Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8
•
Figueroa H otel
(939 S. F igueroa S t.,
Los Angeles;
&
800/421-9092
): M y
favorite Downtown lodging is this vener-
able 1925 building re-created as a Span-
ish colonial-G othic palace. F un and
funky, the ex otically decorated guest
rooms hav e far mor e style than y our
average hotel; what 's mor e, this gentri-
fied corner of D owntown offers easy ,
car-free Metro Line access to Hollywood
and Universal Studios. See p. 95.
•
The H otel C alifornia
(1670 O cean
Ave., S anta M onica;
&
866/571-
0000
): You'll like livin ' it up at this
hacienda-style beachfr ont motel that
charges less than half the price of its
fancy-pants neighbors. You'll dig the
hotel's sur fer/sun-worshiper ambience,
cheery r ooms with California-themed
decor, and dir ect access to the sand via
a private path. See p. 74.
•
Inn at P laya del R ey
(435 C ulver
Blvd., P laya del R ey;
&
310/574-
1920
): If you crave the slower pace and
personal attention that only a bed-and-
breakfast can offer, book a room at this
inn, which merges easy airpor t access
with a one-of-a-kind natural setting,
thoughtful ser vice, and luxur y com-
forts. The spacious View Suites—com-
plete with a two-sided fir eplace that
casts a r omantic glow on the king-siz e
bed and the J acuzzi for two—ar e the
ideal choice for celebrating couples. See
p. 73.
4
THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE DINING
EXPERIENCES
1
•
The Bazaar by José Andrés
(465 S. La
Cienega B lvd., B everly H ills;
&
310/
246-5555
): Walking into this SLS Hotel
restaurant is total sensor y o verload:
Four separate areas all in one open space,
lots of shiny glitz and glam, ar twork
and ey e-candy (it 's one of the
most
popular restaurants in town right now).
Spanish celebrity chef J osé Andrés put
L.A. on the dining map with his tradi-
tional and contemporary take on tapas.
The cocktails alone ar e worth a visit—
margarita with salt “ air” any one? S ee
p. 118.
•
Beacon
(3280 H elms A ve., C ulver
City;
&
310/838-7500
): Chef Kazuto
Matsusaka ser ves S pago-quality Asian
fusion at a fraction of the price at this
humble C ulver City hot spot. The
warm crispy oysters in lettuce cups, stir-
fried mushr oom salad, and miso-mari-
nated black cod are fantastic. See p. 125.
•
Cut
(9500 Wilshire B lvd., B everly
Hills;
&
310/276-8500
): Ther e's a
good chance you'll see Tom Cruise and
Katie H olmes dining at this B everly
Wilshire H otel r estaurant. F or one,
they're always ther e; two, it 's such an
open r oom, A-listers hav e no where to
hide. It's all in the details at Wolfgang
Puck's steakhouse, fr om per fectly
cooked steaks to top-notch ser vice to
Sherry Yard's amazing desser ts. S ee
p. 120.
•
House of Blues Gospel Brunch
(8430
Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood;
&
323/
848-5100
): For more than a decade the
HOB has hosted a raucous S unday
brunch that 's simmering with high-
energy gospel music and all-you-can-eat
Southern home cookin '. I t's a booty-
shaking brunch. See p. 135.
•
The H ump
(3221 D onald D ouglas
Loop Rd., Santa Monica;
&
310/313-
0977
): Claim a sushi bar as L.A.
's
