ExplorerPod.com

All About Los Angeles

L.A. has a lot to offer. The City of Angels is always on-the-go and seemingly driven by glitz and glamour. And if you’re willing to fight the traffic, you’ll find some of the world’s best restaurants, shopping and attractions – from studio tours to museums, from beaches to piers.

L.A. is the epitome of big, bold and beautiful – and most of the hobbies in this town hover around “the scene”. So, if you’ve had your share of the beach, head inland to tour the star-studded Sunset Boulevard or Melrose Avenue – and keep your eyes out! Since the restaurants and bars drive the social hustle n’ bustle, you’d better allow yourself that afternoon power-nap if you want to keep up with the cool kids.

Remember: the stars come out at night – this is LA after all. This town seems to shimmer after sundown… you can rock it out on the Sunset Strip or club it up in Hollywood. So, if you like your bars cool, your martinis dry, and your restaurants scrumptious, make sure you’ve got your wallet, your appetite and your energy for your night on the town Hollywood style.

Here’s our insiders guide to some of the best restaurants and nightlife options. Know this: fights broke out between our editorial staff when somebody foolishly suggested we limit our journeyPod Picks in L.A. to only 10 Restaurants and 10 Bars. We had so much fun tearing it up in Tinseltown that we had to go with 15 selections in each category. Of course, another fight ensued when we tried to assign numbers to all of these hotspots — so cooler heads prevailed and we have since removed the rankings.

Be assured of one thing… all 30 of these places are ridiculously fantabulous and require your own A-game. Maybe even after a night on the town, you too will understand why even people in the biz think “Entourage” seems so real…

Restaurants

Koi: (West Hollywood) If your goal is to spot Hollywood’s A-list of celebrities, make reservations at L.A.’s hottest Asian-fusion restaurant where you go to see and be seen. Though service might be rushed sometimes, who really cares? The food is just too damn good. A welcome relief from the hectic Melrose scene, Koi is a haven of feng-shui elements (candles, water and open patios). Here’s a tip: request one of the horseshoe booths on the back patio. Located at 730 N. La Cienega Blvd (between Melrose Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd.)..

Morton’s The Steakhouse: (West Hollywood) Legendary for its Oscar-night parties, star-struck celebrity watchers can often see their favorite actors in culinary repose at this Tinseltown power-elite restaurant. Do not, we repeat – do not confuse this with the Arnie Morton’s of Chicago steakhouse chain. And, if you have enough room after you’ve chow’d down the hearty dry-aged steak you came here for, order the banana-walnut beignets with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce or the warm melt-in-your-mouth chocolate espresso cake. Morton’s can be found at 8764 Melrose Ave. (and Robertson Blvd.).

The Ivy: (West Hollywood) Dealmakers and dream-makers dine at this cottage with white picket fence (this is where most celebrities go when they actually want to get photographed by the always-lurking paparazzi). While the shabby-chic furnishings (think antique French furniture that needs painting) may not be all that inspiring, the traditional American comfort-food is. Just make sure you taste the Caesar salad (the-most-perfect one we’ve ever eaten) before you let yourself be seduced by the decadent desserts. Look closely for the sign (it’s hidden in the ivy) as you stroll up to 113 N. Robertson Blvd. and Alden Dr.

Geisha House: (Hollywood) Part of the Dolce Group portfolio of restaurants and nightlife venues, Geisha House provides a sexy dining experience that titillates the senses, beginning with the palate and continues from there. This modern Japanese Restaurant, Sushi Bar and Sake Lounge embraces the flavor of traditional Japan, while catering to the hip, sophisticated clientele of hot Hollywood. Geisha House is located at 6633 Hollywood Boulevard.

Rock’n Fish: (Manhattan Beach) Renowned for its famous drink the “Navy Grog”- Rock’n Fish is well situated in Manhattan Beach’s downtown area. This fashionable eater, also a huge local favorite, provides an overall experience of uncompromising quality, boasting a classic ambience associated with Chicago or New Orleans. This place allows you to surround yourself with tall ceilings, hand-painted murals and decadent chandeliers in the main dining room or dining al fresco on indoor/outdoor patio. Rock’n Fish is located at 120 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Dolce Enoteca: (West Hollywood) Talk about the quintessential celeb-hot spot (Ashton Kutcher – and about half the cast of “That 70’s Show” – owns it)! Hollywood heavy-hitters lounge in big booths and enjoy the sexy decor of black leather and marble. Nibble on Italian-style tapas -perfect for sharing. Make sure you try the Risotto entree with Gorgonzola, and save enough room for the sumptuously rich ricotta cheese custard for dessert. Located at 8184 Melrose Ave. and Sweetzer Ave..

Dan Tana’s: (West Hollywood) Their Italian food is so good it made Paris and Nicole Ritchie friendly again. Walking into this restaurant is like entering a time warp back to 1950’s NYC. The old Hollywood atmosphere is matched only by the food (simply delicious and loaded with garlic). Hollywood moguls, actors, screenwriters (and wannabes in all three aforementioned categories) flock for Spaghetti Carbonara and Shrimp Diavolo. Since a reservation here is still one ofthe hardest to get in town, be flexible on timing (psst…eating late here is better anyway). Located at 9071 Santa Monica Blvd. at Doheny Dr..


Asia de Cuba: (West Hollywood) Feel like rubbing elbows with Hollywood’s elite? Then head over to the place that has been doing Fusion since before “fusion” was even its own type of food category. Asia de Cuba is Sunset Strip’s entry for Asian-Latino fusion, the menu choices range from big (to bigger) budget portions served family-style (try the savory calamari salad and finger-lickin’ good coconut layer cake). You can choose to sit indoors or out – but keep in mind that the outdoor patio offers spectacular views and is one of the best in L.A. At night, Asia de Cuba is transformed into a luxuriously sexy soiree. Located inside the Mondrian at 8440 Sunset Blvd.

Mr. Chows: Another place for elbow-rubbing in Tinseltown. In Beverly Hills, the hotspots cool off fast, but this place has held its see and be-seen for what-seems-like eternity (Mr. Chows opened in 1973). Your Chinese food is “all grown up” and fancy here – Chows offers excellent dishes that will leave you wanting more (you must order the green prawns marinated in a spinach dressing and the grilled filet mignon). Psst… the best nights for celebrity star-sightings are Wednesdays and Thursdays. And you’ll always know the caliber of celebs inside by the number of paparazzi reading their fortune cookies along the sidewalk. Mr. Chows is located at 344 N. Camden Dr. (and Wilshire Boulevard).

Read more at journeypod.com – your guide to luxury travel around the world. We give you VIP access to the hippest hotels, the hottest nightlife, and the coolest restaurants. It’s the insiders guide to luxury and vip access around the world.