East Coast Homesick Blues: The L.A. Way to Get Into a New York State of Mind
By Katie Hill, Citysearch's Charlotte York
Prefer Vineyard Vines over Versace? A Central Park pretzel over Pinkberry? Mixed doubles over beach volleyball? Well, pop your collar and throw on some Nantucket red. Here’s the ultimate go-to guide for recent transplants with separation anxiety courtesy of a Manhattan-born Connecticut Yankee.
-
Pickett Fences
214 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
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. -
Seaton
8920 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA
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? -
Alice + Olivia
134 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Originally started in East Hampton, the West Coast boutique carries clothing as equally 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. -
Cabana
1511A Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA
What's pink, green and patterned all over? With plenty of Lilly Pulitzer to go around, this Montana Avenue store is prepster heaven. The dresses, capris, polos and swimwear are refreshingly girly and playful--a lifeline for those who feel overwhelmed (and under-dressed) in skimpy Ed Hardy. -
Theory
8428 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA
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. -
Polo Ralph Lauren
444 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA
At home on upscale Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the store that houses one of New England’s favorite brands resembles its flagship on NYC’s Madison Avenue. Conservatively-dressed customers can find preppy staples like tailored slacks, knit pastel polos, golf apparel and more. -
Original Penguin
8215 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA
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. -
Landis General Store
142 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
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. -
Henry Road
3949 Laurelgrove Ave, Studio City, CA
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 décor and gifts are enough to make Martha Stewart drool (especially with her Jersey roots). This calls for a garden party!
-
The Bagel Broker
7825 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
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. -
Village Pizzeria
131 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
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. -
Bay Cities Italian Deli
1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica's always-jammed Italian deli is hailed for its hogies, but it’s the notoriously rude staff that makes it really reminiscent of a New York sandwich spot. Expect the same long lines and cramped space as noisy customers wait for the very fine selection of deli meats and imported products. -
Water Grill
544 S Grand, Los Angeles, CA
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. -
Langer's
704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA
An institution in Downtown L.A., this mom and pop place compares to Jewish-style delicatessens in Boston, Philly or New York. Come in for monstrous sandwiches piled high with pastrami, homemade coleslaw and plenty of sauerkraut. -
Al Gelato
806 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
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! -
The Bowery
6268 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA
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.
-
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
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! -
Above The Fold
226 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
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. -
Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA
New York City kids are king at the playgrounds in Central and Riverside Parks. In typical L.A. fashion, little Angelenos have it bigger and better. The playgrounds at this 4,107-acre park (the largest municipal park in the country) take me back to my days on the monkey bars. -
Dodger Stadium
1000 Elysian Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA
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. -
Sprinkles Cupcakes
9635 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA
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. -
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA
Not quite as extensive as the one in the Bronx, but this Griffith Park attraction houses some exotic wildlife, including an Asian elephant, Sumatran tiger and African lion.
