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Bret McKenzie's Best of L.A.
Wellington, New Zealand native Bret McKenzie has become pretty well-acquainted with Los Angeles over the last couple of years, having relocated here along with Jemaine Clement, his bandmate in Flight of the Conchords, to work on their HBO sitcom. The duo, who also recently released their first full-length album, Flight of the Conchords, won't be around town much longer, as they're scheduled to begin shooting the second season of their hit series in New York. But here's a sampling of the local pleasures McKenzie might partake of in the meantime.
Probably my favorite spot in Western North America. I get the crispy carnitas or the veggie burrito.
Great live music venue now on La Cienega next to Trashy Lingerie. I saw Aimee Mann's show the other night--it was awesome. Jon Brion performs regularly. He's good, but I just wish he could play more than one instrument.
Awesome Korean BBQ. You cook the food on a hot plate in the middle of the table. The kimchi rice is delicious.
It's the only place I know that has a ghost piano player who takes requests. I've had the ghost play "What a Fool Believes," by the Doobie Brothers and some Elton John tunes. When she doesn't know a song, she'll play two notes so it sounds like she's saying, "Uh-uh."
Great vintage pie and burger spot. Like most places in LA it claims to have the best burger and has a number of burger awards on the walls. I like places where the name lets you know what you're going to get. No surprises.
The Cactus walk is amazing. It's one of those spots where reality gets all psychedelic on your ass.
Deeply organic hippie spot in the Topanga Canyon. The menu says it all: "The food is prepared with love and is charged by our dedicated staff with the vibration of the violet flame for your personal gain, and perhaps transportation to a higher plane."
Endless selection of boutique fizzy drinks.This is a good spot to avoid the guilt of drinking Coke.
I take music lessons here. It's slightly embarrassing that most of the other students are under twelve and they're better than me.
Secondhand clothes store in Los Feliz. They have some good sweatshirts with animals on them.
I like to go here as much as possible. There's great food, shopping, and a special atmosphere.
It's a roller disco. Monday nights is fun for beginners. Smooth jams and and not so smooth moves. I never learned how to rollerskate as a child. Some kids were rollerblading, but I was more into the doing the moonwalk.
