Citi Prestige®
The cult pocket city guides and mobile Los Angeles apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler CITI PRESENTS LUXE CITY GUIDES luxecityguides.com
WITH A CALENDAR PACKED But this fountain of eternal youth, The charms of celebrity-studded Los FULL OF SUN-KISSED DAYS, beauty and paparazzi also boasts Angeles are spread far and wide, PICTURE-PERFECT NIGHTS, other ports of call: a first-class food from ritzy Beverly Hills to beachy PALM TREES, OCEANS AND scene, art and culture galore, and Malibu, across va-va Venice and stylish CANYONS, THE BEAU MONDE boulevard upon boulevard of retail Downtown, so prepare to drive, drive, AND THE GLAMOROUS RED nirvana, plus Hollywood’s lofty status as and drive some more. Ladies and CARPET, LOS ANGELES LIVES entertainment capital of the world. gentlemen, start your engines… UP TO ITS MONIKER AS THE CITY OF ANGELS.
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• LAX to Hollywood: approximately • Peak hour traffic may seem to last • Prime LA getaways include a day at 1 hour / $60 by cab all day, but it’s worst from 6-10am the beach and a trip to Pasadena and 3-7.30pm Mon-Sat
• Rent a car: what you drive matters • International country code is +1 and in LA, and make sure it has GPS – • Denim rules, and is considered there are no less than five phone you’ll be lost without it and no one dressing up for many prefixes, which you must dial even knows how to give directions (or for local calls: Hollywood is 323, stops for you) WeHo to the beaches is 310…
• If you can’t get a table reservation, try your luck at the bar • Parking: it’s valet, or the highway. • In emergencies, don’t scream and All hotels, most restaurants, bars, holler, call 911 clubs and some shops and spas force you to use it. If there’s no • Tipping is mandatory, though it valet, park on the street and have doesn’t guarantee better service. coins for the meters, but check the In restos, as a minimum, double the signs tax
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LUXE INSIDER
Joe Cole CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Joe is president of LA fashion concept store TENOVERSIX and creative director for eyewear brand Lookmatic. With years of experience as a writer, director, producer and entrepreneur, Joe has also worked as a creative consultant and commercial director for many brands, and had a short film screened in the Tribeca, LA, Toronto and Berlin Film Festivals.
tenover6.com
lookmatic.com
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LUXE INSIDER Joe Cole
WHERE DO YOU WHAT ARE YOUR THREE WHAT’S A TOURIST TRAP IN RECOMMEND FRIENDS FAVORITE SHOPS? WHAT YOUR CITY TO AVOID AND STAY WHEN IN LA? DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WHY? THEM? Chateau Marmont. There are more Pinks Hot Dogs. Do you really want to luxurious options but this one is TENOVERSIX. It is a destination wait in a line several hours long for a unique to our past and current culture. unique to LA and brings a bit of Corso hot dog? It’s hard to question Helmut Newton’s Como to the left coast. [Ed. note: Now pinkshollywood.com architectural muse. with a shop in Dallas at the Joule chateaumarmont.com Hotel as well] tenover6.com
Heath Ceramics. Amazing Cali ceramics resurrected and reimagined, WHERE WOULD YOU GO plus great overall stuff for the home. FOR A DATE NIGHT OUT AND WHY? heathceramics.com Book Soup. This is what buying books The Tower Bar at The Sunset Tower should be like. Get offline and go have Hotel. It’s steeped in old school deco a literary shopping experience. romance. And though it’s upscale you booksoup.com can still feel like a ‘regular’ by cozying up to the bar. Also, it offers some of the best evening city views in town, as well as killer cocktails. WHEN YOU WANT sunsettowerhotel.com TO SPLURGE, WHAT RESTAURANT DO YOU GO TO AND WHY?
Il Ristorante di Georgio Baldi in Santa Monica. It looks casual but it’s not – you’re likely to be seated next to Hollywood royalty while enjoying off-the-hook classic Italian fare.
giorgiobaldi.us
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LUXE Loves
DE KAS Dining
Locavore lovers flock to this stunning nursery and glasshouse restaurant situated in the middle of Frankendael Park, which serves solely organic, locally sourced and homegrown fare. Leave the growing to the green- thumbed owner, and exchange that garden rake for a knife and fork.
PALIHOUSE SANTA MONICA HOTEL BEL-AIR ACE HOTEL DOWNTOWN LA Hotel Hotel Hotel
Surfer sister to the WeHo original, Following a two-year revamp, the Hollywood not your scene? Check Palihouse Santa Monica is a colonial newly re-opened legendary hotel into the Segovia-inspired, Spanish revivalist vision melding Moorish preserves its status as an urban Goth beauty that once housed the influence and Malibu sensibility, with oasis, with its serene, lush gardens iconic United Artists Theatre, and is 38 sunny suites situated five blocks and unique swan lake. That the suites now home to hipster franchise Ace from the beach, all-day dining from come with private garden patios, Hotel. Opt for a suite with kitchenette chef Mathew Woolf, and bike rentals fireplaces and Jacuzzis helps to and private terrace, then take bites from Linus’ adorable line of Dutch- explain why this spot is a romantic at locavore L.A. Chapter and tipples inspired two-wheelers. hideaway favorite with A-listers. at Upstairs bar, complete with great Downtown city views and sizzling 1001 3rd St / Santa Monica 701 Stone Canyon Rd / WeHo sundowners poolside. +1 310 394 1279 +1 310 472 1211 929 S Broadway / Downtown palihousesantamonica.com dorchestercollection.com +1 213 623 3233
acehotel.com
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LUXE Loves
CONNIE & TED’S BESTIA SPAGO Dining Dining Dining
Chef Michael Cimarusti (of Water Grill This rustic Downtown Italian eatery Following the sophisticated overhaul and Providence fame) continues to pairs an industrial canteen vibe with that waved goodbye to Spago’s capture the hearts and satisfy the tums fuss-free but delightful food – from the formerly bronzed and flamboyant of LA diners, now with stellar seafood husband and wife duo behind kitchen interior, Wolfgang Puck has unveiled a by way of his nostalgic-slick casual doors comes a menu of house-cured modernized, contemporary iteration, ‘clam shack’, inspired by childhood days meats, creative pizzas and pastas, in which the 7,000-bottle cellar and in Rhode Island. Try the three-clam and all manner of waistline-destroying revamped Asia-meets-California menu chowder taster menu! pastries (try the bittersweet chocolate (think bone-in Maine monkfish and budino). grilled Colorado lamb rack) shine. 8171 Santa Monica Blvd / WeHo +1 323 848 2722 2121 7th Pl / Downtown 176 N Canon Dr / Beverly Hills +1 213 514 5724 / dinner daily connieandteds.com +1 310 385 0880 bestiala.com lunch Tue-Sat, dinner daily wolfgangpuck.com GJELINA Dining CHATEAU MARMONT
ARGYLE SALON & SPA A rustic-chic, Cali-Italian LOUNGE Spa neighborhood staple frequented by Bar
laidback locals looking to sample Luxurious 6,600 square foot, all-suite seasonal small plates and share pizzas While social moths flitter and flutter to haven with hammam and signature at the indoor communal tables or at get into next-door Bar Marmont, you’ll baths, beauty salon and massage, plus the few prized tables on the patio. find us sipping discreetly and enjoying medical spa for laser, dermal fillers, There’s also a well-curated selection of live jazz under the lofted stone arches and surgery consultations. They do it wines and artisan beers, and a great and vines of the romantic, candlelit all and they do it best. weekend brunch. Chateau lounge and terrace. Sunset Tower Hotel 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd / Venice 8221 W Sunset Blvd / WeHo 8358 W Sunset Blvd / WeHo +1 310 450 1429 / all day daily +1 323 656 1010 / daily +1 310 623 9000 / closed Mon gjelina.com chateaumarmont.com argylela.com
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LUXE Loves
BERGAMOT STATION DAY AT THE BEACH HOLLYWOOD BOWL Activities Activities Activities
Once a trolley depot, now a one-stop Head north up to sunny Malibu, This awesome amphitheater, with enormous art complex for all things and start at oceanfront institution exceptional acoustics and sylvan contemporary, with 30+ fine art Geoffrey’s for lobster salad and gardens for picnics, is host to galleries, plus design and architecture mimosa, before driving to pristine everything from children’s shows to firms and the Santa Monica Museum and canine-friendly Leo Carillo Beach rock concerts to the LA Philharmonic. of Art under its wing too. (see Drab vs. Fab). Later, claim a The Bowl is only open June to Sept, picnic table at surf shack Neptune’s and if picnics aren’t your thing, book 2525 Michigan Ave / Santa Monica Net, and stroll through the sands for box seats with full meal delivery +1 310 453 7535 / closed Sun-Mon a classic California sunset. If your service. day turns into a stay, call coastal chic bergamotstation.com Malibu Beach Inn, and settle into your 2301 N Highland Ave / Hollywood oceanfront abode. +1 323 850 2000 / Jun-Sep hollywoodbowl.com STRANGE INVISIBLE geoffreysmalibu.com parks.ca.gov
PERFUMES neptunesnet.com Shopping malibubeachinn.com SEIZE SUR VINGT Discover the Abbot Kinney enclave Shopping where botanical perfumer Alexandra Balahoutis has been handcrafting LILY ET CIE Dapper New York-based suiting label truly unique, sultry scents that adhere Shopping opens in a multi-level Melrose space, to her purist, eco-friendly philosophy filled with their eponymous ready-to- since 2000. Try a signature Don’t miss this A-lister’s favorite haunt wear and made-to-measure collection. fragrance like the island-inspired for ravishing, museum-quality, Oscar- What’s more, the LA flagship is also ‘Peloponnesian’, or go bespoke and friendly vintage gowns and couture. home to their high-tech 3D fitting bottle your own creation. All garments are guaranteed red camera, which sends real time footage carpet ready, but be prepared for the to tailors in Italy. 1138 Abbot Kinney Blvd / Venice red carpet prices that follow! Owner +1 310 314 1505 / daily and curator Rita is happy to tailor to 8618 Melrose Ave / WeHo siperfumes.com fit. +1 310 657 1620 / closed Sun 16sur20.com 9044 Burton Wy / Beverly Hills +1 310 724 5757 / Tue-Sat
lilyetcie.com
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LUXE Loathes
TRAFFIC POLLUTION MARCH IN LA A million lanes, a billion exits, a zillion The weather may be warm and sunny Unless you’re invited to the Oscars, every cars, useless signs and rude drivers year round, but the air quality is atrocious hotel and restaurant will be booked, and people will pay even less attention to you
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Drab vs. Fab
CAR HIRE UP AND AWAY INSIDER SIPS Queuing with the travel-weary at the Attempting to sightsee while navigating Clamoring to get past the rope with the airport arrivals terminal to rent a car the city’s notorious traffic is not only rest of the social moths at Bar Marmont is nothing short of exhausting if you’ve difficult, but fraught with danger, so ditch is a thing of the past when you’re sipping flown long distance, so try calling the road altogether by getting wham-bam discreetly with those in the know, just Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car, and having one city vistas with Adventure Helicopter next door at Chateau Marmont’s pretty delivered right to your hotel doorstep. Tours. Efficient and super-exciting! lounge and terrace. Smart! adventurehelicoptertours.com chateaumarmont.com bhrentacar.com
BEACH DAYS TOMB TIME Trying to lie back and relax at always- Visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame crowded Paradise Cove or Zuma Beach alongside every other tourist is all very can be a frustrating business, so why not well, but for some real silver screen hightail it to close-by, pristine, and far less glamor try heading instead to the crowded Leo Carillo Beach. This is also Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where the county’s only canine-friendly beach, you’ll find the last resting place of so bring the pup! Woof! DeMille, Valentino, and scores of other Old Hollywood legends. On Saturdays parks.ca.gov in the summer Cinespia hosts outdoor screenings too.
hollywoodforever.com cinespia.org
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LUXE ITINERARY Romance
Lovers abound in Los Angeles, reveling seat and savor your meal before stopping that’s perfect for kindling flames over in its endless sunny days and balmy at nearby La Brea Bakery for divine the exquisite French-Med fare. Following nights, its storied Hollywood glamor and pastries to go. Later in the afternoon, your candlelit dinner, find urban oasis at modern romance. To feast your eyes settle in at the Beverly Hot Springs for revamped icon Hotel Bel-Air (see LUXE on the city’s loveliest sights, start by some couple’s R&R, before climbing out Loves), offering a serene escape with its putting foot to pedal and zipping off on a of the bubbles and back into the car for private garden patios, where you can take romantic morning ride along Mulholland a quick drive over to Tower Bar, with nightcaps while you canoodle by the swan Drive, which boasts miles of curvaceous winning city views on its poolside terrace. lake. road and stunning city vistas from atop Hopefully you’ll have arrived at sunset, a mountain. Perhaps you’ve arranged a so you can enjoy snacks and sips against convertible with Beverly Hills Rent-a- an evening sky so beautiful it’s sure to Car (see Drab vs. Fab), so you can drop melt your heart. In the summer months, the top and let the wind tousle your the historic and happening Hollywood hair. Head next for lunch at the semi- Bowl (see LUXE Loves) beckons, so grab alfresco local Farmers Market, packed a blanket and a bottle and catch a live with aisles of restaurant-quality food show under the stars in the awesome stands selling everything from crepes to amphitheater gardens. Stay under the tacos to Texas BBQ. There are plenty of open sky with dinner at Little Door, which tables both indoors and out, so take a has a terrifically romantic outdoor patio
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LUXE ITINERARY Hollywood Style
Home to world-renowned Hollywood and side. Sunglasses on, brave the flashes for top-table fare from the robata grill, the A-est of A-listers, Los Angeles is a lush and head next for a shopping session on which sets this spot apart from the natural habitat of screen and style stars. Melrose Avenue, with stops at Lily et Cie others in sushi-saturated LA. Stay on the If you’re in the city for the celebrity scene, (see LUXE Loves) for pristine and pricey Sunset Boulevard scene at the legendary wake early for the huge and truly varied yesteryear couture, and TenOverSix for Chateau Marmont (see LUXE Loves), monthly Rose Bowl Flea in Pasadena, and edgy accessories. If you’re feeling extra where you’ll bypass the bar and head don’t be surprised if you run into a stylish affluent, try LA essentials Kitson for directly to the terrace to sip with the stars star or two while digging for vintage finds. the latest denim and designer casuals. before bedding down in the famous castle Hopefully your rummage proved fruitful Shopped out? It’s just time to primp hideaway. and you scored a couple of bargain deals, and prepare for the big night out, so do but now caffeine calls at hipster hangout as the divas do and pop into Dry Bar, Intelligentsia in Silver Lake, where the offering no cuts and no color, just fab cozy outdoor patio is as much a draw as starlet-approved blowouts. Once you’ve the stellar cappuccinos. For lunch, the mastered a red carpet-worthy hair flip, ultimate celebrity safari is at The Ivy, a you’re ready for the velvet-roped veranda white picket-fenced eatery with a menu of at deeply sultry Katana, ground zero American comfort food, but be prepared for babes dressed to kill and industry for a heavy helping of paparazzi on the bigwigs footing the bill. Skip the sushi
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LUXE ITINERARY Beach
With the glorious Los Angeles shoreline bikinis at Undrest By the Sea, and Museum of Art before departure. It’s stretching over 70 miles from Malibu beach- and surf-wear at Aviator Nation. back to the beach for dinner at coastal South all the way down to Long Beach, At lunchtime take a seat on the adorable trattoria Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi, it’s no surprise that all things sun, sand deck at nearby Gjelina (see LUXE Loves), a celebrity favorite for its divine Italian and beach are integral parts of the a laidback Cali-Italian eatery serving home fare. Post-prandial, a leisurely night Angeleno culture. For a day spent soaking up delicious mini-courses at communal stroll along the shore will bring you to up the Vitamin D, you’ll have arranged tables. Get to know your neighbor over The Otheroom, an East Coast import to wake up in Santa Monica at Shutters pizza, then get your wetsuit on and serving just wine and beer in an intimate, on the Beach, a Los Angeles institution work it all off at Learn to Surf LA, with always-packed industrial alehouse. Finally known for its ocean views, spa tubs, mini helpful, easy-going instructors who will when bed beckons, let the sound of the balconies, and of course, pancakes or have you standing aboard in no time. waves outside your window lull you into a omelets at Coast, a beach patio retreat When you’ve dried off, time for a culture sweet slumber. of blue stripes and creams. From there, fix at Bergamot Station (see LUXE rev the engine and it’s off to Venice for Loves), a former trolley depot turned a morning amble along Abbot Kinney contemporary art complex, where you’ll Boulevard, where you’ll find Japanese- be wowed by the sheer number and imported décor and accessories at variety of the galleries, but do make Tortoise General Store, lingerie and sure to see the excellent Santa Monica
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LUXE ITINERARY The Essentials
ROMANCE HOLLYWOOD STYLE
• Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car • Rose Bowl Flea Market • Kitson 9732 S Santa Monica Blvd 1001 Rose Bowl Dr / Pasadena 115 S Robertson Blvd / WeHo Beverly Hills +1 323 560 7469 / 2nd Sun of month, +1 310 859 2652 +1 310 274 2669 general admission 9am, VIP from 5am shopkitson.com bhrentacar.com rgcshows.com • Dry Bar • Farmers Market • Intelligentsia 8595 W Sunset Blvd / WeHo 6333 W 3rd St / WeHo 3922 W Sunset Blvd / Silver Lake +1 323 843 4777 +1 323 933 9211 / daily +1 323 663 6173 thedrybar.com farmersmarketla.com intelligentsiacoffee.com • Katana • La Brea Bakery • The Ivy 8439 Sunset Blvd / WeHo 468 S La Brea Ave / WeHo 113 N Robertson Blvd / WeHo +1 323 650 8585 / dinner daily +1 323 939 6813 +1 310 274 8303 innovativedining.com labreabakery.com theivyrestaurants.com • Chateau Marmont • Beverly Hot Springs • Lily et Cie 8221 W Sunset Blvd / Hollywood 308 N Oxford Ave / Hollywood (see LUXE loves) +1 323 656 1010 +1 323 734 7000 chateaumarmont.com beverlyhotsprings.com • TenOverSix 8425 Melrose Ave / WeHo • Tower Bar +1 323 330 9355 Sunset Tower Hotel tenover6.com 8358 Sunset Blvd / WeHo +1 323 654 7100 sunsettowerhotel.com
• Hollywood Bowl (see LUXE Loves)
• Little Door 8164 W 3rd St / WeHo +1 323 951 1210 / dinner daily thelittledoor.com
• Hotel Bel-Air (see LUXE Loves)
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LUXE ITINERARY The Essentials
BEACH
• Shutters on the Beach • Aviator Nation • Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi 1 Pico Blvd / Santa Monica 1224 Abbot Kinney Blvd / Venice 114 W Channel Rd / Santa Monica +1 310 458 0030 +1 310 396 9100 +1 310 573 1660 / dinner Tue-Sun shuttersonthebeach.com aviatornation.com giorgio-baldi.com
• Coast • Gjelina • The Otheroom Shutters on the Beach (see LUXE Loves) 1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd / Venice +1 310 396 6230 / 5pm-2am daily • Tortoise General Store • Learn to Surf LA beer & wine only 1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd / Venice various locations +1 310 314 8448 / closed Mon +1 310 663 2479 tortoisegeneralstore.com learntosurfla.com
• Undrest. By the Sea • Bergamot Station 1136 Abbot Kinney Blvd / Venice (see LUXE Loves) +1 310 314 1180 / closed Mon
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Your LUXE notes
2014.08.01
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