Last month LA.CityZine was picked up on the front page of Digg for a story about the weed vending machine in Culver City. We were alerted to the story through a reader tip [thanks greenbranch]. Later that day, we found out that Jeff at LA Thrillist had originally broken the story, so we thought it would be cool to find out a little more about Jeff and the Thrillist site.
What exactly is Thrillist.com?
Thrillist is a free daily email newsletter for guys, with editions in LA, NY, SF, Vegas, Chicago and Nationally, with one recommendation a day about a great new or under-the-radar restaurant, bar, event, fashion line, website – really, something new to check out.
How did Thrillist start and how did you become involved?
Two dudes in NY started Thrillist when they realized they wanted to go on a nice-but-inexpensive date in the city and couldn’t find the pertinent info they needed online. They hired me right before they launched the LA edition, a year and a half ago – both for my writing background (I used to write for Maxim, LA Times, Variety, etc.) and the fact that I was apparently the first LA guy they interviewed who didn’t ditch the meeting for an audition.
How do you find such a wide variety of cool stuff?
Bribes. That and spending all day in front of a computer, viciously tearing into my Google Reader subscriptions. Oh, and tips – I love when people email me telling me about something I haven’t heard of.
Do you get comp’ted at the places you cover?
We have a no pay-to-play policy – that is, I never promise coverage when I’m comp’d, but as long as the person comping me understands that it doesn’t guarantee a review, I will accept. I gotta say, it’s one of the major benefits of the job.
What are some of the things that haven’t made it in?
Around Valentine’s day, I got a pitch for a story on a crystal teddy bear. Here’s the thing: if you’re going to buy that for your girlfriend, you are a total idiot. Not only is it unbelievably expensive, but you’ll never be able to have sex with her again for fear of forgetting to take it off the bed first and it ending up in a pile of shards. I politely declined.
Do your friends always look to you for advice about where to go on a Friday night.
Yes, absolutely. Thankfully, I usually have an answer. It almost never involves the sunset strip.
What is your favorite aspect about LA?
I love that LA can be all things to all people: I personally go to a lot of shows in Silverlake, and that’s “My” LA, but there are plenty of people who spend their nights at dance clubs in Hollywood, or on art walks in Santa Monica, or biking with the Midnight Ridazz. All of those things are actually, equally “LA” – none better than the other, and each part of the entire definition of the city.
Do you have a favorite place in LA to go when you need to unwind?
It’s a cliché, but I do love the Getty when I have a day off and just want to completely chill. I also have a friend who lives on the boardwalk in Venice, and I’m often jealous that he has about a 10 foot walk from his bedroom to the balcony on the beach. He’s got free wifi, so I go there to work occasionally.
What is your favorite bar/club in LA and why?
I grew up here and spent my formative years sneaking all around the Troubadour; now I know the doorman’s name and he doesn’t check my ID. But if I’m getting drunk, I’ll go to Tom Bergin’s – not only do they make ‘em strong, but it’s stumbling distance from my apartment.
Where do you think has the best burger in LA?
For years I’ve said Father’s Office, though that burger at Comme Ca is unreal.
What would consist of your perfect LA day?
Brunch at Jinkys (the original one, in the Valley), a Paul Thomas Anderson movie at the Grove, sunset on the Venice beach, dinner at Amarone Kitchen and Wine on Sunset and a Cold War Kids/Oliver Future double-bill at Spaceland before a windy late-night Mullholland drive. Unfortunately, this would probably take 3 days to do, unless I also requested that no one else be on the road at all.
Best thing in LA no one knows about?
As far as cheap, awesome food, I swear by this place called Pita Kitchen in Sherman Oaks – get the chicken kafta plate, and you may see god. I also would be remiss if I didn’t mention my band, City Museum – we’re playing Safari Sam’s Feb 25 and the Derby April 16.
Thanks your your time and insight into LA Jeff!
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