The Father’s Office burger (in Santa Monica and Culver City) is amazing. If you don’t know that, you don’t get it.

We thought we knew what Echo Park arcade restaurant Button Mash would be. Turns out it’s much, much more.

The Tripel is your neighborhood hangout spot even a TV sitcom would be jealous of.

Augustine in Sherman Oaks is the kind of wine bar that makes other wine bars look like they're phoning it in.

E.R.B. is sort of a restaurant and sort of a bar - and all things wonderful.

Tokyo Hamburg is a rowdy Japanese restaurant in Koreatown that feels like a party from the moment you walk in.

Blue Dog is one of our favorite neighborhood drinking spots in the Valley.

The New York-iest bar in Los Angeles, the Village Idiot is always there when you need it, and the British pub food is good too.

Ddong Ggo is a lively Koreatown bar with a smoked-filled patio and excellent fried chicken.

Hinano Cafe is a Venice icon and the kind of place you go into for one drink and walk out plastered and maybe with a lower-back henna tattoo.

OB Bear has some of the best bar food in Koreatown, and folks line up early for the chicken wings.

A hidden spot Downtown with excellent drinks and solid bar food.

Stout is a burger and beer bar with good food and a low-key space that provides a needed break from the chaos of downtown Santa Monica.

FishBar is a bar/seafood shack on the Northern edge of Manhattan Beach and one of the last truly local spots in the area.

Barney's original location in West Hollywood still has that old-school charm and vibe you want.

The Doughroom is a solid restaurant in Palms, an area of town without many solid restaurants.