Los Angeles
The STANDARD H Travel pages are our version of city guides presented by our founder, Wesley Smith. These are places he's traveled, enjoyed, and recommends, so they're all vetted and what we refer to as STANDARD H verified. These lists will evolve, so check back often and travel safe!
"I lived in Los Angeles from 2007 until 2012. As many cities experience, restaurants and bars come and go, but thankfully, most of the places that have been my favorites have remained so as they've been able to stand the test of time. I certainly feel the proof is in the pudding and it illustrates these places are worth a visit." - Wesley
Coffee:
Alana's Coffee Roasters
634 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
The best espresso in this area of Los Angeles. It's small, so if you're with more than one other person, you may actually want to hit Verve around the corner on Melrose, just for the ability to sit comfortably and not feel cramped. Alana's is my go-to when I'm alone.
Dayglow
866 Huntley Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069
If you don't hit Alana's, then try out Dayglow. The espresso is very good, but it's kind of tricky with parking. If I ever get my car washed in LA, it's always at Santa Palm Car Wash which is an LA staple and it's a block/more or less across the street.
Intelligentsia Coffee Silverlake
3922 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
This is one of the 3-4 most common places I get my espresso fix these days when I'm up in LA. I believe the brand was founded in Chicago, but it spread like wildfire when it came to Los Angeles. Expect a line and plenty of people wearing black. Silverlake became the Brooklyn of Los Angeles roughly 15 years ago and hasn't really changed. That's not a bad thing. ;). You can find another Intelligentsia coffee on the esteemed shopping street of Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice.
Caffe Luxxe
COUNTRY MART, 225 26th St, Santa Monica, CA 90402
The Brentwood Country Mart is an iconic place in Los Angeles as you may already know. I used to work at the James Perse store there and Caffe Luxxe is still a coffee spot I frequent when on the West Side. They also have a larger location on Montana Ave. In fact, their store count is up to 7, I believe, including Santa Barbara and Orange County which is nice to see. They also have other locations (Montana Ave. not far from the Country Mart, as well as one on the way to Malibu on PCH which I would recommend as opposed to getting coffee in Malibu where it's no doubt crowded).
Restaurants:
Father's Office
1018 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
My memory is foggy how I ended up here the first time, but right when I entered I'd seen it before. Not because it looked familiar, but because they still have framed just inside the front door the Esquire feature from an issue I must have read long before even moving to California. Crazy how life works sometimes. I digress. The burger and beer is why you come here. The burger's famous, for that matter....partly because there is no ketchup in the building, so don't ask for any, and the fact that the burger is just so. damn. good. When I lived in LA, I took 100% of the people who visited me here, and it was always a grand slam. Note: there are no reservations and all orders are placed at the bar. I always dip my burger in the blue cheese aioli (sounds gross but don't knock it 'til you try it) that comes with the sweet potato fries which you can order a la carte. It's one of those things: shoe string fries come with the burger, but the sweet potato fries must be ordered separately...they're not interchangeable. I don't make the rules, I just play by them.
Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Nancy Silverton of La Brea Bakery fame founded the Osteria in 2007 with partner Joe Bastianich. It's been called "the casual restaurant where people dress to impress," which could only occur in LA, let's be honest. Jokes aside, this is perhaps my favorite restaurant in all of Los Angeles. It has a great bar, so get there a few minutes early. The wine list is awesome if you like Italian reds.
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
If you think this seems a little closely-named to Osteria Mozza, that's because it is. It's literally next door, and it's also a Nancy Silverton's brain child. Arguably the best pizza in Los Angeles, I always sit at the pizza bar so you can watch them make the pizzas, I always get the fennel sausage as it's made in house. Italian red wine or perhaps a Moretti beer when they have it. You'll love it.
Eveleigh
8752 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
From the street it looks like a cottage, but inside it opens up. To me, it feels like 5 star tree house. The drinks are great and the food is delicious. I always seem to end up here when a group is getting together, but it's great as a date spot, too.
Rustic Canyon
1119 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Wonderful wine bar with absolutely excellent food. I really don't know what else to say. It's great.
Toca Madera
8450 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Classified as "High end Mexican" this place is just fun. I think it's best in a small group of close friends.
Sunset Tower - Tower Bar Restaurant
8358 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
This is a great brunch spot and nice place to grab dinner. Chances are decent you'll have a celebrity spotting if you're into that kind of thing, and it's just one of those places in LA that isn't really repeatable anywhere else even though the menu isn't crazy imaginative. It's just GOOD.
Polo Lounge @ The Beverly Hills Hotel
9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Speaking of unrepeatable, the Polo Lounge is iconic. Think Rat Pack but not in Vegas. It's expensive but incredibly unique to LA.
The Grill on the Alley
9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
If you're a fan of dining at Balthazar in SoHo with the locals (meaning before 9am) and you're looking for that vibe but for lunch in Beverly Hills, this is the place. It has the best Lobster Bisque I've ever had, and one hell of a Caesar Salad. Seriously. Then again, I've never had anything bad here, so just close your eyes and point at the menu.
Funke
9388 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
A scene-y dinner spot, yes, but it's also one of the better Italian meals I've had in LA. Made from scratch pasta, incredible pizzas. Great wine selection. Shop on Rodeo and eat here, and you've had a full day, for sure.
Bars:
Honor Bar
122 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
This is a very old school steakhouse vibe. Think Art Deco before you saw it everywhere. Great cocktails if that's what you're looking for, and a solid beer list. It's obviously a bar, but it also has delicious food. Get the burger regardless. You're in California...if you weren't aware, burgers are sort of a thing here.
4100 Bar
1087 Manzanita St, Los Angeles, CA 90029
It's a really cool vibe at 4100 - it's not a dive bar by any means, but has that "cool" factor to it while also feeling like an escape. You know when you're on vacation and find that locals' spot? It's that feeling. Back in the day, Kiefer Sutherland would randomly show up and get behind the bar and serve people drinks.
The Well
6255 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Really enjoy this place. Cocktails and great music. Such a great atmosphere here.