Off Duty

Before going, I tapped into my network of LA insiders to find out the coolest spots, from the best burgers in town to cocktails with sweeping views of the city, and they didn’t disappoint with their recommendations.

Dinner + Drinks

1. Chateau Marmont, book lunch in the courtyard. Also nice for dinner/drinks
2. Mother Wolf, a modern Italian restaurant with a great vibe
3. Horses, one of my favourite nights was here
4. Ardor at The EDITION, head to the rooftop for sunset drinks pre-dinner
5. Antico Nuovo, stunning pasta in a low-key setting
6. Marvin, a cool little neighbourhood restaurant
7. Park’s BBQ, for traditional Korean barbecue
8. Dan Tana’s, an old-school Italian, we went here after a gig at Troubadour
9. Gjelina, amazing food in Abbot Kinney
10. The Ivy, a pretty setting for the best people-watching
11. The Beverly Hills Hotel, lunch in the Polo Lounge
12. The Maybourne Hotel, lunch at Dante, stunning views
13. Nobu Malibu, book a month in advance, worth it for the oceanfront setting
14. Cecconi’s, modern Italian in West Hollywood
15. Sunset Tower Hotel, for cocktails in an old school Hollywood setting with sweeping views of LA

Casual Food

1. The Apple Pan, the best burgers, been around since the 1940s
2. Superba, our favourite place for brunch over the weekend. The cinnamon buns is a must
3. Great White, a good brunch spot
4. Alfred Coffee Shop, for your coffee fix
5. Kreation, where we got our daily juices
6. In n Out burger drive thru, head to a viewing platform in the Hills
7. Farm Shop, bakery in Brentwood Country Mart

Things To Do

1. Santa Monica, rent bikes and cycle down to Venice Beach
2. Rose Bowl Flea Market, for vintage shopping
3. The Troubadour, Iconic music venue
4. Runyon Canyon, our favourite hike, the best time was sunrise/sunset
5. Bronson Caves/Griffith Park Hike, to the Hollywood sign
6. SoFi Stadium, watch an NFL game (highly recommend watching Quarterback first)
7. Venice Canals, for a stroll around the pretty houses
8. Melrose Trading Post, Sunday flea market
9. Erewhon market, for the bougiest food shop

What I Wore

I loved LA style, the warm weather meant I could do bare legs and knitwear, jeans and t-shirts, or dresses and loafers. I didn’t do much shopping but stocked up on tees from Re/Done and knits from Anine Bing who both have stores on Melrose (Toteme has since opened in the area). I wore a lot of Varley and Alo for hikes, Reformation dresses for dinner and WNU boxer shorts for everyday.