Eat.Shop Los Angeles: 3rd Edition

I was thrilled to hear that the 3rd edition of Eat.Shop Los Angeles will be coming out in May 2010! These indispensable guides have introduced me to some fantastic locally-owned businesses, not only while traveling, but in my very own city.  Ahh, I fondly recall the days spent wandering through Portland, noshing on Saint Cupcake and scoring modern home accessories from Canoe. I've also conquered the Philadelphia and Austin guides, which were equally delightful. The Eat.Shop Guides really help you appreciate the local flavor (Read: No touristy stuff here!) of big and small cities alike.

Just released in November were Boston: 2nd edition, Chicago: 3rd edition, Seattle: 4th edition, Vancouver: 2nd edition and the very first edition of New England. Here's a glimpse into these new must-have guides.  Now grab one, hop in the car or book a ticket and start exploring!

Christmas Countdown: 9 Days Left!

Just nine days left until Christmas and we're continuing our countdown of places to buy unique gifts for all those last-minute shoppers out there. Now, if you aren't familiar with Third Street in mid-city Los Angeles, you are missing out. It is mecca of great shopping and among my favorite stops is Plastica.  While the name is slightly deceiving, they carry products made of many other materials than plastic.  My favorite items are actually felt, specifically fab products from Graf and Lantz. I picked up a business card holder, but what I really want is one of their felt bowls. (Grey and teal, please. Thanks, Santa!) and one of those sweet little Swedish wooden birds as a stocking stuffer. They would also make a great gift given as a set of 3 and nestled in a pretty box and at just $12 a pop, your total gift is still below $40.

When you're tired from your shopping marathon on Third and all those bags from Plastica are getting heavy, grab a bite to eat at 'Little Next Door' deli and cafe. There are no shortage of good eats on this street (Toast and Joan's, for example) but 'Little Next Door' has become my new favorite. The menu is drool-inducing and they have unique specialty items like foie gras macaroons and an assortment of jams, soups, and other goodies packaged in pretty jars. Many put together a gift basket of their specialty items for the food-lover on your Christmas shopping list and voila! All your shopping is done in one afternoon spent on Third Street.

Top to Bottom: Plastica, Royal VKB nutcracker, felt bowl by Graf and Lantz, felt floor and seat cushions from Denmark, Broccoli card holder, Swedish wooden birds, Little Next Door deli and cafe

National Martini Day

Okay, I've gotten some conflicting reports on this.  Some say that National Martini Day is today, June 18th, while others say it's tomorrow, June 19th.  My position is why not just make it a two day event?  That way you can hit up more than one locale for this classic cocktail.  

First we have the legen - wait for it... - dary establishment, Musso & Frank's.  This restaurant, located on Hollywood Boulevard, first opened in 1919 and since then they've certainly served a martini or two.  If you're looking for classic Hollywood, this is the place you want to go to celebrate National Martini Day.

This Musso & Frank's waiter has been there since 1956!

 

If you're looking for a slightly more hip scene, head downtown to Seven Grand, where they are masters of the mint julep, but don't miss a beat serving up other classic concoctions as well.

Another must on this list is Bar Marmont on Sunset Boulevard.  It's as classic as they come.  Sure, Lindsay Lohan has gotten sick in the bathroom more than once, but that surprisingly doesn't affect the glam quotient of this infamous lounge.

One of the newbies on the list is Nineteen 12.  It is instantly awarded points for being located at the Beverly Hills Hotel, although to be fair, it hasn't received many compliments from Yelpers. 

Lastly, there's the Viceroy in Santa Monica.  It's not exactly a Hollywood classic or a legendary celeb haunt, but it does provide the perfect atmosphere, courtesy of Kelly Wearstler, for sipping a martini, by the pool or in one of the many cozy corners inside.  

Happy National Martini Day to all!