HOT S T U FF

Warm weather, blue skies, and a calendar filled with weekend plans mean one thing: Summer is in full swing. Here are a few of the latest trends that are turning up the heat in L.A.

» A U N AT U REL NATURAL AND LOW intervention wines are having a moment. If you prefer wine with little to no sulfites, additives, or pesticides then have a seat at Evil Twin, a new wine bar and shop—owned by French mother-son duo Elfie Astier and Dylan Weiss—in Culver City. The establishment pours natural wines from small-batch producers and serves craft beers. Shareable plates inspired by dishes from France and California, a culmination of Weiss’ upbringing, include duck and pork pâté, charcuterie, and shaved fennel salad. In downtown L.A., Good Clean Fun (GCF), inside Cognoscenti Coffee at the Level Building, is a wine shop and restaurant that specializes in sustainable, small-production producers. Several popular California labels are represented, including Centralas Wine, Acri Wine Company, and Donkey and Goat Winery; hand-selected craft beers and sake are also available. Take advantage

by LEILA NAJAFI

of the happy hour menu available Tuesdays through Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for $9 glasses of wine, $10 specialty cocktails, and $5 lagers and pilsners.

» C O URT S PO R TS

WHILE PICKLEBALL ISN’T a new sport, the pandemic may have been the catalyst for its increasing popularity, making it one of the fastest growing sports in the country. In West Hollywood’s Design District, Kimpton La Peer Hotel unveils a new rooftop pickleball court in partnership with Grey Goose. Paddles and balls are provided so all you need to do is show up and bring your A-game. Book a weekday reservation using the Pickleheads website (pickleheads.com) for $150 per team of two for 90 minutes, which includes lunch and a bottle of wine or cocktail carafe. Every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. the rooftop turns into a Disco Court with a DJ playing music. At those times, the courts are open without reservations or court fees.

If you prefer the original court sport, Sunset Tennis Club is a new club popularized by L.A. cool kids and Instagram. Founded by Kacper Owsian, an award-winning tennis pro who has played in more than 30 countries around the world, the club offers both private sessions as well as more relaxed and social group clinics. Classes, which take place on private courts in Beverly Hills, are offered for all levels, including beginners who are new to the game and want to learn the basics. Reservations are required; address to the court location is released upon confirmation. The dress code is white or black attire only. Tennis, but make it chic.

» E AT YO U R VE G GIES

ONE COULD ARGUE that L.A. made plant-based diets cool. After all, the city is a mecca for health-conscious eaters with no shortage of restaurant options. To that end, the list of plantbased restaurants here is only growing. Planta Cocina opens its doors in Marina del Rey—the first of three L.A. outposts—with Brentwood and West Hollywood slated to open later this year. The expansive and striking 5,000-square-foot dining room with high ceilings, an emerald green archway, and swanky upholstered booths are a welcome change from more common casual vegan restaurants. The elevated plant-based concept has a bustling bar with waterfront views and a menu influenced by Latin flavors. Expect dishes such as croquetas and coconut ceviche, as well signature Planta dishes such as ahi watermelon nigiri and Bang Bang

Broccoli made with a sweet chili and peanut sauce.

Chef Roy Elam brings his San Diego plant-based concept Donna Jean to Sherman Oaks in the San Fernando Valley. The restaurant is centered around partnerships with local farms and producers to highlight the best of what is seasonal and sustainable. The kitchen takes pride in making everything from scratch, including pastas, nut butters, cheeses, and ’nduja (a veggie-based smoky, spicy tomato spread). Hearty dishes include the Hot Shrooms made with fried Nashville-style mushrooms and hot sauce, a porcini bolognese, and the Thunderkiss ’65 pizza made with white-wine garlic cream, spinach, and lemon-infused olive oil. Save room for the Nutella cheesecake made with coconut whip and hazelnuts.

On Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, approximately 1 mile east of popular plant-based restaurant Crossroads Kitchen, All Plant Based or APB for short, pours plant-based cocktails and dry libations curated by acclaimed L.A. mixologist Julian Cox. Cocktails are mostly citrus-forward using tequila, vodka, or no alcohol at all. Vegan sushi from nearby Niku Nash can be ordered on site. A D.J. plays beats Wednesdays through Saturdays.

» I N GO O D HE A LTH

IT’S A NEW era for wellness. Sure, there are endless fitness studios that can be found on almost every block in L.A. but we’re seeing boutique wellness centers that provide more than a workout class. Members-only health clubs run by doctors who provide personalized concierge services are front and center.

After Jonathan Leary earned his doctorate in chiropractic medicine and began a concierge practice to help patients successfully avoid surgery through non-invasive methods, he knew he was onto something. In 2019, Remedy Place was born with a flagship club in West Hollywood. Called “a social wellness club,” the facility emphasizes the importance of human connection, combining traditional Chinese medicine and functional medicine to help individuals practice self-care and preventive health through a holistic approach. Memberships are available but walk-ins are also welcome to book group classes, chiropractic and other wellness treatments, including acupuncture, vitamin drips, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and lymphatic compression, to name a few.

In Hollywood, Heimat is a new 75,000-square-foot fitness club that is reinventing the lackluster gym of the early 2000s with a designforward concept. The one-stop shop features five floors of state-of-theart fitness equipment, a spa, a coworking space, a rooftop pool, and a chef Michael Mina restaurant. With all these amenities, it’s hard to leave. The club’s aesthetic and design uses raw materials such as marble, wood, and forged metals; colorful murals throughout are painted by local artists. Frequent L.A. often? Apply for the traveler membership, which gives you access to five visits for $250 per month.

Next|Health is a data-driven wellness center that uses personalized health data to optimize and select individualized treatments that are aimed to increase a client’s vitality and longevity. Founded by Dr. Darshan Shah, a surgeon, published author, and wellness expert, the health optimization clinic has several locations across L.A. offering treatments such as IV therapy, ozone therapy, hormone optimization, and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), also known as plasmapheresis, which refreshes the plasma in your blood.

Details

Evil Twin 4123 S. Centinela Ave. Los Angeles, 310.397.2324

Good Clean Fun (Located in Cognoscenti Coffee) 868 S. Olive St., 213.493.0098

Kimpton La Peer 627 N. La Peer Drive West Hollywood, 213.296.3038

Sunset Tennis Club sunsettennisclub.com info@sunsettennisclub.com

Planta Cocina 4625 Admiralty Way Ste. 104 Marina del Rey, 310.362.7730

Donna Jean 4720 Woodman Ave. Sherman Oaks, 818.809.2272

All Plant Based (APB) 7302 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, 323.463.9438

Remedy Place 8305 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, 323.645.7444

Heimat 960 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, 213.319.7849

Next Health 8570 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood (and various locations) next-health.com