AMAYZINE’S THIS IS LA

For as long as we can remember, Los Angeles is the dream destination that’s home to the stars and where fairytales come true. The city appeals to our imagination and rightfully so because it’s the place where ‘it’ happens when it concerns film, music, media, health, and increasingly art and fashion.

Not to say the least about the amazing restaurants and hotels. The idea that everything’s plastic fantastic or golden is outdated because in neighbourhoods like Venice, Silverlake, and the Art District a downright renaissance is going on: the new L.A. And everyone wants to be a part of it. Style bloggers Sabrina Meijer (afterDRK) and Yara Michels (ChapterFriday) spent a couple of months last year to do some inspiration. And now with nearby festivals like Coachella and Burning Man have also become immensely popular in our country, there doesn’t seem a better moment to share our favourite places in the city of angels with you. Here’s Amayzine’s L.A.

WEST HOLLYWOOD / BEVERLY HILLS

Spago The iconic restaurant from Wolfgang Puck in Beverly Hills was terribly outdated the last couple of years, but ever since they renovated the place a year ago things have been going great again and Spago’s on top of his game, popular as ever. One of the highlights in 90210.

Chateau Marmont If these walls could talk… Another icon about which we could talk for hours is the Chateau Marmont. It’s not easy to enter the place, but if you’ve managed to secure a spot on the terrace alongside the beach, watch out that you don’t trip over the Sean Penns and Lindsay Lohans of the world. This is Hollywood!

Petit Ermitage The Roosevelt is a classic, but if you’re looking for something new and more low key then definitely go to the Petit Ermitage. They’ve managed to portray a fantasy world. The mystical ambience, the glittering rooftop pool and bar are kind of affordable too.

Pump The brand new gay-friendly bar of society lady and restaurant owner (hotspots Villa Blanca and Sur) Lisa Vanderpump. This woman breathes flitter and glamour and so do her restaurants.

The Beverly Hills Hotel Normally, a visit to the Beverly Hills Hotel, with its Polo Lounge, would be an absolute recommendation, were it not that the legendary hotel’s now boycotted by Hollywood (with Ellen DeGeneres and Jay Leno leading the cause). The sultan of Brunei, owner of The Dorchester group to which the Beverly Hills Hotel, the 45 Park Lane in London, and the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris all belong, has instated the very women and gay unfriendly Muslim sharia law. The protest against the sultan and his hotels already led to a massive number of cancelled events. The damage has reportedly already accumulated to over 1,5 million dollars.

The Row The Olsen twins opened their first flagship store of their brand The Row at Melrose Place this week. Definitely worth a visit.

VENICE

The laid back beach neighbourhood Venice is home to the street Abboy Kinney, where it’s a party when it comes to great shops, restaurants, and bars.

Gjelina might be the hottest hotspot of the moment. This all seasonal, organic and local, community driven restaurant’s become so popular that they won’t break a sweat to send away types like Taylor Swift if their completely booked. The food’s amazing and thankfully they now also have got a take away counter.

Venice Beach Wines Operated from that same green hippy sentiment, you can drink and take with the greatest wines of the region.

Other pearls in Venice, when it comes to ambience, taste, and quality, are amongst others Suberba Snack Bar and Tasting Kitchen.

LOS FELIZ / SILVERLAKE

Rock ‘n roll chic is a great way to describe this incredible hipp(y) neighbourhood.

The Dresden This classic has already existed for over 60 years and it’s like entering a movie set where you can drink a dirty martini with Don Draper and Frank Sinatra. Amazing steaks, even better cocktails, and live jazz every night.

Figaro Bistrot Incredibly fresh croissants in the morning and the perfect steak frites at night. Forgela You can trade your own harvest for a meal in the restaurant. It doesn’t get more hippy than this.

ART DISTRICT

Until a few years ago you wouldn’t want to have been caught dead Downtown, in fact, that was probably what would happen since the colony of homeless people Skid Row on left and drug buildings on right it wasn’t quite the best of neighbourhoods. As seems to be the case in cities like these, the unwanted and cheap places attracted many artists and so hipsters and coffee places are now aplenty.

Ace Hotel We all know it from a.o. Seattle, Brooklyn and London, and it’s just as cool here.

Wurstküche The place where they serve culinary treasures from Europe like German sausages, Belgian fries, and Duch beer. Of course all in a hipster jacket.

Bäco Mercat Surprisingly good fusion sandwiches and even named restaurant of the year.

1. hat, River Island, €25,00

2. maxi dress, bijenkorf (French connection) €215

3. sunglasses, bijenkorf(Prada) €205

4. jumpsuit, Fafetch (Michael Kors) €195,-

5. shorts, zara,€29.95

6. top, River Island, €29,-

7. shoe, Farfetch(Sophia Webster) €548,00