Normally, I wouldn't write a review for a Starbucks (there are about 6-8 of them within a mile, two on the same street in fact) but this baby Starbucks seems to work very well for a tidy neighborhood hang. Unlike the mega Starbucks a quarter mile away, this one at Robertson and Santa Monica is never crowded because it is probably about the size of a large living room. The wifi works fast and the location is good, too, with street parking around both corners and sidewalk chairs on Santa Monica. Also, it's a lot quieter and without 'tude compared to some other nearby coffee shops.

Yankee Doodles is a decent lunch/sports bar experience. There are pool tables, a bar and outside sidewalk dining to enjoy the promenade. Prices are affordable, about $ 25 for lunch for two people.

Collegetown Bagels has authentic NYC-style chewy boiled bagels--not the shapeless steamed dough things that Noah's pushes. They have a full selection of coffee, salads and sandwiches, too, so you could eat breakfast,lunch, a snack and hang all afternoon on the wifi. This is a part of a local chain including the Ithaca Bakery. Collegetown Bagels also tries to be a bit progressive on the food, choices, too. Don't expect Starbucks coffee.

The Carriage House is one of those urban breakfast places you see people lined up outside to get into...only it's in Ithaca. The food is really good but since it tends to be crowded, service is a slow. Definitely go there for breakfast--except during Cornell reunions and their ilk.

I have seen the flyers for BHLI all over LA for the last couple of years--mostly by car washes and places where you see headshots--so I decided to give them a chance when I had to learn Italian in a hurry before a trip to Sicily, where nobody outside of tourist jobs speaks English. I was happily surprised by how fast BHLI was able to teach me basic intro Italian. After two months I was able to order food, go shopping, look for tourist attractions and historic sites as well as exchange a car rental. The weekly classes are designed for working people so are not overwhelming, but they get the job done. Generally, they want you to go from basic to intermediate to advanced classes in the same time slot with the same people (but if you have scheduling conflict, you can change classes or have homework forwarded to you.) I was impressed and will continue using BHLI, especially if I am going on vacation and have to learn another language quickly.

The Palm is the best. It has generous portions of fantastic steaks and seafood combined with great service. There is a large bar in case you want to drink with friends or are just waiting before/after dinner for some action. I have always had a teriffic meal at the Palm.

I have used Sky Limo for years whenever I have to go to LAX, Burbank or other area airports. They always pick me up in a Lincoln Towncar and I never have to share the ride with anybody, like SuperShuttle. The staff has always been friendly and professional, so I use them monthly. Also, Sky Limo will send email confirmations after you order a trip so that you don't forget them. Their dispatch is pretty responsive for those occasions where my flight plans change.

Yabu has a great selection of sushi, sashimi, noodles, eggplant with miso, tempura and other Japanese treats. There is a sushi bar if you want to sit there, but regular dining is available, too. Prices are moderate, but considering the quality of the food, are a steal. There is some metered street parking on La Cienega, so you might have to walk to get there. I have never made reservations, so I don't know if you need them or not. Best of all, Yabu never has any 'tude; the staff is great.

Ciudad is a great tapas bar and bar to try whenever you are in downtown LA for work or fun. First of all, the bar is great; second, the food is fantastic. Try to come with some friends so that you have a good excuse to sample a lot of the tapas--you'll do it anyway. Lately, the Portuguese sausage with honey and deviled eggs are my favorite tapas. Desserts are amazing, too. The service has always been good and I have never had a bad meal. I would make reservations to be on the safe side if you are showing up during the prime dinner hours/days. Prices are moderately expensive but worth it--and their wines are great, too.

BLD (short for Breakfast Lunch Dinner) has all sorts of tasty (sometimes fattening meals.) Gernally, I go there for breakfast, where they have great deals on complicated breakfasts. I usually try the blueberry-ricotta pancakes or some of their fresh baked goods. They also do a mean dinner. There is some street parking nearby and definitely make reservations for dinner. Lunch and Breakfast are casual, so just walk in.

A new Pinkberry sprouts up all of the time these days. Although it is refreshing because of the bitter yogurt taste, there really isn't much else to buy. Generaly, it is a little over-priced but still tasty.

Froma has an outstanding selection of imported gourmet charcuterie, cheese, wine, condiments and sweets. They also have a small wine bar and coffee to die for. This is definitely an undiscovered gem, so you better get there soon before everybody else does.

I only go here for jury duty, but the Metropolitan Court has great Kenny Hahn design and lots of parking downstairs. The lobby is marble and terrazzo, which really makes the ticket-paying experience better. However, the nearby food choices are few and far between--mostly bad chain stores unless you walk a few blocks--so I prefer to bring my own. The staff is really nice, too.

Collar & Leash is the store that dogs and cats would build if they wanted to put a Costco up. It has flat after flat and bag after bag of every conceivable kind of food, treats, leashes, brushes, cat trees, litter boxes, toys, etc. Prices are pretty good and there is parking next to the store (but don't leave your car there or poach the spots or they will tow.)

Universal City Walk is a fantasy version of an LA that never was (but should have been if you are an architect or designer with money to burn and the ne plus ultra of design is theme restaurants and expensive parking.) UCLA Extension and some interesting shopping is at UCW, so be prepared to kill some time. Most of the big restaurants are not as good as the little ones. The movie theaters, particularly the IMAX are impressive, but expensive. Parking is the major problem with Universal City Walk; it's expensive and far away, so the best bet is to use the expensive convenient valet service. Also, in summer during the evening it's as crowded as Soylent Green Day.

Bossa Nova is conveniently located at Robertson and Santa Monica in the middle of West Hollywood. This is a friendly neighborhood restaurant. Prices are moderate, but the quality of of the food and service is really good. There is sidewalk dining, but on weekends it gets crowded (I never make reservations but occasionally wait.) Bossa Nova serves lots of salads, sandwiches, meat and a variety of pasta and fish. I always try to get some fried plantains with everything because Bossa does them very well. Generally, it is good for a few people rather than large groups because there are small tables inside and out. Parking is a problem, though, since this is WeHo--be prepared to valet it or walk.

The 1980's live at the BevCen (but not in a good way.) In the last decade, new construction at the Grove and the Century City malls have given the BevCen serious competition for aesthetically-minded mall rats. Many of the first run movies don't go to the BevCen any more and foot traffic is a little scarce some days. The BevCen is currently attracting new vendors and building more shops but it is not an architectual simulation (like the Grove) or architectural stimulation (like Century City.) The food court is OK and the theaters are getting better. For fun, I see the animals in the pet store every time that I stop by.

PF Changs has decent Chinese food (not great gourmet Chinese food or like a meal at a dim sum palace) but it's good enough for a workday lunch or when you are shopping at the mall. Prices are affordable and the service is always bright and cheerful. The restaurant is pretty large, so I have never had to make reservations, but I hear it gets pretty busy at night. Parking is in the Media Center Mall or on San Fernando.

Primo's is the place for Italian gelatio on the Sunset Strip! It's similar to a Roman cafes where you can get a cafe doppio or a fast snack and be on your way. There are also paninis, pizzas and salads in addition to their Roman-style espresso bar. The tables are large marble slabs, so you might be sitting with a stranger if you come when it's busy. They also have some home-made scones, cinamon rolls, muffins (heads only), etc. if you just want to get a coffee and a light breakfast. There's street parking or in the mall lot downstairs. It's pretty informal (meaning slow), so just walk in and don't bother with a reservation.

Jerry's has a monumental menu and selection of every kind of deli food imaginable. I don't know if they can actually make all of it, but what I have has been generally been really good. The best deals are the desserts and the smoked fish platters, but generally prices are high. This location is across from Cedars-Sinai so if you have to visit friends in the hospital, plan on spending some time here. There is parking in the back but there are some metered spots on Beverly, too.