West Hollywood Magazine, WHM Best of WeHo - Fall Issue 2017

W E S T H O L LY W O O D M A G A Z I N E

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2 017 FA L L I S SU E : B E S T O F W E H O

22 26 BEST WEHO RESTAURANTS: CRITIC’S PICKS–BY JAMES TIPPER

BEST OF BEAUTY: CRITICS CHOICES

The best isn’t always the hardest reservation, nor is it always the most expensive. However, there is one criteria that seems to unite all great restaurants: graciousness.

What should I wear to my reunion? My hair is trashed from swimming all summer - what should I do? My nails have been so brittle lately, what’s your opinion on gels?

30 36 BEST OF: DINING Wondering where you should be eating in West Hollywood? You’re in the right place.

BEST OF: NIGHTLIFE West Hollywood has perfected the art of going out and there’s always a party happening in this city-within-a-city.

42 46

BEST OF: PET SUPPLIES & PET SERVICES

Here is the deinitive list of West Hollywood’s pet services and supplies as rated by the community.

Want to see who made the cut?

BEST OF: BEAUTY What makes for a great salon in West Hollywood?

A spa, or barber shop? Voters narrowed it down and they won’t disappoint.

50 56 BEST OF: FITNESS No place takes itness quite as seriously as West Hollywood. Check out the best destinations currently shaping our community.

62 THE BEST OF WEHO? YES. BUT WHAT’S BEST ABOUT WEST HOLLYWOOD? What is best about WeHo as a place to live? We reached out to a selection of local residents for their answers.

FIVE BEST BASIC EXERCISES Five best exercises to do in the Gym? FIVE?!!! How to do this when I live at THE GYM? Will my other favorite exercises ind out and shun me?

WEST HOLLYWOOD MAGAZINE

P U B L I S H E R /E D I TO R- I N - C H I E F Henry E. (Hank) Scott henry@westhollywoodmag.net C R E AT I V E D I R EC TO R Allana Johnson allana@yokcreative.com S A L E S & M A R K E T I N G D I R EC TO R Doug Stichler Doug@WeHoMediaCo.com A DV E R T I S I N G (323) 454-7707 advertising@westhollywoodmag.net FO L LOW U S westhollywoodmag.net facebook.com/westhollywoodmag.net instagram @westhollywoodmagazine

! n i e r a s e t o V THE BEST OF WEST HOLLY WOOD?

WE ASKED OUR READERS TO MAKE SOME TOUGH CHOICES. Why the Best of West Hollywood?

For one thing, I wanted to ind out what I’m missing. Like most people, I tend to dine at the same couple of restaurants, workout at just one WeHo gym and, when I had a dog, I visited the same veterinarian and food store. Thankfully, being that I’m a bald guy, I no longer have to search for a barber shop.

We igured our readers might have the same desire. So we went to WEHOville. com, our sister publication, to put a ballot online. We asked you what the “Best Of” is in several categories. And you answered!

Given that this is our irst “Best Of” issue (it will be back every year) we limited the number of categories to some of the most popular types of businesses in West Hollywood. However, in the Fall of next year, you’ll have even more categories to choose from.

WHMC, 1138 Hacienda Place, No. 211, West Hollywood, CA 90069. 323.454.7707.

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B E S T O F W E S T H O L LY W O O D 2 0 1 7

By Henry E. (Hank) Scott Hank Scott is editor and publisher of WEHOville. com and West Hollywood Magazine.

James Tipper is the man when it comes to restaurant reviews. Tipper is a rock critic turned food writer (and also a novelist and recording artist – what they call a man of many talents.) In addition to writing for us, he writes for L.A. Weekly. More information about Tipper’s fascinating career is available at www.jamestipper.com We also turned to Maxine Tatlonghari, a beauty entrepreneur and lifestyle blogger based in West Hollywood, to get her answers to some questions.

What should I wear to my reunion?

My hair is trashed from swimming all summer - what should I do? My nails have been so brittle lately, what’s your opinion on gels? Maxine provides expert answers as to what to do and where to go to make that happen. You can learn more about what she’s up to by visiting vanitygirlhollywood.com Finally, we asked some of our more cosmopolitan residents – Tom Kiely, Nadia Sutton, Marquita Thomas and Sam Borelli – what’s best about West Hollywood overall? I think you’ll enjoy reading why they like living here.

For this issue we also reached out to a couple of experts to get their take on the best restaurants in West Hollywood and the best providers of beauty services and products.

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C R I T I C S R E V I E W: J A M E S T I P P E R T H E B E S T FI V E R E S TAU R A N T S I N

T H E B E S T I S N ’ T A LW AY S T H E

NORAH

H A R D E S T R E S E R VAT I O N , N O R

8279 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, (323) 450-4211

IS IT ALWAYS THE MOST EXPENSIVE. HOWEVER, THERE IS ONE CRITERIA THAT SEEMS TO UNITE ALL GREAT RESTAURANTS: GRACIOUSNESS. Renowned food geek Alton Brown once said: “Good service can save a bad meal, but there is no level of food that can save bad service.” Not to say that any of the food on this list is lacking in taste or reinement, but these ive restaurants make sure that not only do you leave with a bit of an education for your palate, but you also leave with a smile for your face.

“GOOD SERVICE C A N S AV E A B A D MEAL , BUT THERE IS NO LEVEL O F F O O D T H AT C A N S AV E B A D S E R V I C E .”

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There’s a lot of bad cornbread in the world. A lot. So for a restaurant to open its menu with the best version you’ll ever have, means you’re about to get schooled.

In this case your professor is Chef Mike Williams, who hints at Southern decadence later in the menu in the form of his grits topped with fried quail that slaps you

with just enough spice to beguile you into coming back. But when you do, that bird has lown the coop, gone in a light of fancy only to be replaced with chicken and biscuits in a charred corn sauce. And though the menu whistles Dixie, it may also take a breezy tour of the Mediterranean as well.

Chef Williams knows that impermanence is a sound philosophy for approaching food. The market, along with his muse, always has the last word. Pair that kind of inspiration with a sleek and crisp dining room on Santa Monica Boulevard, a marble bar serving clever concoctions and a welcoming front of the house and you have everything a go-to restaurant should be.

P E T R O S S I A N PA R I S BOUTIQUE AND R E S TA U R A N T 321 S. ROBERTSON BOULEVARD, (310) 271-6300

Petrossian caviar was born in Paris in 1920, and it wasn’t long before it cornered the market in the toniest parts of the City of Lights. It took Manhattan in the 80s, and in 2001 Petrossian consecrated WeHo’s swankiest boulevard with our own temple of the black pearls.

Scotches for such a Gallic enclave. Let a full bodied Macallan lead you into a starter of roasted bone marrow with onion marmalade, or go big with a bottle of Sancerre for your lobster pasta, velvety with uni butter and scented with tarragon.

Sunday brunch on the patio beneath the warm autumn sun with a lute of champagne and their subtle, house-smoked salmon is a meditation on harmony.

But it’s not all just ish eggs here – though its Thursday night Caviar Class is a must – it also has quietly remained a paean to well-crafted cuisine and charcuterie in a setting that manages to be both reined and relaxed.

Expense account lunchers may have a pat of torchon d’ foie gras melting on warm toast points beneath a kiss of quince jam. Dinners may start with one of 40 vodkas served in lutes or a surprisingly well curated list of single malt 23

G O L D E N S Q UA R E S O F C A R A M E L I Z E D R I C E T H AT S TAG E T H E S I L K E N LU M P S

All the usual steakhouse sides are accounted for, along with a not-to-miss tableside Caesar, a remarkable and gooey onion soup gratinée and a Wine Spectator award-winning cellar. As of this summer, bison, ostrich and Col-

O F T U N A P E R FE C T LY.

BOA STE AKHOUSE 9200 SUNSET BOULEVARD, (310) 278-2050

J I N PAC H I 8711 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD AT WESTBOURNE, (310) 358-9134

Chef Hirotaka Fujita maintains this small neighborhood sushi bar with warmth and just enough quiet dignity to let you know that you are somewhere serious, somewhere in the know.

The ish is buttery, cut masterfully and as fresh as you are likely to ind.

The menu tends to be a few dollars more than its competitors and leans towards the traditional.

The California penchant for heavily sauced and lash fried rolls is kept to a minimum here.

The one notable exception is the spicy tuna on crispy rice. Since this now ubiquitous dish appeared on the scene in the late 90’s, it has been clumsily recreated in many sushi bars that clearly regard it as obligatory. But at Jinpachi, this dish may be the star: paperthin slices of jalapeño and a drizzle of chili sauce adorn golden squares of caramelized rice that stage the silken lumps of tuna perfectly.

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You may see other stars, too, breezing up the stairs to the cozy loft to nosh on the house-made agedashi tofu, the best in town. For those who are not under contract with a major studio, try the sushi moriawase featuring a chef’s choice of eight pieces of nigiri and a maki roll. It’s a good value, and gives customers a great overview of a chef who works hard to bring you a higher level of quality.

Needless to say, the omakase here is sublime.

wagyu. All can be topped with housemade steak sauce, trule butter or... wait for it…bacon jam. And yes, bacon jam is as good as it sounds. As if that wasn’t enough, the chops are plated beside a whole roasted clove of garlic that you can squeeze over the meat to make then even more sticky sweet.

Beverly Hills gets Mastro’s. West Hollywood gets BOA. That is a deal that any WeHo agent would have made without blinking, but the way BOA came to rest at Doheny Road and Sunset wasn’t a product of such assertive tradecraft.

In fact, it’s journey was hardly a Cinderella story.

orado lamb T-bones have joined the list of chops. Evidently, BOA intends to keep serving unique and high-quality haunches instead of sitting on it.

date spot. Rosaline is a constant party, a permanent vacation, and food wise, a revelatory night out.

In its early days, BOA spent a few uneventful years at the Grafton Hotel on Sunset, unable to ind its footing. Yet just like an auditioning starlet who knows they have “it,” BOA didn’t give up. It went bigger.

Chef Ricardo Zarate, one of thirteen siblings, went from a tin roof hovel in Lima, Peru, to the top of the culinary world with help from his favorite ingredient: passion. He brought Peru to L.A. with Picca and DTLA’s Mo-Chica, and he’s not done with you yet.

In 2009, BOA moved to a 14,000 square foot wonderland of outdoor patios and plush booths a mile down the road.

Ready for their close-up, it wasn’t long before A-listers started rolling down Doheny Road to valet their sedans at what had suddenly become a celeb magnet. Elsewhere in town that could mean a host desk that throws more shade than a icus tree, but at BOA they always make sure you feel like a star, too.

Inside, a selection of prime Omaha beef awaits: Massive tomahawks, bone-in rib eyes, a “40 day” dry aged New York strip and well-marbled American

At Rosaline, Creole rhythms thrum from the rafters of the bohemian space; luffy green plants quiver with the energy beneath broad skylights.

Plates of ceviche are whisked to tables, the chunks of halibut and curls of crispy calamari dressed in a “leche de tigre” spiked with yuzu and aji amarillo chilis.

ROSALINE 8479 MELROSE AVENUE, (323) 297-9500

It’s loud, so there’s that. Go with friends. You’ve been warned. It’s no

makes the oicial amount of countries represented in the dish an even four.

It’s mixed tableside, the rice coming away from the side of the screaming hot skillet and crisping up to chewy perfection like a Korean bibimbap.

Desserts are no afterthought. Case in point: the expert crust on the sour plum crostata with purple corn spread, fermented umeboshi plums and ice cream made with chancaca – a molasses rich unreined sugar.

Rosaline is exactly the kind of restaurant that veriies how living in such a diverse and vibrant city can be such a privilege and how food can be good for the soul.

James Tipper is a restaurant critic and novelist. He started his career in the San Francisco Bay area and has been a resident of West Hol-

The paella here is the must order, fried up with pancetta, la chang sausage, prawns and a hint of bagoong – a Filipino fermented ish paste that

lywood for over twenty years. His column, “The Digest,” was a staple

in WEHOville,

and he is now a contributing food writer for LA Weekly.

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HERE ARE THIS BE AUT Y E XPERT’ S WEHO CHOICES

M A X I N E TAT L O N G H A R I AS A BE AUT Y ENTREPRENEUR AND AN L . A .

L I F E S T Y L E B L O G G E R B A S E D I N W E S T H O LLY W O O D , I G E T A S K E D F O R R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S A N D R E F E R R A L S E V E R Y D AY. SHOULD I WE AR TO MY REUNION? IS

TR ASHED

FROM

SWIMMING

W H AT

MY HAIR ALL

SUM-

M E R - W H AT S H O U L D I D O? M Y N A I L S H AV E BEEN

SO

BRITTLE

OPINION ON GELS?

L A T E LY ,

W H AT ’ S

YOUR

FOLLOWING, PLE ASE

F I N D M Y N I N E C U R R E N T W E S T H O L LY W O O D ( A N D A DJAC EN T ) FAV E S .

Makeup Mandy MakeupMandy.com 8441 Melrose Avenue (310) 858-1970

YOU WILL FIND

A MIX OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND M A N Y P L A C E S T H AT O F F E R U P B O T H !

1. M A K E U P

moved her salon to a bigger location on Melrose, and I’m travelling a little less these days but I still love to go to Makeup Mandy’s for party lashes prior to an event. Party lashes $25. Organic spray tans start at $65. Eyelash extensions start at $325.

M A N DY

Dubbed the “Eyelash Bar to the Stars,” this is the irst stop in my WeHo beauty tour. Owner Amanda Jacobelis used to have her storefront right up the street where I live, and I was addicted to going there to get a spray tan and eyelash extensions prior to a vacation (expert tip: a tan and eyelash extensions drastically cut down your morning routine while on vacation). She

2. B E L L A M I

BE AUT Y BAR

For my everyday beauty look, I’m addicted to a good blow out because I envy a tousled, beachy wave … that effortless done/undone look. But when I really want to amp up the va va voom factor, I turn to my favorite Burciaga Blends Bellami clip in hair extensions. While most people are relegated to shopping online, those of us in West Hollywood can walk into their pink jewel of a store located right on Robertson and shop for extensions in person.

Burciaga Blends Bellami clip in hair extensions $239.

Bellami Beauty Bar https://www.bellamihair.com 645 North Robertson Boulevard (424) 284-8044

y t u a e B r o f L ooking IN ALL THE RIGHT PL ACE S

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3. R O Y C E

M I T C H E L L AT MARCO PELUSI

You can choose to install and style your clip-ins at the Bellami Beauty Bar, but I like to saunter right across the street and head over to Royce at Marco Pelusi’s Salon and have him work his magic. A former dancer and makeup artist trained in London, Royce understands how to deliver sexy glamour.

His clip-in installation services start at $75 and include a blow dry, iron styling and inish.

Marco Pelusi Salon https://marcopelusi.com/ 636 North Robertson Boulevard (310) 967-0999

4 . MAC COSMETICS ON MELROSE When it comes to product and color options, I love MAC Cosmetics. I used to go to the Robertson PRO store all the time, so how happy was I when they relocated it so close to my home? It’s totally walking distance for me, which can be kind of dangerous to be honest.

They offer makeup services as well, and one of my favorite beauty hacks is to buy $30 worth of product and see if anyone is available to do my eyes only.

I ind that I’m usually able to igure out the rest of my face as long as my eyes are done. My favorite artists are Rasheena, Lindrel and Jamie, but they are all pretty great. Full beauty makeup starts at $60. Focus Feature only $30 plus product based on artist availability.

MAC Cosmetics http://www.maccosmetics.com/ 8507 Melrose Avenue (310) 659-9161

27

right next door to the Bellami Beauty Bar (and across the street from Marco Pelusi) so you can see that WeHo has a lot of beauty offerings right on Robertson Boulevard, $50 for a Single Sweat.

Packages and memberships are also available.

5. KINAR A RED C ARPE T FACIAL On a recent episode of “Watch What Happens Live” with Andy Cohen, he asked the gorgeous Halle Berry how she maintains her position as one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood year after year. Her answer was Kinara’s Red Carpet Facial system, which she uses regularly. Well, this recent plug must have driven droves to their site, because it is temporarily sold out. But fret not - you can still preorder. This product was designed for those who may not be able to make it into celebrity facialist Olga Lorencin’s Robertson studio. For you glow-getters, take the Red Carpet challenge.

Use the product every day for two weeks and then drop down to the recommended weekly usage. Kinara Red Carpet in a Box $105. Kinara Red Carpet Facial Service $180.

Olga Lorencin Skincare OlgaLorencinSkincare.com 656 North Robertson Boulevard (310) 657-9188

6. SHAPEHOUSE Another secret to achieving a red carpet glow is to get in a good sweat.

Spin? Sure. Bootcamp? Uh huh. But what about a place you can relax, watch Netlix and sweat? A lot. Enter the urban sweat lodge by entrepreneur Sophie Cliché, who is originally from France. Regular sessions promote weight loss, glowing skin, better sleep and what we Angelenos all need — stress relief. This is a fun, relaxing thing to do with friends. I was introduced to Shapehouse by Jamie Adler of Phyllis Morris Originals. It’s located

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ShapeHouse http://www.theshapehouse.com/ 653 North Robertson Boulevard (855) 567-2346

7. C AN C AN ORGANIC HAND & FOOT PARLEUR My love affair with all things French continues, with a trip to this WeHo adjacent nail parlor. The charming decor and commitment to the cleanest high quality products and lovely, pampering service are just three reasons I love it so much. The main reason is that its organic gel manicures have helped my nails grow long and strong in a way that nail salons simply haven’t. This is a perfect girls day out. I was introduced to it by one of favorite beauty inluencers, Jennifer Chan. Manicures start at $30.

Can Can Organic Hand & Foot Parleur CanCanParleur.com 731 1/2 North La Brea Avenue (323) 954-6900

The Social (unlimited blowouts) starts at $120 a month. The Sophisticate (unlimited men’s haircuts) starts at $80 a month.

Society Salon http://www.societysalons.com/ 8327 Melrose Avenue (323) 655-4555

9. UNTAMED INSTINC TS I met Tanya onset during a calendar shoot and saw her whip out 12 pinup girl hairstyles all by herself. Since then, I’ve been going to her for cut and color and styling for events like the Pride Parade and beauty shows such as PhamExpo and more. She also does beautiful unicorn hair for more adventurous types in search of pink, blue, silver and millennial lights of fancy. I tend to keep it pretty tame with ombre browns and caramel, but when I went blonde - I went to Tanya. She used to be located at the Salon Republic WeHo and just recently moved to the brand new Hollywood location. Cut & color starting at $225.

Maxine the

Tatlonghari

award-winning

is in-

novator and WeHo inlu-

8. SALON SOCIE T Y

encer behind the Vanity Girl

I ind one of the fastest ways to feel pampered is to get a professional blowout. It’s really hard to get that salon look yourself, no matter what tools and products you use. When I saw a billboard for a salon that offered unlimited blowouts in a membership format over a year ago, I was intrigued. I’ve been going to Salon Society for over a year now, and “unlimited” roughly translates to twice a week, which is perfect for me. For men, they also offer unlimited haircuts. The salon has a modern, industrial feel with lots of dark wood, and the staff is stellar.

you the original Hollywood

Hollywood brand, bringing lighted mirror.

She chronicles

her beauty boss life in The Vanity Girl Diaries, with a focus on lifestyle, beauty, lanthropy.

WeHo and phi-

She was a TrendScout

for the prestigious Cosmoprof NA 2017 beauty trade show and can be found on IG @VanityGirlHollywood.

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g n i n n i D BEST OF WEHO

VOTES are in

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NO. 2 CHIN CHIN 8618 SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.CHINCHIN.COM (310) 652-1818

NO. 3 ASAKUMA RICE 848 NORTH LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES WWW.ASAKUMARICE.COM (310) 652-7780

But as attention grabbing as the food is the décor and the staff.

“Each piece of furniture and ixture is custom-made in Mexico and hanging on the walls is contemporary Mexican inspired artwork,” it notes on its website. Tortilla Republic’s website doesn’t call out its servers, but you’ll notice and appreciate them as much for their looks as their service.

NO. 2

Best Mexican Restaurant Best Burger Joint NO. 1 IRV ’ S BURGERS 7998 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.IRVSBURGERS.COM (323) 650-2456

Irv’s is a West Hollywood institution.

It opened 67 years ago at 8289 Santa Monica Boulevard and has moved around a bit since then. Now the Hong family, which bought it in 2000, operates it at 7998 Santa Monica Boulevard near North Laurel.

While writing for the L.A. Weekly Johnathan Gold, today the noted L.A. Times food critic, called out Irv’s for its hand-cut French fries and double cheeseburgers, pastrami sandwiches and Denver omelets, onion rings and tuna melts.

But as delicious as the food is, Gold noted that part of Irv’s appeal is Sonia Hong, the restaurant’s owner, who he

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described as “just totally, manically nice.” Yes, after a couple of visits Sonia will recognize you and likely scrawl one of her happy faces or baby drawings on your takeout bag.

Irv’s is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sundays Hong and her mother take a well-deserved rest.

NO. 2 FIVE GUYS 8731 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.FIVEGUYS.COM (310) 289-1175

NO. 1 TORTILLA REPUBLIC

Best C hinese Restaurant NO. 1 KU N G PAO B I S TRO

And that “Robot Chicken”? The creators of that eponymous comedy TV series named it after a Kung Pao dish after eating there.

Kung Pao is open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and from noon to 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

MARIX TEX MEX 1108 NORTH FLORES STREET WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.MARIXTEXMEX.COM (323) 656-8800

NO. 3 GUISADOS 8935 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.GUISADOS.CO (310) 777-0310

616 NORTH ROBERTSON BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD, WWW.TORTILLAREPUBLIC.COM (310) 657-9888

Yes, it’s the food — contemporary Mexican cuisine Tortilla Republic boasts signature dishes like Tacos de Jicama and Duck Conit Enchiladas. It has a gluten free menu (this is WeHo, after all). And the outdoor patio is lovely.

7853 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.KUNGPAOBISTRO.COM (323) 848-9888

The home of the “Robot Chicken,” Kung Pao, which has been around 2001, specializes in traditional Chinese and Taiwanese dishes but manages to incorporate some Japanese, Singaporean and American touches.

NO. 2 (IT’S A TIE) SHAKE SHACK 8520 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.SHAKESHACK.COM/LOCATION/WESTHOLLYWOOD/ (323) 488-3010

It was one of the irst Asian restaurants to only use Angus steak for its beef dishes. And in only uses Paciic North and South American white shrimp. All of its vegetables are sourced fresh and never frozen.

33

move across Havenhurst, with the restaurant now anchoring the southwest corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Havenhurst, with room for outdoor dining.

The menu was inspired by Marco’s mother, a native of Italy who had worked at several Italian restaurants.

Pizzas with pancetta and pepperoni and the Pizza Mama (white pizza with pesto, chicken and mozzarella) airm its Italian heritage. And then there are dishes like Pasta and Fagioli soup, Penne alla Arrabbiata and Frutti di Mara. And if a woman with an Italian last name like “Stefani” (irst name Gwen) eats there, you know it’s Italiano.

Best Japanese Restaurant NO. 1 OMI SUSHI Omi! Oh my! A sushi restaurant with a happy hour! (That means it’s a sushi restaurant whose owners totally get West Hollywood).

Omi has been around since 2011 and bills itself as “Asian fusion,” which is a way to explain the Las Vegas Roll and the Crazy California Roll.

NO. 2 J I N PAC H I 8711 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD (310) 358-9134

Best Pizza NO. 1 MARCO’S

8200 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.MARCOSWESTHOLLYWOOD.COM (323) 650-1060

Marco and his beloved “mama,” Franca Cappani, opened a small trattoria and pizzeria in West Hollywood in 1993. Marco’s later made a small

Marco’s is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

NO. 2 FRESH BROTHERS 8613 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.FRESHBROTHERS.COM (310) 652-5252

Best Cof fee S h op

The coffee? Espresso drinks and pourover coffees as well as cold brews.

Verve also offers probiotic drinks and cold-pressed juices.

Verve is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

NO. 2

NO. 1 VERVE COFFEE ROA STERS 8925 MELROSE AVENUE WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.VERVECOFFEE.COM (310) 385-9605

Yes, Verve stands out for its coffee. But it’s also notable for its design. Commune Design is responsible for that, and it includes a white oak herringbone loor with long copper counter.

There’s also a patio outside. You’ll ind those tables and chairs occupied by attractive people who, depending on the time of day, are conducting business meetings, just catching up or on dates.

URTH CAFFE 8565 MELROSE AVENUE WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.URTHCAFFE.COM (310) 659-0628

NO. 3 DIALOG CAFÉ 8766 HOLLOWAY DRIVE WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.DIALOG-CAFE.COM/ (310) 289-1630

NO. 3 (IT’S A TIE) S TA R B U C K S 8595 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.STARBUCKS.COM (310) 659-1856

NO. 3 VITO’S PIZZA 846 LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES WWW.VITOPIZZA.COM (310) 652-6859

NO. 2 (IT’S A TIE) NOBU 903 LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES WWW.NOBURESTAURANTS.COM (310) 657-5711

In addition to its great sushi, it’s known as a place to take a date (hint: the prices are very reasonable). And it is a gathering spot for those in its immediate neighborhood.

Omi Sushi is open Saturdays from 4 to 10 p.m., Sundays from 4 to 9:30 p.m., and Mondays through Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

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t h g i N Life BEST OF WEHO

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Best Gay Bar

Best Dive Bar NO. 1 MOTHER LODE 8944 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MOTHERLODEWESTHOLLYWOOD (310) 659-9700

Tucked between the very precious P.U.M.P., owned by reality TV celeb Lisa Vanderpump, and the foreverunder-construction space where the restaurant Bottega Louie is opening (some day), is this bar that offers cheap drinks, a chance to play pool and some outdoor areas for smoking. The interior is, uh, rough. And dark. And very charming for those of us into that sort of venue.

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NO. 1 MICKY’S

8809 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.TRUNKSBAR.COM (310) 652-1015

8857 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.MICKYS.COM/ (310) 657-1176

“Where the spirits are high and the prices are low!” That’s Trunk’s slogan, and it pretty much says it all. You’re not going to encounter much pretention or fabulousness at this gay bar, which proudly is open to all. “Gay, straight, curious – who gives a hell?” it proclaims.

If you’re not sure about the quality of the go go dancers at Micky’s, you can stand outside on the sidewalk most nights and see a bit of what you’re missing. You’ll see why Micky’s was voted No. 1.

Trunks also caters to the early drinking crowd. It’s open from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. every day but Sunday, when it opens at noon.

NO. 2 NO. 2

The word “mother lode” means something of great value. In West Hollywood, where good ole fashioned dive bars are scarce, Mother Lode is that.

NO. 1 TRUNKS

This gayborhood bar “is here for the pool tables, sports on the multiple TVs and the all-day well-drink specials.”

And if you’re looking for an early drink, or a late one, Mother Lode is the place, with operating hours from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.

FUBAR

8851 CALIFORNIA STATE ROUTE 2, WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTP://WWW.REVOLVERWEHO.COM/ (310) 694-0430

NO. 2 (IT’S A TIE)

NO. 3

GOLD COAST

FLAMING SADDLES

8228 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD (323) 656-4879

8811 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTP://FLAMINGSADDLES.COM/WEHO/ (310) 855-7501

TRUNKS 8809 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD. WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.TRUNKSBAR.COM (310) 652-1015

And it’s not just what you see on the irst loor. Micky’s has a second loor bar where there are occasional performances scheduled. And of course there’s that patio where you can cruise the street walkers while enjoying a drink.

Micky’s also has a variety of regular events such as “Showgirls” drag night, the times for which are listed on its website.

R E V O LV E R

7994 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD (323) 654-0396

NO. 3

Best Go Go Dancer

Micky’s is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Monday through Thursday and on Sunday. On Fridays and Saturdays it’s open until 4 a.m.

NO. 2 FLAMING SADDLES 8811 SANTA MONICA BLVD, WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTP://FLAMINGSADDLES.COM/WEHO/ (310) 855-7501

NO. 3 FUBAR 7994 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD (323) 654-0396

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Best Hotel Bar NO. 1 SK YBAR MONDRIAN

8440 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SKYBARLA (323) 848-6025

Best Live Performance drinks, splash in the pool and listen to the variety of music spun by its D.J.s.

It’s also host to lots of special events, so make sure to check in by telephone or online before you show up.

NO. 2 SUNSET MARQUIS

If you wonder why it’s called the Skybar, just look above you. Then look down in front of you at the glamorous pool, and inally look straight ahead at the amazing view of West Hollywood and Los Angeles beneath you.

The Skybar is reserved for hotel guests until 1 p.m. daily. After that it’s open until 2 a.m. to all who want to sip

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1200 ALTA ROMA ROAD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.SUNSETMARQUIS.COM (310) 657-1333

NO. 3 M A R D I AT P A L I HOUSE 8465 HOLLOWAY DRIVE WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.MARDIRESTAURANT.COM/ (323) 656-4020

NO. 1 THE TROUBADOUR 9081 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.TROUBADOUR.COM

The Troubadour opened in 1957 and became a rock institution with performances in the early years by Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Buffalo Springield, Elton John and the list goes on and on.

If you wonder whether it’s worth a visit, consider that in 2013 Billboard named it one of ive “must play” venues for musicians. Rolling Stone in 2013 named it the second-best rock club in America.

Its online list of performances, which cover most days of very month, show that quite a few future events already are sold out.

Hours of speciic events can be found at Troubadour’s website.

NO. 2 MICKY’S 8857 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.MICKYS.COM/ (310) 657-1176

NO. 3 TH E CO M E DY S TO R E 8433 SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.THECOMEDYSTORE.COM (323) 650-6268

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s e i l p p u S t e P BEST OF WEHO

Se rvices I VOT ED

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Best Pet Supplies Best Pet Groomer NO. 1 R O C K S TA R ROVE R S

7701 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ROCKSTARROVER/ (323) 656-7625

Best Pet Boarding NO. 1 POSH PET CARE 8218 WEST SUNSET BOULEVARD, WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.POSHPETCARE.COM (323) 655-7674

The votes came from the pet owners (in West Hollywood we call them “guardians, not the pets. But a large majority voted Posh Pet Care their place of choice when it comes to leaving the pooch in someone else’s hands while working or traveling. There are two locations, one to the north and one to the south of West Hollywood.

Posh Pet Care is open every day of the year (holidays included) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

NO. 2

H E A LT H Y S P O T 8525 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.HEALTHYSPOT.COM (310) 657-2400

NO. 3 W E S T H O L LY W O O D A N I M A L H O S P I TA L 9000 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.WH-AH.COM (310) 275-0055

Whose Rover isn’t a rock star? And where would you go if you wanted your Rover to be treated like one (and to get a faux hawk)? Rock Star Rover is called out on Yelp for its “stylists,” which suggests it adds some glam to dog grooming.

And cats? Of course.

Rock Star Rovers is open Wednesdays and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

NO. 2

NO. 1 COLL AR & LEASH 8555 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.COLLARANDLEASHLA.COM (310) 657-6638

Collar & Leash says it’s all about “keeping your furry friends happy.” It’s part of a locally owned chain of stores that offer pet supplies as well as various pet services.

With products such as “Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul,” “Holistic Select” pet food and “Natural Planet Organics,” clearly understands its West Hollywood market. Collar & Leash also offers a wide variety of toys and grooming supplies. A squeaky toy for your dog?

A feather toy for your cat? You’ll ind it there.

Collar & Leash is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

NO. 2 TA I LW A G G E R S 801 NORTH FAIRFAX AVENUE LOS ANGELES WWW.TAILWAGGERSPETS.COM/BLOG/ (323) 658-2222

A N G I E ’ S P O O C H PAW LO R 348 LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES WWW.GROOMERLOSANGELES.COM/ (424) 274-7999

NO. 3

NO. 3 PETCO

Best Veterinarians NO. 1 L AUREL PET H O S P I TA L 7970 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTP://WWW.LAURELPETHOSPITAL.COM/ (323) 654-7060

Laurel Pet Hospital is a West Hollywood institution. Dr. Lee Caslyn bought it in 1971 from Dr. Philip Olson, who had been running it since 1946.

It remains housed in the Pet Hospital building that was erected in 1948.

Today Caslyn sons, both veterinarians, oversee the day-to-day operation of Laurel Pet Hospital. Its staff includes four specialists and it has advanced equipment for procedures such as laser surgery and digital radiography.

NO. 2 V C A T L C A N I M A L H O S P I TA L 8725 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTPS://VCAHOSPITALS.COM (310) 859-4852

NO. 3 W E S T H O L LY W O O D A N I M A L H O S P I TA L 9000 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.WH-AH.COM (310) 275-0055

508 NORTH DOHENY DRIVE WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTPS://STORES.PETCO.COM/CA/WESTHOLLYWOOD/ (310) 275-6012

H E A LT H Y S P O T 8525 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.HEALTHYSPOT.COM (310) 657-2400

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y t u a e B g n i m o o r G BEST OF WEHO

Best Hair Salon NO. 1 BLADES 801 LARRABEE STREET, NO. 1 WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.BLADESFORHAIR.COM (310) 659-6693

Cut, colors and everything in between.

That’s Blades. Looking for a “retro rock star hair cut”? Blades has it. A buzz cut? Of course. And there’s a variety of color treatments for both women and men.

Best Barbershop NO. 1 18/8

8615 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.EIGHTEENEIGHT.COM (310) 598-2228

You might call it a barber shop. 18/8 would call itself a men’s salon and sees itself as having reinvented the traditional barbershop. Its name comes from the obscure tale of Harry Brearley in 1913 learning that if he produced a mix that contained 18% chromium and 8% nickel with steel, it would keep it from rusting. “What was ordinary became extraordinary,” says 18/8.

It’s about more than haircuts. 18/8 offers face treatments, nail treatments, coloring services and shaves. It is open Mondays through Wednesdays from

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Best Day Spa

BARCODE

NO. 1 G R E G O RY DY L A N SKINCARE AND BE AUT Y

8860 SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.BARCODEBARBERSHOP.COM (323) 999-5549

801 LARRABEE STREET, SUITE 11 WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.GREGORYDYLANBEAUTY.COM/ (310) 467-8186

NO. 3

This isn’t the irst time Gregory Dylan has won a “Best Of” contest. Consider that it was deemed “Best of LA” by CBS Los Angeles a few years back.

10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

NO. 2

SHORTY’S BARBER SHOP 755 NORTH FAIRFAX AVENUE WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SHORTYSBARBERSHOPLA (323) 297-0554

and masks and an eye-spy cocktail are topped off with a radiance inducing oxygen infusion treatment.” It’s 75 minutes for $250, about what you’d pay for a really good psychotherapist.

Call ahead to book an appointment.

Blades is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and from 9:30 a.m. to 4;30 p.m. on Saturdays.

NO. 2 18/8 8615 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.EIGHTEENEIGHT.COM (310) 598-2228

NO. 2 VO DA S PA 7700 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.VODASPA.COM (323) 654-4411

NO. 3 LO F T 6 47 647 NORTH ROBERTSON BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.LOFT647.COM (424) 335-0322

NO. 3 THE GENDARMERIE B O UTI Q U E A N D S PA 9069 NEMO STREET WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.THEGENDARMERIE.COM (310) 858-9009

Dylan offers a variety of facial treatments as well as waxing. For example, there’s the “Couture Facial,” which Dylan describes as a “fusion of traditional European cleansing and massage techniques partnered with modern methods of exfoliation and replenishment.” The price is $145. And then there’s the “Grand Prix,” which offers “ultrasonic cleansing, exfoliation, L.E.D. therapy, custom serums 49

s s e n t i F BEST OF WEHO

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NO. 2 J E N N Y TAT E P I L AT E S 650 LA PEER DRIVE WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.JENNYTATEPILATES.COM (310) 564-6070

NO. 3

Best Gym or F itness Studio

C O T R O N E P I L AT E S 848 LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES WWW.COTRONEFITNESS.COM (213) 445-8114

NO. 1 TR AINING MATE L A 7825 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.TRAININGMATELA.COM (323) 380-5492

Best Pilates

Looking for a gym or itness studio in West Hollywood? Who isn’t? And the good news is it’s not hard to ind one.

But what’s the best?

NO. 1 HARMONY STUDIOS

Training Mate got its start in 2009 in Sydney, Australia. Founder Luke Milton drew on his professional rugby background and the power of positivity to work with his clients. In 2013, he brought Training Mate to the United States.

Training Mate offers circuit-based, 45-minute high intensity interval training. You mix it up as no class is the same.

“It’s become a community - a place where you can meet new mates and feel at home away from home - all while getting amazing physical results,” says Training Mates (and by the way, “mates” means buddies in the Land of Oz.) Schedules for Training Mate’s variety of classes are available on its website.

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8440 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.HARMONYSTUDIOSLA.COM (323) 822-9584

NO. 2 BRICK 7811 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTPS://BRICK.FIT (323) 315-0700

NO. 2 (IT’S A TIE) STUDIO 10 FITNESS 745 SAN VICENTE BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.STUDIO10FIT.COM (323) 515-9667

At Harmony Studios it’s all about Pilates, a form of exercise developed

by Joseph Pilates nearly a century ago that focuses on core muscles, your abs, your back and your butt. Think of it as very physically active philosophy class where you learn the correct use of muscles, joints, and breath during basic life movement.

Harmony offers a variety of classes at different ties each day that you must register for online.

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Best Supplement Store NO. 1 N101 8730 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.N101.COM (424) 288-4785

Getting it is about more than exercise.

That’s where places like N101 come in.

The name stands for “nutrition 101” which is what N101 offers with a wide variety of vitamins, herbs, sports nutrition, health supplements and natural beauty and skincare products.

You don’t have to be a bulked-up bodybuilder to ind N101 helpful. “We cater to athletes, weekend warriors, health nuts and anyone who is interested in leading a healthy lifestyle,” it says.

NO. 2

Best Yoga Studio NO. 1 XCCELER ATION STATION

NO. 2 A U R AY O G A 8608-A SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTPS://WWW.AURAWORKOUT.COM/ (323) 570-0570

NO. 2 (IT’S A TIE) YO G A V I B E 7327 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.YOGAVIBELA.COM (323) 498-5333

8440 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTP://WWW.THEXCCELERATIONSTATION.COM/ (323) 310-0550

Xcceleration offers what it calls the “new physics of itness.” Its T-X-S platform focuses on your body and your state of mind. Inside 8440 Santa Monica it has two studios. One is named “Ground Level,” home to its “Power Plate” station, and upstairs is “Cloud Level,” home to “Xccelerate your Mind and Life” training sessions sessions as well as “BioDensity” and stretching classes.

A list of classes including prices and times is available on its website.

HUM NUTRITION 8228 SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.HUMNUTRITION.COM (888) 647-8880

NO. 2 (IT’S A TIE) B O DY E N E RG Y C LU B 8591 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.BODYENERGYCLUBUSA.COM (310) 860-6431

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MONTE COX: H E R E ’ S H O W T H I S W E S T H O L LY W O O D TR AINER RECOMMENDS G E T TING A G RIP O N A F U L L B O D Y W O R K O U T

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B R E AT H .

B R E AT H D E E P.

This is a full body workout, so we will start with the largest muscles in the body then move to the smaller muscles. The smaller muscles help, the larger muscles when you start to fatigue, so you won’t start with them, you will end with them.

P U L L- U P S

Five best exercises to do in the Gym? FIVE?!!! How to do this when I live at THE GYM? Will my other favorite exercises ind out and shun me?

Breathe. Breathe deep. OK. You can do this in a fair, smart way.

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All kidding aside, this is a hard question to answer because it can be answered in many ways. It all depends on your goals and skill level.

So here is how I’m going to answer this: I’m going to hit all the muscles that we want to hit and choose exercises I think all men should know how to do. I am going with the classic exercises that are simple to explain, giving you moves that don’t necessarily require supervision.

Pull-ups are one of my favorite exercises to the disdain of many of my clients. I feel like every man should be able to do pullups, it’s an excellent test of true strength and a good look. People have always talked to me after seeing me do pull-ups, so it’s also a great way to meet dudes.

I irst wanted to learn pullups when I started in the gym at about 18 because I thought it looked cool, but also I wanted to have the body strength to grab something and pull myself up in case of emergency.

When I was young, I was kind of full of myself and rude, so I always wanted to be ready if my mouth got me in trouble and I got pushed. I know it would have been easier just to decide not to be an ass, but I wasn’t there yet.

(and arguably the hardest), the wide grip pull-up. You use the grip that places your hands at the widest grip that slopes down, like a wide grip lat pulldown. I want you to learn how to do a straight pull-up, not like in crossire where you kind of jerk up and down and move forward and backward to hit max reps. That has its place.

But I want you to learn the basics, so drop all the way down and bring yourself up so that you are face to face with the bar. If you are just starting out and cannot do this, use the assisted pull-up machine in your gym and build your strength there.

If you don’t have an assisted machine but want to build strength, pull up a bench or a stand and stand on it. Then jump up to the top position and lower yourself back to the stand. Repeat. This will build basic strength and a wider back.

B A C K S Q U AT BENCH PRESS You have probably done this or are doing it, but let’s have a look at how it’s going for you.

GRIP: You can do the grip at differing widths, but I like to go classic, at the bottom of the movement your arms and chest should look like two perfect L’s. DEPTH: For regular strength and size training you should be dropping the bar to about an inch above your chest; if you aren’t going that low, I suggest lowering the weight you are using and building your strength with this goal. You can work your way back up to your old weight and then beyond.

Back squat just means using a free weight bar situated on your traps (on your back, between your shoulders) for the exercise. I like to use the Smith machine or a cage, but you can use one of the pre-set weight bars and row to press overhead then bring it down on your traps. This is not my favorite way to recommend doing it as it can jeopardize the shoulders as you go behind your head if you are not careful. So be careful.

STANCE: Keep your feet shoulder width to slightly wider than shoulder width.

You can go wider; you can also go more narrow de-

There are a ton of great pullup variations, but we are going to go with the “king”

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pending on your goals. But without supervision I ind this to be the safest stance.

MOVE AND POSTURE: Holding the bar with your hands, keep your chest popped up as you lower yourself to a seated position parallel to the ground and then come back up. You can go lower, but I would start here to make sure you can get back up. A lot of people can’t feel that they are not getting to this point, so I use a stand or box or a chair that is about parallel to the knees.

Put it where you can tap it with your butt, so you know you’ve reached the proper depth.

TRICEP PUSH-UPS I want to say standard pushups (like pull-ups I think every man should be able to do a decent number of pushups).

But I have already prescribed the bench press to hit the chest. So to keep this list

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concise I am suggesting tricep pushups.

You will still be hitting the chest but this will get a good hit on the arms, and it’s still an impressive and challenging move that is safe to do on your own.

POSITIONING: Get into a tall plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders MOVE: Keeping your elbows tight to your body, right alongside your rib cage, lower yourself until your chest almost touches the loor, and then push yourself back up

U P WA R D ROW I am choosing the upward row because it hits the traps and the middle of the shoulders so you can gain mass in two places with one move. For this exercise you can use one of the preset bars until you get stronger and need more weight, then you can move up to a free bar and load it.

your wrists are elevated at the top of the move, they usually rise above a person’s elbows.

Monte Cox is a NASM certiied personal trainer with three advanced certiications working with private clients and small groups in West Hollywood and Los Angeles. He specializes in adapting advanced training techniques

POSITIONING: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and grip the bar slightly wider than shoulder width so that your thumbs and (foreingers) are grazing your thighs.

speciic to each individual client’s needs and assists with personalized eating plans to achieve goals. He can be seen weekly hosting the only gay focused sports TV show, “Weho Sports Show,” on Time Warner/ Spectrum.

For inquiries or more information please visit

MOVE: Standing up perfectly straight, raise the bar up until there is a straight line from elbow to elbow. Use a mirror to watch for form and watch to make sure that you are pulling from the shoulders and traps; if you are, your wrists will be slightly lower than your elbows. I say this because I have to correct many people who are pulling from the wrists to raise the weight.

You can tell you are making this mistake because if

www.montecoxbody.com

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TH E B E S T O F W E H O? Y E S.

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W A R M , W E L C O M I N G , A N D E N C O U R A G I N G O F E C L E C T I C C R E AT I V I T Y

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TIME THE CHOOSE THE “BEST OF” LOC AL BUSINESSES IN A V A R I E T Y O F C AT E G O R I E S .

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P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F L I LY - L V N A T I K K

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PHOTO COURTESY CLEM ONOJEGHUO

But what is the “best of” West Hollywood itself? What is best about WeHo as a place to live? Most of us have lived elsewhere at one point in our lives. So why have we chosen to live, and stay, in West Hollywood? We reached out a selection of local residents for their answers, which we share on the pages that follow.

Kiely is the relatively new CEO of Visit West Hollywood, the organization that informs the world about what West Hollywood has to offer and why it’s worth a visit. He moved here late last year with his husband, Farid, from San Francisco. What does he see as what’s best about West Hollywood?

• Really love the welcoming attitude of our residents to all who visit. This positive, welcoming attitude certainly complements our efforts at VWH to attract visitors to our city.

• Farid and I both feel really comfortable in West Hollywood. No matter where we go, we like the relaxed feeling of the city and its residents. We always run into someone we know!

• West Hollywood is compact, and we try to walk everywhere. Our friends that visit never realize how compact and walkable the city is and how much there is to see and do here.

• Professionally, I have felt very welcomed here, whether it be from the local hotel and business community, to the City Council and even my colleagues at VWH. That’s not always the case when you move to other cities.

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They have all been very supportive of VWH and me, which is super helpful. · And inally…. that glorious sunshine!

Not to say anything bad about the beautiful city of San Francisco from where we relocated, but Farid and I both missed the sunny, warm weather that southern California, and particularly West Hollywood offers.

opment, or their basic vision of the city. However, in some of the most signiicant moments, this city comes together. A few examples:

SAM BORELLI Who doesn’t know Sam Borelli?

Borelli is a consultant with experience in the entertainment, nonproit, hospitality and healthcare industries. He describes himself on his website as “the quintessential behind the scenes guy.”

M A R Q U I TA T H O M A S Marquita Thomas is the executive director of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber and a marketing strategist whose experience has included hosting Ebony Pyramid’s “Black, Gay and Lesbian Cruise to the Bahamas;” Girls in the Night’s “Femme-Nomenal Weekend,” and the United Lesbian of African Descent (ULOAH)’s “Sistahfest Retreat” and promoting the annual Dinah Shore Lesbian Weekend in Palm Springs. Thomas is a native of South Carolina.

The best of West Hollywood for me the effort the city makes to ensure voices are heard - not only is the City council accessible, there are advisory boards and commissions to address practically every public concern.

What I also love about West Hollywood is you do not have to go far to enjoy the newest hot spot as West Hollywood and its inluencers make the city prime real estate when opening a new venue.

Borelli is known for his past work with a variety of LGBT organizations including The Trevor Project and Christopher Street West, where he dramatically increased sponsorship revenue for its annual L.A. Pride parade.

He was appointed to the West Hollywood Public Safety Commission in 2003 and served until 2013. In July 2015, he was appointed to the West Hollywood Human Services Commission. Among the other places he has lived is Boston, where he attended Boston College.

What do I love about West Hollywood?

Community. Sure, I can go on about walkability, variety in restaurants, shops and entertainment, but one of the things that I love most about West Hollywood is the sense of community.

I’ve had the privilege of serving irst as a member of the Public Safety Commission, and now as Human Services Commissioner, and I can say, unequivocally, this community rallies together and supports each other in especially the most vulnerable moments.

Sure there are times when folks can be at odds over a policy, a new devel-

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In 2002, when Trev Broudy was viciously beaten and forever changed, the greater West Hollywood community came together to bring more attention to hate crimes and how to protect ourselves from future incidents.

West Hollywood was among the irst cities to produce an annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, and each year more and more come out to honor those lost to anti-trans violence.

I have witnessed numerous occasions where a spouse/partner passed away and the city has rallied around the surviving partner to help weather the storm. This happened/happens during the worst of the AIDS crisis, in the aging Russian community, as well as with people that just go about their daily lives and don’t actively participate in city governance or functions.

Which brings me to our outstanding social services.

I constantly say that social services are the heart and soul of West Hollywood. We are often labeled a well-to-do community, and in many ways we are.

However, we also have thousands, from all walks of life, who live below the federal poverty line. And many live paycheck to paycheck. Some West Hollywood residents live with hunger and/or food insecurity or other challenges but are often reluctant to take advantage of the programs in which the city provides for free.

We have an amazing array of social services that can be accessed by those who live or work in West Hollywood. From childcare to senior support, from addiction to HIV/AIDS related services, legal to mental health care, domestic violence to inancial help, nutrition to housing assistance, West Hollywood is there to support those who may need short term and/or continuous support.

To me, this is community and one of the main reasons that I love West Hollywood.

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It’s hard to miss Nadia Sutton, given her vibrant red hair and her beautiful French accent. Sutton was born in Brussels, lived in Israel, hitchhiked through Europe and studied theater in Paris before moving to Southern Spain. She left there for London, where she lived for 12 years. Sutton came to Los Angeles in 1980, to continue her acting career. And in 1989 she co-founded PAWS LA, dedicated to help seniors and people living with AIDS/HIV keep their beloved animal companions I came to L.A. from London in 1980 and lived in Hollywood. As a gay woman I was instinctively drawn towards West Hollywood (that was even before we became incorporated) because I felt that was where my tribe was. In the early 80s I helped manage a small antique store on Santa Monica Boulevard east of Fairfax and enjoyed dancing the night away at Studio One,

A N Y W H E R E E L S E ”.

W E H O I S M Y H O M E . I CO U L D N OT I M AG I N E L I V I N G

“ W E H O I S J O I E D E V I V R E . W E H O I S M Y LOV E . I A M W E H O.

fabulousness JOIE DE VIVRE

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NADIA SUTTON

Then AIDS happened. The people who were my chosen family were getting sick. I was losing the people I loved the most. So I got involved with ACT UP. We were mobilizing in West Hollywood.

We were meeting at WeHo Auditorium every week for the Hay Ride with about 300 people with AIDS and their friends. Together we cried, we loved, we laughed, we fought for our rights and marched through the streets of West Hollywood We would share our time between holding our loved ones in our arms in hospital beds and marching on the streets and then ending up at the French Market.

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Oh yes it was at the French Market in 1988, over their lousy coffee, that my friend Stan Owns and I decided to create PAWS LA to help our friends living with AIDS/HIV keep their beloved pets by providing pet food, veterinary services, dog walking and so on, And by the way by that time I had moved to WEST Hollywood!

T H R O U G H T H E Y E A R S W E C O N T I N U E D T O S TA N D F O R E Q U A L R I G H T S F O R T H E L G B T C O M M U N I T Y, F O R W O M E N ’ S RIGHTS, FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS, FOR ALL HUMAN RIGHTS. O U R L E A D E R S A N D A L L O F U S S TA N D U P N O T O N LY F O R OUR OWN RIGHTS IN WEHO BUT FOR RIGHTS ACROSS THE C O U N T R Y, A C R O S S T H E W O R L D . W E A R E A S M A L L C I T Y W I T H A B I G H E A R T.

We love and celebrate our diversity. Our LGBT residents and Russian residents live side by side and have learned to appreciate one other. Through the years we have gathered at our famous intersection of San Vicente and Santa Monica boulevards to demand these rights, to demand marriage equality and then to celebrate our victory with great jubilation. We have celebrated and honored our transgender community and celebrated our Russian community with festivals.

In my WeHo my LGBT community has always been able to walk through our streets holding hands and kissing and feel safe and not judged Yes, we often deal with meaningful issues but we do not take ourselves seriously. Whatever we do we do it with panaché and a sense of whimsy.

And boy do we love to play. For any reason – be it gay Pride, a Russian festival, Halloween or just going out for brunch (nobody does brunch better than we do). Flirting with each other as we shop on a Saturday at Pavilions or Trader Joes or walkinh our dogs (yes even our doggies strut with attitude). We manage to show our joie de vivre and fabulousness.

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