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October 31, 2007
Stylish Six: Great Doughnuts in Los Angeles
Filed under: Best Of, Eat, Midtown, San Gabriel Valley, Westside — StyleGuide @ 8:21 pm
“Doughnuts?” The term doesn’t seem to do these “fine American pastries” justice. Here are six of my favorites (including an homage to JFK’s favorite German doughnut):
1. Donut Man: Don’t think about it, just drive. Glendora’s crown jewels are strawberry- or peach-stuffed, fluffy glazed wonders (in season), weighing in at nearly a pound each. See the video here.
2. Rockenwagner Bakery: The famed chef turns out Berliners Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays from his Culver City shop. Mmmm, jam filling….
3. Primo’s Westdale Doughnuts: This old-school shop is in the shadow of the 10 and the 405. Their butterfly doughnut nearly brought me to tears. You need more reason than that?
4. The Gumbo Pot: Beignets are doughnuts, New Orleans-style. Click here for more about these deep fried, powdered sugar-loaded, airy sweet treats from the L.A. Farmer’s Market at Third and Fairfax.
5. Frittelli’s Doughnuts & Coffee: Doughnuts in the 90210 – without the expected attitude or prices. Friendly staff can guide you through their vast selection with prime ingredients like Tahitian vanilla and Meyer lemon zest.
6. Bob’s Coffee and Doughnuts: Plain cake goodness, daily at the L.A. Farmer’s Market. Neat kitty- and dinosaur-shaped doughnuts, too.
Where are your favorite doughnuts?
October 30, 2007
Ask the Comedian: Cheap Laughs — Comedy Death Ray
Filed under: Expert Opinions, Play — StyleGuide @ 8:39 am
Expert Opinions are tips from L.A.’s ultimate insiders. Today’s contributor is Stuart Paap:
Cheap laughs. Get it? It’s a double entendre — ah, the French have such a way with words, passive aggression and mimes.
Step one: Hello! I am your host, Stuart Paap, a local comedian, auteur, television host, bon-vivant (and Francophile apparently), BUT most importantly, I am your comedy maitre’d (arret), ready to make all the right recommendations for your comedy palette here at StylishGuide.com.
*Cautionary note: Before you take any of my suggestions, let me quote clause number 1 of the ICSA (International Comedy Suggestion Agreement), which states that: “Humor is subjective, and unlike the self-congratulating gourmand who will suffer indignance if you don’t take his/her/its recommendations for the best croissants in town (incidentally – they’re at Susina Bakery and Café on Beverly and La Brea), as a comedian, I can only nudge you in the general direction of humorous situations, people and venues while YOU, future satisfied audience member, must do the parking, ticket buying, drinking and, of course, laughing.”
And while I can’t help ease your parking, drinking and lack-of-humor situation, then maybe I can help alleviate your bank card of unnecessary trips inside another anonymous ATM by giving you the lowdown on good laughs — cheap!
Brought to you at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre on the hip part of Franklin Avenue where Hollywood sleaze meets East Side cheese, Comedy Death Ray is a tossed salad of humor, featuring stand-up comedy, characters and sketch that would happily live in the “alternative comedy” section of Amoeba Records.
If you’re unfamiliar with “alternative comedy,” don’t worry — it’s just like regular funny comedy with a dash of comic book nerds, thick-set glasses and cheese-fries guts thrown in for good measure. Some of it is pure genius, some off-putting, but regardless, you’ll get the sense that somewhere in this crazy town, comedy is alive and not-so-well and that ultimately, that is just fine. (Hey, it’s usually better than some dink in a cheap suit talking about how his crazy spouse just doesn’t understand football. You dig?)
Experimentation is the motivation here, and for five bucks, you can be entertained and possibly even emotionally scarred!
NOTE: keep your eyes peeled for drop-ins from celeb-beauties like Bob Odenkirk, Patton Oswalt, David Cross, Fred Armisen, and more.
Price: $ (reservations recommended)
When: Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m.
Where: UCB THEATRE LA, 5919 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, Ca 90028
Call: 323-908-8702
Stuart Paap is a comedian in Los Angeles who hosts a live interactive comedy talk show every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. at TheStream.TV! He also loves his dogs, likes his cats and tolerates his neighbors.
October 25, 2007
Antiques Roadshow (w/o the road): Bonham & Butterfield Appraisal Day
Filed under: House + Garden — StyleGuide @ 6:39 am
If PBS’s Antiques Roadshow has you wondering if the table you bought at the neighbor’s garage sale could earn you a cool half-mil, then consider Bonham & Butterfield’s Appraisal Days.
Once a month, appraisers at Bonham’s Sunset Boulevard location will say (in an honest but gentle manner) whether your stuff would be worth anything at auction. The crowds arrive early, take numbers by category (Asian Art, Paintings, Books, etc.), then wait in chairs set up classroom-style for the experts to call their numbers.
My hour-long wait to have two pieces appraised flew by — mostly because the atmosphere of nervous anticipation (tempered by the boredom of waiting) seemed to make everyone friendly, chatty and supportive.
Those I spoke with fell into two categories. Half were giddy with the thought that their bric-a-brac might someday fund a vacation cruise. The others kindled a sad hope that selling their family heirlooms might chip away at overwhelming medical and nursing homes bills.
When my numbers were called, I quickly learned that of all my worldly possessions, I own absolutely nothing of value.
A nice little adventure, a shot at untold riches, and a fascinating glimpse into people’s odd relationships with their things — and it didn’t cost a dime!
Price: Free
When: Check Bonham’s website for the schedule; the next one is October 31, 2007 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Where: 7601 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca 90046
Call: 323-850-7500
Have you been? Talk to us.
October 23, 2007
Ask the Personal Assistant: A-list Gifts from Edelweiss Chocolates and Beverly Hills Seed
Filed under: Expert Opinions, Shop — StyleGuide @ 6:25 am
Expert Opinions are tips from L.A.’s ultimate insiders. Today’s contributor is Janet (pictured above with her husband), a personal assistant who spent 37 years working for one of Hollywood’s biggest power players.
Even if you live on a ramen budget, there are occasions that demand A-list gifts. Janet turned us on to some shops that impress no matter what your budget:
I had the privilege of working with a boss who had top organizational skills and was a wonderful communicator. Since I was 19 when I started working for him and had the sense to observe and be willing to learn, I gained a great deal of knowledge that I used in a long, successful career.
My boss was a generous man who gave many gifts. Even to this day, there are two places that I would highly recommend to anyone for great gifts:
Edelweiss Chocolates is a paradise. They cover and dip just about anything and everything in chocolate – fruit, marshmallows, you name it. Their gift boxes are elegantly wrapped and you can buy one piece or one hundred.
Beverly Hills Seed is a wonderful store where you can choose from a large assortment of lush, healthy plants in beautiful decorative pots. My favorites are all the varieties of orchids that you will find in several sizes and prices.
Edelweiss Chocolates, 444 N Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, (310) 275-0341 and 225 26th Street, Santa Monica, Ca 90402, 310-656-0306, $-$$$$
Beverly Hills Seed, 9526 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, Ca 90210, 310-276-3501, $$$$
Where do you get A-list gifts?
October 18, 2007
Cheap Pots: Pottery Manufacturing & Distribution in Gardena
Filed under: House + Garden — StyleGuide @ 6:13 am
This picture looks a little like an outdoor version of the place where they put the Ark of the Covenant at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. In this incarnation, pallet after pallet of decorative pots seem to carry on into infinity.
For Pottery Manufacturing & Distribution (right off the 110 in Gardena), this endless aisle of pottery is only part of the story. There are more corners hiding pots of all sizes, materials and hues, not to mention a massive selection inside their 12,000 square foot warehouse.
While their vast inventory is clearly a big draw, price is another. Pottery Manufacturing & Distribution is a factory outlet (!) that carries closeouts and seconds at dirt-cheap prices.
The outlet not only carries pots that complement your decor no matter what your design sensibility or budget, it’s also a resource for hard-to-find styles. Interior designers treasure it as a secret source for affordable pots that work well in a modern aesthetic.
So skip the big box stores and over-priced boutiques — block off an hour or two to prowl the aisles at this family-owned gem.
Price: $-$$$$
Where: 18881 S. Hoover Street, Gardena, Ca 90248
Call: (310) 323-7772
October 16, 2007
A1 Italian Deli in San Pedro
Filed under: Eat, Shop, South Bay — StyleGuide @ 6:30 am
San Pedro, the port town at the southern terminus of the 110, is one of those places where the town’s main drag would regularly replace itself. New buildings would spring up on the next throughfare to the west, and the town’s bustle would follow. In San Pedro, the action moved from Pacific to Gaffey, and now to Western. The old neighborhoods remain, a little more rundown and a little less crowded.
Some first-rate businesses continue to prosper around the older streets, and A1 is one of them, an authentic old school Italian grocer, a quiet place with a few loud employees. It is the kind of shop that I imagine covers much of New York and Jersey (based entirely on my obsession with mob movies). Their high standards for quality cultivate a loyal following that seems more like family.
I shop affordable specialites like breaded chicken cutlets from the deli (pounded thin and ready for a quick fry in olive oil), uncooked pizza dough from the refrigerator section, fresh produce (including fun stuff like dandelion leaves), Italian wines and aisle after aisle of well-priced imported foods ranging from ladyfingers to olive oil.
But my favorite thing at A1 is their made-to-order Italian prosciutto ham and provolone sandwich. The buttery prosciutto is laid thick on a seven-inch fresh baked french roll with all the usual toppings and a tangy vinaigrette, priced at a mere $4.25.
A1 has been in business in San Pedro since 1947. Although developers have rediscovered the neighborhood and begun populating it with modern loft condominiums, I’m hoping it will remain the same for another 60 years.
Price: $ and up
Where: 348 W. 8th Street, San Pedro, Ca 90731
When: Closed Sundays
Call: 310-833-4045
October 11, 2007
Low-Price Compost Bins for City of L.A. Residents
Filed under: House + Garden — StyleGuide @ 6:52 am
You recycle, turn off the water when you brush your teeth, and switched to CFLs. Time to take it to the next level.
City of L.A. residents can get reduced-price compost bins from the Bureau of Sanitation. Just head to the Compost Education Facility in Griffith Park and pick one of three composters.
I was a little intimidated, but it turns out the hardest part of composting is finding the Compost Education Facility. Once I was able to locate the folding table next to a shipping container, the friendly expert helped me pick a composter and load the car.
I went home with a $20 Green Machine, which I consider a lazy person’s composter — just dump your kitchen waste, cover with leaves, and go.
If you are looking for more compost more quickly, have extra space, and want to invest some time (shoveling your pile regularly), consider a Smith & Hawken Biostack. They retail for $103 on Smith & Hawken’s website, but here you can get one for just $45.
If you need help, the city also offers monthly composting workshops.
The upside? Get mulch and soil conditioner, and divert yard and kitchen waste from the landfill. Sounds pretty rich to me.
When: The next bin sales event is this Friday, October 12, 2007, in Griffith Park. See the schedule for more dates, locations and workshop times.
Where: 5400 Griffith Park Drive, Los Angeles, Ca 90027, as well as special events and workshops around the city (bring a driver’s license or DWP bill to verify residency).
Call: 213-485-2260
Price: $$-$$$
Into green yard care? Check out discount eco-friendly lawn mowers from AQMD here.
October 9, 2007
Santa Barbara Bargains: Motel 6 #1 and La Super-Rica Taqueria
Filed under: On the Road — StyleGuide @ 6:26 am
Santa Barbara is one of those L.A. getaways where you could easily drop an entire month’s rent in a weekend. Here are a few of my tricks to getting to the beaches on a budget:
1. Motel 6, Number 1 is a no-frills, bare-bones motel that has garnered near-mythical status, even across the globe — my Danish friends insisted we book there when they came to visit. The appeal of this particular Motel 6 is location (a quick two blocks to the beach), and price (cheap, cheap, cheap). Otherwise, don’t expect much beyond a small, clean room and a mini outdoor pool. Now’s the best time to make your summer weekend reservations, so keep these tips in mind: 1. Ask for an ocean view, but be aware there’s no guarantee, and 2. Take advantage of the fact that there’s no “minimum two-night stay” on weekends (near-standard practice among Santa Barbara accommodations).
2. Eat at La Super-Rica Taqueria. It isn’t much to look at, just a dumpy little stand housing the kitchen next to a postage stamp-sized concrete pad crammed with plastic patio furniture and covered with a battered awning. Its claim to fame is a shout-out from Julia Child, and we had our own (D-list) celebrity sighting while waiting in the hour-long line. Nevertheless, the tacos — consisting of inventive fillings on thick corn tortillas — are cheap, and the diverse crowd — consisting of rough-looking neighborhood teens and mature, tanned, well-dressed, Lexus SUV-driving locals — is interesting and friendly.
With the beach in your motel’s backyard, and a sack of tacos from La Super-Rica, you can finally appreciate Santa Barbara’s best without worrying about your credit card limits.
October 4, 2007
Tailor-Made Round-Up: Richard’s Tailor Shop and Mikhail Custom Tailoring
Filed under: Shop — StyleGuide @ 6:34 am
It doesn’t take a pile of cash to make your clothes look like they were made for you. Just buddy up with a great tailor.
For the basics, head to Richard’s Tailor Shop, a real find behind a dingy storefront in downtown L.A.’s garment district (pictured above). Carlos, the friendly man at the counter, will hem your pants for $3 a leg. For a little more he’ll make shirts fit tighter, pants fit looser, and sleeves hit right at the wrist. Inexpensive tweaks to off-the-rack clothes can make you look taller, thinner (and richer!) — even if all you wear are Old Navy khakis.
Carlos works magic on all men’s clothes and women’s basics, but for special women’s pieces — maybe your millionth bridesmaid’s dress or a vintage Dior you discovered at a yard sale — try Mikhail Custom Tailoring in mid-Los Angeles. Prices are higher, but you’ll feel confident that your clothes are in good hands.
Because when it comes to clothing, if it doesn’t fit, nothing else matters.
Richard’s Tailor Shop, 111 East 7th Street, Los Angeles, Ca 90015, 213-622-2545, $
Mikhail Custom Tailoring, 7405 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, Ca 90036, 323-937-8378, $$-$$$$
October 2, 2007
Ask the Stylist: Halloween Costumes
Filed under: Expert Opinions, Play, Shop — StyleGuide @ 6:16 am
Expert Opinions are tips from L.A.’s ultimate insiders. Today’s contributor is fashion stylist Alexandra Haines.
Halloween is the one time of year where you can wear whatever you want — forget appropriateness and decency! For a fashionista, it is THE national holiday. I start early — real early — and cast a wide net.
Hidden Treasures
A destination in and of itself, this hideaway earns regular mentions in the pages of Vogue and stocks an amazing collection of vintage clothes. But come Halloween, they load up extras like masks and tutus in a rainbow of colors. In Topanga Canyon right off the main drag, this is a great stop for retro costumes for men and women.
Robinson Beautilities
Whether I’m pulling together a costume for a man or woman, this is my mecca for costume extras. Yes, it is a fully functioning costume shop that has not (blessedly) be remodeled since the 60’s. But it also offers a huge supply of wigs and Venetian masks, a wall of fake eyelashes, all types of glitter spray, and my new wardrobe standard — Vegas-style feather headdresses (really, once you buy one you’ll find there are all sorts of occasions to wear it).
Squaresville
I’d say Squaresville is a hipper, cleaner version of Aardvarks, where the buyers really care about what they’re stocking. Some of my greatest regrets come from not buying beautiful pieces I found there, like a sequined butterfly top, trashy white fur coat or an original prairie dress. These wouldn’t have made it into my everyday wardrobe, but could make fantastic retro costumes. Find costumes for men and women.
Hollywood Blvd.
Got no time and are just going to dress in a skimpy outfit with some sort of animal ears? Try walking Hollywood Boulevard for their cheap costume/lingerie shops and amazing wig shops.
About Alexandra:
I am a stylist who has been designing clothes and accessories and styling photo shoots. That wouldn’t mean anything if I wasn’t intrinsically interested in how individuals can express themselves uniquely in their dress. Expect no cookie cutter advice here.
Call: 310-908-7605 (Alexandra)