So you are coming to LA, well Anaheim for the SCAA, you maybe from abroad or from just up the road, either way you can not leave Los Angeles thinking that there was nothing to offer in this great city. I also don’t want to hear you complain that the beer is crap, the food is nothing but junk, because it is just not true.
That being said, when you are here visiting the States do as the Romans do, because you have the chance to eat the best burgers, hotdogs and pizzas around (but wait there is more). Come with the mind set that you may put on a few extra pounds, bring your fat pants and extra large T shirts and get familiar with the local cuisine.
Tip: don’t think you can come to LA and not hire a car with GPS, because you just can’t, you will kick yourself as you end up paying copious amounts of money on taxi’s and arrive at your destination flustered.
Oh yeah, get to know the best thing of all, California/ West Coast beers, buy anything with the letters IPA adorning the label and you, for the most part wont go wrong. Keep an eye out for brewing companies like, Moylans, Bear Republic, Stone and Russian River to name just a few.
The list: I have broken it up into the cities area’s and I am giving you multiple choices to eat, drink and spend the night doing as the locals do in that part of town. I would recommend to dedicate at least one night in each location, trying to do multiple zip codes in this city is just tiring. Take turns at being the designated driver and drink responsibly you crazy kids! Just so you know the blood alcohol in America is .08 which allows a little more flexibility then Australia’s and most of the rest of the worlds .05.
Tipping: For people who have not been to the States at all I would recommend the following scale.
15% if you have not worked in the hospitality industry at all and you don’t know what it is like to work hard and serve people all day.
18% for good service.
20% for “I wish everyone in the world gave that kind of service” or “can I take you home” service. 😉
By all means if you are lazy and need to stay around the conference then look out for these lovely haunts, my guess is, you will want to explore.
NOTE: The places I have listed are tried and tested and with the help Nick Griffith we’ve listed the best of the best and for all types of budgets, I promise you, you wont be disappointed.
Orange County
KFC
McDonald’s
Applebees
Chillies
The Outback (home to the Bloomin Onion, apparently Australia’s native dish?)
So now you may be interested in exploring some other options, yeah?
Downtown – Los Angeles
Wurstkuche – Hotdogs and great beer, try the rabbit and rattlesnake hotdog, go on I dare you!
Church and State – Need to book to get a table here.
The Lazy Ox Canteen, Good beer, food and wine
La Torta Loca – Mexican food
Bottega Louie – Brunch and Dinner no booking needed, really busy though, and you may just see a celebrity milling about, I have on two occasions now! They have Intelligentsia brewing there as well. If there for dinner then head across the road to Seven Grand Scotch bar, for a game of pool and drinks.
Seven Grand – Scotch Bar
Las Perlas – Mescal Bar
Edison – Dress code enforced but well worth the visit, it is just stunning!
Coles for French dip and after 8pm Varnish (groups of 4 or less) a fantastic speakeasy.
Mid City (Beverly Hills, Hollywood)
Village idiot for pub grub
The Bizaar @ SLS hotel, go to Jose Andreas
Animal rich, fantastic modern food and wine
The Golden State great beer one of LA’s top burgers
Torroni fun pizza bar, loud and beautiful people frequent this place, just saying.
Mozza can’t go wrong with either the Osteria or Pizzeria
Hungry Cat – Seafood and cocktails
Lou’s wine bar/ restaurant
The Surly Goat – great beer
Bar Marmont for cocktails in a true old Hollywood setting
Santa Monica, Venice
Gjelina’s Restaurant
Axe (pronounced ash – ay)
The Other room bar
Fathers Office both locations great beer bars with great food
Wolf Cigars for cigars
Hotel Erwin great roof top bar with some nice cocktails, really nice hotel as well, worth a stay to recover after the event, plus very close the LAX, kinda.
East side (Silver lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park)
Cafe Stella french wine bar with great food, right next door to Intelligentsia
Forage for lunch, Sunday brunch, up the road from Intelligentsia
Umami Burger, the coffee person in us all just perked up some what when you hear about this place, use that descriptor on your score sheets? Then this is the place for you, great beer as well.
Square one in my opinion this is the BEST breakfast joint in all of LA.
Palate Food + Wine Great French wine, Charcuterie/ cheese, plus an amazing menu
Taco Zone great Taco truck! Just up the road from El Prado bar.
El Prado Bar small and intimate with a small selection of rotating beer taps
“Coopers” Taco’s corner of Fletcher Drive and Larga Ave, just a small table set up on the side of the road, is just about as ghetto as it comes but if you are game, they do some of the best taco’s around. Plus it is just up the road from Intelligentsia’s roast works.
The Oinkster really, really good burgers and pulled pork rolls.
Langers true American diner experience, say it with me, Pastrami, Pastrami, Pastrami!
The Verdugo bar
Coffee tour – note: I have not been to all of these places, I’ve included them as I’ve heard whispers about them, so try them and let me know what you think.
OC
Los Angeles
Intelligentsia Venice and Silver Lake
Kings Road and Urth Cafe
Deaton 