I got a couple of fave places-

- "El Coyote" in Los Angeles...

The place has been around since the City of Los Angeles was incorporate more than 100 years ago, and serves some pretty bad-azz Mexican food. They also serve some of the best Margaritas in town, too. It's also where actress Sharon Tate and friends ate their last meal before she got carved up by Charles Manson and his "family" back in the sixties, too.

- "The Formosa Cafe", also in Los Angeles...

This is the OTHER place that's been in L.A. for a REALLY long time. They serve Cantonese Chinese food, and is one of VERY few places that actually serves the stuff (all other Chinese food joints serve Mandarin style).

- "The Backstage Cafe", in Beverly Hills...

This rather hip rock-and-roll joint is owned and operated by Ian Copeland, the manager of "The Police" (and brother to drummer Stewart Copeland). In addition to the good food and drink, you run the chance of meeting various rock celebs. I managed to see Rod Stewart hanging out by himself in one of the booths there once...

- "La Frite" in Sherman Oaks...

This place looks like an old French pub that would probably be around in the 30's. The food's a little pricey, but the atmosphere is really cool.

- "The Saugus Cafe" in Saugus...

This place has been around for almost 140 years and was once a retired train car. It's the unofficial stopping off place of James Dean before he met his demise in Salinas, CA back in the early sixties, too (in fact, there's a barstool with no back on it, which is evidently where he sat for his "final" coffee).