Morning meetings

For laid-back lattes, choose one of three Urth Caffé locations (8565 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; 267 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills; 2327 Main St., Santa Monica).

An interior view of Los Angeles's trendy Beachwood Restaurant. Insiders take their business to the patio.

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Lunch

Blair's (2903 Rowena Ave., 323-660-1882) is an American-style bistro in the Silver Lake neighborhood, not far from downtown. In Venice, try the hip patio at Beechwood Restaurant (822 Washington Blvd., 310-448-8884).

Afternoon meetings

Midday cappuccinos at Chateau Marmont (8221 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood) are much less extravagant than booking a table for dinner.

Dinner

Upscale Enoteca Drago (410 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310-786-8236) is a chic place to go for rustic Italian food. A sister restaurant, Drago Ristorante (2628 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-828-1585), offers much of the same closer to the ocean.

Evening drinks

The Rooftop Bar at the downtown Standard hotel (550 S. Flower St.) is an ideal poolside place to see and be seen.

Getting around

In L.A., you are what you drive, and you'll do a lot of driving. To roll in style, try Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car.

Find out about local hotspots in these U.S. cities, click on the links below:

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• Silicon Valley