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We half expected to trip over clatches of camera-burdened paparazzi lying in wait outside The Ivy's chaotic patio, or outside the beckoning glass doors of Kitson, but no such luck. In fact, aside from a couple of dour-faced town car chauffeurs and a whole lot of faces that had a whole lot of work done, our shopping excursion down the blocks of Robertson Boulevard between Third and Beverly was fairly uneventful. This little strip of boutiques has been getting a lot of press lately, mostly because today's tabloid fodder (Jessica! Paris! Nicole! Lindsay!--and by "Lindsay!" we don't mean us. Er, uh, me, that is) knows they can score some goods and some major photo ops on the sidewalks there. The December issue of Los Angeles magazine is devoted to where young Hollywoodites do their shopping in LA, which can be at times akin to an art form, for those with the time, money, and patience to devote to the indulgent passtime. Of course, this time of year, most of us--even the reluctant--find ourselves having to shop until we drop, either out of frustration, poverty, or exhaustion. But if you're willing and able, grab some quarters for the parking meters, and head on down to Robertson.
Boutiques are the name of the game here, where tiny, trendy frocks bear big price tags. There's Lisa Kline, Curve, Diavolina, and Vionnet, but we prefer the no frills LA-based American Apparel's outpost here, with its colorful sweat-shop free tees and tanks. Kitson is a melee of high end and lowbrow, where daddy's girls from the midwest hoping for a Britney sighting shop alongside the darlings of Westside sugar daddies. Here you can get the same kind of kitschy food and sex books you'll find at Urban Outfitters, along with all kinds of hip apparel and accesories. We like the Kiehl's store, which is by no means boutique, but a great no nonsense high-quality stop for great shampoos and other hair and body care products. Hungry? Don't bother to eat on Robertson. The big restaurant draw is The Ivy, which is all about being seen, and not at all about eating. In fact, no matter who you're trying to impress or spot, we'd urge you to skip the food at The Ivy entirely; it's just overpriced low-quality food in the famous cottage and patio setting. Seeing Katie Holmes satisfy a crabcake craving and hope someone takes a picture of her snuggling Tom Cruise (shudder) is kind of a low-priority. We'll be across the street at Starbucks, helping Ben Affleck carry baby Violet and his requisite latte.
Happy shopping!
Kiehl's || 100 N. Robertson Blvd || (310) 860-0028
The Ivy || 113 N. Robertson Blvd || (310) 274-8303
Curve || 154 N. Robertson Blvd || (310) 360-8008
Diavolina || 156 N. Robertson Blvd || (310) 550-1341
Vionnet || 158 N. Robertson Blvd || (310) 289-9202
Starbucks || 164 N. Robertson Blvd || (310) 659-737
American Apparel || 104 S. Robertson Blvd || (310) 274-6292
Kitson || 115 S. Robertson Blvd || (310) 289-4975
Lisa Kline || 136 S. Robertson Blvd || (310) 246-0907
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"Hungry? Don't bother to eat on Robertson."
How can you possibly overlook the Newsroom? It's as big of a Robertson institution as The Ivy, without the price tag, and with arguably better (certainly healthier) food.
I agree. The Newsroom is exceptional. Especially for breakfast. I happened to be on Robertson this weekend as well and stopped by the Newsroom for their famous Artichoke appetizer which rocked. Since my girlfriend lives close to this area, we stop by for breakfast and a Kiehls run from time to time and I have to say, I've never spotted any celebs or paparazzi on the sidewalks. Although, I may be clueless.