Swinging with (and under) the stars at Cameo Bar

October 9, 2010

SANTA MONICA, USA – Cocktailing at Cameo Bar, the slinky lounge in the Viceroy Hotel, convincingly conjures up the 1960s with the lounge’s grass green sofas, slick white leather wingchairs, stylish shag carpets, and candlelight throughout the indoor portion, or if outdoors, with poolside cabanas, huge white armchairs, and sofas… (more)

AOC is A-OK for wine, cuisine, and Cali fun

October 8, 2010

LOS ANGELES, USA – In French, AOC stands for “appellation d’origine contrôlée,” the certification granted to wines from specific regions. But at LA’s chic, petite wine bar AOC, the only French you need to know is “bon appétit.” This ode to the good life pairs a stellar selection of 50… (more)

Now Premiering: Los Angeles!

September 29, 2010

LOS ANGELES, USA – Divine fashions. Swank cocktails. Fabulous food. Star sightings. And a dash of paparazzi. Have you landed at the latest Hollywood film premiere? Nope, you’ve landed on The Purple Passport’s new Los Angeles guide. That’s right: LA is now “up in lights” on our site, and we’ve… (more)

Divine seafood that skips the seaside at Providence

September 10, 2010

LOS ANGELES, USA – Given its proximity to the Pacific, it’s not surprising that Los Angeles has its share of scrumptious seafood restaurants dotting the coast from Manhattan Beach to Malibu. Sitting at the top of this barrel of fish is Providence, the dual-Michelin starred fine-dining seafood restaurant from decorated… (more)

More than just a nod to Hollywood’s heyday at Tower Bar

September 9, 2010

WEST HOLLYWOOD, USA – The Hollywood nightlife scene of today can’t seem to get enough of referencing the Hollywood of yore. Overrun as it is by show-it-all, do-it-all starlets and tell-it-all 24-hour streaming TMZ videos, it’s no wonder there’s a nostalgia for a more demure day, when a spirit of… (more)

Everything but the moat at the Chateau Marmont

September 7, 2010

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – Castles are curious dwellings. They’re synonymous with profligate opulence and ravishing royalty, yet these fortified palaces also figure prominently in the mythology of despair, from infamous recluses like William Randolph Hearst to cursed princesses á la Sleeping Beauty. At Los Angeles’ Chateau Marmont, which New York… (more)

A mansion for the masses at Hollyhock House

August 27, 2010

LOS ANGELES, USA – A quick glance at the real estate listings in the most exclusive pockets of Los Angeles will clue you in to the types of amenities that come standard with your average Tinseltown mansion: in-home movie theaters, grand ballrooms, domed glass spas, and even discoteques. These posh… (more)

Revving up for Runyon Canyon

August 26, 2010

LOS ANGELES, USA – As the saying goes, it never rains in Southern California. Thing is, it does rain here. Not that we have anything to complain about to the likes of constantly drenched Seattle folk or anything, but there’s definitely a period when Los Angelenos must forego their flip-flops… (more)

A grown-up night at the movies at ArcLight Cinemas

August 22, 2010

LOS ANGELES, USA – Worst case scenario: the newest blockbuster you want to see cuts right into the dinner hour, so you decide to skip a meal in favor of popcorn and Milk Duds. You wait in an impossibly long line to buy tickets only to end up craning your… (more)

A “stripped down” scene at decadent Bardot

August 14, 2010

LOS ANGELES, USA – When a bar shares a name with French siren Brigitte Bardot, you know there’s going to be some serious va-va-voom involved. Such is the case at Bardot in Hollywood, a sexy 1920s-themed nightclub where Brigitte’s signature fashion statement–various states of undress–can be seen at every turn.… (more)