Kitson

Kitson Carries Something For Everyone

by Beth Deitchman

Robertson Blvd. is home to many shops that target the chosen few, and a few chains that target the many, but truly only Kitson carries something for everyone. High end Marc Jacobs tote? They've got it. Lower priced coin purse decorated with celebrity mug shots? They've got that, too. The Kitson buyers have a wonderfully irreverent sense of humor, but like all good satirists, they make sure they know their source material before they start having fun with it. This is Kitson's strength: they're a ... Continue

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Temple of Architecture

by Khurram Siddiqi

My dad's an architect, and when I was leaving Pakistan for USC, he told me how this "Frank Gehry" person went to my school and had managed to defy traditional construction techniques by doing only what he thought had to be done. There's something temple-like about this place, not for the music venue and the crowd it attracts, but because of the indifference it spews towards the rest of the architecture around it. Let's face it, Downtown LA's architecture isn't as iconic as Chicago's or many othe ... Continue

2nd Street Cigar Lounge & Gallery

Stogies & Art

by Emerson Dameron

Downtown Los Angeles is where weirdo Angelenos take refuge from LA stereotypes. Should you grow weary of health-conscious, self-pampering, forward-thinking mega-capitalists, check out this insulated fiefdom of Macanudos and cheesy pop art. The proprietors of 2nd Street Cigar Lounge & Gallery make no efforts to fit in--this place caters solely to the tastes of its ownership and subsists on a core clientele of stogie-puffing Scarface wannabes and curious passersby. If, say, Chicago is "a city ... Continue

The 12 Step Store

Colorful One-Of-A-Kindness

by Emerson Dameron

Cold beer pours into a frosty pint glass. A sweaty group of dancing friends hoist their bottles, enjoying their big night out, the day's care forgotten. America's commercial environment is no friend of the recovering alcoholic. As someone who's actively dialed back his boozing over time, I know that, when you're pushing through a bad day without the stuff, the carefree promotional initiatives for cocktail culture can turn menacing. WeHo's 12-Step Store serves two purposes: It raises scratch for ... Continue

Ananda

Perfection Achieved

by Alisha Miranda

I've found my dream store. The perfect travel inspiration. And the perfect street to live on. This is Ananda on Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach, about an hour from LA. The ultimate shopping experience for hippies, eclectic artists, and decorating fanatics, Ananda boasts a unique collection of boutique furnishings and fashions that will leave your wallet empty. No spot is left untouched as shoppers sift through just about every inch of the store in search of the perfect purchase. Be prepared to fall ... Continue

Griffith Observatory

Panorama Perfection

by Alisha Miranda

Science geeks take note: the Griffith Observatory will be your new favorite place. Set inside Griffith Park in Los Angeles, it's a favorite for locals and tourists due to prime panoramic views, an impressive astronomy lesson, and a sizeable interactive planetarium. Despite the hoards of people always here, it's a must-see landmark, especially in the evening which provides an extra stellar atmosphere. Continue

Umami Burger

Taste Bud No. 5

by Alisha Miranda

Umami stands for the fifth taste bud. Apparently, the Japanese invented a flavor that is savory, sweet, sour, and bitter all at the same time. The burgers created here are an art form, a true testament to modern man coming a long way from learning to use a grill. Biting into an Umami burger (or if you want to prove yourself, order the Manly Burger with bacon lard and fried onion straws) is an outer body experience filled with confusion, lust, and pleasure. You won't have any idea what you've jus ... Continue

Uncle Bill's Pancake House

Breakfast at the Beach

by Emerson Dameron

I love breakfast. I love eggs, coffee, and carbohydrates. I love it for lunch, for dinner, for dessert, and as my mysterious Fourth Meal. I also love the beach. Like most Angelenos, I have a particular affection for Manhattan Beach, the purdy seaside community where the Beach Boys first saw people surfing. If you're going to hit MB on a warm weekend, you'll face a Hobbesian parking situation and you'll need to get up extraordinarily ... Continue