If you’re anything like us, you value balance in your LA experience. Sometimes you’re up for a hike in Malibu. Sometimes you’re hankering for the taco stand that’s been on the same corner since the Sunset Strip was actually cool. Sometimes you cross town for a gallery opening or sample sale. And other times you shell out cash for the minimalist, farm-to-table restaurant with obscure vegetables that will have you questioning Siri. That’s why we at Citizine started our weekly Heat Check Newsletter. Every Monday after much deliberation, we handpick four places to help you make the most of your city. We love you, Los Angeles.
Below, we present the best of our Heat Check Newsletters from Winter 2017. Don’t forget to sign up to get Heat Check directly in your inbox right HERE.
EAT
Kismet
Los Feliz
If you like the falafel from Madcapra in Grand Central, then you'll go buck wild for Kismet, a middle-eastern brick and mortar from the same culinary geniuses who have the whole town talking and flocking.
Image courtesy of @lefooding
Destroyer
Culver City
Though still working out some kinks, Destroyer in Culver City will impress your boss and your artist friends alike. Noteworthy takeaways include the warm open kitchen format, the beef tartare and the chicken confit.
Image courtesy of @kakaboshi
Al & Bea's Mexican Food
Boyle Heights
Since 1966, Al & Bea's has repped the heart and soul of Boyle Heights. Even carnivores (like our friend Robin Chang from Little Meats) think that their simple bean and cheese burrito with salsa verde is a gift from the gods.
Image courtesy of @teamburritotm
Afters Ice Cream
Pasadena and multiple
It takes a sick mind to combine a hot glazed donut with a scoop of hand-crafted ice cream, but the dream is dished out daily at Afters Ice Cream. Go ahead and top it off with fruity pebbles ... bikini season can wait.
Image courtesy of @aftersicecream
Taqueria of Hollywood
Hollywood
This vibrant corner taqueria has a modest menu that knows its roots. Take a seat at the countertop and count your blessings for finding authentic lengua and al pastor tacos at $1.50 a pop.
Image courtesy of Allyson E.
Baco Shop
Culver City
If you eat downtown often, you've likely experienced Baco Mercat, home of the baco—Chef Josef Centeno's Spanish sandwich creations. Starting this Thursday, you'll be able to satisfy those bäco cravings at a more casual and convenient outpost when Baco Shop opens its doors in Culver City.
Image courtesy of @thebacoshop
DRINK
Girl At The White Horse
East Hollywood
LA's flyest new bar that nobody knows about yet is like a neon pink fever dream crossed with a really hip grandma's living room. Watch out—drinks are strong and the bar's glittering and glorious disco ball is as damn near powerful as the sun.
Image courtesy of @bl0ndambition
MatchaBar
Silver Lake
It's no news that matcha is the next big thing, but MatchaBar has been sourcing and shaking up the best in the US since opening in Brooklyn in 2014. This month, they opened in Silver Lake and naturally everyone's lining up for all matcha everything—we recommend the vanilla almond matcha latte.
Los Feliz
Sick of the scene at Tenants of The Trees? Head across the street for no line or cover at The Friend, where east side artists and misfits actually dance under neon lights and a disco ball to ever-fresh DJ sets. The super legit cocktail program will fix your "two left feet" problem in no time.
Image courtesy of @thefriendbar
Deus Ex Machina
Venice
When the crowds of Abbot Kinney become too much to bear, slip into Deus (AKA The Emporium of Postmodern Activities) for carefully crafted coffee, surf and motorcycle gear, and the softest tees in town.
Image courtesy of @johnwilke
Backstage Bar & Grill
Culver City
This sports bar is a total Westside dive, and proud of it. Affordable drinks, pool, karaoke and the best garlic fries west of the 405 await inside this screen-covered haven. Whether you pop in for March Madness or free Saturday midnight quesadillas, you'll feel right at home.
Image courtesy of @stevenfodemusic
Vinoteca Farfalla
Los Feliz
Finding a happy hour you can actually make is like spotting a Pegasus on the 405. Thankfully, the wise patrons behind Vinoteca Farfalla have happy hour from 4-7 on weekdays and all damn day on Sunday and Monday.
Image courtesy of @vinotecafarfalla
DO
Escondido Falls
Malibu
Now that the sun's out, it's high time for a hike with a waterfall endgame. Wear Tevas in preparation for a few river crossings and get climbing on this four-mile Malibu hike where the foliage will transport you to Dr. Seuss' imagination.
Image courtesy of @melodyphok
The Museum of Jurassic Technology
Palms
"Where to begin" should be the motto for The Museum of Jurassic Technology. Less of a museum and more of a fun house of treasures, this perfect offbeat date spot even offers complimentary tea on their rooftop courtyard to soak in the weird.
Image courtesy of @shmigegle
SIXTY Beverly Hills Hotel
Beverly Hills
Ask any local, and they'll tell you that this city looks best from from the deep end of a rooftop pool. On a sunny afternoon, the SIXTY Beverly Hills Hotel is your best bet, where you have free pool access as long as you buy a drink (or five).
Image courtesy of @sofia_scom
Norton Sales Inc
Sun Valley
Houston, we have rocketry and outer space memorabilia. Norton Sales is the mothership of American aerospace history and is overflowing with enough retro equipment to build a rocket ship. It's definitely worth spending an afternoon in this engineer's treasure land.
Image courtesy of Norton Sales
R. Zach Jewelers
Beverly Hills
Like having an uncle in the jewelry AND guitar business, the proprietors of R. Zach's Estate Jewelry & Vintage Guitars will make you feel like part of the family while shopping a curated variety of estate jewelry, high-end watches, and guitars.
Image courtesy of @justwager
MUSEO
Silver Lake
Look no further for that 80s Hermes belt of your dreams. MUSEO is one of the few menswear consignment stores where the price is right for designer and niche labels.Tight budget? Their sale rack is about to become your significant other.
Image courtesy of MUSEO
Cinefamily
Beverly Grove
Escape the rain with a day at the movies! Cinefamily has the best programming in town, so if you missed out on the seven hour OJ documentary, now's your chance to watch all seven hours back-to-back in cinematic style.
Image courtesy of @shaunswift
Gemini Gel
Beverly Grove
If you haven't checked out the artist's workshop and gallery space on Melrose where Rauschenberg, Warhol and Lichtenstein did most of their screenprinting, do you even live in LA? You've got till April 1 to see Frank Gehry's new etchings and Frank Stella's early works.
Schaeffers Garment Hotel
Hollywood
Custom denim without the inflated prices is damn hard to find, but for more than ten years Schaeffers Garment Hotel has been a trusted safe haven for the gentleman and gentlelady in need of Japanese denim and a badass hat to top it off.
Image courtesy of @gret_vrotsos
Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Temple
Pacific Palisades
Woo-sahhhh, welcome to your new happy place, the Lake Shrine. Just a few blocks from PCH on Sunset lies the most peaceful property in all of LA, replete with lush meditation gardens, a spring-fed lake, swans, ducks, turtles and other serene amenities to help you unplug.
Image courtesy of @melcastagnari
Harper Salon
Beverly Grove
Going to the salon is like putting your life in the hands of your hairdresser. There are tons of top-notch salons in LA, but most will leave you broke till your next paycheck. Harper kills it on the coloring, cutting and styling without totally emptying your bank account.
Image courtesy of @jaykim.jpg
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