'Dancing with the Stars' Tour with the Pros
In off-hours, they hoof it to favorite relaxation spots.
Oct. 29, 2011— -- The ballroom pros paired with celebs on ABC's high-rated Dancing With the Stars work overtime rehearsing. In off-hours, they hoof it to favorite relaxation spots. Here, popular pros share with USA TODAY's Kitty Bean Yancey their L.A. haunts that visitors might enjoy.
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
The revamped venue for the first Oscars is a frequent hangout for pro Mark Ballas, who gets a kick out of nightlife options including Beacher's Madhouse, a risqué revue. "You get drinks served by little people dressed like (Willy Wonka's) Oompa Loompas sliding down" a track, Ballas says. Someone dressed as Spider-Man might be mingling with drinkers and dancers. Surprisingly, "I'm not a club dancer," Ballas says. "Well, maybe I would (dance) if I've had a drink." DWTS' Derek Hough likes "the vibe" at Beacher's. "It's very creative and really energizes me." Reservations are hard to get. Other Roosevelt spots include The Spare Room, with two old-fashioned bowling alleys.
Details: 7000 Hollywood Blvd., thompsonhotels.com, 800-950-7667; beachersmadhouse.com
The Grove
Most everyone at DWTS can be spotted at this open-air mall that bears a resemblance to Disneyland's Main Street — just as tidy, too — and bills itself as an "ultimate entertainment destination." That's because The Grove (and the adjacent, historic Farmers Market) are close to the studio where the show originates and because of dining and shopping ops. Pros Kym Johnson and Mark Ballas love the sliders at The Whisper Restaurant and Lounge. DWTS host Tom Bergeron orders the pomegranate martini at the tucked-away eatery. Derek Hough heads over "to grab a meal and see a movie. There's great people-watching, too. No matter what food everyone in your group is craving, the Farmers Market has something for everyone," from pancakes to enchiladas.
Details: 189 The Grove Dr., thegrovela.com, 323-900-8080; farmersmarketla.com, 866-993-9211
Fratelli Cafe
DWTS' resident Ukraine-born hunk, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, wearing jeans, a tight T-shirt and beaded bracelets, saunters into this tiny corner eatery in West Hollywood and downs a wake-up espresso before sitting on the patio with owner Yaron Abraham. "Wherever you live, you have a spot where you feel you have friends and everyone's cool," says the East Coast-based dancer. "This is my place here." Abraham, a former personal trainer to stars, serves healthy fare — from salads with soy chicken to egg dishes named after famous brothers (BeeGees, Baldwins and the like). Why? Because he started Fratelli with his brother, and it means "brothers" in Italian. DWTS' Tony Dovolani and Maks' brother Val stop in, too.
Details: 7200 Melrose Ave., fratellicafe.com, 323-938-2233
Kitson
This offbeat boutique has a big star following, from the Kardashians to Paris Hilton. Big names in big shades check out $195 skinny jeans and $38
T-shirts. DWTS' Cheryl Burke is a fan: "I'm not the typical person that likes to spend an afternoon with my girlfriends shopping. When I do need to go, though, I find that the shops on Robertson always have what I need."
Details: 115 S. Robertson Blvd., shopkitson.com, 310-859-2652
Shutters on the Beach
Known for protecting celebs, the seaside hotel (ocean-view rooms run $595 and up) bills itself as "your personal beach house." For type-A Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Shutters is a place to "get rejuvenated. I love the ocean. I need the body of water. It takes an effort for me to slow down. What I love to do at Shutters is nothing."
Details: 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, shuttersonthebeach.com, 800-334-9000
The Sunset Restaurant
The beachside bar/eatery with light, bright décor is not on most tourists' radars and attracts locals, Mark Ballas says. Specialties include lobster ravioli. "The food is good, the wine is good. Malibu is beautiful. I've always wanted to live here."
Details: 6800 Westward Beach Rd., Malibu, thesunsetrestaurant.com, 310-589-1007
The Village Idiot
Aussies gather at this casual restaurant, a favorite of Sydney-born Kym Johnson. She and a pal might split a rich steak and potato pie with golden crust ($12), the kind of fare that "reminds me of home."
Details: 7383 Melrose Ave., villageidiotla.com, 323-655-3331
The Hotel Café
"If you like live music, it's a great night out," says Mark Ballas, a musician who has played here. You might see Sheryl Crow or John Mayer trying out new material. Ballas likes that "they're picky about who plays, (and) you can't talk when an act is on or you get kicked out."
Details: 1623½ N. Cahuenga Blvd., hotelcafe.com
Brentwood Country Mart
Kym Johnson adores the "village-y" aspect of this low-rise shopping center near neighborhoods populated by stars. The mart, with boutique and restaurants, has hosted marquee names for decades, says James Rosenfield, who operates it. Gregory Peck used to ride his horse to shop. Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Garner are seen here with their kids.
Details: 225 26 St., Santa Monica, brentwoodcountrymart.com, 310-458-6682
The DWTS ballroom
Pros and celeb partners spend Mondays and Tuesdays during the season in DWTS' new ballroom in CBS TV City, with an orchestra pit that rises on a lift. Free reserved tickets for shows are gone this season, but you can join the wait list ( ocatv.com/shows).
Details: 7800 Beverly Blvd., abc.com
Manhattan Beach
South of the L.A. airport, this stretch of sand with picturesque pier is lesser-known than nearby beaches. It's where the Beach Boys surfed, home to world-class beach volleyball and "beautiful," says pro Anna Trebunskaya. "People come to L.A. and go to Beverly Hills and Hollywood. But there are so many little pockets" worth exploring.
Details: ci.manhattan-beach.ca.us