Skip to main content

Hip Hop Artist Ben Diamond Shows Us Around L.A.

By Amanda Gabriele Dec 18, 2019 3:14 PM

Even though he didn’t take it quite so seriously in his younger years, Ben Diamond’s calling was always in music. Sure he played in a few high school bands, but it wasn’t until he published a five track EP on Bandcamp in 2012 that he was truly noticed.

After catching the attention of underground UK hip hop star Dirty Dike, Ben was contacted by producer Nicholas “Aqua” McCarrell, best known for his work on Jay-Z’s The Black Album. He immediately flew Ben out to Los Angeles where they wrote and recorded The Diamond LP, released on Bandcamp in January of this year.

Recommended Videos

We are loving Ben’s fresh sound, a poppy Brit hip hop that just makes us want to dance. While he was working the album in L.A., Ben had a chance to explore the city from top to bottom. So he filled us in on his favorite places to bring a date, have a lunch meeting, hear live music and more. Check out his mini city guide below and don’t forget to check out The Diamond LP on Bandcamp.

Best first date spot: Blue Heights

If you really want to have the perfect first night out in Los Angeles, then take your date to Blue Heights in the Hollywood Hills. You reach the top and see a breath-taking view of the entire city, it’s amazing. Get out of your car, sit on a bench and take it in.

Best restaurant to take mom and dad when they’re in town: Belvedere at The Peninsula Beverly Hills

The best place to take them for a really awesome American food is The Belvedere. The ambiance is elegant and it’s nice to dress up when you go.

Best place to work over coffee: Poolside at the Mondrian Hotel

The pool deck at Mondrian is a perfect place to work because it’s not too hectic and the view is inspiring when you need a break. Not to mention it’s right in the heart of West Hollywood, one of my favourite places to be in L.A.

Best brunch: AXE on Abbot Kinney

Axe on Abbot Kinney is a great place to grab brunch because it’s right in Venice. The food is always amazing – specifically the flat top fried potatoes – and the environment is mega cool.

Best lunch meeting spot: Joan’s on Third

Two words: the sandwiches

Best place for a night out with the boys: The Writer’s Room

The Writer’s Room is a very chilled out lounge with great music. It’s hard to find, so it’s never too crowded. I actually had the pleasure of performing there a few months ago.

Best place to shop if you need to dress to impress: Left House on Abbot Kinney

My friend Tini Courtney – jewelery designer, H.O.W.L. – teamed with Westbrook Maker, M. Cohen and Kapital to create this unique shopping experience where you can pick up awesome, one-of-a-kind clothing. I normally just wear jeans, but occasionally I do like to make an effort.

Best beach to relax: Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier is a really fun place to spend a day at the beach because it’s always sunny, there’s an eclectic mix of people and there are a ton of great restaurants surrounding the beach. Coming from the UK, it’s great to just be in the sunshine and not wearing a raincoat!

Best venue to see your favourite band – Staples Center or House of Blues

Staples Centre is a given, all the best bands play there when they come to L.A. The House of Blues is a classic venue with so much history. Many of my favourite artists have played there, and they always have an incredible, eclectic mix of artists on the line-up.

Best hotel for the stylish traveller: Petit Ermitage

For the stylish traveller, there is only one option: Petit Ermitage. It’s a boutique hotel in West Hollywood with great service. The best part: the private rooftop club.

Best restaurant to see and be seen: Gjelina

If you want to see and be seen you have to go to Gjelina. It’s one of the most popular places in Venice and open until midnight, great if you need a late night snack like I always do. Oh, and the food is amazing!

Amanda Gabriele is a food and travel writer at The Manual and the former senior editor at Supercall. She can’t live without… Read Full Bio

These 2026 island getaways are surging in popularity right now

Sandals St. Lucia Grande

Expedia just released its latest set of data: The 2026 Island Hot List, a trending list that compiles the emerging islands travelers are searching for before they become the next big thing. According to the newExpedia data, interest in these rising island destinations is up 55% on average year-over-year, while social media mentions have climbed 20% as travelers look for new experiences, better value, and fewer crowds. If you ask me, this is pretty surprising to hear it’s up 55%, especially when I thought islands were already one of the most popular year-round travel destinations.

Ranked #1 on Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List is St. Lucia, an island I first fell in love with back in 2023 when I went on my honeymoon there. Once you visit here, it’s pretty easy to see why it’s ranked the best for romantic escapes. This destination has been a popular spot for anniversary and honeymoon trips for a long time now — and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. As travelers move beyond crowded Caribbean hotspots, many are willing to take the extra trek to destinations like St. Lucia for it’s dramatic scenery, romantic resort options like Sugar Beach, and soft adventure focus.

Six Senses Rome is a peaceful retreat in a beautifully chaotic city

the lobby at Six Senses Rome

Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and by all accounts, it gets crowded. But considering that it’s one of the world’s most important epicenters for history, culture, food and architecture, we can forgive the crowds. After all, complaining about tourism when you’re a tourist is not the way. But booking yourself a peaceful respite to start and end each day most certainly is.

I chose Six Senses Rome as my home base during a recent four-day trip to the city. The property opened in 2023 in the restored 15th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini. The historic building sets the tone before you even check in, with restored 600-year-old columns in the main entrance, pale travertine floors, a light-dappled lobby overflowing with greenery, and a massive marble staircase that’s almost comically regal. And its neighbor is the gorgeous San Marcello al Corso Church—so you can start your sightseeing by literally going next door.

5 Tips If You’re Traveling With Cigars: I Learned No. 2 the Hard Way

Wood, Hardwood, Accessories

Traveling with cigars can be challenging if you’re not prepared. The lack of preparation can lead to your favorite cigars getting smashed from inadequate storage, or they can peel because they weren’t kept at the proper temperature, among other issues. Sometimes you do all the right things, and still come away shaking your head.

I’ve been smoking cigars for two decades now, and it’s not beneath me to admit that I’ve made plenty of cigar travel mistakes in that span, and as recently as two weeks ago. You live, you learn, and hope you don’t waste a stogie on the next trip. My most recent cigar travel mistake is what inspired me to share these tips. Sure, there are plenty of articles out there offering similar advice. But this list comes from a cigar smoker and writer who has visited six countries and about a dozen states in the last year alone. And in that time, mistakes were made, and lessons were learned.