A New York Transplant’s ‘Best of LA’ List
As a native New Yorker, I never thought I could leave my beloved hometown. But after 20 years as a NY-based music supervisor and producer, opportunity knocked, and I ran towards an adventure I once found too daunting to consider: I’ve spread my wings at Mophonics, taking on more company-wide initiatives, becoming a partner in the business, and moving to LA to expand on my role as executive creative producer at Mopho/LA.
I’m enjoying the warm welcome, both personally and professionally. Having a yard and citrus trees is a boon, too! Navigating change continues to be a process, especially in such a sprawling city…Do they really know how to make a proper bagel schmear out here? Is this a freeway or a parking lot? And no thank you, I don’t want to put ranch dressing on everything.
I’ve compiled what I’ve found so far that provides a sense of home for work and for play…as well as some touchstones that come with embracing a new vibe. I’ve clearly only just begun, and all input is welcome and appreciated!
If we haven’t crossed paths yet, please say HELLO and tell me where you love to go in LA...then join me there. And if you’re an East Coast comrade shooting, posting, or cavorting out here, please reach out. I got you.
LA’s best of my NY must-haves…
- Bagel - Belle’s Bagels (Eagle Rock)
- Pizza by the slice - haven't found any good slices yet, but Pizzana makes pretty great Neapolitan pies (West LA).
- Martini - Capri Club (Eagle Rock)
- Power Lunch Spot - All Time (Los Feliz)
- Power Breakfast spot - Blueys (Mar Vista)
- Overpriced Cold Brew - Kumquat (Eagle Rock)
- Wrap dinner / cocktails - Cara Restaurant @ Cara Hotel
- 1/2 off Sushi - Sushi Gen (Little Tokyo)
- Greasy Spoon Diner - Pat & Lorraines (Eagle Rock)
- Surprise Vibey Music Venue - Lodge Room (Highland Park)
- Pho - Blossom (Chinatown)
- Falafel - Dune (Atwater Village)
- Burger - The Apple Pan (West LA)
- Rough Trade Equivalent - Amoeba, OG record mecca!!
- Cheap Heat (aka awesome vintage vinyl) - Future Music (Eagle Rock)
- Artisanal Ice Cream Shop / Ample Hills Equivalent - Scoops (Eagle Rock)
- AICP after-party spot (Soho House/Warehouse – text me…)
- Matzo Ball Soup - Bub & Grandma’s (Glassell Park)
- Weekend Brunch Spot - Kitchen Mouse (Highland Park)
- Mom + Pop Hardware Store - Baller (East LA)
- Botanical Garden - Desconso Gardens (La Cañada Flintridge)
- Walkable Hipster Bar - Hermosillo’s (Eagle Rock)
- And then there’s my 'OK dammit I've embraced LA' list…
My brand new favourite…
- Music podcast while sitting in traffic - Song Exploder (…better late than never!)
- White Pants - Stan Ray's
- Dispensary - Green Earth (Eagle Rock)
- Dry Bar - Stay Zero Proof (Chinatown)
- Client-Bonding Activity - Moonlight Rollerway (Glendale)
- Hike - Eaton Trail (Pasadena)
- Running path - Occidental College (Eagle Rock)
- Beach - Point Mugu State Park (Malibu)
- Taco Spot - Villas Tacos (Highland Park)
- Acai Bowl - Blue Bowl (Long Beach)
- Gluten Free / Vegan Brunch - Kitchen Mouse (Highland Park)
- Cut Fruit Stand (LA equivalent of the ubiquitous NYC Halal food truck) - York Blvd btwn Ave 63+64
- Donuts - Colorado Donuts (Eagle Rock)
- Matcha - Little Lunch Coffee + Snacks (Venice)
- Outdoor Music Venue - The Greek
- Rollerblade Park - Venice Beach Skatepark
- Botox - G-Spa (Santa Barbara)
- Flea Market - Pasadena Flea @ Rose Bowl
- Home hobbies - backyard grilling, morning coffees on our front porch, novice gardening, helping our kids with their lemonade stand (cue Audrey “One” Fulquard in Little Shop of Horrors singing, “…somewhere that’s green!”)
Still haven’t found / desperate for leads on…
- Ramen / Vietnamese
- Bodega places w/cat - cue ugly cry….
- Best public transportation line - is there one?!
- Dentist / Tailor / Chiropractor
- Access to The Magic Castle
- Reliable +1s to all the shows I’m catching (wink wink)
