UNDERRATED / OVERRATED

CHAPMAN PLAZA

While everyone in town is still buzzing about Glendale’s new outdoor mall, Americana at the Brand, we are still obsessed with this mini outdoor mall no one can find. Inside Chapman (near 6th Street and Alexandria Avenue), you’ll find restaurants with names such as “Toebang” and serious technologically advanced karaoke nightclubs (“Bliss”) that put dives like Smogcutter to shame. It’s the best find this side of Seoul . . . if you can find it, that is.

CINDY’S RESTAURANT

With its cool antique sign, classic ‘50s coffee shop layout and menu of dependable American comfort food, this Eagle Rock eatery (1500 Colorado Blvd.) is a pleasant and relaxing trip back in time for breakfast and lunch.

--

THE KNITTING FACTORY

The surly security force, overpriced tickets and glossy interior make this Hollywood mainstay (7021 Hollywood Blvd.) a chore for lovers of nitty-gritty rock ‘n’ roll.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST THERMOMETER

This landmark along the route from L.A. to Vegas (in Baker, Calif.) makes the claim of world’s largest thermometer, but it’s digital and full of concrete rather than a tower of mercury. If we tied a really long piece of string to a snake’s tail, would we have the world’s longest reptile?

MALO

This uber-cool Silver Lake restaurant (4326 W. Sunset Blvd.) has some inhospitable hostesses and cucumber in the water. Dios mio. At least they got the name right.