Neighbor News
First Outings
As Los Angeles begins to open its doors, planning where you go and what you do is key to surviving. Check out these cool places to hit up.
Going out these days is becoming more and more reimagined in our world. Getting out the door is still a challenge afflicted with real life late-pandemic decisions - elastic waist vs. button and zipper, throw-away or fashion mask, and to Uber or not - all with the end goal of meeting up finally with your “long lost” crew.
Hanging somewhere chic is also part of the equation. It's about where to go without the expectation of BPL (before pandemic life). While Californians are so close to the June 15th date of everything opening up, restaurants, food markets, tea houses and cafes are already experiencing a surge of reservations. Currently indoor restaurant capacity is at 50% while outdoor patio and rooftop reservations are getting harder to obtain. So, maybe it’s time to take a breath before rushing to create your perfect meal out. For those you are ready, here are a few very stylish spots to make your debut.
Tea Time
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Reena Shah’s Chado Tea Room is beloved by Angelenos. Since 1990 she hosts guests for full tea service, brunch, lunch, a cup to-go and loose tea to take home. Throughout her 4 locations (DTLA, Hollywood, Pasadena and South Bay) Shah runs her passion business with two of her children Brendan and Bianca, and has continued throughout Covid-19 to inspire local tea lovers, introducing them to the highest quality teas sourced from all over the world. Chado Tea Room is open for reservations - it’s DTLA location resides charmingly within the Japanese American National Museum - patio and indoor seating is available between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Afternoon tea service, as well as salads, paninis, desserts and of course, the extensive tea menu featuring more than 300 varieties. (And, if you don't know, look out for Chado's 10th annual Los Angeles Tea Festival, August 14-15, 2021)
The special bonus at this Chado location is the ambience and accessibility of the Japanese American National Museum. The museum is temporarily closed because it is in-between exhibits, but go to its website to book your reservations and tickets for future dates. The museum is open Fridays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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A Playa Vista hot spot for a GNO, an IRL date or family field trip
A frequent favorite from this writer’s POV throughout the pandemic is SOL Mexican Cocina. The outdoor patio is a spacious area giving you just the right 6-ft elbow room you might still be craving. Located within the Runway in Playa Vista, SOL’s happy hour menu and antojitos, ensaladas, mariscos and ceviche, tacos and burritos, tortas, platillos, quesadillas, and weekend brunch are inspired by Mexico’s coastal towns. Wash it all down with SOL’s specialty cocktails (yes to margaritas) and with a sip from it’s extensive spirits menu of top shelf tequilas, mezcals and beers.
Runway recently introduced a new area to its destination. Free Market is an eclectic band of cool places to eat (Bull & Butterfly, Dan Modern Chinese, to name a few), drink (Joliet cocktail bar), get some dessert (Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream) and do some stylish shopping (Please Do Not Enter and Alchemy Works), too.
Weeknight Happy Hour alfresco
Weeknight happy hours are not a thing of the past. 'Tis time to gather your pod or the friends you’ve been wanting to reacquaint yourself with, or maybe it’s a solo hour. Anyway, Theía (in the Fairfax district) is offering a weeknight happy hour, Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. offering Greek mezze and standout cocktails at a great price point, all while you relax on their outdoor patio featuring socially distanced tables.
Top eats: fresh-from-the-oven house-made pita ($3) with hummus ($4) and htipiti ($4), a roasted red pepper and feta dip, and Spanikopita ($6), a traditional Greek dish made with phyllo dough, spinach, feta, leeks, garlic and onion.
Top beverage picks: “Laurie Petrie” ($9) a refreshing cocktail with rosé wine, Italicus, lime, and agave, and “Love Letters” ($10) which treats you to sip a mezcal, Italicus, lychee, lemon, egg white with Peychaud bitters libation. Red wine ($6), white wine ($5) and tap beer ($5).
And, once you are ready to take this “party” indoors (June 15th is right around the corner), you’re invited inside this modern-Greek cuisine driven restaurant. Inspiring a loungey vibe, Theía makes you feel swanky Old Hollywood with its large centerpiece bar surrounded by velvet navy banquettes. Stay tuned for live entertainment and DJ performances for next level L.A. nightlife.