You may think of restaurants like Cut, the Ivy, Providence and Ortolan or hotels like the Beverly Wilshire, the Roosevelt and the Marmont as typical locales where you’ll find a-listers in their element. You’re right, but dropping $100 tabs might not suit your fancy. So if you’re looking for a quick fix, the red carpet isn’t always as unapproachable as you may think.

Standing outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is your best shot at spotting a celeb at the best value. Unlike a restaurant or hotel, the Grauman’s scene is 100% free. Not to mention, it’s located right next to the Metro subway station (Hollywood & Highland), and premieres typically take place early in the week (when flights are less expensive, hotel rates are lower and the weekend crowds are not as overwhelming). Hancock premiered on Monday and I saw Will Smith slowly parade down the red carpet with his family. Visitors to LA for their first time were in shock to say the least.

If you’re not the star struck kind of person and just trying to make your way down Hollywood during a premiere — when street closures kill the flow of traffic — I suggest walking/driving down either Franklin or Hawthorn.

Every Sunday in Hollywood there’s a farmer looking to sell off his best produce. Are you going to be the lucky recipient of a well-groomed crop, or is it going to be Mrs. Spice? Chances are it’s going to be you. Then again, Victoria Beckham appears to be keen on plant inspection. Posh was seen at the Hollywood Farmers Market last Sunday investigating a handful of lavender, and the London publication seen above mentioned our little old market outdates theirs — in a bit of a snobbish tone I might add. For the record, our city’s trendiness does not depend on Posh Spice!

Hollywood Farmers Market
1600 Ivar Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 463-3171
http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-cfm?venue_id=587

You never know who you’re going to see in Hollywood. However, you’re not usually going to find them in a grocery store. This past weekend, I saw John Salley at the new Fresh & Easy market at the corner of Hollywood and Sycamore. Located right off the Hollywood Walk of Fame, I guess the place is beginning to get some well-deserved star appeal. With prices similar to Trade Joe’s and variety comparable to Ralphs, you gotta love this new neighborhood grocer. Just be wary of the unusually high sodium content. Packaged goods come with hidden costs.

Who said girls can’t kick ass? The LA Derby Dolls match up in Downtown’s Toy District this weekend. Ticket will sell out to folks like Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page, so be sure to get one ASAP.

Click here for tickets.

Click here to learn more about the LA Derby Dolls.

Tucked away on the busiest thoroughfare in LA (Hollywood Boulevard), Tropicana Bar is truly an oasis of talent. The kind guys/girls drool over and the kind critics dream of. The ladies got their eye candy yesterday when Casey Affleck showed up and sat down poolside with a book. Knowledge is power…something he probably learned from Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting.

Connection: Tropicana Bar was featured in Jimmy Kimmel’s spoof on his girlfriend’s music video. Sarah Silverman f*cked Matt Damon, so Jimmy f*cked Casey’s brother. It’s the scene with Brad Pitt:

Tropicana Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt - A Thompson Hotel
7000 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 769-7260

On Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21, the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles will host the series’ two-night grand finale.

NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE hosts more than 120 music, family, dance and comedy acts, award shows, televised productions, conventions and product launches annually. Since opening its doors in October 2007, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE has hosted the Eagles and Dixie Chicks, Sugarland, Queens of the Stone Age, Neil Young, Anita Baker, the American Music Awards, Mary J. Blige, the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Tour, John Mayer, Björk, John Fogerty, Tori Amos and George Lopez.

NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE will be the heart and soul of L.A. LIVE, the 4 million square foot sports, residential and entertainment district of Downtown Los Angeles. Located adjacent to the STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center, L.A. LIVE will ultimately become the primary event center for people seeking sports and entertainment offerings in a unique urban environment.

For a list of upcoming events/shows, visit www.nokiatheatrelalive.com

Hollywood is LA’s iconic region, where the entertainment industry reigns supreme and the excitement is non-stop. Here’s a 24-hour itinerary of how visitors can easily share the limelight with the stars who live, work and play in this glamorous setting:

8 to 9 a.m.
Have breakfast at The Waffle, a hip new Hollywood diner serving American classics with a designer-chef spin, from buttermilk Belgian waffles and applewood smoked bacon to fried chicken and maple martinis. 6255 West Sunset Boulevard. www.thewaffle.us

9 a.m. to noon
Take a StarLine Tours “Movie Stars Homes Tour” and drive past the mansions of stars such as Tom Cruise, Madonna, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe; cruise the Sunset Strip, see the Hollywood Sign and more. www.starlinetours.com

Noon to 1 p.m.
Have lunch at The Dip at Hollywood & Highland Center. Owned by Borat co-star Ken Davitian (Azamat in the movie), the restaurant boasts a fabulous French dip sandwich. www.hollywoodandhighland.com

1 to 2 p.m.
Take a Kodak Theatre Tour and follow the path of the famous red carpet through the home of the Academy Awards® at Hollywood & Highland Center. See the VIP Room and Green Room, walk on the stage, and see where the stars sit while waiting to hear their names called. www.kodaktheatre.com

Then shop at the boutiques and designer shops at Hollywood & Highland Center or relax in preparation for a glittery Hollywood night. During this time, make sure to stop by LA INC.’s Hollywood Visitor Information Center, conveniently located in front of the Kodak Theatre.

5:50 to 6 p.m.
Take the Metro Red Line from Hollywood and Highland to the legendary corner of Hollywood and Vine. www.metro.net

6 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy dinner at Katsuya Hollywood, where you might spot celebs such as Eva Longoria. Seared tuna is a favorite at the sushi bar, and beef-rolled asparagus and garlic-buttered king crab reign at the robata grill. 6300 Hollywood Boulevard. www.sbe.com/katsuya

8 to 11 p.m.
See the Tony-award winning smash hit musical, Wicked, at the Pantages Theatre. Originally written and performed in LA, the untold story of the witches of OZ is now in its second record-breaking year in Hollywood. 6233 Hollywood Boulevard. www.wickedthemusical.com

11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Visit one – or more – of LA’s hottest nightclubs. Level 3 is a sleek, hip club with DJ tunes, located on the top level of Hollywood & Highland Center. At places like LAX, Opera and Mood, success is evidenced by the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after getting past the velvet rope. www.discoverLosAngeles.com

2 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Rest up for the next day of excitement in one of Hollywood’s fine hotels. To be close to the action, stay at either the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel (conveniently located at Hollywood & Highland Center), or stay at the nearby Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a Thompson Hotel (caddy corner Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with a swank gourmet hamburger and wine joint on the ground floor open 24 hours called 25 Degrees). www.renaissancehotel.com or www.hollywoodroosevelt.com

8 a.m.
Do it all again — but this time in one of LA’s other storied regions.

You may know her from the popular television show Globe Trekker, but Megan McCormick is now the President of the United States (or at least she will play one on the upcoming LA episode).

You can be the President too. Visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

http://www.reaganlibrary.com/

For the second time in less than a few weeks, Studio City sushi restaurants have served up a healthy portion of celebrity action. It just so happens Justin likes my favorite Sushi joint, Katsuya on Ventura Blvd.

For those of you who are craving a star-sighting, I offer you William Shatner. Shiki Sushi in Studio City is where you will find less expensive Japanese cuisine presented in galactic portions. Shatner frequents Shiki and its probably because the location is somewhat hidden.

Shiki’s quaint atmosphere in a tucked away mini-mall is desireable for those escaping the paparazzi. To find it, simply enter the shopping mall driveway off Ventura Blvd. between Whitsett and Coldwater, and head till you have views of the less-than-glamorous LA River. May I remind you, riverfront dining is not something LA is famous for.

The dessert is what I personally can’t wait to try again - Green Tea ice cream in Tempura with fresh Kiwi.

12745 1/2 Ventura Blvd