Songbird’s ready to roost in Venice

Her performances take her to big stages around the world, but when Sarah Brightman has downtime, she likes it to be right here in L.A. The singer’s globe-trotting Symphony tour hits the Honda Center in Anaheim tonight and the Forum in Inglewood on Saturday before winding things up in Arizona on Sunday.

Brightman, who just released her first holiday album, “A Winter Symphony,” said Southern California is her place to relax after the tour.

“My boyfriend lives in Venice, so I feel quite comfortable there,” she said. “And, of course, I’ve been performing and working in the area for years. I remember coming here for the first time around 1984 with my then-husband, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and being in Beverly Hills. I recall listening to my tape of a very London-sounding orchestra and choir as I was sitting under a palm tree with this amazing sunlight streaming down. That was a bit different.”

Outdoorsy Sarah

In Europe, we have all the museums and theaters you could ask for, so when I’m out in Los Angeles, I like to be somewhere where you can feel the natural surroundings, even when I go out to eat. That’s why I love places like the good old Canal Club, right on the beach in Venice. Very good sushi, and in a relaxed, tranquil setting. I also love riding my bike everywhere, and then at sunset, I’ll head down to the pier and take it all in.

No tea for me

On Saturday morning I’ll go to a place on the boardwalk called Cafe Venicia. It’s run by an Italian lady, and the coffee is always brilliant. I first got into the whole coffee thing in Milan, and now I drink it instead of tea. They always do morning specials, and they have nice rice dishes as well, which I like for breakfast for some reason.

Having a ball

In the afternoon, particularly if I’m feeling a little homesick, it may sound strange, but I like to go to IKEA and get the Swedish meatballs. They taste the same whether you’re at the IKEA in Sweden or Hamburg or anywhere. They’re absolutely brilliant, and it’s comforting to be able to get something so familiar no matter where you are.

Healthful and tasty

In the evening I’d go to a restaurant on Abbot Kinney called Axe. It’s a bit noisy for me, but if you get in earlier, it’s not bad. And the food is wonderful, especially the vegan/vegetarian items. I have a marvelous red-and-green cabbage dish there.

Big-screen plans

If I’m in the mood for a movie, I’ll go to the Malibu Cinemas at Cross Creek Plaza. It’s kind of old-fashioned, which I really like. If you’re driving there around dusk, the sunset along the coast is just beautiful. They also have later screenings on weekends, which means you have time for a nice meal first.

Beach day

For a nice view of the city on Sunday mornings, I like to take a walk all the way up Runyon Canyon. If I’ve just flown in, it’s a nice way to get rid of jet lag. Then I’ll stop by Urth Caffe on Melrose for a skinny latte without too much foam. Then I’ll spend the day at El Matador State Beach, somewhere in the shade. I love the sun, but I just don’t like to sit in it. And I love the water, but only up to my knees.

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mark.sachs@latimes.com