Located in Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive is probably the most famous shopping district for spotting stars. Designed to re-create a romantic European avenue, Rodeo Drive is one of the most expensive shopping streets in America. Designers such as Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Valentino, and Tiffany's have all found a home along this famous shopping street.
Located in the heart of Beverly Hills is a wonderful treasure: Roxbury Park. Roxbury Park is the perfect get away for those who would just like to take an afternoon to relax, use the grill, or rest under the shade of the canopy trees, Roxbury Park also provides plenty of activities for children, adults, and seniors. Whether it is taking a new class, learning a new sport, or simply enjoying the beauty of California, Roxbury Park is sure to please.
Athletics
For those seeking an athletic outlet, Roxbury Park offers many top of the line choices. There is a baseball field that also serves as a soccer field, 1 ½ basketball courts, 4 lighted tennis courts that rival those in the finest country clubs, and sand volleyball courts that are sure to provide hours of entertainment. The lush green hills look as if they roll endlessly and are the perfect backdrop for croquet and lawn bowling. If you’ve never played lawn bowling, don’t worry, the park also provides free classes, so all are invited to join in the fun.
Children At The Park
The children will love the large playground that features a pirate theme, and young children will enjoy playing in the designated toddler area. Preschool classes for children, such as Mommy and Me, community based senior activities, and adult classes are abundant. Some of the choices include yoga, creative writings, sculpting and other art related classes, as well as theater. The park also provides lunches for seniors between 11:15am to 12:15pm for $1.75.
Parties & Special Gatherings
Roxbury Park is the perfect place to host family reunions, special gatherings, or birthday parties. You must call ahead and reserve grills and picnic tables before your event. A permit may also be required so make sure to leave plenty of time before your function to get everything in order.
Park Rules
Be sure to read the rules before planning your trip to the park. Some of the rules include: making sure that dogs are kept on a leash no longer than six feet, no alcohol, smoking, or narcotics, children must be supervised; especially around water areas, and there are no bikes, skateboards, skates, or scooters allowed in the park.
Parking
Parking is metered, so be sure to bring plenty of change.
An authentic Southern Brazilian Churrascaria, the Fogo de Chao location in Beverly Hills opened its doors in March of 2005 along La Cienega Blvd. The restaurant is really hard to miss – the prominent blue tower at its entrance helps it stand out among other restaurants along the Boulevard. The blue tower also offers an excellent view into the authentic Brazilian process of roasting meats. For about $50 per guest, you’ll enjoy continuous tableside service of fifteen different succulent cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and chicken.
The Food
Traditionally referred to as Churrasco, a Gaucho (a Southern Brazilian Cowboy) would skewer large pieces of meat and then grill them over open flame pits. This Gaucho way of roasting meats has been passed down over the centuries and is an essential element of the Gaucho culture. It is also the foundation of the Fogo de Chao concept.
The Fogo de Chao concept features continuous tableside service by Gaucho chefs bringing you a variety of delicious meats. You’re provided with a small coaster (3rd picture below) – one side is red and the other is green. When you’re ready to be served, signal the Gauchos by flipping your coaster over to the green side. Alternatively, if you need a break, flip the coaster over to the red side and they’ll skip your table. Let the Gaucho know how you like your meat cooked and they’ll slice you a piece right there at the table.
I’ll admit that I was a little skeptical when I first heard about Fogo de Chao. As a huge fan of beef, it was hard to imagine that an all you can eat concept could actually deliver on quality. The first meat to arrive at my table (the meat doesn’t arrive in any particular order) was the Beef Ancho…a succulent and tender piece of rib eye. Next came the Filet Mignon which was just as good (if not better) than the rib eye.
Another fantastic cut of meat (one of their most popular) is the Picanah…a prime cut from the top sirloin. If you’re not a fan of beef, the lamb chops and pork ribs are excellent. They also serve a variety of chicken cuts but I was pretty full by the time those came around.
The Ambiance
As you step inside Fogo de Chao, the first thing you’ll probably notice is the 27-ft tall wine cellar…it’s really an amazing sight. Adorning the walls are colorful murals depicting the scenes of the Gaucho lifestyle and Brazilian culture. The Beverly Hills location seats 280 people and it also offers both semi-private (80 guests) and private (20 guests) dining areas.
The Service
For a restaurant of this size, I was really surprised with the quality of service. The staff and Gauchos were all knowledgeable, attentive and they really strive to ensure that you have a fantastic dining experience.
Located in Beverly Hills and part of the Santa Monica Mountains, Franklin Canyon Park provides a fantastic opportunity for hiking, picnicking, and breathtaking views of the city. This 600+ acre gem offers over 5 miles hiking along 3 major trails with various difficulty levels:
Discovery Trail
Easy (20 minutes / 0.3 miles): The easiest of the three, the Discovery Trail is a short loop that will take you about 20 minutes or less to complete. You can access the Discovery Trail from the southern entrance to the park.
Berman Trail
Easy/Intermediate (40 minutes / 1 mile): The Berman trail is about a mile in length and is moderately difficult. This trail connects to the northern entrance at Mulholland and provides for a scenic hike across the Santa Monica Mountains.
Hastain Trai
Intermediate (90 minutes / 2.3 mile): Although it’s the most popular trail at Franklin Canyon Park, the Hastain Trail is also the most strenuous. Gradually increasing as you make your way up trail, you’ll eventually reach a scenic overlook of the city; from here you can enjoy panoramic views of West Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.
Getting Here
There are two access points that feed into Franklin Canyon Park – one from the south and one from the south
From The South (Los Angeles-Beverly Hills): Travel north along Beverly Dr (towards Coldwater Canyon). Make sure you pay attention to the signs because you’ll have to turn left in order to continue along N Beverly Dr (otherwise, you’ll head up Coldwater Canyon). As soon as you reach Fire Station No. 2, keep your eyes open for Franklin Canyon Dr – it’ll be the third street on your right. Make a right turn onto Franklin Canyon Dr and then take the road until you reach the park entrance at Lake Dr.
From The North (San Fernando): To northern entrance can be accessed via Franklin Canyon Dr from the Mulholland Dr & Coldwater Canyon Intersection – you’ll see a sign that reads, “Road Closed 800 Feet. Sunset to Sunrise”. From here, simply follow the paved road until you reach the Sooky Goldman Nature Center. Alternatively, you can continue about 1.5 miles along Franklin Canyon Dr until you reach the southern entrance at Lake Dr.
Parking
Parking is available at Franklin Canyon Ranch (southern entrance), along Lake Dr, or at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center (northern entrance).
Additional Images (click to enlarge)
Bordering Beverly Hills, Al Gelato is a small Italian eatery nestled along Robertson Blvd. As you may have already guessed, their specialty is homemade Italian Gelato – a thick and creamy spin on American-style Ice Cream. If you come in for the Gelato and are overwhelmed by the options (there are usually about 25 on display), they’ll be more than happy to let you sample the flavors; I would suggest sampling either the Pistachio or Coffee Crunch flavors first. But there is much more to Al Gelato than just the deserts; their food is quite good.
The Food
I love coming to Al Gelato for the pasta, but I’ll admit…the taste isn’t for everyone. The marinara sauce is thick and creamy, but what sets it apart from typical Italian fare you’ll find in Los Angeles is that it’s on the sweet side. If you’re not a fan of marinara sauce, give their pesto a shot…it’s a little extra, but worth it. Their most popular pasta dish is the Rigatoni – served in either a full or half portion. The portions are hearty and will probably fill you up, but the full is only a few dollars more and you can take it home with you.
If you’re a meatball fan, good news for you; their meatballs are huge and are complemented perfectly by the sweet marinara sauce. All of the food is accompanied by freshly baked bread that is delivered warm right to your table; it’s also great for soaking up that left over marinara sauce. If you do decide to take some food home with you, leave the bread behind – it’s not very good after a few hours
For desert, there is the Gelato of course. If you’re not in the mood for Gelato or maybe want something to accompany it, they have a variety of homemade Italian desserts, including crispy cannolis, creamy tiramisu, and a fantastic apple pie.
The Service
This is really a toss-up and it depends on what mood you catch them in. The staff has been there for years and on some days they’re absolutely great. However, on other days – they can come off as a little obnoxious or snotty. Since I’ve been eating here for years, I’ve learned to just let it go; plus, the food and desert make up for it.
NOTE: Al Gelato only accepts cash. If you forget, there’s a gas station a few blocks away and an ATM machine at the 7-Eleven on Olympic and La Cienega.
On a Friday or Saturday night, Il Tramezzino is a great place to visit for a late night snack. If you’re tired of always eating the same thing after getting out of the bar or club, and you’re still ok to get behind the wheel, head over to Il Tramezzino for some great food and desserts. They have two locations in Los Angeles, one in Beverly Hills and another in Studio City, but the one in Beverly Hills is open till 4:00am on Friday and Saturday.
If you’re in the mood for something a little spicy and don’t mind the carbs, try the Penne Arrabiata. It’s a very simple dish; short tube pasta covered with a spicy sauce made from tomatoes, hot chilies, and garlic. If you don’t want to go the pasta route, I suggest going for one of their Panini Sandwiches; the most popular Sandwich is the Chicken Special (the first one on the menu). If you still have room for desert, try the chocolate croissant. A generous amount of Nutella chocolate is spread on the croissant and then grilled Panini style. You can also add bananas, strawberries, and other seasonal fruits as well.
If you visit the Beverly Hills location on a Friday or Saturday evening, you’ll notice that it looks a little like a nightclub outside. That’s because they employ a couple of bouncers, line you up against the wall (with a portable heater nearby), and even have a purple velvet rope. Don’t be shocked…it’s not a club. Just tell them how many people are in your party and it shouldn’t take too long.
It’s a little annoying having to wait behind a velvet rope to get a sandwich, but it’s worth it. If you’re really impatient (like me), take something to-go and walk across the street; there are some steps where you can sit down and enjoy your food. Just make sure to clean up after you’re done…there are tons of shiny trash bins all over the place (after all, it’s Beverly Hills).
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).
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.
