Mr & Mrs Smith

Sushi fans will want to get themselves to the best sushi bar in LA: Matsuhisa (+1 310 659 9639; www.nobumatsuhisa.com) at 129 North La Cienaga Boulevard – open weekdays for lunch, and every day for dinner. Fans of Cecconi’s in London can now sample its trademark classic Italian fare at 8764 Melrose in West Hollywood (+1 310 432 2000; www.cecconiswesthollywood.com) – check out the cicchetti and dolci on the midnight menu, available for night owls from 11pm–1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The Hall Courtyard Brasserie at apartment-style boutique hotel Palihouse Holloway (+1 323 656 4100; www.thehallbrasserie.com) is a laid-back but still-buzzing Francophile crowd-pleaser. Definitely book a table at either Osteria Mozza at 6602 Melrose Avenue (+1 323 297 0100) or Pizzeria Mozza at 641 North Highland Avenue (+ 1 323 297 0101), the hot new Italian eateries from a triumvirate of dedicated foodies: Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich. Worship at the altar of meat at Boa, a celeb-studded steakhouse with good looks and potent cocktails at 9200 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (+1 310 278 2050). Get one or two of your five daily portions from Ammo, an organic restaurant with a fruit and veg-heavy menu at 1155 North Highland Avenue (+1 323 871 2666). The restaurant works closely with local farmers and supplies, and the warm, woody decor reflects its natural philosophy. Head to Katana at 8439 West Sunset Boulevard (+1 323 650 8585), for traditional Japanese food cooked on a charcoal grill, served with a tasty trio of dipping sauces – ginger, ponzu and soy mustard.

Check out the deco styling of The Terrace at Sunset Tower Hotel’s Tower Bar (+1 323 654 7100; www.sunsettowerhotel.com) and have pre-dinner drinks on the old-Hollywood-style terrace.

Urth Café on Melrose (+1 310 205 9311; www.urthcaffe.com) is where West Hollywood’s locals head for their organic tea and coffee fix.

West Hollywood is the place for boutiques and retail excess, particularly on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. Santa Monica and its fun-filled pier are a short drive from where you are; Third Street Promenade is also good for browsing. For something a little more boho, head to the independent shops on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice; we like Equator Books, Japanese emporium Tortoise, and purveyors of vintage beach wares, Surfing Cowboys. Drop by for a super-healthy brunch made with artisan ingredients at Axe (+1 310 664 9787; www.axerestaurant.com) while you’re there. If all that arugula, bran and buckwheat noodle broth looks too worthy, opt for bacon and eggs followed by a brownie or home-made ice cream instead…