Neighborhood Guide to Encino
Known as one of the more affluent suburbs of the San Fernando Valley, Encino is home to great stores of all kinds. And, while the area is far from the flashy boutiques of LA city proper, Encino is known to have top-end places. Exploring Encino means uncovering a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment venues that will keep both residents and visitors busy all day and into the night.
Blush Boutique
16101 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 788-3893
www.shopmyblush.com
A collection and of unique boutique shops and retailers from athletic gear to furniture shops make up a lively retail scene in Encino, and Blush Boutique is one well-known purveyor of hot fashion-forward favorites. With new attire delivered weekly, owner Sherry Thomas offers sophisticated, well-priced clothing for women of all ages. Offerings here include everything from dresses, sweaters and tops to pants, shoes and accessories of all kinds.
Fleet Feet Sports
16545 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 986-8686
www.fleetfeetencino.com
Looking for a place that offers personalized footwear services? At Fleet Feet, the store adheres to a "Fitlosophy" of getting to know customers' needs, customers' feet, and providing the ultimate in well-fitting shoe comfort. Careful measurements, fitting, and skilled shoe recommendations mean customers can feel absolutely certain that if the shoe fits, they can wear it - and run, walk, and play in it, too.
Mitchell Litt Home Furnishings
15701 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 995-4111
www.mitchell-litt.com
From accent tables to antiques, Mitchell Litt's vast home furnishing emporium has everything necessary to make a house into a home - in style. The store, which has been in business since 1973 and is family owned, offers everything from upholstered beds, sleek media cabinets, and designer chairs to ottomans, antiques, lighting, and accessories. Directly importing unique items from over 35 countries, this store is a must-stop for any home or office decor.
A Mother's Haven
16101 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 380-3111
www.shopthehaven.com
A Mother's Haven is truly a haven for mothers looking for all kinds of goods to make being a mom easier. If you have a baby on the way, a newborn or a small child, it's the perfect boutique for beautiful upscale accessories, toys, bath products, and clothing. Plus, pre-natal and Baby & Me classes are just an added bonus that attendees constantly rave about.
Super Sal Market
17630 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91316
(818) 906-2815
http://www.supersalmarket.com
Encino's Super Sal Market has been a go to market for anyone looking for middle eastern ingredients for quite some time now. Once inside Super Sal, it's easy to see why you feel like you're in a country in the middle east. With all types of imported products, there is also a great produce department, as well as baked goods and Kosher meats. They also cary the Valley's largest selection of Israeli wine and beer. Arrive at lunchtime and dine al fresco on the excellent shawarma too.
Vino Wine and Tapas Room
18046 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91316
(818) 343-2525
www.vinowinetapas.com
Love flamenco music along with great wine? At Encino's Vino Wine and Tapas Room, you'll get that and much more. Offering delightful tapas snacks, as well as dinner items, great wine and more, a knowledgeable staff can recommend great wine selections such as the Massimo, a rich Chateau Macquin. Or, try a dry cabernet like the Sculpterria. Make sure to try their raved about sangria that you can enjoy either in their indoor or outdoor spaces.
Emilio's Trattoria
16234 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 784-7499
www.emiliostrattoria.net
Emilio's Trattoria is one of Encino's most popular restaurants, and has been since it opened. With classic Italian fare in a classic Italian setting, families love this local restaurant for its tasty pastas, pizzas and entrees. What's good? Their chopped salad is a favorite, which is constantly raved about.
Sadaf
16240 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 981-8100
www.sadafencino.com
Ready for a middle-Eastern treat? Sadaf dishes up delectable Persian dishes in an elegant atmosphere. Try the chicken soltani or the crisp, refreshing Shirazi salad with fresh cucumber and a lemon dressing. Rice with sour cherries, skewered tomatoes, stuffed grape leaves, and an array of flavorful kebobs, including their signature filet mignon, will leave diners delightfully sated.
Gio Cucina Napoletana
15826 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 905-7446
Gio Cucina Napoletana offers some of the most authentic Italian cuisine in the Los Angeles basin. Tucked away next to an auto dealership, this small restaurant offers delectable dishes ranging from paparadelle pasta with spinach and burrata ravioli to spaghetti with clams, and pasta alfredo with sausage. The restaurant offers cooking classes, too, for those who would like to try their hand at homemade pasta at home.
Rasputin International Foods
17159 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316
(818) 905-7557
From Russian pastries to homemade take-out dishes like chicken tapaka, there's something delicious and unusual for every taste at the speciality market with a quirky name. Rasputin International Foods offers hard-to-find favorites like Sunflower Dark Rye Lithuanian bread, cured sausages, and frozen dumplings, making this a one of a kind food lovers experience.
Urban Salad Bar
16101 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 981-8112
www.urbansaladbar.com
Whether you dine on a vast array of organic choices from the salad bar here, try a warm panini or order up a wrap or sandwich, the options are plentiful at Urban Salad Bar. They also offer fresh squeezed juice to go along with your meal. Urban Salad Bar dishes up healthy, tasty pastas, too - try the pesto with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes.
Laemmle Town Center 5
17200 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91316
(818) 981-9811
www.laemmle.com
The Laemmle Town Center 5 theaters offering indie flicks and more has been a mainstay in Encino for years. A great spot for true cinefiles, the theater shows foreign films that aren't screened anywhere else in the LA area. Friendly staff and an old-fashioned vibe add to the charm, plus there's free underground parking.
Degas Dance Studio
17247 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91316
(818) 528-3414
www.degasdancestudio.com
Take a class at Degas Dance Studio, where both pre-professional classes for kids through teens and a wide variety of adult dance classes are both offered. The Encino outpost instructs, educates, and inspires children, as well as advanced professional performers in the art of dance. Offering everything from ballet to jazz, tap and hip hop dance, it's the go to place for anyone in the dance community.
