The best Old-fashioned cocktails ever! Hands down. These mixologists know what they're doing. This place is also famous for their french-dipped sandwiches. And oh yes, not to forget about the pickled eggs.

My favorite diner; food is really good and the decor is fun.

Favorite bookstore. There's an art book + comics section and a chapter books section.

If you find yourself in Malibu for any reason, stop by the Pepperdine university campus and check out this grass field. If there aren't any lacrosse practices happening, then you can sit and fell like you're on the edge of the world.

If you love karaoke like I do, there's a ton of spots to check out in LA, but none quite as charming (or David Lynch-y) as Melody Lounge. Be forewarned, this spot is intermittently open. You'll know they're ready for business if they plant a sandwich board outside offering cold sandwiches and cheap beer. Hopefully, you'll get a chance to meet the owner Willie, whose (possibly embellished) life stories rival Hemingway. As for the song selection, the campy MIDI versions and painfully less than accurate lyric translations can suddenly turn your favorite tunes into high-wire acts (i.e. "Leaving On A Jet Plane" magically transforms into "Libyan on A Jet Plane"). Hell, they even have a song called "Schindler's List" on the menu! Even if you don't sing, Willie or his wife will gleefully take the stage. Special tip: for a true Chinatown boner, request Willie sing Enrique Iglesias' "Bailamos."