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Whether it's a niche art store or a hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant known only to the neighborhood, Neighborhood Guide is a map to a city's hidden gems – the overlooked and off-the-beaten-path places - we’d recommend to our closest friends. “Hunting for local gems has always been a hobby of mine,” says Jeanette Moncada, Neighborhood Guide's founder. With a background as a set designer and artist, Jeanette's thoughtful picks give a personal touch, making each discovery and experience memorable.“I spend a lot of time editing the places to really feel like they are coming from a local’s perspective. I wanted NG to feature those hidden, locals-only type of spots.”
Through the organic warmth of the photography, the charming hand-drawn maps, and the thoughtfully detailed notes for each place - some tucked away, some unconventional – each guide tells a city’s story. Jeanette pulls out the layered notes of the culture and history of distinct places that make discovering the city a lived experience. Jeanette reflects, “I grew up with my family owning and operating a Mexican market that also sold burritos with handmade flour tortillas. It’s a casual place and a local favorite. These are the types of places that you can find on NG.”
Locality also influences how Jeanette gifts. Inspired by her travels to Japan, Jeanette embraces the tradition of omiyage - the practice of buying local souvenirs. With Neighborhood Guide you may find yourself browsing rare art books in Kyoto or relishing handmade granola in Oaxaca —curated recommendations that honor a city’s true identity and invite the curious traveler to connect with the city like a local while also finding sweet gems to gift back home.
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Photography by Meghan Nguy
1.
Becky Kim: How did you get inspired to start Neighborhood Guide? The food, stores, and places you recommend are curated and packaged in an aesthetically designed guide that feels like a friend sent it. How do you mindfully think about the list of places you recommend?
Jeanette: I started Neighborhood Guide in my head long before I bought the domain. Hunting for local gems has always been a hobby of mine, but it wasn’t until friends started asking me for recommendations is when I started dreaming up seeing the beautiful photos and hand drawn maps all in one place. As an artist, I had a hard time just texting back the names of recommended places to friends - I wanted to include my artistic side somehow. I was already taking interior photos of the spaces and of the food, so I thought, why keep those photos on my hard drive? why not just put it on the internet for the world to see?
I spend a lot of time editing the places to really feel like they are coming from a local’s perspective. There is a lot of content out there when you google something like “Must eat restaurants in ____.” I wanted Neighborhood Guide to feature only some of those types places, but mostly those hidden, locals only type of spots. I grew up with my family owning and operating a Mexican market that also sold burritos with handmade flour tortillas. It’s a casual place that has been awarded countless times and featured on several publications. These are the types of places that you can find on Neighborhood Guide.
Oaxaca Neighborhood Guide
Mexico City Neighborhood Guide
Tokyo Neighborhood Guide
2.
Becky Kim: I think a lot of us struggle traveling and wanting to bring back a unique gift, but not knowing where to go. How could someone use your guides to find a gift?
Jeanette: Neighborhood Guide features not only restaurants and cafes, but small business shops as well. I feature shops with a thoughtful selection of things such as handmade ceramics, one of a kind vintage objects, or local pantry goods.
3.
Becky Kim: I know you recently returned from Japan after spending 3 years living there. Did you notice any differences in the gifting culture compared to the US?
Jeanette: Yes, most definitely! I adore the Japanese gifting culture - it’s quite literally never-ending in a sweet way. It’s a standard for the Japanese to purchase an omiyage or “local souvenier” when traveling domestically or internationally for family, friends, and co workers. At all train stations you will always find shops full of local snacks, sweets, pantry goods, textiles and art.
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4.
Becky Kim: What’s a memory if you could give as an experience you would?
Jeanette: One of my favorite memories of my life happened to be during my time in Japan. I rented a bike for a few hours in Arashiyama Kyoto and I didn’t have a specific place in mind that I wanted to see. I rarely ride bikes, so it just felt very nostalgic and put me in such a light and curious mood that i’ll never forget. I remember riding through a bit of the quiet countryside, stopping for a temple, and lunch at the cutest little cafe. I hope more people can have an experience like that.
Jeanette's Gift Recommendations
EARTHEN
VASE NO. 1
A flower vase, and a bonus can be with flowers already in it. This is one of those nice to have objects in the home, and receiving one is also a reminder to buy flowers next time you’re at the store as a self care treat.
$Price Varies
HAPPY ORGANICS
SPIRAL TAPER BEESWAX CANDLES
Scents are nice to have burning around the home all year long. Local LA company.
$16
FLAMINGO ESTATE
ROMA HEIRLOOM TOMATO HAND SOAP
Hand soaps are staples in the home and always nice to have a new scent option that you wouldn’t usually buy yourself.
$46
THESE HANDS
GIFT CARD
can be used to book one of their many workshops for different types of art like painting, perfume making, and paper art. This place is LA based.
$Price Varies
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5.
Becky Kim: What is one of the best and most memorable gifts you’ve received?
Jeanette: I made a new friend in Japan who is such a thoughtful gift giver. I found it really inspiring actually. Nearly every time we met up with each other she would give me something small like a new Japanese snack she thought i’d like or some seasonal fruit for us to share that she picked up along the way to meeting up with me. Another time, she gave me a pen that she thought was cute and she knew I loved stationary. It really doesn’t have to cost a lot or even be for a holiday occasion, and i’ll never forget how it made me feel. After the first couple times I noticed it was happening repeatedly, then it made me want to offer something each time in return. It was really fun!
6.
Becky Kim: LA GEMS (some of your favorite go-to spots) and why?
Jeanette:
Brothers Cousins Tacos on Sawtelle and National. It’s a family owned taco stand that sets up on fold out plastic tables every night at 6pm. The quality of the meats are so goo. I love their pollo mulitas, it’s similar to a quesadilla but it’s using two corn tortillas sandwiched together with the same fillings as a taco plus cheese. It’s a west side gem.
Nanbankan in Sawtelle takes me back to Japan. It’s a busy izakaya style restaurant with lots of different yakitori skewers, and grilled veggies - plus Japanese beer on draft and other small dishes. It’s a really fun atmosphere and prices are good for the quality too.
Damo is a small teahouse in Koreatown specializing in Japanese green teas, plus small Korean snacks and baked goods. It’s hard to find a tea only cafe and this one does it well.
Arcana: Books on the Arts in Culver City. They have an amazing selection of art books of all types, ranging from old and new. This is such a great space to sit quietly and find inspiration.
Layla Bagels in Santa Monica. Living in Japan, bagels are what I missed the most! The open face sandwiches are packed with flavor like lox with capers, olive oil, dill, salt & pepper. Plus they have a monthly homemade jam - it’s a morning favorite.
TERA's
CULTURE SHIFTERS
A curation of intentional people who are uniquely redefining societal norms through their lifestyles.
