Posts Tagged ‘hotspots’

When the taxi pulled up outside Lime Fresh Mexican Grill and the line was almost round the block we knew we had found a hotspot! Lime was a recommendation from a real foodie so I suspected we were on to a good thing, but this place was so good it made me wish I lived in Miami!

There was a whole stack of shelves dedicated to hot sauce — it was like a shrine to piquantes with 50 variations of spicy sauce and six homemade salsas.

The guy at the counter said Mr. H sounded just like Russell Brand who had just been in before us. Russell Brand has been feeling the heat in Miami where he is shooting his new movie, “Rock of Ages” which also stars Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Paul Giamatti.

The terrace at the South Beach burrito shop was buzzing with cool healthy people happily feasting on really fresh fast food. The waitresses were switched on and smiley and one had a t-shirt that said on the back “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything”.

All this before we eaten had a tortilla chip! They arrived in a huge pile with a generous dollop of thick gorgeous guacamole on the side and endless salsa. Yum. When our mains arrived and we were so happy we’d over-ordered so there would be more to snack on later!

The reason the food is so good is because it is fresh and local and all the meat is Humanely Raised. The menu also boasts that at Lime they “Speak Vegetarian” and reassures non-meat eaters than anything on the menu can be made fully veggie-friendly.

This vibrant Mexican food joint was started by John Kunkel in 2004 on the funky Alton Road. There are now nine of these positive restaurants in total with more to come. Now if only I could convince him to open up in London!

Tucked away in a Hollywood corner near Sunset and Cahuenga, you’ll find Big Wangs — a bar that can best be described as half biker hangout, half Pizza Hut. The red and white checkered tablecloths bring me back to a time where I bonded with my little league team (and yes, I was the only girl) over video games and greasy grub.

Fast forward fifteen years and if you see me at a local bar surrounded by dudes, food, sports and beer, it’s probably because you walked into the Hollywood Big Wangs.

It’s casual, it’s fun, it’s cheap. Big Wangs isn’t exactly where you’d bring a date, but rather roll in with a big group of friends to share some spicy chicken wangs and cold pitchers of beer.

With at least three different sports playing on the TVs surrounding the bar, you’re sure to find a team you an cheer on. Like most sport bars, Big Wangs is loud and can get crowded depending on the night you visit. Be sure to steak out a table (and a spot for beer pong, if you’ve got the skills) early.

When to visit? Try Wednesday evening, where recession-friendly $0.25 cent chicken wings and $2.50 pint specials are easy on the wallet. But the real fun began at 10 PM when drunken guests take the “stage” (more like a corner) to sing their favorite tunes karaoke-style.

Advice: Check the Big Wangs website before you go to check what’s going on, the specials are so good, it’s worth it! To avoid the $6.00 parking  in the bar’s lot, look for metered parking on he surrounding streets. If you choose to try your hand at karaoke, bring your A-game…some of those Wangs waitresses can really belt it.

And, as always, be sure to check back to Positively Celebrity for more of the latest celebrity hot spots from Erin Darling!

Coffee? Outlets? Free Wi-Fi? What more could a girl ask for in local coffee shop? Well, maybe a warm poppyseed scone too, but if that craving strikes while you’re hanging out at Bricks & Scones, they’ve got you covered!

Bricks & Scones. 403 N Larchmont Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004

Tucked away in the uber-quaint Larchmont neighborhood of Los Angeles, you’ll find Bricks & Scones, a family run coffee shop with heart! While the exterior may look like a house, walk inside and you’ll see that the interior is reminiscent of an upscale library complete with desks and people typing away on their MacBooks.

Bricks & Scones will charm you from the adorable outdoor patio, to the atrium and quiet study rooms inside. Make yourself comfortable on a couch and cuddle up with your latte, laptop, or both!

With an overabundance of Starbucks and Coffee Bean locations on every corner, I’m always looking for unique alternatives. While it’s not home to the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had, Bricks & Scones is the perfect location for the person looking for a temporary escape, a tranquil place to concentrate, or an aforementioned poppyseed scone…which really is a must try!

Wanna get your sweat on with some of Hollywood’s finest? Join a gym that’s almost as elite as the celebs you’ll see running on the treadmills. Although a membership at Equinox Fitness isn’t exactly recession friendly (expect to spend around $150.00/month) it does get you access to a gym with studios for yoga and pilates, a steam room, a full service spa, and even a juice bar if you’re craving a post-workout treat.

With locations around the nation, you’ll be able to get your work out in whether you’re visiting Los Angeles, New York, D.C. or Boston. If you’re looking for a celebrity sighting, check out the West Hollywood location. Cameron Diaz, Ashley Tisdale and Paris Hilton have been spotted here. Keep your eyes peeled, you never know who’ll get on to the elliptical machine next to you!

Equinox. 8590 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

My personal tip, ask one of the trainers on staff to show you their most challenging ab routine. I’ve found that if they’re in between clients, they’re usually more than happy to oblige. It only takes a few minutes, and you might just walk away with a new jogging buddy!

Pink’s is an LA landmark famous for its hot dogs and infamous for its ridiculously long lines. Although this hot dog shack may be home to the greasy kind of food you’d like to stuff your face with after a long night of partying, the queue is an automatic deterrent for the inebriated and sober alike. But nevertheless, we still love Pink’s and this is why…

Pink’s. 709 North La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA. 90038

Pink’s is a family owned hot dog business that has had the same location on La Brea  since 1939 and boasts the world’s best chili dog. More than a stand, but too small to be deemed a restaurant, Pink’s has perfected the art of the hot dog and offers a menu full of different varieties.  Sour cream, tomatoes, guacamole, onions and cheese are just a few of the toppings that customize the dogs here.

Many celebrities have visited Pink’s, autographed photos and headshots line the walls, and menu items are often named after stars. Ever wondered what Rosie O’Donnell would taste like if she were reincarnated as a hot dog? Apparently a 10-inch stretch dog, topped with mustard, onions, chili and sauerkraut, according to Pink’s.

Is Pink’s all it’s cracked up to be?

Definitely not, in my humble opinion, but if you’re wandering the streets of Los Angeles craving a hot dog I can’t think of a better place to get one.

If hot dogs aren’t your cup of tea, the menu is still stocked with fast food alternatives like nachos, french fries, burritos and burgers. To avoid standing in a line that can easily put you an hour away from your delicious hot dog, visit Pink’s for lunch instead of dinner (arrive at 11:30 AM on a weekday, and you’re golden).

Be sure to get the scoop on more celebrity hot-spots from Erin Darling right here at Positively Celebrity!