- by Kallah Maguire, the Stylist
Sheila – Los Angeles
I’m going to share one of my super-stylist secrets….When I bring my clients Aussie labels I’ve scooped up at this store, they beg I tell them where to find such treasures. As this is my first post, I thought I would win you over with one big swoop.
Allow me to introduce you to Sheila.
Tucked away in WeHo, across from the popular Urth Café on Melrose, you’ll find my little Sheila who never ceases to disappoint my expectations for a fabulous dress.
Sheila carries a range of styles so they make it easy to find a dress for an event, traveling, red carpet, or just looking great while you run around town. They have belts from Streets Ahead, of Sex and the City fame, cute colorful jeans by Nobody Denim, and a small selection of tops and jewelry. The dresses range from $100 – $600, but there are a lot of options for $250 and under, so you can find a dress whether or not you are splurging.
Perhaps you are wondering why I’m telling you all about dresses in the dead of Winter, just after all the holidays? Well, the early bird gets the worm, and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. You should get a jump start on finding just the right dress to impress your honey.
Sheila is having pre-Valentine’s Day sale Feb 6th – 8th where they are offering %15 off selected dresses. Since you are so special and smart for reading MTM, if you go in any time between Feb 6th and 14th you’ll get the 15% discount when you mention that that Kallah of The Emerald Scarab and MTM sent you!
Sheila
8568 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood , between Westbourne and Westmount Drives (across from Urth Cafe)
store hours: Mon – Sat 11am – 7pm, Sun 11am – 5pm
310-360-0033
sheilastyle.com
Also read her blog and follow her on Twitter @SheilaStyle
Images courtesy of Claudine from Sheila.
Babycakes Moves West! (NYC and now LA)
My favorite “healthy” NYC bakery has finally made the move to the left coast, but for some reason settled down before they hit sand. Apparently the LES native insists on keeping “East” in their recipe! The trendy, gluten-free, wheat-free, sugar-free bakery is packed with downtown dwellers, but have left those of us living west of Hollywood salivating from afar. You would never know these sweet treats are better for your body than Sprinkles.
It’s definitely a step in the right direction, I am keeping my fingers crossed for a Weho location soon!
Los Angeles: 130 East 6th Street 213.623.5555
New York: 248 Broome Street (Btwn Orchard & Ludlow) 212.677.5047
My first article went up today on CultureMap.com – a digital guide to Houston’s best all laid out for you on an interactive map (very cool!). My lists below for people who have been to LA once or twice.
It’s time to pack up your burnt orange polos and head west to watch the Longhorns roll over the Crimson Tide. With all of the excitement, you might have forgotten to plan your extra day in LA. Being a native Houstonian, I know the bright lights of Hollywood and price tags of Rodeo Drive can be intimidating, so I’ve laid out a few itineraries you’ll enjoy and be able to navigate.
The Big Spender
• Enjoy a light and healthy bite at Urth Café for breakfast.
• Browse the best boutiques on Robertson Boulevard.
• Share a McCarthy salad at The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
• Pick up a Sprinkles cupcake on your way to Rodeo Drive to shop designer brands.
• Polish up with my favorite mani-pedi at Golden Nail ($40).
• Devour the city’s best at The Bazaar at The SLS Hotel, Mozza Osteria or Phillipe.
• Make your way to Chateau Marmont or The Montage for post-dinner drinks.
For the Fashionista
• Grab a nonfat mocha latte from Coffee Bean on your way to browse Robertson Boulevard.
• Power walk up an appetite to be satisfied at Toast or Joan’s on Third.
• Pray for sales as you shop on Melrose from West to East – Marc Jacobs, DVF, Madison Warehouse Sale Store, Fred Segal, and BCBG clearance store. Drive east on Melrose, turn right on La Brea and hit American Rag just south of First Street.
• Get all dressed up for the scene at Katana or Terroni.
• Flirt with the hottest Cali boys at The Roger Room, Winston’s, Guys and Dolls, Jane’s House or 1912.
Goofing Off With The Boys
• Fill a grumbling tummy at The Griddle (Local tip: Pumpkin pancakes are to die for).
• Take a hike up Runyon Canyon to see the city from up top.
• Devour an “animal style” burger In-N-Out (just like The Dude).
• Stroll Hollywood and see the stars.
• Take down 2-for-1 cocktails at Cabo Cantina’s happy hour.
• Make your way to Bar Marmont, Jones Hollywood or 8 ounce for a great meal.
• Hit up The Village Idiot afterwards. You’ll be able to get into this bar!
A Day Outdoors on The West Side (Don’t worry, it’s not too cold.)
• Either walk the beach boulevard on Venice Beach to people watch or enjoy a gentle morning hike up Temescal Canyon or through Will Rogers Park.
• Lunch at Café Montana or R+G on Montana Avenue.
• Stroll the shops on Montana Avenue.
• Enjoy drinks while watching the sunset at Casa Del Mar.
• Dinner at The Ivy, Cafe Montana, Father’s Office (supposedly the best burger, that’s all they have), The Wilshire
• After dinner: The rooftop restaurant at The Huntley
Readers have emailed recently asking about what to do on their upcoming trips to Los Angeles. So I offer you a weekend guide that hits all of the hot spots and makes sense geographically (which is VERY important considering the traffic).
Please note that when I say “shopping” that does not imply you have to purchase anything, it just means it’s fun to meander in that area and see the stores.
First of all, you should try to stay at one of these hotels:
- $$$ Beverly Hills – Peninsula, Montage, Four Seasons
- $$$ West Hollywood – SLS or The London
- $$$ Santa Monica – The Viceroy or Shutters
- $$ West Hollywood – The Chamberlain
- $$ Santa Monica – The Huntley
A Day in Hollywood
- Breakfast: The Griddle
- Stroll down Hollywood Boulevard
- Lunch: Baja Fresh, In-N-Out, or if you’re really being touristy hit Pink’s hot dogs.
- Afternoon: same as Weho below just reverse it. Start at American Rag
- Dinner: The Hungry Cat, Magnolia, Vinolio, Katsuya
- After dinner: there are clubs EVERYWHERE, and it all depends on which night you’re out. Ask a friend or the concierge for some recommendations.
A Day in West Hollywood
- Morning: Healthy Breakfast at Urth Cafe, shopping on Robertson (Kitson, Lisa Klein, Reiss, Chanel concept store, etc)
- Noon: Spin class at Equinox West Hollywood (guest fee is $25), shower at the gym
- Lunch at Toast, Joan’s on Third or Fred Siegel
- Afternoon: Shopping on Melrose West to East – Marc Jacobs, DVF, Madison, Fred Segal, BCBG clearance store. Drive east on Melrose, turn right on La Brea and hit American Rag just south of 1st street.
- Dinner: poolside with a view of the city at Asia de Cuba, Katana or Katsuya for a trendy scene, Koi is still my favorite for Japanese in the area, Mozza Pizzeria, Boa for steak and scene, Jones is hipster and American with and really good pizza. Phillipe (like the one in NYC) is the latest craze.
- After dinner: 1912 or Chateau Marmont
A Day in Beverly Hills
- Breakfast: coffee and muffin from Coffee Bean
- Shopping down Rodeo and Beverly
- Lunch: poolside at the Beverly Hills Hotel ($$$) or the grilled chicken special (order extra hot) at Il Tramazzino on Canon. Pick up a cupcake at Sprinkles for dessert (or later).
- Afternoon: Barney’s and Neiman Marcus (see Charles for women’s shoes or Phil for men’s clothes)
- Mani/Pedi at Golden Nail
- Dinner at Maestro’s for Steak or Spago. SLS for unique experience. Expensive, but you have to splurge once right?
- After dinner: drinks at The Montage or Four Seasons.
A Day on The West Side/Santa Monica
- Breakfast – Coffee Bean or Peet’s
- Morning hike up Temescal Canyon or through Will Rogers Park
- Lunch at Frida’s in Brentwood Country Mart (order the chicken mole tacos in lettuce wraps, so good!)
- Shopping on Montana
- Drinks watching the sunset at Casa Del Mar
- Dinner at The Ivy, Cafe Montana, Father’s Office (supposedly the best burger, that’s all they have), The Wilshire
- After dinner: The rooftop restaurant at The Huntley
A Day in Santa Monica/Venice/Malibu
- Breakfast At Urth Cafe on Main Street
- Stroll Venice beach and people watch
- Lunch at the original Billy Blues BBQ in Venice
- Drive up PCH to Malibu
- Day at the beach and/or shopping at the Malibu Country Mart
- Dinner: For really good Italian Georgio Baldi ($$$ unbelievable food and you will see a celebrity), The Sage Room, or Tivoli Cafe in the Palisades. Nobu for Japanese. Moonshadows is a beautiful and fun spot, but the food is nothing special.
For a day at the beach: set up near The Pier in Hermosa Beach or Malibu.
You’ll notice I didn’t mention any malls or The Grove. You’re on vacation, please don’t go to the mall. I’m also not a big fan of Westwood, so I don’t see it as a “must.”
And… you really should find time to hit up In-N-Out Burger at some point. Don’t forget to order your burger “animal style.” 
Really + Disappointing - R+D Kitchen (Santa Monica, CA)
After hearing Andy rave about the cafe on Montana and having one great experience with the chain (at the Dallas location) under my belt, I was expecting great things from R+D Kitchen when we ventured west for dinner on Sunday night.
Founded by the owners of Houston’s, R+D has to meet a certain standard. We expect flavorful dishes and friendly service in a comfortable atmosphere. In most cases two outta three ain’t bad, but in this scenario it’s really disappointing.
The menu failed me completely. Apparently, the restaurant was opened as a testing ground for new dishes for Houston’s and Watergrill, but due to popular demand, began serving a few items regularly. “Few” being the opperative word here. The whole menu consists of maybe 20 boring options (including apps) and a couple of nightly specials. We dined on pasta from a box topped with rubbery chicken meatballs and cold brocolli as well as the boiled cod special, which actually didn’t make me cringe but didn’t blow me away either. When the server tells you the burger is the best thing on the menu, that should be a sign you did not choose the restaurant wisely.
With Cafe Montana only a few blocks away, I really don’t see the need to waste your time at R+D unless you’re looking for a lite bite in a bar setting or just need a reason to get frustrated.
Lunch today at Boxwood Cafe of the famed Gordon Ramsey in The London Hotel. The hotel and restaurant have received terrible reviews. People are almost angry after eating here. But it is probably one of the most beautiful, modern hotel interiors in the city.
How are you supposed to order from a menu that doesn’t offer a description of the preparation? It’s Gordon Ramsey so I’m just supposed to trust his Spinach salad is good? What if it has fennel??! Well, I’ll let you know how it goes.
Update: The menu inside the restaurant offered the ingredients, but nothing really jumped out at us. We ordered lattes instead. After the meeting I hit up Whole Foods for my favorite Broccoli Crunch and a white chocolate pecan cookie. Both were AMAZING (yes, you heard me, amazing – which means really good, but not noteworthy enough to think of a real adjective). I really don’t think Ramsey could beat the combo. Kidding. I’ll go back again. And hopefully there will be more people and decent service on my second visit.
What are you doing tomorrow night for dinner?
Fondue sounds fun to me. Bread, cheese, wine…how can that not be fun?!
Breadbar just opened Hatchi Roku Four Elements, a concept restaurant in Santa Monica where different chefs come in to offer pre-fixed menus inspired by the elements earth, wind, air, and fire.
Their first featured chef Eda Vesterman is also a dietitian. Tomorrow she’s offering up a cheese fondue from The Beverly Hills Cheese Shop. A sommelier will be on hand to pair wine for you.
Something fun and different to consider for your Friday night.
WHEN: Friday, December 4th 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
WHERE: Hatchi Roku, 602 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90402
RESERVATIONS:$25 per person. call (310) 395-9490
(Full Disclosure: My dinner will generously be comped by restaurant for a review.)
Restaurants become a standard due to their food and clientle. And when the spot is always hot, sometimes the food slips. But when you’re calling weeks ahead to get a reservation and paying big bucks for spaghettti with meat sauce, you want it to be damn good.
The other night I ate at Dan Tana’s – a legendary restaurant in LA – and the food was horrible. I was served an unrecognizable “white” fish and friends dined on Italian classics that tasted like Stouffer’s frozen tv dinners.
After I made the list below I realized the majority of the local favorites are still reliable, but we have to keep demanding the best from them. Just because Halle Barry is sitting next to you or Robert De Niro owns the joint does not make chewy gnocchi acceptable.
Here I offer a list of LA’s most popular Italian restaurants
Salivate and Stargaze at:
Don’t Bother Setting Foot In:
Local Favorites:
