some of you asked: los angeles recommendations
04: a non-exhaustive list of my favorite spots in los angeles
One of the questions I get asked most in my DMs is where to go in Los Angeles, especially from out of towners. I usually rattle off a few favorite spots and then tell myself that soon, I’ll just compile a list that I can easily share with anyone who asks. Today is finally that day. I figured it may be helpful for those in town visiting or those who are staying home this holiday season and want to take advantage of the decrease in traffic with all the transplants gone.
Below I’m sharing my absolute favorite spots, which definitely do not include Nobu, Craig’s (I’ve actually never been) or Erewhon. They do, however, include my go-to restaurants, hotels, coffeeshops, bookstores, cultural spaces and vintage shops.
Hotels
Chateau Marmont: It’s chic, it’s iconic, it’s pretty to stay in
Sunset Tower Hotel: Another classic LA hotel to stay in or dine at
Cara Hotel: A newer spot with clean rooms and a light-filled lobby
Restaurants
Lasita: Filipino-American restaurant in Chinatown that I frequent — don’t miss the sisig (mushroom or pork belly)
Oriel Chinatown: Chic, vibey and good food. They have a dish with fish and mashed potatoes that I get every time I go
Cafe Triste: A fun wine bar in Chinatown with a limited snack menu
Pine & Crane: One of my top favorite restaurants in LA — casual Taiwanese in the heart of Silver Lake. The beef roll, iced passionfruit green tea and dan dan noodles are a must
Barr Seco: A chic evening spot that is now open during the day, heavily influenced by cuisine from Japan, Mexico City and the Philippines
KinKan: Thai-Japanese tasting menu with lots of seafood — one of the best tasting menus I’ve personally had
Sqirl: A go-to lunch spot — the Crispy Rice is my order every time
Courage Bagels: I genuinely think it’s worth the line, but try to go when it’s not so long. I love how crispy the bagels are. I always order the sesame bagel with trout roe or sardines
Rick’s Produce: I refuse to buy $20 smoothies from Erewhon
LA Rose Cafe: Authentic Filipino food in the heart of Hollywood
Etra: A fairly new spot with sexy interiors and a yummy menu
Stir Crazy: To be honest, the menu is teeny but I like going for an afternoon snack to catch up with friends or clients rather than for dinner. It’s cute and I really like the celery salad
Yang’s Kitchen: Maybe my favorite restaurant in all of LA — my go-to for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Everything is good, but especially the smoked salmon hash, cornmeal mochi pancakes, smoked fish dip, dungeness crab noodles, grilled cabbage, hainan fish rice and black sesame cake… So, basically everything. If you plan on going for brunch, make sure to put your name on the wait list via Yelp. If for dinner, try to get a reservation!
Joy on York: Pine and Crane’s sister restaurant — order the passionfruit iced tea, minced pork on rice, dan dan noodles and the thousand layer pancake
Wanderlust Creamery: By far my favorite ice cream (and maybe dessert…) of all time. They have the most fun, nostalgic, delicious flavors and always have a seasonal menu. My personal favorite of their signature flavors: ube malted crunch
Gjelina: My go-to date night spot when I lived on the westside
Ammatoli: A delicious Palestinian-Syrian restaurant in Long Beach perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner
Coffeeshops
Two Kids: Filipino-owned and family-run and have the best homemade almond milk that I love so much I sometimes take a large batch home with me. The iced chai with house almond milk is my go-to but they also now have matcha, which I often get, too
Kumquat: An Asian-owned coffeeshop Highland Park with delicious tea lattes
Modu Cafe: A new spot in Highland Park that has really yummy pastries
Maru: One of my favorite coffeeshops of all time — I love the ones in Los Feliz and in Downtown
Thank You Coffee: A cutie little coffee and stationary shop in Chinatown
Community Goods: Unfortunately, it is worth the hype. I personally refuse to wait in its long line but I do love their matcha (made with Rocky’s Matcha) and tuna sandwich
Bookstores
Alias East: I personally love used bookstores over new bookstores and I love this one in Atwater Village
Untitled: Really cool Black and South Asian owned bookstore that offers art books in a creative space
Stories: New and used bookstore in Echo Park with a patio and cafe
Reparations Club: A Black and woman-owned concept bookshop and creative space that prioritizes books from BIPOC authors
Arcana: A beautiful art and photography bookstore in Culver City with the kindest founders
Skylight: A well-loved independent bookstore in Los Feliz
Prospect: Filipino-owned used and vintage cookbook store — perfect for gift shopping for friends and family who love to cook
Book Alley: They’ve been around since 1992 and they have an incredible selection of used books — all at an affordable price. I came away with 7 books!
Others Books: POC-owned used bookstore is in Boyle Heights that I visited for the first time over the weekend with friends I’ve met through Seen Library. Some of us left with a couple books each!
Matilija Lending Library: An Asian-owned small business centering BIPOC stories and selling books at an affordable price, while reserving many books to be lent out for free
Bel Canto Books: A Filipino and woman-owned indie bookstore in Long Beach
Clothing Stores
RLT: Admittedly, I don’t shop much but when I do, especially if in person, I always hit up RLT first. They have the best curated vintage and also an in-house label with perfect basics
Scout: Women’s vintage and designer in a unique boutique
The Row: Even if you just want to go window shopping — the space is beautiful
Toteme: Another gorgeous space with very, very chic pieces
Cultural Spaces / Galleries / Parks
Schindler House: An architecture house tucked into a West Hollywood neighborhood. It reminds me of Japanese architecture — I love how open and simple it is with its concrete wall and wooden posts
Francis Gallery: A Korean and woman-owned art gallery in West Hollywood that showcases international artists in a serene space
Seventh House: A furniture gallery in Hollywood specializing in vintage and contemporary design
Hollyhock House / Barnsdall Art Park: Frank Lloyd Wright's first Los Angeles commission and an ode to California — and it’s surrounding park which is beautiful to picnic or read in
Neutra VDL: Richard Neutra’s home of mid-century modernist architecture
Huntington Library: It has the most beautiful gardens — sculpture gardens, rose gardens, Japanese gardens, cacti gardens, etc. — and a museum you can wander around
And if you happen to be in Los Angeles on December 7 and 8…
The Seen Library Bookstand is back at Platform on December 7 and 8 for the third time, just in time for the holiday season! It’s open to the public and to any book lover and reader — for the new and old, the casual and serious. Everyone is invited to come say hello, meet new people and browse and shop a limited quantity of new and pre-loved books, all intentionally curated and wrapped in creamy paper with clues written atop a custom library card, so that you can choose a book by its content, not its cover.
Saturday, December 7 to Sunday, December 8
From 11am to 4pm
Platform | 8850 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles
RSVP not required but if you’re planning on coming, please do let us know here so we have an accurate head count :)
Delicious custom matcha and hojicha lattes by Little Match Studio will also be available for purchase, along with new Seen Library items like mini totes, tanks and our signature hat — exclusive to the pop up! My mom will also be back to tie dark chocolate velvet bows to wrapped books, for those who want it :)
