the dish
Jessica Latham launched her career at Vanity Fair as Special Events Manager in 2007. She is challenged to stay on top of all of the best restaurants, hippest bars and most exclusive happenings in New York and across the country. When she’s not blogging about her latest discoveries, she’s scoring impossible reservations, dining with top chefs and sipping cocktails with the fabulous…all to keep VF Agenda readers like you in the know! Tough job, eh?
To get updates from Jessica on the best restaurants, hippest bars and most exclusive happenings, click here.
STREET SMART: CHARLES STREET, NYC
What better way to get to know yours truly than for me to tell you all about one of the streets in the West Village I walk down almost every single day. If I were to spend a Saturday afternoon on Charles St. (which I often do), I’d start my day (after my run on the Hudson, of course) with a cup of Joe at Mojo Coffee (128 Charles St.). I’d then head east for brunch. My family, who are not New Yorkers all make fun of me, because every time they call me on Saturday, I’m usually heading to brunch, at brunch, leaving brunch or planning my Sunday brunch. Isn’t brunch what New York weekends are all about? I declare, yes! and for my absolute favorite I step just a few yards off Charles St. to Extra Virgin (259 W. 4th @ Charles St.). They have French toast to end your life over and with Giselle making regular appearances; I’d recommend a table on the sidewalk for prime people watching. Since a successful New York brunch usually entails multiple mimosas and spans at least a few hours, you’ll likely find yourself emerging mid-afternoon. I might pop over to 90 Charles St. to chat briefly with the "Stoop Girls". If you aren’t familiar with who I’m talking about, walk by 90 Charles St. at any time, seven days a week and you’ll find two twenty-something girls hanging out on the stoop talking. They literally sit there all day, every day!! What in the world do they talk about??!! Although last night I walked by and they were actually sitting across the street on the stoop of 85 Charles St. Did the residents of 90 Charles kick them out? After chatting with the "Stoop Girls" about their potential "eviction" I’d skip straight on over to The Bathroom (94 Charles St.) for some invigorating minty salt scrub – I’ll need this to wake myself up after my early evening massage at Relax (128 Charles St.)!! It is Saturday night after all and there are restaurants to try and yummy, muddled cocktails to discover – Mary’s Fish Camp (246 W. 4th @ Charles) or Morandi (211 Waverly Place @ Charles) perhaps?!
STREET SMART: ROBERTSON BLVD., LOS ANGELES
It might seem tragically trendy and too obvious, but Robertson Blvd. truly is one of my favorite streets in Los Angeles. Every time I visit I can't resist treating myself to a day of indulgent trend shopping and celeb watching. I'd start my day at Ed's Coffee Shop (460 N. Robertson Blvd.). You won't find Paris, Lindsey or any of the “the girls” here for that matter - it's low key and simple, but the delicious greasy spoon breakfast hits the spot, particularly after a late night at Villa. After breakfast head south and cross Beverly Blvd. Immediately to your left you'll see one of my favorite stores in the city, Vionette (158 N. Robertson Blvd.). The clothes here are feminine and sexy, but reveal just enough. They have amazing lingerie and jewelry, but my favorite part is the personal attention the staff gives me every time I walk in the door. You'll feel like you have your own stylist and to top it all off, the store always smells like heaven. For some trendy threads to cover all the pretty, lacey underthings you just bought head to Madison (106 S. Robertson Blvd.) for clothes and Diavolina (156 S. Robertson Blvd.) for your toes. These two spots will have you drenched head to toe in hip brands from established and up-and-coming designers. You can expect to walk out looking like your favorite Gossip Girl, but don't expect to find a bargain. It's rare that I'm ever able to deny myself anything I want/need and anytime I'm in L.A. I generally want/need to have lunch at the Ivy (113 N. Robertson Blvd.), but sometimes I'm looking for a more low-key experience and for that Cuvee (145 S. Robertson Blvd.) hits the mark. Order the ahi tuna salad and relax on the patio, hopefully avoiding any nagging buyer's remorse. Wrap up your day with a cheap but stellar mani/pedi at Elegant Nails (143 S. Robertson Blvd.) and the best dang Italian cone on the planet from Al Gelato (806 S. Robertson Blvd.). Cheers to a brilliant day in LA LA land!
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