107

-The upstairs jazz bar at the Biltmore is beautiful and fun. http://www.millenniumhotels.com/millenniumlosangeles/restaurant/index.html

-The Edison is a spectacular mixology bar – with a stringent dress code – but – worth the effort! http://www.edisondowntown.com/

-Redwood – fun dive, live music http://www.theredwoodbar.com/site08/homewiframe.htm

Sup

-Bottega Louie – stunning room, good Italian fare – great marketplace $$

-Church + State – in the arts district – amazing French $$

-Chaya – amazing French/Asian – great sushi – bento is a value http://www.thechaya.com/downtownLosAngeles/index.html $$$

-Artisan House – just opened – gorgeous dining room and amazing specialty market http://artisanhouse.net/ $?$? Service was discombobulated but cordial.

-Mac and Cheeza – fun, cheap, mac and cheese – ‘nuff said. http://macandcheeza.com/ may be relocating $

Culver City

Sup

-Swell room… great food. Harrison Ford’s son -http://www.fordsfillingstation.net/xml.html $$$

-Honey Kettle Fried Chicken. http://www.honeyskettle.com/ O M G! Delicious!!! $ next to Ford’s

-My Father’s Office - http://www.fathersoffice.com/ Culver outlet for popular Santa Monica spot for burgers and beer. In the VERY FUN Helm’s Bakery revamp – H.D Buttercup – tons of home stores and such $$

-L’Epicerie - http://www.lepiceriemarket.com/ have not been yet – but looks/sounds neat

-A-Frame Uncommon. Fun. Tasty. Reasonable. http://aframela.com/new/ $

Long Beach

Sip

-Sipology – a favorite coffee in a neat little shopping pocket - may or may note be open any longer (Broadway and Temple)

-The Library is a quirky coffee spot http://www.thelibraryacoffeehouse.com/ $ Good Drinks – fun room.

-Fuego at Hotel Maya - http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/LGBMYDT-Hotel-Maya-a-DoubleTree-by-Hilton-Hotel-California/dining.do - great spot for drinks on the harbor overlooking downtown Long Beach – solid drinks, OK apps – not a great spot for dinner – just apps, drinks and a killer view $$

-Broadway is lousy with bars in Long Beach – and they’re all kinda fun – Sweetwater is a D I V E, The Brit, The Falcon, the Broadway Bar, Mineshaft – Ripples is on the beach

-Portfolio – great coffee spot - http://portfoliocoffeehouse.com/ in a neat vintage shopping district – 4^th Street

Sup

-Michael’s – posh Italian spot on charming Naples Island… http://www.michaelsonnaples.com/ great roof deck $$$

-Michael’s Pizzeria – stylish, tasty, casual sister to Michael’s http://michaelspizzeria.com/mobile/location.htm $$

-Starling Diner http://starlingdiner.com/ lovely neighborhood spot with great food! $

-Bono’s http://www.bonoslongbeach.com/ Chaz’s spot in popular, congested Belmont Shore delivers reasonable fare at a reasonable cost. Nice room. Good outdoor dining $$

Misc.

Sip

-Iota coffee in Koreatown on Western… $$ expensive – but cool room, neat pastries and open all night (pretty much) – from the folks who created LAMILL Coffee

-Paper or Plastik – cool, COOL coffee spot in an up-and-coming spot on Pico - http://paperorplastikcafe.com/ cool pastries from neat local bakers. Nice room.

-Coffee Commissary – I should reserve this for the West Hollywood issue – but I’m on a coffee roll… Great spot on Fairfax next to a great butcher shop ( beautiful natural meat butchered by two fabulous gals… ) Very SERIOUS baristas. Right near Shorty’s Barber shop – bet. Melrose and Santa Monica – also – weekdays – the delicious food truck EggSlut is there serving beautiful eggcentric breakfasts – most weekday mornings

-LAMILL COFFEE – again – should wait for Silver Lake – but we’re on a coffee jag here – so... Stunning room. Precious – but pristine food. Great coffee – the Valrhona Mocha rocks! http://lamillcoffee.com/ $$

Issue 2 – West LA and the beach cities, Hollywood, Silver Lake/Los Feliz,

Issue 3 – West Hollywood, Palm Springs and more…