A sidewalk patio in L.A. might as well be called a streetside patio considering the actual amount of walking people do in this city. Still, there are a surprising number of such patios—the 300-plus days of sunshine might have something to do with it—for al fresco dining and drinking. Whether you’re hoping to spot some celebs, you’re an aspiring actress hoping to be discovered, or you want to see the paparazzi in action, these are the patios for gawking.
Navigating: sidewalk patios for stargawkers
Have the chicken Caesar, with a paparazzi side
By Lilibet Snellings
Special to MetromixJuly 30, 2008
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Alcove Cafe and Bakery
1929 Hillhurst Ave. - Los Angeles323-644-0100
Funny that Hollywood’s version of “slumming it” ends up at this breezy Los Feliz darling. From the low, curvaceous brick wall and mismatched chairs to the leafy cover of trees, this patio’s got personality to match the historic charm of the bungalow that houses the cafe. The menu features the staples of a lazy weekend, even if it is midday Wednesday: crepes, French toast decadently made with brioche and rum, even four kinds of eggs Benny. And do leave room for cake—that is, if Mr. Big Shot can “slum” that too.
BLD
7450 Beverly Blvd. - Los Angeles323-930-9744
Essentially a big open box surrounded by huge picture windows, BLD is hardly the place for privacy. Sidewalk-adjacent tables, which wrap around both sides of the corner lot, provide better photo ops for newly minted couples and mommies-to-be who dig into ricotta pancakes and thick-cut Nueske bacon with abandon. As the name indicates, three square services are offered all day, affording copious occasions for a celebrity sighting as well as a satisfying meal (yes, really) from one of L.A.’s star chefs, Neal Fraser.
BLT Steak
8720 Sunset Blvd. - West Hollywood310-360-1950
The first West Coast outpost in Laurent Tourondel’s empire, BLT Steak took over the former home of Le Dome, a perennial celebrity spot along the Sunset Strip. Nostalgia alone might attract Hollywood’s old guard, but the sleek, updated room and expansive patio host a flashier, rowdier clientele in the later hours. Part French bistro, part American steakhouse, the kitchen serves up the big-money stuff of lobster, oysters and Wagyu beef. For what it’s worth, the bread service of colossal popovers and chicken liver pâte is to-die-for—witness the wee starlets fight to abstain.
Figaro Bistro
1802 N. Vermont Ave. - Los Feliz323-662-1587
On any given night, the sidewalk outside Los Feliz’s long-standing French bistro buzzes with a coterie of Eastside scene-makers: magazine editors, gallerists, boutique owners, writers, musicians. Lean in, and you’ll catch wind of the next underground art exhibit or the latest garage band on the cusp of world domination. Cigarette smoke swirls above the red rattan chairs while dogs snooze below. Trendy hats, vests and thick-rimmed glasses abound, as do local celebrities: Katherine Heigl, Kiefer Sutherland, Keanu Reeves and even rapper Eve have been spotted here.
The Ivy
113 N. Robertson Blvd. - West Hollywood310-274-8303
It’s almost impossible to drive by and not see a crush of paparazzi in front of this Robertson institution, one of L.A.’s sceniest (seeniest?) spots. On any given day, a who’s who of Hollywood stars and moguls sit behind the iconic white picket fence, pretending to eat the unglamorous fare of spaghetti and meatballs, fried chicken, and chowder. Heard an A-list couple is on the rocks? Well, Mr. and Mrs. just broke bread, not vows, here, so they’re doing just fine, thank you very much. Be careful when you’re rubber-necking—that’s probably how Lindsay got herself into a fender-bender right outside.
Il Pastaio
400 N. Canon Dr. - Beverly Hills310-205-5444
Power lunch in Beverly Hills? What else is new? Il Pastaio’s famous wraparound patio outshines its fellow Canon Drive players. The society of pristine Italian suits and pressed French cuffs gathers beneath the earth-toned awnings, talking shop and angling best sides for nearby telephoto lenses. Even if you can’t snag yourself an agent, the rich Italian feast—based on the Sicilian heritage of L.A.’s prolific Drago family—is notable with highlights of bresaola, arancini and homemade pastas. Don’t leave home without the plastic; your pretty head shots will get you nothing here.
Il Sole
8741 Sunset Blvd. - West Hollywood310-657-1182
The unassuming, almost cozy-looking patio would be just another neighborhood joint if it weren’t such a Hollywood hangout along Sunset Plaza. The owner is famed rock ’n’ roll promoter Andy Hewitt, who had the industry cajones to ban Nicky Hilton and Bijou Phillips from ever returning to the eatery. Plenty are still in his good graces, however, including Ringo Starr, the Beckhams, the Olsen twins, Courteney Cox and her “friends,” even Britney Spears. Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi recently dined on the patio, which, with its white linens and candlelight, would be romantic if it weren’t for those damned flashbulbs.
Joan's on Third
8350 W. 3rd St. - Los Angeles323-655-2285
Even before the gorgeous remodel, Joan’s on Third was on the A-list. Perhaps celebrities liked to pretend they were still in New York—what once was a sliver of an East Coast-esque food counter has come to its full Dean and Deluca realization. Everyone has to line up, especially during the crush of the lunch hour, to request priced-per-ounce salads, a wheel of imported cheese, or any of the day’s special sandwiches. The same goes for the sweets and gelato counter for a famed cupcake. The 15 or so outdoor tables are primo seats—guaranteed that you won’t just be dining with Joan’s iconic cow statues.
Little Next Door
8164 W. 3rd St. - Los Angeles323-951-1210
An adjacent extension of its sister (more like mother) restaurant, the Little Door, the Little Next Door looks like it came straight from the city of oh-so-chic sidewalk cafes. Enclosed in wrought iron, gold and Yves Klein blue, the charming patio possesses all the Parisian trappings. Handwritten chalkboards list aperitifs and Champagne cocktails. French expats with the bearings of cinema stars (and the occasional Sienna Miller) speak French with the French waiters while sipping French-pressed coffee or chilled French wine. Nicotine and dogs are permitted. Bon gout!
Magnolia
6266 1/2 Sunset Blvd. - Los Angeles323-467-0660
While this sleek, chic bar-lounge-restaurant hyphenate attracts a corporate crowd during the day, at night the patio pulses with the young and the restless. Aspiring actor/model/reality show contestants sip Grey Goose and tonics after screenings at the Arclight and before invading the innumerable Hollywood clubs nearby. Patio players who opt to stick around can nosh on a comfort-driven menu of burgers, mac ’n’ cheese and ice cream sandwiches till almost 2 a.m. every night.
Malibu Country Mart
3835 Cross Creek Rd. - MalibuWith all the shops, galleries, open-air restaurants and gardens, the Malibu Country Mart is basically one glorious sidewalk patio. Nobu Malibu has long brought the A-list here. And with the recent baby boom, the sand-filled playground has become a stomping ground for Hollywood’s proudest mamas and the occasional papa. Cindy Crawford, Halle Berry, Keri Russell, Matthew McConaughey and Metromix cover boy Travis Barker are known to frequent the Mart, sometimes sans kiddies. Too bad these play dates come with paparazzi in tow.
Mauro's Cafe
8112 Melrose Ave. - Los Angeles323-653-2874
The sole eatery at the mecca that is Fred Segal, it’s no wonder Mauro’s is such a celebrity hive. So much so that TMZ—to the store’s ire—planted hidden cameras in the parking lot. (Management says they’ve all been taken down.) The week before our visit, Dave Chappelle sat outside six out of the seven days. Lindsay Lohan, who the staff says “really eats” pastas and salads and “real” Cokes, comes in about once a week. Paparazzi are relegated to the parking lot—where parking is free, BTW—so it’s a common strategy for stars (Forest Whitaker, Gavin Rossdale) to exit through the kitchen.
M Café de Chaya
7119 Melrose Ave. - Los Angeles323-525-0588
“Delicious” and “macrobiotic” were once angry bedfellows until the opening of M Café, where somehow, shockingly (magically?), tastiness is produced without refined sugars, eggs, dairy, red meat or poultry. There are plenty of Hollywood types (read: skinny bones looking to get skinnier) savoring the signature spicy peanut kale salad and munching on tempeh as if it were bacon. The sidewalk patio is more like a few tables next to the parking lot, but it gives you front-row access when Gwyneth arrives with Apple and Moses in tow.
Toast
8221 W. 3rd St. - Los Angeles323-655-5018
An episode of The Hills might as well be filmed here at all hours. According to the frazzled but friendly host, Lauren Conrad is in practically every day, though she’s “always getting her order to go” and “always in a hurry.” Brody Jenner also hangs out in the photo-opportunistic patio with his revolving door of dates. On the day of our visit, Britney Spears had a ressie, but didn’t show. No wonder the crazy line that often extends to the next street corner—which is only out-crazied by the scrum of photogs taking every inch of sidewalk. Puppies and cigarettes, natch, are allowed on the patio; what’s a starlet to do without her two true best friends?
Urth Caffé
8565 Melrose Ave. - West Hollywood310-659-0628
For some, it’s hardly worth enduring the omnipresent lines—both to place an order and find a table—for just a muffin and coffee, but what a stellar cup of joe it is. Urth, in fact, is so serious about the bean that it carries its own brand of organic coffee as well as an inventory of loose teas. Sandwiches, salads and veggie plates are in order, but it’s the mouth-watering desserts that are so irresistible—hey, who could hate such cute, personal-sized pies? There are two other locations (in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills) and one coming, but this Melrose Avenue flagship is most studded with stars and their standard-issue entourages.
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