Local Positioning: Vintage Ventura

A guide to food, music and billiards along Ventura Boulevard in the Valley

By Laura Friedman

Special to Metromix
September 17, 2008

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(Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times)

The real reason the Valley has a bad rep is so locals don’t have to share Ventura Boulevard. The stretch of 1950s storefronts between Van Nuys Boulevard and Kester Avenue is a retro delight: a medical spa in the bones of a grand midcentury movie palace, two used-record shops, three Japanese restaurants, clothing stores for all ages and one of the most serious pool rooms around. If you’re a fast walker, this two-block stretch will go by while you’re still choosing your playlist. But if you’re into window-shopping, you’ll need at least 17 songs on your iPod to temper the accompanying trafﬁc noise.

Clay Oven Indian Cuisine

14611 1/2 Ventura Blvd. - Sherman Oaks

818-995-1777

This might not be the best Indian restaurant in town, but the locals really like the $8.95 lunch buffet. That’s a lot of biryani, dal-ing!

Handmade Galleries

14556 Ventura Blvd. - Sherman Oaks

818-382-3444

This 14-year-old multi-dealer store gives about 100 local artists and craftsmen an alternative to street fairs. The admirable goal is to offer handmade, locally produced jewelry, soap, clothing, art and crafts, but some dealers are padding their inventory with mass- produced made-in-China goods....

Aromi Cafe

14531 Ventura Blvd. - Sherman Oaks

818-905-5542

They had us at “gelato,” but when we found out Aromi’s is house-made, we added a scoop of bacio (hazelnut) to our stracciatella (chocolate chip). You can get real food too, especially if you consider raspberry sorbet the equivalent of a serving of fruit.

House of Billiards Sherman Oaks

14662 Ventura Blvd. - Sherman Oaks

818-501-9923

One of the last old-time pool halls. Sure, there's a jukebox, beer and a few video games, but what this joint is really about is pool and, as the name says, billiards. The regulars couldn't care less about the ’70s rec-room decor—they only notice whether are kept up. The money-awarding games and tournaments often go till closing time.

Groove Riders

14566 Ventura Blvd. - Sherman Oaks

818-981-3366

The store claims to have the city's ﬁrst DJ school, and we're sure any beat master will appreciate the array of vinyl, mix tapes, equipment and hip-hop clothing. Groove Riders also sells grafﬁt—we mean art— supplies.

Baxter Northup Music Co.

14534 Ventura Blvd. - Sherman Oaks

818-788-7510

Ever wonder where marching bands buy their instruments? Established in 1906, this is the oldest music store in Los Angeles, and possibly the state. For 102 years it's been one-stop shopping for sheet music, lessons, and a full range of musical instruments and repairs. Behold punk rockers...