Jason Norton, the only American employee of British cycling brand Brooks, reveals the best places to eat, drink, and “steal WiFi” in Los Angeles
Gjusta, Venice Beach
This is currently my favourite place to eat in LA. I might not have talked about it last year when it still seemed like a secret spot, but now I’d say that the cat is out of the bag. The sister restaurant to Gjelina, Gjusta is an unmarked building on a side street in the Venice area; it’s a mix of a bakery, cafeteria and a deli. I’ve been trying to work my way down the menu, but I keep coming back to the Porchetta sandwich.
Mandrake Bar, Culver City
Another low key spot with good drinks and better people (which is a hard combination to find in LA). This is a bar where people come to participate and not to be seen. If you can catch the, always-changing, once-a-month ‘Shit To Do’, you’ll be treated to local DJs spinning old school jams. Just be sure to ignore the No Dancing sign…
The Apple Pan, West Los Angeles
This is the best Hamburger west of the Mississippi river. Not the best gourmet hamburger, but rather what a hamburger should be in its most true form. When you see an emoticon of a burger, or you imagine what the people at all the fast food restaurants are trying to portray, it’s this. I’ve always like their slogan, “Quality Forever”, and they have been doing it since 1947. One side note: the banana cream pie is just as good as the burger.
Den Mobler, East Hollywood
This Mid Century Modern furniture store is owned and operated by my friend, Jason Potter. Aside from a well curated stock of rare Danish furniture, it serves as a great place for me to steal WiFi. It’s not unusual to find me here testing a chair and desk as I answer emails.
Jason Norton is the North American Sales and Marketing Manager for Brooks
Illustration Laura Merizalde
