15 Very L.A. Things We Can’t Wait to Do When All This Is Over



A challenging year. A global disaster of epic proportions. Dumpster fire. Yes, a lot has been said about 2020. But with vaccines starting to roll out worldwide, the end of the pandemic—though still far off—is finally in sight. And so as we go forward into the new year, we dare to dream. We asked some of Los Angeles’s coolest movers and shakers what they’re going to do when all this is over and their responses are giving us hope and inspiration for the year ahead. Here are just some of the things that we’re adding to our LA itinerary as soon as we’re able. 

1. “I cannot wait to reopen our doors to feed our friends, family and community again, nor can I wait to dine in at all my favorite local spots from The Reyn to Rustic Canyon!” — Ria Dolly Barbosa, executive chef at Petite Peso 

2. “I can’t wait to go to Santa Monica Proper hotel lobby and have meetings while enjoying my favorite chopped salad and the best chocolate chip cookie in the world.” — Jessie De Lowe, co-founder of How You Glow

3. “I miss going to live music shows at some of my favorite venues like Zebulon and The Bootleg Theater or even something simple like drinks with friends at Gold Line in Highland Park (the music there is always top notch!) or Walt’s Bar in Eagle Rock (pinball, beer, pretzels, and a solid local bar vibe).” — Daniel Chaidez, co-owner of Fever Few hair salon

4. “The thing I miss the most around LA is heading to the Rose Bowl Flea market early Sunday mornings to score old treasures. Another longing during the shutdown is to go out for cocktails with friends at Bar Flores in Echo Park followed by a spontaneous dance party!” — Lissa Renn, owner of The Hive LA

5. “We can’t wait for some of our favorite restaurants to reopen because we miss eating there so much! To name a few, omakase-style fine dining at Hayato in DTLA, Bistro Na’s in Temple City that serves imperial court food from Beijing and Melisse in Santa Monica for modern California cuisine. There are a couple more home food picks in SGV such as Alice’s Kitchen, Lunasia / Sea Harbor for dim sums that we miss a lot! Our list is so long and we hope to see restaurants old and new after the pandemic!” — Justine and Jocelyn Wong from Hangry Diary 

6. “I picked up salsa as a new hobby before quarantine and cannot wait to salsa again with the LA dance community!” — Bree Hoebel, personal trainer 

7. “I can’t wait to be able to take my son to all the places we haven’t been able to go to. He’s at the best age and does everything. I also can’t wait to go to Disneyland again and have our friends and family over for BBQs.” — Chanelle Lawrence, co-founder of Valley High

8. “I miss being packed into a corner of Tiki-Ti with my friends around a tiny table covered in Bayanihans, and I can’t wait to support them and the rest of my favorite local bars when this is behind us!”—Ali LaBelle, creative director 

9. “I can't wait to be able to visit museums again. We are so lucky to have access to so much art and design right here in Los Angeles.” — Annie Nguyen, art director

10. “I miss breakfast at Kitchen Mouse and Amara, or just being able to walk into any one of our local restaurants to sit, eat, and talk with friends.  Palomas on the patio at HomeState and pinball and pretzels at Walt’s Bar are at the top of my list”. — Lauren Bailey-Chaidez, co-owner of Fever Few hair salon

11. “I can’t wait to travel around the world and look for vintage treasures...plus eat at new restaurants and try new foods!” — Marie Monsod, owner of Recess LA

12. “Once it's safe to do so, I'd love to go roller skating at Moonlight (in Glendale) with all my friends.” — Lisa Linh, creator of By Lisa Linh

13. “I can’t wait to dine in to my favorite sushi place, Masumoto on Beverly and to take my friend and PR person Bradley Tuck to get his favorite fish and chips at Malibu Seafood.” — Matthew Biancaniello, cocktail chef

14. “I’m ready to restart daily visits to favorite L.A. coffeehouses like Menotti's, Adams Coffee Shop and Cog Coffee. I miss seeing smiling baristas. I miss drinking coffee while it's still hot from ceramic mugs instead of sipping from paper or plastic in my car. It’s even fun hearing new songs that I wouldn't hear otherwise, instantly Shazaming before the last lyrics fade into oblivion. I also can't wait to see live comedy again at Largo, a venue where I've enjoyed sets from favorite comedians like Tig Notaro and Sarah Silverman. It doesn't really even matter who's on stage when the club reopens because I'm so ready to laugh.” — Josh Lurie, Food GPS founder 

15. “Besides getting back into Spoke&Weal full time, I’m looking forward to acupuncture with Gianna De La Torre at Acu*Intuit, fresh juice at Kreation, and dinner with friends at Gracias Madre.” — Jon Reyman, owner of Spoke & Weal