My L.A. to Z: Minae Noji
The actress, who stars in the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, talks putting on her game face, making a little magic, and DIY projects.
Magic Castle
I’ve always loved magic, and there’s something great about dressing up and going to this old school, classic establishment. They have up close magic as well as a huge magic show. There’s a [piano-playing] “ghost” that lives in the downstairs bar, and if you request a song, she will play it for you. I love the basic card tricks; the ones where you pick a card and somehow it ends up in someone’s pocket. As a kid I did a lot of magic shows. I even performed for my best friend when I was in my late 20s. It was both amazing and terrible at the same time.
Huntington Library & Gardens
I love greenery, and it's obviously a garden, so it has beautiful plants. But they also have this area where you can have fancy tea and scones. It makes you want to put on a white hat and gloves and talk with a British accent. It’s a lot of fun. I recently had the thought that if I ever got married, maybe the daytime part of the bachelorette party would be to go there and have tea and scones and just be fancy.
Osteria Mozza
I love to eat dinner at this place. Right next door to it is the sister location, Pizzeria Mozza. Osteria is a fancier restaurant, so I don’t go every week, but I try to try something different every time. When I’m feeling like good food and a night out, they have an amazing menu and drinks and wine. It is just delicious. Their pizzeria is also fantastic. One word: yummy.
Upright Citizens Brigade
It’s a comedy place with really, really, really hilarious shows, and it's really cheap. There are some legends that have come from UCB. I really believe that laughter is medicine, and there’s so much laughter there. These actors really live in the moment and, as an artist, that’s where all the juice happens. It’s inspiring to watch.
Escondido Canyon Falls
It’s a great hike and there’s a waterfall there. L.A. is kind of awesome that way. It reminds me of the scene from The Last of the Mohicans. There’s a part where Daniel Day-Lewis looks at his woman, and it’s the most romantic scene ever. “No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you.” Whenever I go there I think of Daniel Day-Lewis saying that to me.
My L.A. to Z is provided by our partners at Los Angeles Magazine.