When Merle Elias was growing up in New York City in the 1980’s, she had every intention of doing something big. And why shouldn't she? She was an accomplished executive assistant to many top players in the entertainment industry and knew instinctively that the world promised many great things ahead for her. But for her, the city and it's people made New York one of the most exciting resources of talent and services from all over the world by attracting artists, experts, and creative types of all kind. While working with clients such as Dustin Hoffman, Billy Joel and Michael Bolton, Merle earned her extraordinary reputation and soon became one of the most sought-after project coordinators in town. It wasn't unusual to find Merle and her traveling circus commuting on a company jet, driving through Easthampton or being driven in a client’s limo while juggling a number of tedious assignments. And because New York was home to so many great resources, it's no wonder that she was able to establish a standard that was uniquely hers.

In 1990, Merle shifted gears and headed to L.A., where the fresh visual style, unique feel and overall excitement of the city kicked everything up a notch. It was in L.A. where she would really soar. Working with clients such Michelle Pfeiffer, Quincy Jones, Marisa Tomei, Rosemary Clooney and Michael Crichton, her unique style and reputation both seemed to flourish.

But Merle soon discovered that she had other talents and put together her first book, “Los Angeles First Class,” which is a best-selling best-of-the-best guide for the affluent Angelino. Page after page, the book is filled with useful insider tips on living the good life. Exceptional Means Concierge Services is, in essence, taking the concept one step further.

Merle Elias currently maintains offices in both Southern California and Manhattan where she manages her life as a successful business owner, author, and luxury lifestyle consultant.

The lifestyle of the rich and famous has an undeniable allure. There’s nothing like the feeling you get when you know you are acquiring the very best. L.A. FIRST CLASS: The Best of the Best (Globe-Pequot Press, Guilford, CT), by Hollywood insider, Merle Elias, is the ultimate little black book of L.A.’s best goods and services.

This guide gives readers inside information on personal services usually known only to the wealthy and their personal assistants. The fun-to-read gossipy, and interesting commentary offers inside knowledge on where the stars and socialites shop, who they use to entertain, where their kids go to school, and much more.

Material is organized into 16 chapters, from Art to Travel, and further broken down by practical subtopic. More than 100 entries provide the company and contact’s name, address, full contact information, and a subjective summary of its services, plus its “claim to fame” or celebrity angle. In L.A. FIRST CLASS you will learn where Kevin Costner and Al Pacino take their pets to be trained, who was chosen to cater an important Democratic Party fundraiser at Steven Spielberg’s place, who waxes Oprah’s eyebrows, and where Jim Carrey and Jamie Lee Curtis go to have their clothes impeccably tailored.

While enjoyable for its “rich and famous” angle, L.A. FIRST CLASS is invaluable to people in the entertainment and travel industries, personal shoppers, event planners, educated consumers, tourists, business travelers, and anyone who understands that “money knows quality.”

Featured in the
Screen Actor's Guild
& Academy Awards®
gift bags.
Named one of the top ten guidebooks by the L.A.Times