Curated City Guides by Your Favorite Designers and Tastemakers.
Los Angeles:
Ted Vadakan & Angie Myung
of Poketo
Bars & Restaurants
Villains Tavern
Tucked away in a non descript location in downtown Los Angeles, close to our studio, is a bar that opened just a little over a year ago with a huge line of people already waiting. They serve amazing cocktails and some delicious bar food including bacon pop corn and some amazing fries. 1356 Palmetto
El Prado
Just a few blocks from our house is a bar that opened a several years ago. What used to be a dingy old bar frequented by older Latino men, is now a hipster spot. It's a really nice, warm and chill bar but go there on weekdays, weekends are sometimes unbearably crowded. 1805 W Sunset Blvd
Park's BBQ
Home to the best and most authentic Korean BBQ. It's all about the meat. 955 S Vermont Ave
Taco Zone Taco Truck
LA without Mexican food is well, LA without Mexican food. When in LA, best Mexican food is found at the Taco trucks. I don't mean the nouveau truck craze that swept across LA a few summers ago. I don't mean fancified taco trucks. Go to the old taco trucks that have always been there even before the craze. One of the best ones is found in Echo Park on Alvarado Street right outside of the Vons Supermarket parking lot. Veronica and her mom are still cooking up the good stuff. We love it so much, we even had them cater our wedding!
Din Tai Fung
Since this Taiwanese import opened a few years ago, I've never gone there when there wasn't a line. Even if you get there before the restaurant opens at 10 AM, there is already a line of hungry people waiting for the delicious soup dumplings. If you don't know what xiaolongbao, Soup Dumplings are click here and get to know them asap as you're missing out big time. What could be better than a dumpling filled with meat and soup and when you bite into the dumpling, the soup spills out into your mouth... yum! They also have other yummy noodle and vegetable dishes. Arcadia is a just a 15-20 minute drive east of Downtown Los Angeles. 1108 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA
Komasa
One of our favorite Japanese joints in Los Angeles. Granted, it's not the best sushi out there but it will also not cost you an arm and a leg to eat there. It's super cozy and comfortable. But be prepared to wait if you get there after 7. 351 E 2nd St
Nishiya
Now if you're ready to spend some money on probably the freshest and most delicious fish, you should try this tiny little place in a dirty strip mall in Glendale next to a liquor store. Don't let the exterior of the place fool you. This restaurant only does omakase where the sushi chefs select the best fish of the day and serve you. You don't get to order your picks. You just let go and let Mr. Nishi take you to a journey of the best sushi experience. He only opens 6 days a week as the fish market is closed on Sunday. He only serves the fish from the same day. 1712 Victory Blvd, Glendale, CA
Daikokuya
Known for their fatty pork broth ramen, you really have to get ready to wait at least an hour at all hours of the day and night. 327 E 1st St