What’s New In… Los Angeles

Text: Aaron Dalton

Restaurants, hotels, an ice cream shop and a theater in the City of Angels.

Sofitel Los Angeles

It’s hard to decide which aspect of the newly renovated Sofitel Los Angeles is most alluring: the sexy lobby outfitted in glossy black lacquer and shiny pewter; the creamy guest rooms with their floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the famous Hollywood sign; or the Simon LA restaurant helmed by Kerry Simon. Sofitel has figured out how to make even a fitness center seem hip – the SO Fit workout room has chilled towels, personal LCD televisions at each cardio machine and a refreshment bar with Internet access. The walls of glass can open wide to make it feel like you’re exercising outdoors. Next, soothe your tired muscles and smooth your skin with a massage, facial or body treatment using Decléor or Carita products from France at LeSpa. Now you’re all set for a glamorous night within the patent leather walls of the hotel’s exclusive and sultry Stone Rose Lounge.

Tel. 1-310-278-5444
www.sofitella.com

Nokia Theatre / LA Live

This October, the brand-new 7,100-seat Nokia Theater opens in downtown Los Angeles as part of a burgeoning entertainment district called L.A. Live. This up-and-coming zone promises to be a round-the-clock scene filled with cinemas, clubs, restaurants, Ritz-Carlton and Marriott hotels and luxury condominiums. It’s all part of a long-term effort to encourage the sort of urban-core lifestyle that was once considered alien to car-obsessed Los Angeles. Look for the Nokia Theatre to host award shows, comedy nights, short-run Broadway productions and musical acts like The Eagles, the Dixie Chicks, Enrique Iglesias, Aretha Franklin and more.

www.nokiatheatrelalive.com

Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has made a name for himself on both sides of the Atlantic with amazing food and an equally amazing temper. Those who wish to experience Hell’s Kitchen outbursts in Los Angeles should circle February 2008 on their calendars. That’s when Ramsay will open his first restaurant on the west coast, The London West Hollywood. Word is that interior designer David Collins will create an all-custom interior down to the bath fixtures to create an atmosphere that is modern, comfortable and cosmopolitan.

www.thelondonwesthollywood.com

Takami Sushi & Elevate Lounge

Tokyo restaurants are often perched on the highest floors of office buildings, and the pioneering Takami Sushi and its Elevate Lounge have brought the trend to L.A. Taking full advantage of its location on the 21st floor of a downtown Wilshire Boulevard high-rise, Takami Sushi uses glass walls and a semi-enclosed wraparound balcony to provide jaw-dropping views of the Los Angeles cityscape. Chef Kenny Yamada has experience catering Oscar parties for Hollywood’s A-list. Now you can try his innovative mix of sushi, sashimi and robata-grilled dishes worthy of the setting. A spicy-tuna roll gets wrapped with albacore and lemon slices. Sweet tempura bay scallops are presented inside an egg wrap. After dessert, get funky on the dance floor next door at Elevate Lounge – diners at Takami get automatic access to the popular nightclub.

Tel. 1-213-236-9600
www.takamisushi.com

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza

Known as the ‘World’s Most Beautiful Hotel’ when it opened in 1966, the Century Plaza has recently been restored to its former glory with a US$30 million renovation by Hyatt. Fans of modernism will love the hotel’s curvaceous shape, its creamy color scheme and its elegant reflecting pools. Located in the Century City neighborhood among some of the most powerful agencies in the movie business, the Century Plaza is popular with celebrities like Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Scarlett Johansson and Tyra Banks. A high-powered crowd gathers early in the evening at the hotel’s X Bar to dine on tasty treats like the trio of mini Burger Bites or the Tuna Sashimi Avocado Stack.

Tel. 1-310-228-1234
centuryplaza.hyatt.com
www.xbarla.com

Paciugo

Seven years after they left Italy to start a gelato café called Paciugo in Dallas, Texas, the Ginatta family has built a mini-gelato empire across Texas, Florida and several other states. Now Californians will finally get a chance to sample 40 flavors of gelato prepared fresh each morning with the finest ingredients like roasted hazelnuts from Piedmont, almonds and pistachios from Sicily and fresh fruit from local farmers. The first California branch of Paciugo will open this April in Hermosa Beach.

Tel. 1-310-897-8228
www.paciugo.com