General Information
NFT Map: 2
Address: 189 The Grove Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323-900-8080
Website: www.thegrovela.com
Shopping
Like Vegas, to which it has aptly been compared, the Grove polarizes Angelenos. There are those who hate it with a passion, resent the way it has commercialized the ancient, historic Farmers Market, and believe it has congested the streets of the Fairfax District beyond repair. Then there are the Grove supporters, open-minded, adaptable and happy consumers who can’t help but smile when the dancing waters of the fountain break into yet another choreographed routine to the sound of Donna Summer’s “Last Dance.” Yes, the Grove is sterile. Yes, the Grove is pre-fab. But like the character of Melanie in Gone With the Wind, it’s just so darned nice that we’re able to table our cynicism for the length of a shopping trip and sing the mall’s praises.
The Grove is fairly restrained, with just one anchor store—Nordstrom—and a small one at that. The emphasis here is on high-end specialty stores. NikeWomen carries fitness wear for gym goddesses. This family-friendly mall houses the area’s only Pottery Barn Kids and recently opened American Girl Place, home to a series of overpriced, over-accessorized dolls, a theater, and a cafe. The usual suspects—the Gap and its brethren—are well represented, but the Grove also houses the unexpected: LA’s first Barneys New York CO-OP, Amadeus Aveda Spa & Salon, and what might be the mall’s most beautifully designed retail store, Anthropologie. If none of these stores fit your style, there’s always Barnes & Noble. They’ve got something in everyone’s size. Keep your eye out for celebs, this is one mall in LA they’ll actually go to. Plus they film Extra here, if you’re lucky you can be in the audience.
Food
We’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is that there is no food court—only full-service restaurants, so lunch or dinner at the Grove is going to cost you. The Farm of Beverly Hills offers American comfort food, while the Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill is a carnivore’s paradise. The good news is you can head for the adjacent Farmers Market and enjoy its less expensive, eclectic, and far-superior food stalls. The Gumbo Pot features the best muffuletta this side of N’awlins, ¡Loteria! Grill offers some of the finest Mexican specialties west of Alvarado, and there’s no better place for breakfast than Kokomo. Also worth checking out are the handful of specialty kiosks, like Haägen-Dazs and Surf City Squeeze.
Drawbacks
The lack of cheap places to eat can be a drag, and traffic and parking are always a problem. Third Street gets congested, and the traffic light at Beverly Boulevard and The Grove Drive is so poorly timed that two cars are lucky to advance on a green light. Entering from Fairfax Avenue is your best bet.
How to Get There
From the 10 in either direction, exit at Fairfax and head north approximately three miles. Go through the intersection at Third and Fairfax and turn right at Farmers Market Way. Drive past the Farmers Market and enter The Grove’s parking structure. From the 101 in either direction, exit at Highland and head south toward Franklin Avenue. Turn right onto Franklin, and continue until you hit La Brea Avenue. Make a left turn and continue south on La Brea to Third Street. Turn right onto Third Street, and continue until you reach The Grove Drive. Make a right turn into the mall. Parking at The Grove is free for the first hour, and $3 per hour for the second and third hours. Valet parking is also available near each of the main entrances of The Grove’s parking structure and costs $8 for the first two hours and $2 for each block of 30 minutes thereafter. While parking can get pricy here, most shops validate with purchase. And here’s a trick, Nordstrom has validation machines. You don’t even have to buy anything and you’ll get a couple of hours of parking free. The bus lines that stop at The Grove are LADOT DASH Fairfax, Metro Bus 14, 16/316, 217 and 218.