Bella Pita remains a rare constant in Westwood Village, serving fresh, customizable Mediterranean food seasoned with family tradition. Founded in 2007, the restaurant has survived waves of changes, from shifting student habits to the rising cost of rent and the shadow of COVID-19, said Medy Sanadidi, a retired UCLA adjunct professor and founder of Bella Pita. Read more...
Lifestyle
Arts, Lifestyle
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February 2, 7:19 pm
Flavors of Westwood: Mandi House provides a home for Yemeni cuisine in Westwood
Mandi House simmers Yemeni tradition into Westwood’s dining scene by mixing community, craft and culture. Since opening in March 2024, Mandi House has become a gathering place for local families and UCLA students alike to converse over shared dishes, said owner Faris Alqabass. Read more...
Arts, Lifestyle
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February 2, 1:34 pm
Flavors of Westwood: Pinches Tacos brings flavors, sense of community to Westwood food scene
This post was updated Feb. 2 at 4:03 p.m. Westwood’s Pinches Tacos offers more than just a pinch of flavor to customers. Miguel Anaya and his brothers opened Pinches Tacos’ Westwood location almost 10 years ago, after opening the original Pinches Tacos on Sunset Boulevard 18 years ago. Read more...
Arts, Arts Columns, Film & TV, Lifestyle
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February 1, 4:21 pm
Second Take: Classic literature finds new life in film in an increasingly online age
This post was updated Feb. 1 at 8:19 p.m. Your AP Lit summer reading is coming to a theater near you. In October 2025, director Guillermo del Toro retold the tale of Frankenstein and his startlingly sensitive monster, starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. Read more...
Arts, Arts Columns, Lifestyle
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January 29, 11:49 am
Restaurant review: PopUp Bagels brings delicious schmears, ‘rip-and-dip’ bagels to Brentwood
This post was updated Jan. 29 at 8:16 p.m. PopUp Bagels doesn’t do sandwiches, knives or shortcuts – only warm bagels, oversized schmears and a little chaos. Read more...
Arts, Lifestyle
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January 27, 6:26 pm
UCLA graduate creates authentic tea business Moocha Matcha
This post was updated Jan. 27 at 7:57 p.m. Andrew Dong is bringing premium matcha to a new generation of tea enthusiasts – and he’s doing it all on his own terms. Read more...
Arts, Arts Columns, Lifestyle
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January 27, 1:08 pm
Book Preview: Winter reads bring thematically rich novels from returners and debut writers alike
This post was updated Jan. 27 at 8:02 p.m. Readers will find the perfect books to cuddle up at home with this winter. As the weather grows colder, it only becomes more enticing to stay at home, bundled up against a fireplace with a spellbinding book. Read more...