24 Hours in LA
Virgin Australia Head Chef Luke Mangan spent a day eating, shopping and sightseeing his way around Los Angeles. Here are his top tips...
BREAKFAST - GJUSTA
To start the day, I head to Gjusta in Venice Beach for a big breakfast. This all-day cafe is a bakery, smokehouse, sandwich joint, rotisserie, and juice and coffee bar. Once you finally decide on what to order, pull up a milk crate in the courtyard and devour a charred baguette with dripping smoked brisket. Delicious!
MARKETS - THE ORIGINAL FARMERS MARKET
After breakfast, I make my way to the market. Any visit to LA must include a trip to The Original Farmers Market for farm-fresh produce, artisan breads and even some celebrity spotting. This market attracts more than three million visitors a year and offers in-depth food tours.
LUNCH - EATALY
For lunch, I pick Eataly, the authentic Italian marketplace. Eataly has 39 locations around the world and recently opened its first store in LA. It lets you taste, learn and shop, all in one location, with restaurants, counters, cooking classes and fresh produce to take away. Take a seat at the Mozzarella Bar for fresh cheese, made in-house daily, and a traditional Neapolitan pizza, then grab freshly baked Italian sweets and pantry staples (like I did on my way out)!
HIKE - RUNYON CANYON
During the afternoon, I take an hour-long walk up Runyon Canyon, which is one of LA’s most popular hiking destinations. Filled with hikers, trail runners and dog walkers, it’s a great way to work off lunch — and work up an appetite for dinner.
PRE-DINNER COCKTAIL - THE ROOFTOP BY JG
For an aperitif, the Rooftop by JG at the Waldorf Astoria is a must. Located on the top floor of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Beverly Hills, this rooftop bar and restaurant commands one of the best views in the city. Surrounded by lush gardens filled with lemon trees, it’s a great place to relax in the evening with a signature cocktail and a table snack of pretzel-dusted calamari.
DINNER - ROSALINÉ
A late-night dinner takes me to one of West Hollywood’s hottest new openings: Rosaliné. Chef and owner Ricardo Zarate explores the new phase of Peruvian dining, from classics to street-food fare and barbecue share plates. There are beef heart skewers with rustic rocoto peppers and slow-cooked barbecue short ribs with grilled figs and apple coleslaw. If you’re a solo diner, head to the Ceviche Bar for fresh ceviche plates and Peruvian-inspired cocktails.
DETAILS
320 Sunset Avenue, Venice - www.gjusta.com
6333 West 3rd St, Fairfax - www.farmersmarketla.com
10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Century City - www.eataly.com
Runyon Canyon - www.runyoncanyonhike.com
9850 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills - www.waldorfastoriabeverlyhills.com
8479 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood - www.rosalinela.com
GETTING THERE
Make Los Angeles your next holiday destination and discover the city with Luke Mangan's must-do tips. Book holiday packages and flights to Los Angeles from any major city through our website or by calling 13 67 89 (in Australia).
