Abott Kinney: It's like SoHo--but not, dude

Abbot Kinney. It's what New York City's South Houston (that's how-ston) district was before it became SoHo. A natural and easy extension of the artists and visionaies who live and work in a five square block neighborhood surrounded by bigger and 'better' neighborhoods. Abbot Kinney, named after a founder of LA's bungalow architecture, is just a half mile from the beach and just down the road from Santa Monica and Venice. It is the home of Gold's first gym, hand-crafted furniture, and first-rate antiques, and simple dining at its best.

Fresh air, fresh ideas, and easy-going attitude make this the perfect place to stroll aimlessly or plop down to watch the sunset. During working hours, there are half khakied architects or sail builders and tatooed men and women. This one-block strip offers everything from ,000 custom surf board gallery to the best slice of pizza in the city for only .50. No matter what your mindset or outfit, you'll fit in this relaxed neighborhood. But you better hurry up, who know's how long before popularity abbreviates it charm! If you've heard it called, 'AbKin' or 'Kinney' you're too late.

Quick Tips:

This is the place to go to relax. Not a lot of excitement here, except from a great antiques or quirky furnishings find. The area is not large, but has lots to offer. Check out the dining pages--there are some of the best eats and deals on this block! This is a good place to wrap up a day at the beach or take an early evening date.

Best Way To Get Around:

Car is almost a must, unless walking in from the beaches or a Big Blue Bus drop on Venice Blvd.

It's hard to tell what's bigger at this cantina--the fresh grilled baja flavors or portion sizes. Come ready to lug your leftovers home. No matter how hungry your are or pressed on to eat beyond hungry because the food is so tasty, only the most intrepid diner will finish a plate. And no Mexican food lover will leave any of these meals behind.

Salsa, moles, tortilla chips, meats and veggies cooked to order are freshly prepared to make the tens of standard Mexican menu items. There are the predictable combinations of heavy beans, cheese, and meat into burritos, tacos, taquitos, etc. Also, there isn't anything noteworthy about the decor of this extremely casual corner diner on the artsy drag of Abbot Kinney. The thing that sets the Tortilla Grill apart from other quality Mexican grills it that its electic mix of patrons, piped salsa music, and sidewalk tables calms you in a way you strangely expect upon first approaching its door.

I recommend the chicken macho burrito (to share) for $7.00. The chicken tastes almost smokey and is juicy. As with any menu item you can request black beans in lieu of pinto beans to add depth to the grill flavor. A good menu item for a quick snack or a group of 'pickers' is the massive nachos plate. If time is a concern, pass on the the quesidilla. Every time I or a companion have ordered this item, it inexplicably takes twenty minutes to prepare. Service is always friendly and, except for the quesidilla black hole, prompt.

Non-alcoholic beverages only. Sidewalk dining. Near the beach. Easy parking. Great for the family, a quick pick-up meal after surfing or shopping nearby.

The owner's name really is Joe. This simple, uncontrived approach to his restaurant tells you all you need to know about its California/American menu and atmosphere.

Rarely, do you get great uncomplicated flavors prepared so well, and without any hype to distract from the experience. You'll find interesting fusion cuisine with no embarassingly complicated pronunciations or crazy mixtures too far off the beaten path. I recommend the grilled vegetable rissoto to start. It's creamy texture was full without weighing us down. An unexpected sharpness to the base married well with the grilled flavor. We also enjoyed the mixed green salad with a light, tart balsamic dressing. There are interesting choices of nutty-smelly cheese salads. Both starters couple nicely with the salmon bordelaise main dish. But, I am always tempted by the mashed potatoes w/ pork tenderloin or rosted beef!

Joe's has a safe wine list with many choices in both the red and white families($15-25). Prix-Fixe Menu $35-45, order in advance. This includes a souffle cake. A handful of intimate tables, crisp white linen, direct and warm service make this the perfect simple and elegant evening out for couples or foursomes. (Anything larger might require you book the restaurant.) This storefront cafe is small enough to feel like your secret place. Also, its size makes for comfortable conversation levels--not noisy, but no whispering required for privacy. This is the perfect place to impress without trying to!

This isn't like any Hal your Dad used to know! This Hal is hip! It is THE club for those in the up and coming bungalow district! Nowhere else on this side of town will you see a weekend doorman, complete with Italian leather jacket. Don't worry. His function is ordering cabs and greating guests. There is no "list". Weekend reservations are highly recommended.

Don't be fooled by Hal's 'grill' name or unassuming brick facade or black awning. This is a sophisticated restaurant with sophisticated clients.

The interior is polished dark woods, full wall mirrors and modern art hang behind one of the largest and best stocked bars in Los Angeles. No matter how crowded, at this bar you never feel cramped.

Diners sit in well separated leather booths gently lighted by solitary dimly-lighted halogen lamps. The menu has grown over the years from Continental favorites to include interesting takes Italian, Asian, and Mexican dishes. For example, there is a porchini fettucine that steams with clams. The Mandarin duck is prepared in a lime, not orange, sauce. I recommend the duck. The flavor is well balanced by the unusual side of polenta. My companion enjoyed the traditional burger with a raosted pine nut salad. The wine list is extensive and fairly priced for an upscale restaurant. Parking in a public lot is available behind the restaurant. Valet parking also available. Open late afternoon to early morning.

I lived in NYC. The way I figure it, that gives me instant credibility on life's essential topic of pizza. So, if I told you I have driven 20 minutes to get a slice of this bagel crust pizza, you know it is amazing.

First there's the bagel crust--firm to support globs of veggies, shrimp, four cheeses, olives, shitake mushrooms, oysters, tequila lime chicken--you name it! Crusts are trimmed in typical bagel fare--sesame, poppy, onion, garlic or plain. Sauces? Alfredo, olive pesto, garlic pesto, and tomato.

Abbot's has done the work for you in coming up with great, unique combinations; five onion, the greek, the four way (w/ red onion, peppers, mushrooms and four cheeses w/ olive pesto), cheeseless veggie, the gypsy pie, meat eaters, cheese bomb, popey's chicken and athens pie. Each of these gourmet pies is $16 for 16' or $12.50 for 12'. Make your own pie for $12.50 or $9.50. Add toppings for anywhere from $.50 to $1.50 based on the size of pie. Choose from 34. Slices are $2.50 each w/ toppings $.50 each.

Abbot's offers salads. I've never seen one ordered, so I can't tell you about them. There's a selection of non-alcoholic beverages.

The shop is small, clean, and busy w/ friendly, quick service. (These guys love making pizza!)Abbot's delivers nearby. Call to check your address. But a visit is worth it to read the chalk-board classifieds and the article in which scientists report you can survive on a deserted island eating only pizzas.

If those pizzas were Abbot's, the island wouldn't be deserted for long!

Shannon Barbone's specialty is refurbishing antique woods to build fine classic Australian furniture. Drawing on her own outback tradition, Shannon's work is distinctively simple and wonderfully functional. Dark woods, like mahogany and teak, predomininate. The shop focuses on large pieces, such as dressers, tables, beds, hutches and desks.

Shannon's process of reclaiming timber to reconstruct age-old designs gives the feel and appearance of antiques with all the modern conveniences of drawer rollers and magnet door clasps. Imagine, you can enjoy historical pieces without all the incoveniences of outdated design and their inconveniences!

I enjoyed the highboy dressers. It is a heavy piece of needled mahogany set on small straight legs. All five drawers rolled effortlessly open and shut. They were deep enough to handle more than any typical modern design dresser. Plushly cushioned sofas and beds are displayed throughout the bungalow shop.

Custom orders are welcome. Prices vary accordingly.

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This is one of my favorite home furnishings stores to browse. The two stories are chock full of curios and accent pieces with character. Their taste impeccable and always just ahead of emerging styles for modern conservative homes(not trends--inflatable furniture and lava lamps never showed up here).

The back room is dedicated to Indonesian furniture, lamps, wall hangings and table art, such as faux ivory carvings.

The front room leaves you feeling you've entered an African farm house that Meryl Streep might have used to prepare for 'Out of Africa.' There are leather boxes, polished mantel clocks, weathered picture frames, even antique magnifying glasses.

The upper floor is magical. Displays of etched glass or beaded picture frames, fragrance sleeves, sparkling faux fruit arrangements capture and reflect light.

Each area offers a few suitable furnishing, like a table, armoire, or bed. There is something in every price range here. However, this is a place to go value hunting, not bargain hunting.

(Picture coming soon)

Look up as you enter. You'll see a cadre of Mexican marionettes, multicolored blowfish and pink flamingo ceiling lamps, and a flying paper goose. On the walls are blown glass butterfly and mosquito sconces.

Toni'e Arte is the place to find an interesting accent light that makes a statement. There also are complimentary home accent pices like water sculptures, candle holders, and picture frames. Traditional couches and lamps are also available here.

No matter what you are shopping for, pop in here for a bit of fun. Prices are affordable.

Anything you might want for a children's room you can find here. Beds and dressers (for children and adults) are available. But the real wonder of this shop is the accent pieces and toys.

Start upstairs to get a feel for the possibilities. The staircase is stacked with hand-painted wood storage boxes decorated in travel trunk style but announcing sports instead of destinations. On the walls there are fortune cookie collages, magnets in the shape of bugs, balls, and tools, and a life guard station bird house looks like the Santa Monica lifesaver just reported to work.

There is a child's room that has every type of decoration and plush toy you could want. There are hand puppets of dogs and dragons, Winnie the Pooh diaramic wall art, a stuffed tree stump where stuffed owls and chipmunks live, and spinning lamps with wishes for sweet dreams.

This is just a sampling of the wonderful ideas for baby and children's party gifts or decorating a child's room. There are also jewelry items and frames that would appeal to older children.

The service is great. And their complimentary gift wrapping is terrific.

Your pulse lowers just walking through the large cast iron and glass doors. Immediately, you hear tabletop waterfalls flowing, pass rock and sand zen gardens, asian topiaries, and classic eastern small table pieces like picture frames and candle plates.

Feng shui lives here. The floor plan draws you in to tall grass garden displays, a full nursery, and cut flowers pouring out of tall iron pales.

This is a luxury store. Great for idle shopping and unexpected treasures. With a price tag fitting a treasure. There are few bargains here. But who can put a price on peace of mind -- even fifteen minutes of imagining buying it?

West-side eccletic sums up the various items you'll encounter in this sidewalk shop. Delicate beads appear on purses, loose-fitting dresses, embroidered scarves, jewelry and stuffed picture frames. Everything you find here will fit in any home with a loose and fanciful spirit.

Among Abbot Kinney's shops, all of whom pride themselves on unique selections and sparking the next trend of consumable art, Tantau Smith has one of the broadest list personal and home accessories to oggle.

Parking behind the shop in free public lot.