Stayaction in Brentwood, Elaine's Bakery & Cafe and Illume Spa

By Laura Medina

Elaine's Bakery & Cafe, http://elainesbakeryandcafe.com/

Brentwood, now known as "Young Hollywood" or the new "Hollywood Elite."

Home to Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner and Gisele Bundchen & Tom Brady, and Marcia Cross.  If you train yourself very hard, you might spot them at neighborhood hot spots, such as the Brentwood Gardens, the neighborhood's local outdoor three-stories tall mall on11677 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90049.

The third floor has underwent numerous permutations over the years, reflecting the locals' mutating tastes over the decade.

 This recent late Summer/Early Autumn transition signifies the roof-top changes too.

On the left side of the arc top floor is Elaine's Bakery & Cafe, http://elainesbakeryandcafe.com/, is a light, gluten-free as possible, gourmet bistro decked out in a warm, ambient setting, matching the locals' taste for healthy gourmet.

Elaine’s Bakery and Café is a boutique neighborhood restaurant is just like the residents, attitude-free, scene-free affable bistro that caters fresh, seasonal, and wholesome food offerings to Brentwoodians that yearns for fresh, seasonal, and wholesome food. 

Their decadent French macaroons and treats are gluten-free, from almond base and when possible, they use rice flour base for a lighter, airy texture.  

The waffles are yeast-raised.  The crepes are made by hand and from scratch. The sodas are made with pure cane sugar.

Whether you're waking up from an hangover or nibbling on pastry, you can breathe in the Santa Monica ocean breezes right on the third floor balcony, watching the world go by.

Healthy never means starving.

 

Illume Spa, http://illumespa.com/Home/

At the opposite end of the arc is Illume Spa.

Opened by two alumna from Bliss Spa in next-door Westwood's W Hotel, Kathryn and Lexandra a.k.a. “Wizards of Skin and Wax,” best esthetics programs in the country with 30 years of experience between them.  They were trainers and instructors opening “Bliss” spas in the W hotels and “Remede” spas in the St. Regis resorts in multiple locations across USA and abroad. 

Their own brand of skincare gels, creams, lotions, cleansers, and serums were concocted by their combined years of treatment innovation, product and equipment research and testing for different companies.  We are talking about their previous employers' quality.

Unlike some of their previous spas, the purple-themed decor signifies unisex.  Men need more help and direction than they realized, especially the waxing services for dudes,  http://illumespa.com/Waxing/.   Don’t see any treatment you think appeals to you – give them a call and they will customize a service one for you, even future moms.

Come to think of it, hanging out on the third floor of Brentwood Gardens, I'll live like your favorite Young Hollywood star, nibbling at Elaine's Bakery & Cafe then get illuminating at Illume Spa by a top-tier team of facialists then relaxing on the balcony watching the world pass by.

Go beyond looking like your favorite celebrity, live like one.