What Do Locals Do In Los Angeles?

I'll be coming to Los Angeles to see the Lucas museum this winter. I'll also visit the Space museum and perhaps the Natural history museum. I'm thinking of going to Dante's in Beverly Hills for the "I paid too much for dinner" experience. I lived in Los Angeles 30 years ago. So I've seen and done all the touristy things. I'd like to hear what locals do evenings or weekends. I might visit the Farmer's Market, which I never did when I lived there. Anything else? I'm open to any suggestions.

Also, is there another recommendation besides Dante's for a fancy, too expensive place? Spago's seems more overrated. Dante's seems to have a better vibe that Mastro's. Am I wrong? Other suggestions?

I also want to visit a bar to do a bourbon flight taste test. I'm thinking of visiting Rock and Reilly's bar, which isn't too far from the museum. Any other suggestions. I want some place not too rambunctious. .

the Farmer's Market is indeed a classic. I've never been to Dante's, to be honest, not sure I've ever heard of it. What kind of vibe are you going for with that fancy dinner? Best possible food, or a particular vibe? Musso and Franks is all vibe if you like the old school experience, but the food isn't necessarily that memorable. Many wonderful newer restaurants that deliver great food, but honestly I've cut way back in the past five years or so and haven't been keeping up on them..

I'd invite you to my local spot for a bourbon flight, but it is closing next week after 14 glorious years...ugh.

Dante's is on the same block as Spago's and Mastro's. It seems to be a bit of a restaurant row one block over from Rodeo Drive. So I assume these are all the snooty places to see and be seen and spend too much on a hamburger or steak (and priced to keep the riff-raff out). It's a toss-up between Mastro's and Dante's. I just like the look of Dante's better. It seems more cozy. Now I'm the kind of guy that likes the little mom and pop place. But once in a while, I like to splurge, so I'm taking a friend and we are going to have ourselves a nice riff-raff free dinner. I'm sure as soon as they see us, with me in an off-the-rack jacket, they will delegate us the the table by the kitchen. : ).

I looked at Musso and Franks. It was first on my list but then I thought it might be more fun to do a snooty place in Beverly Hills. Like you said, old school, which has a lot of appeal to me. What kind of neighborhood is that area? I might put that back on the list. I'm not sure what I want as an experience. I think I'd get fair treatment at Musso and Franks.

I would enjoy meeting you Charles if you have the time when I'm in town.

Musso's is dead in the heart of Hollywood, on Hollywood Blvd. Not much to recommend about that section other than the holdouts from a better time such as Musso's. It's not so much dangerous as it is an uneasy combination of tourists and unhoused. But there are still some fun things around there. The Hollywood Roosevelt is a good old historic spot to have a drink in the lobby or by the legendary pool, and the Hollywood Museum is one of the few in that area that actually has some pretty cool legitimate industry relics.

If you watch the opening 15 minutes or so of Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, the restaurant where Pitt and DiCaprio meet Pacino is Musso's (and the following scene of them driving out onto the streets is that exact block, dressed back to 1969).

Beverly Hill is not a part of town I relate to, I never go out there myself.