A Day in Beverly Hills - Bespoke suit, vintage watches, cafes and martinis

Video Description

I was recently in Beverly Hills for an appointment at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel so I thought I’d make a day of it and bring you along as I wander around and visit some favorite spots in the area. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.dirty.pigeon 00:00 Intro 00:19 Coffee at TheBLVD - Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel 01:08 Henry Poole & Co. suit fitting 01:57 Second Time Around Watch Company 02:53 Lunch at Parakeet Cafe 03:51 Pascal on Beverly 04:24 Walking around Rodeo Drive 05:09 Ralph Lauren 05:58 A stroll through Beverly Canon Gardens 06:12 Dante for a martini 07:55 Saks at 9600 Wilshire Blvd. It’s November so it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Beverly Wilshire. I arrive early to enjoy a cup of coffee at TheBLVD, just off the hotel lobby. TheBLVD is a spacious sophisticated looking room with high ceilings, plush sofas and art-deco touches that call back to the hotel’s late 1920’s beginnings. Over the decades, the Beverly Wilshire has been featured in several films and shows like Pretty Woman and, perhaps most importantly, Escape from the Planet of the Apes. Its storied history as a hub of old Hollywood glamour includes being a temporary home to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Elvis and John Lennon during his so-called “lost weekend” away from Yoko. And they have good coffee—not to mention beautiful old elevators. It’s time for my appointment so I make my way to the hotel’s second wing. On the way, I pass by Cut, a Woflgang Puck, Michelin star restaurant that I wouldn’t mind trying someday. I like a good steak. The Beverly wing of the hotel has some very photogenic details that are worth a stop to really appreciate. Today, I’m meeting with Henry Poole & Co, one of the oldest tailors on Savile Row in London. Poole visits LA a couple of times a year and this is my second fitting for this two piece navy suit. Daniel is the cutter that I’ve been working with. He’s a complete pro and the suit is coming along beautifully. So, with my fitting complete, I have the rest of the day to cruise around. I’m pretty hungry so I walk over to Beverly Drive, which has several unique casual cafes and restaurants. But first, I want to check out Second Time Around, the coolest little vintage watch shop in the area. The staff is super friendly and is kind enough to show me this Omega Speedmaster Reduced. I’ve always thought these were too big for my wrist but I think it looks alright. What do you think? As I browse around, this 1960s Heuer Carrera also catches my eye. Lunch time. I stop into Parakeet Cafe, a local chain that does simple creative dishes with fresh, high quality ingredients. They have at least ten locations in Southern California. I’ve been to this one and the Newport Beach location and both are almost always packed. Laguiole knife—check. Parakeet does this sort of fast-casual cafe thing better than most. So, if you enjoy this type of thing, do check them out. Ok, it’s time for something sweet and a visit to Pascal on Beverly, a French style bakery that is well known for their incredible pastries and cakes. Of course, they offer fresh baguettes, all of the usual patisserie suspects and delicious European style coffee. Christmas decor is in full swing on Rodeo Drive. The street is lined with large, brightly colored animal sculptures by French contemporary artist, Richard Orlinski. The combination is somewhat dissonant and surreal but fitting, nonetheless. A stop into the Ralph Lauren boutique provides a look at the latest cozy tweeds and woolens that we Southern California folk can use to pretend we actually have seasons. It’s always nice to walk through Beverly Canon Gardens, a quaint and quiet little park that has concerts in the summer and beautiful decorations through the holiday season. After about an hour of window shopping and sight-seeing, it’s time for my next stop of the day, The Maybourne, a beautiful five star hotel in Beverly Hills that is, incidentally, the sister to Claridge’s in London, which is definitely on my hotel stay wishlist. It’s also home to Dante, my favorite spot in Beverly Hills for a martini. This is the west coast counterpart to the beloved original Dante locations in New York City’s Greenwich and West Villages. Dante is known for their Negroni but the ten dollar martini hour is what I’m here for. These days, I prefer a 50/50 martini, equal parts gin and French vermouth, over a more Churchill inspired, gin-heavy martini. This beautiful ceiling art is by LA artist, Abel Macias, who you should check out sometime. On to my last stop for the day, the old Saks building at 9600 Wilshire Blvd. Designed by father and son firm John and Donald Parkinson with interior concepts by renowned architect to the stars, Paul R. Williams, it’s one of many historic buildings in this area. I’m not an architecture buff but there’s something about this building that gets me. #martini #beverlyhills #rodeodrive #bespoke #menswear #california #vlog