The London West Hollywood:
We have almost always stayed at The Mondrian but you gotta switch it up from time to time or you'll miss something. The London was much, MUCH quieter than The Mondrian..not in a bad way though. Mondrian is a revolving door of activity, you are in the middle of a non stop party day and night. London was more elegant, more Bel Air than WeHo. Slightly nicer than the Mondrian with a solid restaurant and pool. Breakfast was included...nice touch and a good solid european style continental breakfast. We would stay there again but probably slightly prefer The Mondrian...the people watching there can't be beat. 8/10 Stars
The Ivy:
Is the food just ok? Yes. Is the food ridiculously over priced? Yes again. Is there a better patio on the planet to watch "the show" that is Los Angeles? Abso-friggin-loutley NOT!!! This place is in regular rotation for us. The patio at the ivy is epic good and the food is not as bad as some would have you believe. Did we feel slightly assaulted but the $175 charge for the seafood platter? Uh...HELL YES...but when in Rome... Met up with a few friends while there and a good time (and a small fortune) was had (and lost) by all. 8/10 Stars
***pro tip. go just after lunch for an easier time to get a coveted patio seat...also make a res at least a couple days out and WAIT no matter how long for a patio seat...it's always quicker than they say.
The Roof Garden at The Peninsula:
Beautiful, elegant space in a beautiful and elegant hotel in Beverly Hills. It was a warm day so time for Rosé! Excellent Ahi and Crab Salad. 8/10 Stars
The Getty Center:
Enormous hillside museum and event space high above the 405. Views alone were worth the trip. Museum is separated into bite sized spaces organized largely by period.
In addition there are gardens and vista's and fountains everywhere. Worth a visit and at least a few more revisits. Aside from a parking fee it is FREE!! 9/10 Stars
Urasawa:
No Website. No Menu. No Problem. Tucked in a tiny space on the second floor of a building on Via Rodeo, Urasawa is THE sushi Mecca. This was my second visit. G didn't go the first time so this was the only restaurant on her hit list. Dinned with people we'd met via Instagram (not kidding) who go there monthly (spoiled much!?). Hiro-San gave us the full blown show and then some. Everything we ate was somewhere between excellent and transcendent. This has become the standard for Sushi for me 10/10 Stars
Spago:
Recently under went a face lift (and a menu lift). Still a solid option in BH with excellent people watching. Only been twice and each time Wolfgang Puck was in The Hizzy for Shizzy. Gracious and warm for a food mogul...for anyone really. 7/10 Stars
No Vacancy:
Speakeasy's are growing in number in LA. No Vacancy is in a seedy side alley off Hollywood Blvd complete with a dismissive guy on the door who decides if you are cool enough to enter. Once inside you need to figure out how to get to and through the secret entrance...no spoilers...great place...great drinks and a show or two or three. 9/10 Stars
Afternoon Tea at the Montage:
Well executed tea service with a "Gentlemen's" Option: Sliders, Pie and Scotch (or Cognac) instead of champagne. Had to do it and glad I did. G had more traditional offerings. We pretty much split it all up and had a minnie feast. 9/10 Stars
Animal:
Meat...It's what's for dinner. No tweezers. No squeeze bottles. Aside from a few flawlessly prepared veggie items this was all about Turkey Legs and Pig Ears and Brisket and a side of Lipitor! One of the most satisfying (and crazy good) meals I've ever had! 9/10 Stars
Hatfield's:
Afternoon Tea at the Montage:
Well executed tea service with a "Gentlemen's" Option: Sliders, Pie and Scotch (or Cognac) instead of champagne. Had to do it and glad I did. G had more traditional offerings. We pretty much split it all up and had a minnie feast. 9/10 Stars
Animal:
Meat...It's what's for dinner. No tweezers. No squeeze bottles. Aside from a few flawlessly prepared veggie items this was all about Turkey Legs and Pig Ears and Brisket and a side of Lipitor! One of the most satisfying (and crazy good) meals I've ever had! 9/10 Stars
Hatfield's:
This has been on the list for a while and it did not disappoint. Beautiful space with the kitchen perfectly framed at the rear. Food was taught and effortless. Perfectly prepared, timed and executed 8 course tasting menu. 9/10 Stars
Roof Top Bar at The Ace Hotel:
Downtown LA is thriving and I know almost nothing about it besides the Ritz Carlton and The Staple Center. The Ace has a great vibe and has the feel of a place where everyone worked really hard to look like they didn't work really hard to look so good. Loved it!! 8/10 Stars
This was probably our best trip to LA , food wise, ever. We pretty much destroyed it!! One of these times we need to FOCUS on downtown LA. Tons of quality stuff popping up there all the time!
Thanks for reading!
Doc Jay
Roof Top Bar at The Ace Hotel:
Downtown LA is thriving and I know almost nothing about it besides the Ritz Carlton and The Staple Center. The Ace has a great vibe and has the feel of a place where everyone worked really hard to look like they didn't work really hard to look so good. Loved it!! 8/10 Stars
This was probably our best trip to LA , food wise, ever. We pretty much destroyed it!! One of these times we need to FOCUS on downtown LA. Tons of quality stuff popping up there all the time!
Thanks for reading!
Doc Jay
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