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LA is full of swanky, trendy restaurants; some of them you may have seen via Instagram, and others are perhaps frequented by your favorite celebrity or even featured in a movie. But when you dine out in style, that also means you can expect higher prices, and if you’re going to be spending your hard-earned money on a nice meal, you want to know that the experience (and the food) is actually worth it.
Over the course of my 12 years in LA, I’ve been able to try out some of these places and am here to break down my honest thoughts on which high-end, well-known LA restaurants are worth it. 1. Musso & Frank Musso & Frank is the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. Famously featured in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, this cozy venue used to serve the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor (to name a few). Musso & Frank Pros
Musso & Frank Cons
Is Musso & Frank worth it? Yes! 2. Ka’Teen Ka’Teen is another Hollywood hotspot. Not a historic venue but rather popular with the ‘influencer’ crowd, this place is designed to be reminiscent of being in Tulum (ironically, another place deteriorated by influencers). Ka'Teen Pros
Ka'Teen Cons
Is Ka'Teen worth it? Honestly, for the prices, I think you can find better spots in LA. I would pass on this one. 3. Formosa Cafe Formosa Cafe is another historic Hollywood spot where legendary actors used to dine. Here, they serve Chinese food, and part of the venue includes a train car where you can sit and eat. Formosa Cafe Pros
Formosa Cafe Cons
Is the Formosa Cafe worth it? Yes, I think this one is worth checking out, but I would only go during their happy hour. 4. El Coyote El Coyote is a Mexican food restaurant that was also featured in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as it was the restaurant Sharon Tate went to the night she and others at her home were murdered. El Coyote has been around since 1931, so if you like historic spots, this is another option. El Coyote Pros
El Coyote Cons
Is El Coyote worth it? Yes, I would recommend this one, especially sitting outside on a nice sunny day. 5. Gracias Madre Gracias Made is a pretty West Hollywood restaurant on Melrose that caters to vegan-friendly dishes. Gracias Madre Pros
Gracias Madre Cons
Is Gracias Madre worth it? I would recommend this one for those who are vegan. It's a great date night spot, in particular. 6. Cecconi’s Another Melrose hotspot in West Hollywood, Cecconi’s is a swanky restaurant with an emphasis on Italian food. Cecconi's Pros
Cecconi's Cons
Is Cecconi's worth it? I would skip this one. If you want Italian food, I would instead go to Miceli's in Hollywood. It's the oldest Italian restaurant in Hollywood, and the food is way better. When asked the question “What is your favorite food?”, I’ll answer “Mexican” probably even before you finish saying the word ‘food’. I love travel and trying new dishes from all cultures and places around the world, but when it comes to what I’ve loved most, it’s definitely Mexican food.
That being said, I’m a bit of a snob when it comes what I deem ‘good’ Mexican food. Having lived in Puerto Vallarta and after visiting Mexico for over 25 years, I've been exposed to some of the best Mexican food one could imagine. Delicious tacos, quesadillas, mole, ceviche, fresh fruit, shrimp - you get the point. It was incredible! Therefore, when I go out for Mexican food now, I’m looking for something authentic. The good news is that people living in or visiting Grand Rapids, Michigan actually have a really great place to go, and let’s face it, when it comes to the best Mexican food in Grand Rapids, go authentic or go home. Tacos el Cuñado is a locally-owned restaurant with several locations around Grand Rapids. The location I like to go to at the corner of Burton and Towner on the southwest side of Grand Rapids. You can order items à la carte or a full plate of food. Tacos run for only $3.49 and honestly, just a couple tacos and you’re full. I ordered one shrimp taco and one fish taco. If you’re going to be authentic, you’ve got to order it with cilantro, though. Trust me, it's worth it. They serve the dishes with pieces of lime as well, so be sure to squeeze some lime juice onto your taco as well. If you haven’t tried that yet, trust me you will love it! It adds some great flavor. Last but not least, you MUST top off your meal by ordering horchata to drink. This is a traditional Mexican drink made out of rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. It’s one of my favorites! You can bet I’ll be back at Tacos el Cuñado again. One trip just isn’t enough and I’m so in the mood for some ceviche now... What was once a sleepy downtown is now a thriving Midwest hub. The city of Grand Rapids is filled with new high-rise apartment buildings and exciting businesses. From locally-owned boutiques in Eastown to trendy bars and restaurants Downtown, GR is more alive than ever.
So, what better way to show that off than with the best instagrammable spots in Grand Rapids? These top Grand Rapids photo spots will provide you with stunning backdrops, bold colors, interesting art, and more. Where Can I Take Pictures in Grand Rapids? 1. La Grande Vitesse Starting off the list is Grand Rapids’ artistic claim to fame and a long-standing symbol of the city. La Grande Vitesse – or the Calder sculpture – is located Downtown in Calder Plaza. It was created by American artist Alexander Calder, whose iconic red sculptures can be found in museums, galleries, and gardens all over. What makes La Grande Vitesse so Instagram-worthy isn’t just its ties to the city (though that’s certainly a major factor) but also the variety of options you can use for your photo. Of course, there’s the obvious idea to take a photo of the sculpture in its entirety. However, if you want to mix it up for additional shots, you can utilize the beautiful bright red of the sculpture as a colorful backdrop. Simply walk right up against the sculpture and frame your photo so that you only see red in the background and boom: Instagram ready! 2. Corner of Monroe Center and Ottawa This corner in front of Madcap Coffee in Downtown Grand Rapids provides a great city backdrop for your photos thanks to the gorgeous architecture of the buildings and the brick road that runs along Monroe Center. You can opt for either portrait style or a regular background, but my personal recommendation is using this backdrop in portrait mode. For the optimal shot, stand across the street in front of the Grand Rapids Art Museum to get the full backdrop behind you. 3. Ah-Nab-Awen Park Located on Pearl St. in front of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Ah-Nab-Awen Park is a perfect spot to capture a beautiful view of Grand Rapids. There are plenty of interesting parts in this particular viewpoint that will create a beautiful photo for your Instagram, including the Grand River, Pearl Street Bridge, and city skyscrapers and buildings. Your ideal photo times will be either a sunny day or at night to capture the city lights. 4. Follow Your Heart Mural Murals are wonderful to photograph, and as Grand Rapids grows, so does its access to beautiful artwork. The reason I picked this one in particular is because it also represents a positive, uplifting message with the phrase ‘Follow Your Heart’. This mural can be found at 368 Diamond Ave. SE – an eclectic, growing neighborhood just outside downtown. Created by artist Dave Battjes, this mural is somewhat hidden on a side street, which means you won’t have other folks walking into your shot and you can take more time so that you get the perfect image for your feed. 5. The Blue Bridge The Blue Bridge in Grand Rapids is another iconic downtown location. It's over 100 years old and is great for photos. This bridge extends across the Grand River, and as the name suggests, this bridge is painted a beautiful sky blue, which actually adds to its photogenic qualities. The bridge is especially great for portrait-style shots with the background slightly blurred for added dimension. FAQs About the Best Photo Spots in Grand Rapids 1. Where can I take engagement photos in Grand Rapids, MI? There are plenty of beautiful engagement photo locations in Grand Rapids, including the places mentioned above: La Grande Vitesse, the Corner of Monroe and Ottawa, Ah-Nab-Awen Park, the Follow Your Heart Mural, and the Blue Bridge. If you plan to take sunset engagement photos, I recommend going to Riverside Park just outside downtown. The views along the river with the greenery are absolutely beautiful at that time of day and can make a romantic backdrop. Learn more: Why Summer in Grand Rapids is the Best 2. What are some indoor photo locations in Grand Rapids, MI? The Public Museum and Art Museum in Grand Rapids can be really great for indoor photo locations. Another gorgeous spot is the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, which boasts an elegant décor. The hotel is open for people to explore, and you'll likely find other visitors capturing photos inside the hotel. 3. Does Grand Rapids have a downtown? Yes, Grand Rapids has a downtown. Since 2010, Downtown Grand Rapids has grown immensely, making it a popular spot to live, hang out, and of course, take great photos. |
About the author
Jill Zwarensteyn is a writer and comedian who has been featured on Amazon, truTV, The New York Times, Matador Network, BUST Magazine, Sleep Advisor, Tiplr, ARTRPRNR Magazine, YourTango, Thought Catalog, GoMad Nomad, Mashable, The Daily Mail UK, the Cannes Film Festival, LaughFest, Women's Lifestyle Magazine, and the Funny Women Festival LA. For more info visit: http://www.jillzwarensteyn.weebly.com Archives
November 2023
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