How to Take a Bite Out of the Big Apple in L.A.

806 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035 (map)

Craving an old-fashioned Italian ice from Little Italy? It's not Mulberry Street, but this Italian ice cream parlor on Robertson serves a mean scoop. Not to mention they also have tasty pasta dishes and plenty of pastries--holy cannoli!

7825 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 (map)

They say there's something in the water that makes New York bagels so good, but this Beverly Boulevard shop proves that despite the drought, L.A. still has some delicious dough.

6268 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 (map)

Named after a section of Lower Manhattan that went from shabby whiskey joints to millionare luxury lofts, this New York-style bar and bistro captures the cozy elegance of its neighborhood namesake. Owned by a fellow transplant, the strong drinks, grilled sirloin burger and imported bar stools are the essence of this Hollywood spot.

544 S Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (map)

A bowl of clam chowder at this upscale downtown restaurant will transport you back to Cape Cod in the summertime--without the stifling humidity and thick Boston accents. New England's creamy delicacy is a fixture on the menu.

131 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (map)

Forget Chicago deep dish, it's all about the thin crust. CPK just doesn't cut it, but this Larchmont pizzeria owned by a Brooklyn transplant serves giant slices straight out of the borough, minus the grease and sleaze.

8920 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069 (map)

It doesn't carry pink polos or lobster-printed shorts, but this Melrose shop captures understated preppy-chic with a collection of comfy rugbys, summery beach tunics, paisley dresses and seahorse tees. Anyone for a sail? A gin and tonic?

134 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (map)

Originally started in East Hampton, the West Coast boutique carries clothing equally as glamorous, proper and famously flattering. Plus, it seems like one of the few stores in L.A. that actually sells pants (not constructed denim), and fabulous ones at that.

8428 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069 (map)

Like J Crew with an A-list twist, this West Hollywood spot for high-end classics is defined by cashmere, clean lines, blazers and button-downs. These clothes would make even Paris look smart, so Valley girls beware: These threads create intellectual expectations.

3949 Laurelgrove Ave, Studio City, CA 91604 (map)

Punchy florals, stripes, plaid and other graphics pattern the brightly-colored table clothes, pillows, bags and pouches at this sunny Studio City spot. The home decor and gifts are enough to make Martha Stewart drool (especially with her Jersey roots). This calls for a garden party!

142 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (map)

Can you say Vera Bradley bag explosion? An enormous armoire overflowing with the quilted, Grandma-chic bags right at the entrance is the first clue that this adorable Larchmont store is East Coast old-school. Stocked with Yankee classics (board games, scrapbooks, placemats), this charming shop with a loyal neighborhood following is old American to the bone. We're talking the 13 original colonies old.

8215 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (map)

The spotlight is on menswear at this American trendy/classic store on Melrose. The sleek and refined selection of shoes, ties, watches and sport coats scream East Coast class with baller status. Don't expect any hip-hop hullabaloo here; these trends make everyone forget the East Coast-West Coast feud.

214 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (map)

The name says it all. With Lacoste tennis apparel, pastel-colored tailored shirts for men, Stepford wife-status country club dresses and whale-printed beach totes, there's enough to prepare your wardrobe for an entire summer in the Vineyard.

1000 Elysian Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map)

They certainly aren't the Yanks or the Sox, but baseball fans can still get a Dodger Dog and pretend they're at Fenway. As any high school kid hanging at Yankee Stadium will tell you, it was more about sneaking beer in the cheap seats, anyway.

9635 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90291 (map)

With a line that's always out the door and red velvet yumminess, this Beverly Hills bakery is reminiscent of the West Village sweet stop Magnolia, except that the hordes of tourists, NYU students and "Sex in the City" fans have been replaced by agents, soccer moms, and "The Hills" fans.

900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007 (map)

Just like my favorite exhibit at the NYC landmark, the Los Angeles version has some impressive dinosaurs. Prepare to be awe-struck by the enormous skeletons of the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops poised in eerily realistic positions. But to observe some very well-preserved early homo sapiens, look no further than the city streets: Botox has turned them from creepy cavewomen to attractive cougars!

5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (map)

It's not quite as extensive as the one in the Bronx, but this Griffith Park attraction houses some exotic wildlife, including an Asian elephant, a Sumatran tiger and an African lion.

226 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (map)

Why is L.A. a city without newsstands? Larchmont Boulevard's quick stop adds East Coast urban neighborhood flavor to the quaint Hancock Park area. The best part is that tucked among the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register is the New York Times, New York Post and the Wall Street Journal.