LOS ANGELES | CELEBRITIES + NIGHTLIFE
A dozen places in L.A. to feel like a star
Los Angeles' Top 25 culinary deals
Googie Architecture, in & around Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES
1. The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows
Still lording from its leafy roost in pink and green. Even if you don't stay here, you can stroll the halls, admiring the photographs of
9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-276-2251; thebeverlyhillshotel.com. A tuna nicoise salad at the Polo Lounge for lunch is $19.
2. The Standard hotel Rooftop Bar
This downtown hotel is not the in place it used to be, and probably hasn't been since the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard was renovated. They no longer project movies onto the wall of the neighboring building, and the people gathered on couches look like whatever L.A.'s equivalent of the bridge-and-tunnel crowd is. But, with the sparkling skyline Picasso-ed in your glass, it's still a heady place for a drink.
550 S. Flower (at Sixth Street), 213-892-8080, standardhotel.com. A cocktail goes for about $10.
3. Runyon Canyon
They say you can see celebrities walking their dogs in this 130-acre park just blocks from Hollywood Boulevard. (The best time apparently is the middle of the day, before the working stiffs arrive with their pets.) But who needs celebrities when you have stunning views of the city, stretching from the Hollywood sign to downtown to, on a clear day, Santa Catalina Island? And everything's free. Follow the fire road, or take one of the more challenging trails.
Off Mulholland Drive; runyon-canyon.com.
4. Dodger Stadium
It's not just the
Chavez Ravine, losangelesdodgers.com. Game-day tickets start at $10 for top deck and go as high as $225 for baseline VIP.
As famous for the people who died on its premises --
8221 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; 323-656-1010; chateaumarmont.com. A "Damn Good Burger, Homemade Ketchup, Fixings n' Things" (now that's more Belushi-like) is $16.
6. The Ivy
The rich, the powerful and the beautiful still come here for lunch, on warm days sitting in the white-fenced front yard with its white parasols and green wrought-iron chairs. Set back from the street, the restaurant's red brick is indeed softened by ivy. Call a day in advance and about all they'll have for lunch are seatings at 11:30 or 2:30. Unless, of course, you're somebody.
113 N. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills; 310-274-8303; www.seeing-stars.com/Dine2/Ivy.shtml. A caprese salad (appetizer size) is $13.75.
A small restaurant started by Nancy Silverton of La Brea Bakery fame. (Leave it to L.A. to have celebrity bakery owners.) There are creative toppings -- squash blossoms, fingerling potatoes -- but, as you'd expect, it's all about the crust, which kind of dominates the pies and is, well, stellar. This past spring a dozen people stood outside waiting for the doors to open at noon; when they did, those without reservations had to sit at one of two bars, one of which offers an excellent view of the pizzamaking counter.
641 N. Highland Ave. (at Melrose); 323-297-0101, mozza-la.com. Pizzas range from $9-$17 (for one with littleneck clams, oregano, Parmigiano and pecorino). The menu also offers antipasti, salads, panini and plates of the day.
8. 7 Grand
This downtown whiskey bar has the beguiling decor of an upscale hunting lodge with a sense of humor. The hip, ironic vibe has no effect on the wait staff, who are friendly and gracious. A few nights after the opening in April, one of the waitresses was seen talking to two customers using sign language. In addition to an impressive collection of whiskeys, there is Chimay, an excellent Belgian beer, on tap. There is also a pool table. If you see no stars here, it's because you're cooler than they are.
515 W. Seventh St. (between Olive and Grand); 213-614-0737.
9. Farmers Market
An L.A. institution since 1934 (well, probably later, since nothing's an "institution" when it opens), the market is now appended to a fabricated street mall sporting all the requisite chains. (Though, this being the land of artifice, it is done quite well.) But the market is the real thing, and it's more about takeout, or eating in (tables fill two patios), than it is about fruit and vegetable stands. Korean sits catty-corner to Cajun, while long-established butchers and bakers help it retain its market status. Executives from the nearby
Third & Fairfax; farmersmarketla.com. Open every day. A bibimbap (spicy mixed vegetables with fried egg and rice) at La Korea goes for $6.99.
10. Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante
It's not easy to spot celebrities in a place so dark it's hard to read the menu. Which is perhaps why they come here. Or maybe it's for the signature dish, Milanese: osso bucco with saffron risotto.
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