The ferris wheel at the Pike.

If you live anywhere near Long Beach, you know the Pike. Even if you aren’t a local, you’ve probably been to the world renowed Aquarium of the Pacific , which is in walking distance. The Pike is a focal point for dining and entertainment in the downtown area. It’s easy to spot, with it’s faux roller coaster structure and real ferris wheel, with rides for two dollars if you’re so inclined.

Not only is there an amusement ride and a fabulous aquarium, there’s plenty of dining opportunities along with entertainment for adults at the Laugh Factory. Restaurants range from the inexpensive to mid range, with such choices as Islands, the Great Steak & Potato Co., California Pizza Kitchen (which is one of my favorites) to P.F. Changs and seafood at Gladstones.   [ Read The Full Story -> ]

The Beverly Hills Farmers Market
Sundays, 9am - 1pm
Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills

The Beverly Hills Sunday farmers market is not bad, it is actually quite typical of an LA farmers market. But in a part of town where everything has to be special in order to justify its real and supposed exclusivity, I was hoping for a bit more than just the same.

Not even a celebrity sighting was to be had at this market, which is literally across the street from the Beverly Hills neighborhood proper, though there were plenty of women there trying really hard to look like they had money. Even on a beautiful day, there was not much foot traffic at all, which usually means the market will not be customized to the community, and therefore not really be worth the drive unless you are in the vicinity. [ Read The Full Story -> ]

This is kind of like trying to describe love.  The kind of love you just suddenly feel and then find yourself musing  “I just knew” to all your friends… the kind of love that floats over your heart, effortless and pleased with itself.

My Love of this week (this month, this year) is Miss Peaches, and nothing but Miss Peaches, the small, painfully appealing hole-in-the-cupboard soul food joint on Lankershim blvd just north of Burbank in North Hollywood.  Lord SAVE me now, did I just suddenly sleep through a plane flight and end up in Baton Rouge?  Or wherever they make amazing Southern food that I never even knew existed in Los Angeles?
I scurried in late on Monday night to visit my foodie friends Jordan and Vivien and immediately forgot I was anywhere but Miss Peaches.  The kind of unique forgetfulness you get when you’re at home for. [ Read The Full Story -> ]

The Mar Vista Farmers Market
Sundays, 9am - 2pm
12224 Venice Blvd, Mar Vista

One basic principle of farmers markets is that the good ones are crowded. There has to be something about them to make the community want to attend on top of their usual grocery shopping at regular markets and Trader Joes. The organizers of the Mar Vista farmers market clearly know all this too, and they have put their knowledge to good use.

This was one of the most crowded markets in LA, and it is not even located in an area benefiting from pre-existing foot traffic like markets on 3rd Street Promenade or Downtown. This, plus the presence of families and groups of young people just hanging out is a testament to the fact that people just plain like this market. The produce was not even that out of the ordinary; most of the vendors sell at various other markets as well, making this spot quality, but not necessarily unique, yet the crowds prove that something is being done right.

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There’s a little greasy spoon cafe right near my house in Van Nuys called Nat’s Early Bite, that has been like an old family friend for my household for a long time.  While it’s not necessarily “foodie” amazing, or a particularly “hip” greasy spoon, I love it because it’s real. And walking distance.  Which is a thrilling novelty despite the fact that the walk is really hot, sunny and far from scenic.  But inside Nat’s it’s always cool, clattering with silver ware and bubbling breakfast voices, the scent of syrup or french fries hinting the air.

Nat’s is not the place to go if you want to find some amazing hole in the wall that will give you spectacular brunch for $5, but if it’s good solid coffee shop food you want, they have some of the best out there. Which is to say if you love spooning coleslaw, warm and crispy hash browns or cool and crunchy BLT’s on white bread into your mouth, hit it up.

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The 3rd Street Promenade Farmers Market
Wednesdays 8:30 - 1:00
Arizona and 2nd Street

Being a general skeptic of hype, I approached the uber-hyped and all-popular farmers market at Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade with a critical eye. In many ways, the hype is well earned, evidenced by the throngs (no exaggeration) which attend this farmers market every Wednesday and Saturday morning.

The Wednesday market was huge; it takes up the intersection of 3rd Street and Arizona, as well as a block over at 2nd Street. If you have issues with crowds or are not impressed by booth after booth of family-owned, totally organic farm produce, then just go to the Pico or Westside markets and save yourself the grief.

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Having the good fortune to live just blocks away from someone who makes the freshest, chewiest, most ridiculously soft and sexy coconut macaroons is just plain great luck. But when that neighbor then takes a chance and hires you to photograph the heavenly things, ah, that’s something different. That’s just straight awesome. Not only was I lucky enough to do something I love, I was introduced to this seriously amazing little treat.

Susan Hecht has created “MyMacs“, her pretty much flawless incantation of the classic coconut macaroon, both plain and chocolate dipped, and has just started selling them at what is now the new Sherman Oak’s Farmer’s Market. At last, we have our own Farmer’s Market!  Double hurrah for this week!

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

Having the good fortune to live just blocks away from someone who makes the freshest, chewiest, most ridiculously soft and sexy coconut macaroons is just plain great luck. But when that neighbor then takes a chance and hires you to photograph the heavenly things, ah, that’s something different. That’s just straight awesome. Not only was I lucky enough to do something I love, I was introduced to this seriously amazing little treat.

Susan Hecht has created “MyMacs“, her pretty much flawless incantation of the classic coconut macaroon, both plain and chocolate dipped, and has just started selling them at what is now the new Sherman Oak’s Farmer’s Market. At last, we have our own Farmer’s Market!  Double hurrah for this week!

[ Read The Full Story -> ]

The Huntington Beach Farmers Market
Fridays, noon - 5pm
The Huntington Beach Pier Plaza
Parking Lot, off PCH and Main Street

Yes, I know, Huntington Beach is not technically in LA but in Orange County. But, its only a touch south of the Orange Curtain, not a far jaunt off of the 405, and is home to one of the few farmers markets where you will be socially accepted even with no clothes on.

Huntington Beach’s farmers market and adjoining craft fair is not near the beach, it is on it, giving it a lot of Friday afternoon foot traffic from beach-goers and tourists. It sits at the end of Main Street, a crowded thoroughfare of pedestrians, loiterers and shoppers. Main Street is known for its surf shops, restaurants, and bars, and you could do worse on a day off than to hit the beach, buy some tomatoes, then gawk at the locals from the patio of some relaxed eatery.\ [ Read The Full Story -> ]

Fresh-filled black bean wowshi

Bella Pita, the small, blossoming family business that’s won the stomachs of the heart of Westwood, offers an affordable and satiating menu of freshly baked Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. With an informal order-at-the-counter set-up and a salad bar that makes mouths water with taste and sheer aesthetics, this newcomer to L.A.’s spread of international cuisine beckons Bruins, business-folk, and every diner with a taste for delicious hommos, authentic falafel, and Bella’s most unique creation the irresistible wowshi.

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Veteran’s Garden at the VA

Sepulveda at Wilshire, just east of the 405

It’s the peak of summer and the nectarines are delicious. The Westwood Farmers Market, located in the picturesque Veteran’s Garden just off Wilshire, provides a succulent, seasonal respite from L.A.’s muggy city heat and incessant traffic hubaloo. In fact, despite its proximity to many of the West-side’s main thoroughfares, this Thursday afternoon market is surprisingly slow-paced and serene with the ultimate spread of in-season and organic edibles.

Showcasing a range of vendors, spreading from fresh berry-sellers (a 3-pack for $10!) to preservative-free tamales, the Westwood Farmers Market is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon lunch get out of the office! and stock up your kitchen for the coming week. The winding marketplace proffers a festive atmosphere, welcoming visitors with grilled corn on a stick ($3), samples of juicy Valencia oranges, and an open area bright with both cut and blossoming flowers. Local artisans and craft-makers also contribute to the market the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.

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Imagine, if you will, that your heart is singing a song. While that song rings through your chest and back into your mouth it creates a stirring combination of taste so harmonious and aromatic that every sense vibrates with a sweet, open chord of happiness.

That was me after 2 hours at Funnel Mill Rare Coffee and Tea. Such hazy love is usually only reserved for hour long massages and, well… you know. But if you get the infamous glow after having a cup of coffee then damn, you’ve struck gold.

Totally surprising since, when I first walked in to Funnel Mill, I felt the layout was sort of odd and not very cozy at all. It was calm and quiet with some lovely displays, but I can’t say it felt too much like a cafe, let alone a place where you’d come in to crash and hang out as though it were your own eclectic living room.

But honestly, after what I drank, I could care less. For the first time I can remember, the quality of (and care for) what I was consuming was so incredible that it didn’t matter where I was.

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