Welcome to Miami

March 21, 2008
Ara Shanlian Jr.

The Beach Returns to Sunset Boulevard

You’ve mastered the velvet ropes at Sunset Blvd.’s trendiest spots, but sometimes you just want a low-key Miami vibe—and a stiff drink larger than the plastic breasts on a sunbather in Florida.
Thankfully, you’ll find room for both at The Beach on Sunset, the huge […]

Bite of The Day: Bussed a Move

March 20, 2008
Ara Shanlian Jr.

Dolce Group’s New School Bus

If you ever wondered about the chance to go drinking on your childhood school bus (who hasn’t), that moment has finally arrived.Restaurant and nightclub operator Dolce Group recently bought a used school bus, tricked it out, and launched a new party bus service to end all […]

Moving on Up

March 29, 2008
Ara Shanlian Jr.

Drinks, Dancing and Sushi 21 Stories Up

We love the latest downtown nightlife boom, but it’s still pretty hard to find a decent view in this town other than the Rooftop Bar at The Standard Hotel. Looking for a new view of the Los Angeles skyline? Maybe some sushi? Welcome to […]

The One

March 12, 2008
Ara Shanlian Jr.

The Strip’s Sultry Lounge Scene

LA is vast. You can’t enjoy the whole city in one night (no matter how much expresso you mix into your vodka). So it’s nice when a nightspot recognizes this and provides options to make you feel like you’ve hit up more places than you actually […]

Java The Hut

May 12, 2008
Ara Shanlian Jr.

Downtown’s Den of Exotic Caffeine
When it comes to coffee, you leave room for cream, but did you ever think to leave room for underdogs?
Far away from the extravagant polish of LAMILL Coffee Boutique and the hordes of hipsters overpopulating Intelligentsia, you’ll find a new place to root for […]

Oh Ya Limonada’

April 25, 2008
Ara Shanlian Jr.

The Lemonade Stand of the Future

Lets go back in time…
To a time when life was simpler and your future as a businessman was one overpriced 25 cent cup of lemonade at a time.
Embrace the past at Lemonade, a literally underground lemonade stand, now open for […]

Privacy?

April 23, 2008
Ara Shanlian Jr.

One table takes care of it

Any reputable Casanova needs an arsenal of impressive date spots bookmarked on Firefox.
And when you find a new one that mixes the exclusive (one table, and one table only) with the casual (outdoors, with couches by a crackling fire), all the […]

Exceeding Your Goals

April 16, 2008
Ara Shanlian Jr.

Surreal Sports Bar in Eagle Rock

Your interest in sports bars wanes between March and September.
And even in prime months, you generally know what to expect from your local sports dive, and you’re fine with that.
Prepare to be surprised by Coffee Table Lounge, a surreal new genre-defier that’s now open […]

Bite of The Day: Pumped Up

May 13, 2008
Ara Shanlian Jr.

Your Own Personal Ethanol Station
Once you attain a certain stature in life, there are two things that no longer make sense—cheap liquor and expensive gas stations.
So there’s obvious appeal to the idea that you could turn cheap liquor into cheap gas in the time it takes you to down […]

Sophisticated Palate

May 14, 2008
Ara Shanlian Jr.

Wining and Dining, Mostly Wining

Your quest to enjoy good wine in under-explored locales has taken you from hideaways in Napa to parking garages in Beverly Hills.
But this may be your most unexpected stop yet: Glendale, where the city’s finest seven level wine storage facility unveils a sprawling […]