Best of Studio City

Whether you own real estate in Burbank, Toluca Lake, Hollywood Hills or Valley Village, Studio City is so close to these communities that you'll probably be finding yourself spending lots of time there.  Hence, here are my very subjective picks for "best of."  Please feel free to email me with your own bests, and check out my blog for other news on Studio City places.

...And my first entry is www.KulaksWoodshed.com. This great listening room offers serious singer/songwriters a place to hone their skills and play for their peers.

Laurel Tavern is one of our new favorite places for a casual meal.  Although their menu is sophisticated, their simple hamburgers are outstanding.  I guess this is because they grind their own beef.  All kinds of beers are on tap for $5 to $6 and they have a full bar as well.  It gets really busy in the evenings.

Aroma Cafe (www.aromacoffeeandtea.com) is an outstanding coffee house/restaurant.  Located on Tujunga Boulevard in Tujunga Village (just below Moorpark), it has two huge outdoor patios for dining.  The food, coffee and baked goods are all consistently outstanding.  It's a great place to "people watch" too and is almost always busy (husband Steve is a daily customer).  Dogs are honored guests here on the patio and have their own water bowl at the front of the restaurant.  Portrait of a Bookstore is attached as well.  Aroma's pic is a little lower on this page.

Trinkets and Treasures is on the same block as Aroma, at 4342 Tujunga Ave.  This gorgeous store offers all sorts of unique and semi-precious jewelry, furniture, accessorties and gifts in all sorts of price ranges.  Linda and Suzanne run the place and are wonderful.  If Linda looks familiar (and you're my age), it's because she starred on tv's Petticoat Junction.  Their phone number is 818-763-0111.

More great custom jewelry from the Jen + Jane line can also be found at Pomme Arts on Tujunga Blvd.  Check out their site at www.jenandjane.com.

As a breakfast eater, I was thrilled when Jinky's opened at Colfax and Ventura.



Public Elementary Schools: Carpenter Charter Elementary is one of the most outstanding schools in the LAUSD.  Other terrific schools in Studio City area include Rio Vista, Riverside Elementary, and Colfax Charter Elementary.