Michael Feinstein

The singer, known for his interpretations of American standards, has been nominated for a Grammy Award for “Romance on Film, Romance on Broadway” in the traditional pop vocal album category. He also recently released an album with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Beach Escape: Friday night I would go to the Lowe’s Santa Monica Hotel because that’s one of my favorite places to go. When I’m feeling overwhelmed by city life, I go to the beach and stay there because they have incredible suites and service. I’ll just hide there and pretend like I’m someplace else. And that’s easy because I live in Los Feliz, nowhere near the water. I can be pampered and get a massage. Then if I’m down in that area, I go to Venice, which is very cliche, but I don’t get to do it very often. .

Taking the High Trail: I also like to go hiking in Griffith Park. That’s one of my favorite places to decompress. I like some of the less-traveled trails. There are miles and miles of trails there. I can walk right out the door of my house, go down the street two blocks and up a series of steps--the famous steps that are all over L.A. Up those three sets of steps is the best aerobic workout. And at the top of the three I’m at the entrance to one of the trails near the Observatory. One of the trails leads to Dante’s Point, which is one of the highest in the park. I’ll take the trail all across the crest of the mountains and go all the way to the other side of the park.

Secrets and the City: I also like to go to the Village Coffee Shop at the top of Beachwood Canyon. It’s fantastic, up in Beachwood Village, which was created in the ‘20s when they created Hollywoodland. The Village Coffee Shop is quaintly decorated with all sorts of obsolete kitchen wares in the cases and Depression glass with Shirley Temple’s picture on it. It’s a very comfortable and low-key place, one of the best kept secrets in the city. They also have the best French fries I’ve ever had.

One Man’s Junk: The other thing I love is to hit all the second-hand stores and antique houses in the Sunset Junction part of Silver Lake. All along Sunset Boulevard are these antique places that have more junk kind of stuff than fine furniture. I like those places because I look for old records and sheet music, or Oscar Levant press photos. Living in L.A., one can find interesting things from the estates of famous individuals. I found all sorts of items that have belonged to this famous ballerina, Tamara Toumanova. I found a menu that had a caricature of her on the back from the ‘40s. Those places always yield gold for me.

A Haven of 78s: I’ve discovered Amoeba Records. It’s the only place I know that still carries 78s. And I’m a collector of 78s. There’s also a place on Hillhurst called Eastside Records that I go, and a place in Glendale on Brand Boulevard that doesn’t seem to have a name. You take the records up to the counter there, and the guy says, “Well, what are they worth to you?” It’s like buying by weight or something.

Like Mama Used to Make: There’s several restaurants I got to in Los Feliz on Vermont Avenue. Capriccio is probably my favorite in the neighborhood because they have the best homemade pasta I’ve ever had. It’s one of those BYOB places. The owner is the stereotypical Italian mother. If you don’t finish your plate, she’s personally offended. They also have fantastic desserts and I love the atmosphere because it’s truly family-style.

Robin Rauzi