Los Angeles - January 10, 2003

DailyCandy Goes to the Valley

The Valley, you might say, has an image problem. Valleyites have heard it all: porn capital of the world, barf me out, gag me with a spoon. But this doesn’t explain why all those wayward westsiders now call the Valley home. (1.6 million strong and growing!) Moon Zappa can die proud knowing the list of celebrity residents includes George Clooney, Kim Basinger, Eddie Van Halen (to name a few), many of whom haven’t uttered the word tubular in twenty years. And while snooty westsiders might deride the colossus to the north, the truth is there’s plenty to keep people on that side of the Hills. Read on.

Sports & Recreation
By which we mean mostly cornball stuff that you can’t or wouldn’t do in L.A.

Like miniature golf. Take your pick of three mini links at Sherman Oaks Castle Park (4989 North Sepulveda Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, 818-756-9459). Don’t forget to check out the batting cages and mini arcade. Our favorite is course number three, which winds past the L.A. Fire Department training buildings. Some might call it a bit sketchy, but … when in Rome?

Or bowling. Jillian’s Hi-Life Lanes in Universal City (1000 Universal Center Drive, 818-985-8234, jillians.com) is all about Hollywood flash; we prefer the down-market charm of Corbin Bowl (19616 Ventura Boulevard, Tarzana, 818-996-2695). There’s a cheesy sports bar inside and almost never a wait. And the Sports Center Bowl (12655 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, 818-769-7600) has Rock-and-Roll Bowl Fridays and Saturdays till 2 a.m. Bachelorette party, anyone?

Horseback riding has been a tradition in the Valley since the area was planted with orange groves. To train, rent, or board horses, try the 75-acre L.A. Equestrian Center (480 Riverside Drive, Burbank, 818-840-9063, la-equestriancenter.com), built for the ‘84 Olympics. Ride them in nearby Griffith Park. And ask about margarita rides to the Mexican Cantina. The ride there is a blast, and after a few margaritas, you may not want to get back in the saddle.

For all you die-hard hikers, hit Fryman Canyon, which has some of the best views of L.A. Bring your dog.

Entertainment
Hit the Queen Mary (12449 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, 818-506-5619). Karaoke nights, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, rock. And for a nominal fee, they’ll videotape you living out your baddest, saddest rock-and-roll dreams. Fridays and Saturdays are female-impersonation nights. Liza Minnelli never looked so good.

Shopping
Live in the Valley, go to the mall: That’s the law.

If you’re looking for a Fred Segal fix without trekking over the hill, check out Stacey Todd (13025 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, 818-981-7567), Stacey Todd at Home (13029 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, 818-906-7596), and Dari (12184 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, 818-762-3274), which is owned by Melanie Shatner. (Yes, all you Star Trek junkies, she is related).

Fashion Square Sherman Oaks is home to the Valley’s only Betsey Johnson boutique (14006 Riverside Drive, unit 36, Sherman Oaks, 818-986-9810). Oh, and in case you’ve been residing in a hermetically sealed biosphere for the past twenty years, Universal Citywalk has a theme park and movie studio on the premises.

Iguana Vintage Clothing (14422 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, 818-907-6716) is great for costumes and features 5,000 square feet of retro clothing.

But the Valley’s best-kept fashion secret is its Loehman’s (19373 Victory Boulevard, 818-345-7063). Located in a decidedly seedy part of Reseda, merch is never as picked-over here as in the one in L.A. Naimie’s (12640 Riverside Drive, North Hollywood, 818-655-9933) features beauty supplies that put Sephora to shame, and a day spa and salon to boot. Trio (16101 Ventura Boulevard, suite 235, Encino, 818-990-7776) carries a comprehensive selection of Juicy Couture, Seven, Triple 5 Soul, and Paul Frank. For maintenance, there’s Dr. Blue Jeans (4454 Van Nuys Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, 818-986-8047), the Valley’s version of Denim Doctors.

Spa Services
From swank to spartan, the Valley does spa quite respectably.

For starters, there’s the dependable Kriza Aveda Spa Salon(19524 Nordhoff Street, suite 11, Northridge, 818-772-2040; or 12132 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, 818-506-1220). Skin Spa Inc. (17401 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, 818-995-3888) specializes in couples massage and facials; but if you’re on your own, try the Niagara Room, where you lie naked on the floor under a massive water jet. For the best manicure around, pay a visit to Jeri at Sylvie’s Skin and Body Care (17071 Ventura Boulevard, suite 101A, Encino, 818-905-8815). She can make anyone grow nails. For your lower half, the best pedicure is at Chinoiserie Salon (12246 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, 818-752-4347). Ask about the rhinestone pedicure with hand-painted flowers.

Food
Oh, yes, the Valley’s got grub. And even a scene or two.

Event producer Jeffrey Best dishes out heavy attitude, an exquisite garden setting, and simple, robust food at Firefly (11720 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, 818-762-1833). Linq’s former chef Andre Guerrero recently opened Max Restaurant (13355 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, 818-784-2915, maxrestaurant.com). Order the Ahi Towers.

Next door, La Fondue Bourguignonne (13359 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, 818-501-0181) serves fondue with hauteur and kirs. The tres intime Mon Grenier (18040 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, 818-344-8060) has been a bastion of classic French cuisine for 31 years. And the area code of the excellent Roma via Paris (3413 Cahuenga Boulevard, 323-882-6965) places it on the cusp of L.A., but North Hollywood claims it for its own. Cuisine is a fusion of, um, well, fusion. Even date night is doable in the Valley, at Tryst Bar & Grill (21352 Devonshire Street, Chatsworth, 818-993-3043): a total Harley/garage-band dive but home to the Lapu Lapu, a secret-recipe tropical drink, served in a gargantuan half shell.

Mexican food in the Valley tends toward the dimly lit, authentic, and family-owned. Locals endure considerable waits to stick by their favorites. Ours? Casa Vega (13301 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, 818-788-4868) for red vinyl booths and potent combination plates. We also love the thick, smoky mole at Don Cuco’s (3911 West Riverside Drive, Burbank, 818-842-1123; or 214 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, 818-553-1123). For a quick bite, hit Henry’s Tacos (11401 Moorpark Street, North Hollywood, 818-769-0343; patio service only).

There’s a sushi bar on every other block; separating the keepers from the spit-backs can be a challenge. The best? Sushi Nozawa (11288 Ventura Boulevard, suite C, Studio City, 818-508-7017), a spare, linoleum-floored place in a strip mall. Tama (11920 Ventura Boulevard, 818-760-4585) is a credible outpost of Katsu on Third. Further west, try Toshi Sushi (in the Heritage Motel, 15489 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, 818-986-4461) for local yellowtail or Makoto (17920 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, 818-708-7065) for ama-ebi-kara-agi sweet shrimp with fiery hot-pepper sauce.

Breakfast in the Valley? (You spent the night, did ya?) Try Jinky’s Cafe (14120 Ventura Boulevard, suite A-B, Sherman Oaks, 818-981-2250). For pungent corned-beef hash and the best Belgian waffles, go to More Than Waffles (in the Encino Town Center, 17200 Ventura Boulevard, suite 109, Encino, 818-789-5937).

Finally, if all else fails, there’s one thing in the Valley that always justifies the drive: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (6841 North Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Canoga Park, 818-673-2949; 7249 Van Nuys Boulevard, Van Nuys, 818-908-9113; or 1521 North Victory Place, Burbank, 818-955-9015). They are, without a doubt, the best doughnuts in the world.

Fer sure, fer sure.