Jason F.

Tea Forest

This is a great little neighborhood Tea Bar, where you can sample a wide variety of hot and cold Tea based drinks. Its very mod and minimalist interior exudes a good vibe and is a pleasant place to hang out... weather your reading a book, having a little biz type meeting or just grabbing something to go, its def a spot to check out if your in the neighbor hood.

PROS: Wide Variety of Tea, Nice Concrete Floors!
CONS:

Timbo's

OK, I LOVE taquitos and Timbos delivers! Not only are they fresh cooked, but, they make the guacamole from scratch (and sometimes even to order if its late enough in the day!), and douse them with an amazing sour cream sauce and plenty of shredded lettuce and cheese, you also get a side of rice and beans (also smothered in cheese). Its a mere $6.95 for the taquito plate, which is a steal! Make sure to get an Horchata (Mexican rice milk w/ cinnamon) as well, its very refreshing and tastes like rich pudding.
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I live in the neighborhood and go there sometimes 3 times a week. Tim (why they call it Timbo's) and his whole family run the joint, and they have been in business now for about 2 years.
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Spread the word! Please make sure to tell your friends to go there, the Mexican food is gourmet! Def not your run of the mill joint, its a foodies spot for sure! Zagats, get your asses out there and review them now!!!!

PROS: great food, fresh guacamole, good atmosphere, nice people
CONS: a tad small, but that can also be a pro to some, street parking only

The Bagel Broker

I have had my fill of Bagels, but no one tops The Bagel Broker. I have eaten at Brooklyn Bagel Company, Noahs (yeech), and many others in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Not only do they have amazing Bagels, my favorite being the Cheese and Onion Bagel, but they have an assortment of hand made on the spot Sandwiches, drinks, and sides... Coffee in the AM too!

The best by far is the Chicken Salad Bagel Sandwich, with lettuce, tomato, sliced cucumber(!!), mayo, dark mustard, onions, on a lightly toasted Cheese and Onion Bagel w/ a side of potato salad, a nice kosher crunchy dill pickle, and a couple of olives, all for a mere $6.95?! I challenge you to find a better Bagel in LA.

Glamour World

I literally stumbled upon this Salon, as the name Glamour World lends itself to a 1970's Bewitched episode, rather than the Hip Hollywood Euro crowd that goes there. Its actually a surprise as the Euro crowd that frequents this Salon is personable and friendly. The reception is pleasant and they (of course) offer you coffee or tea while you wait.

Its a very small shop with only 8 booths, a small waiting area with a large plexiglass 50 gallon tropical fish tank dividing the Salon. They have some really neat fish! Galmour World also has an accompanying Spa next door which does all the traditional treatments, but I have only used their Salon.

I have been taking my 3yr old son there for haircuts now and they do an amazing job ($25 for the wash and cut). Our favorite hair stylist is named Shaul (pronounced SHA-ool).

PROS: Very Good Haircuts, Hip and Chic Atmosphere w/o Attitude
CONS: Sometimes hard to book an Appt, Small, Parking on the Street

Malo

I have been hearing 'Good' things about Malo (which in Spanish means BAD?!) for quite some time now. Since I LOVE gourmet Mexican food and Guacamole, I thought I would stop in and have a bite. I was pleasantly surprised by the festive and mod atmopshere, and good downtempo music being piped through some wall mounted speakers.

Apparently Malo is known for their assortment of gourment Gucamole, mixed and flavored with a variety of Tomatillo, Habaneros and other mexican spicyness. I opted for the Tomatillo Guacamole and Chips as an Appetizer, The special Chicken Quesadilla (Very Flavorful) and Roasted Chicken Tacos (Hard and Crunchy Good!) w/ Salsa as Entrees, Sides of Rice and Beans (which was not that impressive)... Topped off with a Can of COLD Tecate Beer w/ a Lime. Magnifico!

PROS: Gourmet Guacamoles and Chips, Appetizers, and Special Entrees
CONS: Rice and Beans are Average (with a capital A). Didnt know they had a Bar!

Acme Game Store

I am a video game nut. At one point in my life I owned a Playstation 1, a Sega Dreamcast, a Playstation 2, a Nintendo 64, and a Seda CDX. I have since sold all but my PS2, but my game fever lives on vicariously through Acme Games. They have pretty much any/all of the top titles (and some not so top titles) playable in their store, on HUGE plasma screen TVs!

Not only do they have every console game system for sale, but they also have a huge selection of accessories as well. Their prices are fair market value, and they also buy/sell used games. SO, if your looking for a deal on a pre-owned game title, they probably have that as well!

I have purchased a number of new and used titles from them, and they always provide great customer service. If anything is wrong or defective, they will gladly help you out. Also, make sure to get on their mailing-list, you get all kinds of great deals in the email box.

NOTE: They are in a kind of hard to find spot on near the corner of Melrose and La Brea, you have to park in their lot by accessing an alleyway. Check out the Gallery next door too!

PROS: Huge game selection, playable demos, nice atmosphere
CONS: Hard to access parking, loud sometimes if alot of people are playing games.

Culver Motor Clinic

My family has been using the Culver Motor Clinic for years. We have never experienceed any bad vibes, price hikes, or any other shady mechanic dealings with them. When we were in the market to sell our older Nissan 2 door (it needed a $1000 clutch job),we were considering donating the car to charity. One of the mechanics made us an offer and we sold it to him. On top of that, when ever we take our other newer cars in for service, oil changes, etc. they always treat us with respect and courtesy. I haveshopped around and I can honestly say they have the best prices in town. In my opinion Jeff is their best service rep.

Roll 'N Rye

They have great Matzo ball soup, knishes, and their lean corned beef sandwiches are amazing! I get their fresh light rye bread, their house mustard, and a hefty helping of lean corned beef. Dont forget their kosher dill pickles, their potatoe salad, andof course some halva for dessert. They do call in/take out orders only. Smack dab in the middle of a Culver City strip mall area... Its traditional jewish soul food to take home! Kinda pricey, but well worth it. The best thing to do is get it for a big group, for a birthday party or sunday brunch!

20 20 Video

Some of the best import DVDs titles you can find, from Hong Kong Action to Japanese Anime to FrenchFilm Noir... Also a very large selection of pre-viewed and used DVDs at hard to beat discounted prices. I bought a copy of 'The Philadelphia Experiment'(w/ Michael Pare and Nancy Allen) for $7.99!

Battery City Inc

This place has literally ANY and ALL batteries that exist anywhere! I bought an old vintage 1960's polaroid camera and the light meter needed a battery. I looked at the old dead battery in the camera, wrote down the part number and manufacture, and theBattery City folks found it in their inventory and I went to pick it up the same day!