Sherman Oaks

If the complimentary sparkling cocktail you were handed upon arrival didn’t clue you in, Sushi Note is more than a neighborhood sushi joint. It’s also a wine bar. And a great one at that (co-owner Dave Gibbs is the discerning palate behind Augustine Wine Bar and Mirabelle). What sets it apart: It takes your traditional omakase tasting menu and one-ups it with sommelier-curated wine pairings from the best vineyards in Burgundy. And we haven’t even gotten to the sushi yet. Yuzu-and-truffle-drenched scallops, peppered albacore, and simple, salt-dusted sea bass that might be the single greatest bite within miles, and then there are the precisely sliced, perfectly seasoned cuts of nigiri that defy description. It’s only after you leave that you realize the sushi was so spectacular, you didn’t even drizzle it with soy sauce. Our advice: Snag a seat at the bar, go for the tasting menu, and watch the chefs work their magic.

This serene oasis is tucked away in Glen Centre in Bel Air. Guests sip cucumber-lavender water in plush robes and emerge gleamy after the only facial on the menu: La Vie en Rose Power. Caglia herself has twenty-three years of experience and a touch that’s both soothing and assertive, and she customizes her facial to suit any concern. Microphoto treatment tightens pores, radiofrequency lifts, peels help tone and soften discoloration, and a massage with a rose quartz roller helps drive in Caglia’s beautiful botanical infusions. You amble out completely rejuvenated.

The signature treatment here, The Diamond K Facial, uses a diamond-encrusted pad developed by spa owner Tina Keshishian to remove the topmost layers of your skin for a truly deep cleanse. Next, layers of oils, serums, and masks are massaged into skin, cocooning it in a deep layer of moisture and nutrients. You’ll walk out undeniably fresh-faced—skin looks even-toned and glowy.

It always blows visitors minds that at most of the city’s movie theaters, you can pre-book specific seats, meaning that you can eat dinner and wander around until minutes before the show starts, and not have to jockey and jostle for position. We love the Arclight in particular because there’s an on-site bar and during 21+ screenings you can sip your wine while you watch. Locations in Culver City, Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica, and Sherman Oaks.

If you want a slice of New York pizza that is better than most places in New York, look no further: A super-thin crust and wonderfully tangy sauce set the standard for pies you can eat by the slice or take out whole. We particularly love the eggplant parm and the white spinach pizzas, but nothing disappoints. There is another location in Encino, and two in Beverly Hills—in Beverly Hills proper and on Beverly Blvd.

Prettily decorated cakes and baked goods are mainstays here, though we hear the best thing on the menu is actually the tuna fish sandwich. They make their own mayo, and serve it on freshly baked rosemary bread. There are also Sweet Lady Jane bakeries in West Hollywood and Santa Monica.

At this Sherman Oaks café, there are classic sandwiches (BLT, club, Philly cheese, etc), and there are artisanal grilled cheeses, of which the spicy short-rib option is the standout. Tender pulled short ribs serve as the base for grilled onions and peppers, and melted jack cheese—all made even better with a substantial kick of spicy aioli. All in all, a favorite in the Valley.