The Fashion District sprawls over 90 blocks of downtown Los Angeles, and is just the place to be if you are looking for bargains or wholesale material. This section of the city is absolutely crammed with stores selling designer clothing, shoes, accessories, textiles and even flowers at unbeatable rates. Other bric-a-brac on display includes toys, lingerie, CDs, prom gowns and kids wear. Over 1,000 such retailers show off their wares at a flea market, which always dons a festive appearance. Weekends are particularly busy, with great discounts of up to 30 percent. Hours of operation and credit cards may vary by store.
Natives in-the-know refer to this outdoor bazaar as The Alley and here is where you will find a quarter mile of goods of every description and wall-to-wall people in search of the perfect bargain. Here in Santee Alley you will find casual and chic day wear and evening wear. There are all kinds of jewelry concessions as well as menswear, children's clothing, lingerie and toys. If you like the idea of searching through piles and piles of merchandise for the best bargains, among throngs of other people who are doing the same thing, you won't want to miss cruising The Alley.
Touted to be one of the best places to savor Indian food, the Samosa House is a must-visit for lovers of Indian cuisine. Relish the delicious Indian delights like Samosas, Pakoras, curries as well as tasty drinks like Lassi, Chair or Indian Beers. Devotees of Indian cooking will be delighted with the selection and helpful hands available at the interesting shop attached near the restaurant. Shelves are packed with jars of chutneys, sauces, spices and a huge selection of flours including gram and chickpeas, as well as everything you'll ever need to make a curry from scratch. Don't leave without sampling the homemade pickles or baked goods, and feel free to get some wonderful advice from the engaging owner; who is happy to share cooking tips and recipes.
In addition to a full-spectrum grocery store, Jons Market is a trusty source of a wide range of ethnic foods, with a stress on Russian and Armenian. Come here for a handsome assortment of Russian chocolates (assorted sets in sumptuous packaging, the likes of which you have never seen), the widest selection of Russian vodka and Eastern European full-bodied brews, as well as many dainties and delicacies, from buckwheat to vareniki to kvas to fish liver. The sweeping selection of salamis, sausages and various delectable cured meats by the pound will capture the fancy of many a meat lover. Finally, get a taste of “little Russia” while here as you are jostled unceremoniously by Russian matrons, plowing by with huffed determination.
This urban indoor flea market is spread out over 10,000 square feet of space with gorgeous vaulted ceilings and exposed brickwork. Tucked away in the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles, the Arts District Flea is an amalgamation of vendors with locally made products and handcrafted items. Find delicate silver bow necklaces or a gorgeous sturdy reclaimed wood coffee table. Local art can also be found here, adding a pop of color and character to your space.
Check into this haven for all sorts of cupcakes this side of Los Angeles. Apart from the usual flavors, Pumpkin, Red Velvet and Chai Latte are interesting choices. With chocolate sprinkles coming all the way from France, it simply couldn't get any better. Specially ordered cupcakes go for a reasonable price per dozen.
If you want cobblers, this is the place to get them! It sells delicious, gooey cobblers in all sizes and flavors, including peach, blackberry, apple, prune, boysenberry and cherry. Try an individual cobbler for fun or order a creation that will feed 30 people. Call a day ahead for any cobblers for more than four people. The owners are friendly and really love what they do, and it shows in their products.
Folks in Pasadena and from all over L.A. head straight for the Pooh-Bah Record Shop when they want quality music and personalized service. The owner says that he stocks more than 20,000 records, tapes and CDs, so you should be able to find everything you want, or just the thing to please that hard-to-buy-for relative. In addition to its many new releases, this store takes great pride in carrying many old and new jazz recordings. If you don't like paying those high prices for new CDs, drop in here check out their used selection. There are often recent discs sold by customers eager to find even newer treasures. Techno-electronic and industrial music recordings are also available, and the great rhythm-and-blues section continues to attract many visitors from all over L.A.
It is hard to find a good Italian market outside of Italy or New York but Claro's is a gem. They sell everything Italian, from sausage and meats to all the cheeses (buffalo mozzarrella, provolone, ricotta, mascarpone). They sell some great dried pastas in unusual shapes and canned sauces. For those who make their own sauce, they sell all the necessary ingredients, from canned tomatoes to olive oil and herbs. Grab some sweets too, like a bag of authentic biscotti or freshly made cannoli. There are several other locations, including West Covina, San Gabriel, and Arcadia.
Everywhere you look in this place, there is something one needs to pull together for the ultimate Italian feast. Imported olive oils, homemade pastas, delectable cheeses, a variety of sauces and an extraordinary selection of prosciutto, should help you get started when planning an Italian-themed celebration extraordinaire. Order an Italian sub and be prepared to be eating it for days. Yeah, they're that big! You will never leave Mario's hungry or disappointed, so plan on getting there with a lot of time on your hands.
Indian delicacies served with authenticity, India Sweets and Spices in Los Angeles is a good place to be. This restaurant is a little unique where it allows the customers to shop for spices, breads, pickles and groceries as it one of the biggest store for Indian products. There is a deli here which serves really amazing Indian cuisine which is cooked fresh and the menu offers a lot of variety. This vegetarian-friendly restaurant serves up huge portions and it is perfect to dine at with your family.