On hearing that a friend of mine has been living in Los Angeles for almost 4 years and still hasn’t tried more than a handful of restaurants I devised yet another top ten list to get him out of the Valley and into the belly of Los Angeles. Or should I say get Los Angeles into his Belly. Here’s the list. My pick for top 10 restaurants in Los Angeles…. In no particular order.
1) Benitos Tacos.
The closest that you can get to Humbertos in Los Angeles, with 3 convenient locations (at least to my apartment that is) that stay open late so you can get a burrito or rolled tacos when heading home from the bars…or on those Sunday mornings when there isn’t much else open. Prices comparable to the best of the “taco shops”. This is not tex-mex but good old Southern California version of Mexican. Don’t expect margaritas or table cloths at this place. This is basically a taco truck indoors, and equally as good.
http://benitos.com/
2) Cha Cha Chicken.
Right next to the beach, this place looks, feels, sounds and will have you believing that you really are sitting right off a Caribbean beach drinking a mai tai (minus the mai tai and the incredibly blue crystal clear water!). The food is amazing, and I would recommend the Cha Cha Jerk Chicken (of course) but extra spicy is the best ! In fact you will probably want to get a container of their sauce to go, it last for about a month in the fridge and you can make your own jerk chicken. Though their dirty beans and rice are also orgasm worthy… best part of it, is the short hop to the beach making it a perfect Saturday destination. Though it’s a little pricier than what you would expect from a beach shack, its worth every little cent! http://www.chachachicken.com/ 1906 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica Ca. 90405
3) Big Mikes.
If you are looking for the best Philly Cheese Steak outside of Philly than this is the place for you. Located right off the strip in Hermosa it’s perfect to fill you up after a day of volleyball and sun. This possibly will have one of the best sandwiches that you’ve ever had in your life!!!! Big Mike’s is so down low that it doesn’t even have a website, yet the line is always around the block!
1314 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
4) Primitivo Wine Bistro
The one is the BEST place in Los Angeles. It also has the prices to back that up. Not for an everyday destination, but for special occasions it’s the perfect place to celebrate with wine and tapas. Their cheese plate is the best (it’s now only on the desert menu but you can order it as part of your meal too), the second best is their steak frites and fries (the sauce you will want to lick off the plate it’s so good), and the third is their tiramisu (though they also have this amazing rum ice cream that I’ve only tasted better actually in Jamaica with our private chef).
http://www.primitivowinebistro.com/ 1025 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
5) Brazilian Exotic Foods
This is the mom and pop shop, without the pop. It’s a pretty much female run business and will make you feel like you are sitting down to eat with your grandma cooking, this is if you grandma was a little Brazilian lady. There is no set menu, and it changes every day. Try their version of Papricosh Chicken (it will be this cream chicken thing that will look disgusting and is just a little paradise in your mouth).
http://brazilianexoticfoods.com/ 3300 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
6) Diddy Riese.
You can’t go wrong with 1.50 ice cream sandwiches. You pick your choice of fresh baked cookie and then your choice of ice cream. My personal favorite is M&M Cookie with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. This place is actually perfect on the hot Santa Anna nights when you can’t sleep and nothing you do can cool you off…
http://diddyriese.com/home.php 926 Broxton Avenue, Westwood, CA 90024
7)Paradise Cove
Definitely over priced for the food but the ambience is worth every penny, though I have to say their spicy grilled chicken sandwich (order it with avocado added onto it) and amazing curly fries make it a perfect brunch place. But really the reason you go is for your mimosas that you can drink with your feet literally in the sand (though their strawberry mojitos are also worth it!). Now this one is perfect after an early morning hike in Coral Canyon!
http://www.paradisecovemalibu.com/ 28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
8)The Counter.
Best burger in the city… though really it’s the burger bowl that I go for. This is a build your own which has high class choice of toppings. My fav is the burger bowl with feta cheese, avocado and the best honey mustard dressing. And you can’t eat a burger without their sweet potato fries!
A party in your mouth!!!!
http://www.thecounterburger.com/
9)Fords Filling Station.
Comfort food with a high class twist. Though I think any place that you can choose what kinds of meat and what kinds of cheeses you want on your platter is AOK in my book! But even better than the cheese and meat plate is the bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts. Your mouth will be watering even weeks later!
http://www.fordsfillingstation.net/ 9531 Culver Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90232
10)C&O Tratorria
Two locations right next to each other in Venice, it’s the best Italian place in town. Though what I like even better than the food, better than the wine, better than the garlic knots is the fact that they hand out lyrics so everyone can sing along on busy nights! You can’t go wrong with a good ole sing along.
http://www.cotrattoria.com/ 31 Washington Boulevard, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Now the problem with putting together the 10 best places is that you can’t narrow it down to just 10… so here are the runner ups.
Tie for Runner Up in best Mexican Category:
-Titos Tacos- You have to get the tacos here, they are simple, greasy, cheap and with tons of cheese!
http://www.titostacos.com/ 11222 Washington Place, Culver city, CA 90230
-Chipotle- build your own burrito! The only chain restaurant on the list but so worth it. Only didn’t make the top because it’s a bit pricier than the other taco stands. But that’s what you get when you are owned by the McDonald’s Corporation.
http://www.chipotle.com/#/land
Tie Runner Up for best Sandwich:
-Bay Cities Deli. What looks like the normal sandwich shop is really one of the yummiest places in the city. Tons and tons of meat, heapings of cheese, two great pieces of bread and all the condiments you want!
http://baycitiesitaliandeli.com/ 1517 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
-Portos Bakery- now most people go there for their Cuban style sandwiches. I go there for their Potato Balls. Meaty goodness mixed with velvety mashed potatoes fried up to golden perfection. Best thing in the world!!!
http://www.portosbakery.com/
Runner Up for best view:
-Moon Shadows. This place is unbelievable over priced, but the view is amazing. My favorite time is to go it later at night on really storm nights. The place is practically empty, and you look out on the ocean watching the rain and the crazy waves. Add to that a glass of wine and once again a good cheese plate (yea I know there is probably a theme to this!)
http://www.moonshadowsmalibu.com/ 20356 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, Ca 90265
Runner up for best comfort food:
-Baby Blues- Unreal Southern BBQ food with once again another sauce you would lick! This place is a little more than a counter with a few tables, which is why there is always a line and a short wait. But it’s beyond worth it.
http://www.babybluesvenice.com/#/home 444 Lincoln blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Runner up for best burger:
-Ricks on Main. Tuesday and Wednesday’s are Burger Madness. For 6 dollars you get a huge burger and huge bucket of fries (now mind you it use to be 5 dollars for burger, fries and a beer but hey we’ve all been hit by the economy.)
2907 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90405
Runner up for best date place:
-World Café. Best Hummus in the city- with a platter of veggies and bread. Also an amazing spicy chicken penne. But the reason to go is to sit outside enjoying the weather with all the twinkly Christmas lights and enjoying a nice bottle of wine.
http://worldcafela.com/ 2820 Main St , Santa Monica, CA 90405
Runner up for best desert:
-Nickel dinner- since you love bacon on everything they actually have a bacon DONUT!
http://5cdiner.com/ 524 S. Main St. , Los Angeles CA 90013
Tie for Runner up for best Brunch:
-Rose Cafe- Not only amazing amazing mimosas but you can get croissants with brie.
http://www.rosecafe.com/ 220 Rose Ave., Venice, CA
-Ponchos- Mexican brunch with bottomless free champagne and mimosas!
http://www.panchosrestaurant.com/ 3615 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach CA. 90266
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Lake Havasu Dive Bar #2- The Desert Martini
The Desert Martini2120 McCulloch Blvd N
Lake Havasu City AZ Phone
(928) 855-1818
Rating: On a scale of 1 – 4 shots
Overall- 4 Shots
Atmosphere- 4 Shots. This is a very very tiny bar. Reminds me of something you would see in an Old Western Town. It looks like everything has been up since the 80’s and will remain that way until the place closes. In fact it looks like the decade may have climber up here and died. Neon Signs hanging from the walls, a lone fish tank with the most random assortment of larger fish in it with a replica of a very large swordfish handing next to it, an old school popcorn maker... Basically any random thing you can imagine has found a home here at the Martini. Everything may be random, and yet it all fits together.
Local Crowd- 4 shots. This place had one of the younger more normal crowds I’ve seen in Havasu. Always packed, yet seems to empty out later in the night leaving the place nice and open to play the variety of games.
Potential Activities- 4 Shots. With Pool Tables, Shuffle Board, 2 dart boards and of course the requisite jukebox it has it all. And all is free, which makes it even better!
Drinks- 4 Shots. The special is the Desert Martini- A beer with an olive in it. Sounds nasty but in fact is really tasty, even for people like me that don’t like olives!
Food- 3 Shots. Although there isn’t any real food the popcorn is fresh and unbelievably tasty, salty and buttery. Just perfect to go with a cold beer.
Bartenders- 4 Shots. The owner is great and always ready to chat and make it feel like your own little cheers.
Overall this was one of my favorites in Havasu. Located in between two other bars it was always a great way to end the evenings!
Overall- 4 Shots
Atmosphere- 4 Shots. This is a very very tiny bar. Reminds me of something you would see in an Old Western Town. It looks like everything has been up since the 80’s and will remain that way until the place closes. In fact it looks like the decade may have climber up here and died. Neon Signs hanging from the walls, a lone fish tank with the most random assortment of larger fish in it with a replica of a very large swordfish handing next to it, an old school popcorn maker... Basically any random thing you can imagine has found a home here at the Martini. Everything may be random, and yet it all fits together.
Local Crowd- 4 shots. This place had one of the younger more normal crowds I’ve seen in Havasu. Always packed, yet seems to empty out later in the night leaving the place nice and open to play the variety of games.
Potential Activities- 4 Shots. With Pool Tables, Shuffle Board, 2 dart boards and of course the requisite jukebox it has it all. And all is free, which makes it even better!
Drinks- 4 Shots. The special is the Desert Martini- A beer with an olive in it. Sounds nasty but in fact is really tasty, even for people like me that don’t like olives!
Food- 3 Shots. Although there isn’t any real food the popcorn is fresh and unbelievably tasty, salty and buttery. Just perfect to go with a cold beer.
Bartenders- 4 Shots. The owner is great and always ready to chat and make it feel like your own little cheers.
Overall this was one of my favorites in Havasu. Located in between two other bars it was always a great way to end the evenings!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Havasu Happy Hour- The Office Coctail Lounge
The Office Cocktail Lounge
2180 Acoma Blvd W,
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Phone (928) 855-9583
Rating: On a scale of 1 – 4 shots
Overall- 3 Shots
Atmosphere- 3 Shots. The inside is very divey, but the outside has a great patio, with flat screen tv’s, nice misters and pool table. The Office definitely has a sports bar theme to it. All around a great place to watch the game outside while having a beer.
Local Crowd- 2 Shots. Some days are down right empty, but others are packed (especially when the Piranha Crew comes rolling by). And although the locals were a little hard at this bar, they didn’t bother the actors on the show (except for a few Step Brother Quotes).
Potential Activities- 3.5 Shots. Darts in the corner. Pool tables both inside and outside. A juke box that will actually play the music you pay for without too much wait.
Drinks- 3 Shots. I know there are other choices of drinks here but my favorite are the little mini-pitchers of Beer. GREAT prices (Only about 7 dollars for a mini-pitcher of Hef) and includes the nice little cooler sticks.
Food- 2 Shots. No real food, though they do have frozen pizzas and tons and tons of snack food.
Bartenders- 3 Shots. And yet another Havasu bar where the bartenders are pregnant. But on the plus side she was very nice about letting me leave my car in the parking lot over night. And judging by how full it still was when I went to get it at 7am I wasn’t the only one that enjoyed the Bartenders quick service!
Overall this was a great bar to hang out with, one of the first and one of my last of the dive bar events!
The Original Dive Bar Gang!
2180 Acoma Blvd W,
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Phone (928) 855-9583
Rating: On a scale of 1 – 4 shots
Overall- 3 Shots
Atmosphere- 3 Shots. The inside is very divey, but the outside has a great patio, with flat screen tv’s, nice misters and pool table. The Office definitely has a sports bar theme to it. All around a great place to watch the game outside while having a beer.
Local Crowd- 2 Shots. Some days are down right empty, but others are packed (especially when the Piranha Crew comes rolling by). And although the locals were a little hard at this bar, they didn’t bother the actors on the show (except for a few Step Brother Quotes).
Potential Activities- 3.5 Shots. Darts in the corner. Pool tables both inside and outside. A juke box that will actually play the music you pay for without too much wait.
Drinks- 3 Shots. I know there are other choices of drinks here but my favorite are the little mini-pitchers of Beer. GREAT prices (Only about 7 dollars for a mini-pitcher of Hef) and includes the nice little cooler sticks.
Food- 2 Shots. No real food, though they do have frozen pizzas and tons and tons of snack food.
Bartenders- 3 Shots. And yet another Havasu bar where the bartenders are pregnant. But on the plus side she was very nice about letting me leave my car in the parking lot over night. And judging by how full it still was when I went to get it at 7am I wasn’t the only one that enjoyed the Bartenders quick service!
Overall this was a great bar to hang out with, one of the first and one of my last of the dive bar events!
The Original Dive Bar Gang!Saturday, January 10, 2009
Hardts Bar Etiquette
A bartender: A noun. A person who mixes drinks at a bar.
A Stripper: A noun. A person who strips or performs a striptease.
A Hooker: A noun. A prostitute.
I think the time has come to point out to people that there is a difference, a very large difference between A Bartender, A Stripper, And a Hooker. Now I know that most people would be able to see a difference right away. One being that I neither show my breasts nor have sex with my customers but somehow people have gotten confused. That being said here is my list Bar Etiquette… somehow people seem to have forgotten the basics.
-Your bartender/server/host/busboy is probably making minimum wage and relies heavily on your tips. Now I know that you say you do not get tips at your job. And that’s fine, but I’m also pretty sure you get paid more than 8-10 dollars an hour, have health insurance, paid sick days, 2 weeks vacation and don’t get harassed on an hourly basis. So here’s the thing, if you do not believe in tipping- then you shouldn’t be drinking at a bar! Generally it should be a dollar a drink. Now when you buy a beer for 3.50, it is nice if you just give the 1.50 as a tip but 1 dollar would be fine, 50 cents IS NOT acceptable. Now if you are drinking multiple rounds, keep tipping! Unless you want to give 20 dollars as your first tip it is not acceptable to think after giving your measly dollar you don’t have to tip for the rest of the evening.
-Even if your drink is free- you still have to tip. Even if think the bartender is your best friend- you still have to tip. A class act is the owners of the bar I work at- when they come in and order they still tip me every time! The thing to remember is you still have to tip. So if I hand you your change and you walk away you better bet I’m putting a voodoo curse on your cheap ass.
-If you want an evening at a strip club that’s your choice. Yet when you walk into a sports bar DO NOT EVER ask the bartender or waitress to show you their breasts. That is not acceptable EVER.
-I have a name, though I understand you not knowing it. And that’s fine. If you want my attention and feel the need to scream across the bar a simple Miss will work. Bartender, Hey You, Wench (I kid you not I got that one last night), Honey, Sexy, Sugar- none of those are proper names to call someone. It is also not acceptable to whistle or snap.
-I basically get paid to be nice to you. Sure I smile and maybe even flirt a bit-though mostly I’m thinking please remember to tip me. Don’t confuse me being nice to meaning I want to take you home with me. Remember first and foremost you might be in a bar but I am at work. Now I know some bartender have no problem using the job to pick up people, but the majority of us DO NOT USE WORK AS A DATING SERVICE. So please do not ask me if you can cook me dinner, take me out, cheer me up, take me home…
-We all have our bad days too. Some days our minds are on other things. So if we ask your order for the second time or give you the wrong drink. Just let us know politely… because yelling that this is wrong isn’t the way to go. It’s the way to get someone to spit in your drink. Now I actually would never do that (I’m a big believer in Karma) but I know many of your bartenders/waiters/servers that do!
-Almost no one that is serving you a bar or restaurant wants to be doing that for the rest of their lives. Please don’t ask oh did you go to school? Oh why aren’t you working in Film anymore? Have you though about doing (fill in the blank)? Because trust me we have. And are trying to do (fill in the blank). So please don’t make us feel any worse about it than we already do. And don’t be surprised to hear that many of us have gone to the top Universities. Yes I work in a bar. Yes I have blonde hair. No I am not stupid or dumb. So don’t treat me that way. And talking down to me will only ensure that the guy next to you will get his drink first next time.
-Don’t expect free drinks or tell me about how you use to get a free drink after you ordered free ones. Sure I know it’s nice to get a free drink but some of us are accountable for our liquor. At my bar they even count the empty bottles so at the end of the evening when I end up with more beer bottles than are paid for I have to account for that. Trust me bar managers know how much liquor is being paid for and how much is given away free. And you might be grumbling that you had to pay for all your alcohol, but hey bartenders have to worry about paying for their bills and without a job that’s next to impossible.
That being said for as many horrible customers that we have, there are three times as many really nice customers out there that make us smile and make the day seem not so bad. And despite the many complaints I have to do like bartending. It’s fun to meet all kinds of different people and hear their crazy stories. And trust me there are some CRAZY ones. And it sure as hell beats having to work in retail or sit in front of a desk all do just hating life. So just remember, while you are out there having fun there is someone working pretty damn hard to make that happen. So smile at us, be patient, and tip large!
A Stripper: A noun. A person who strips or performs a striptease.
A Hooker: A noun. A prostitute.
I think the time has come to point out to people that there is a difference, a very large difference between A Bartender, A Stripper, And a Hooker. Now I know that most people would be able to see a difference right away. One being that I neither show my breasts nor have sex with my customers but somehow people have gotten confused. That being said here is my list Bar Etiquette… somehow people seem to have forgotten the basics.
-Your bartender/server/host/busboy is probably making minimum wage and relies heavily on your tips. Now I know that you say you do not get tips at your job. And that’s fine, but I’m also pretty sure you get paid more than 8-10 dollars an hour, have health insurance, paid sick days, 2 weeks vacation and don’t get harassed on an hourly basis. So here’s the thing, if you do not believe in tipping- then you shouldn’t be drinking at a bar! Generally it should be a dollar a drink. Now when you buy a beer for 3.50, it is nice if you just give the 1.50 as a tip but 1 dollar would be fine, 50 cents IS NOT acceptable. Now if you are drinking multiple rounds, keep tipping! Unless you want to give 20 dollars as your first tip it is not acceptable to think after giving your measly dollar you don’t have to tip for the rest of the evening.
-Even if your drink is free- you still have to tip. Even if think the bartender is your best friend- you still have to tip. A class act is the owners of the bar I work at- when they come in and order they still tip me every time! The thing to remember is you still have to tip. So if I hand you your change and you walk away you better bet I’m putting a voodoo curse on your cheap ass.
-If you want an evening at a strip club that’s your choice. Yet when you walk into a sports bar DO NOT EVER ask the bartender or waitress to show you their breasts. That is not acceptable EVER.
-I have a name, though I understand you not knowing it. And that’s fine. If you want my attention and feel the need to scream across the bar a simple Miss will work. Bartender, Hey You, Wench (I kid you not I got that one last night), Honey, Sexy, Sugar- none of those are proper names to call someone. It is also not acceptable to whistle or snap.
-I basically get paid to be nice to you. Sure I smile and maybe even flirt a bit-though mostly I’m thinking please remember to tip me. Don’t confuse me being nice to meaning I want to take you home with me. Remember first and foremost you might be in a bar but I am at work. Now I know some bartender have no problem using the job to pick up people, but the majority of us DO NOT USE WORK AS A DATING SERVICE. So please do not ask me if you can cook me dinner, take me out, cheer me up, take me home…
-We all have our bad days too. Some days our minds are on other things. So if we ask your order for the second time or give you the wrong drink. Just let us know politely… because yelling that this is wrong isn’t the way to go. It’s the way to get someone to spit in your drink. Now I actually would never do that (I’m a big believer in Karma) but I know many of your bartenders/waiters/servers that do!
-Almost no one that is serving you a bar or restaurant wants to be doing that for the rest of their lives. Please don’t ask oh did you go to school? Oh why aren’t you working in Film anymore? Have you though about doing (fill in the blank)? Because trust me we have. And are trying to do (fill in the blank). So please don’t make us feel any worse about it than we already do. And don’t be surprised to hear that many of us have gone to the top Universities. Yes I work in a bar. Yes I have blonde hair. No I am not stupid or dumb. So don’t treat me that way. And talking down to me will only ensure that the guy next to you will get his drink first next time.
-Don’t expect free drinks or tell me about how you use to get a free drink after you ordered free ones. Sure I know it’s nice to get a free drink but some of us are accountable for our liquor. At my bar they even count the empty bottles so at the end of the evening when I end up with more beer bottles than are paid for I have to account for that. Trust me bar managers know how much liquor is being paid for and how much is given away free. And you might be grumbling that you had to pay for all your alcohol, but hey bartenders have to worry about paying for their bills and without a job that’s next to impossible.
That being said for as many horrible customers that we have, there are three times as many really nice customers out there that make us smile and make the day seem not so bad. And despite the many complaints I have to do like bartending. It’s fun to meet all kinds of different people and hear their crazy stories. And trust me there are some CRAZY ones. And it sure as hell beats having to work in retail or sit in front of a desk all do just hating life. So just remember, while you are out there having fun there is someone working pretty damn hard to make that happen. So smile at us, be patient, and tip large!
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