LOS ANGELES

# D C M O M E N T S F O O D G U I D E S

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JAMES THOMPSON Renowned food and travel digital content creator James Thompson is a

Sydney-born, London-based photographer who created the @food_feels

Instagram account five years ago. With a love of everything from street

food to Michelin-starred dining, James has a vast knowledge of the global

culinary scene. Speaking about the collaboration, he said “Food and

beverage are taken very seriously at Dorchester Collection, which is

why it ’s such an honour to work with their team on the #DCmoments

Food Guides and help their hotel guests navigate the incredible

culinary scenes surrounding the legendary hotels.”

@food_feels

INDEX

1. Tallula’s

2. Cassia

3. Élephante

4. Esters Wine Shop & Bar

5. The Rose Venice

6. Hotel Bel-Air

7. Spago

8. The Beverly Hills Hotel

9. Republique

10. Sonoratown

11. Verve Coffee Roasters

12. Bavel

#DCMOMENTS

WHERE TO GO FOR…

#DCMOMENTS

BreakfastRepublique

LunchSpago, Republique

DinnerTallula’s, Cassia, Esters Wine Shop & Bar

DateEsters Wine Shop & Bar, Bavel

SoloSonoratown, Verve Coffee Roasters

Friends Tallula’s, Cassia, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Bavel

Drinks The Beverly Hills Hotel

Good nightlifeÉlephante

Making an impressionCassia, Spago, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Bavel

Coffee with friendsThe Rose Venice, Verve Coffee Roasters

Traditional local cuisineThe Rose Venice, Hotel Bel-Air

Family The Rose Venice, Hotel Bel-Air

ExperimentalCassia

ViewsÉlephante

Luxury funÉlephante

A restaurant that feels like you’re stepping into someone’s colourful beach house. Tallula’s serves classic Mexican favourites such as fish tacos, empanadas and tostadas, as well as their popular passion fruit margaritas.

Ideal for: Friends, dinner

118 Entrada Dr, Santa Monica, CA 90402

TALLULA’S

A perfect setting for dinner with friends, Cassia focuses on fresh seafood and flavours from South East Asia. A few star dishes are the laksa, Vietnamese ‘sunbathing’ prawn and a seafood sharing platter.

Ideal for: Friends, dinner, experimental, making an impression

1314 7th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

CASSIA

The view across Santa Monica’s coastline is just one of the reasons to visit Élephante. The rooftop bar and restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy time with friends in one of the most beautiful and stylish settings this side of LA.

Ideal for: Views, luxury fun, good nightlife

1332 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

ÉLEPHANTE

A Santa Monica wine shop focusing on local, smaller producers of wine. Head in for a glass of wine, a cocktail or an artisanal beer while enjoying snacks on the terrace, such as oysters, a mezze plate or a cheeseboard.

Ideal for: Date, dinner

1314 7th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

ESTERS WINE SHOP & BAR

Formerly known as ‘Rose Café’ and an institution in Venice since the 1970s, The Rose is the ideal breakfast or lunch spot. The shakshouka and breakfast burrito are always popular choices.

Ideal for: Coffee with friends, traditional local cuisine, family

220 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

THE ROSE VENICE

The authentic heart of LA would have to be Hotel Bel-Air, a 12-acre paradise away from the spotlight – and that’s one of the reasons it’s always been popular. A sanctuary to get away from it all, whether sipping cocktails in the Bar & Lounge or enjoying dinner at Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air.

Ideal for: Family, traditional local cuisine

701 Stone Canyon Road, Bel-Air, CA 90077

HOTEL BEL-AIR

Spago is an LA classic and just as popular with Beverly Hills residents as it is with tourists. Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant always attracts a crowd, especially the celebrity clientele who come to try his ever-changing menu and famous pizza with smoked salmon and caviar.

Ideal for: Lunch, making an impression

176 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

SPAGO

As you walk up the drive of The Beverly Hills Hotel from Sunset Boulevard, the feeling of old classic Hollywood takes over. The Polo Lounge is as popular as ever for lunch or an evening drink, while the Fountain Coffee Room is an iconic institution for American classics served at the retro 1940s-style counter. Don’t miss the incredible sunset at Bar Nineteen12.

Ideal for: Friends, drinks, making an impression

9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL

Originally built in 1928 by Charlie Chaplin as a mixed-use space, the stunning building that is now Republique is an all-day eatery and a favourite with Los Angeles locals. Come in for breakfast to try one of their famous pastries or their menu of French cuisine for dinner.

Ideal for: Breakfast, lunch

624 South La Brea Ave, CA 90036

REPUBLIQUE

Located in downtown LA’s fashion district, Sonoratown has been a hit with taco lovers all over for its northern Mexican specialities. Every day the team makes fresh flour tortillas to serve Sonoran tacos, burritos and quesadillas.

Ideal for: Solo

208 E 8th St, CA 90014

SONORATOWN

Originally from Santa Cruz, Verve Coffee Roasters now have three sites across LA, so it’s quite easy to find a store nearby. Serving freshly roasted coffee and quick brunch options, it’s a great spot to catch up with friends or bring a book or laptop.

Ideal for: Coffee with friends, solo

500 Mateo St, CA 90013

VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS

One of the most talked-about restaurants in LA is undoubtedly Bavel, a Middle-Eastern inspired restaurant housed in an old warehouse in a quiet part of the Arts District. The team delivers a crowd-pleasing menu featuring specials such as duck ‘nduja hummus, grilled prawns with eggplant tzatziki and slow-roasted lamb shawarma.

Ideal for: Date, friends, making an impression

500 Mateo St, CA 90013

BAVEL