Those most familiar with LA will know that there are few areas as affluent as Brentwood with it’s quaint shops and lush greenery, it’s no wonder it ranks as one of L.A.’s most idyllic neighborhoods. Amongst the perfectly tailored lawns and architectural masterpieces is a day full of art, culture, sites, and bites.
Take some time to step outside your neck of the woods…
In the morning hours…
Mornings are best spent starting off with a perfect caffe au lait, in Brentwood there is no shortage of options. Stop by Caffe Luxxe and get your morning pick-me up within the historic Brentwood Country Mart.
Caffe Luxxe
The eatery picks and roasts their own coffee giving new meaning to hand-crafted. Select from freshly baked delights courtesy of Red Rooster Bakery and be on your way.
After your AM charge, explore some of Brentwood’s architectural masterpieces for a light dose of dream home FOMO.
For afternoon reprieve…
George Sturges House
Between the Hunt, Sturges, and Nesbitt house, you’ll have quite the day exploring these post-war artfully designed properties. A Paul R. Williams design, the Hunt Residence was built in 1921 with elements of the Regency Revival style. The George Sturges house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1939 features Wrights Usonian style.
The Getty Center
After geeking out on home design of the retro times, venture off to see a different style of art at the Getty Center. A wonder on the scale of both culture, art, and design, the 24-acre Richard Meier designed campus boasts panoramic city views and renowned collections. Once you reach your afternoon craving stop point then have a seat in their lush garden for a midday picnic. The Getty Center boast exceptional dining options and a plethora of seating choices.
Farmshop
If one prefers to head back into town for their afternoon meal, the Farmshop is the perfect destination. Founded by Chef Jeff Cerciello, the eatery is a staple of the Brentwood Country Mart. With imaginative recipes and locally sourced ingredients, its the best afternoon pick me-up.
Your evening adventure…
Skirball Cultural Center
Once, day turns to night, a show at the Skirball Cultural Center is almost a given. Just north of the Getty, the center explores heritage, culture and ideals through permanent collections, rotating exhibits, film screenings and live performances.
Tavern
Finally, we recommend for your evening conclusion to dine as locals do, at Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s acclaimed Tavern. The destination restaurant features a tastefully prepared seasonal menu with a who’s who of patrons.
As fall turns into winter…or in LA as the weather chills down enough for you to justify your faux fur coat purchase that you’ll likely wear 2x out of the year, the city of stars also gives a bounty of fun to-do during the Holiday season.
From moonlit walks through festively strewn parks to annual magic at the happiest place on earth, add some cheery spice to your Thanksgiving through Christmahanakwanzika line-up.
Enjoy the wonder of the season at the Arboretum’s Moonlight Forest, a full fledged winter spectacle for all ages. The event debuted at the end of October but churns on well into the new year featuring art, food trucks, “adult beverages, and a whole lot of fun.
Location: Disneyland and California Adventure, Anaheim
So this one is a given. There is nothing quite like celebrating the Holiday season at the happiest place on earth. From cinnamon scented “snow” flurrying through the air at the close of the holiday parade to Mickey’s jolly best, Disneyland is a festive no-brainer. A celebration of ALL holiday traditions is represented throughout both parks as the perfect day of fun for the entire family.
Certainly, one does not have to be Michelle Kwan or Adam Rippon to enjoy a day or night on the ice. That being said, Pershing Square’s DJ-led free skate sessions set the scene for their outdoor ice rink in the middle of DTLA.
How old were you when you found out Reindeer are real? If your answer is today years old, your welcome(if not congratulations on knowing your mammal species) and also your in luck. This holiday season you’ll find your antlered friends hanging out in Reindeer Village at Griffith Park. Along with Comet and Blitzen as the main attraction, the zoo will also be decked in bells of holly. Just Kidding. But it will be decorated in winter splendor during Zoo Lights, which includes NYE festivities, a happy hour lounge and more.
If your looking for something to combine giving back and the exercise you’ll need alongside your festive feast, the Turkey Trot answers that call. A charity race through DTLA benefiting The Midnight Mission, give thanks this season to your cardio incentive.
The Queen Mary is a graceful step back in time. Whether you opt to enjoy their first class dining on Thanksgiving(November 22nd) or prefer to savor an extra day until the annual Christmas celebration begins. Decked out in twinkling lights that nestle perfectly with the night sky is a months worth of live music, food & drink, and family activities to delight the all aboard the iconic ship.
The Hollywood Christmas Parade
November 25
Location: Hollywood Blvd, Holllywood
Also, the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade is returning this month! The parade, which will be held November 25, will feature many performers including The Village People, Ruben Studdard, Tom Dixon, and many more! A great event to add to your things to do list! Also, attendees will enjoy a night filled with marching band shows, larger-than-life balloon figures, and even an appearance from Santa. A concert for ticket holders will be at 5 p.m., with the procession starting at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $32 – $85. More details HERE.
Los Angeles County Tree Lighting
November 26
L.A. County Tree Lighting
Location: Grand Park
Looking for more things to do this month? Head down to Grand Park to see the official L.A. County Holiday Tree lit up in a special ceremony. One of the most noteworthy events, the tree lighting ceremony is scheduled from November 26 from 5:30 – 8 p.m., and will include performances from local artists and community groups. Also, the event is free and all ages are invited to attend. For more details on this event, click HERE.
The landmark Langham Hotel host their final Heritage with Heart event of the year. Already regarded as one of the premiere luxury resorts in southern California, the hotel will usher in the holidays stylishly. Enjoy the hotels tree lighting ceremony, a live performance by the Lythgoe Family, holiday food and of course Santa.
A fun winter pop-up helmed by Va’La Hospitality and Westbound’s original founder Sarah Meade, is Here & Now. The holiday themed limited engagement in DTLA’s Art district will feature a snow machine, themed entertainment and all the spiked hot cocoa and festive bites you can consume. Just remember to celebrate responsibly!
Wine Winter Wonderland
Wine Winter Wonderland
November 30th
Location: Hotel Constance, Pasadena
Holidays arrive early with this Wine enthusiast treat. Enjoy access to unlimited wine tastings(and some beer options) along with tasty bites at this vino centric festival at Pasadena’s Hotel Constance.
Looking for Pt.2? You’ll have to stay tuned until Dec. 1st for more on the Holidays in LA. So put away the festive decor, we haven’t even fried the Turkey yet!
With as many restaurants as there are Bird scooters, we’ve decided to simplify your options of the week by dishing out the best places to grab a bite from power lunches to elegant fare. Read below for our nosh worthy eats throughout L.A.
“Breakfast is the most important deal of the day…”
Chef Mirko Paderno has a new gig at the fancy culinary edition to the BH dining scene. There’s only one hook: It’s not open to the public. Spring Place restaurant is part of a private co-working/art community of the same name (sort of like a Soho House) which recently debuted it’s west coast outpost in 90210. The cuisine will offer the same rustic Italian cuisine those familiar with Chef Paderno are used to(think Estrella). Still, the place is rather upscale with some 200 seats indoor and out, so apply for membership and call it your new business go-to.
Breezy Australian import Little Ruby has all the friendly vibes that makes it a morning meal go-to. Thankfully it serves “brekkie” daily, which means the restaurant’s airy ricotta hotcakes layered with honeycomb-inflected butter and fresh bananas can be had on the regular.
Destroyer, whose name references a comet, is a tiny, 16-seat breakfast and lunch space in the Hayden Tract, an industrial zone turned design district known mostly for its experimental architecture. The café is counter service only, with a menu that changes daily. For breakfast you might have a slice of Icelandic rye with cultured butter and preserves, or a bowl of oatmeal — which looks more like a Scandinavian snow globe than a bowl of porridge — studded with wild foraged currants and topped with a frozen disc of skyr.
This reasonably priced pasta destination in Santa Monica takes a lot of inspiration from Italy’s greatest restaurants and puts them in a casual, bar-like setting. Using pasta hand made by artisans in Italy then flown in weekly, Uovo serves tonnarelli al arrabiata, tortellini in brodo, and ragu around $16 to $18 a serving when they can go for nearly twice as much in other restaurants.
Sherman Oaks option Mizlala has taken the Valley lunch scene by storm. Owners Danny and Justine Elmaleh are turning out Middle Eastern fare that competes with the best that LA has to offer, and all from one very colorful space.
Right in the heart of Pico-Robertson’s predominantly Jewish neighborhood, the Lodge Bread team has opened up Hasiba, an Israeli cafe with hummus, pita sandwiches, and more, in a casual, reasonably priced storefront. Everything’s vegetarian too, with a few vegan options as well, which makes it a great pick for those avoiding meat.
Chef Miles Thompson is steering a pretty big boat these days with Michael’s in Santa Monica. The long-standing restaurant has been in the hit-making business for decades, helping to launch the career of countless well-known chefs, but it’s all now in the hands of the eager wunderkind who navigates between classic menu items like foie gras and all-new interpretations like hamachi collar with fish-sauce caramel. Add in the gorgeous leafy patio, the always eclectic crowd, and the fun-loving Michael McCarty himself working the room, and it’s smooth sailing at one of LA’s most iconic restaurants.
Niki Nakayama’s phenomenal California-Japanese kaiseki might possibly be the most impressive restaurant to visit in Los Angeles. If the Michelin Guide were still rating in LA, n/naka would be a strong contender for three stars. The hidden-in-plain-sight building in Palms hosts one of the warmest, loveliest dining rooms, with fantastic wine pairings and pristine seafood prepared with a master’s touch. Reservations required, often weeks in advance.
There are so many phenomenal restaurants in San Gabriel Valley, but this one has a great mix of hand pulled noodles, stir-fried specialties, and regional Shaanxi favorites with plenty of space to bring a crowd. Order the biang-biang noodles, lamb “burgers”, and more.
Over the hill and through the woods to Pacific Palisades we go! Heading down Sunset and past Brentwood, you’ll find this hillside-oceanview neighborhood abundant in luxury homes nestled perfectly into the bluffs. From stunning estates to the Getty Villa and Will Rogers State Park, why not make a day of it in L.A.’s westside escape.
In the morning hours
Getty Villa
What better way to start your morning then amongst the art found at Getty Villa. Based on the remains of Villa Dei Papiri in Herculaneum, the faux villa is the home of J. Paul Getty’s Mediterranean antiquities. Hours could pass as you tour through roughly 1,200 artifacts on display at any one time.
Eames House
If your historical interest is peaked then head to the next famed abode, Eames House. Designed by couple Charles and Ray Eames, it stands as one of Southern California’s most beloved examples of modernist design. The Pacific Palisades abode stuns with its Mondrian-style color-block exterior and environmentally-sensitive siting.
Will Rogers Historic State Park
If you’ve had your fill on architecture and art, fresh air should do the trick by making your way to Will Rogers State Historic Park. The grounds originally served as the former home of writer and first honorary mayor of Beverly Hills-Will Rogers. Maintained as it was in the 1930s, the 186-acre park is a destination spot for ocean views, polo matches, and horseback riding lessons if your feeling indulgent.
For a midday reprieve
Pacific Palisades
By the time the afternoon hits, famished is an understatement. Make your way to the new Pacific Palisades Village for a range of dining options to appease your midday cravings.
General Porpoise
General Porpoise is L.A.’s first concept from James Beard Award-winning chef Renee Erickson. The famed Seatle doughnut shop brings L.A. rows and rows of sugar-coated goodness freshly baked daily.
Hanks
Blue Ribbon’s first take on the sports bar fits cozily into one end of the Palisades Village complex at Hank’s. With the eatery brings flat-screen TVs, beers, cocktails and some serious burgers to the neighborhood.
Jennifer Meyer Jewelry
Before you leave be sure to check out the shops as the village also includes first time L.A. flagships from Rachel Zoe and Jennifer Meyer Jewelry.
Gladstones
If you prefer to grab a bite a bit closer to the cliffs then Gladstone’s will serve as your landmark destination. Situated where Sunset Boulevard meets the Pacific Coast Highway, it’s become a place of Southern California legend. Gladstones offers a menu plucked from the very ocean it overlooks, serving modern renditions of classic dishes.
Evening fete
Parfumerie at Theatre Palisades
With what is likely a day of bites, sites, shopping, and Palisades fun, your evening should be spent somewhat scaled down. On the weekend catch a stage performance at Theatre Palisades. While the 2018 season comes to a close with E.P. Dowdall’s Parfumerie holding the spotlight through December, the 2019 season is sure to wow.
Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi
If your looking for your nighttime feast, indulge at Il Ristorate di Giorgio Baldi. This Pacific Coast Highway-facing trattoria has welcomed everyone from Tom Hanks to Tom Cruise. Once you’ve sampled the kitchen’s fresh pastsa dishes like the agnolotti with corn and white truffle sauce, you’ll understand why.
Shore Bar
For after dinner drinks we recommend anchoring down at Shore Bar, a cape cod inspired craft cocktail favorite for Palisades locals. Swim through a sea of sophisticated cocktails, designed by Master Mixologist Vincenzo Marianella of Copa D’ Ora.
Whether you spent your day indulging in one destination or the other, there is no doubt that the Pacific Palisades serves as the perfect Oceanside spot to escape the city’s hustle and bustle.
With all the hustle and bustle of our weekday routine we bring you a curated list of the weekends top activities happening throughout the city of stars.
Taking place Friday Nov 9th-Nov. 11th at The Gamble House is a tribute to Pasadena’s unique contributions to the American Arts & Crafts Movement. Craftsman Weekend is the largest most comprehensive celebration of the Craftsman Movement in the Western United States
Location: The Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, Beverly Hills
The young cellist Alisa Weilerstein, a recipient of a 2011 MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, has justly earned international acclaim for emotionally resonant performances of both traditional and contemporary music. Weilerstein will bring her technical precision and impassioned musicianship to the extraordinary task of performing all six of Bach’s solo cello suites in one evening.
Alright all you Cup-O-Joe drinkers, this weekend will serve as the debut of LA’s first ever coffee festival. Yes you heard that right. Kicking off on Friday and spanning the entire weekend, is a caffeine-obsessed day of fun. Patrons will enjoy Barista competitions, samplings, demos, workshops, chefs, music and food from LA’s coffee/dining stars. Join them Friday for their Industry Day Trade show with Saturday and Sunday offering up a jolting dose of available sessions for the coffee bean enthused.
More than two dozen galleries feature the work of hundreds of local artists covering media ranging from painting to photography to ceramics and jewelry.
The statue entitled ‘Love, the Captive of Youth’ surrounded by an 18th-century French stone tempietto inside the the Rose Garden at the Huntington Library in San Marino. ///ADDITIONAL INFO: pasc.huntington.xxxx.dak 06/30/14 – Photo by DREW A. KELLEY, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, Pasadena
Explore iconic Southern California architecture of the 1920s and ’30s in the exhibition “Architects of a Golden Age,” then prepare a meal inspired by menus from some of the era’s most popular L.A. restaurants, including the Musso & Frank Grill and the Brown Derby. Maite Gomez-Rejón of ArtBites leads this cooking workshop.
AFI Fest presented by Audi features red carpet galas, acclaimed international films and the best of independent cinema. It also presents conversations and panels with notable filmmakers, as well as a tech showcase featuring immersive virtual reality experiences. The complete schedule of events is listed online, but highlights include centerpiece galas; special screenings; as well as world cinema, shorts, virtual reality films and a competition for first- and second-time filmmakers. All film tickets are free, but limited. Special packages that include such privileges as priority access, reserved seats, access to the VIP lounge and invitations to festival parties are available for $400–$2,500.
Join Karina Esperanza Yánez in challenging stereotypes and celebrating your identity in this workshop inspired by the art of Adrian Piper. ART WITHOUT WALLS is co-presented by the Felipe de Neve Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. Families create art inspired by social justice issues, literature, and Hammer exhibitions. The same activities are offered at each site. The Hammer program includes storytelling in the galleries. The library program is bilingual in Spanish and English. Recommended for children ages 5+, teens, and grownups.
If there is one thing we love in LA it is our all-natural, certified organic bounty of food and beverage options. With that in mind the 2nd annual Raw Wine Fair returns to DTLA showcasing the best of the best in natural wine goodness. The organic and biodynamic festival will include winemaker dinners, tutored tastings, as well bites from restaurants like Helen’s, Tabula Rasa and Kismet.
Daniel Barenboim unites young musicians to create one of the musical wonders of the world. One of the wonders of the world, Daniel Barenboim’s West-Eastern Divan Orchestra brings together young musicians from Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Spain to make music at the highest level.
***Pre-Concert Talk: Upbeat Live With Derrick Spiva Jr. – 6:30pm
Enhance your concert experience with a pre-concert talk starting at 6:30pm
Already synonymous with the Holiday season is the urge to give back. With November being the start of our season of giving, we present to you some of L.A’s charitable organizations to lend a helping hand to.
Rodeo Realty’s Betty Galvan Host Blood Drive
OPEN HEARTS FOUNDATION
MALIBU, CA – May 6 – Luna Simon, Willa Simon, Katie Flynn and Jane Seymour attend Open Hearts Foundation 2018 Young Hearts Spring Event on May 6th 2018 at Private Residence in Malibu, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer Photography)
Jane Seymour and daughter Katie Flynn carry on a legacy of community giving.
“If you can find a way to help somebody else, it’ll take you out of your own cycle of challenges, so you can find a purpose and impact others,” says Jane Seymour, OBE, and Emmy Award-winning actress, of her Open Hearts Foundation, a social impact accelerator providing resources and tools to nonprofits. Seymour passed along the legacy of giving to her daughter, Katie Flynn, who co-founded Young Hearts with friends Ella Freyinger and Adee Zach. An auxiliary branch of Open Hearts, Young Hearts aims to support young philanthropists.
HOLA
HOLA-Hearts of Los Angeles
Quinn Ezralow is committed to improving quality of life for all Angelenos.
Co-chair of LACMA’s Director’s Circle, third-generation Angeleno Quinn Ezralow is passionate about giving back to L.A. “I hope to improve lifestyle, health and education for anybody and everyone in the Los Angeles area,” she says of her work with a variety of charities, from the Junior League of Los Angeles to USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center to Heart of Los Angeles, the latter of which provides over 3,500 underserved youth with nurturing programs in academics, arts and athletics. HOLA is currently partnering with the Department of Recreation and Parks to build the environmentally friendly HOLA Arts and Recreation Center, where the Ezralow Family Pavilion will boast an indoor-outdoor multifunctional performance space.
EARTHECHO
Earth Echo International
Conservationists Philippe Cousteau and Ashlan Gorse Cousteau raise environmental awareness.
Grandson of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau, Philippe Cousteau grew up with adventure in his bones. “My grandfather pioneered the environmental movement of the 20th century,” says Philippe. In addition to their conservation work and a forthcoming documentary on the future of Earth’s oceans, Philippe works with EarthEcho, founded in honor of his father, Philippe Cousteau Sr. The group seeks to bring youth awareness and activism to the conservation movement.
CAM
CAM-Community Academic Mentoring
CBS executive Catrice Monson is passionate about community outreach, helping others and… candy.
As senior vice president of corporate diversity and inclusion at CBS, Catrice Monson holds a critical role: helping attract a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive work environment. “It allows me to combine community outreach and my passion for working with people,” she says. That passion was instilled in Monson by her family. “Community, public service and caring for others was part of my DNA from the beginning,” she explains. Today, her nonprofit, Community Academics Mentoring emphasizes the importance of education, advocacy and outreach for the underrepresented. “My dad originally started a nonprofit called NEED, which focused on low-income housing and education,” she explains.
EIF
EIF-Entertainment Industry Foundation
New EIF CEO Nicole Sexton brings fresh ideas to a charitable Hollywood powerhouse.
Marking its 75th anniversary this year, Entertainment Industry Foundation has raised over $1 billion for health, educational and social issues by harnessing the power of celebrity to raise awareness and funds. EIF’s VP of development and corporate relations, Tracy Paul—whose company Tracy Paul & Company Inc. is a strategic alliance partner with EIF—adds, “EIF serves as a gateway to giving for the entertainment industry.” The depth and breadth of EIF’s reach means they’re behind powerhouse programs like Stand Up to Cancer, Hunger Is, and Revlon Run/Walk for Women. Their newest initiative finds the group partnering with Linkin Park on Music for Relief.
