Best of LA: 2014
101 Coffee Shop
6145 Franklin Ave, Hollywood, CA
323-467-1175
101 Coffee Shop doesn’t mess with the classic
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Category: American, Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Eat, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Eat, Coffee/Tea, Restaurants
Aldik Home
7651 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, CA, 91405
818-988-5970
When seeking out unique trompe l’oeil flora—the kind that would make even Mother Nature cop a feel—we set our sights on Aldik Home
Neighborhood: Van Nuys
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Shop, Housewares, Shopping
Apolis
806 E. 3rd St., Downtown Los Angeles, CA, 90013
213-613-9626
An early homesteader in the downtown arts district, the menswear boutique Apolis will turn your fashion consciousness into a fashion conscience
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Shop, Men's Clothing, Shopping
Beatrice Valenzuela
1547 Echo Park Ave, Echo Park, CA, 90026
213-986-8914
For folk art you can wear, check out Beatrice Valenzuela
Neighborhood: Echo Park
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Shop, Shoes
Blue Collar Working Dog
1533 Echo Park Ave., Echo Park, CA, 90026
213-977-9042
Blue Collar Working Dog carries all manner of camping and hiking paraphernalia for canines–spot items that ensure pet safety and comfort in the wild
Neighborhood: Echo Park
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Pets, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Shop, Family Fun, Outdoor Recreation, Pet Stores
Bobby Soloman
Bobby Soloman, the ultra-cool founder of the design blog The Fox Is Black, has an equally cool Instagram feed
Category: Arts & Entertainment, Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Do, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Do
Bountiful Gardens
10150 Foothill Blvd., CA, 91342
818-389-3864
Best Espaliered Trees, August 2014 Gardeners who are short on space have long relied on espaliered trees—those arboreal works of art whose branches are pruned to grow flat against a wall or as a living fence. At Bountiful Gardens, David Diaz goes beyond the usual grower-supplied fruits like lemon, pear, and plum. He’s coaxed his […]
Neighborhood: Lake View Terrace
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Shop, Florists, Landscaping, Shopping
Brirrieria Apatzingan
10040 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA
818-890-6265
The rich concoctions are poured over satiny eggs that have been fried in a generous amount of hot oil—just like Abuelita used to make
Neighborhood: Pacoima
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Eat, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Eat, Mexican food, Restaurants
Brothers Products
12103 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, CA
714-348-9839
When toasted, the fluffy, bronzed bread with bubbly air pockets becomes the ideal scoop for Brothers’ hummus and garlic dips
Neighborhood: Garden Grove
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Eat, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Eat, Middle Eastern
Bureau of Sanitation
Griffith Park Composting Education Facility, Los Feliz, CA
213-485-2260
One person’s garbage is another’s garden gold
Neighborhood: Los Feliz
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Shop, Community, Housewares, Shopping
Candle Delirium
7980 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA, 90046
888-656-3903
If you don’t need to align your chakras and just want your home to smell good, head to Candle Delirium
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Shop, Gifts, Housewares, Shopping
Carmela
7920 W. 3rd St., Beverly Grove, CA, 90048
323-944-0232
Scoop-specialist Carmela offers seasonal flavors of sorbet inspired by herbs and spices
Neighborhood: Beverly Grove
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Eat, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Eat, Dessert/Ice Cream/Yogurt, Restaurants
Chi Spacca
6610 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA
323-297-1133
To do charcuterie right, you must understand the unglamorous science of pH, aw (water activity), and bacteria-inhibiting acidity
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Eat, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Eat, Italian, Restaurants
Children’s Book World
10580½ W. Pico Blvd, Cheviot Hills, CA, 90064
310-559-2665
Whether your kid is three or 13, into puppies or Greek mythology, the staff at Children’s Book World can make a recommendation, or several
Neighborhood: Pico-Union
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Kids, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Kids, Best of LA: Shop, Books and Magazines, Education, Shopping
Cliff’s Edge
3626 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, CA, 90026
323-666-6116
Silver Lake’s candlelit grotto recently brought on James Beard-nominated chef Benjamin Bailly (Fraîche, Petrossian), whose farm-fresh menu is tasteful but doesn’t punish the pocketbook.
Neighborhood: Silver Lake
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2013: Eat, Best of LA 2014: Eat, Best of LA: 2012, Best of LA: 2013, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Eat, Cafe, Restaurants
Dance Downtown
135 N. Grand Ave, Downtown Los Angeles, CA, 90012
213-972-7211
The Music Center hosts prominent dance companies year-round, but from May through September, Dance Downtown gets the audience moving
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Arts & Entertainment, Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Do, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Do, Dance Clubs
Dearly Departed
6603 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA, 90028
855-600-DEAD
Esotouric is justifiably famous for its crime-themed excursions, but if you prefer the supernatural, we suggest the “Ghosts and Legends Walking Tour” from Dearly Departed
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Category: Arts & Entertainment, Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Do, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Do, Local Attractions
Dtox Day Spa
3206 Los Feliz Blvd, Atwater Village, CA
323-665-3869
Smooth, heated stones the size of a fist are used to knead the knots in your back, arms, and legs at Dtox Day Spa
Neighborhood: Atwater Village
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Primp, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Primp, Massage & Bodyworks, Services