So, I'm finally beginning to get settled out here, but have lots of unfinished business. So i thought I'd take a poll and get some opinions from people. Don't worry about special circumstances or anything, just looking for recommendations on many different topics, and maybe others can learn from the info too!

The Best of LA:

1. Best Mechanic
2. Best car insurance
3. Best dentist/orthodontist
4. Best internist/regular doctor
5. Best cell phone carrier
6. Best grocery store/chain
7. Best restaurant (ANY food)
8. Best hang out place
9. Best going out place
10. Best scenic view
11. Best beach
12. Best scuba dive center
13. Best movie theater
14. Best NON-highway roads to travel on: east-west and north-south
15. Best worthwhile tourist attractions worth seeing
16. Bets place for a mojito
17. Best affordable hair salon female and/or male (in our case sepcifically, we don't do anything fancy with our hair, just cuts and trims, but I'm debating color one day)


And feel free to add your own Bests (this is NOT acting related, so please leave those out for now, but anything else living related would be great).

And now...

Please recreate the list using "Worst"

Thanks everyone! i look forward to your responses!

IS THIS YOUR SHORT LIST?

1) When I still lived in LA, I had a guy who actually came to you, fixing your car in your own driveway or parking space. He was both reasonable and incredibly knowledgeable. Perhaps you can find one just like him (they actually save money by not having to rent an expensive garage, passing the considerable savings on to you).
2) Used to be GEICO before their massive advertising campaign pushed them out of contention. Try Progressive- they compare the cheapest companies for your particular needs, doing all the research for you.
3) My dad. He passed last year.
4) If you belong to SAG, the Bob Hope Health Clinic on La Brea is fantastic. In and out, and without an appointment.
5) AT&T. More towers, better reception. And who else has IPhone service?
6) Ralph's.
7) Matsuhisa, on La Cienega. Definitely the best sushi in town. If you're into celebrity watching, the last time I was there, I was sitting in between James Hetfield of Metallica and Elton John's co-writer, Bernie Taupin. In a few moments Stephen Bishop showed up and we ALL got drunk.
8) Barnie's Beanery.
9) Any private yacht in Marina Del Rey.
10) The summit of Mulholland Drive at night or The Pacific Coast Highway, the quintessential California coastline view.
11) The nude beach at Zuma.
12) I got S.C.U.B.A. certified at the YMCA in Santa Monica.
13) There is this stadium-style seating theater in LA with cushy red luxury recliners and the best sound system in town. Now if I can just remember the name...
14) San Vicente Boulevard USED to be the best kept secret in town, until someone wrote a book called, "The Best Secret Short Cuts In LA." All good things must come to an end.
15) Just stay away from the biggest tourist attractions. They're always a bust. After you've placed you your palms in your favorite stars' hand prints at The Mann's Chinese, it's all downhill.
16) Does LA have a Sushi Samba? If so, they have the best hand-made Mojitos in NYC.
17) I've lost touch with the au currant hair stylists in LA. Most of them work in Beverly Hills, but not always. Quality, price and reputation very widely, so do your homework. Personal recommendations are always a "plus."

www.robertkim.com

someone just mentioned barney's beanery to me yesterday. what the heck is it?

The cell phone service most widely used by the industry is Verizon and second would be T-Mobile. My DD, who works in different studios and on location around the city, has used both and is always being asked by others who don't have one of those services, if they can use her phone. She also researched services about 4 years ago, and all her industry co-workers suggested Verizon first.

BTW, this is a great list idea!

quote:

Originally posted by americangirl:
someone just mentioned barney's beanery to me yesterday. what the heck is it?

Barney's Beanery is one of the oldest eating establishments in LA.

Located on Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, it is a very casual place with good food and drink and a laid-back and fun vibe (even a pool table for those so inclined).

It got it's biggest notoriety when it was the favorite hangout for Janis Joplin back in the sixties, and has never let down.

Her favorite beverage? Coke and Southern Comfort. No accounting for taste, is there?

quote:

Originally posted by americangirl:
So, I'm finally beginning to get settled out here, but have lots of unfinished business. So i thought I'd take a poll and get some opinions from people.....

Hey there. I haven't been there in a few years, so my list will be incomplete and in some cases not super up-to-date.

The Best of LA:

6. Best grocery store/chain
Ralphs is great for basics. Especially loved the one in Studio City. (near intersection of Laurel Canyon Rd & Ventura Blvd.) aka: "Celebrity Ralphs"

for specialty and/or more expensive:

Gelsons, Trader Joes, Whole Foods

7. Best restaurant (ANY food)

The Newsroom is great for a fun, reasonably priced dinner. (Robertson Blvd in LA)

8. Best hang out place
Aroma Coffeeshop/Bookstore (Studio City), Priscilla's Coffee (Burbank)

14. Best NON-highway roads to travel on: east-west and north-south

Laurel Canyon Rd. is nice and scenic

17. Best affordable hair salon female and/or male (in our case sepcifically, we don't do anything fancy with our hair, just cuts and trims, but I'm debating color one day)
If Fanny is still working at the Hugh O'Brian Salon in Burbank, she was great and really affordable. If she's gone, try another stylist there.

Fun poll, americangirl! I'll add more Bests and Worsts if I think of more later.

edited to add:
The Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is great fun for just chillin', shopping, eating, etc. Drive or take the Big Blue Bus.

Just read in a mag that Kings Road Cafe has the BEST coffee in LA! I always meant to go there when I was there.

quote:

Originally posted by Justine:
Laurel Canyon Rd. is nice and scenic

How could I forget?

The absolute best way to get from Los Angeles to the Valley when it's off-peak.

A beautiful, winding road-- the best "secret" short cut in LA.

*Bump*

Best/cheapest insurance: Wawanesa, San Diego.
Mechanic: Affordable W.Hwd.Auto at 1201 N.Fairfax
Best restaurants: Dinos on Pico near Vermont.
Tere's Mexican on Melrose near Vine.
Best view: Mulholland Dr.
Best beach: Manhattan.
Best attraction: The Getty

Best dentist: David Lunt, Northridge CA.