Taste of Eastside is Back - Mark your Calendar!

Taking place in legendary Barnsdall Park, this will be the food event of the year in Los Feliz.

Taste of the Eastside will include seminars, tastings and much, much more. Each year this event gets bigger and is one of the most exciting events in all of Los Angeles.

Over 30 restaurants are expected to be a part of the event. The list as of March 10 included:

• SILVER LAKE WINE
• GOLDEN ROAD BREWING
• L & E OYSTER BAR
• LITTLE DOM’S
• PAZZO GELATO
• DIABLO TACO
• THE PARK
• G & B COFFEE
• SQIRL JAMS
• LARGE MARGE SUSTAINABLES
• CANELÉ
• HUGO’S TACOS
• XOIA
• HEIRLOOM LA
• MOHAWK BEND
• MAESTRO SAUSAGE COMPANY
• KTCHN DTLA
• GOOD GIRL DINETTE
• INTELLIGENTSIA COFFEE
• JUICE SERVED HERE
• CUSCATLECA BAKERY
• CLIFF’S EDGE
• LEMON POPPY KITCHEN
• SILVERLAKE JUICE BAR

And that will be just the beginning as other restaurants join in.

This is a great family-friendly event that will go all day in the park.

Tickets will go on sale on March 15th. Tickets can be purchased locally The Green Bean (5060 Eagle Rock Rd) and Yolk (1626 Silverlake Blvd).

Tickets are available in multiple levels and prices. The coolest are the VIP tickets that allow early entry, exclusive food and drinks demonstrations and special food, wine and cocktail tasting. You must be over 21 years old.

One of the neatest parts is that child 2-12 only cost $5 to attend the event. That's an awesome price. You can't feed a 12-year-old at McDonalds for $5.

You can find more information on the Internet at http://tasteoftheeastside.com.

Stay tuned right here for more information as more restaurants are added and more information is released.

Driving Through The Oaks tells the story

Update, 2025:
The Oaks still tells a story — but a lot has happened since I first wrote this.
→ Click here for my updated guide to The Oaks in 2025

And if you’re dreaming of buying a home here, I’d love to show you what’s possible.

Sitting right on the edge of Griffith Park on the hilly outskirts of Los Angeles is one of the city's most beautiful and quiet neighborhoods. On a map each of the streets in the Oaks looks like a winding snake lying on the edge of the green park. Each street has the word “Oak” in the name: Spreading Oak, Hill Oak and Alto Oak.

In a city famous for its gray concrete and buildings, the Oaks is a verdant, green oasis. The hills are covered with flowers, palm trees, creosote bushes and, of course, beautiful, stately oak trees.

A Diversity of Homes

The Oaks is a quiet vacation from the bustle of the big city. The homes in the Oaks range from 1920's Spanish Revival style to 1960's ranches to ultra-modern hillside homes. The homes all have balconies, verandas and huge windows to take in the views of the ocean, the city and the canyon. Two of the homes in the Oaks were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and another by Richard Neutra.

A Neighborhood with Actual Neighbors

People who live in the Oaks can live their lives exactly as they wish. All the plants and trees create natural barriers for privacy, but the roads and streets are so quiet that neighbors can walk to and from each other's homes, something you can't do in most of Los Angeles.

The Rich, the Famous, the Neither

The Oaks has been home to lots of Hollywood stars, famous musicians and some of California's entertainment elite. Today, the Oaks has quickly become home to a new generation of Los Angeles “mover and shakers” looking for a refuge from the traffic, smog and bustle. Because home prices in the Hills is not out of reach for many Angelinos, there are many families and couples moving in, keeping the area vibrant and fun.

Driving Through Tells the Story

A drive through the Hills can tell you a lot about the people who live there. There are huge in-ground swimming pools and lots of plastic kiddie pools. There are Porsches in the driveways and trampolines in the back yard. Most of all, you can see people out for a walk on a sunny day, just to enjoy the sounds of birds, the smells of the flowers and the breathtaking views of the city, the canyon and the ocean.

Never Far from the World

Only minutes from the center of Los Feliz, the Hills is close to restaurants and nightlife, without having to be in the middle of it. There are famous landmarks, museums and the Griffith Observatory all within a few minutes.

But really, why would you ever leave home with a pool in the yard, birds in the trees and a long distance view of the rest of the world rushing everywhere?

There is a lot going on the Hills, none of it requires you to do anything more than what you want to.

The Dresden - One of the Cornerstone Places to Dine and Drink In Los Feliz

"Ah, ha, ha, ha Staying Alive, Staying Alive....."  Pull up your car, toss your keys to the valet and enter the movie Swingers for yourself. It's no "Modern LA" lounge because it doesn't have to be: it's old school and it's traditional, complemented with retro music and a '50s vibe, that's the charm of the Dresden Room in Los Feliz.

​There's no dress code but you'd stand out against the white-suited bartenders should you not dress up. The Dresden Room is classy with white tabl

ecloths, low lights, vest-wearing staff with well-coifed hair and a gorgeous menu to boot. A range of steaks, pasta, seafood and salads are available, it's traditional but tastes good, with popular dishes include the Escargot appetizer and the famous Prime Rib.

The talented Marty and Elaine are still kickin' nightly with Sinatra, jazz classics and nostalgic tracks from the golden age of Hollywood.  The Dresden Room also offers a popular bar and caters for those looking for an unforgettable night. With their signature Blood and Sand cocktail; the veteran bartenders can cater for almost any taste. It's often busy, part due to the wonderful history of the place, part to its celebrity attraction, with an impressive wall of fame, including Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Jay Leno and Keanu Reeves, and part because of its exceptional service .

Entering the Dresden Room is like entering a different world, a world of class, a world of fun.......