SHOPPING
American Rag, (323) 935-3154

Hillary Rush, (323) 852-0088

Kaviar and Kind, (310) 659-8857

NIGHTLIFE
Chateau Marmont, (323) 656-1010

Polo Lounge, (310) 887-2777

ELSEWHERE
Crunch, (323) 654-4550

Laemmle's Sunset 5, (323) 848-3500

Runyon Canyon, (323) 666-5046. (Please note: This is the number for the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Services office.)

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We Said …
Where we go in Los Angeles when we're not "rolling calls"

LODGING
Hotel Angeleno, moderate to expensive, (310) 476-6411. This former Holiday Inn still has the same smallish rooms, but now features a hipper, more sophisticated vibe throughout. After settling in and checking out the view from your balcony, scope out the panorama at the ­penthouse-level dining room and then gather around the cozy outdoor pool and fireplace.

Sofitel Los Angeles, very expensive, (310) 278-5444. Another newly renovated L.A. lodging is this Euro-mod masterpiece on Beverly Boulevard. Befitting its fashionable address, it features a 5,000-square-foot spa and a Rande Gerber-run bar.

Villa Brasil Motel, inexpensive, (310) 636-0141. Our third and last lodging to have undergone a recent renovation is this clean, colorful charmer that claims to be the city's first Brazilian accommodation. Rumor has it Kevin Bacon is a big fan of the motel's new Café Brasil.

DINING
Bite, moderate, (310) 305-4010. We originally came here for the Japanese "street food," like the crispy tofu slices with peanut dipping sauce and flash-fried calamari dusted in Togarashi pepper flour. But having now tasted Bite's martinis, we've discovered they (more than 20 in all) are worth the trip as well. The table favorite was the Oatmeal Cookie Martini (mmm, Butterscotch Schnapps!).