Live like a VIP with LUX Life, your insider's guide to exploring the premium side of Los Angeles.
Charming is an understated way to describe the sophisticated yet grounded Pace Webb. As the executive chef and founder of Taste of Pace where she creates incredible menus for some of LA’s most high-profile celebrities and cultural events, Pace brings her impeccable culinary taste and love of travel and people to everything she does. With an insider’s view on what’s not to be missed in LA ranging from the latest best breakfast in town, where to catch incredible live music, or the one travel item you just can’t live without when you’re heading out of LA, she truly knows the best secrets to when it comes to luxe living. When she’s not cooking up some of LA’s most delicious food, she also hosts the weekly CBS radio podcast TOP Talk about LA’s food scene. From her base downtown to her multiple Taste of Pace events throughout the city, Pace’s favorite places and must haves in LA are sure to become some of yours.
The Springs
With the arts district in downtown LA boasting some of the hottest spots in the city, The Springs is just one more reason to spend time in the area. This one-stop shop haven is sheer bliss and offers organic food, diverse yoga classes, wellness treatments, and a wine bar with live music from some of the city’s top musicians. Pace is a big fan of their yoga classes and the variety is one-of-a-kind ranging from happy hour yoga with live music to restorative yoga. “I find that pretty much any class at The Springs is the ideal experience, especially since they also have a lot of classes for those of us with non-traditional work schedules. The Springs is trendy but not too trendy and a great mix of being spiritual and knowledgeable, but not judgmental. There’s just something about deep breathing and elongating your muscles and feeling centered to start your day.”
Nickel Diner
This super cozy, vintage-style diner creates comfort food with a modern twist. While they’re known for their maple bacon donut among LA’s foodies, what makes Pace head over there on a Saturday morning is just as, if not more tantalizing. “I usually get weekend mornings off and my favorite place to indulge in a southern favorite is the Nickel Diner for a ‘ball and a biscuit’: a buttermilk biscuit with a side ball of butter and house made jam. This is only served on weekends so you’ve got to get it while you can! Depending on how much of a sweet tooth I have, I will order a house made pop tart, too. They are so crazy good!”
Juice Served Here
Considering Pace interviews LA’s top food folks on her CBS Radio podcast, she also gets to discover what’s a must-have in her own personal life. Having recently interviewed the founders of Juice Served Here (the delicious raw and organic juice bar), it’s now a Pace favorite. “I’m never one to be committal with my food. So to make up for the ball and biscuit I just indulged in, I love having the flight of Juice Served Here juices. There is everything in this flight from charcoal (Charcoal Lemonade) for detoxing to almond and cashew milk mixed with greens (Green Milk). It’s all presented in gorgeous little white shot glasses on a white tray. It’s like drinking the rainbow!”
Natura Spa
Located underground in an eclectic and busy Koreatown neighborhood in LA, this chic yet accessible Korean spa is where you can de-stress and get pampered at your own pace. Whether it’s a solo stop or with your fellow Angelenos, this is where Pace loves to stop in and get some true R + R. "It’s just such a perfect way to unwind. I love the low lights and the rejuvenating effect of sitting in a salt room or a really intense steam. And when I’m feeling brave and badass, an ice pool dip really refreshes me. My favorite dish in the restaurant is the Number 8, which is basically a vegetarian soup. And you’re supposed to get your acupressure treatment first and then soak, not the other way around. Who knew?”
Hedley and Bennett Aprons
From chefs to hairdressers to just cooking dinner at home, Hedley and Bennett aprons are the latest personalized item that Pace keeps snatching up. With the Hedley and Bennett headquarters in downtown, it’s also where you’ll pick up either the perfect gift for your favorite cook or treat yourself to a new customized apron. “You can’t have just one. And then all the other cooks need them. And well, the servers, too! And any little one in my life. They definitely need them. They have fabulous fabrics like Japanese selvage denim and Italian chambray and they will customize everything down to the stitching. And let’s be honest, from a McConnell’s ice cream stash to a surprise beer party, a stop by the Hedley Bennett HQ is guaranteed to be a good time!”
LA Hootenanny
With LA’s creative spirit, it’s no surprise that live music is huge in this city, but maybe not where you’re thinking. With her original Texas roots yet total LA lifestyle, Pace goes to LA Hootenanny’s performances throughout town. This Texas-style jam band not only brings fantastic performances to every venue but they also offer dancing classes since fans tear up the dance floor at each show. “As a native Texan, I get nostalgic from time to time for the southern culture and just love the LA Hootenanny. They sing both originals and covers and I freak out like a sorority girl every time they cover Snoop Dogg’s The Next Episode. And some members have home-made instruments. It’s just so fun!”