3 days in West Hollywood, 2 days in Hollywood
Will be in LA for a conference. Coming the weekend before and staying in West Hollywood (Chamberlain). Then moving to the conference hotel in Hollywood (Renaissance). Would love some recommendations (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Won't have a car, but don't mind taking a taxi a reasonable distance. I don't mind spending money for something special, but hate places that are heavy on attitude without commensurate food. Love ethnic dives of all kind, and anything else that has a fun atmosphere (but not sacrificing food quality). Any thoughts?
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The below are all walking distance of your hotels.
In WeHo, I recommend:
*Norman's ( www.normansrestaurant.com ) - yummy, eccentric food
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*Bin8945 ( www.bin8945.com ) - neat little wine bar (I had a pleasant time, but according to other CHs there are service up and downs
)*O-Bar ( www.obarrestaurant.com ) - esp. for weekend Happy Hour (1/2 priced drinks from 6-8pmIn Hollywood:
*Vert ( http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/rest/fine/vert/hollywood/ ) - in the same plaza as your hotel, good stuff - though I heard exec. chef left recently so there may have been some changes since when I went.
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*Lucky Devils ( http://www.luckydevilshollywood.com/ ) excellent Kobe-style beef burgers! and a must-try toasted pecan frozen custard shake! (about 3 blocks down the street
)*Geisha House ( http://www.geishahousehollywood.com/ ) - only if you're digging the Hollywood scene. Food's not bad, good sake cocktails, and usually a celeb or two hangs about there.
*Koji's Japan ( http://www.kojisjapan.com/ ) also in the same plaza as your hotel - definitely not as big a hollywood vibe, and their shabu shabu is pretty good (they also offered American Kobe-style beef here.Hope that helps and do report back!
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From the Chamberlain, walking distance = (w)
Breakfast / Lunch:
Doughboys 3rd,
Toast on 3rd
Eat Well on Santa Monica. (w)
Griddle Cafe (w) not my favorite but everyone seems to love it.
Champagnes on Santa Monica (w)
Hugo's (w)Lunch
Absolutely Phobulous on La Cienega
Yabu on La Cienega also dinner
Real Food Daily on La CienegaDinner
Jinpachi on Santa Monica (w) also lunch
Norman's on Sunset (w)
AOC on 3rd
Wa Sushi on La Cienega (w) not my favorite either but close and decent.Pick up snacks, water, and other things at Famima (w)
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I stayed at the Renaissance just before Labor Day and had limited time for eating, but was very happy I went to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles and Musso and Frank, both within a mile of the hotel. For snacks go to Famima just around the corner from the hotel and for a quick meal, Skooby's hot dogs not too much further down Hollywood Blvd. My one regret was missing Mashti Malone for ice cream.
Search for Hollywood for several posts in mid August with many other recs.
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Would definitely suggest Ammo on Highland. You can walk from there. You can also go to Magnolia's on Sunset. (short cab ride) Nice intimate vibe. Decent food and reasonable prices. The Hungry Cat on Vine and Sunset. (also a short cab ride) Love the salmon and manhattan chowder there.
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