A ‘Family Guy’ who goes for low-key fun

Seth McFARLANE, creator of the brash animated series “Family Guy,” has lived in L.A. for almost 10 years, but his heart still belongs to the East Coast. When he can escape a schedule that includes two series for Fox -- the upcoming “American Dad” and the return of “Family Guy” next year -- McFarlane enjoys keeping things as low-key as his rural Connecticut roots. The first season of “Family Guy,” canceled by Fox two years ago but now a Cartoon Network hit, is on DVD.

Karaoke cool

Usually on Friday nights I’m so fried from the week that I’ll just have a glass of wine and watch a movie or something. But if I have free time my hangout of choice is the Brass Monkey over on Wilshire. It’s actually a karaoke bar, but it has the feel of a place that I might’ve frequented back in my hometown. There’s wood paneling on the walls, and the crowd is always really lively.

I like karaoke because it’s good to have something to get your energy up when you drink. I get 100% involved -- alcohol will do that. I usually find myself doing Sinatra because it’s the only thing I can pull off convincingly. I’m sort of a buff for that kind of music, so I can get pretty obscure, all the way down to Antonio Carlos Jobim.

I don’t really have the energy to go barhopping, though. I never really understood the point. You know, you’re in one place, there’s people there, there’s drinks there. Why in the world would you get back in your car to go someplace that has all the same things?

Time to unwind

Saturday morning or afternoon I’ll maybe go to Art’s Deli in Studio City. It’s sort of an old-style New York deli, and it’s probably my favorite place for breakfast. It seems to be pretty popular with non-acting-industry types. Or I’ll grab a bagel at a place called Bake It Again Sam, over on Riverside and Pass in Toluca Lake. They make the best bagels I’ve ever tasted.

I’ve also played the piano for like 10 or 12 years, and that’s a really relaxing way to burn a few hours on a weekend afternoon. I’m big into the Cole Porter-Johnny Mercer genre.

If I go out that night I usually prefer pretty low-key places. There’s this restaurant called Cafe La Boheme on Santa Monica Boulevard that I really like. It’s lively but reasonable, they’re not blasting techno music at 100 million decibels, and you’re not scrunched up against eight people on all sides. Plus they make a tuna tataki appetizer that’s really tasty.

Touch of classics

I love the Hollywood Bowl during the summer. I used to go to the Boston Pops when I was a kid, and the Bowl’s orchestra is just great.

I’m so lazy when it comes to the movies that I usually wait until stuff comes out on DVD. As far as going to the theater, I’m probably down to seeing only six or seven movies a year. But if there’s a re-release of something I’ll usually check it out. Anytime “The Sound of Music” is playing I’ll go see it.

Reminders of home

Mostly I tend to seek out places that don’t necessarily feel distinctively like L.A. There’s this place called Off Vine in Hollywood that I really like for a relaxed Sunday dinner. It has sort of a New England cottage kind of decor so I can walk in and immediately feel like I’m back in Connecticut.

-- Chris Barton