I was walking down San Vicente last night with a Friend, looking at all the new Brentwood openings: La La Land, Ggiata, Pop-Up Bagels, and we started laughing about how Pop-Up is so New York, but La La Land is so LA.
Side note: We officially launched LikeAFriendSaid New York today! After a year of scouting, taste-testing, and sourcing with our local NY team, we’re live. Tell your New York Friends we’re here to stay and come follow along on Instagram: @likeafriendsaid.nyc.
Anyway… there are certain places that just scream LA. Even if we don’t visit some of them as often as we used to, if they closed, we’d spiral. Here’s my list:
An icon. Peak 2016 LA culture.
Already mentioned, but they are the definition of “LA-coded,” despite opening everywhere else.
The obvious choice. Everyone loves to hate it, but if they ever shut down? I know you’d be upset too.. (And yes, I am one of the people hoping they never expand nationwide.)
Did we all get tricked into believing 8–10 sessions = permanent hair removal? I’m 9 sessions in. Don’t ask about the finances of it.
Everybody from LA has had at least 1 birthday cake from here, if not all. And on a bad day? A red velvet cupcake will fix 60% of your problems.
They’ve expanded… but this will forever be our overpriced sweatset company.
I never go, but it’s a staple. I used to see Drake and Leo there. Although now it’s just questionable older men in pants that are too tight.
Any Caruso Property (The Grove, Americana, Calabasas, etc.)
No explanation needed. I try to avoid them, sometimes it’s busier than 5th Ave during holiday windows. But of course, I love them dearly.
Our city’s KBBQ supremacy. Enough said.
A cafe that broke national news for having matcha, breakfast sliders, coffee.
Show me another city where people willingly pay $100 to have their face aggressively kneaded for “results” that may or may not exist.
Beverly Hills Hotel, Chateau Marmont, Sunset Tower
Classic, nostalgic, Hollywood. The holy trinity.
Did I miss anything? I wrote this pre-coffee and on less than eight hours of sleep, so go easy on me.
— Your Friend
