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| The architecturally arresting Pacific Design Center, the perfect spot from which to explore Melrose Avenue and the La Cienega design quarter. |
I am just back from a fantastic week in Los Angeles. I love nothing more than visiting the West Coast every few months to catch up on the latest and greatest, to browse new shops and sample of-the-moment eateries. My latest jaunt to La-La Land had me bopping about the city, from Los Feliz to Santa Monica, snapping digital photos and taking gobs of notes in my travel journal.
While it’s fun driving all over LA with the sunroof open and The Go-Gos blaring, I also love to plunk down in one neighborhood and scope the area by foot. Case in point: La Cienega and the streets radiating from this design-centric thoroughfare in West Hollywood. If you are an interiors buff or love fabulous fashion and great eateries, there’s no better nabe for lifestyle browsing and gourmet grazing.
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| A verdant courtyard just off Melrose Avenue. |
My advice: Park in the Pacific Design Center, and then get out and explore. On Melrose Avenue you’ll find such favorite destinations as Inner Gardens with its wonderful assortment of vintage statuary, pots and coffee table books; Alexandra von Furstenberg’s colorful Lucite-crafted furnishings; Rose Tarlow Melrose House for stunning furniture, textiles and rugs; and Michael Smith’s Jasper for lighting and fabrics. Plus, I am crazy about high-style Cecconi’s and Craig’s, two must-visit eateries. Cecconi’s packs in the celebs, so keep your eyes open.
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| M+B, a terrific source for contemporary artwork. |
After you have cased Melrose Avenue, continue on to La Cienega and take a left. The busy street is full of interiors gems. I am especially partial to Downtown for vintage lighting; Hollyhock where the beautifully curated merchandise reflects the superlative eye of owner Suzanna Rheinstein; Mecox Gardens; Todd Alexander Romano; Barclay Butera; and Hollywood at Home. Stop for lunch at the just-opened Fig & Olive for a fabulous salad fragrant with figs and truffle oil.
Make sure to explore Melrose Place, a Mecca for the fashion folk. On the narrow stretch between La Cienega and Melrose Avenue, you’ll find standout boutiques Stella McCartney, Marni, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs and Carolina Herrera. Finish off your day with an early dinner at bustling Comme Ça. Pair a superlative rosé wine with the pistachio-sprinkled roasted beet salad followed by Scottish salmon with polenta and oyster mushrooms. Sublime.
Photos by Jason Oliver Nixon
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| Pop into Downtown to browse the vast selection of vintage lighting. |