Categories: Eat & Drink; Shopping

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Sunset Junction: Shop, Dine and Drink Amongst L.A.'s Finest Hipsters

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For years , Silverlake has been touted as the "cool" neighborhood that's un-LA, urban, hip and ultimately the place to be for young, skinny white people in Los Angeles who are more likely "artists" than "actors." I mean, it's mentioned in a Deathcab for Cutie song for god's sake.

 

Anyhow, Silverlake's hill Sunset Junction is admittedly on the downslope of the cool, what with the gentrification and the influx of too many wannabes. But it still doesn't have a Target, or a Starbucks so I'm going to keep hanging out there for a little while longer.

Shop

Cheese Store of Silver Lake

3926 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029

A whole store of cheese?? Gromit would be appalled.

A whole store of cheese?? Gromit would be appalled.

Sunset Junction Street Festival

Once a year for the past couple of decade, they put up big fences and actually charge you to get into Sunset Junction.

Of course, they’re also charging for you to see bands: the festival has occasionally had amazing line ups including acts like Sleater-Kinney, X and Blonde Redhead. And don’t forget the obligatory outdoor festival scary rides, rigged carnival games and booths selling you handmade crap…I mean, crafts.

Pull My Daisy

3908 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029

A cute and quirky boutique that, up until earlier this year had a sweet little dachschund mascot (RIP Bingo) trotting around. It’s an nice place to splurge on sunny dresses, support the local economy, annd avoid the soul-sucking tourist trap that is Melrose Ave.

A cute and quirky boutique that, up until earlier this year had a sweet little dachschund mascot (RIP Bingo) trotting around. It’s an nice place to splurge on sunny dresses, support the local economy, annd avoid the soul-sucking tourist trap that is Melrose Ave.

Bar Keeper

3910 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029

This store combines some of my favorite pasttimes: drinking and shopping for overlystylized drinking paraphenalia. It’s not exactly cheap, but it’s so damn cool!

It’s also an awesome place to get fun & unique gifts for your favorite lush.

This store combines some of my favorite pasttimes: drinking and shopping for overlystylized drinking paraphenalia. It’s not exactly cheap, but it’s so damn cool!

It’s also an awesome place to get fun & unique gifts for your favorite lush.

Serifos

3814 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026

One trip to Serifos and you are set on hipster housewarming gifts for the next year! Hipsters love to throw housewarming parties, in case you didn’t know. And they won’t let you in the door if it looks like your gift is from Urban Outfitters (for shame!)

One trip to Serifos and you are set on hipster housewarming gifts for the next year! Hipsters love to throw housewarming parties, in case you didn’t know. And they won’t let you in the door if it looks like your gift is from Urban Outfitters (for shame!)

Rough Trade

3915 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029

So, in the interest of full disclosure, I did actually go in here once, with an ex-boyfriend, for less than pure reasons. But we quickly realized that it’s not really a store for, um, straight people. Which is fine. But you might not want to venture into this Sunset Junction landmark if you are squeamish around leather, or collars, or handcuffs, or…well, you get the idea.

So, in the interest of full disclosure, I did actually go in here once, with an ex-boyfriend, for less than pure reasons. But we quickly realized that it’s not really a store for, um, straight people. Which is fine. But you might not want to venture into this Sunset Junction landmark if you are squeamish around leather, or collars, or handcuffs, or…well, you get the idea.

Living Room the

3531 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Oh-so-stylish unique furniture store with plenty of options for appointing your hipster hideaway. If you can afford it (I can’t.)

Oh-so-stylish unique furniture store with plenty of options for appointing your hipster hideaway. If you can afford it (I can’t.)

Dine

Millies Restaurant

3524 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026

For some reason, breakfast just tastes better when you’re squeezed into a table next to a 120lb guy in skinny black jeans. Maybe that’s just because I’m starving by the time I ever get a Sunday morning breakfast table in Silverlake.

I’m not sure if their egg dishes are called “messes” just because they don’t know how to make a proper omelet, but hey, neither do I and they taste pretty good.

For some reason, breakfast just tastes better when you’re squeezed into a table next to a 120lb guy in skinny black jeans. Maybe that’s just because I’m starving by the time I ever get a Sunday morning breakfast table in Silverlake.

I’m not sure if their egg dishes are called “messes” just because they don’t know how to make a proper omelet, but hey, neither do I and they taste pretty good.

coffee window

Coffee at Millie’s

Alegria On Sunset

3510 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Though it’s nestled next to a Baskin Robbins in a less-than-impressive strip mall (I’m not really sure where the impressive strip malls are), Alegria on Sunset is a restaurant that has some of the best word of mouth buzz that I’ve ever encountered. With fresh, creative Mexican dishes and limited seating, you’ll have to wait for a table, but it’s BYOB, so at least you’ll have something to do. Alegria is also CASH ONLY – which is baffling – but at least I told you so you don’t have to be embarrassed and hike to an ATM like I did.

Though it’s nestled next to a Baskin Robbins in a less-than-impressive strip mall (I’m not really sure where the impressive strip malls are), Alegria on Sunset is a restaurant that has some of the best word of mouth buzz that I’ve ever encountered. With fresh, creative Mexican dishes and limited seating, you’ll have to wait for a table, but it’s BYOB, so at least you’ll have something to do. Alegria is also CASH ONLY – which is baffling – but at least I told you so you don’t have to be embarrassed and hike to an ATM like I did.

Alegria on Sunset

Alegria on Sunset

El Cid Show Restaurant

4212 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Where dinner is the show! Oh, no, that’s Benihana. But, they do have a floor show here, with flamenco dancers and the occasional almost-topless burlesque girl. Appetizing.

Where dinner is the show! Oh, no, that’s Benihana. But, they do have a floor show here, with flamenco dancers and the occasional almost-topless burlesque girl. Appetizing.

Cafe Stella

3932 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Wait are “vaguely European” and “kind of crowded” the same as “romantic”? If so, Cafe Stella is totally romantic.

In all seriousness, tucked in the back of the official Sunset Junction square, it’s charming. The food is simple with an emphasis on sauces. And the wine list is on a chalkboard, which I love for whatever reason.

Wait are “vaguely European” and “kind of crowded” the same as “romantic”? If so, Cafe Stella is totally romantic.

In all seriousness, tucked in the back of the official Sunset Junction square, it’s charming. The food is simple with an emphasis on sauces. And the wine list is on a chalkboard, which I love for whatever reason.

Cafe Stella Silver Lake

Cafe Stella Silver Lake

Town & Country Bakery & Cafe

3823 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Though it longs to be a replacement for the beloved diner Eat Well that closed down earlier this year, Town & Country is nothing more than an overpriced mediocre bakery with a “dining room” that feels like a hallway to the bathroom.

Though it longs to be a replacement for the beloved diner Eat Well that closed down earlier this year, Town & Country is nothing more than an overpriced mediocre bakery with a “dining room” that feels like a hallway to the bathroom.

 

Casbah Cafe

3900 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Most mornings you’ll be hard-pressed to find a table at this Silverlake coffee shop that isn’t already set up with a macbook and a diligent writer/student/scenester typing away. This is why I get my coffee (which happens to be quite good) to go.

Most mornings you’ll be hard-pressed to find a table at this Silverlake coffee shop that isn’t already set up with a macbook and a diligent writer/student/scenester typing away. This is why I get my coffee (which happens to be quite good) to go.

Casbah Cafe Silver Lake

The Casbah Cafe is charmingly lush. It smells good in there, too.

Good Micro Brew & Grill

3725 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026

I used to go here every week when it first opened because it was 1/2 price on Tuesdays and they didn’t card me when I ordered a beer even though I was 20. Besides that the service and food was always pretty mediocre.

Now that they make you flip a coin to see if you’ll get 50% off Tuesdays? How about I’ll flip a coin and we’ll see if I ever go back? Or how about I just skip it and save up my coins to go some place else. Especially now that I’m over 21.

I’m a little bit shocked that Good has made it this long…must be the name.

I used to go here every week when it first opened because it was 1/2 price on Tuesdays and they didn’t card me when I ordered a beer even though I was 20. Besides that the service and food was always pretty mediocre.

Now that they make you flip a coin to see if you’ll get 50% off Tuesdays? How about I’ll flip a coin and we’ll see if I ever go back? Or how about I just skip it and save up my coins to go some place else. Especially now that I’m over 21.

I’m a little bit shocked that Good has made it this long…must be the name.

Supper at Good

At Good, the chicken comes in a chicken. That’s great. Or disturbing. The jury’s still out.

Tantra

3705 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

This is an Indian restaurant, not a more sensual version of Rough Trade.

It’s funny because, Indian restaurants often try to be sexy, but eating Indian food rarely makes me feel sexy.

This is an Indian restaurant, not a more sensual version of Rough Trade.

It’s funny because, Indian restaurants often try to be sexy, but eating Indian food rarely makes me feel sexy.

Cliff's Edge

3626 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Another L.A. resturant with no sign. Well, no proper sign, but the valet sign has no problem advertising what restaurant it’s for. Surreptitious branding: counterintuitive or just plain hip?

Another L.A. resturant with no sign. Well, no proper sign, but the valet sign has no problem advertising what restaurant it’s for. Surreptitious branding: counterintuitive or just plain hip?

El Conquistador

3701 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

¡Mexican food! ¡Pinatas! ¡Margaritas! ¡Fantastico!

¡Mexican food! ¡Pinatas! ¡Margaritas! ¡Fantastico!

El Conquistador-Interior, Silver Lake, Los Angeles

El Conquistador-Interior, Silver Lake, Los Angeles

Madame Matisse

3536 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026

A Lot of Hip Stuff

Drink

4100 Bar

1087 Manzanita Street, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Decorated with heavy, velvety tapestries hanging from the ceiling and a haven for heavy drinkers. Well, I’m not entirely sure what a velvety drinker looks like, but anyway.

A huge Hindi (I think) statue towers over the back of the room. Regulars fill the stools around the central bar (I’m sure about this). Drinks are strong if not cheap. It’s never dead and parking is pretty easy (for Silverlake).

4100 is also easily accessible if you need an oil change because it’s right by a Jiffy Lube. Now that’s classy.

Decorated with heavy, velvety tapestries hanging from the ceiling and a haven for heavy drinkers. Well, I’m not entirely sure what a velvety drinker looks like, but anyway.

A huge Hindi (I think) statue towers over the back of the room. Regulars fill the stools around the central bar (I’m sure about this). Drinks are strong if not cheap. It’s never dead and parking is pretty easy (for Silverlake).

4100 is also easily accessible if you need an oil change because it’s right by a Jiffy Lube. Now that’s classy.

4100 BAR

4100 BAR

Malo

4326 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

This restaurant and bar serves over 150 tequilas which means I probably should not be allowed anywhere near here. Inside, there’s a hip and narrow bar that adjoins a larger dining room. I personally just have tequila for dinner, so I don’t know what the food is like.

This restaurant and bar serves over 150 tequilas which means I probably should not be allowed anywhere near here. Inside, there’s a hip and narrow bar that adjoins a larger dining room. I personally just have tequila for dinner, so I don’t know what the food is like.

'Malo' in Silver Lake (Dec. 30, 2008)

I had always thought this sign said “Halo” and that there was a different place called Malo. I was wrong.

Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea

3922 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029

I honestly can’t even say the name of this place out loud without the uncontrollable reflex of rolling my eyes. Yeah, I can’t believe it has that name. And judging from how seriously they seem to take themselves and their coffee, I don’t think it’s ironic. Anyway, the coffee is good and the little patio is nice. And once I saw Scarlett Johansson here!

I honestly can’t even say the name of this place out loud without the uncontrollable reflex of rolling my eyes. Yeah, I can’t believe it has that name. And judging from how seriously they seem to take themselves and their coffee, I don’t think it’s ironic. Anyway, the coffee is good and the little patio is nice. And once I saw Scarlett Johansson here!

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