A perfect night out in Atwater Village

Park once on Glendale Blvd near the 3100 block, there's usually street parking by Proof Bakery at 3156, and you're set for the whole night on foot. Atwater is that kind of neighborhood.

Start at Wine & Eggs (3129 Glendale Blvd) around 6pm for a glass and some decompression. It's tiny, unpretentious, and the natural wine list is genuinely good. Think of it as your palate warmup.

From there, walk about two minutes south to Baby Battista (3111 Glendale Blvd) for dinner. Get the spaghetti and meatballs. Don't overthink it. The chicken parm is also the real deal if there are two of you and you want to share. This is a red-sauce room and it earns every bit of its 4.8 stars.

Right next door is Nico's Bottleshop (3111 Glendale Blvd #2). Seriously, it's the same building. Slide in after dinner for a post-meal glass, they pour well and the vibe shifts from cozy-dinner to cozy-bar in the best way. Tell them what you just ate and let them pick something for you.

If the night still has legs, walk a few blocks north to Hail Mary (3219 Glendale Blvd). The patio is one of Atwater's best-kept secrets on a warm evening. Order a craft cocktail and maybe a slice to keep things going. They do both well and the crowd is reliably fun without being loud about it.

Cap the whole thing at Wanderlust Creamery (3134 Glendale Blvd). It's open late, the flavors rotate and lean adventurous, think ube, thai tea, saffron rose, and standing on Glendale Blvd with a cone while the neighborhood winds down is honestly the perfect ending. No notes.