What I Did in LA

I like to think of LA as my “home away from home.” Since my best friend from college moved out there almost 10 years ago, I’ve tried to go a few times a year. I also (briefly) lived there after college for a few months as a test run to see if I wanted to fully commit to the west coast.

Coming home from LA is always bittersweet. While I don’t think I’m meant to live in LA full-time (I wouldn’t mind spending winters there though…) I have SO much fun while I’m there. It was sunny all week. My belly hurt from all the laughing I did. And I also ate so much good sushi and vegan food. What’s not to love?

One of these days I’ll round up ALL my favorite restaurants in LA, but for now, I’ll leave you with the highlights from my recent trip.

What I Did in LA

Where I Ate:

Salt & Straw has such good vegan ice cream! Every January they do “Vegandulgence” and offer a ton of vegan flavors. I sampled a few and ended up going with the Sunflower Butter Cup. Also… they now have a location in Downtown Disney. (Ice cream – Vegan options)

 

Genghis Cohen has my favorite Chinese food, period. I don’t eat pork so I love that their wonton soup is made with turkey. I’m also partial to their Queen Chicken and tasty green beans. (Chinese Food)

 

Fresh on Sunset might win the award for the best veggie burger I’ve ever had. And I’ve had a lot of veggie burgers. Apparently it’s the closest thing you can get to a vegan In-N-Out burger, but I can’t confirm since I’ve never had one. (Vegan Restaurant)

 

Simple Things is always a must for me while I’m in LA. I adore their BBQ chicken sandwich (on a pretzel bun, delicious) with a side of tater tots (Cute lunch spot)

 

Izakaya on 3rd has one of my favorite sushi lunch specials. Get the Izakaya plate which comes with crispy rice with spicy tuna, a crab handroll, delicious seasoned yellow fish and a few other tasty things. You won’t be disappointed. (Sushi)

 

Real Food Daily has the best vegan breakfast sandwich I’ve been able to find — and thankfully they serve vegan breakfast all day. I also loved their vegan nachos and mozzarella sticks. Pro-tip: If you fly out of the American Airlines terminal at LAX there’s a mini RFD. I always order the breakfast sandwich before my flight home. (Vegan restaurant)

 

Robata Jinya on 3rd Street has such good ramen. I ordered the half portion of the creamy vegan ramen with an egg and then David and I shared the homemade tofu, shrimp toast, and chicken oyster thighs. EVERYTHING we ordered was insanely good. (Ramen)

 

Hugo’s has been a favorite of mine in LA for a few years now. I always order the huevos rancheros which can be made vegan / dairy-free. I still like to have it with the egg but the vegan coconut cheese. (Comfort food with lots of vegan options)

 

Where I Worked Out:

I usually try to check out different studios while I’m in LA. This time around it just ended up being easier to go to Bar Method in West Hollywood most days. For starters: It’s free because I’m an instructor. Major perk. It’s also conveniently located to Izakaya and Simple Things (both of which I went to twice this week for lunch). Plus I like that it’s not a super sweaty workout so I didn’t feel like I needed to shower ASAP after taking a class.

I also did two hikes: Runyon Canyon + Fryman Canyon. Fryman is a bit more chill as far as hiking goes, I feel like the incline is less steep and it’s paved for most of the trail. Runyon has beautiful views and is a bit “trendier” if that makes sense

 

What I Did:

Alamo Drafthouse: We had SO much fun going to a rowdy screening of Cats at the Drafthouse downtown. I need to check out the one in Brooklyn, I feel like they host so many fun movie screenings. The one in LA is doing a Little Shop screening soon which I SO wish I could go to.

I was also hyped that they had a vegan pizza on the menu.

 

The Magic Castle: I’ve always wanted to go to The Magic Castle. We were able to get in for my friend David’s birthday and it was SO much fun. You basically spend the night exploring the castle going to various magic shows. Some of it is close-up magic like card tricks. Other stuff is more elaborate. We also got to see some great acts by mentalists that blew my mind.

I somehow ended up getting pulled on stage for two of the magic shows. Once a theater major, always a theater major.

 

Disneyland: David and I always make a trip to Disneyland when I’m in LA. We were especially excited because the new Star Wars ride Rise of the Resistance just opened last week!

Right now to get on the new ride you have to be at the park right at opening to enter the digital boarding system. We decided to stay at the Paradise Pier Hotel in Disneyland the night before so we could get into the park early and attempt to get a boarding pass for the ride. We totally lucked out and got in!

The new ride is INCREDIBLE, it’s track-less so you have no idea where you’re going during the ride. I’m not a big Star Wars fan but even so a few moments totally blew my mind. I can’t wait to hopefully ride it again next time we go to Disneyland.

 

Judd Apatow & Friends at Largo: I always like to see what’s happening at Largo while I’m in LA. I’m a huge fan of Judd Apatow (Knocked Up is arguably my favorite comedy, ever) and figured whatever friends he brought out would be great. The guys got some pretty cool friends

Turns out one of his friends was ADAM SANDLER. David and I totally flipped out when Adam Sandler walked out. The whole night was a lot of fun and we especially loved Pete Holmes’ standup.

 

Alex Borstein at Dynasty Typewriter: I already knew Alex Borstein was hilarious, brilliant and talented… but seeing her perform just further confirmed this notion. She performed a one women musical show (with the help of two fabulous backup musicians) and everything about it was excellent.

What the Constitution Means to Me at the Mark Taper Forum: I am SO happy I got to see this show after hearing amazing things about the Broadway production. The show was created and originally performed by Heidi Schreck. As a high schooler, she traveled around the country debating the constitution to win scholarship money for college. The show reenacts her high school speech and also adds bits and pieces from her adult life. Heidi is not performing the role in LA but Maria Dizzia is amazing. It’s thought-provoking, emotional, hilarious and insanely relevant.

I highly, highly, recommend seeing it if you’re in LA.