Has Westwood lost its luster? (Santa Monica, Nice: to rent, houses, living in)

[PDF]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

The issue I had with Westwood was that while there are a ton of food options, there aren't that many healthy ones. Sure, there's Whole Foods and now Trader Joes (which didn't exist when I lived there), but they are far outnumbered by fast food eateries. And who could resist Lamonicas pizza, or in n out burger, or diddy riese, or stans donuts. Then sit down restaurants, what do you have? BJ's famous for beer, burgers, pizza and pizzookie... or jerry's deli with its oversized sandwcihes, palamino and napa valley grille with martinis and steaks (sure, get the chicken option but it's still covered in sauce and comes with potato sides), and bella pitta which is probably the most fattening mediaterrenean food I can imagine, then gushi which tasted great but had more msg and fat than, waht's that newplace? Fat Sal's? there's that now and sepa. geez. and that diner must still be there, the super cheap one thats been there forever. As opposed to downtown santa monica and west hollywood, which are filled with all sorts of healthy salad and protein shake joints. At least I hear tender greens is opening in westwood, replacing my old favorite junky mexican $1 margarita place, acapulcos...

Yeah, I agree. You do got Yogurtland though, if that counts. But yeah, it's so easy to eat at all those places.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by PDF

Yeah, I agree. You do got Yogurtland though, if that counts. But yeah, it's so easy to eat at all those places.

And what else? Fatburger, The Stand (or did it close), Denny's, Cafe Elysee (all pastries), Jose Bernstein. Then the Japanese places like Tomadochi, Osaka Grill/Fortuna (if it's still there), Ami Sushi, Yamato... they're the equivalent of Japanese fast food. The diner I'm talking about is Headlines.

Westwood may be LA's capital of fatty fast food now that I think about it. Interesting analysis.

Where are the low carb, high protein options in Westwood Village? Besides Whole Foods, all you got is Native Foods which is vegan so that doesn't really count. I see there's a place now called Nature's Way. I guess that qualifies. So the options to stay slim in Westwood are virtually nil.

This is as opposed to West Hollywood with Tender Greens, Bodyfactory, My Fit Foods, Chop Stop all on the same block... and even the fatty places at least offering low calorie and chicken breast options.

[jm1982]

What is the diner place you mentioned?

I agree it's mostly fast food type stuff, but it makes sense for college students or UCLA workers on a budget or in a hurry.

I guess it does have surprisingly low healthy options though.

It's not in Westwood , but there is a new place that opened in NoHo arts (they have other locations) called Fish Dish. It's kind of a fast casual place with all different types of Fish dishes and some chicken ones too.

Prices are pretty reasonable for fresh fish and the portions are pretty good sized.

I wonder if something like this would do well in Westwood . FISHFISHGRILL.COM

I'm thinking perhaps even though healthy eating is popular in L.A (and elsewhere) , perhaps college students still aren't big fans of it?..

West Hollywood has more of a post college crowd, and maybe people start thinking more health conscious after college?
Just some theory , but it seems like there could be something to it.

I haven't been to the rest , but I think Tender Greens is very good.

West Hollywood is a very health/image conscious part of L.A so it makes sense that all those healthy food places could support it .

[disgruntled la native]

^The diner is called Headlines. I guess that's a good point about Westwood. It's mostly college students and employees. They love junk food. West Hollywood and Downtown Santa Monica are very image and health conscious, so those kinds of places thrive. But Westwood is bringing in Tender Greens at least.

I guess if I lived in Westwood I'd be at Chipotle and Whole Foods everyday.

[hockfan86]

I do live in Westwood and am at Chipotle and Whole Foods multiple times a week. I am moving to West Hollywood on October 1st.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by hockfan86

I do live in Westwood and am at Chipotle and Whole Foods multiple times a week. I am moving to West Hollywood on October 1st.

Exactly my point. There's tons of healthy options in WeHo. Even the places with predominately unhealthy food have lots of skinny options. Probably about as opposite as Westwood as it gets. The Sunset Strip still has a lot of crap though.

Hollywood also has some good options by the arclight.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by yby1

I got berated by the police in Westwood for jaywalking in the '90s. They almost ran me over with their squad car to stop me. I was walking in the crosswalk while the red hand was flashing. That's how I was jaywalking. They threatened to arrest me because I wouldn't tell them my ethnicity. I felt my drivers license was enough info. Jerks. I filed a compliant for that.

Why did you refuse to tell them your ethnicity?

[yby1]

Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat

Why did you refuse to tell them your ethnicity?

Why do they need to know for a jaywalking ticket? They had my drivers license and my name would give that away. Of course, I was walking with a couple of white friends, and they singled me out to get the ticket, so I was a bit upset. That was my first time encountering that type of discrimination.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by yby1

Why do they need to know for a jaywalking ticket?

Perhaps they were concerned with being investigated for racial profiling, so they simply wanted to know your ethnicity to satisfy their superiors.

[PDF]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

Exactly my point. There's tons of healthy options in WeHo. Even the places with predominately unhealthy food have lots of skinny options. Probably about as opposite as Westwood as it gets. The Sunset Strip still has a lot of crap though.

Hollywood also has some good options by the arclight.

If I move within LA, it'd be Santa Monica. But a big bonus for me is being able to walk to work. Saves money on a monthly TAP card, plus I don't have to rely on the bus.

I certainly don't mind the lack of healthy food options in Westwood. But I guess it's a must if it wants to have a varied dining scene.