Los Angeles

If it's not your tradition yet, it will be

Huang's Healing Foot Massage

The perfect after-dinner digestif? How about an hour long, fifteen-dollar "foot massage," which starts with a foot soak while your masseuse or masseur gives you a whole body rub, sans oils, with your clothes on – before even touching your feet.

You'll find Huang's in a nondescript strip mall; you'll know it by the illuminated neon feet in the window. When you enter, one of the practitioners will lead you into a room full of Lazy Boys all facing a flat-screen TV. Take off your shoes, sink into your recliner and don't worry about being understood, they know why you are there. Though the lights are low, no one seems to feel any strong need to lower their voice, so throughout the whole experience you'll hear a lot of Chinese. Don't be surprised if the only English you hear there is in your own head. The important part is the massage, which despite the unusual circumstances, provides head to toe relaxation.

Huang's is just one of the many similar foot massage joints in the neighborhood. Most stay open nightly until eleven. From the outside they look closed because the lights inside are so dim, but the illuminated feet signs will tell you you're good to go. At whichever place you choose, you'll pay only fifteen dollars for a whole hour, so give a generous tip - it's hard to imagine how they make any money.

Tip: Early in the evening you might have to wait for a spot, we recommend saving your massage for after dinner, to put you in the perfect mood for bedtime, or whatever else you feel like doing...

Cost$15 for one hour + tip
LocationE. Garvey Avenue and Nicholson Avenue
Monterey Park, CA 91755
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HoursSeven days, 11am - 11pm
ParkingFree in the lot

Bon Marche Bistro

Like the old adage says, one can't judge a book by its cover. At Bon Marche Bistro the walls look like they were decorated by a class of fourth graders, clay pots and metal bowls are haphazardly piled on the counter, the waitresses wear very strange bonnets and there is no indication of anything French. But the food, appearances aside, is an uncommon treat.

Bon Marche boasts an extensive menu of a la carte choices, but they specialize in "Poon Choi," which is a traditional food from the villages around Hong Kong. Poon Choi consists of layers of meats, vegetables and seafood, all cooked together in a delicious seasoned broth. To order, just choose the ingredients for your layers. You will eat family-style from the heaping bowl of goodies in the center. Our favorite layers were the duck and fish balls.

Bring your own wine (and stemware unless you don't mind drinking from a plastic mug), there is no corkage fee.

Price range$$
Location331 W. Garvey Ave.
Monterey Park, CA 91754
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HoursOpen Daily, 11am - 3pm and 5pm - 10pm
Telephone(626) 236 -3932
ParkingLot and street
Type of CuisineTraditional Hong Kong Cuisine
Paymentmajor credit cards accepted
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Ok. These prices are averages for one person eating a meal including one drink and a tip. If you play football for the Giants and eat three main courses in a sitting, you should probably expect to pay more.

$ Thrifty, under $10
$$ Middle of the Road, $11 - $30
$$$ Gettin' up there, $31 - $60
$$$$ Go baby go, $61-100
$$$$$ Big spender, over $100.
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