A Day in Culver City

Food: Govinda’s

Near Culver City, there is no better deal pricewise than Govinda’s restaurant. But the price isn’t the only reason it’s a deal, (fast food is cheap too,) it’s fresh, homemade, and very tasty. The restaurant is actually in a Hare Krishna temple on Venice Blvd. It’s served buffet style, so you get a plate and dish out your own helpings. I don’t usually like buffets, since I want only one helping, so “all you eat” adds up to one really expensive plate of food. But at Govinda’s you get the best of both worlds. You can pay by ounce or a flat buffet price, whichever is less. If you do decide to get the buffet, it still won’t break your bank since “all you eat” is only $7.50. (And only $6.50 for students!)

The food is a kind of American/Indian fusion, offering dishes from both. (I’ve had pasta with tomato sauce and veggies, dal, curry, butternut squash soup, among many others.) The variety on any given day should satisfy almost anyone. My favorite part is their salad bar. Normally, I’m always torn between getting fresh greens but wanting hot food, too, and getting both is usually pricey at a normal restaurant. So I can satisfy both cravings since it’s all included. Plus their in-house dressings are killer. (I can never decide between the tahini and the spicy peanut, so I usually choose a little of both.) Their hot dishes are really tasty as well, and even their jasmine rice is somehow amazing.

Vegans and people with allergies should be pretty well accommodated. The vegan options are labeled as such, plus it’s easy to get rice with veggies and sauce if you need a gluten free option.

Just be careful to check the time before you go, since they close between dinner and lunch every day, and they’re also closed on Sundays.

3764 Watseka Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Phone: (310) 836-1269

Hours: Mon.–Sat. 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM and 5:00PM - 8:30 PM

Sunday: CLOSED

http://lalive.info/govindas/

Native Foods:

I was so so excited when the M Café in Culver City turned into a Native Foods.  This is an “American” style veggie restaurant, but don’t let the veggie part deter you. The chef here is truly talented, and the food is more than filling. (I usually have to split a dish with someone.) The menu is mostly composed of soups, sandwiches, “burgers,” and rice bowls. I particularly enjoy the enchilada bowl, which is layered with marinated kale, saucy black beans, and covered in enchilada and creamy chipotle sauce. With a casual atmosphere, it’s also a nice place to have some comfort food and read a good book. At $8-$10 an entrée, it’s going to be a pricier place than Govinda’s, but for organic fare in downtown Culver City it’s still a great deal.

9343 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

Phone: (310) 559-3601

Hours: Monday-Sunday 11AM - 10PM

nativefoods.com‎

Hiking? In Culver City?

Believe it or not, there is actually a hiking trail/crazy climbing stairs right in Culver City. Known as the “Culver City Stairs” (or technically named the “Baldwin Hills Overlook”) this little gem starts on Jefferson Blvd. You can park on Jefferson for free, and then just look for the sign to the park. There are two options to get to the top. The first one is the stairs. At 200+ giant stone steps, this climb makes the Santa Monica Stairs look like a casual stroll. I’m 5’4”, and for me some of these steps are at knee height. If you aren’t wheezing and sweating by the time you reach the top, then you’ve probably ran a marathon recently.

If you have knee problems, small children, of if you’re just not in the mood for such a workout…there is a second way up. Starting at the same place is a trail that winds around the stairs all the way to the top. This way is much for forgiving. Once you reach the summit (but whatever means necessary,) the view is definitely worth the sweat. A gorgeous 365 degree view affords a view of the sea from one side, and sprawling LA from another.

6300 Hetzler Rd, Culver City, CA 90232 

Park Hours: 8 am to Sunset daily

See a movie in a theater for $8?

And it’s not a matinee? That’s right, at the Culver Plaza Theaters in Culver City, the normal price for a movie is only $8. (And $6 for their matinee!) This may not be a shocking price for some out-of-towners, but in LA seeing a movie is not a cheap endeavor. The Culver Plaza doesn’t have some of the fancier frills of the other theaters…you won’t find vegan cookies or organic lattes. And they get the movies a little behind the big theaters, so you have to wait a few weeks to see the new releases. But in the days of cheap Netflix, going to the movies is a special treat anyway, and worth the wait for a half-price showing. And a bonus for me…since it’s a less expensive theater; they don’t go crazy with the air conditioning. They still have it, but I don’t have to worry about bringing my winter jacket and gloves just to be comfortable. Plus, they always have some independent and foreign films that are difficult to find. (Meaning I can get my foreign animation fix!) So check it out and make date night more cost-effective.

9919 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: (310) 836-5511

Hours: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00am to 11:30pm
              Monday-Thursday: 10:00am to 8:30pm

http://www.culverplazatheatres.com/index.php

Have a drink in the historic Culver Hotel

After years of being closed, this unique building has become the symbol of the newly redone downtown Culver City. Its interesting look and cinema history (the cast of Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind stayed here!) makes this a true LA stop. Luckily, you don’t have to rent a room to enjoy the place, as they have a fully stocked bar and restaurant downstairs.

It is growing in popularity, but as of this writing it still has a mellow atmosphere, which is perfect for good conversations with friends. They even have live music some nights, and happy hour deals from 4-7pm.  (But call and check to see which happy hour deals are still current.) I love the vintage vibe, and sometimes I even like to get out my 1950’s skirts to match the mood. 

Address: 9400 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

Phone: 310-838-7963 (Phone)

Hours: Sunday-Wednesday Open after 5pm
              Thursday-Saturday 5pm-2am
http://www.culverhotel.com/


When all else fails, drink tea.
Over the years I've become quite the picky tea drinker, so any cheap green tea will do for me anymore. Luckily, at the Teaforest in Culver City, there is a wide selection of quality loose leaf teas. The choices are plentiful, so most tea requests should be easy met. (They even have a matcha green tea latte! I scour LA looking for places that serve this, and it's hard to find.) They also have coffee and coffee drinks if that's your style. If you're still hungry, they also have deli-style sandwiches, even with a few veggie options.
The only thing I don't like is the hours...if you work a 9 to 5 it might be a little difficult to get in. But if you have the chance a Saturday morning, it's worth the stop for a hot cup of twig tea or milk tea, or simply a latte.


8686 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: (310) 815-1723
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 6 pm
               Sat 9am-2pm
http://www.teaforest.com/