Nicole & Jackson
Things To Do
Our Local Favorites
These are our favorite places to hit up in our neighborhood.
Hungry Crowd
Korean-American fusion right in our neighborhood, and our local favorite. All roads lead to Hungry Crowd!
Prosecco Trattoria
Our local Italian spot. We celebrated our engagement here with both of our families! If you've had a better lobster risotto anywhere else, no you haven't.
Kabosu Japanese Cuisine
Our local sushi spot. Menu items range from elaborate rolls to classic nigiri. They also offer an omakase for those who are really hungry!
Forman's Whiskey Tavern
Good ol' Forman's. This is our go-to bar that's walking distance from our place. They make a great spicy marg and a mean chicken sandwich.
My Little Home Thai Kitchen
Newer addition to our neighborhood hit list, but if you know us – you know we love Thai food and this is quickly becoming a staple. We have yet to try something we didn't like. Update: We've been here four times since writing this. We can't get enough; we might go tonight...
The Auld Chip Shop
Traditional Irish fare like fish and chips and savory pies. If you go here, make sure to ask for the whiskey aioli with the fries. They also have the best burger in LA. Don't @ me.
Porto's Bakery and Cafe
An absolute Burbank institution. It's a Cuban bakery that has been around since the 70s. Pastries, desserts, and sandwiches are the thing to get here. The most popular items are the potato balls, but we recommend the meat pies. Don't be phased by the long line – Porto's is a well oiled machine and it moves quickly!
Stough Canyon Nature Center
Our go-to hike. There's various different trails you can take depending on the level of difficulty and length of hike you're looking for.
LA Can't-Miss Spots/Activities
These are some of our favorite places to eat and hang out in LA.
Arts District
Our favorite place for a night out. The food scene is awesome, and the bar scene may be even more awesome. There's a cluster of breweries that are walking distance from one another. Restaurants range from gastropubs to Michelin star fare. Some of our favorites include: Bavel, Yangban Society, Wurstkuche, and Afuri Ramen.
Bavel
Middle Eastern restaurant from Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. With family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt. We recommend ordering tapas style and sticking to the small plates/appetizers.
Yangban
Korean-American fusion by chef couple Katianna and John Hong. They marry their classic two Michelin star training with their personal cultures to make true magic. The fried chicken wings are a religious experience.
AFURI ramen + dumpling LA
The best ramen we have found in LA. Original location is in Japan.
Little Tokyo
A great place for dining, shopping, and bar hopping. For those who love Japanese food/culture, this is a must visit. Home of our favorite bars: Far Bar (as seen in our save the date photo!). Close to Arts District, in case you want to hit both in one day.
Koreatown
Another one of our favorite areas to go out in. Great bars - we recommend 365, Cafe Brass Monkey and Intercrew; amazing dessert places, and the spot to be if you want to have Korean BBQ. If you have the time, grab a group and rent a private karaoke room, some of them are BYOB.
Guelaguetza Restaurant
Mexican restaurant with regional Oaxacan food and a super fun vibes. The mole sampler is to die for.
DeSano Pizza Bakery
One of our favorite Neapolitan pizza shops in town. Order up at the counter and sit in an industrial food hall while you watch the team make the pizza. It's a casual, fun vibe and the food is delicious.
Palermo Italian Restaurant
Located in the heart of Los Feliz, this is the home of Jackson's favorite pizza, 'The Palermo Special.' The Diamond family has been going here for years.
Crossroads Kitchen
This entirely vegan restaurants is one of the most impressive dining experiences in LA. With dishes ranging from carbonara with 'egg yolk' made from tomato to 'calamari' made from hearts of palm, Crossroads is equally innovative as it is delicious.
Jitlada Restaurant
Famous Thai restaurant in East Hollywood. It has one of the most extensive menus we have ever seen and they don't mess around with spice level. Go here to try something you've never had before. They don't take reservations but a fun little hack we like, is putting our name down and going to the wine bar across the street while we wait.
Pijja Palace
Fairly new Indian-Italian fusion restaurant and bar. It's an impossible reservation to get, but if you set alerts on Resy you might get lucky. Think spicy vodka tikka masala pasta and green chutney pizza. The combinations are super unique and somehow it all just works.
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Sushi|Bar Encino
The best omakase in LA in our humble opinion. A mix of traditional Japanese sushi with modern twists. Beware of the cocktail and sake pairing, as they do not skimp! A bit of a drive and quite pricey, but well worth it in our opinion. They have a pasta omakase next door called Pasta | Bar, if sushi isn't your thing.
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium is a fun place to be whether you're a baseball fan or not. If you're not too hungover, there's a game on 6/25 against the Houston Astros.
In N Out
We're not going to try to convince you that In N Out has the best burger or fries you've ever tasted, but at it's price point it really is tough to beat. This is our comfort food and we will not tolerate your sacrilegious claims that it's over-hyped!
The Least Evil of the Tourist Traps
Hey, we don't judge. We get that you're in the city of angels and you want to see the bullshit. But please consider these suggestions so that you don't spend hours at the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Craig's
Not the best food you will eat in LA by any means (the best thing on their menu are the chocolate chip cookies), but you are likely to spot a celebrity at this West Hollywood Italian spot, often referred to as the "Olive Garden for Famous People." Very much a tourist attraction, Jackson would not be caught dead here.
The Broad
Contemporary art museum located in downtown. Home of the Insta famous Infinity Room.
Mama Shelter Los Angeles
Rooftop in Hollywood with great drinks and panoramic views of the city.
Jon & Vinny's Fairfax
This restaurant makes in onto all of the LA roundups for a reason. The spicy fusilli is great, they make one of the best little gem salads ever, and have solid pizza menu. The restaurant has a natural wine shop inside, so you can go walk around with the help of a sommelier and pick a bottle to have with your meal.
Nate'n Al's
Popular Jewish deli around the corner from Rodeo Drive. Nicole once saw Kendall Jenner and Scott Disick here.
Elephante
Santa Monica staple with outdoor seating that overlooks the beach. The drinks are great and vibes 10/10. Do not skip the whipped eggplant.
Yamashiro Hollywood
Sushi & Cal-Asian fare served amid gardens & a koi pond in the Hollywood Hills overlooking the city. This place has been around for over 100 years. The food is fine, nothing mind blowing, but the view is really spectacular.
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is an icon and one of southern California’s most popular attractions. It is 1,134 feet above sea level and is visible from many parts of the Los Angeles basin. The Observatory is the best vantage point for observing the world-famous Hollywood Sign. Since opening in 1935, the Observatory has welcomed over 85 million visitors. The nearby Griffith Park is great for a picnic and there are great hiking trails nearby.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Contemporary art museum in the Miracle Mile area.
The Grove
Outdoor shopping mall and an LA classic. They have restaurants, bars, and a lovely patch of grass where they often set up live music. Located right by the LACMA museum.
Malibu Wine Tours
Located on Saddlerock Ranch, this vineyard has breathtaking views. Choose your own adventure by selecting the wine hike, the 4x4 tour, or the VW bus wine tour. Book one of these excursions before or after a beach day in Malibu.