My Week in Los Angeles: Nacho Figueras

 

Nacho Figueras co-hosts the Sixth-Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic at Will Rogers State Historic Park on October 17, 2015
Nacho Figueras co-hosts the Sixth-Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic at Will Rogers State Historic Park on October 17, 2015

Photo Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Veuve Clicquot

On Saturday, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Los Angeles returns for the seventh year to the beautiful Will Rogers State Historic Park in the Pacific Palisades. Fresh off the heels of June’s Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in New York, the Los Angeles event is open to the public and offers Angelenos the opportunity to experience professional polo first-hand as event-goers will watch renowned Argentine polo player, Nacho Figueras, lead his team in the match. While in town for the haute event, Figueras, who also, appropriately, happens to be the face of Ralph Lauren Polo, shared a few of his favorite activities and LA hotspots. Check out what a week in his life looks like when he’s enjoying a stay in L.A.!

Veuve Clicquot signage at the Sixth-Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic
Veuve Clicquot signage at the Sixth-Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

Photo Credit: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Veuve Clicquot

Monday
My first stop is always at Café Gratitude, a great vegan restaurant on Abbot Kinney in Venice. It’s a delicious and healthy way to start my week in LA.

Tuesday
On Tuesday my wife Delfina and I enjoy a nice lunch at The Ivy. She loves their cold poached artichoke and being close to Robertson, where she can enjoy a little retail therapy after lunch. That evening we visit one of my favorite hotels in LA, The Sunset Tower Hotel. The Tower Bar and Restaurant is cozy and reminds me of old Hollywood Glamour. My friend Dimitri always makes us feel welcome as we take in the beautiful views of the city.

Wednesday
After an expresso and casual morning at Shutters on the Beach, I have to make a lunch trip to The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel. It’s a staple on my visits to LA and polo enthusiasts like Will Rogers, Walt Disney, and Clark Gable used to gallivant there following an afternoon of playing together. On Wednesday evening my wife and I will pick up a bottle of Veuve Clicquot’s newest champagne innovation, Clicquot Rich, and bring it with us to a local friend’s house for drinks and dinner. The champagne is a neat concept as you pour it over ice and can mix it with various fruits, veggies, or herbs to create your own cocktail.
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Thursday
With the match coming up on Saturday, I plan to get a good practice and ride in at Will Rogers State Park on Thursday morning. Still seven years later the views and overall vibe of the park still gets to me. In the 1920’s and 30’s there were over 20 or so polo fields in Los Angeles and now Will Rogers State Historic Park is the last one remaining. It is always a true honor to play on these historical grounds.

Friday
I can’t come to LA and not go to Nobu in Malibu. We love the ambiance, food, and the unbelievable ocean views from the restaurants outdoor patio. Malibu is the perfect place to come and relax before a match. I try to soak it all in and prepare my mind and strategy for the game the next day.

Saturday
It’s year seven and an exciting time to be back in LA for the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. That morning after enjoying a cup of mate (tea) with my teammates, we return to Will Roger State Historic Park in the Pacific Palisades for a day of style, polo, and of course Veuve Clicquot Champagne. The event offers thousands of Angelenos the opportunity to experience professional polo first-hand in a place that is very special to me and the state of California. The event always turns out an A-list crowd, with past attendees including Gwyneth Paltrow, January Jones, Nina Dobrev, Christina Hendricks, Rashida Jones, Victoria Justice, Scott Foley, Anna Faris, Rosario Dawson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lauren Conrad, Camilla Belle, Selma Blair, Rachel Zoe & Rodger Berman and more. We expect another star-studded turn out again this year!

Sunday
Sunday is bittersweet as I love my time in Los Angeles, but I am eager to get back home to Argentina to see my four beautiful children. I start the day with one last run along the boardwalk in Santa Monica then a quick jump in the ocean to cool off. It’s the ultimate way to end my time in California before heading out to the airport.