CALIFORNIA
D I S T R I C T,
MY NEIGHBORHOOD
— S Y C A M O R E
L . A . —
Central Perks Tartine
“We also spend way too much time and money at Sightglass Coffee,” Reale says of the sprawling new all-day corner café, a place that is serious about its beans. (7051 Willoughby Ave., 323.763.8588 ) A few doors up, “there’s a really cool furniture store called Pop Up Home (927 N. Sycamore Ave., hello@ popuphome.com). They have great artwork for sale and groovy vintage furniture, unique home goods, and it’s all wellorganized and designed, so it’s fun to mosey around.” Next door you’ll come upon “a wildly expensive luxury department store called Just One Eye (915 N. Sycamore Ave., 323.969.9129 ). The way everything is displayed, it’s like you’re in a gallery.”
Sightglass Coffee
TOP (L-R): BELAIRPHOTOGRAPHY.COM; JORDANA SHEARA FOR TARTINE BAKERY
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EBECCA REALE thought she’d miss the change of seasons when she moved from Houston to Los Angeles to join the first violin section of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2019. Fortunately, she and her fiancé fell for the trees that Rebecca give the up-and-coming Sycamore Reale District its name. To borrow a note from Vivaldi, they get to enjoy the four seasons in their new neighborhood. “The leaves on the Sycamore trees that line our entire street turn brown in the fall, fall off in the winter, and new green leaves come out in the spring—so we get to have seasons,” says Reale, who has won two Grammys for Best Orchestral Performance. The Sycamore District offers other perks, too, including an easy commute to both L.A. Philharmonic locations—the stunning Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown and the legendary Hollywood Bowl nestled in the hills. “I love how fast this neighborhood is growing,” Reale says of her central location. “There’s always a new spot popping up to go check out.”
—Lisa Rosen
GREAT GALLERY BEST BETS
One of the first shops that made the area a destination was Tartine, known far and wide for its exquisite baked goods (911 N. Sycamore Ave., 323.552.6054). It’s Reale’s go-to spot for lunch—when she can choose what to order. “The pizza is really good. Their salmon tartine is delicious. Their breakfast sandwich is incredible. Their lemon poppyseed tea cake is, oh my god—I could go on.” Naturally, everything is baked fresh daily.
One block east, an actual gallery—Jeffrey Deitch— beckons (925 N. Orange Dr., 323.925.3000). Owner Deitch has been intimately involved
with the contemporary art scene for more than 40 years, including a stint as director of L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art. “No matter what the show is, the art is always extraordinary,” Reale says.
GRILL TALK
“We love to walk over to Standings Butchery and pick out meat that we’re going to grill later in the night,” she says of the artisanal shop (7016 Melrose Ave., 323.413.2212 ). “They have an amazing selection, they know exactly what you want, they’re super friendly, and they have high-quality meat.” If they want to get their dinner grilled for them, they’ll head to Mizlala (7007 W. Romaine St., Ste. 103, 323.347.6292), a Middle Eastern restaurant with a casual corner terrace set off by string lights. “We’ll grab a falafel or a salad with shawarma. It’s all delicious.” Reale insists that “no matter what you get, you must order the pita, because it’s the best pita you’ll ever have in your entire life.”
Pop Up Home
elliman.com
