UNDERRATED / OVERRATED

IMPERIAL BARBER SHOP

A favorite with cops and firemen, Little Tokyo’s Kelly So gives “any style haircut” for just $12. (114 Judge John Aiso St.)

THE LAB AND THE CAMP

The OC has no shortage of malls, but these two rustic mini-malls (www.sobeca .net) break away from the formula. They still demand your filthy lucre, but in a much nicer atmosphere: bamboo grasses, ornate wrought-iron lights, winding pathways and little nooks with fires to sit next to. Plus, there’s Habana, the best Cuban restaurant you’ll find in the area.

HOTEL BEVERLY TERRACE

This perfect dollhouse of a Beverly Hills boutique hotel is located near the Troubadour and within spitting distance of the late-night joys of WeHo. The 39 rooms are stylishly appointed with bright, bold colors and flat-screen TVs. A pool and shady garden courtyard are just outside the tiny Italian restaurant Trattoria Amici. ( www.hotelbeverlyterrace.com)

--

VAMPIRE WEEKEND

A band of self-satisfied Ivy leaguers cherry-picking authentic cultural signifiers (like Afro-pop guitars and two-tone ska beats) without wit or curiosity. Think of Vampire Weekend (playing March 20 at the El Rey) as the George W. Bush of indie rock.

KOREAN BARBECUE

If we wanted to cook we would have stayed home.

L.A. DERBY DOLLS

You charge $20 to watch you have a blast racing around a track on skates ( www.derbydolls.com/la)? Tell you what, come to our step-class and we’ll call it even.

LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE’S

‘64 BEST THINGS IN LA!’

An intriguing concept. Too bad many of the match-ups (99¢ Only Stores vs. Topanga Canyon? The beach vs. doughnuts?) are completely inane. (https:// 208.75.222.217/uploadedFiles/64_ Greatest/64GreatestBracketChart.pdf)