The Abbey’s most recent 4,000 square-foot expansion (the fifth in 12 years), included the addition of a brand new bar and lounge, now dubbed the Effen Smooth Bar, bringing its total size to approximately 16,000 square feet. Both AOL CityGuide and Zagat Survey rank The Abbey as THE hot spot in L.A. Such popularity and critical acclaim are a testament to Cooley’s drive and entrepreneurial spirit.
Tag Archives: Los Angeles
La Brea Tar Pits
The La Brea Tar Pits (or Rancho La Brea Tar Pits) are a cluster of tar pits around which Hancock Park was formed, in the urban heart of Los Angeles. Asphaltum or tar (brea in Spanish) has seeped up from the ground in this area for tens of thousands of years. The tar is often covered with water. Over many centuries, animals that came to drink the water fell in, sank in the tar, and were preserved as bones. The George C. Page Museum is dedicated to researching the tar pits and displaying specimens from the animals that died there. The La Brea Tar Pits are now a registered National Natural Landmark.
Tar pits form when crude oil seeps to the surface through fissures in the Earth’s crust; the light fraction of the oil evaporates, leaving behind the heavy tar, or asphalt, in sticky pools. Tar from the La Brea tar pits was used for thousands of years by local native Americans, as a glue and as waterproof caulking for baskets and canoes. After the arrival of Westerners, the tar from these pits was mined and used for roofing by the inhabitants of the nearby town of Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles.
Red O
A collaborative effort between Mike Dobson and Rick Teasta of Ma’Kai Lounge and Mexican maestro chef Rick Bayless. From top dishes representative of classic Mexican flavors, Pollo en Mole Poblano – grilled chicken, mole poblano, black beans, watercress salad — to the Carne Asada Brava – green chile-marinated Creekstone Natural ribeye, roasty salsa huevona, sweet corn tamales and grilled knob onions, the food here is amazing. The atmosphere is outstanding. Elegant, and modern, not over the top but enough to make you notice. Nothing is sparred here at Red O.
Flight 001
Jet-setter’s favorite source for travel products since 1999! Visit Flight 001 stores in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Berkeley, Sydney and Singapore.
Hollywood Royalty Slumber Party: Sunset Marquis
If you are from Los Angeles or simply have been here before, you probably think you know all the best places to stay on Sunset Strip. But if you head off Sunset, you’ll find Sunset Marquis, where Hollywood royalty come to “get away from it all.”
This hotel, hidden by trees and fences, is definitely one of those places you either know about 
or have been before. With gorgeous rooms and five-star service, even if your last name doesn’t end in Lohan or Spears, you’ll still be treated like a star.
But Sunset Marquis is also just as fun as a watering hole one Saturday night or a quick place to grab a meal at Restaurant, the hotel’s eating establishment.
And for those wild Hollywood nights you have with your friends, Bar 1200 is the perfect night cap – just make sure your makeup and hair are still in tact. The likelihood of a celeb spotting is almost too high.
So whenever you want a quick getaway or a night out with the girls, follow the Sunset.
1200 Alta Loma Road
West Hollywood, California 90069
310.657.1333
Runyon Canyon: The Hottest Place To Break A Sweat
In the land of kickboxing, yoga and Pilates, you can find one of the best workouts in Los Angeles that actually comes with a view.
Runyon Canyon has become a celebrity hotspot and weekend go-to for the true workout enthusiast. After you grab your Evian and leash up your dog, prepare to be quite literally “wowed” by the gorgeous views surrounding you at each possible direction.
Runyon is truly unlike any hiking trail of its kind. Filled with beautiful people in an equally beautiful setting, this is the type of place that is the perfect escape, first date or Saturday ritual.
But be warned: the sun’s shining rays can get easily mistaken with the packs of running bleach blonds and blinding white teeth.
This canyon is officially the chicest place to run-yon.
2000 N Fuller Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Neighborhood: Hollywood
New York City Meets Los Angeles: The Hudson
No, we aren’t in New York City. The Hudson has arrived to Los Angeles, and with reason.
Reason being that this bar is the perfect place for after work drinks, a Saturday night out or a quick way to say you’ve done something outdoorsy (as long as you sit at the table closest to the tree that literally makes its way into the bar and through the roof.
The Hudson is what you would call geek chic. It’s chic enough for a night out with your girls but geek enough to find a cute computer programmer in the corner to buy you a drink and then hop into the photo booth with later.
And if you happen to get a little hungry after those round of beers all those “geeks” bought you, a basket of fries from the Hudson always does the trick.
Alan Arkin Names His 4 Favorite Places to Eat in Los Angeles
Alan Arkin is most commonly known for his roles in:
Little Miss Sunshine
Slums of Beverley Hills
Get Smart
Los Angeles Art Show
The Los Angeles Convention center will be home to the city’s most prominent art event, the Los Angeles Art show Jan 20th -24th. The event will feature thousands of works of art from around the world. There will be pieces from Old Master works, Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary Art and even an interactive exhibition and displays presented by the renowned Getty Foundation.
http://www.laartshow.com/pages/press_releases.html
The Hill’s Stacie Hall: Getting Away From The Drama
Citybuzz Los Angeles blogger Jessica Ingber interviews Stacie Hall
How has the hills changed the way you view your city?
The Hills mainly focuses on Hollywood and the trendy places to go and hang out. Filming in different places really showed me there is a lot to do and see that’s not just clubs and glamour.
Was some of your favorite hang outs filmed on the hills? If so which ones?
The best place we filmed on the Hills was obviously Malibu for the summer. We were so fortunate to spend our days on the sand and have beach parties at night.
What do you love about your city?
I love that Los Angeles has it all. We have the city with cool restaurants and shops and only 20 miles from that is beautiful beaches. There’s not a lot of cities that have so many different things to do with very unique people.
What do you love about your city in the summer/fall?
Los Angeles has some of the most gorgeous weather. I love that everyone is very active riding bikes and going on hikes in the mountains.
What are some of your favorite neighborhoods? For eating? Museums? Nightspots?
I really like Hollywood and West Hollywood. I would highly recommend the Farmers Market for small restaurants that have a lot of character and have been around in Los Angeles the longest. The Griffith park observatory is also great and has great views of the city. My favorite Night spot is Teddy’s located in the Roosevelt hotel that has been around longer than most cubs and always draws a big crowd and is never too trendy.
What is your favorite place to shop in the city?
I really enjoy the flea markets and farmers markets. You can spend your weekends browsing antiques and finding really original stuff. There’s a great place to find fresh fruit and a lot of local business’s at the farmers market near the grove.
What inspires you about your city?
I feel really lucky to be around so much history and old Hollywood glamour. Los Angeles is one of the places people can only dream about going and making there dreams come true.
Do you have an insider tip for tourists visiting your city for the first time?
If you’re a first time visitor I recommend going to check out Hollywood and Highland were the man Chinese theater and the Hollywood stars are.
Are you a regular somewhere? Local hangout?
I like trying new places whenever I can but I cant seem to get away from Venice beach!!! There’s always so much to do there including roller blading and riding bikes.
Do you have a secret spot in the city (to unwind, get away, people watch, read a book, escape) and why?
One of the most peaceful places is the top of Runyon canyon. It’s a short hike up the mountain and has views all the way to the ocean.
Body Factory: Smoothies That Do a Body Good
Thanks to celebrity followers such as Kim Kardashian, Halle Berry, and Playboy’s Jayde Nicole, the smoothies at Body Factory have become an after-workout essential and tasty treat for those looking to refuel.
The store, with locations in Hollywood, West Hollywood and Los Angeles, all feature endless amounts of health and nutritional products for at home cleansing and dieting. As for the smoothies, favorites remain The Body Fuel (The Hulk) and The Peanut Butter Vanilla (PBV) and contain heavy amounts of protein and antioxidants with a lower calorie count than most popular smoothie places in Los Angeles.
Though the one-stop-shop is perfect for grabbing a smoothie and loading up on goodies for your home, the smoothies are on the more expensive side which leads many people to buying the heavy bulk of protein powder to purchase and take home.
If the endless smoothie options and nutritional supplements don’t make you want to run to the gym, a glance at the Body Factory employees will most likely make you crave a six pack more than you crave a smoothie.
Art Deco Society of Los Angeles: In Awe of Architecture
Focused on the act of preserving architecture, the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles is preserving many buildings, hotels and fine pieces of art that we have come to love and know so well. Buildings such as The Sunset Tower and The Egyptian Theatre are coined as “local Art Deco treasures” found in Los Angeles that have become LA staples and places frequently visited.
This non-profit, supported by members varying from students to households, is always holding events for those looking to embrace LA Art Deco. Events such as walking tours and festivals are always being held in honor of LA art and architecture and members of the non-profit make the events calendar easy and accessible on their website.
Though we pass some of these buildings each and every day, the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles encourages people to take in their surroundings by attending events held by the organization and to visit the buildings they try so hard to preserve.
In the land of the fake, this society encourages you to embrace something real.
