What’s Haute: Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, a city notorious for its ever-present diversity, it can be difficult to always know what is haute, and what is not. In a place where young starlets change their hair color as often as their outfits, the newest hotspot can be old news as fast as a director says, “Cut!” As we debut Haute Living in Los Angeles, we only see it fit to help you navigate the never-ending list of hotels, clubs, spas, restaurants, and lounges that populate the city.

By Sara Neff

CUT by Wolfgang Puck
9500 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills
310.276.8500

In 2006, famous food critic John Mariani awarded CUT the “Restaurant of the Year” in Esquire, and it is no wonder why. The Four Seasons, Wolfgang Puck, and Richard Meier all joined together to create the contemporary steakhouse. With this trio of iconic names, how could they go wrong? Located in the heart of Beverly Hills at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, CUT is worthy of all its accolades. For his first contemporary steakhouse, Puck added a refreshing twist on the classic steakhouse menu with some innovative seafood dishes alongside entrees like the Kobe Beef Short Ribs. Acclaimed architect Meier enlisted his timeless designs to create a unique, modern space that perfectly complements the notable Beverly Wilshire. The restaurant was designed on two levels allowing diners views of the exhibition appetizer and main kitchens. As a final touch, all of the furniture, flatware, and select pieces of the dinnerware have been custom-designed.

TEDDY’S
7000 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles
323.466.7000

Set off the lobby of the infamous Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Teddy’s, the hotel’s ultra-exclusive bar and lounge, emanates the excitement, glamour, and elegance of Hollywood. While the Roosevelt Hotel has long been a playground for such luminaries as Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe, Teddy’s is an intimate nightclub for the young and fabulous where the likes of the Hilton sisters can be seen cavorting with Jeremy Piven and Keanu Reeves. Since its opening, Teddy’s had been overtaken by nightlife impresario Amanda Demme, but since her highly-publicized release from the Roosevelt in 2006, the ultra-stringent door policy has relaxed a bit to allow regular club-hoppers and hotel guests to enjoy the undeniably chic space designed by Dodd Mitchell. Its thick columns, arched ceiling, and leather upholstered bar and couches give Teddy’s the ambiance of a cozy French countryside wine cellar while the thick brown doors give it the feeling of a secret-society clubhouse.

THIBIANT
449 North Cañon Drive
Beverly Hills
310.278.7565

After studying at six different aesthetic schools in Paris, Aida Thibiant, founder of Thibiant Beverly Hills Day Spa, used her extensive knowledge to create a novel spa concept in prestigious Beverly Hills. The result was a spa where Thibiant’s approach to health and beauty focused on personalized skincare. Now, after more than thirty years and with over forty-five employees and a full range of treatments, the Thibiant Spa continues to use innovative personalized treatments to meet all the needs of their clients. Popular treatments include the Hydrotherapy Tahitian Milk Bath, which uses ancient Polynesian remedies combined with a rich milk bath to pamper and refresh; the Beauty Lift Facial, a rejuvenating treatment that enhances the skin’s firmness and tone by using four high-tech therapies; and the Thai Massage, an ancient, unique massage that combines stretching, compression, and torque to create energy and release blockages to allow relaxation. No matter which treatment you choose, you’re sure to leave the Thibiant Spa feeling fully relaxed and invigorated.

BLISS SPA
930 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles
323.930.0330

Since its highly anticipated opening in March 2006, the Bliss Spa has helped many a client unwind with their signature treatments and fun, upbeat atmosphere. Located in the W Los Angeles – Westwood, in the heart of Tinseltown, this massage and facial mecca boasts 7,000 square feet featuring a retail beauty boutique and three movie-while-you-manicure nail stations. To complete the spa, the locker rooms are equipped with digital lockers, grass-tiled steam showers, saunas, and Bliss’ signature buffet of cheese, cookies, and brownies. Furthermore, each guest of the W Los Angeles is given ‘BIP’ (Bliss Important Person)-status and receives exclusive perks from the spa. Treatments can be given in one of the ten mod-contemporary treatment rooms or in guest rooms. Bliss Spa offers a menu of trademark treatments, including the popular Triple Oxygen Treatment, an all-around complexion reviver, the Blissage 75 for relaxation and improved circulation, and the Hot Milk and Almond Pedicure. And, as Bliss so eloquently states, “Anything less would be stress.”

IL SOLE
8741 W Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles
310.657.1182

Modestly hidden among the glitz of the Sunset Strip, this culinary gem has managed to charm an impressive list of celebrities along with an array of locals. While Il Sole is the antithesis of trendy with no over-the-top glamour, the dark and cozy restaurant has drawn stars like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas to it with its charisma and authentic yet contemporary Northern Italian cuisine. The serene and versatile restaurant is a celebrity and industry hotspot due to the owners’ (music manager and film producer Arnold Stiefel’s and rock concert promoter Andrew Hewitt’s) hip clientele. The anonymity created by the dark dining room is a relief from the typical slick and glamorous atmosphere of most Tinseltown venues. The laid-back atmosphere, something difficult to find in high-maintenance LA, appeals to everyone.

NINETEEN12
9641 Sunset Boulevard
Beverly Hills
310.276.2251

Since opening in 1912, the Beverly Hills Hotel has been a Hollywood icon. Today the legend continues with the launch of Bar NINENTEEN12, a lounge as exclusive and undeniably chic as the hotel in which it resides. Renowned designer Glenn Texeira has transformed the area, which previously held The Sunset Lounge, into a fashionable venue, preserving the elegance and class of the hotel while implementing a fresh, contemporary style. French influences can be seen integrated throughout the lounge thanks to Robert Allen, director of food and beverage, and Bar Manager Philip Spee, who traveled to Paris for inspiration from the top restaurants and nightclubs. With its over-the-top glamour and lavishness, Bar NINETEEN12, will soon rise to the same fame as the hotel in which its name pays homage to.

MONDRIAN
8440 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood
323.650.8999

Beautifully situated atop a hill on Sunset Boulevard, the striking Mondrian hotel overlooks downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills. Founded by famed hotelier Ian Schrager, the former 189,000 square-foot apartment building opened its doors in 1996 and reinvented the hotel experience as we know it. The Mondrian elegantly fuses the quintessential California lifestyle of casual, easy living with the glamour and excitement of Los Angeles. The 237 spacious rooms designed by Philippe Starck are outfitted with minimal yet elegant furnishings reminiscent of uncomplicated sophistication, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of the city. Rounding out the Mondrian’s extensive list of amenities are four restaurants, including the delectable Asia de Cuba; the Agua Spa; and Skybar, the center of the hotel’s social activity.

HYDE LOUNGE
8029 W Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood
323.656.4933

With its lush, intimate décor and über attentive service, Hyde Lounge does not just cater to Hollywood’s A-list—they cater to the most elite clientele in the city, better known as the A+ list. After opening in 2006, Hyde Lounge, the first collaboration by SBE’s Entertainment’s SBE Restaurant Group and Bolthouse Productions, quickly became a nightly playground for the hottest people in the entertainment and fashion industry. The privacy and discretion found at Hyde is unparalleled in Hollywood, and its glamorous yet subdued ambiance only adds to its appeal. Patrons can enjoy one of Hyde’s many delicious cocktails from master mixologist Ryan Magarian, and complimenting the cocktails is a delectable menu of appetizers from the brilliant mind of Chef Katsuya Uechi. The indescribably sophisticated interior, complete with crocodile-embossed leather banquettes, is just one more element that makes Hyde so haute. To top it all off, the masterminds behind Hyde will be opening two new sure-to-be-hotspots in the fall: S Bar and Foxtail.

THE LITTLE DOOR
8164 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles
323.951.1210

Nestled amongst a lush garden, the Little Door provides the perfect hidden paradise to relax and unwind with a delicious meal and glass of wine. Named “Best Romantic Restaurant in LA,” the Little Door exudes the simplistic style of the European countryside with its deep, passionate colors, inviting courtyard, and romantic fireplace. Chef Nicolas T. Peter uses his expertise to create a simple, healthy, and delectable menu reminiscent of rustic Mediterranean cuisine. Using only fresh seasonal ingredients and spices, he carefully mulls over the flavor of each element to create harmony in his dishes. Last, but certainly not least, the Little Door is complete with a wine bar that serves eighty-five varieties of wines-by-the-glass from all over the world. Due to their remarkable and rare vintages, the Little Door is a five-time consecutive winner of the “Best Wine Menu” award from Wine Spectator.