Deena Nissley | Ewing & Associates

The top 3 spots you must keep a secret

By: Deena Nissley

Malibu: The Old Place
Tough guys like Steve McQueen came to this rustic, country store-turned restaurant for a hearty meal of steak, clam, and potatoes. And that’s exactly what you’ll get, because the menu hasn’t really changed in more than 100 years. Stop by the Cornell Winery Tasting Room next door and pick a bottle to bring in with you. (Make reservations — they only take them for three seatings.)
29983 Mulholland Hwy. (818-706-9001)

Downtown: The Bootleg Theater
“Pay what you can” pricing is typical for indie rock shows and film screenings at this Depression-era warehouse. Get back in touch with your artistic side (the one you forgot about after you got tired of eating Top Ramen six nights a week) at this unpretentious, d-bag attitude-free hang for young directors, photographers, and musicians.
2220 Beverly Blvd. (213-389-3856)

Hollywood: The Hungry Cat
The best raw bar selections in LA are at a signless spot hidden away at this modern seafood haunt in the back of the Sunset & Vine complex (it’s across from the north entrance to Borders). Order up straight-from-the-ocean shellfish, from the Pacific and the Atlantic. Don’t like fish? Covered with bacon, blue cheese, and avocado, the Pug Burger is the only thing on the menu that can’t swim. High-concept cocktails mean you’re cabbing it home.
1535 Vine St. (323-462-2155)

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A isn’t quite the wine capital of California…

By: Deena Nissley

…but that hasn’t stopped more than 50 vineyards in the Santa Monica Mountains from producing delicious bottles of vino.

Malibu Family Wines
The wines featured here represent the bounty of the grapes harvested from the Semler family’s 1,000 acre estate in the SM mountains. There’s often an event here in addition to the standard tasting so whether you’re looking for a movie night or live music, make sure to check the schedule before you go.
31740 Mulholland Hwy., Malibu (818-865-0605)

Sip Malibu
At the Cielo Winebar, grab a seat at one of the shaded hillside tables and enjoy one of four wine flights for between $10 and $15. Some flights are Napa-focused, so if you want to try the local flavor, choose the reds.
2598 Sierra Creek Rd., Agoura (818-865-0440)

Rosenthal Estate Wines
Though the sprawling vineyard is closed to the general public, stop by the tasting room just off the PCH to try the estate’s wines and Surfrider wines for between $12 and $15. If you’re on your way North, make sure to snap up a bottle to prove to your NorCal buddies that SoCal can compete.
26023 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu (310-456-1392)

Cornell Winery and Tasting Room
Despite the name, there isn’t actually a winery here. Instead, they rotate the wineries they feature which gives you a reason to keep coming back. For $15, you’ll get to taste eight different wines while you browse the peacock-inhabited grounds and the gallery.
29975 Mulholland Hwy., Cornell (818-735-3542)