Categories: Local & Entertainment; Eat & Drink

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Alphabet City: Bars & Restaurants from L.A. to Z

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...or, from B to Y if you want to be picky about it.

BCD Tofu House

869 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90005

Though it has since expanded to Seattle, Korea and Japan, this is one of the original BCD Tofu Houses in the heart of K-town in L.A. Their specialty is Soon Tofu: a Korean dish that combines tofu, meat (usually), egg and some kind of tasty spicy broth. Served with sides of kimchi, fried fish and season pickles, 24 hours a day!

BCD TOFU House Downtown

1201 S Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015

They have a downtown location, too.

They have a downtown location, too.

'Korean Soon Tofu Quartet' - Lunch at BCD Tofu House

Soon Tofu—not soon enough!

C & C Internet Cafe

3500 Wilshire Boulevard 102, Los Angeles, CA 90010

There once was a time that not every coffee house had internet access, not everyone that needed to use the internet had a computer and not everyone that wanted to look at porn was ashamed about it: this was the era of the internet cafe. Luckily, that dream is still alive at the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and La Brea. C & C Internet Cafe has computers and high speed internet available for a by the minute charge. And it’s open 24 hours a day for all of your online needs. And whatever is online that you don’t need, too. (um, Zappos.com?)

There once was a time that not every coffee house had internet access, not everyone that needed to use the internet had a computer and not everyone that wanted to look at porn was ashamed about it: this was the era of the internet cafe. Luckily, that dream is still alive at the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and La Brea. C & C Internet Cafe has computers and high speed internet available for a by the minute charge. And it’s open 24 hours a day for all of your online needs. And whatever is online that you don’t need, too. (um, Zappos.com?)

7070 Internet Cafe

Someone who’s Dell just broke down for the 3 time this month checks his email at the C&C Internet cafe.

D'amore's Pizza Connection

1077 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

The cute story behind D’amore’s Pizza Connection is that its founder, Joe D’Amore longed to recreate the pizza he used to enjoy on the east coast here in L.A. To do so, he decided to import the water used in the dough from Boston. Their website calls the water “special” in quotes – but I don’t think there are drugs in it or anything. Either way, the thin crust and fresh ingredients make for a decent pie.

The cute story behind D’amore’s Pizza Connection is that its founder, Joe D’Amore longed to recreate the pizza he used to enjoy on the east coast here in L.A. To do so, he decided to import the water used in the dough from Boston. Their website calls the water “special” in quotes – but I don’t think there are drugs in it or anything. Either way, the thin crust and fresh ingredients make for a decent pie.

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Apparently D’Amores is The Nation’s #1 Rated Pizza…I wonder who decided this and how I can get in on this pizza rating racket…

H. Salt Fish & Chips

4732 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90027

A fast food joint devoted entirely to fish and chips: this is right up my alley. Never crowded, but also never very clean, this is a good place to go if you’re craving fish & chips but have been kicked out of every nearby English pub.

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It looks like these fish & chips are sitting on the floor…but the floor looks cleaner than I’ve ever seen an H. Salt’s.

Tiny's K O

6377 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028

One of my favorite Hollywood dives, it’s dark and cheap with a generally goth-y, rockabilly crowd. There’s a photobooth out front, naked lady paintings on the walls and you can get PBR in a can. Yes, this is my kind of place.

One of my favorite Hollywood dives, it’s dark and cheap with a generally goth-y, rockabilly crowd. There’s a photobooth out front, naked lady paintings on the walls and you can get PBR in a can. Yes, this is my kind of place.

Welcome to Tiny's

Welcome to Tiny’s

L Scorpion

6679 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Like most of the bars along Hollywood Blvd., L Scorpion is long, narrow and dark. Their claim to fame is a selection of 160 different types of tequila and mezcals , a Mexican liquor distilled from agave that isn’t tequila for some reason. Though “dark” and “tequila” definitely go together nicely, I’d like to see more hot – or at least nice – bartenders since when I was there the guy was kind of a jerk.

Like most of the bars along Hollywood Blvd., L Scorpion is long, narrow and dark. Their claim to fame is a selection of 160 different types of tequila and mezcals , a Mexican liquor distilled from agave that isn’t tequila for some reason. Though “dark” and “tequila” definitely go together nicely, I’d like to see more hot – or at least nice – bartenders since when I was there the guy was kind of a jerk.

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dark+red+tequila+Hollywood = WTF happened last night?

 

M Bar

1253 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038

This “initimate” Hollywood bar on Vine is home to a variety of live entertainment from jazz groups to a weekly comedy show and everything in between (ok, mainly burlesque in between). Not too dressed up or down, the service is sometimes a little slow, but bring a friend who’s fun and you won’t even notice.

This “initimate” Hollywood bar on Vine is home to a variety of live entertainment from jazz groups to a weekly comedy show and everything in between (ok, mainly burlesque in between). Not too dressed up or down, the service is sometimes a little slow, but bring a friend who’s fun and you won’t even notice.

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Burlesque at M Bar

En Sushi - Los Feliz

1972 N Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Like the Scrabble nerd I am, I’m counting “En” as “N.” You won’t find any crazy rolls at this Hillhurst standby, just classic concotions that are fresh and delicious. Oh, and maybe a Los Feliz celebrity or two (like me!)

Like the Scrabble nerd I am, I’m counting “En” as “N.” You won’t find any crazy rolls at this Hillhurst standby, just classic concotions that are fresh and delicious. Oh, and maybe a Los Feliz celebrity or two (like me!)

Delicious Sushi Dinner for Two

Dinner for two at En Sushi.

P F Chang's China Bistro

121 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

I don’t have anything to say about P.F. Changs except: wtf is up with the wait?!? There is always, ALWAYS a wait!!

I don’t have anything to say about P.F. Changs except: wtf is up with the wait?!? There is always, ALWAYS a wait!!

P.F. Chang's China Bistro: Chicken Lettuce Wrap

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chicken Lettuce Wrap

R Bar in Care of Adrenaline

3331 W 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005

ANother K-town gem, this is the only L.A. bar I know of that requires a password to get in. I know, that sounds superhip, but you can actually just get the password off their myspace page and it’s usually some funny movie reference (this week: “nobody puts baby in a corner.”

Once you find it and make your way inside, it’s dark, cozy and fun. I’m not sure why this listing says “in Care of Adrenaline,” but it does sound like something R Bar would say.

ANother K-town gem, this is the only L.A. bar I know of that requires a password to get in. I know, that sounds superhip, but you can actually just get the password off their myspace page and it’s usually some funny movie reference (this week: “nobody puts baby in a corner.”

Once you find it and make your way inside, it’s dark, cozy and fun. I’m not sure why this listing says “in Care of Adrenaline,” but it does sound like something R Bar would say.

R Bar

R Bar

S Bar

6302 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028

My recent trip to S Bar was actually the inspiration for this guide. Smack dab at the corner of Hollywood and Vine, right next door to Katsuya, this local hangout is nearly too swank for its own good. Early in the evening it’s not too crowded, but you’re still not supposed to sit in the mismatched chairs (RESERVED! scream the little tented signs on the tables) Still, you can pull up a stool at the bar and get one of their really crazy drinks. I had the house special which is a Horseradish Tequila Watermelon Margarita. No, I’m serious. It had horseradish. It was kind of amazing. But, it was also $18 so I probably won’t be having one again anytime soon.

Besides that, the decor is really unique, aforementioned chairs, upside down lamps hang from the ceiling and it has a (purposeful) Alice in Wonderland vibe. The bar tenders were also very nice, but when you’re spending $18 for a drink, I guess they ought to be.

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Yes, I was cool enough to get in to this place. No, I can’t really believe it either.

Y-Que Trading Post

1770 N Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

I first noticed this place very shortly after I moved to Los Angeles and as such it has always held a special place in my heart. It’s kind of cheesy, but since before you could buy t-shirts on the internet this store full of knick knacks has sold the kind of t-shirts that you can buy on the internet: like Free Martha and Free Winona and most recently Free Kiefer.

I first noticed this place very shortly after I moved to Los Angeles and as such it has always held a special place in my heart. It’s kind of cheesy, but since before you could buy t-shirts on the internet this store full of knick knacks has sold the kind of t-shirts that you can buy on the internet: like Free Martha and Free Winona and most recently Free Kiefer.

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