Get Ready for Your New Favorite Yemeni Feast | Mandi House

Good morning, Los Angeles. You’re reading Obsessed LA, your insider guide to what’s actually worth being obsessed with in the city. Each week, we highlight the restaurants, events, and hidden gems that capture LA’s best energy.

Our first Obsessed LA event is this Saturday, and we are genuinely grateful for everyone that has registered. It’s free to attend and is going to be a great time. Come meet the Obsessed LA community! Tickets still available here.

This began as a weekly email, but has turned into something I really enjoy writing each week thanks to all of you. The conversations, the messages, and the recommendations you share make this feel like a real community. If you’re new here, welcome!

Hope to see you Saturday. If I don’t, let’s see some obsessions.

Yemeni food is built for sharing. A lot of you love a meal that brings people together, and Mandi House is exactly that. Giant platters of spiced rice and slow-cooked lamb hit the table and instantly turn dinner into an experience.

What struck me right away was the simplicity. No overthinking and no overly polished presentation. Just tender lamb, deeply flavored rice, and a meal that I have not been able to get out of my head. And the sauces weren’t just there for show, they genuinely lifted the whole dish.

There’s something refreshing about a place that doesn’t need a pitch. You sit down, something generous and delicious lands in front of you, and within a few bites you get it. It’s comfort, it’s abundance, and it’s the kind of meal that stays with you.

If big plates and slow meals are your thing, go and try the best Yemeni spot in the Westside.

I’m an Americano person through and through, so admitting I loved a Dutch Latte feels strange. But Van Dyke makes one that works perfectly. It was sweet and strong, but not harsh, and it was instantly added to my favorites.

In the dense maze that is K-town, the actual space works in a way most coffee shops don’t. There’s room to breathe, talk, and get work done without feeling like you’re intruding on someone else’s day. It’s a rare spot that feels both convenient and tucked away at the same time.

The menu is super straightforward and the coffee is just on point. The Dutch Latte was my move, but we also tried the Coconut Matcha. Both are strong enough to wake you up and instantly start recommending to friends before you’ve even finished it.

If great drinks and a spot that actually wants you there sounds like your kind of coffee run, head to Van Dyke Coffee.

If you’ve been looking for a creative reset, Good Dirt LA is a place that makes it easy to switch up your routine. It’s a warm, community-focused pottery studio where beginners actually feel welcome. The whole space has a grounded, hands-on energy that just feels good the second you walk in.

They offer classes for every level. Take your pick from wheel throwing, hand-building, workshops, or open studio hours if you want to keep practicing. Everything is structured in a way that makes the process fun and not intimidating. You get real guidance, plenty of time to experiment, and the satisfaction of walking out with something you actually made. It’s a different pace from the usual LA weekend, and that’s the point.

If you’ve been wanting to try something new or carve out time for a creative hobby that isn’t just scrolling on your phone, Good Dirt LA is a great place to start. It’s relaxing, it’s engaging, and makes a night out feel productive and calming at the same time. Get creative and make something neat!

Hollywood
Come meet the Obsessed LA community this Saturday! It’s going to be a fun and easy way to support local small businesses.
Register Free →

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Elysian Valley
Naw or Never at The Elysian is a perfectly unhinged, absurdist comedy night that feels exactly like the kind of show you only find in LA. If you want something weird, funny, and very not-normal this weekend, this is it.
Tickets →

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Chinatown
A low-key, high-energy dance night built around indie, Britpop, post-punk, and all the songs you forgot you loved. Fun crowd, cheap drinks, and the kind of sweaty dance floor that makes the whole night feel spontaneous.
Tickets →

Lawless Brewing taught me something important last night: my trivia knowledge is not where it needs to be. But honestly, when the beer is good and the vibe’s right, being reminded you don’t know enough random facts ends up being part of the fun.

Even with my questionable trivia skills, Lawless turned out to be a great place with even better beer. The bartenders have an order system that keep things moving, the room has plenty of space to actually relax, and the crowd was fun. It was a perfect blend of people taking trivia way too seriously and people who definitely didn’t come to win.

And once the rounds start rolling, you get why people love this place. The questions were tough, and my “Olde Hollywood” lager paired perfectly with a fun night. Also, big shoutout to Lupita’s Taco Truck. I ordered the asada fries and immediately knew I made the right call. They were hot, loaded, and exactly the kind of chaotic comfort food you want after confidently answering trivia questions wrong for two hours.

Test your trivia skills and somehow relax while doing it. Hit up Lawless.

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Obsessed LA is a free local independent newsletter. Your contributions go towards keeping the vibes great so we can have more fun and build more community. I appreciate all the support! Buy me a coffee.