http://stylishguide.com Affordable places to eat, shop and play in Los Angeles Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:04:39 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en We hopped the train to San Diego to visit Jennifer, a StylishGuide inspiration and dear friend gifted with the ability to conjure up luxe bargains.  As tour guide, she lived up to her reputation, turning a "diamonds and denim" town like La Jolla into a destination for the cheap and chic.  Ever ... http://stylishguide.com/index.php/2008/07/23/la-jolla-weekend-joses-court-room-and-roppongi/ My parents came of age at the same time as Sinatra and Martin, and all my life they have honored what I consider a very Rat Pack tradition -- "cocktail hour."  While they only drink on weekends,  when the clock strikes 5 Thursday through Sunday, crudites, cheese, crackers, wine and martinis appear ... http://stylishguide.com/index.php/2008/07/16/sushi-kushi-imai-happy-hour-seven-days/ I'm in the midst of a doughnut obsession, as you may have noticed here and here.  Since Los Angeles reigns as the undisputed doughnut capital of the world, I suppose it is a matter of civic pride.  In that spirit, here are six more standard bearers. Dumpy strip mall + two ... http://stylishguide.com/index.php/2008/07/07/stylish-six-more-great-doughnuts-in-los-angeles/ The amazing half-off plant sale runs this weekend -- July 3-6 -- so I am re-posting this tip. When we bought our first house a few years ago, this is the front yard we got.  It was our first attempt at gardening, so I looked to Martha Stewart for guidance.  Her books told me to propagate ... http://stylishguide.com/index.php/2008/07/02/plant-sale-this-weekend-7-oaks-half-off-sale-corona-california/ I'm a big believer in focus.  Tiger Woods on the green focus.  Skinny dog next to the barbecue focus.   Drill-bit/pinpoint/eye-on-the-prize type focus. Hence I have a great appreciation for Bella Pita. This unassuming Westwood shop has pared its entire operation down to the bare minimum.  It's like they've taken everything you'd expect ... http://stylishguide.com/index.php/2008/06/23/bella-pita-falafel-in-westwood-california/ Expert Opinions are tips from L.A.’s ultimate insiders. Today’s contributor is Stuart Paap, who teamed up with StylishGuide for a doughnut-crammed road-trip documentary (or is it, "doughcumentary"?): Stuart Paap is a comedian in Los Angeles who hosts a live interactive comedy talk show every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. at ... http://stylishguide.com/index.php/2008/05/26/donut-man-and-donut-hole-los-angeles-road-trip-with-stuart-paap/ According to a 0.26-second Google search, New York is the birthplace of Hip Hop, Punk, Memorial Day, Teddy Roosevelt and the U.S. Navy.  All great stuff, but on reflection, one of the state's top contributions to mankind must be New York-style pizzas.  Distinguished by thin, flexible crusts, light on the cheese ... http://stylishguide.com/index.php/2008/05/12/hot-reader-tip-the-coop-pizza-in-palms/ If I had to guess, I'd venture that my love of bakeries came from my mother.  Her idea of lunch out was splitting a sandwich five ways so we could main-line Napoleons, cream puffs, pain au chocolate and cinnamon rolls. I've spent a good part of my life ever since searching for great pastries.  For rich, inexpensive ... http://stylishguide.com/index.php/2008/04/29/great-french-bakeries-in-los-angeles/ There are occasions when a bucket of fried chicken just won't do (even if it is as good as Golden Bird).  Maybe it is that all-important second date.  Maybe it's just that someone else is paying.  When I want to go out, without going "all out," I hit these four stylish supper ... http://stylishguide.com/index.php/2008/04/23/four-dining-splurges-in-mid-town-los-angeles/ This stuff is so addicting they should be selling it in little packets on the corner.  Instead, the smoothies that will hook you like a junkie are sold out of bright, clean shops in dingy neighborhood strip malls. The local Mateo's mini-chain serves up smoothies, juices, ice cream and popsicles in the Oaxacan ... http://stylishguide.com/index.php/2008/04/09/mateos-smoothies-ice-cream-and-juice-to-make-you-forget-jamba-juice/