Hitting L.A.’s Hotspots
Finding the hippest spots to eat, drink and shop is as easy as opening your favorite gossip magazine… but is it easy to get in?
By CARLY MILNE
When making vacation plans to a mecca like New York or L.A., it’s always fun to see the touristy spots, but even more fun to poke your head in the places that stars call their second homes. You know the ones – the stores where they bought that item of clothing (as seen in People Magazine), drank that cocktail (as seen in Star Magazine), or ate that dish (as seen in Us Magazine.) But does that mean regular Joes can’t get through the door if Hollywood A-listers hang there? Sometimes yes… but other times, there’s ways to work around it.
The Hotspot: Polkadots and Moonbeams, 8381 West Third Street, Los Angeles
The Lowdown: A chic clothing store filled to the brim with goodies galore, founder and owner Wendy Freedman says what makes it so popular is her belief that everyone should be treated like a star. “Shopping here is like coming into my living room, or hanging out in your best friend’s closet – we’re all having a party,” she says. “Our whole philosophy is we’re a neighborhood store in the middle of a big city where you can get the best stuff, get to be treated like a star, and get star clothes.” Some of those star clothes include labels like Ella Moss, Millie, Sky and Level 99.
Celeb Spotting: Julia Roberts, Johnny Depp, Kate Moss, Fergie.
Difficulty to get in: 1 – everyone is welcome, no matter what day, time, or who else is in the store.
The Hotspot: Blue Velvet, 750 Garland St, Los Angeles
The Lowdown: Downtown Los Angeles has been coming up in terms of hotspot status, and Blue Velvet is right on the cutting edge. With amazing city views and incredible French influenced California cuisine to dine on, it’s no wonder people are frothing at the mouth to eat here. “The design of the restaurant is uniquely L.A. in the sense that it’s progressive, but it also has a mid century Cali home, split-level feeling that really shows off downtown,” says managing partner Robert Hartstein. “We use organic products that are locally grown and really push flavor combinations with all the dishes, so it’s not for your steak-and-potatoes set.”
Celeb Spotting: Christian Slater, Kiefer Sutherland, Amy Adams, Rachel Bilson.
Difficulty to get in: 4 or 5 during the week, but that jumps to a 9 or 10 on the weekends. While Blue Velvet doesn’t play favorites or velvet rope, Hartstein says there are alternatives if you can’t get a reservation. “We have a great poolside lounge, and there are several different rooms that give you a different perspective.
The Hotspot: Prive Hair Salon, 7373 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
The Lowdown: What’s a star-like vacation without getting your hair done? If you’re in the market for a blow-out – or even a color change – make Prive your one stop shop. “Prive is a unique salon because of its famous location and beautiful design,” explains owner Laurent D. “It’s very private and exclusive, and filled with talented technicians, each specialized in their own fields. The staff is very dedicated to its clientele and will treat everyone as a VIP.” Better yet, make an entire day out of it and visit their upstairs neighbor, Ona Spa, for a complete celebrity beauty experience.
Celeb Spotting: Jewel, Tea Leoni, Peter Gallagher, Cristina Ricci, Shanna Moakler, Kristin Chenowitz, Brian Bell, Anne Heche, Debra Messing, Teri Hatcher, Dominic Moynehan.
Difficulty to get in: 3, depending on the day – the salon is open seven days a week. Try for a weekday appointment, unless you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the weekends. “The salon will always do its best to accomodate the clients' needs,” says Laurent. But if you’re looking for an appointment with him, know that he works two weeks in the L.A. salon and two weeks in the NY salon, so you have to plan ahead.
The Hotspot: Fred Segal Fun, 500 Broadway, Suite G, Santa Monica
The Lowdown: Fred Segal has become a staple on the L.A. fashion scene – which is why owner Jackie Brander says it welcomes such a diverse crowd, becoming many people’s hometown favorite. “Every person that comes to Fred Segal Santa Monica says, ‘You guys should open in…’ the appeal is that there is nothing like it,” Brander says. “We have a package that is so solid – people can spend literally hours at the store and enjoy every part of the experience. From eating to shopping, to getting your hair done!”
Celeb Spotting: America Ferrera, Meg Ryan, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Beckensale, Kate Winslet, Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams.
Difficulty to get in: 1, but Brander has some tips to ensure you have the ultimate shopping experience: “Plan on spending some time there and don’t rush...you will miss so much if you do.”
The Hotspot: Katsuya, 11777 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood
The Lowdown: Katsuya combines crucial elements to make for the perfect L.A. dining experience: incredible interior design courtesy of Philippe Starck, great atmosphere, and master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi. “We partnered with him a year ago – he creates amazing food,” says Michael Doneff, the VP of marketing for SBE Entertainment. Doneff also points out that SBE spends a lot of time training their employees to ensure top of the line customer service – and don’t forget their incredible signature cocktails.
Celeb Spotting: Bruce Willis, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Derek Jeter.
Difficulty to get in: 5 – play it safe by making reservations three weeks in advance. Says Doneff, “If you call last minute they might squeeze you in, but it’s tough.”
The Hotspot: Hyde, 8029 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood
The Lowdown: This is it – the place to see and be seen. Everyone who’s anyone graces the entrance of Hyde, a small, intimate lounge in the heart of the action. “It’s like being in a living room,” says Doneff. “It’s private and sophisticated, grown up, and very exclusive because it’s so small and popular with industry people in L.A.” What’s made it so hot? Incredible cocktails, Katsuya’s food, and DJs like Devon Aoki and Samantha Ronson helping out with atmosphere.
Celeb Spotting: Leonardo di Caprio, Jessica Alba, Zach Braff, James Blunt. Adds Doneff, “Go to tmz.com and you’ll see everyone going in the door.”
Difficulty to get in: 10. Hyde only fits 85 people, and once they go in, they rarely come out before last call. “Unless you know someone or been there who knows someone, it’s difficult,” Doneff admits. “You can stand outside and try, but it’s really hard.”
The Hotspot: Kitson, 115 S. Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles
The Lowdown: Kitson is arguably the crown jewel of celebrity shopping experiences, and that’s no accident. “Kitson is really about pop culture – the hottest trends available that can be seen in the magazines, that’s what we’re really all about,” says Eric Fitzpatrick, Kitson’s customer service and communications manager. “We take anything that’s hot and quickly make it available to our clientele, and also give them undiscovered treats.” Kitson also prides themselves on their customer service, ensuring everything is available on the website for those who can’t make it into the store.
Celeb Spotting: It’s easier to ask who hasn’t shopped there, but a few noteables include Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Kimberly Stewart and Victoria Beckham.
Difficulty to get in: 1 during the week, but on the weekends it’s more like a 5. “On weekends we sometimes use a velvet rope for crowd control,” Fitzpatrick explains, adding that periodically there are film shoots at the store, making it even more difficult to get in. Those looking to spot celebs might have to make repeated attempts – it’s all about the luck of the draw.
The Hotspot: La Terza, 8384 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles
The Lowdown: This is the spot for true Italian cuisine. Owner Gino Angelini boasts one of the best chefs in Italy as part of his stable, and yet he’s still humble about his restaurant’s offerings. “I don’t need to show anything to anyone, but we have really, really good food,” Angelini says. “We’re on the market, people know us, we’re recognized and respected. So if people come to L.A. and they want a commercial restaurant, they can go somewhere else. If they want real Italian, they come here.”
Celeb Spotting: Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn, David Schwimmer, Alicia Keyes, Tyrese.
Difficulty to get in: 6. Angelini works hard to accommodate everyone in La Terza’s spacious dining room, but recommends calling in ahead of time to get a reservation.
The Hotspot: Area, 643 N. La Cienega, Los Angeles
The Lowdown: The antithesis to Hyde, Area is more expansive, holds more people, offers a menu of comfort food and has a dance floor for you to get on down, enhanced by world-class DJs like DJ Vice. “It looks like a Palm Springs living room with low slung furniture, and an indoor outdoor terrace,” says Doneff. “People like the fact we put care and effort into detail and décor.” Some of that attention to detail comes when you order bottle service, which gives you the added thrill of a personal mixologist to work your table all night.
Celeb Spotting: Kevin Connolly, “The Hills” girls, the Duff sisters, Wilmer Valderama, Mekhi Pfeiffer.
Difficulty to get in: 7. “Getting in is easier than at Hyde,” Donneff says, but adds some tips to ensure entry: arrive early and look good, be patient and polite, get to know the promoters, and if all else fails, call ahead and make reservations for bottle service.
The Hotspot: Parc, 6683 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood
The Lowdown: A restaurant/lounge hybrid, Parc is new to the scene – but that’s not stopping it from taking over. What makes it so hot? “The food is amazing,” says co-owner Pantera Sara. “I think it’s a really good vibe. The space is beautiful, and it’s not like a bar or club.” The lounge only opens on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and different DJs for each night set the tone with their choice of music.
Celeb Spotting: Jessica Biel, Justin Timberlake, Jessica and Ashley Simpson, John Mayer, Scarlet Johansen, Ryan Phillippe.
Difficulty to get in: 7. Pantera Sara says it’s best to call for reservations to the restaurant, because “it’s not a large space – we have limited tables.” Bear in mind the list does get full, and calling for a reservation doesn’t guarantee your entrance, but it helps.
The Hotspot: Polkadots and Moonbeams, 8381 West Third Street, Los Angeles
The Lowdown: A chic clothing store filled to the brim with goodies galore, founder and owner Wendy Freedman says what makes it so popular is her belief that everyone should be treated like a star. “Shopping here is like coming into my living room, or hanging out in your best friend’s closet – we’re all having a party,” she says. “Our whole philosophy is we’re a neighborhood store in the middle of a big city where you can get the best stuff, get to be treated like a star, and get star clothes.” Some of those star clothes include labels like Ella Moss, Millie, Sky and Level 99.
Celeb Spotting: Julia Roberts, Johnny Depp, Kate Moss, Fergie.
Difficulty to get in: 1 – everyone is welcome, no matter what day, time, or who else is in the store.
The Hotspot: Blue Velvet, 750 Garland St, Los Angeles
The Lowdown: Downtown Los Angeles has been coming up in terms of hotspot status, and Blue Velvet is right on the cutting edge. With amazing city views and incredible French influenced California cuisine to dine on, it’s no wonder people are frothing at the mouth to eat here. “The design of the restaurant is uniquely L.A. in the sense that it’s progressive, but it also has a mid century Cali home, split-level feeling that really shows off downtown,” says managing partner Robert Hartstein. “We use organic products that are locally grown and really push flavor combinations with all the dishes, so it’s not for your steak-and-potatoes set.”
Celeb Spotting: Christian Slater, Kiefer Sutherland, Amy Adams, Rachel Bilson.
Difficulty to get in: 4 or 5 during the week, but that jumps to a 9 or 10 on the weekends. While Blue Velvet doesn’t play favorites or velvet rope, Hartstein says there are alternatives if you can’t get a reservation. “We have a great poolside lounge, and there are several different rooms that give you a different perspective.
The Hotspot: Prive Hair Salon, 7373 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
The Lowdown: What’s a star-like vacation without getting your hair done? If you’re in the market for a blow-out – or even a color change – make Prive your one stop shop. “Prive is a unique salon because of its famous location and beautiful design,” explains owner Laurent D. “It’s very private and exclusive, and filled with talented technicians, each specialized in their own fields. The staff is very dedicated to its clientele and will treat everyone as a VIP.” Better yet, make an entire day out of it and visit their upstairs neighbor, Ona Spa, for a complete celebrity beauty experience.
Celeb Spotting: Jewel, Tea Leoni, Peter Gallagher, Cristina Ricci, Shanna Moakler, Kristin Chenowitz, Brian Bell, Anne Heche, Debra Messing, Teri Hatcher, Dominic Moynehan.
Difficulty to get in: 3, depending on the day – the salon is open seven days a week. Try for a weekday appointment, unless you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the weekends. “The salon will always do its best to accomodate the clients' needs,” says Laurent. But if you’re looking for an appointment with him, know that he works two weeks in the L.A. salon and two weeks in the NY salon, so you have to plan ahead.
The Hotspot: Fred Segal Fun, 500 Broadway, Suite G, Santa Monica
The Lowdown: Fred Segal has become a staple on the L.A. fashion scene – which is why owner Jackie Brander says it welcomes such a diverse crowd, becoming many people’s hometown favorite. “Every person that comes to Fred Segal Santa Monica says, ‘You guys should open in…’ the appeal is that there is nothing like it,” Brander says. “We have a package that is so solid – people can spend literally hours at the store and enjoy every part of the experience. From eating to shopping, to getting your hair done!”
Celeb Spotting: America Ferrera, Meg Ryan, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Beckensale, Kate Winslet, Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams.
Difficulty to get in: 1, but Brander has some tips to ensure you have the ultimate shopping experience: “Plan on spending some time there and don’t rush...you will miss so much if you do.”
The Hotspot: Katsuya, 11777 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood
The Lowdown: Katsuya combines crucial elements to make for the perfect L.A. dining experience: incredible interior design courtesy of Philippe Starck, great atmosphere, and master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi. “We partnered with him a year ago – he creates amazing food,” says Michael Doneff, the VP of marketing for SBE Entertainment. Doneff also points out that SBE spends a lot of time training their employees to ensure top of the line customer service – and don’t forget their incredible signature cocktails.
Celeb Spotting: Bruce Willis, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Derek Jeter.
Difficulty to get in: 5 – play it safe by making reservations three weeks in advance. Says Doneff, “If you call last minute they might squeeze you in, but it’s tough.”
The Hotspot: Hyde, 8029 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood
The Lowdown: This is it – the place to see and be seen. Everyone who’s anyone graces the entrance of Hyde, a small, intimate lounge in the heart of the action. “It’s like being in a living room,” says Doneff. “It’s private and sophisticated, grown up, and very exclusive because it’s so small and popular with industry people in L.A.” What’s made it so hot? Incredible cocktails, Katsuya’s food, and DJs like Devon Aoki and Samantha Ronson helping out with atmosphere.
Celeb Spotting: Leonardo di Caprio, Jessica Alba, Zach Braff, James Blunt. Adds Doneff, “Go to tmz.com and you’ll see everyone going in the door.”
Difficulty to get in: 10. Hyde only fits 85 people, and once they go in, they rarely come out before last call. “Unless you know someone or been there who knows someone, it’s difficult,” Doneff admits. “You can stand outside and try, but it’s really hard.”
The Hotspot: Kitson, 115 S. Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles
The Lowdown: Kitson is arguably the crown jewel of celebrity shopping experiences, and that’s no accident. “Kitson is really about pop culture – the hottest trends available that can be seen in the magazines, that’s what we’re really all about,” says Eric Fitzpatrick, Kitson’s customer service and communications manager. “We take anything that’s hot and quickly make it available to our clientele, and also give them undiscovered treats.” Kitson also prides themselves on their customer service, ensuring everything is available on the website for those who can’t make it into the store.
Celeb Spotting: It’s easier to ask who hasn’t shopped there, but a few noteables include Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Kimberly Stewart and Victoria Beckham.
Difficulty to get in: 1 during the week, but on the weekends it’s more like a 5. “On weekends we sometimes use a velvet rope for crowd control,” Fitzpatrick explains, adding that periodically there are film shoots at the store, making it even more difficult to get in. Those looking to spot celebs might have to make repeated attempts – it’s all about the luck of the draw.
The Hotspot: La Terza, 8384 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles
The Lowdown: This is the spot for true Italian cuisine. Owner Gino Angelini boasts one of the best chefs in Italy as part of his stable, and yet he’s still humble about his restaurant’s offerings. “I don’t need to show anything to anyone, but we have really, really good food,” Angelini says. “We’re on the market, people know us, we’re recognized and respected. So if people come to L.A. and they want a commercial restaurant, they can go somewhere else. If they want real Italian, they come here.”
Celeb Spotting: Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn, David Schwimmer, Alicia Keyes, Tyrese.
Difficulty to get in: 6. Angelini works hard to accommodate everyone in La Terza’s spacious dining room, but recommends calling in ahead of time to get a reservation.
The Hotspot: Area, 643 N. La Cienega, Los Angeles
The Lowdown: The antithesis to Hyde, Area is more expansive, holds more people, offers a menu of comfort food and has a dance floor for you to get on down, enhanced by world-class DJs like DJ Vice. “It looks like a Palm Springs living room with low slung furniture, and an indoor outdoor terrace,” says Doneff. “People like the fact we put care and effort into detail and décor.” Some of that attention to detail comes when you order bottle service, which gives you the added thrill of a personal mixologist to work your table all night.
Celeb Spotting: Kevin Connolly, “The Hills” girls, the Duff sisters, Wilmer Valderama, Mekhi Pfeiffer.
Difficulty to get in: 7. “Getting in is easier than at Hyde,” Donneff says, but adds some tips to ensure entry: arrive early and look good, be patient and polite, get to know the promoters, and if all else fails, call ahead and make reservations for bottle service.
The Hotspot: Parc, 6683 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood
The Lowdown: A restaurant/lounge hybrid, Parc is new to the scene – but that’s not stopping it from taking over. What makes it so hot? “The food is amazing,” says co-owner Pantera Sara. “I think it’s a really good vibe. The space is beautiful, and it’s not like a bar or club.” The lounge only opens on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and different DJs for each night set the tone with their choice of music.
Celeb Spotting: Jessica Biel, Justin Timberlake, Jessica and Ashley Simpson, John Mayer, Scarlet Johansen, Ryan Phillippe.
Difficulty to get in: 7. Pantera Sara says it’s best to call for reservations to the restaurant, because “it’s not a large space – we have limited tables.” Bear in mind the list does get full, and calling for a reservation doesn’t guarantee your entrance, but it helps.
