Eating Out in Los Angeles, 10 Hotspots

M A R G O T

8820 Washington Blvd #301, Culver City // Monday - Sunday 11am - 2am

Margo is the ultimate any-day spot that can take you from morning to night, Monday to Sunday. 

Designed by Thomas Schoos, the space is a mix of California cool and unreservedly decadent rooftop terrace chic. The food is top-notch classic plates, headed up by chef, Michael Williams, with the menu consisting of elegantly presented classics - think avocado for breakfast, past dishes for lunch and meaty delicacies for dinner. Enjoy a cocktail by cocktail guru David Kupchinsky or a beautiful glass of wine, chosen with the guidance of sommelier and general manager, John Snowden. 

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C E C C O N I ‘S

8764 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood // Monday - Thursday 8am - 12am, Friday 8am - 1am, Saturday 9am - 1am, Sunday 9am - 11pm

L.A kinda cool, Cecconi’s is a West Hollywood staple. On the corner of Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard, the Soho House created restaurant is a contemporary Italian with a classic twist. The vibe is scene-y, let’s just say, you might see Scott Disick, Kourtney Kardashian and the kids rock up for weekend brunch. It’s very L.A. Menu highlights are definitely ahi tuna tartare and the wood oven pizza’s, not forgetting any or all of the hand-made past dishes. 

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S U S H I P A R K

8539 W. Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood // Tuesday - Friday 12 - 1.45pm & 6 - 9pm, Saturday 6 - 9pm

Unassuming yet utterly unmissable, this quintessential sushi joint is hidden away on the second floor of a undistinguished strip mall on Sunset Boulevard. It’s a local hotspot where seats are like gold-dust and opening hours are limited, creating an exclusivity in a place you’d otherwise pass by without a second look. Upon dining at Sushi Park though, you just get it. The hype is real. It’s an Omakase situation only at the sushi bar or à la carte options are available if you chose to sit at a table. Wherever you sit though and whether you can get a seat, it’s worth every single (however pricey) dollar. 

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G R A C I A S M A D R E

8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood // Monday - Friday 11am - 11pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am - 11pm

Mexican delights with a twist: everything is vegan at this famed West Hollywood hotspot. Fear not though as every single dish has all the qualifications of a Mexican delight, spicy, zesty and full of flavour. It’s another somewhat too-cool-for-school spot that plays home to one of the chicest outdoor patio area where tables and lined with trees that sparkle with little fairy lights. Thanks to executive chef Alan Sanz, menu highlights have to be the guac and chips to start, any or all of the bowls or jackfruit carnitas tacos as a main and their signature mescal margarita or the CBD snow cone.. perhaps the most adventurous cocktails one can find in the vicinity. 

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L A U R E L H A R D WA R E

7984 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood // Monday - Friday 5pm - 2am, Saturday 3pm - 2am, Sunday 9.20am - 2am

Named after the original WeHo hardware store that once occupied the space, Laurel Hardware is a sleek peak at L.A’s beautiful crowd who casually hang out in the hotspots magical back patio. With the crowd typically just as gorgeous as their surrounds at the funky L.A eatery, the feel is definitely ultra scene-y. The creators are all about those unique craft cocktails with an inventive mid-priced New American food vibe. Menu highlights include allllllll the small plates, the grilled avocado & citrus salad and the delicious coconut curry grain bowl. 

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T H E L I T T L E D O O R

8164 W 3rd Street // Sunday - Thursday 6pm - 10pm, Friday and Saturday 6pm - 11pm

Nestled away in the hearty of 3rd Street, this tiny super romantic date night spot is one of the cities most reliable and trusty restaurants. The brasseries style eatery boasts a vanquishing combination of intimate character and delicious fare. Famous for it’s cutesy and intimate, dimly lit courtyard and classic Californian cuisine with ample French touches, you could say it’s a match made in dining out heaven and somewhere that, no matter how many places come and go in Los Angeles, will always be there to stay. The wine list is of note too with an impressibly extensive range, offering bottles from all over the world.

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R É P U B L I Q U E

624 South La Brea Avenue // Sunday - Wednesday 8am - 3pm & 5.30pm - 10pm, Thursday - Saturday 8am - 3pm & 5.30pm - 11pm

Replacing one of the most famous restaurants spaces in Los Angeles (previously Campanile), Republique had a hefty expectation placed upon it by simply opening where it has. However, in true LA style, the modern eatery has exceeded all such expectations with it’s contemporary French plates and friendly communal tables. Interiors here are something of a show and nothing short of magnificent with an impressive three kitchens, each opening out onto the main dining space. Along with the cleverly created marketplace-in-a-c courtyard and communal feel, an experience at Republique is a serious education in good dining. Menu highlights include (just about anything on there.. but specifically) the salads, the freshly made white corn agnolotti and the lamb shank or beef short rib. Also for the sake of humanity, do not pass on the bread basket, I repeat, do.not.pass.on.the.bread.basket. 

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R O S A L I N É

8479 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood // Sunday - Thursday 6 - 9.30pm, Friday & Saturday 6 - 10.30pm

A large, open space Rosaline is located right at Melrose and La Cienega and stands to be that trusty friend you can reply on for just about anything. Famed for it’s modern yet completely unpretentious take on Peruvian food - think traditional staples like paelle, ceviche and arroz con pollo; it’s got a little something that will suit every kind of eater. The space is cool, playing more in line with LA’s contemporary indoor-outdoor dining movement of late and boasts a Kevin Tsai architecturally-designed interior, bringing a very relaxed and modest feel to your evening out. Menu highlights have to be the crispy calamari marinated in yuzu kosho (a Japanese spice) and the solarito, a lima bean salad with avocados and feta. 

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C R A I G ‘S

8826 Melrose Avenue // Monday - Sunday 5pm - 12.30am

Rightly demanding the title of “the best place in Los Angeles to spot celebrities” Craig’s is that mystical place to experience even just once in a lifetime. Admittedly it’s not much more than overpriced American fare in the menu department and wouldn’t be our first choice for those looking for something mouthwateringly delectable but if you can overlook such details when dining out then it’s the most LA LA can get in terms of people watching. Guests are seated depending on their level of fame and from Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro to Larry King and the Gerbers, George Clooney and Amal, Kate Upton and just about anyone who’s anyone. Go even just for a drink at the bar; the $15 cocktails are worth it just to people watch. 

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T H E  B A Z A A R  BY  J O S É  A N D R É S 

465 La Cienega Boulevard // Wednesday & Thursday & Sunday 5.30pm - 10pm, Friday & Saturday 5.30pm - 11pm

Sexy and playful, this destination style restaurant was a $12 million collaboration between the famously hot-headed Spanish chef José Andrés, hotelier Sam Nazarian and designer Philippe Starck. Bringing to life something of a welcomed yet disorienting feel, the dazzling hotspot is brought together with a shockingly fabulous interior design, a patisserie, a Moss design store, two main dining rooms, a bar and an itinerant palm reader no less. The food is just as nonplussed, offering the likes of foie gras cotton candy and elegant cones filled with caviar which only once eaten can truly be understood; much like the overall experience of The Bazaar, it’s an experience comprehended as something truly special and bazaar. 

Javier Martin's Miami Hotlist

Javier Martin's Miami Hotlist

Favourite way to spend a day alone?

I spend a lot of time in my studio. I don’t just make art but meditate and explore new ideas. Also I enjoy going to the beach at sunset and writing or running. When I’m alone I use the day to refresh and clear my mind.

Favourite cocktail spot?

The Standard Hotel as they have a beautiful view of the beach. It’s an amazing place to enjoy a cocktail after a long day and I love to catch the sunset there too. 

Favourite breakfast?

There’s a tiny Cuban cafe right around the corner from me; I go to every morning.

Favourite brunch?

Whatever the sandwich of the day is on at Soho Beach House.

Favourite Dinner?

Cecconis. Always Cecconis.

Favourite Museum?

PAMM.

Favourite Gallery?

Valli Art Gallery.

Favourite Artist?

It's got to be Daniel Arsham.

Favourite Hotel?

I adore staying at The Edition.

Favourite Beach?

The one at Soho Beach House.

Favourite Café?

Henriquetas, they have the best Cuban sandwich and cafecito which is a Cuban take on the espresso shot.

Favourite hidden gem?

Soyka, they have live jazz nights that are absolutely amazing. 

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What to Pack for Miami

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A Winter Weekend in Montreal, France

Planning a trip to the South of France may, as a default, come to mind as something firmly on your summer to-do list but what if the perfect Winter weekend away could be spent elegantly in the magical surrounds and the wonderfully French backdrop of Montréal, tucked away at Camellas-Lloret at the beginning of December. 

With a short three nights and four days to spare, my Love and I set off on a romantic weekend together that saw us fly into Carcassonne airport from Dublin. Direct flights with Ryanair are irresistibly inexpensive in the off-season months. What took us there? Well, it was almost two years ago that I found a dreamy hotel on Instagram and ever since I just knew it was a place my soul absolutely needed to experience in this lifetime. I was prepared for Camellas-Lloret being a wonderful little haven but in all honesty, it is even dreamier in real-life than I could ever have anticipated (and my oh my the dreaminess is off the charts on their wonderfully curated Instagram account).

Set in the medieval hilltop village of Montréal in the Languedoc region, Camellas-Lloret, is the epitome of what one would imagine everything to be in the South of France (this was our first ever visit), refined yet rustic, touchable yet otherworldly beautiful. A ‘love-project’ of a beautiful couple Annie (a New Yorker) and Colin (from South Africa) Moore, the 18th-century house boasts the most incredible, authentic original structure. With five uniquely designed bedrooms, a simple but beautiful walled garden, the enticing greenhouse which plays home to the lemons and mandarins that make their way to the tables each morning for breakfast in the form of Annie’s marmalade and a terrace perfectly fit for summer evenings dripping in rosé, the place is so divine that you could spend a month and never leave. 

Annie, an interior designer and someone whom I think I'd like to be the I grow up (she’s great at everything from wonderful chats, marmalade making, baking, photography, cooking and just generally being fabulous) - is from New York and has designed the house to feel like ‘home’. White-washed walls and draping vintage linens, contrasting textures with original chandeliers and old-world sculptures are met with the chicest of the chic modern touches throughout. With furniture slipcovers, the perfect kind of magazine stacks and all the buildings original pine flooring, it is founded on authentically refined French elegance along with the toppings of a truly talented interior designer and is exactly where one finds peace and space to relax, surrounded by the kind of beauty found only in the South of France. 

Colin is fantastic with kindly helping guests plan out their days if you are set on exploring the areas around Montréal. His suggested routes guided us to wonderful cafes, tapas bars, museums, the local castle and a beautiful little village nearby famous for its bookstores. All in all, winter weekends at Camellas-Lloret are all about long lie-ins as the sun beams through the shutters, afternoon strolls exploring the beautiful countryside, followed by a glass of white beside the crackling fire, which is where we spend our evenings reading, all cosied up catching up on our favourite books and enjoying wonderful conversations with Annie and Colin. 

Whether you visit in summer or winter, find yourself there for a night or a month, it is a haven that re-ignites the soul and leaves you wondering how you’ll ever leave. 

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LOCATION

Montréal, France just a 10/15 minute drive from Carcassonne Airport or one hour from Toulouse

RATES

Starting from €140 per room per night

WHAT TO DO & SEE

Incredible local antique/vintage shopping

Get lost in the surroundings of the Cathar castles

Book in for a body and attitude balancing session with Colin who is a world-renowned doctor of Chiropractic and a wellness coach

Head off for afternoon bike rides by the Canal du Midi

(In summer) Spend your days on beautiful Mediterranean beaches

Spend time relaxing at the house with a book and rosé (all day)

Organise a wine tasting and visit near-by vineyards

TIPS

Renting a car is essential to explore the surrounding towns and villages

Families are very welcome but really the property is much more oriented toward and appreciated by adults

TO BOOK

You can contact Annie directly at annie@camellaslloret.com

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To book, you can contact Annie directly at annie@camellaslloret.com

Rio de Janeiro

Visiting new and foreign lands is one of my favourite ways to spend my life and in admitting my ignorance in knowing little to almost nothing of Brazil before landing there, I can't quite begin to describe just how fabulous our trip there was last year. 

There to attend one of my Love's best friend's wedding just north of Rio in Buzios, we decided to take a little longer in travelling to the other side of the world and added time on either end of the special occasion in order to explore this country so rich in culture, art and an altogether otherworldly authentic way of living that neither of us had ever quite experienced despite both of our insane weakness for travel.

First stop though was Rio. Gosh where to begin in attempting to narrate this somewhat cryptic city that even after spending a long weekend in we left with an overall sense of mystery that unless living as a local one might never quite gain a complete understanding of. Beyond beautiful in it's insanely unrefined yet splendid rawness, it's a definite mix of all sorts of contrasts and differences; darkness and light, poverty and wealth, beach-living and dangerous alleyways. With no doubt an endless array of things to do, people to meet and experiences that will live with you for life, it's full of wonders to explore and experience.

Today I'm thrilled to share with you all that we lived and loved and can most definitely say what brought to life this city as our home if even for use those three short days..

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Stay

I love a good boutique hotel. Like Love with a capital L. And Mama Ruisa, our little sanctuary for those three precious nights, sure lived up to all my expectations as one of Rio's most stylish and personal stays. Set in a gated space in one of Rio's trendiest neighbourhoods, Santa Theresa, is the old and stately mansion that once played home to a wealthy Brazilian family and now to guests who wish to find themselves lost in a chic yet very authentic Brazilian experience. From it's stunning decor that brings a touch of French to a strong Brazilian foundation and vastly expansive rooms that make you feel like staying forever to waking each morning to a most magical view of the city from atop Santa Theresa as you have your breakfast on a private balcony and the utmost attentive staff who are there to help you with anything to do with your being in Rio, I cannot recommend this heavenly paradise more. 

Somewhere else to consider staying and one our next trip will definitely consist of a night or forever at is Hotel Saint Teresa. We spent two days chilling here, having lunch and generally just loving every moment in the chic surroundings of this precious place. Rustic yet perfectly polished it's so fabulous on every level and the kind of place that if you never left you'd live in heaven forever!

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Experience

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Unbeknownst to us, and frankly quite the shock, weather wasn't to be on our side during the trip - three days of sunshine out of 16. However, blessed with insane heat and clear blue skies one of the days, one of our favourite parts of Rio was definitely getting to see the city's gorgeous landscape from atop Sugarloaf Mountain. Leaving from Prais Vermelha, a cable car takes you on the first leg of the journey stopping at Urca Mountain (220 meters above sea level). Here you can't help but bow to the breathtaking, 360degree views of the city. Keep going though because even these are nothing to the those that meet you when you reach Sugarloaf Mountain itself, after taking another cable car to the sister mountain sitting right beside it. Towering at 396 meters over sea level you can really see the city in all it's glory, a perfect view of all that rests below including Copacabana Beach, The Christ, Guanabara Bay and the picturesque blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Allotting an entire morning or afternoon, or day even if you have it to sit and read and take photos, is essential to this activity and something that are we to ever return to Rio we shall most definitely be doing again. Next time at sunset which is supposedly so so magical. 

To feel at home in a city hanging out in a beautiful park is a must for me to know I've truly spent enough time to feel and truly observe the essence of native life. Our Sunday afternoon spent at Parque Lage was that and so much more. Also known as the Taj Mahal of Rio, Parque Lage is like a postcard you step into and never want to leave and one that despite the likes of Snoop, Pharrell and the Black Eyed Peas having shot some of their biggest music videos there, seems to be overshadowed in travel guides by it's nearby sister park, the Botonical Gardens. The mansion that resides at Parque Lage used to be a private home and is now an art school where exhibitions of all kinds are held.

As people watching is one of our guilty pleasures in life and after a cocktail in the mansions cafe, my Love and I blissed out and spent an entire afternoon hanging out here soaking up the most exquisite scenes that are bound to set your heart alight. The gardens are simply divine, not to mention the amazing sounds of the birds and monkeys that all call it home. Funnily enough too, it was all after a (rather disappointingly clouded) journey up to the see Christ the Redeemer who it turns out overlooks the beautiful scene of Parque Lage below.. although on this cloudy day we still couldn't see him from here either. 

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Experience

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Before we left on our travels, I was honestly a little naive to the dangerous side of Rio. I lived in South Africa for a year when I was just 18 and even then I was a little unaware of being an outsider in such foreign lands. As part of my traveller self though I like that, to go somewhere with an open mind and not let a preconceived judgement determine my experience. I mean I knew on a subconscious level that it's not exactly Disneyland but quite frankly, despite the beauty, I was to learn of just how dangerous a city it is. Paul wouldn't let me watch 'City of God' - the infamous movie about Rio's most notorious favela - before leaving (not to mention us embarking on a walking tour of one of the other favelas during our stay) and thank goodness he was so wise. It's INSANE. I like to pride myself on being a slight badass when it comes to facing real-life situations in the face and in my naivety, off we went with two of our divine friends who were in the city and spent an afternoon on a walking tour of one of the city's largest shanty towns. 

Our tour guide was incredible and if you are to one day experience Rio in it's rawest form, there's nobody like him to show you around. He brought us through what is something only your wildest imagination could conjure up. Unlike the townships of Cape Town and the one I worked in in Plettenberg Bay during my time in South Africa, the buildings are of concrete structure and are stronger than most in standing up to the harsh weathers that tear other shanty towns apart around the world. Built on top of each other with literally just enough space to walk between each building, the favela sprawls over miles of acres and is home to some several million people who work here, rear their families and build their daily lives. Our tour guide informed us of how built up it has become and in the past 10 years how much safer it's streets have become in a transformation that has seen drug wars lessened, police enforcement implemented, and the quality of life risen beyond measure for those who call it home. They now even have satellite TV and WiFi - within reason. To us though, it was insane - a world that seems so far from our norm and yet one that once inside you're captivated by it's intensity and almost movie like reality. We learned of how just 10 years ago there is no way even the police would enter, not to mention a white foreigner. Kids running around with machine guns and drug lords killing the next target on their never-ending list of customers in need of their next fix. Life had absolutely no meaning it would seem and those who entered did so at the risk of loosing their life. 

It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I loved it. However I'm not going to lie, we most definitely had a feeling that we were encroaching upon territory that was not ours and although some of the locals see it that we bringing awareness to the situation and also a certain amount of business, it still felt somewhat wrong to be there as a tourist. The scariest part, and the moment in which I realise was most real having since seen "City of God" was when two boys, no more than 12 years old, passed us with guns in their hands. Casually speaking, I got lost in the moment thinking perhaps it was just part of a movie. But sadly no, crime and mortality is still very much part of reality in the favelas in Rio. 

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Eat & Drink

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As we were only there for a short time, restaurants and cocktails weren't our main priority - we just wanted to experience as much as possible. Although having said that, we gave it our best shot. Again, as major sushi lovers we had a divine fix of our favoured cuisine at Yumê which is so much fun. With an aquarium floor upon which you sit to enjoy your evening it's such a beautiful spot for couples. And for a drink before or after, Sobe, located right next door is so cool. The cocktail list is extensive and super tempting, especially as you sit outside under the nights stars. 

As I already mentioned, drinks and a late lunch at Parque Lage are the ultimate way to spend any liquid-y lunch and dining at the stunning Térèze at Hotel Saint Teresa is sheer luxury of the chicest kind. Not to mention somewhere to chill by the pool with a cocktail or coffee after. 

Somewhere to delve into the true Brazilian foodie experience is Porcāo Rios, the city's infamous all-you-can-eat meat restaurant. Whether you do the buffet style serving and control your own portions or go all out with the table service - the waiters continue to bring food after food to the table until you flip the coloured pig on the tablet to red, you're sure to get a real Brazilian dinner affair. 

Another place we adored - in all that sparkles on one of the most beautiful date nights ever, was Aprazível. Here you will fall head-over-heels in love with Rio by night. The views of the city are breathtaking and take you away from the world. Dinner here is a treat and something to cherish for a night of celebrations. Make sure that when reserving you ask for a table outside wth the view the restaurant is famous for. 

All in all our first time in Rio was beyond amazing. Weather might not have shown up but despite that, to experience people, places and things so new to us was enthralling far beyond anything a day laying on Copacabana Beach would've allowed. Although visiting it is a must if you've come this far, no matter the weather..

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Shop Your Rio Style

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Love R x