Hotels

Le Bristol Paris
112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008
Located in the best shopping area of Paris and featured in Woody Allen’s movie, Midnight in Paris.

Le Citizen Hotel
96 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010
Understated design with canal views, located in an area filled with a new generation of chic cafés, shops, and restaurants.

Four Seasons Hotel George V
31 Avenue George V, 75008
One of the top addresses in Paris and one of the finest hotels in the world. This is one of the best places to experience the spirit of French luxury.

L’Hôtel
13 Rue des Beaux-Arts, 75006
In the heart of Saint-Germain, this is a very small and special boutique hotel with an interior designed by Jacques Garcia.

Hôtel Bel-Ami
7–11 Rue Saint-Benoît, 75006
Located in the heart of Saint-Germain—very stylish, urban chic, and comfortable. This is where I used to stay before I had a flat in the city.

Hôtel Costes
239–241 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001
This hotel, with its popular bar and courtyard restaurant, is a meeting place for beautiful people.

Hôtel d’Angleterre
44 Rue Jacob, 75006
A charming hotel in Saint-Germain with a rich history (Hemingway stayed here).

Hôtel du Nord
102 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010
An atmospheric hotel on the Canal Saint-Martin; edgy with a hipster vibe and famous for Marcel Carné’s movie masterpiece Hôtel du Nord.

Hôtel du Petit Moulin
29–31 Rue de Poitou, 75003
Christian Lacroix converted what was once a boulangerie (bakery) into one of the quirkiest hotels in Paris. Quite the design hotel, here you experience haute couture as a lifestyle.

Hôtel Plaza Athénée
25 Avenue Montaigne, 75008
An elegant and luxurious hotel, Ducasse’s restaurant and bar make it one of the city’s most talked about places. The magnificent exterior has flowers everywhere, making it charming and glamorous. This hotel often appears in TV shows and movies.

Hôtel Récamier
3 bis Place Saint-Sulpice, 75006
A luxurious boutique hotel near Saint-Sulpice, where you can follow the trail of Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code.

Pavillon de la Reine
28 Place des Vosges, 75003
The nicest hotel in the Marais, located on the beautiful Place des Vosges. A mix of old and new, it is a secret hideaway surrounded by some of the best art galleries in Paris.

Pershing Hall
49 Rue Pierre Charron, 75008
Hidden discreetly behind a classic Paris façade is a courtyard with a lush vertical garden, making this hotel a very special retreat.

Le Royal Monceau—Raffles Paris
37 Avenue Hoche, 75008
Another Starck masterpiece, and an artist’s heaven—very, very stylish.

Shangri-La
10 Avenue d’Léna, 75116
Quite the luxury hotel and spa with gorgeous views of the city and excellent dining rooms and bars, which makes this one of my personal favorites to enjoy with a crowd.

Restaurants

Angelina
226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001
Beautiful tearoom with gorgeous ceilings, exquisite furnishings, and fabulous, fluffy cakes.

Apicius
20 Rue d’Artois, 75008
Glamorous décor and service and sensational cuisine.

L’Avenue
41 Avenue Montaigne, 75008
Light and healthy cuisine—and the interior is designed in my favorite color, violet. This is a popular meeting place for celebs and journalists.

Bar Du Marché
53 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004
Great café located in the center of the Marais and all the best shopping—terrific service and value.

La Bastide Blanche
1 Blvd. de Courcelles, 75008
An upscale Parisian brasserie that has a French menu with a twist and a cool artistic vibe. It was the setting for many meetings with this book’s French illustrator, Eric Giriat.

Bofinger
5–7 Rue de la Bastille, 75004
Incredible Art Nouveau interior—seafood, sausages, and celebrities.

Bon
25 Rue de la Pompe, 75116
An upscale and beautifully designed restaurant by Philippe Starck, featuring a healthy, light cuisine.

Bouillon Chartier
7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009
Good French fare in an authentic and lively environment. Opened in 1896, it is an official historical monument.

Brasserie Balzar
49 Rue des Écoles, 75005
No visit to Paris is complete without a stop here. An Art Deco masterpiece with a classic French menu—originally a meeting place for intellectuals and now a very popular restaurant.

Brasserie Lipp
151 Blvd. Saint-Germain, 75006
This Hemingway haunt has a spectacular Art Deco interior, classic French cuisine, and waiters with attitude.

Brasserie Thoumieux
79 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007
Beautiful interior and a classic French menu with style.

Café de Flore
172 Blvd. Saint-Germain, 75006
A historic café and meeting place for artists and writers.

Café Louise, 155 Blvd. Saint-Germain, 75006
This restaurant has the best burger in Paris—a must! Great French fare with a flair as well.

Café Marly at the Louvre
93 Rue de Rivoli, 75001
Spectacular location with a view of the Louvre.

Chez Fernand
13 Rue Guisarde, 75006
In the heart of Saint-Germain, a classic French bistro with red-and-white checkered tablecloths. This is a great place to meet for lunch; I often meet my friends in the design business here.

La Coupole
102 Blvd. du Montparnasse, 75014
Magnificent Art Deco dining room with classic Parisian brasserie food; full of bustle.

Cristal Room Baccarat
11 Place des États-Unis, 75116
Designed by Philippe Starck, the ambience is très chic and they have a great wine list.

Dino
8 Chaussée de la Muette, 75016
My favorite Italian restaurant in Paris—best pizzas, pastas, and salads.

Frenchie
5–6 Rue du Nil, 75002
Fabulous food, cool vibe, great service, and great wines. Lots of fun—a must!

La Gare
19 Chaussée de la Muette, 75016
A train station converted into a spectacularly designed restaurant, with a fantastic menu offering prixfixe options.

Gaya Rive Gauche
44 Rue du Bac, 75007
A fantastic modern seafood restaurant with fresh fish and unique specialties only found here. Their exceptionally light preparation of fish is delightful.

Le Georges at the Centre Pompidou
19 Rue Beaubourg, 6th floor, 75004
A fantastic view of the city with a contemporary architectural flair.

Le Grand Bistro de la Muette
10 Chaussée de la Muette, 75016
The best value in Paris, with a prix-fixe menu, elegant décor, and outstanding service.

Le Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower
Avenue Gustave Eiffel, 75007
Incredible view of Paris and luxury dining—very romantic and special!

Ladurée
16 Rue Royale, 75008
My favorite tearoom in Paris. The macarons are addictive and make great gifts.

Ma Bourgogne
19 Place des Vosges, 75004
A favorite of mine in the Marais, amidst all the art galleries; a typical French menu and a view of the beautiful Place des Vosges.

Mariage Frères
30–32 Rue du Bourg-Tibourg, 75004
Best selection of teas anywhere. I love the salads and cakes.

Market
15 Avenue Matignon, 75008
Elegant and stylish—distinctive fusion cuisine.

Les Ombres at the Musée du Quai Branly
27 Quai Branly, 75007
A fantastic bar with a great view of the Eiffel Tower.

La Pâtisserie des Rêves
111 Rue de Longchamp, 75016
This pâtisserie of dreams takes an artful approach to cakes and classic baked goods— beautiful, unusual, and a great place to have a morning pastry.

Silencio
142 Rue Montmartre, 75002
A private club and meeting place for artists, writers, and creative types, designed by David Lynch. This is my favorite place to go for drinks, cinema, lectures, and music—very inspirational.

Spoon
14 Rue de Marignan, 75008
This Ducasse- and Starck-inspired restaurant is a favorite of mine for its outstanding fusion fare that you can mix and match.

Shopping

The Americana at Brand
889 Americana Way, Glendale
An outdoor mall shopping experience with a large selection of stores, restaurants, and theaters with lots of good energy.

Amoeba Music
6400 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
Best record store in LA!

Barneys New York
9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
Style sums it up. It showcases top avant-garde designers in women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, as well as high-end, hard-to-find beauty and home items.

Confederacy
4661 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
A shop where you can buy pieces of clothing that will create the indie eclectic look that is so LA, featuring women’s designer and So-Cal native Rebecca Minkoff and an assortment of menswear designers.

Decades
8214 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood
A shop for anyone who appreciates the story behind a classic piece of clothing. Decades’ owners travel to estate sales throughout the world for their fine vintage pieces. They also serve local fashionistas and consign pristine-condition contemporary threads.

Fred Segal
8100 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood
and 500 Broadway, Santa Monica
This iconic one-stop shop is a trendsetter where you will find hip local designers and accessories.

The Grove
189 The Grove Dr., Los Angeles
An outdoor wonderland mall with dancing fountains, a great selection of shops, restaurants, and theaters, and lots of fun.

Madison
3835 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu (and other locations as well)
These stores capture the indie spirit of LA style—creative and quirky.

Monique Lhuillier
8485 Melrose Place, Los Angeles
A shop to go to if you need a beautiful gown or special-occasion clothing for a glamorous event—a great place to indulge in fantasy.

Neiman Marcus
9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
A luxury brand department store featuring top designers.

Nordstrom
locations throughout the city
This department store is a favorite for its fantastic mix of brands, styles and service.

Saks Fifth Avenue
9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
Although headquartered in New York, this luxury-goods retailer also makes a bold statement in Los Angeles.

Stacey Todd
13025 Ventura Blvd., Studio City
and 454 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood
A  Valley gem—owner Stacey Todd curates her high-end women’s store with a masculine, modern, rock ’n’ roll edge.

TenOverSix
8425 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles
An indie, eclectic mix of merchandise—a go-to shop for edgy and interesting pieces to mix with casual chic, vintage, and tailored clothing.

Third Street Promenade
between Wilshire Blvd. and Broadway in Santa Monica
A great place to spend an afternoon shopping in many fine stores just a few blocks from the beach.

THVM Atelier
1317 Palmetto St., Los Angeles
A retail store located in a hip area in the downtown Arts District that includes an edgy range of ready-to-wear and couture labels—a memorable shopping experience.

Trina Turk
8008 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles
Based in Palm Springs and LA, the designer’s bright prints and eclectic and pop-art-inspired combinations will always make you smile.

Vroman’s Bookstore
695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
The best, and largest, independent and family-owned bookstore in the city—you can always find what you want. They have lots of events and book signings, and a very literary and artistic crowd meets here.

The Way We Wore
334 S. La Brea Ave., Hollywood
This fantastic store is filled with incredible vintage gowns, accessories, and items that serve as inspiration for designers.

Hotels

Andaz West Hollywood
8401 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
This hotel is modern and contemporary with great city views. It is in an excellent location to walk to trendy shops and restaurants along the strip.

The Beverly Hills Hotel
9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills
The quintessential standard of Hollywood glamour and luxury, noted for its famous pool and cabanas and lavish Polo Lounge, where the rich and famous have stayed and played. You feel transported into a bygone era—I created my own legend by getting married here.

Chateau Marmont
8221 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
There is nothing quite like this eccentric and iconic hotel—it is a favorite of many celebrities. It is also always a fun place to dine and have a drink.

Hotel Bel-Air
701 Stone Canyon Rd., Los Angeles
One of the most beautiful hotels in the city—an enchanting and magical place. I love to go here for lunch, dinner, special occasions, and even a special petit weekend!

Hotel Shangri-La
1301 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica
An Art Deco masterpiece with stunning views in a great location.

The Langham Huntington
141 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena
This is an iconic landmark and an elegant luxury resort hotel in a beautiful area of Pasadena. My friends and colleagues from France love its enchanting spa and excellent restaurants. The beautifully decorated ballrooms are venues for many special occasions and events.

Malibu Beach Inn
22878 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
Surf chic design located on Carbon Beach. A great place to have a drink and catch the gorgeous sunsets.

The Millennium Biltmore Hotel
506 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
This hotel epitomizes Downtown’s everything-old-is-new-again scene. The 90-year-old hotel remains a timeless bastion of elegance.

The Mondrian Hotel
8440 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
An ultra-modern, ultra-minimalist hotspot, this hotel is a place for beautiful people to come and have drinks at the sexy Skybar and people watch. The city views are stunning and it is where I take visitors when I get the chance.

Shutters on the Beach
1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica
Very New England colonial in its design, it is a timeless beach-house resort and an idyllic site for special occasions.

SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills
465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles
Designed by Philippe Starck, it is a perfect balance between comfort and style in a great, as central as can be, LA location.

The Standard Downtown LA
550 S. Flower St., Los Angeles
Very camp with a fantastic rooftop bar.

W Hotel
6250 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
and 930 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles
Modernist, chic décor and the usual cheeky witticisms the chain is known for—a cool place to stay or have drinks.

Restaurants

Apple Pan
10801 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles
A very popular Westside burger and pie joint from a bygone era—lots of fun.

Bouchon
235 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills
Chef Thomas Keller offers casual, classic French bistro fare in this restaurant frequented by celebrities and favored by those craving great French food (that would be me!).

Café Habana
3939 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu
Cuban classics with a New York state of mind.

Canter’s Deli
419 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles
An iconic Jewish deli and favorite hangout for those who love matzo ball soup and corned beef sandwiches.

Casita del Campo
1920 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake
A very creative, upscale Mexican restaurant located in an edgy and hip area. Great sangria!

El Cholo
1121 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles
One of the best and most authentic Mexican restaurants in the city. I have been going here, as well as to the Santa Monica and Pasadena locations, for a very long time.

Church & State Bistro
1850 Industrial St. #100, Los Angeles
This restaurant, located in a budding neighborhood in an industrial part of Downtown, is very stylish and makes exquisite dishes with a modern twist on French cuisine.

Dominick’s
8715 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood
A charming and authentic Italian restaurant loved by LA foodies, with a sexy wine list and a beautiful brick patio!

Eveleigh
8752 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
Inventive cocktails and an ingenious menu in a rustic setting, with excellent service and beautiful views of the city!

Father’s Office
1018 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
Universally adored for great gourmet burgers and an impressive selection of beers.

Flore Vegan
3818 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake
A vegan restaurant—cozy and inviting with vintage interiors.

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice
A favorite Italian-fusion eatery with inventive pairings and local, seasonal ingredients.

Green Street Restaurant
146 Shopper’s Lane, Pasadena
Offers a healthy, diverse menu in a charming setting, and the unmissable Dianne salad.

The Grill on the Alley
9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, and 120 E. Promenade Way, Thousand Oaks
A superb steakhouse and a favorite of those who love good food, first class service, sophistication, inventive cocktails, and wine.

Gus’s BBQ
808 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena
My favorite Southern-influenced BBQ restaurant in all of LA. Great ribs, chicken, chili, burgers— everything is awesome!

Intelligentsia
1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice
An upscale and very hip coffeehouse.

The Ivy
113 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles
Behind the white picket fence lies a lovely patio filled with celebrity diners as paparazzi linger outside. This is a great place to have lunch while shopping at the ultra-chic boutiques in the neighborhood.

Joan’s on Third
8350 W. Third St., Los Angeles
Best soup and sandwich combo in LA; a place to buy fancy pantry items and see a celebrity or two.

Katsuya by Starck
6300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
Sushi Katsu-Ya
11680 Ventura Blvd., Studio City
The first mini-mall sushi, Sushi Katsu-Ya set the standard for great sushi and 236 spawned several high-end Philippe Starck– designed storefronts.
Chef Katsuya is renowned for creating menu mainstays like spicy tuna on crispy rice and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño.

La Grande Orange Café
260 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena
Located next to a metro station, the food and service are awesome and this is a favorite of many foodies in LA. Upscale, casual and innovative menu offerings.

LAMILL Coffee
1636 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake
The coolest coffee shop on the east side of LA. The interior is a glam mix of gilded chandeliers and faux leather chairs, and the coffee is just as elaborate.

Maximiliano
5930 York Blvd., Eagle Rock
A fantastic Italian eatery in an up-and-coming area, featuring fresh quality ingredients in their pizzas, pastas, and specialties, in a very cool setting—great patio dining as well.

Mijares Mexican Restaurant
145 Palmetto Dr., Pasadena
An authentic and traditional Mexican restaurant with great food, delightful service, great margaritas, and lots of fun.

New Moon
102 W. Ninth St., Los Angeles
2138 Verdugo Blvd., Montrose
My absolute favorite Chinese restaurant in the city—fresh and healthy ingredients in an urban contemporary décor.

Nobu
903 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood
Elegant and upscale Japanese cuisine by Nobu Matsuhisa in stylish surroundings. Politicos, sushi snobs, and the rich and famous all keep this restaurant on speed dial.

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave., Hollywood
One of the premiere Italian restaurants in LA, with a minimalist décor and gourmet food, which attracts the beautiful, upscale, and famous diners in the city—nice for a special occasion.

Parkway Grill
510 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena
One of my favorite places to dine in Pasadena, featuring an innovative Cali-cuisine menu with local and fresh ingredients in a chic setting.

Philippe The Original
1001 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles
One of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles (106 years old in 2014) serves up Frenchdipped sandwiches. Peanuts are at every table and sawdust lines the floors of this throwback in time.

Pink’s Hot Dogs
709 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood
Known as the best place in LA for hot dogs, as evidenced by the long lines. Entertaining and memorable.

Rush Street
9546 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City
This is my favorite restaurant in this up and coming, hip area. It offers comfort food and great drinks.

Spago
176 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills
This is an excellent example of the culinary wizardry of 237 Wolfgang Puck. The year-round patio is beautiful, and the menu always features the best ingredients and haute cuisine.

Stonehaus
32039 Agoura Rd., Westlake Village
A fantastic wine bar in a vineyard setting complete with fountains and a garden wall . . . feels like the French countryside . . . a great place to relax and people watch.

Tavern Restaurant
11648 San Vicente Blvd., West Los Angeles
With a really beautiful interior and a fresh, locally sourced, Cali-cuisine menu, dining here is a real treat.

Umami Burger
4655 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
This is my favorite burger place in Los Angeles, with offerings of beef, turkey, chicken, ahi tuna, and veggie burgers bursting with the oaky, salty, and sweet umami flavor. The cheesy tots, not on the menu, are LA’s version of croquettes and a must-have.