The rock star’s LA: vegan food, beaches and Tarantino

“I’ve always been interested in the culture and lifestyle of California, and that only grew every time I visited. So in 2015 I simply moved here. I think I’ve fulfilled a dream that my dad always had but that never came true for him.”

How best to do LA in 48 hours

“If I only had 48 hours in Los Angeles, I’d check into The Hollywood Roosevelt and take a walk along Sunset Strip so that at least I’d seen The Viper Room, The Roxy and Whisky a Go Go, and soaked up the epitome of American commerce in terms of expensive clothes stores and entertainment culture in the form of gigantic billboards. I’d check out all the high-quality second hand stores in Los Feliz and Silverlake. While I was there, I’d also take advantage of Los Angeles’ excellence in vegan cuisine and eat at one of the many good restaurants in Silver Lake and try Magpies Softserve ice-cream in Los Feliz.

“I’d walk through Little Ethiopia and eat the exquisite Ethiopian food at restaurant Merkato, and then catch a film at Quentin Tarantino’s own little movie theatre, the New Beverly Cinema. After that I’d go for coffee and dessert or a cocktail at the classic Canter’s Deli.”

“At times it can feel like you’re the only one not in fancy dress at a noisy costume party.”

Family activities in Los Angeles

“Right now I live in Woodland Hills, but as a family we’re finally about to move to Ojai, which has been a dream for many years. Ojai is a small community further north towards Santa Barbara, surrounded by tall mountains, where there’s a lot of culture for both children and adults. You only have to go to Libbey Park to find lots to do for kids, and there are some great gigs on the open-air stage. 

“A lot of people are reluctant to take their kids to Venice Beach due to all the craziness, but it’s usually also a great success for the very same reason. Shutters On the Beach has a great restaurant for lunch, dinner and drinks. I also love Café Collage close to the beach, which has amazing coffee. Café Gratitude is a vegan restaurant that you simply mustn’t miss. Gjelina is another restaurant for lunch and delicious natural wine, which I love.

“On Venice Boardwalk you’ll find all kinds of unique LA people: fortune seekers, homeless people and creative souls, as well as tourists. At times it can feel like you’re the only one not in fancy dress at a noisy costume party. I have a real love-hate relationship with it all. Venice often drives me crazy, but just as often it inspires me.”

Addresses

The Hollywood Roosevelt
7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Viper Room
8852 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

The Roxy
9009 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Whisky a Go Go
8901 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Magpies Softserve
2660 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Merkato
1036 1/2 S Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90019

New Beverly Cinema
7165 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Canter’s Deli
419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Revel
307 E Matilija St c, Ojai, CA 93023

Café Collage
1518 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Café Gratitude
512 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291