Credit: Moxy Hotel DTLA
4 min read
Three days in LA feels like longer with a dose of modern art, mooching around farmers’ markets and the best new spot for a great night out. Stylist’s fashion director, Lucy Reber, takes us on a tour of the city.
With the summer we’ve had, a whirlwind trip to LA was a welcome escape. Arriving to balmy heat and palm trees, I could feel myself relaxing as the plane touched down. From the airport, we hopped in a cab straight to where we were staying at the Moxy Downtown Los Angeles with its instantly recognisable pink neon sign – the perfect landmark to ensure I (almost) never get lost finding my way back to the hotel. Despite the long flight – and it being nighttime in London – dinner and snacks were a must, so we headed out for an early evening stroll to a nearby Shake Shack, a classic burger and fries combo for our first night in the US.
We popped into another US classic on our way back to the hotel: CVS Pharmacy. Its snack selection is next level and it’s always novel to see things we don’t have in the UK. I picked up some salt and vinegar almonds for a friend, a toy for my daughter and some great pins for my styling kit. An efficient shop.
Jet lag was setting in, so returning to my room came as a welcome relief. A serene space – all floor-to-ceiling windows with gauzy white curtains and minimal clever storage solutions. As someone who pays a lot of attention to how to display and store clothes, I loved the clean-lined leather structure surrounding the TV where you could hang your outfits for the trip. Neat drawers under the bed ensured everything else was tucked away so I could enjoy the glorious view of the LA sunset unencumbered by my stuff. Heaven.
Refreshed from a night’s rest, I headed to the Bluestone Lane coffee shop, conveniently located on the ground floor of the hotel, where I enjoyed a breakfast sandwich and a delicious coffee, before setting off for a day of culture. It was a short Uber ride to LACMA, which is currently showing the work of Simone Leigh, a multimedia artist known for her ceramic sculptures, and an Ed Ruscha retrospective. I particularly enjoyed Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads on display outside the museum. The bronze sculptures appeared striking against a bold blue sky.
Credit: Lucy Reber
A short walk away is The Grove, the perfect place for a mooch and a shop. I took a quick peek in Alo, a contemporary wellness brand, where I’ve got my eye on one of their super-soft tracksuits that would be perfect for the flight home. I also always enjoy a trip the Barnes & Noble store to take a look at all the US magazines laid in one place. Afterwards, we took a quick walk to the neighbouring Original Farmers Market for lunch, where I found potentially the best burrito I ever had at Trejo’s Tacos. If you’re there, order the chicken tinga buritto with chips and guacamole. The pistachio and chilli topping really elevated the always fabulous guac.
The Moxy Downtown LA is opposite the Crypto.com arena, so I ended up sharing the hotel lift with lots of fabulously dressed Cardi B fans who were going to see her perform that night. I admit to being a little jealous, but I had exciting plans of my own: based in the Moxy building is Level 8, a tardis-like space complete with eight immersive bars, restaurants and a club.
The drama starts immediately with a different art installation projected onto the walls daily as you enter. We hopped in the lift and exited into another world. Starting with cocktails at Mr Wanderlust, an intimate space of dark wooden bookshelves with an aerialist gracefully spinning above us while we enjoyed our drinks. A secret door into the main bar evoked a speakeasy-like feel, but with an emphasis on entertainment. You can immediately tell you are in for a good night.
Branching off from the bar are two inspired entrances into the restaurants of Level 8. A water feature spins open to reveal the entrance to Japanese Lucky Mizu, where a glowing fire can be pulled back to display Maison Kasai (’House of Fire’) where you can experience a teppanyaki dining experience while watching your chef prepare your meal.
Credit: Michael Kleinberg
Our restaurant choice for the evening was Qué Barbaro by LA chef Ray Garcia. Celebrating South American food and showcasing live wood-fire cooking, the space was perfect for holiday dining: a vibrantly tiled, plant-filled oasis leading out onto a sun-drenched terrace. There is nothing nicer than an al fresco dinner on a balmy evening and this was the perfect spot. My favourite plates from the menu were provoleta (provolone cheese with tomatoes and chimichurri) and delicious wagyu beef empanadas. We ended our evening with pineapple and turmeric mezcal cocktails on the terrace overlooking the downtown skyline.
While this was enough of a night out for us, Level 8 also boasts the Sinners y Santos nightclub, decorated in a dramatic ecclesiastical style. Complete with a ‘confessional booth’ and a suspended wrestling ring that can be lowered for impromptu matches. In a city where it is notoriously hard to restaurant and bar hop, Level 8 was a welcome oasis of fun. We are already planning our return trip.
Stylist stayed at Moxy Downtown Los Angeles: marriott.com
For more information on what to see and do in Los Angeles, head to discoverlosangeles.com
Images: Moxy Hotel DTLA; Lucy Reber; Michael Kleinberg
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