Insider's guide
Rev up the Maybach and head out for a power breakfast at Toast, a late-night Baccaratini at the Blvd, or a celeb-studded soiree at Koi. In Style zeroes in on where Hollywood's top dogs eat, drink, and schmooze in Los Angeles.
(FORTUNE Magazine) - In L.A., where you go is just as important as what you drive--and who goes where is as carefully plotted as The Da Vinci Code: Stars such as Heath Ledger, Natalie Portman, and Scarlett Johansson dig the Chateau Marmont (no surprise), while studio brass can be spotted breakfasting at the Belvedere, where you can often catch them popping open a bottle of Bollinger to celebrate a deal. Come on, ditch your Zagat and follow our maps to the see-and-be-seen sites and a few secret (until now) locations the So-Cal crowd likes to call their own. Mover and shakers
These high-profile honchos love the good life--and know precisely where to find it. 1 Breakfast The Belvedere at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, 9882 Little Santa Monica Blvd., 310-551-2888 Who Kevin Huvane, Bryan Lourd, and other CAA agents Dish Egg-white frittata Buzz On hand for regulars: the daily Hollywood trades and bottles of bubbly to toast deals. 2 Lunch The Grill on the Alley 9560 Dayton Way, 310-276-0615 Who Producers Bernie Brillstein and Brian Grazer Dish Kobe beef burger, without the bun (this is Hollywood) Buzz The 14 high-back booths that line the walls are considered L.A.'s most coveted lunchtime real estate--every day of the week. 3 Dinner Mastro's Steakhouse 246 N. Canon Drive, 310-888-8782 Who Bill Clinton, Kate Capshaw, and Steven Spielberg Dish Bone-in filet mignon or porterhouse steak, macaroni and gorgonzola cheese Buzz Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis and his Crash team held a private pre-Oscar dinner here before winning Best Picture. 4 Cocktails The Blvd at the Regent Beverly Wilshire 9500 Wilshire Blvd., 310-275-5200 Who Jay-Z and Kirk Kerkorian Drink The $185 Baccaratini is served in a Baccarat glass that patrons can keep. Buzz Skip the sidewalk seats (with Rodeo Drive views); real players prefer back tables for privacy. 5 Et Cetera Wilshire Blvd. It's the go-to shopping strip (Saks, Barneys New York, and Neiman Marcus) for agents, lawyers, and studio heads who like their Zegna suits and Valextra briefcases. 6 Wally's Wine 2107 Westwood Blvd., 310-475-0606 Sommelier Christian Navarro makes himself available to clients 24/7. Marquee names
Hollywood's finest may crave privacy, but here are some hot spots worthy of their presence. 1 Breakfast The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 8789 Sunset Blvd., 310-659-1890 Who Jim Carrey and Jodie Foster are fans of the chain. Drink The original ice-blended mocha--nonfat, decaf, sugar-free (and no whipped cream) Buzz A Coffee Bean truck travels to movie and TV sets to serve actors. 2 Lunch Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel 9641 Sunset Blvd., 310-276-2251 Who Tom Hanks, Annette Bening, and Warren Beatty Dish McCarthy chopped salad Buzz Elton John held his 55th-birthday bash here with Liz Taylor, Sharon Stone, and Richard Gere. 3 Dinner Koi 730 N. La CIenega Blvd., 310-659-9449 Who George Clooney and Sean Combs Dish Crispy rice topped with spicy tuna Buzz John Travolta and Kelly Preston dined here after this year's Oscars ceremony. Also Weekends are when the real power players show up. 4 Cocktails Windows Lounge at the Four Seasons 300 S. Doheny Drive, 310-273-2222 Who Morgan Freeman and Charlize Theron Drink Pomegranate mojito Buzz On Oscar eve '05, Jamie Foxx played songs from Ray at the piano. 5 Shopping Melrose Avenue Who Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon Buzz Stars like to shop for cool items at Fred Segal and tailored suits at Paul Smith. Aviator shades are a draw at Marc Jacobs on Melrose Place. New Hollywood
Make the scene? No, they create it. These young talents seek out the coolest hangouts in Los Angeles for fun. 1 Breakfast/lunch Toast Bakery Cafe 8221 W. 3rd St., 323-655-5018 Who Eva Longoria and Tobey Maguire Dish Eggs Florentine (egg whites optional) Buzz Cool patrons wait three deep for the sidewalk tables (dogs welcome); celebrities seek seclusion indoors. 2 Dinner Magnolia 6266112 Sunset Blvd., 323-467-0660 Who Jake Gyllenhaal and Joaquin Phoenix Dish Marinated skirt steak with mashed potatoes; try a mint-chocolate-chip ice-cream sandwich. Buzz Stay awhile: It's a late-night hangout--till 2 A.M. 3 Cocktails Chateau Marmont 8221 W. Sunset Blvd., 323-656-1010 Who Scarlett Johansson and Heath Ledger Drink Champagne Buzz It's still the city's hippest hotel/party venue; Natalie Portman and Adrian Grenier partied at a pre-Globes fete here. 4 Shopping Robertson Blvd. Who Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan, and Justin Timberlake Buzz Young Hollywood loves the flowy tops at Ghost, skinny Hudson jeans at Kitson, M Missoni pieces at Curve, cashmere at Chan Luu, and Theory blazers at Lisa Kline Men. 5 Et cetera Weekends in Vegas Who Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Usher, and Wilmer Valderrama Buzz Tao for the road: L.A. hipsters trip to Sin City for all-nighters at Tao, the Venetian's 42,000-square-foot Asian bistro and nightclub (3355 Las Vegas Blvd., 702-388-8338).
Reported by Rebecca Grice, Meg Hemphill, Julia Israel, Kwala Mandel and Mark Morrison contributed to this article. From the May 29, 2006 issue
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