Curtis Stone has the perfect plan for an unforgettable day in L.A.

For fans of modern culinary culture, chef, restaurateur, and author Curtis Stone is a true culinary icon.

The Australian-born, formally trained chef is also a TV personality, having appeared on shows like 'Top Chef Masters' and 'My Kitchen Rules.'

In 2014, he opened his first fine dining restaurant, Maude, in Beverly Hills, California. His latest venture, Gwen in Hollywood, was named L.A.'s best restaurant by Eater and L.A. Weekly in 2016 and received a James Beard Foundation nomination for best restaurant design this year.

A must-see destination, Gwen (6600 Sunset Blvd.) is a unique butcher shop offering premium meats like California grass-fed beef and Australian bone-in wagyu, along with house-made charcuterie and a selection of coffees and sandwiches for daytime visitors.

Around 5 p.m. each evening, the restaurant comes to life. The wood-fired oven blazes up and the open kitchen orchestrates a culinary performance, while guests in the dining area enjoy the airy, modern design (with light fixtures straight out of a Nancy Meyers film).

The food is simply outstanding, especially for meat lovers, though vegetarians can enjoy a tailored menu with 48 hours' notice.

Having called Los Angeles home for over a decade, chef Curtis Stone, along with his wife Lindsay Price and their two children, has developed a deep affection for his adopted city.

We caught up with Curtis before service one evening and had him share his ideal day for friends, family, and visitors to Los Angeles. Naturally, it’s full of delicious food. So, book a table at Gwen through Open Table (and do it early, as it fills up fast) and make your way to L.A.

A sizzling hot hotel.

Curtis Stone recommends the Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles (929 South Broadway) as his top pick for out-of-town guests.

In recent years, this once-neglected area has blossomed into a vibrant hotspot for the hip crowd. Downtown L.A.'s history is relatively brief; it was a residential hub in the late 1800s before evolving into a glamorous, star-studded destination from the 1920s to the 1940s, with iconic venues like the Roosevelt and the Biltmore hosting the first Academy Awards galas.

As the freeway system expanded, the area declined, but by the early 2000s, it began to revitalize, marked by the opening of the Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles in 2014.

The 1927 art deco building that once housed United Artists now features a popular theater, hosting everything from events and concerts to live podcasts and film screenings. On the ground floor, you'll find a lively restaurant open throughout the day, while the rooftop offers a bar and lounge with a small pool to refresh while enjoying a cocktail.

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Effortless convenience, with no compromises.

For his morning meal, Stone keeps it local—just down the hill from his home in Franklin Village. In a modest building next to a strip mall (a true L.A. signature), you'll find The Oaks Gourmet (1915 North Bronson Ave.), a neighborhood market that defies easy labels.

It’s the perfect spot for a great cup of coffee, espresso drinks, and smoothies. You can also pick up a bottle of wine, craft beer, or spirits. Or maybe some cheese or ice cream sandwiches to sweeten the deal.

As the owner of The Oaks, Jeremy Frey, recounts, Stone stopped by on Christmas Eve and cleared out their stock of ice cream sandwiches. Because, well, why not?

There’s a communal table, some seating near the parking lot, and a tiny kitchen serving up some seriously impressive food, from pizzas and sandwiches to burgers, salads, wings, and standout breakfast sandwiches.

Stone’s go-to morning pick is their breakfast burrito, the ultimate morning indulgence: crispy bacon, perfectly cooked over-medium eggs with just the right amount of runny yolk, cheddar, and scallions. Add some Cholula hot sauce (or your choice of spice) and you’ve got the perfect tortilla harmony.

This is the kind of spot that draws people back time and time again, and it’s easy to see why (plus, they can). Open every day from 7 a.m. to midnight, 365 days a year.

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An iconic food destination.

Grand Central Market (317 S. Broadway) has been a downtown Los Angeles staple since 1917, which in this part of the world feels like an eternity. The energy of the surrounding area today perfectly reflects the diverse array of vendors that rotate through.

As you wander through this open-air market (with entrances on both South Broadway and Hill Street), you’ll be surrounded by a delicious mix of choices: Mexican plates, freshly made carnitas, sushi, sandwiches, ice cream, fresh produce, cheese, chiles, currywurst, bread, Belcampo Meat Co., and Eggslut.

Beyond food, the market also hosts live music, trivia nights, film screenings, and more. The building itself also offers apartment rentals, meaning you could technically live here forever.

Exploring the outdoors.

Stone is an outdoors enthusiast, often enjoying hikes in the hills around the Hollywood sign. Great spots for hiking include Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon.

He also enjoys scenic drives to Malibu. If you find yourself in the area, head to Malibu Country Mart (3835 Cross Creek Road, Malibu) for some shopping and star-spotting. Dip your toes in the ocean, grab a bite at Malibu Farm on the pier, or try to score a reservation at Nobu (22706 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu), where the sunset is as breathtaking as the sushi.

Stone is also a fan of people-watching in Venice, especially with the influx of tech money from companies like Google and Snap. The food scene here is a must-see, with Rose Café (220 Rose Ave., Venice) standing out as a top choice.

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Dining recommendations.

Stone has a few more restaurant recommendations for visitors to check out.

For the best sushi in town, Stone recommends the omakase at Sushi Park (8539 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood), located on the second floor of a strip mall just below the Chateau Marmont Hotel. Also on Sunset is his favorite breakfast spot, The Griddle Café (7916 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood), where the French toast is a must-try.

For a great dining experience at the bar, Stone suggests Providence (5955 Melrose Ave.), a seafood specialty restaurant just a short distance from Gwen.

For fine dining, Stone gives a nod to Trois Mec (716 Highland Ave.), run by renowned chef Ludo Lefebvre (who also owns Petit Trois next door) and partners Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (the minds behind Animal, Son of a Gun, and Jon & Vinny’s).

Trois Mec offers a five-course tasting menu, and reservations are highly sought after, requiring tickets in advance. It may surprise you to learn that Trois Mec is also located in a strip mall.