food:
honor bar was the first restaurant we hit when I visited LA last summer, and home of the best chicken sandwich (currently tied with another neighborhood favorite, but that's for a different day). love the ambiance, the great location, and of course the food. their french fries are amazing, and there's even a liquor store attached where you can buy a bottle of bubbly and share it at your table. I've heard great things about their sushi, but you'll have to take other people's word on that (my relationship with the whole raw fish thing is touch and go.)
urth caffé can be a total zoo (equal parts tourist trap & hip spot) but totally worth it for brunch and great people watching. inside is cutesy, but try and snag a table outside in the sun.
il tramezzino is a tiny little panini restaurant not too far from work that makes a nutella and banana croissant that will make you weep (pressed in a waffle maker to melt the nutella and bananas, crisp up the outside, and then topped with powdered sugar- holy yum.) I'm pretty partial to the chicken dijon (avocado & dijon/honey mustard is always a winning combo in my book), but the chicken special is also great (hint hint it's the basil garlic sauce that seals the deal).
sirtaj was the go to spot after a grueling day of soccer practice all season. amazing indian food, great servers (the bartender on Monday nights was the best), and mellow vibe. order the chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, and the potato croquette (but make sure it's a Monday & ask for it to be extra spicy). and if you have room (ie make sure you have room) order the chocolate samosa- so good.
mulberry street is the LA equivalent to Boston's Ernesto's (check out my north end neighborhood faves here) and THE place to go to for a slice. chicken parm is my favorite, but be sure to try the garlic knots with a side of sauce to dip.
shop:
planet beauty is california based beauty boutique that is like a baby sister to sephora. less total brands, but amazing quality. shop big names like stila (my favorite eyeliner of all time here), OPI, Essie (check out my favorite picks from either brand here), Sarah Happ (amazing lip scrub and treatment), sigma brushes (rival MAC quality brushes), or smaller like ahava (great line from Israel made from Dead Sea minerals) and nuxe paris (their dry oil is my go-to for taming my curly hair post brushing, and the shimmer version is amazing for summer goddess skin). plus they have amazing buy two get one free deals (jump on that bandwagon sephora!) that are perfect for stocking up on your favorite products or trying something new.
kyle by alene too is the boutique owned by real housewives Kyle, which would usually make me run in the other direction, but their window displays always draw me in. they carry typical LA girl wardrobe staples, but also manage to incorporate amazing pieces from Elizabeth and James, Mara Hoffman, Tolani, and Rebecca Taylor to keep it interesting. the boutique space is the former home of a bank, so the back room features a vault loaded with past season goodies that they open up for sales at different points of the year.
planet blue is great for fun bathing suits, cheeky wild fox pieces, and dainty accessories. while I'm not the biggest fan of the shopping experience there (think sales associates who are more interested in appearing cool vs. helping customers), their buyer does a great job having a good mix of trendy pieces and lust investments.
go:
SIXTY Beverly Hills (formerly known as the Thompson hotel) has my favorite rooftop for cocktails and enjoying a beautiful day. it's the go-to spot for showing out of town visitors (amazing views of the hills and all of LA), bungalows and a great pool for lounging, and mellow music & people. my go-to is the Beverly Hills lemonade, but swap out the vodka for tequila- amazing.
the Beverly Hills farmer's market is every sunday morning/early afternoon and is such a fun way to start a sunday funday. great people watching (may or may not have seen a celeb or two before), picking up fresh and organic fruits & veggies for the upcoming week, tasting some amazing food (the chilaquiles are RIDICULOUS but literally the hottest thing I've ever eaten. get their early, before the guacamole is gone, or else you'll be crying like a little baby), and jamming out to the live music on a beautiful morning.
xx,
marissa
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