attention target shoppers

As thrilled as I was to see the new Tarzhay (can you hear me dragging that one out?), open up on La Brea, the parking nightmare and lack of stock has driven me back to the og location on La Cienega time, and time again.

Of course I prefer having a shiny, clean, safe, more luxury experience at the newer store, but if they don't have what I'm looking for and I still have to pay for parking - talk about adding insult to injury - what's the point?

This location feels a lot like Target's red-headed step sister, but let me tell ya, she delivers. Time and time again, I've been able to find exactly what I was in the store for (including advertised specials and sales items) when they've been sold out all over town at the other locations. Another plus is the ample garden shop area - something you won't find at the "other" location either. And of course, there's parking. Easy, free, ample parking. Just as it was meant to be.

A point off to the ghetto factor that seems to pervade virtually every element of your experience here. Once you're prepared for it and over it (which, you generally will be after getting screwed some way or another at that "other" location), it's smooth sailin'.

Oh, and there's a Micky D's at the far corner of the parking lot. What better way to wrap up a g-h-e-t-t-o afternoon than with a Big Mac, fries and a shake?

3535 S La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016

(310) 895-1131

chalet

Deja vu sets in for me here since this used to be the location of the old Tophat - a serious dive bar where I was able to get away with a little underage drinking way back in the day.

The exterior hasn't changed much - dark and nondescript - but the interior has been beautifully reinterpreted. It's a well sized (not too big, not too small) space with a long bar and couple of tables on one side, and comfy dark leather booths and banquettes along the other. The walls are stacked masonry (reminiscent of the redo at The Lodge), decked with some vintage flea shop-esque paintings of woodland scenery. Arts and crafts style light fixtures dotting the surround dimly light everything to that perfect, 'don't we all look lovely', hue. In short, it's modern cabin cozy.

Another plus is the alt-eclectic jukebox. Def worth the price of admission. While the bartender was easy on the eyes, and the drinks are easy on the wallet, they weren't so easy on the palette. She could use a few more lessons in mixology, so one star off to that.

All in all, great bar - and in such a random locale, Eagle Rock - I'll be back.

Somehow, The Chalet has yet to be overrun by west side wankers or insufferable east side hipsters, so hurry up and get there before they do!

1630 Colorado Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 258-8800

Photo courtesy of Kevin K.