My Summer of Nothing New: In the Neighborhood
The importance of supporting local & my favorite spots in the hood
Hi there!
ICYMI - last week, I announced “My Summer of Nothing New” - a personal challenge to try no new restaurants, coffee shops or bars this summer. As a part of this, I’m hyper-focused on supporting my favorite local spots in the neighborhood. The places I walk to on the weekly, and that I never ever ever want to see close. My tried and true favorites!
For this week’s TTS, I’m sharing my 5 favorite spots in each neighborhood I’ve lived in LA. Tell me your neighborhood faves by replying directly to this email or dropping a comment on Substack!
TTS Local Favorites
Virgil Village / Silver Lake
Rick’s Produce - for smoothies & a last minute veggie for a recipe
Be Ü - Cash me here Fridays at lunch, picking up the most delicious banh mi!
Dinosaur Coffee - One of the best iced capps in the city!
Courage Bagels - So original, I know! Living 500 feet from Courage was such a treat. I could walk to the end of my block and see the line from the corner. Weekday mornings between 8 and 9 were the sweet spot for me!
Sqirl - Sqirl is known for many things … but I specifically love going to the to-go market to pick up a container of dip or whipped ricotta and using it for all kinds of things at home throughout the week!
Mid-City / Miracle Mile
Paper or Plastik - a great place to work with plenty of space + very good coffee and food. Not aesthetic and very neighborhood-y. Hard to find these days!! I always feel very inspired when I work here
Republique - the restaurant is fantastic, but I’m most often here for a quick pastry + coffee pick up. Their pastry case is next level!
Wilshire Massage - okayy this is not a food establishment but it is a local business I wholeheartedly stand behind! I’ve been going to them for years and it’s a great quality massage for a very decent price point
Blue Collar - maybe… the best cocktail bar in LA? This is the kind of place where you describe your ideal drink and the bartenders deliver your ideal drink. Maybe even better than you expected!
Sycamore Kitchen - an absolute brunch & lunch staple. Great pastries and treats too!
Mar Vista
Mar Vista Farmers’ Market - *Sundays only* but it’s the best farmers’ market in the city! I love it here sooo much.
Mañana Coffee - delicious coffee and the cutest merch & trinkets
Alana’s Coffee - trueee neighborhood locals spot. Best vibes
Little Fatty / Accomplice Bar - a great last minute dinner resy + great cocktails too. Love that we have Fatty Mart now too!
Lodge Bread - everything I’ve had here is good. Everything!
Santa Monica
Goodboybob - If you haven’t heard me talk about GBB and the chapatis - you must be new here
Huckleberry - similar to Paper or Plastik mentioned above - Huck has a great home kitchen cooking type feel, and its cozy and neighborhood-y.
10 Speed Coffee - another outstanding iced capp
Bodega Wine Bar - Is this still LA’s #1 first date spot? I revisited for the first time in a while this past weekend to grab a coffee & read - it was lovely!
NY Bagel & Deli - I freakin’ LOVE this place. Delicious drip coffee options and I always, always order the Bagel Boy.
That’s all I got this week, folks! Per usual, I’ll be posting content (and scrolling) on TikTok this week - see you there?