Around L.A. with Joyce Rey

It won’t come as any surprise to you that my life and work take me far and wide. People often ask me for recommendations, so I would love to share with you a few of the places on my list of favorites. Please join me on this whirlwind tour, starting in Beverly Hills, near the office. The marvelous Crustacean has undergone an amazing renovation and I’m crazy about their Asian fusion menu, especially the Chicken Oyster Satay, Tuna Cigars, and Karabi Salad.
A serious film buff, I love going to movie openings in Century City. Eat beforehand at RockSugar, where I love the Asian fusion menu, and stop at Caffè Vergnano at the fabulous Eataly where you must order the Jamaica Blue Mountain latte with oat milk. It’s a little pricey but well worth it! And don’t forget to buy a bottle of their hazelnut syrup – wow!!
And speaking of Century City, I love to work out at the new Equinox itness club, where you can savor the view as you work up a sweat in this sensational new facility. Be sure to schedule a restorative treatment – I’m crazy about the massages – after your workout. Okay, now that we’ve broken the exercise barrier, I have to mention hiking in Franklin Canyon Park, which is so, so beautiful, with its lake and duck pond (bird watchers, take note!), and appropriate for hikers of all abilities. After all that exercise, you should stop in to Tesse on the Sunset Strip for the best onion rings in town.
I love the interesting collection of delectable boutiques on Melrose Place in West Hollywood. If you haven’t been there, Melrose Place is a tiny strip of three very short blocks with upscale shopping and dining near the intersection of La Cienega Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. After some shopping, slip around the corner for lunch at Fig & Olive and be sure to try their amazing crostini!
If you’re looking for a meal that’s both romantic and healthy, try the fare at Crossroads in West Hollywood. The menu is vegan, but it’s so savory you’d never know it!

There’s just so much going on in Downtown L.A.

Let’s start with the Music Center. I’ve never seen “The Clemency of Titus,” which was Mozart’s final masterpiece. This new production ends March 24, so if you love opera, don’t delay. I’m looking forward to seeing it – a new adventure!
If you love jazz, piano, or Oscar Peterson, don’t miss the L.A. Phil at Disney Hall on March 23, when a stellar lineup of jazz pianists salute “the maharajah of the keyboard” in “Oscar, With Love.”
When I’m downtown, or have guests visiting, I love browsing The Broad. It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy a meal at Otium, right next door. (Love the chicken!). WP24 is the new Wolfgang Puck Asian fusion restaurant on the 24th floor of the downtown Ritz Carlton. Try it for the views and the delicious dumplings. At 7th and Olive, NoMad is a hotel, a ground-floor restaurant, a rooftop bar, and much more. Occupying the building that was formerly the Bank of Italy, it has a magnificent dining room and menu. The powder room is tucked into the former bank vault!
At Katsuya L.A. Live, across from the Staples Center, try the seared tuna with curly onion and the vegetable tempura. Out of this world! And speaking of the Staples Center, here’s hoping the Clippers make the playoffs. Going to a game downtown is the absolute greatest!!! Thank you Steve Ballmer and Jerry West.

Heading back to the Westside, here are a few more entries in my “best-of” files:

While you’re drooling over the dazzling Porsche Effect and the Bruce Meyer Vintage Collection on display now at the Petersen Automotive Museum (just across Wilshire Boulevard from our wonderful LACMA) be sure to try the lemon pasta at Drago Ristorante, which is right inside the museum. It is a specialty, not on the menu. RUSH to get your “Lights Out: Nat ‘King’ Cole” tickets at the Geffen. It ends March 24. He is definitely one of my all time favorite singers and this should be a fabulous show. When I’m in Malibu, whether I’m showing homes or touring the Southland with visitors, lunch at Soho House or Nobu is both delicious and a spectacular scenic stop. We celebrated my son’s birthday this year at Giorgio Baldi, which has been a favorite of mine for decades and has the best Veal Milanese in town. No matter what your taste or style, L.A. is sure to please. With so many wonderful choices, I’m always eager to try a new spot, so please let me know if you have recommendations for me!!!