Urban Tapestry

W Hollywood Hotel

Urban Tapestry — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:42:43 +0000

The "Livingroom"

I was a child in an opulent, Barbarella-chic candy store. The W Hollywood was finally open after years of construction, extensions and buzz, and we were on our way to the Grand Opening. We pulled into the vallet under a canopy of LED lights that assaulted the senses. An eager team of polished young men ushered us inside. Once we stepped in, the scent of fresh leather and the modern barbarella-chic decor instantly evoked a sense of familiarity. This was signature W design that we’ve come to know and love – Indulgent, cutting-edge, bold.

The target demographic here is clearly young, vein Hollywood. The DJ turns up the volume on his set as mirrors wrap around the Living Room, offering a glimpse of the eagerly groomed and scantily dressed. Seeming to ignore the fact that a twenty-something’s mood is never static, the lobby, lounge, concierge and bar, bleed into one aesthetically frantic room. The lack of compartmentalization offers no nuances to impede an unavoidable sense of boredom. It felt like after 45 minutes, there was nowhere else to go, and nothing else to see. My friend and I ordered a couple of mediocre drinks each (for a whopping total of $72), checked out the patio, and made our exit. A whole hour later, I’d seen everything I needed to. C’est le W Hollywood!

The Mondrian

Urban Tapestry — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:38:06 +0000

In the continued spirit of hotel nightlife (and daytime pool life), the Mondrian is an old Hollywood gem, originally built as an apartment building in the 1950s, turned hotel in 1996, and later redesigned by the renound Morgans Hotel Group. It has stood the test of time, continuing to rock the world of jaded and fickle scenesters in LA and world-wide.

Asia De Cuba

We came in search of good food. And that’s exactly what we got. The Mondrian’s Asian/Spanish fusion restaurant, Asia De Cuba, was pioneered by chef Daniel Roberts, and designed by renowned decorator Phillipe Starck (see SLS Hotel below) We parked off Sunset and hiked in blazing heat to avoid the valet (who carries cash these days, anyway?). After a somewhat hectic journey, we sat ourselved in the lush overgrown garden for a poolside Sunday Lunch. The spectating commenced, our city is heavily voyeuristic. Gorgeous sprawling views of Los Angeles and gaggles of see-be-seen people nearly overload the senses. The friendly staff made us feel at home instantly. We shared the Calamari Salad and a decadent Lobster Club with Mojito Fries. It was a perfect way to end the weekend and we still had plenty of leftovers (nuevo cuisine portions are N/A).

The Mojitos come highly recommended. There are a few options to choose from:

$14 Flavored mojitos: mango, raspberry, pineapple, coconut
$18 Sparkling Mojito
$18 10 Year Mojito (made with 10 year old Cane Rum)

For menus, see the official Asia De Cuba LA website.

Skybar/Pool

The Mondrian pool is perfect for a lounging on a warm Hollywood day. The view is devastating, and the underwater classical music provides a tranquil environment for sun worshipers. If you can manage to reserve a weekend brunch at Skybar, do it. It might be the only way you can get in on a Sunday afternoon. Sprawling city views are nothing to scoff at but the scene inside is slightly questionable. It’s the quintessential young Hollywood crowd; plastic surgery, dayglo tans, and fashion experiments gone awry. Having said that, if you are simply looking to enjoy some well-crafted cocktails on a warm day with your close friends, hanging poolside and @skybar is the place to be.

Adventures in gastronmy and LA’s vibrant hotel scene

Urban Tapestry — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:47:55 +0000

I was turned on to hospitality spots a few years ago by a good friend who guided me through the labyrinth of Los Angeles concept hotels. Unlike the ephemeral night club scene that constantly exhausts itself into ubiquity, hotels have stepped forward with a durability and plasticity missing in even the most established nightclubs. The hotel industry offers something that bars lack – options; to swim, to eat, to play, to pamper, to appreciate. It’s a self-contained hedonistic paradise. And what’s more exciting than spirit of tourism, even if you’re not the one on vacay?

As my interest continues to pique, the next few posts will pay homage to LA’s fabulous and underrated Hotel scene.

Gastronomy: The study of the relationship between culture and food.

SLS Hotel

The Baazar by Jose Andres

Designer Phillipe Starck’s decor was obviously meant to confuse; a combination of taxidermy, singere, and old world relics create a seemingly disjointed first impression. It doesn’t take long before the frenetic ambiance becomes novel. I was pleasantly surprised by the theatrics of each dish, not to mention the unique and meticulous flavor packed into the miniature tapas. The tuna ceviche and avocado roll melts on your tongue like butter. Perfectly constructed martinis are poured over beds of home-made cotton candy. Nitrogen caipirinhas billowing smoke are whisked into delicate, fluffy slushys and garnished with fresh herbs. Every sip is an experience. Perhaps the only detraction is the removal of Dragon’s Breath, a flirty nitro appetizer featured in a shining 4-star LA Times Review, from the menu. It’s not difficult to understand why a nitrogen-soaked popcorn (which produces smoke billowing from your nose and mouth) is a health/safety liability. Still the lure of such innovative cuisine is compulsory. Good thing the appetizer is still available in a secluded restaurant behind the Bazaar, Saam.

Saam

Saam is a private restaurant within a restaurant. It doesn’t get much more exclusive than this and the bill is nothing to scoff at either. While Dragon’s breath is no longer available at the Bazaar, one can still try it by requesting a reservation Thursday through Saturday at Saam. At $95 per person, Saam’s tasting menu features 16 – 20 sumptuous tapas created under Jose Andres’ supervision. Wine pairing is an additional $45 – $55. Good thing they offer a complimentary welcoming cocktail! This is not for the faint of heart, but it is certainly an adventure worth every penny.

SLS Pool

Every sip and bite at the Bazaar is an experience, much like the luscious rooftop pool surrounded by frames that offer candid glimpses of Hollywood nooks. The pool is reserved for Hotel Guests only, but if you are a spa guest, they will allow you up. A 90-minute poolside mani/peddi will do the trick ($100 includes body massage).

MOSS Retail Boutique

The union of booze and fine art may not appear to be a winning combination, but somehow SLS pulls it off. Just beside the Lobby, straddling the mouth-watering Patisserie is yet another space to write home about. Although there are some exorbitantly priced “pieces,” which more resemble scraps of metal slapped with a price tag, SLS boasts carefully crafted 16th century Busts that can be re-purposed into jewelry stands. For the postmodernist, a fish tank filled with gummy bears is displayed for your amusement (or bemusement). The union of novel and classic is perfect for lingering with a drink or consequently trying not to bump into anything valuable.

for the 14k fetishist and avant-garde cyclist

Hyperion

Urban Tapestry — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:15:00 +0000

Creepiest bar in LA
The hipsters have outdone themselves.

Also, the elvin blonde performing is Pam.
She’s a rockstar and a fabulous person.
Czech her out

Potential and decay – downtown LA

Urban Tapestry — Sat, 16 May 2009 11:02:00 +0000

For decades, downtown LA has been outshined by Hollywood. Walking through the skyline is like visiting a modern day Roman Colosseum. It’s a monument that fell at the height of it’s glory and has since been infiltrated by vandals and tourists. Even tourists notice the blatant ghostishness of downtown’s appearance and quickly scuttle off to Hollywood. I’m fascinated by this city because both its potential and decay are so grand. Projects to restore downtown by various real esate companies and restauranteers are slowly developing. Still, boldness is lacking and coalescence has gone wayward.

Hopefully the addition of restaurants, lofts and nightlife will awaken downtown from it’s multi-decade nap.

D-Town

Static

Urban Tapestry — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 14:33:00 +0000

After Opeth @ House of Blues I jetted over to the Viper Room to see Protection for the second night in a row, got initiated into the Glitter Mafia, witnessed DJ Mary literally switch the night on, and enjoyed a very wet sprint to my car. The drive home was guided by a lightening show that split the sky… it was like my two lives were finally distinct. I got home around 3am and prepared for my other life that would stubbornly interrupt my dreams in approximately 5 hours.

Also, where do all the rubber bands in the world disappear to?

Protected: LA rhapsody

Urban Tapestry — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 14:40:00 +0000

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Sipping moltov cocktails

Urban Tapestry — Sun, 17 Jul 2005 16:32:00 +0000

Spent my weekend with Toby and the band. The pull of that world is unshakable; An entire LIFE full of freedom without sacrifice and passion without retreat. Music is the web that intertwines our worlds and electric nights in the canyon. The alluring cliches of beach homes and chilled cocktails ebb into a wave of something bigger and somehow more meaningful… Somehow more ‘folk.’

On the road

Urban Tapestry — Fri, 06 May 2005 15:46:00 +0000

Sunday night: The desert was like a sweltering Chicago subway full of indie kids and electric chatter. After 8 hours of Coachella day 2, Trent Reznor like a nine inch nail to the head, and a whirlwind of afterparties at the Indian Palms Hyatt, sleep never came. Instead I mulled on outer space, inner space and perspective.

Tuesday day: Running around San Francisco’s Tenderloin with Nick. We sat at a dimly lit Crepe garden cafe and drank Coca Cola out of origional bottles, discussing a book he’s reading and his ensuing concerns about doomsday, the Mayan apocalypse, comets, mankind’s utter vulnerability, etc. We connected on some tiny shoestring of consciousness in this massive and ever mystifying universe. He was wearing his seven jeans. I was wearing my $2 scarf from Haight-Ashburry. It was all so important.

Wednesday morning: Back in Tahoe. Went to read my morning news and immediately saw THIS article.

Despite my best attempts to ignore, I keep waking up to the cosmic muses tapping on my head.

Reincarnation of something

Urban Tapestry — Fri, 14 May 2004 14:59:00 +0000