Driving through Beverly Hills along Santa Monica Blvd, one can’t help but notice the strip of park along the north side of the street. If you look closely, there is an ample amount of green space, park benches, and a walking path that spans from Doheny to Wilshire.
Lined with trees and adorned with lush green grass, the park offers the perfect escape from busy city life. Even on the busiest days – you can completely tune out the honking horns, revving engines, screeching tires, and the occasional yelling from angry drivers. The park is especially pleasant on a warm day…the shade from the trees and a little breeze work together to keep you cool.
On a Sunday morning, you can head over to the Starbucks located on Wilshire and Santa Monica for some coffee. Afterwards, cross the street towards the fountain and take a stroll (heading east) along the walking path. The path is about 2 miles in length so remember that you’ll also have to make the trip back. If you get hungry, cross the street (heading south) and take your pick from one of the many cafes in Beverly Hills. Alternatively, you can head over to Rodeo Drive for some window shopping (assuming you still have energy after your walk).
If you haven’t tried Pinkberry, I’m sure you’ve at least heard about it by now. With only two flavors of its non-fat yogurt, Plain and Green Tea, Pinkberry puts the simplicity back into frozen desserts.
Pinkberry isn’t the taste you’ve become accustomed to with traditional soft serve Frozen Yogurt…it’s sweet, but not too sweet. With only 125 calories in the small serving, it’s a healthy alternative when you’re looking to indulge.
So what’s the catch? Well, it doesn’t come cheap. A small serving of Pinkberry yogurt will run you about $5 with your choice of 3 toppings. Toppings include seasonal fruit (great quality), granola, cereals, and a few others that I am probably missing. Be prepared to wait a little bit – on an ordinary day, you would be hard pressed finding a Pinkberry location without a line snaking out the door.
There is also a little issue with parking at some of the locations. The Los Angeles Times refers to Pinkberry as, "the taste that launched 1,000 parking tickets" – because trying to find a parking spot at the original West Hollywood location was almost impossible. Finding parking at their Westwood location is no picnic either. But if you’re already in the area, I suggest you visit the new location at the Olympic Collection on Olympic and Sawtelle. There is ample parking in the underground lot and you don’t have to constantly look over your shoulder for parking enforcement.
So is it worth it? The taste isn't for everyone and many will say that it’s a waste of money. Although I frequent Pinkberry from time to time, I still enjoy other frozen yogurt shops like Bigg Chill and Penguins. Give it a shot and decide for yourself.
Where: Element, 1642 Las Palmas Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028
Music: DJ Cool Whip
Crowd: Young Hollywood
Cost: Cover is usually $20/person
Additional Info: You will probably have a little trouble getting in if you're not on the guest list. Call ahead for bottle service and it shouldn't be an issue...the number is 310-963-8348.
Located on Robertson Blvd just north of Olympic Blvd in Beverly Hills, Feryano's Restaurant is practically my home away from home. The cuisine at Feryanos is Eclectic / American, and they serve everything from Tuna Salad Sandwiches to Gyros and Greek Salads. Often frequented by celebrities, you’ll notice that they have devoted an entire wall to autographs – from Playboy Playmates, Maroon 5, and even the original Barney (the purple dinosaur).
The Ambiance
Feryanos is set up like most diners; a long counter spans the entire restaurant and about a half dozen tables set up both inside and out.
The Service
Aside from the food, my favorite part about coming to Feryanos is the excellent service. Feryanos is a family owned and operated establishment, so when you’re there, it feels a lot like home. If you come in the afternoon or on the weekends, you’ll most likely run into Mike; he is super friendly, accommodating, and always makes me laugh.
The Food
Whenever I visit Feryanos, I usually leave it up to Mike to make me whatever he “thinks” I want…and I have yet to leave unsatisfied. If you’re into Greek food, I highly recommend the Gyros which are simply amazing. The Burgers are also great…they are the perfect size and piled high with veggies. If you come in for breakfast, I suggest you go for the Spinach Omelette or the Scrambled Eggs with cheese.
The Price
The prices at Feryanos are not cheap, but considering they are located in Beverly Hills, it’s still quite reasonable. A Burger Combo, with fries and a drink, will run you $8.88 with tax.
If you’re in the neighborhood, I highly recommend that you stop by Feryanos; you won’t be disappointed.
Where: Privelege, 8117 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Music: DJ Echo, Hip-Hop and Top 40
Crowd: Young Hollywood
Cost: Cover is usually $20/person
Additional Info: Unless you're on the list or arriving with a group of women (minimum 3:1 ratio), I suggest you arrive early to get in line. You can also grab a few drinks at Bar Marmont or Cabo Cantina a little earlier. If you're hard on cash or simply want to bum it (sorry for the non-PC term), there is a liquor store across the street. Don't forget the paper bag though; it really does wonders for authenticity.
If you’re looking to enjoy a spectacular view of the Pacific Coastline and don’t mind a little hiking, head out to Point Dume State Beach in Malibu.
The hike to the coastal bluff atop Point Dume is really scenic and you can probably catch a good glimpse of the local wildlife. If you go up there between December and March, you may actually be able to spot some Pacific Gray Whales as they make their way to Baja California. On a warm day, you'll also have an opportunity to take a little dip in the tide pool which can be accessed from the eastside of the bluff.
You can make your way to the top of Point Dume by way of an ascending trail which begins at the end of Westward Beach Rd.
My last post was a little negative and highlighted a restaurant that I was not too happy with. This time around, I am going to give a positive review of Blowfish, an upbeat Japanese restaurant bordering West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The location is actually a little off the strip, and if your heading east along Sunset Blvd, this is exactly where the strip begins and Beverly Hills ends (across from the Jaguar/Land Rover dealership).
Like Katana, the ambiance at Blowfish is upbeat and energetic…but it somehow feels a little more authentic. The lights are dim and there is an interesting blend of Reggae music in the background and Japanese Anime films being played on Plasma TV screens. My girlfriend and I have eaten here on several occasions and she swears that they play the same Bob Marley record each time…but I never noticed.
If you’re eating at Blowfish on the weekday, you probably won’t have any trouble getting a table without reservations. On the weekends, it’s a different story. The restaurant is usually packed on the weekends, and frequently hosts events and parties, so I would suggest you make reservations early in the afternoon (or possibly the day before). If you’re really eager to eat there, you can simply walk-in and try your luck at the Sushi Bar which is seated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The sushi at Blowfish is on the pricey side, ranging from $12-$18 per roll. But unlike Katana which I featured in my last post, the Sushi at Blowfish is always fresh and full of flavor. My favorites at Blowfish are the Spicy Tuna Roll and the Animal Style Roll…but I am really partial to the latter. They serve several specialty drinks made with Sake or Japanese Vodka…my personal favorite being the POM (Pomegranate) & Vodka. If you still have room for dessert, I would suggest going with the Green Tea Cheesecake.
Where: Social Hollywood, 6525 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Music: Featuring DJ AUDIOMOE & DJ GINA STAR
Promoters: Joe Joe Promotions & Red Light Promotions
Additional Info
Guest list, bottle service, or dinner reservations is highly recommended. Contact Jenn Laskey (jenn[at]redlightpromotions.com) at Red Light Promotions for more information.
*All information is tentative and subject to change
If you’re looking for overpriced Sushi, then Sunset Blvd is the place to go.
At a whopping $12-$15 per roll, the majority of Sushi restaurants located on the strip fall short when it comes to quality. This isn’t to say that the sushi is bad; it just isn’t worth the price. For instance, take Katana – a very ordinary sushi restaurant with extraordinary prices. I heard a lot of good things about Katana before I went, so it’s possible that I could have come in with really high expectations. If you decide to go there on the weekend, make reservations ahead of time as it gets really packed. I went there on a weekday so it wasn’t too packed, but even for a Tuesday, the ambiance was upbeat and very energetic.
Although Katana does serve much more than just sushi, including traditional Japanese skewers (Robata), we we just went with the sushi. We ordered about 6 different rolls (hand-cut) and a couple orders of sashimi between the two of us. I really hate to make the comparison (since it could have been a one time thing), but the Sushi reminded me of the rolls you purchase from the refrigerators at Ralphs. The fish wasn’t fresh, the avocado was brown, the rice was hard packed (not sure if that’s the correct term), and it was just bland.
I also enjoy Spicy Mayo with my Sushi and they couldn’t even get that right. The Spicy Mayo they brought out had the consistency of margarine; I thought the whole point was to dip your sushi into it, not spread it. The service was also nothing special; the waitress would disappear for long periods of time and never came around to check up on us. On a positive note, the 5-minute souffle (it takes 5 minutes, hence the name) we had for dessert was quite good.
Although I may give Katana another shot, I don’t think I will be coming back in the near future.
Taking your date out in Los Angeles should be pleasant and memorable for both of you. Finding romantic date ideas in Los Angeles is certainly not hard work, and you owe it to your girl and yourself to get out and enjoy what the city has to offer.
Los Angeles has the perfect date weather and you can do pretty much everything year-round. Candlelight dinners and rose petals aside, if you are looking to go the extra mile for your sweetheart, here are some romantic date ideas.
The Beach
The southern California region is full of what makes California famous - beaches. There are many varieties of romantic date ideas these beaches provide. Pack a picnic or a kite and head to your closet beach, or get closer to celebrities at Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Enjoy the sun together during the day, or visit the beach at dusk for a more isolated stroll through the waves. Set out an evening picnic and enjoy the quiet stillness of night while you gaze at the starts. Of course, it goes without saying that you should name a star for your date.
Catalina Island
For a romantic day together, head to Catalina Island. While there, enjoy time together in a couple's spa or head to the beach for snorkeling or scuba diving. Have dinner in any of the romantic restaurants on the beach, and then head back to the mainland after a fulfilling day together. Another option, of course, would be to spend an entire weekend or at least a night together on the island and enjoy all of the romantic date ideas available.
Gondola Ride
Experience a little taste of Venice inside Los Angles. Gondola Adventures in Long Beach offers an opportunity to snuggle together on a classic gondola, complete with a singing gondolier. Have some wine and cheese while you admire the houses off the canal and simply enjoy each other’s company. Enjoy the romantic serenade of the gondolier and let dusk wash over you as you experience this, a truly different romantic date idea.
Take A Drive
Los Angeles has some of the most beautiful weather in the world. Rent a convertible or take the top down on yours and just drive. The Pacific Coast Highway offers amazing views and plenty of opportunities for sneaking your arm around your sweetie or stealing a kiss at a lookout point. Stop for a sweet treat and discuss other romantic date ideas you might have for the future. Feel the wind whip through your hair while you declare your love for her and Los Angeles.
Driving through Beverly Hills along Santa Monica Blvd, one can’t help but notice the strip of park along the north side of the street. If you look closely, there is an ample amount of green space, park benches, and a walking path that spans from Doheny to Wilshire.
If you haven’t tried Pinkberry, I’m sure you’ve at least heard about it by now. With only two flavors of its non-fat yogurt, Plain and Green Tea, Pinkberry puts the simplicity back into frozen desserts.
If you’re looking to enjoy a spectacular view of the Pacific Coastline and don’t mind a little hiking, head out to Point Dume State Beach in Malibu.
Taking your date out in Los Angeles should be pleasant and memorable for both of you. Finding romantic date ideas in Los Angeles is certainly not hard work, and you owe it to your girl and yourself to get out and enjoy what the city has to offer.