Derek’s Guidebook
Food scene
Fresh and seasonal salads + sandwiches. A little pricey, but always delicious.
72 abantu bendawo batusa
Four Cafe
2122 Colorado BlvdFresh and seasonal salads + sandwiches. A little pricey, but always delicious.
Delicious Vietnamese dishes. Can't go wrong with the garlic noodles, pho, filet mignon, banh mi, and egg rolls!
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Chateau Lemongrass
1952 Colorado BlvdDelicious Vietnamese dishes. Can't go wrong with the garlic noodles, pho, filet mignon, banh mi, and egg rolls!
Amazing ambiance and delicious high-end Italian food. Very hip and pricey.
322 abantu bendawo batusa
Bestia
2121 E 7th PlAmazing ambiance and delicious high-end Italian food. Very hip and pricey.
Antigua Bread
5703 N Figueroa StLove their breakfast burritos.
Gloria's Cuisine L.A.
231 North Avenue 50Excellent Latin/American fusion breakfast and brunch.
In N Out is the best... but this is coming in close!
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Goldburger (for a limited time only)
5623 York BoulevardIn N Out is the best... but this is coming in close!
Great little breakfast/brunch spot tucked away in Highland Park.
88 abantu bendawo batusa
Amara Kitchen
519 N Avenue 64Great little breakfast/brunch spot tucked away in Highland Park.
Savory Persian/Armenian food and one of my favorite restaurants (solely based on food, not necessarily vibe).
60 abantu bendawo batusa
Raffi's Place
211 E BroadwaySavory Persian/Armenian food and one of my favorite restaurants (solely based on food, not necessarily vibe).
The best pizza I have found in LA. The love and care for every ingredient is clear, and you'll dream about the next slice.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Pizzana West Hollywood
460 N Robertson BlvdThe best pizza I have found in LA. The love and care for every ingredient is clear, and you'll dream about the next slice.
Some of the best Italian food ever. If you're going to Venice, CA and are able to get a reservation, jump on it. Pricey and worth it.
93 abantu bendawo batusa
Felix
1023 Abbot Kinney BlvdSome of the best Italian food ever. If you're going to Venice, CA and are able to get a reservation, jump on it. Pricey and worth it.
A Los Feliz brunch gem with very cool night life as well! Love the food, love the drinks.
310 abantu bendawo batusa
Alcove
1929 Hillhurst AveA Los Feliz brunch gem with very cool night life as well! Love the food, love the drinks.
Maybe the best sandwich I've had... it's definitely up there. If you're in Santa Monica, it's a great option.
141 abantu bendawo batusa
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
1517 Lincoln BlvdMaybe the best sandwich I've had... it's definitely up there. If you're in Santa Monica, it's a great option.
Olivetta
9010 Melrose AvenueFood and night life... very cool ambiance in West Hollywood.
True Food Kitchen
395 Santa Monica PlHealthy options with cool ambiance.
Shop at the Century City Westfield Mall, and then grab a drink or dine at Eataly... this is a great Sunday Funday.
64 abantu bendawo batusa
Eataly L.A.
10250 Santa Monica BlvdShop at the Century City Westfield Mall, and then grab a drink or dine at Eataly... this is a great Sunday Funday.
Get the kale salad and the chicken sandwich. One of my personal favorites spots in the city.
49 abantu bendawo batusa
Honor Bar
122 S Beverly DrGet the kale salad and the chicken sandwich. One of my personal favorites spots in the city.
Steak salad, chicken sandwich, kale salad, cocktails... everything is delicious! Ambiance is on point!
63 abantu bendawo batusa
Houston's
1550 Rosecrans AveSteak salad, chicken sandwich, kale salad, cocktails... everything is delicious! Ambiance is on point!
SunCafe Organic
10820 Ventura BlvdGreat vegan option.
Another great Sunday Funday spot for food, drinks, and occasional live entertainment.
211 abantu bendawo batusa
The Culver Hotel
9400 Culver BlvdAnother great Sunday Funday spot for food, drinks, and occasional live entertainment.
Panda Inn
3488 E Foothill BlvdThe panda beef and garlic noodles are worth the visit.
One of the best meals you can ever have. Not pretentious, just delicious with great ambiance, food, drinks, and service.
208 abantu bendawo batusa
Mastro's Steakhouse
246 N Canon DrOne of the best meals you can ever have. Not pretentious, just delicious with great ambiance, food, drinks, and service.
Food is decent... but the place is great overall due to the views and ambiance. Perfect for a date night.
281 abantu bendawo batusa
Yamashiro Gardens
1999 N Sycamore AveFood is decent... but the place is great overall due to the views and ambiance. Perfect for a date night.
Felix
1023 Abbot Kinney BlvdPossibly the best meal you'll ever have!
Food and ambiance are great! Love to come here for a Sunday Funday and have an ancient grains bowl or a pizza, a nice drink, and then walk around old town Pasadena.
True Food Kitchen
Food and ambiance are great! Love to come here for a Sunday Funday and have an ancient grains bowl or a pizza, a nice drink, and then walk around old town Pasadena.
Some argue it's the best pizza in LA... not sure I like it better than Pizzana, but at this level you can't go wrong.
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Apollonia's Pizzeria
5176 Wilshire BlvdSome argue it's the best pizza in LA... not sure I like it better than Pizzana, but at this level you can't go wrong.
Wake & Late
105 E 6th StBreakfast burritos, breakfast burritos, breakfast burritos :)
All around delicious breakfast/brunch... but the breakfast burrito is a MUST!
38 abantu bendawo batusa
Cafe Los Feliz
2118 Hillhurst AveAll around delicious breakfast/brunch... but the breakfast burrito is a MUST!
Howlin' Ray's Hot Chicken - Pasadena
Best Nashville hot chicken. Also a DTLA location.
Burgers Never Say Die
2388 Glendale BlvdGreat smash burgers!
Birria... yum!!! Coming soon to Echo Park, be on the look out!
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Teddy’s Red Tacos Venice
46 Windward AveBirria... yum!!! Coming soon to Echo Park, be on the look out!
Tacos 1986
Several locations around... great tacos!
I've tried pho all over the city... this is one of the best (along with pho 87).
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Pho So 1
6450 Sepulveda BlvdI've tried pho all over the city... this is one of the best (along with pho 87).
Modern take on delicious kabobs and wraps. On the heavier side, but worth it!
20 abantu bendawo batusa
Spitz Eagle Rock - Mediterranean Food & More - Dine-In or Outdoor Dinning
2506 Colorado BlvdModern take on delicious kabobs and wraps. On the heavier side, but worth it!
Activity
Great spot for a cool night out to have some drinks and bowl. 5 star architecture/ambiance.
253 abantu bendawo batusa
Highland Park Bowl
5621 N Figueroa StGreat spot for a cool night out to have some drinks and bowl. 5 star architecture/ambiance.
Like Chucky Cheese for adults. Full bar, virtual reality, arcades, story rooms, and also kid friendly. Good times!
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Two Bit Circus
634 Mateo StLike Chucky Cheese for adults. Full bar, virtual reality, arcades, story rooms, and also kid friendly. Good times!
Go see the space shuttle... super cool! Then over to the Natural History Museum if you have the time.
442 abantu bendawo batusa
California Science Center
700 Exposition Park DrGo see the space shuttle... super cool! Then over to the Natural History Museum if you have the time.
Definitely one of the better museums in LA.
461 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 W Exposition BlvdDefinitely one of the better museums in LA.
Great place to spend a morning/afternoon. Tons to see, and you're in Miracle Mile with lots more to do.
890 abantu bendawo batusa
La Brea Tar Pits neMuzi
5801 Wilshire BlvdGreat place to spend a morning/afternoon. Tons to see, and you're in Miracle Mile with lots more to do.
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire BlvdAwesome auto museum!
One of the oddest places around. Stumbled into here by accident. Spend an hour or two, checkout the weirdest oddities, then explore Culver City... maybe add as a small stop on a Sunday Funday.
191 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Museum yase-Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd.One of the oddest places around. Stumbled into here by accident. Spend an hour or two, checkout the weirdest oddities, then explore Culver City... maybe add as a small stop on a Sunday Funday.
Can get a little crowded, but worth it. Great day trip for the family to see the wonders of the sea.
806 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Aquarium ye-Pacific
100 Aquarium WayCan get a little crowded, but worth it. Great day trip for the family to see the wonders of the sea.
Hike Runyon to get out, get fit, checkout the views, and spot celebrities!
2445 abantu bendawo batusa
Runyon Canyon Park
2000 N Fuller AveHike Runyon to get out, get fit, checkout the views, and spot celebrities!
Interesting place for a hike and/or picnic. See the abandoned zoo with old cages intact, then hit the trails!
22 abantu bendawo batusa
Old Los Angeles Zoo
4801 Griffith Park DrInteresting place for a hike and/or picnic. See the abandoned zoo with old cages intact, then hit the trails!
Night Life
La Descarga
1159 N Western AveSpeak easy Cuban rum bar. Awesome!
Decent food, but awesome vibes. Grab some drinks, mingle, and checkout the views at Perch.
786 abantu bendawo batusa
Perch
448 S Hill StDecent food, but awesome vibes. Grab some drinks, mingle, and checkout the views at Perch.
Cool flamenco show and drinks. Dinner is an option, but I prefer eating elsewhere.
65 abantu bendawo batusa
El Cid
4212 Sunset BlvdCool flamenco show and drinks. Dinner is an option, but I prefer eating elsewhere.
The Ice House
24 N Mentor AveOldest comedy club... of all?
Great spot for food and drinks... love the old rock n roll vibe!
21 abantu bendawo batusa
SPA Sunset Marquis
1200 Alta Loma RdGreat spot for food and drinks... love the old rock n roll vibe!
If those walls could talk... they'd say come have a drink. The history here is epic.
353 abantu bendawo batusa
Chateau Marmont
8221 Sunset BlvdIf those walls could talk... they'd say come have a drink. The history here is epic.
Break Room 86
630 S Ardmore Ave80's themed karaoke speak easy anyone?
When not grab a drink in the tallest building west of the Mississippi. If you're hungry, you can grab a bite at the Intercontinental below. They have charcuterie and 18 year old Yamazaki... just saying.
45 abantu bendawo batusa
Spire 73
900 Wilshire BlvdWhen not grab a drink in the tallest building west of the Mississippi. If you're hungry, you can grab a bite at the Intercontinental below. They have charcuterie and 18 year old Yamazaki... just saying.
Catch LA
8715 Melrose AveGreat date night... dinner, drinks, and celebrities!
Legendary comedy store. I've laughed so hard here I was embarrassed... until I realized everyone else was cackling just as hard.
225 abantu bendawo batusa
The Comedy Store
8433 Sunset BlvdLegendary comedy store. I've laughed so hard here I was embarrassed... until I realized everyone else was cackling just as hard.
Hip place... quintessential who's who of young Santa Monica night owls.
525 abantu bendawo batusa
The Bungalow
101 Wilshire BlvdHip place... quintessential who's who of young Santa Monica night owls.
Neighborhoods
Echo Park
1632 Echo Park AvePaddle boats in the lake... classic.
Highland Park
Super hip with amazing food and coffee options.
Sightseeing
Amazing architecture, incredible LA views, cools exhibits, fun laser light show. Pick your days/times carefully as it can get crowded and parking can be difficult.
4367 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdAmazing architecture, incredible LA views, cools exhibits, fun laser light show. Pick your days/times carefully as it can get crowded and parking can be difficult.
Such a cool museum! Fun half day activity with family, friends, or solo (although kids may get bored if you linger too long).
89 abantu bendawo batusa
Battleship USS Iowa Museum
250 S Harbor BlvdSuch a cool museum! Fun half day activity with family, friends, or solo (although kids may get bored if you linger too long).
Depends on what's going on here. Sometimes there's cool events so be sure to check in. Or, rent a room at the Queen Mary if you're brave enough (lots of spooky ghost stories)!
624 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Queen Mary
1126 Queens HwyDepends on what's going on here. Sometimes there's cool events so be sure to check in. Or, rent a room at the Queen Mary if you're brave enough (lots of spooky ghost stories)!