After having had two wonderful romantic weeks with DH, it was great fun to
spend the rest of our time in LA en famille. We organized the remaining time
around places that teenagers enjoy too, so started by spending a couple of
nights on Sunset Boulevard and then moved on to Venice and Santa
Monica before heading back home.
The
Sunset Marquis is a cool hotel which has its history, heart and soul rooted in the music business. Black and white photographs of
rock stars and musicians who've stayed there line the lobby and lounge
areas, and there's a recording studio which you can book along with your
room. Many well known film scores have been born there.. The
restaurant is open on three sides and surrounded by water features and
lush vegetation. It's a great place to have dinner, and the rain forrest
setting lets you easily forget that you're right on Sunset Blvd, LA's
most iconic strip.
Around
the corner from the Marquis is one of DS's favorite breakfast hang
outs, the legendary Mels Drive-In (conveniently open 24 hrs, which is
just as well if you travel with a growing teenager!)
No need to explain who's breakfast this is!
Room
with a view. The Mondrian is another excellent place to stay with
older kids.. it's funky, groovy and hip, and has a great location. Its
cool rooftop pool area is a magnet for the young social media crowd,
which provides plenty of interesting entertainment!
The
Mondrian's Skybar with sweeping views over Los Angeles and Downtown. A
perfect place to have a light dinner from the small but tempting bar
menu.
The
pool shares the same stunning views as the skybar, so it's not a surprise that it turns into a photo location for Instagram
celebrities in the afternoons.
Further down Sunset, The
London West Hollywood is another place with a superb roof terrace. It's restaurant Boxwood on the Roof
has a 360˚view over town, and it's a fabulous place whether for drinks,
lunch or dinner. Thank you again dearest Th. for suggesting it! (click here to see a post featuring The London New York)
Sunset boulevard at night.. it makes you feel like you're strolling through a movie!
Dinner at the Boxwood on the Roof
On
the other hand, DS' preferred eateries were the food corners in
shopping malls. The variety, freshness and quality on offer were superb,
and definitely worth a visit (at least in DS's book)!
One
of the shops I enjoyed the most is the super stylish interior design
shop 'Restoration Hardware' on Melrose. Thank you again talented and
dearest Annie for recommending it (she also shared the Jady skincare tip
with me.. what would I do without her!) If you are looking for
inspiration for your home or work place, the Restoration Hardware is
definitely a place to look at... I could move right in and be very
happy! Even if you're not interested in decorating, it is worth a visit
for it's space and style.. the roof terrace has been constructed as a
public space. You can settle down with a book in one of the many
beautiful seating arrangements, or play a game of ping-pong or pool
billiards. You see school study groups meeting there, or people just
coming to take a break and enjoy the view to the soothing sound of the
trickling fountains.
More
inspiration from dear and stylish friends.. what are the perfect
coolers to go with Hendricks Gin? Home-made cucumber ice globes! When
you've seen them you'll want them. To make these jumbo coolers which
have the added advantage of melting less quickly of course, you'll need
an ice ball mold (you can find them on amazon etc), and some pretty
colored fruit or vegetables.. you can substitute the cucumber with
strawberries, lime, raspberries.. the options are endless! Thanks so
much dearest Dot for sharing, I always learn something from you.
Everyone needs a break from time to time!
Pacific Design Center - view from the Restoration Hardware rooftop
Just
in time, a little bird whispered in my ear the name of this beautiful
textile shop... 'Hollywood at Home'. Peter Dunham's fabrics are gorgeous
and I am so glad I visited. Thanks so much again for the tip dear D.D.!
I could have taken each and every cushion home with me..
Il
Piccolino is a charming Italian trattoria co-owned by LA veteran
restaurateurs Eddie Kerkhof (Le Dôme) and Silvio de Mori. It has two
lovely terracotta tiled terraces surrounded by walls of plants, and
makes you feel as though you are sitting in the middle of a beautiful
garden. The food is fresh and mostly organic and the service is charming
and attentive. The perfect setting for long and memorable lunches.. we
met up with friends (including the already mentioned interior designer
dream team Dot and Annie of course), and our lunch stretched well into
the afternoon. What a happy time it was!
STAY
The London West Hollywood, 1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: +1 310-854-1111 http://www.thelondonwesthollywood.com/
Sunset Marquis, 1200 Alta Loma Rd, West Hollywood, CA 90069,
Phone: +1 310-657-1333 http://sunsetmarquis.com/
Mondrian Los Angeles, 8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069,
Phone:+1 323-650-8999 www.morganshotelgroup.com/mondrian-los-angeles
DRINK
Skybar at the Mondrian, Address as above, Phone: +1 323-848-6025
www.morganshotelgroup.com/skybar
EAT
Il Piccolino, 350 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048,
Phone: +1 310-659-2220 www.ilpiccolinorestaurant.com
Boxwood on the Roof, 1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: +1 310-358-7797 www.thelondonwesthollywood.com/boxwoodontheroof
Mel's Drive-In (American breakfast), 8585 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069,
Phone:+1 310-854-7201 www.melsdrive-in.com
SHOP
Restoration Hardware, 8564 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood,
Phone: +1 310-652-0323 www.restorationhardware.com
Hollywood at Home ,703 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069
Phone: + 1 310-273-6200 www.hollywoodathome.com
Peter Dunham Textiles www.peterdunham.com
