In the spirit of my list of the best things in Portland from last month, I thought I’d mention some of my favorites here in Los Angeles! This is totally subjective, and mercilessly slanted towards the east side, but heartfelt.

Best breakfast: the Alcove
Best coffee: Casbah
Best lunch: Clifton’s
Best dinner out: the Kitchen ($3 corkage, too!)
Best pad see ew: Ord Noodle (bonus: $1 Thai iced tea)
Best delivery pizza: Farfalla
Best ice cream: Mashti Malone’s (Hollywood location)
Best neighborhood: Los Feliz
Best park: Griffith
Best hike: up to Griffith Observatory via the Fern Dell entrance
Best place to spend 98¢: Marukai (Torrance location)
Best way to spend $3: Metro day pass
Best subway line: Red
Best everything bookstore: Skylight Books
Best art and coffee table books: Soap Plant
Best thrift store: St. Vincent DePaul
Best crafty event: Felt Club
Best fabric store: Michael Levine
Best neighborhood for wandering: Chinatown and Olvera St. (tie)
Best majestic public place: Union Station
Best building: Capitol Records
Best design and art events round-up: Apartment Therapy LA
Best museum: the Getty Center
Best music store: Amoeba
Best movie theater: ArcLight
Best parking deal in town: $1 for 4 hours at the lot right between Amoeba and ArcLight so you can hit both
Best weekly farmers market: Hollywood
Best weekly flea market: Melrose
Best airport: Bob Hope International (aka Burbank)

And my two all-time favorites (in LA or anywhere, really):
Best store: ReForm School
Best thing ever: Rose Bowl flea market