where GUESTBOOK
LOS ANGELES
where GUESTBOOK
LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES
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WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES
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HarryW
PUBLISHER LETTER_ GENERIC TEXT 2012:0000607_laletter2_ts
12/15/11
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A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
AMAZING LOS ANGELES
In the past few years, I’ve had many travel experiences worth writing home about. I walked on the peaceful beaches of Tahiti and felt the hot black sand underfoot, experienced the bustling urban life of Tokyo and visited the holy sites of Jerusalem. I marveled at the sprawling flea markets of Buenos Aires and centuries-old paintings in Rome. I feasted on chipotle barbecue in Santa Fe, fish tacos in Cabo, Wisconsin cheddar in Madison and thin, crusty slices of pizza in New York. But each time I returned home, I came back to the best city in the world: Los Angeles. I’m not alone in this feeling. The city where I was born and raised is often described as the “entertainment capital of the world,” “culture capital of the 21st century,” “foodie paradise” and “fashion center.” Each of those descriptions appears to be true, and your hotel puts you in proximity to it all. And the excitement builds. The recently expanded Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County—and the California Science Center, which this
I LOVE THAT MY CITY IS FULL OF PROMISE, THAT CREATIVITY IS FOSTERED AND THAT
year becomes the new home of retired NASA space shuttle Endeavour—attract more curious
DREAMS COME TRUE.
visitors each year. New entertainment abounds, such as the stunning permanent Cirque du
BIG DREAMS.”
Soleil show Iris at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Top designers including Vivienne Westwood, Lanvin and Tom Ford have set up shop, joining chic boutiques from Alberta Ferretti to Zero + Maria Cornejo. L.A. legend Wolfgang Puck returned to open his seventh fine restaurant here as chefs such as Mario Batali make plans to expand their L.A. empires. If you’re traveling with your tablet or smartphone, be sure to download the Where mobile application for the United States to be connected to all the new things that open every day.
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And then there’s the stuff that doesn’t change, the things I’ll forever love about L.A. I love the contrasts—I love being able to ski in the morning and enjoy an ocean swim in the afternoon. I love going to a farmers market in a T-shirt, then to a theater opening in a tuxedo.
SIGHTS Urban jungle, woodsy canyons, calm seaside— L.A. County’s diverse neighborhoods have got them all.
I love the urban splendor and eccentricities of L.A.’s neighborhoods.
CULTURE
I love that if I go to a museum virtually every day
The Huntington Library,
of the year, I still could not see them all. Art Collections, and
I love watching people shop, and seeing their joy Botanical Gardens is one
when they find the perfect item. of many notable cultural
I love watching a sushi chef shape his exquisite treats, and the smell of garlic and basil in a trattoria.
attractions.
I love the Hollywood Bowl on a summer night. I love seeing my city as the backdrop in all those
TASTES
movies and TV shows. I love that Alex Trebek hosts
The L.A. dining scene, one
Jeopardy! right here.
of the most exciting in the
I love that my city is full of promise, that creativity is fostered and that dreams come true. Big dreams.
world, reflects the mostup-to-the-moment trends.
Most of all, I love helping fellow travelers discover everything that L.A. has to offer. Whether your shopping tastes run to the glamour of Rodeo Drive or the edginess of Melrose Avenue, it’s here. Whether you seek the richest museum in the world (the Getty) or the hippest nightlife on the planet—it’s here. Legendary beaches? World-class restaurants? Studio tours? Here. You also might spot a celebrity or two. It’s no wonder to me why many of them have chosen L.A. There’s no better place for living the fabulous life—or having a fabulous vacation.
—Jeff Levy, Publisher
PREVIOUS PAGE: SANTA MONICA STATE BEACH, EDWIN SANTIAGO. THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ANDREW MANLEY; EDWIN SANTIAGO; COURTESY RED O
AMAZING LOS ANGELES
TM
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©2011 CHANEL®, Inc. J 12®
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Watch in titanium ceramic, a new highly scratch-resistant material. Its unique color and shine are obtained by the addition of titanium to ceramic and diamond powder polishing. Self-winding mechanical movement. 42-hour power reserve. Water resistant to 200 meters.
CHANEL.COM
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L.a. essence 32 maliBU TimE iT’S GOT CHaRaCTER(S) Malibu’s eclectic denizens are hardly in a hurry on its resplendent shores.
48 fROm THE GaRdEn nExT dOOR
60 GETTinG CRafTy miCROBREWS GET BiG Craft beer becomes L.A.’s drink of choice as craft-beer bars and microbreweries bubble over.
l.a. CHEfS GET fRESH Farm-to-table cuisine is outdone by chefs who tend edible gardens right outside their restaurants.
By BROWn W. CannOn iii
By KaTiE mcCaRTHy
By jOSEPH le mOynE
40 COUnTERCUlTURal COmPOUnd THE HOPPER HOmE The estate of late actor Dennis Hopper has an iconoclastic vibe. By ROGER GROdy
66 BRiGHT idEaS 54 OUT Of Hand
diy dESiGn Local handcraft designers draw on midcentury traditions while breaking fresh ground. By SUZannE EnniS
46 THE SWEET SmEll Of SUCCESS KaTE WalSH
58 BEHind THE SCEnES Of CiRqUE
Star of Private Practice and now a perfume designer, the redheaded siren leads a simple life in L.A.
SPinninG TalES Cirque du Soleil’s stars put in hard work to get to the (big) top.
By jESSiCa RadlOff
By SUZannE EnniS
BOld faSHiOn D owntown’s neon and lights complement spring’s technicolor clothing, accessories and makeup. By PRiSCilla iEZZi
COVER: ViEW fROm mUlHOlland dRiVE, mOniCa nOUWEnS. OPEninG SPREad: idRiS ERBa. THiS PaGE, fROm lEfT: EdWin SanTiaGO; SEan P. COSTEllO ; PRiSCilla iEZZi
COnTEnTS
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cOnTEnTS
l.a. essentials
mUST-SEE aTTRacTIOnS Get glimpses of the city-defining destinations that captivate locals and visitors alike.
72 nEIGHBORHOODS cITY GUIDE Los Angeles County comprises numerous cities and communities, from Santa Monica to Silver Lake, from the San Fernando Valley to South Bay.
81 SPEnDInG TImE SHOPPInG
82 lOOK BOOK See what’s in store at some of the area’s finest retailers. 88 RETaIl DETaIlS Here’s a look at the region’s major shopping destinations and a selection of stores, boutiques and galleries.
107 cHOW TImE DInInG Hungry? Check out our guide to the best restaurants in the county.
127 PlaY TImE aTTRacTIOnS G et out! The best things to do and see in L.A.: studio tours, theme parks, the arts, sports, nightlife and more.
fROm lEfT: laUREn nOBlE; SImOn BERlYn; GIna SaBaTElla
12 fIRST lOOK
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WhereG
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where GUESTBOOK
los angeles
On the Web: WhereLA.cOm
pubLisher Jeff Levy eDitOr Katie McCarthy Art DirectOr Bree Berri ADVertisinG DirectOr Nicole Bordges mArKetinG DirectOr Audrey Nimura AssOciAte Art DirectOr prODuctiOn Artist
Heidi Schwindt
Ryan Furuya
cOntributinG Art DirectOr
Carol Wakano
cOntributinG Writers
Leah Bigelow, Riley Carter, Suzanne Ennis, Roger Grody, Joseph LeMoyne, Jessica Radloff
cOntributinG phOtOGrAphers
Brown W. Cannon III, Idris Erba, Priscilla Iezzi, Monica Nouwens, Gina Sabatella, Edwin Santiago, Ashok Sinha, Ian White AccOunt mAnAGers
Sara Kemp, Mali Mochow, Laura Napolitano Heather Howard, Joanna McLean, Scott O’Hanlon, Laura Renner seniOr circuLAtiOn AnD speciAL eVents mAnAGer Christine prODuctiOn mAnAGer Dawn Kiko Cheng Web mAnAGer Christina Xenos
Noriega
ADministrAtiOn
Leanne Killian, Beth Moline Vice presiDent Of nAtiOnAL sALes West cOAst nAtiOnAL sALes
Rick Mollineaux 202.463.4550
Tiffany Reinhold 714.813.6600
mVp chief creAtiVe Officer hOnOrAry presiDent
Haines Wilkerson Ted Levy
3679 mOtOr AVe., suite 300 LOs AnGeLes, cA 90034 phOne: 310.280.2880 fAx: 310.280.2890 emAiL
Nicole.Bordges@SoCalMedia.com business JLevy@SoCalMedia.com eDitOriAL Katie.McCarthy@SoCalMedia.com Art Art@SoCalMedia.com prODuctiOn Ads@SoCalMedia.com circuLAtiOn Christine.Noriega@SoCalMedia.com ADVertisinG
Where GuestBook® publishes editions for the following U.S. cities and regions: Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Florida Gold Coast (Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach), Fort Worth, Hawaii (the Big Island), Houston, Jacksonville/St. Augustine/Amelia Island, Kansas City, Kaua’i, Los Angeles, Maui, Miami, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York, Northern Arizona, O’ahu, Orange County, Orlando/Winter Park, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, Tampa Bay, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma, Southwest Florida (Naples), Tennessee (Nashville & Memphis), Tucson and Washington, D.C.
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Copyright© 2012 by Southern California Media Group. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party for the content of any advertisement in this publication, including any errors and omissions therein. By placing an order for an advertisement, the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher against any claims relating to the advertisement. Printed in the United States. Circulation audited by Audit Bureau of Circulations.
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s s
contRIBUtoRS JESSIcA RADLoFF
• The Sweet Smell of Success, page 46 Radloff has had internships on The Tonight Show and The Young and the Restless and played a role on the Oxygen sitcom Campus Ladies, so her entertainment-industry chops come in handy when interviewing celebs such as Kate Walsh. The St. Louis native writes for Glamour, Modern Luxury Media and AOL.
dining > entertainment > galleries > lodging >
Q. where in the U.S. can i find...
shopping > tours > A.
ss SUZAnnE EnnIS • Out of Hand, page 54 • Behind the Scenes of Cirque, page 58 A writer and documentaryfilm researcher, Ennis was wowed by Adam Silverman’s potter-to-design-star tale, which she recounts in Out of Hand. But she’s sticking with her day job, which includes scoping out shops for Where Los Angeles and investigating Alaska bush piloting for the National Geographic Channel.
s s
EnnIS, L. mAIZLISH connoLLy
ss BRoWn W. cAnnon III • Malibu Time, page 32 Cannon, a graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, has worked as a travel photographer for over a decade, shooting for publications such as Travel + Leisure and Men’s Journal. A longtime surfer who captures Malibu beach culture in Malibu Time, this NorCal resident can be found riding waves under the Golden Gate Bridge.
get the app.
United States
PRIScILLA IEZZI
• Bright Ideas, page 66 Iezzi has captured fashions on a cliff’s edge and 17 restaurants in a single week, but she found a new challenge when shooting near downtown’s infamous Skid Row for the story Bright Ideas. She tempts fate for magazines such as Orange Coast Magazine and Where GuestBook’s sister publication, Where.
Enjoy where GUESTBOOK here in your room. Use the app around town. WHERE GUEStBooK
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firstlook
WE OFFER INSIGHT INTO THE COUNTY’S TOP MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER. SHOPPING STREETS OR STARGAZING SPOTS, BEACHES OR BASEBALL STADIUMS, L.A.’S DESTINATIONS ARE NONPAREIL.
The Beaches
L.A. County’s 72 miles of glistening coastline stretch from Malibu’s secluded coves to San Pedro’s tide-pool-strewn shores. Here you’ll find some of the world’s most iconic and scenic beaches, offering the best in sea and seaside activities. Active beach-goers hang ten at Malibu’s aptly named Surfrider Beach, hit the sandy courts for beach volleyball in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach, windsurf at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro and cast off for pleasure boating in Marina del Rey. For those in Santa Monica who prefer to enjoy ocean views while on drier land, head to the Santa Monica Pier for classic amusement-park attractions or the Annenberg Community Beach House for beach tennis or lounging by the pool.
WHERE GUESTBOOK
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Griffith Observatory
Perched atop Mount Hollywood, the iconic Griffith Observatory is not only home to the finest planetarium in the world but also to jaw-dropping views of the entire L.A. Basin. It’s also a movie star, having appeared several times in the James Dean film Rebel Without A Cause. The observatory’s copper domes are the jewels in the crown of Griffith Park, the largest urban park in America and home to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, a miniature railroad and pony rides, and acclaimed outdoor concert venue the Greek Theatre. While astronomy buffs enjoy the observatory’s fascinating shows, hikers take in panoramic city sights along the popular Mount Hollywood trail that winds below. The Samuel Oschin Planetarium shows world-class scientific educational programs that inspire audiences of all ages. 2800 E. Observatory Road, Griffith
The Huntington
At the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, 14 themed gardens cover 120 landscaped acres, allowing its visitors to traverse a desert, smell the roses and delve into the rainforest all in one day. Beyond the botanical, the Huntington’s Library Exhibition Hall displays treasures from its 6-million-strong collection, including a Gutenberg Bible on vellum. The Huntington Art Gallery— formerly the private residence of the center’s founder, business tycoon Henry E. Huntington, and his wife, Arabella—is a beaux-arts beauty showcasing European masterpieces such as Thomas Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy. The Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art features showstoppers including Harriet Hosmer’s monumental marble sculpture, Zenobia in Chains, and paintings by John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassatt. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, 626.405.2100, huntington.org
previous spread: idris erba. this page, From Top: ian white; Edwin Santiago
Park, 213.473.0800, griffithobs.org
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Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive, immortalized in the film Pretty Woman, may be only three blocks long, but it looms large as the ultimate shopping destination. All of high fashion’s most coveted items can be found here, from “Baguette” handbags at Fendi to the signature bandage dresses at Herve Leger to jawbreaker-sized gems at Cartier. Visitors come to shop, stroll or simply sigh at glittering window displays. Find Lanvin, Agent Provocateur and Lalique on the Italianate cobblestone street at Two Rodeo Drive, and Gucci and Versace at Rodeo Collection. Rodeo Drive’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style, was launched in 2003. Diagonal crosswalks make it simple for pedestrians to crisscross from one fashion shrine to the next. Rodeo Drive between Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards, Beverly Hills, 310.858.6100, rodeodrive-bh.com
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
LACMA, the largest art museum in the western United States, is made up of a collection of elegant and impressive buildings. The Renzo Piano-designed special exhibitions and showcase more of LACMA’s deep permanent collection. The pavilion’s cherry-red accents and sharp angles are mirrored in the 4-year-old Broad Contemporary Art Museum, whose substantial collection features pieces by Andy Warhol, Robert Therrien and Damien Hirst; adjacent to BCAM, Chris Burden’s outdoor installation Urban Light is an L.A. icon. The spiraling Pavilion for Japanese Art houses a collection of Japanese works from 3,000 BCE to the 20th century. There are also LACMA West, the Ahmanson Building with European holdings and the Art of the Americas building. The Bing Theater’s foreign and indie film screenings are a local tradition. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6000, lacma.org
From top: monica nouwens; edwin santiago
Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion was added in 2010 to host
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Getty Villa
Visitors to the Getty Villa find themselves steeped in splendor, from lushly landscaped grounds to the display of 1,200 Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities. J. Paul Getty modeled his villa on a Roman country house buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 BCE; today’s multilevel iteration allows visitors to experience the site as an archaeological excavation. Marvel at life-size bronze sculptures, dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean and a spectacular 220-footlong reflecting pool, as well as ongoing exhibits such as Roman Ephebe From Naples. 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades, 310.440.7300, getty.edu
Getty Center
Immersion into the world of the Getty Center begins from the parking lot, where a tram awaits to take visitors on a scenic journey along the side of the Santa Monica Mountains before arriving at their hilltop destination. The center’s stunning Richard Meier-designed structure inspires awe with travertine. From the Getty Center balcony and the Robert Irwin-designed Central Garden are sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Century City skyscrapers and beyond. The Getty Center’s collection offers Western art from the Middle Ages to the present, European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture and decorative arts, and European and American photographs. Dining options include a casual cafe and the upscale, outstanding Restaurant at the Getty. 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A., 310.440.7300, getty.edu
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BEVERLY HILLS: Rodeo Drive | 310 777 0009
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The Grove & Farmers Market
More than just an outdoor shopping center, the Grove’s dancing fountains, free concerts and cobblestone streets make for a feel-good dining, shopping and entertainment oasis within the city. Browse at such top boutiques as Barneys New York CO-OP, Splendid, Johnny Was and Athleta. Once you’re hungry, hop on the trolley and head to L.A.’s iconic Farmers Market, adjacent, a rainor-shine destination now in its 78th year. It offers ies that are popular with visitors and locals alike, including perennial faves Monsieur Marcel and the Gumbo Pot. The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, L.A., 323.900.8080, thegrovela.com; Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.933.9211, farmersmarketla.net
FROm LEFT: EdWin SanTiaGO; ian WHiTE
more than 100 boutiques, produce stalls and eater-
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Third Street Promenade & Santa Monica Place
Third Street Promenade’s three city blocks are abuzz from morning to night. People filter in and out of bars, restaurants and shops, many open late; browse wares from the vendors offering costume jewelry, flip-flops, handpainted tchotchkes and more; or gather around street performers, who dance hip-hop, perform magic tricks or strum guitars. Stores run from Adidas to Zara International; there are three movie theaters, too. Renovated Santa Monica Place mall, anchoring the promenade at Broadway, has reopened with a glittering new look. It boasts Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom, 50 boutiques and a rooftop Dining Deck with six restaurants and a food court; the still-growing Market at Santa Monica Place houses producers of artisan foodstuffs and independently owned cafes. Third Street Promenade, 3rd Street from Broadway to Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, 310.393.8355, downtownsm.com; Santa Monica Place, 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, 310.260.8333, santamonicaplace.com
Dodger Stadium
Since 1962, fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers have celebrated four world championships and nine National League pennants, and its fans are hungry for more than just the stadium’s mouth-watering Dodger Dogs. Last fall, outfielder and National League MVP runner-up Matt Kemp signed an eight-year, $160-million contract extension with the Dodgers—one of rants such as the Dodgertown Deli and the Think Blue Bar. There’s more to watch at the Chavez Ravine stadium than baseball, however. The structure is surrounded by 3,400 trees and offers views of the downtown skyline, the verdant hills of Elysian Park and, beyond the outfield, the San Gabriel Mountains. Pope John Paul II has performed Mass here, and artists such as the Beatles, Michael Jackson and Luciano Pavarotti have performed to masses. 1000 Elysian Park Ave., downtown, 866.363.4377, losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com
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FROM TOP: EDWIN SANTIAGO; IAN WHITE
the largest deals in the league’s history. The Field Level includes restau-
WHERE GUESTBOOK
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Walt Disney Concert Hall
Walt Disney Concert Hall, with its undulating, sweeping curves of stainless steel and incredible acoustics courtesy of architect Frank Gehry, invites people to see the music as well as hear it. Gustavo Dudamel, the hottest conductor in the world, inherited the hall’s world-class orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, in 2009 to resounding acclaim. The pairing of the Gehry masterpiece with the brilliant young Venezuelan conductor is argument enough for L.A. as culture capital of the 21st century. Tour the hall or meander through its splendid rooftop garden. Also at the Music Center are the Ahmanson Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, home of Los Angeles Opera. 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000, laphil.com
Ocean Front Walk
The stretch of Venice Beach from Marine Street to the Venice Pier is not just ideal for an active afternoon of skating or biking. It also attracts a cast of outlandish characters who set up the perfect people-watching scene. Greased bodybuilders pump it up at historic Muscle Beach (former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s old haunt) while rag-tag musicians, trinket sellers, jugglers, mohawked skateboarders and wide-eyed tourists rub shoulders against the backdrop of white sand and glittering sea. The mile-and-a-half stretch also offers bike and inline-skate rentals, cafes and eclectic shops edwin santiago
hawking T-shirts, tattoos and more.
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Elegance is an attitude
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Universal Studios & Universal CityWalk
At the world’s biggest motion picture/TV studio-cum-theme park, Universal Studios, the number of movies and TV shows filmed here—Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, The Office and House, to name a few—is equaled only by the entertainment offerings here and at adjacent Universal CityWalk. Attractions include Transformers: the Ride, opening in the spring, and Shrek 4-D. The studio tour guides you through recognizable sets such as Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane and culminates with King Kong 360 3-D, created by film director Peter Jackson. The VIP experience is a private an admission-free center with shopping and dining, include concerts at Gibson Amphitheatre, stand-up at Jon Lovitz Comedy Club and Top 40 mash-ups at Infusion Lounge. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, Universal Studios, 818.622.3801, universalstudioshollywood.com; Universal CityWalk, 818.622.4455, citywalkhollywood.com
edwin santiago
guided tour through the prop warehouse and back lot. Highlights at neon-lit Universal CityWalk,
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➺ “Malibu’s one of those places with a lot of characters, but people are really approachable,” says photographer Brown W. Cannon III, a former Pasadena resident who returned to SoCal to shoot Malibu’s resplendent coastline and its colorful locals. “It wasn’t the typical beach culture scene,” he remembers. There, he met not just surfers, but also bikers, suntanned seniors and even a politician-turned-surf-shopowner. “They were there without much time constraint, and seemed to have much time to just ham it up,” he says. They paused, posed and shared their stories.
Malibu
Time photography by brown w. canNon III
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➺ PREVIOUS SPREAD: Pacific coast highway is lit by a sunset near point dume. this page, far left: larry murray, a local who hits the beach daily with friends. “They sit there and chum it up and talk about the good ol’ days,” explains cannon. near left: megan bee chambers, described by cannon as a “coloradan gone californian,” at el pescador beach with her paddleboard. BOTTOM, FAR left: a pair of “hotshot young surfers” stop before meeting their teams. bottoM, near left: a parisian expat, who identified herself only as “blue,” proudly wore a g-string. “She just looked like she’d had a lot of fun at some point in her life,” remarks cannon. right: Malibu city councilmember and former mayor Jefferson wagner. he owns a shop, zuma jay surfboards, near the malibu pier.
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➺ left: malibu’s coast is lined with pricey real estate visible from pacific coast highway. right: kite surfers at broad beach, which cannon describes as “a good learner beach” for budding kite surfers. below right: tracy and sly barnett outside the cafe neptune’s net, “a classic biker spot,” notes cannon. “[SLY] had his bike custom-made, and this is where they come to show it off. See the eagle-talon kickstand?”
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➺ left: a vintage porsche convertible winds down mulholland drive. right: Cannon remembers that the determined surfers—unlike the other laidback beach-goers he met—“stopped for, like, a minute” to be shot before they bolted to the water. “It was a perfectly beautiful day, so they were much more interested in where they were headed.”
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l a r u t l D u c N r e t U n O u P co COM
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A Hollywood legend and two acclaimed architects, all mavericks, add prestige to a Venice property. By ROGER GRODy PHOTOGRAPHy By SImOn BERlyn
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A boxy, neo-industrial compound in Venice is not the kind of mansion typically associated with a legendary movie star and hardly the kind of grand estate usually found among the listings for Jade Mills, one of Beverly Hills’ grande dames of real estate.
PREVIOUS SPREAD: clad in corrugated steel, the main house of the dennis hopper compound is designed by brian murphy; green roofing shingles cover a townhouse (right) on the property. this page: just steps from the main house are three distinctive townhouses designed by frank gehry. OPPOSITE: the main house’s upstairs living room showcased hopper’s most prized art acquisitions.
But what it lacks in oceanfront vistas or palatial design is more than compensated by its architectural pedigree and place in Hollywood folklore. The five-parcel, 15,500-square-foot compound in a quiet neighborhood a few blocks from Venice Beach was the longtime residence of Hollywood star Dennis Hopper. When you add the fact that it features the architectural work of L.A.-based Frank Gehry—another maverick genius whose rebellious spirit parallels Hopper’s—this compound becomes all the more compelling. After the two-time Oscar nominee died in 2010, the property found its way onto the market, and at time of publication was priced at $5,750,000. It’s hardly a surprise that Hopper found refuge in Venice, a community that mirrored his own countercultural spirit. Before the area gentrified in the 1990s, Venice was anything but a conventional movie star enclave like Bel-Air or Brentwood. But it was always home to a vibrant, progressive art scene, something that Hopper, an accomplished photographer and painter, would be attracted to. In 2001, the actor said, “Venice was the only place in L.A. I could remember enjoying because all my painter and poet friends lived here.” Located on Indiana Avenue, the 4,900-square-foot corrugated-steel-clad main house was constructed in 1987. L.A.-based Brian Murphy, regarded in some circles as “the bad boy of architecture,” was the perfect candidate to design the home of one of Hollywood’s most notorious bad boys. Former New York Times architecture critic Paul Goldberger noted that Murphy’s work was among the boldest expressions of L.A.’s young architects of the late 1980s. “It’s visually a little more startling than the other work. But as you get into it, you discover it is actually more comfortable and more likable,” he concedes. That assessment is consistent with Hopper’s home, where light spaces are hidden behind an industrial façade. “The only integrating element in my body of work is that when somebody steps into one of my projects, the corners of their mouths turn upward,” states Murphy, who insists it’s never about the palette of materials or specific architectural details, but rather about how a building or space makes people feel. He acknowledges
that his work is consistent only in its inconsistency. Unlike most architects, Murphy doesn’t obsess over a structure’s compatibility with the surrounding environment. “It’s not that I’m insensitive to the community, but my responsibility is meeting the needs of my client,” he insists. But in this case, the idiosyncratic finished product is almost quintessentially Venice. Murphy explains it was his client who insisted on erecting a white picket fence in the front yard as a softening element in deference to his neighbors. Hopper first approached Murphy in the mid-’80s after he purchased the first of the “three little pigs”—that’s how he referred to the trio of Gehry-designed 1981 townhouses on the westernmost lot—to transform the interior into a modern loft. Hopper summoned Murphy when he acquired the adjoining lot a few years later, at a time when the actor’s roller-coaster personal and professional life was thriving. “Dennis always had a penchant for the arts, and the main driver for the design of this home was to display art,” says Murphy, noting that the windows and skylights were positioned to draw in as much natural light as possible, similar to a museum. The children’s wing of the house was designed to eventually be converted into galleries, and the 32-foot height of the structure was also dictated by art. The California Coastal Commission approval required to exceed the maximum allowable 28 feet was necessary to accommodate a 26-foot square painting by abstract illusionist Ronald Davis that Hopper coveted. After construction was completed, the impulsive collector decided against the purchase, opting for a piece by Jean-Michel Basquiat. The three townhomes would be coveted pieces of real estate if sold separately. The one in the rear, which was used as Hopper’s production office, is connected by a bridge to the main house. Each of them exhibit Gehry signatures such as playful, unexpected window placements and skewed angles that distinguish them from the nondescript condos down the block. While Gehry is known these days for working with gleaming titanium and stainless steel, back in the ’70s and ’80s he made a career of elevating pedestrian materials into high art. These townhomes were sheathed in con-
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crete, plywood and green roofing shingles, respectively. “I was looking for a proletariat cladding that would not replicate anything next door,” says the architect. “It fit the neighborhood and it’s indestructible,” he adds. Gehry notes with amusement that Hopper never removed any graffiti with which the building was tagged. The five consolidated residential lots encompass 15,500 square feet, which is extraordinarily rare three blocks from the ocean, as single-family lot sizes in Venice are stingy. On the east side of the house designed by Murphy is a 1909 bungalow and additional rear structure that Hopper acquired in 2000 after its owner—an elderly woman who regularly rebuffed Hopper’s offers to buy—died. “I guess I outlived her,” the actor reportedly quipped. Murphy converted the 1,355-square-foot front residence into a cozy guesthouse and the rear structure into a bathhouse. The Murphy-designed main house, something Hopper called the “Art Barn,” could easily be a trendy gallery if it were located a few blocks away on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Beyond the imposing corrugated-steel façade, the residence is airy and spacious, with whitewashed museumlike walls and exposed ceiling joists, ducts and pipes. The room just beyond the reinforced steel front door originally included a stage that accommodated theatrical performances and poetry readings, but was also used for screening movies and entertaining Hollywood celebrities and elite members of L.A.’s art community. “With its very open and comfortable floor plan, it’s great for entertaining,” says listing agent Mills. “I love that you can easily move from one room to another.” From a great room just beyond the former theatrical venue, a prominent staircase leads to the upper living area, where the ceiling is perforated with about a dozen skylights. In the central upstairs living room, an exposed metal fireplace sits on a triangular pedestal of glass panels laid over crushed aqua-tinted glass that looks like a reflecting pool from a distance. It was here that Hopper exhibited his most treasured art, including the Basquiat he purchased specifically for the room, at least two pieces by Andy Warhol and the massive 1985 painting from pop artist Keith Haring Moses and the Burning Bush. Across a metal bridge is another residential wing, containing bedrooms used by Hopper’s children, plus one of the home’s signature spaces: a 200-square-foot room with a transparent glass floor. Natural light flooding through the skylights above penetrates the floor to illuminate the room below, the home’s garage. “If I had to pick a favorite room, it would be this,” says real estate agent
Jane Gavens, who co-lists the property with Mills, of the crystalline space. “It’s a peaceful, meditative space.” Given Hopper’s love affair with motorcycles, Murphy intended the garage to be an integral part of the home, with access from the great room through a roll-up door. Over the course of six decades, Hopper acted in more than 100 films, but his greatest achievement came early in his career. Easy Rider, which he directed and starred in, was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 1969 Cannes Film Festival and was a commercial hit, grossing $60 million worldwide. Easy Rider is remembered as a countercultural anthem for the 1960s and a reflection of Hopper himself, the ultimate anti-establishment iconoclast. Not content with limiting his creative energy to acting, Hopper turned to fine art. Partly on the advice of James Dean, the actor’s costar in Rebel Without a Cause and Giant, Hopper took up photography, which would prove to be a more enduring love affair than any of his marriages. His versatility in painting encompassed abstract impressionism and photorealism. Hopper’s works have been exhibited at venerable institutions including L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art. However, his greatest skill may have been as a collector, acquiring the works of modernists Ed Ruscha, Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein in addition to Basquiat and Warhol. At the time of his death, the value of Hopper’s collection was estimated at more than $10 million, and could have been much higher but for divorces and premature dispositions. He had an eye for a bargain, purchasing Andy Warhol’s first Campbell’s Soup Cans painting for a mere $75. Hopper also owned one of Warhol’s silkscreen Chairman Mao portraits, to which the actor accidentally added two bullet holes. Last year it sold at Christie’s in New York for more than $300,000, and it’s thought that the alteration—which an amused Warhol subsequently embellished, labeling them “warning shot” and “bullet hole,” respectively—escalated the price. As a real estate holding, the Hopper compound is one of the most unique properties to come along in some time. “It’s an unusually large parcel in a soughtafter location, its individual structures are as much art as residence, and its history as the Hopper home, creative work space and art showcase is compelling,” assesses Gavens. In many respects, the history of this compound captures the essence of creative life in L.A., from the collection of great art to the design of pioneering architecture to the development of extraordinary characters—on film and in real life.
OPPOSITE: ANDY WARHOL WITH FLOWER (2006), HOPPER’S OIL PAINTING OF ONE OF HIS OWN PHOTOGRAPHS, AND A TRANSPARENT GLASS FLOOR THAT OFFERS GLIMPSES OF HOPPER’S MOTORCYCLES DISTINGUISH THIS 200-SQUARE-FOOT ROOM. ABOVE: THE MAIN HOUSE, AKA THE “ART BARN,” HOSTED THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES, POETRY READINGS AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENT FOR HOPPER’S CELEBRITY AND ART-WORLD PALS.
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Q&A
The Sweet Smell of Success The bubbly lead of one of TV’s most enduring dramas has struck gold as—believe it or not—a perfume purveyor. She also seeks the simple life in L.A. by JESSICA RADLOFF
Can you believe Private Practice is in its fifth season?
Yeah, it’s crazy! I’m absolutely loving it. For me, it’s a little different because this is actually my eighth season playing Addision—three years on Grey’s Anatomy. Luckily, we have great writers and actors to keep it super-interesting, fresh and compelling for me to act. Your on-screen lovers have included Patrick Dempsey, Eric Dane and Benjamin Bratt. I won’t ask you who’s the best kisser, but....
You can say me! I’m the best kisser!
I love it! What have your male co-stars taught you about love?
Hmmm. There’s plenty to go around, how ’bout that? [Laughs.] Your fragrance, Boyfriend, available at Sephora, is selling like hotcakes. How did it come about?
I was actually inspired after a breakup years ago. I was in New York shopping, and I missed my boyfriend’s cologne. I was like, “I don’t have to have a boyfriend to have that boyfriend scent,” so I thought, Boyfriend. The boyfriend that inspired it said, “Why don’t you make it yourself? Do a business deal and own it, create it and make it like you would a pilot out in L.A.” It’s exciting, terrifying, humbling and really fun and creative. Did you send samples to your exes with a note saying, “Thanks for the inspiration”?
No, I just put their names in the bottle design! Yeah, but it’s fun. It’s like a shout-out to the guys and it’s all in good humor. Your newest scent, Billionaire, hits stores in February. How do you create a fragrance and make it more than just a celebrity brand?
Personally, I was annoyed with celebrity fragrances. It’s like, what
an amazing concept! “I’m recognizable! Buy this fragrance!” ... But I’m very inspired and I love the younger generation of people that do many different professions and create. I’ve always written and acted, so this is just another way to manifest my creative expression. You seem to have maintained a healthy sense of self while achieving Hollywood stardom. How?
I had to use tools to learn how to make friends with my self-doubt and anxiety. That’s probably what made me an actor, too, is this sensitivity to all the things that could possibly go wrong, or feeling scared or terrified. But I think that the ability to embrace it and keep putting one foot forward is the only way you can do it. You speak of craving a “normal” life. As a celebrity, is normalcy possible?
I think that when I was younger, “normal” meant like Brady Bunch, because I came from divorced parents and was raised by a single mom. [My idea was] to graduate college, get a house, get married, have a family. There was an entirely different definition of “normal” [then] and “normal” now for me— although it’s more grounded and
happy. I feel like I am that, and I have that. As expansive as my life is, the more I want to simplify it and do simple things like going to the grocery store, getting steaks and grilling them, even though I’ve worked a 13-hour day. [Laughs.] Let’s talk L.A. Do you have a favorite beach?
I love Malibu. I also love going up the coast to Big Sur. I just love the Pacific Coast. Who colors those lovely red locks?
I go to Christopher Pierce at the Andy Lecompte Salon in L.A. He’s amazing. OK, spill your flawless-skin secrets!
Kate Somerville on Melrose Place. Their products are really good, she’s incredible and she has all these great [facial] treatments, scrubs and laser treatments. You love sushi. Do you have any recommendations?
Jinpachi in West Hollywood. It’s this little hole in the wall that is one of the best I’ve ever eaten at. I love Nozawa in the Valley, too. How about shopping?
I like Satine. Curve is great, too.
opposite: abc/andrew eccles
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ans of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice know that Kate Walsh, aka Addison Montgomery, is as gorgeous, seductive and intelligent as her character. But what makes her so beloved by colleagues and admirers is her refreshing honesty and openness. Whether she’s talking about past relationships, anxieties and insecurities, or life in the spotlight, Walsh maintains a sense of normalcy in an anything-but-normal town. We caught up with the effervescent, down-to-earth Walsh to talk about those gorgeous co-stars, creating successful fragrances and loving her L.A. life.
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from the garden next door Chefs who cultivate their own crops give new meaning to the term “farm to table.” By JOSEPH L e MOYNE
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previous spread: an herb garden (right, and this page, above) behind ray’s & stark bar supplies chef kris morningstar with herbs for his mediterranean dishes. this page, top: chef michael fiorelli of mar’sel in palos verdes stands amid planters just outside the restaurant’s door. opposite: A SALAD OF beets, dried cranberries, hazelnuts, goat cheese AND ASPARAGUS at MAR’SEL utilizes the on-site garden’s beets and herbs.
during the season. A member of a storied L.A. restaurant family—his late father, Ciro, graciously greeted guests at the entrance of Marino Ristorante—Sal seems as proud of his tomato crop as he is of his James Beard nomination. With as many as 36 varieties of tomatoes growing in the back yard of his Hancock Park home (he also maintains some planters at the restaurant), Marino has one of the greenest thumbs of any chef in America. In addition to providing fresh flavor and color, the affable chef believes growing his own produce demonstrates the kind of commitment and passion that are too often missing in the modern culinary world. Marino’s garden does not lie dormant when the tomato season concludes; in the fall he plants climbers such as fava beans and English peas, plus carrots and arugula. Gardening is a labor of love for the chef, who comments, “After spending time with a brigade of cooks in a noisy, cramped kitchen, I love the serenity and tranquillity of the garden.” Parkway Grill ushered in a wave of California cuisineinfluenced fine dining into Pasadena when it debuted a quarter-century ago. The restaurant’s produce comes directly from an organic garden occupying a prime piece of Crown City real estate behind the restaurant. According to chef Lalo Sanchez, greens are sometimes even picked to order, so the butter lettuce on your plate (dressed, perhaps, in the chef’s aged sherry-shallot vinaigrette) may have been in the earth five minutes earlier. The garden supplies all the tomatoes the restaurant needs for the entire summer, while a bountiful crop of beets, carrots and pumpkins are yielded in the fall. Fruit trees include kumquat, lemon and blood orange. “Our guests really appreciate the fact that we’re able to just run in the back and pick what we need,” says Sanchez, who is always happy to provide tours of the garden. Food and art is as perfect a pairing as salmon and pinot noir or foie gras and Sauternes, so some real magic is created when exceptional food is offered at a museum. Ray’s & Stark Bar, the stylish eatery from the Patina Group at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, is emerging as one of the best museum restaurants in the nation. Occupying part of architect Renzo Piano’s recent additions to the complex, its patio provides views of the striking Urban Light installation. Chef Kris Morningstar has two gardens on the LACMA campus at his disposal: The first is an herb garden right behind the restaurant, and the second a tomato patch located at nearby Resnick Pavilion. Herbs such as sorrel go into soups, and lemon
previous spread and this page, bottom left: lauren noble
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ore than a decade ago, top L.A. chefs began strolling through the renowned Santa Monica Farmers Market in search of the freshest seasonal ingredients from local artisanal farmers. That practice has only intensified as savvy Angeleno diners have come to expect a true farm-totable dining experience. Lately, a select group of chefs has taken their quest for freshness even further: As their counterparts in Provence and Tuscany are fond of doing, they now grow their own herbs, fruits and vegetables in gardens adjacent to their restaurants. At Patina, tucked into architect Frank Gehry’s iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall, haute cuisine is alive and well, even in a city where concertgoers sometimes wear shorts. In an elegant dining room wrapped in rippled walnut walls, diners are wowed by the artistic presentations of chef Tony Esnault, a protégé of Alain Ducasse. Esnault’s staff uses tweezers to delicately arrange edible works of art, meticulously positioning a variety of herbs and flowers on plates. Many of these plants are grown at Patina’s Blue Ribbon Garden located on a courtyard 34 feet above the restaurant floor, a place Esnault inspects daily with the keen eye of a farmer. The Garden Level, a relatively undiscovered secret at Disney Hall, is essentially a one-acre park with flowering trees, a children’s amphitheater and the Lillian Disney Memorial Fountain. Spectacular city views are caught from between the folds of the building’s stainless-steel curves. Up here, Esnault takes considerable pride in pointing out exotic varieties of greens and blooms such as sweet woodruff, Okinawa spinach, shepherd’s purse, dragon’s head and nasturtium. The proximity of this garden is a reminder of the lazy summer days Esnault spent on his grandparents’ farm in France’s Loire Valley, where everything the family ate was raised and nurtured on-site. That experience was reinforced during his career in France, particularly working as a young chef at L’Auberge de l’Ill in Alsace, a Michelin three-starred temple of gastronomy that maintained an abundant garden. “With the garden at Patina, I feel as though there’s a small bit of my childhood in France woven into my daily life at the restaurant,” Esnault says. “In a sense, it’s like being on the farm again where everything was still on the vine and the freshest it could be.” Chef/owner Sal Marino loves to showcase his homegrown tomatoes at Il Grano in West L.A., even composing a tomato tasting menu (“Tomato Wednesdays”)
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verbena is used for a variety of dishes as well as housemade bitters for the bar. A talented innovator who never seems to stay in one kitchen for very long, Morningstar has finally landed at a restaurant with its own garden, which gives him the liberty to design his multicourse tasting menus based on what is ripe that very day. “Since these menus are constantly in flux based on what is available from the garden, some loyal guests visit a couple times a week to experience new items each time,” he says. Like many of his brethren, Morningstar developed an appreciation for fresh produce early in life. “Growing up around blackberry brambles and apricot orchards in San Bernardino County solidified my respect for fresh, high-quality produce,” he explains. At La Pergola Ristorante, a 25-year-old charmer in Sherman Oaks, nearly all of the herbs, vegetables and fruit appearing on the menu are grown in two sprawling gardens nearby. When chef/owner Tindaro “Tino” Pettignano ran out of space in a 7,000-square-foot lot behind the restaurant, he planted another 7,000-squarefoot garden a block away. “Everything is grown organically, with no pesticides,” says Pettignano, who studied agriculture in Italy before becoming a chef. “Our customers have come to realize there’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly grown fruit and vegetables.” San Marzano tomatoes are incorporated into sauces, passion fruit dresses up salads, and apples go into house-made tarts. Occasionally, guests will be presented with an eggplant or zucchini from the garden on their way out the door. Perched on the edge of the picturesque Palos Verdes Peninsula is the Terranea Resort, which possesses some of the most spectacular ocean vistas in Southern California. Its elegant Mar’sel restaurant presents the cooking of chef Michael Fiorelli, whose outstanding contemporary Mediterranean cuisine is the exception to the usual rule about the quality of food at view restaurants. The chef, who mastered a refined technique at the renowned Inn at Little Washington outside the nation’s capital, takes full advantage of a garden located by the door of the dining room. “Guests get really excited by the fact that they’re eating food that they walked right past on the way into the restaurant,” says Fiorelli, who enjoys showing off the garden to customers. He insists that the private garden makes him a better chef, giving him greater freedom to experiment and evolve from one day to the next. This market-driven approach is hardly unfamiliar to Fiorelli, who practically grew up in his mother’s garden
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on Long Island, outside New York City. Because of the seasonality of the produce there, he recalls consuming an abundance of whatever was available. “We’d eat tomatoes, corn and zucchini five times a day all summer until they were gone, then it was on to squash, broccoli and potatoes,” he recounts. “People today are talking about this like it’s a new, progressive way of thinking when, actually, we’re just getting back to the way things were 40 or 50 years ago.” Chef Ashley James prepares an eclectic menu—one that encompasses California classics and modern takes on international street foods—for Windows Lounge at the Beverly Hills-adjacent Four Seasons Hotel. The lounge, with its underlit bar, green onyx fireplace and shaded sculpture patio with plush furniture, has been dubbed “Hollywood’s living room.” There, 200 square feet of poolside flower beds are filled with greens, tomatoes and lemons that make their way into dishes such as an herb garden salad with wild arugula, grapefruit, burrata, dates and almonds, or in sauces such as basil-tomato veal jus. James, who has cooked at grand hotels from Singapore to Buenos Aires, says, “When I was a child in England, my parents grew quite a large quantity of fruits, vegetables and herbs. They still do.” The chef points out that, in addition to reducing the restaurant’s carbon footprint, cultivating the garden “is a way of going back to our roots and initial food culture…. Growing to eat is basic in human history.” Chef Micah Wexler creates a modern, sophisticated brand of Middle Eastern cuisine at Mezze, applying traditional seasonings including zaatar and sumac to unconventional ingredients such as foie gras and sea urchin. Many of the herbs that go into his complex dishes come from a modest garden he planted behind the restaurant just off busy La Cienega Boulevard. “Living in a big city like L.A., it’s not always easy to find a spot to grow some herbs, but it was something really important to me when I opened Mezze,” he says, proud of the planters he constructed just steps from the kitchen. After a few weeks he had a garden full of Egyptian mint, basil, tarragon and wild oregano, which flourished quickly under his care. “I got so excited that I started picking too much and ended up killing off some of the plants,” says the overeager chef, who promptly replanted and exercised greater restraint. “Growing our own herbs not only provides the restaurant with a beautiful and fresh product, but also gives us a great sense of social responsibility.”
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Cocktails have become an integral part of any top restaurant’s culinary program, and some establishments have even gone so far as to designate their mixologists “bar chefs.” At Santa Monica’s Michael’s, the culinary landmark founded by California cuisine pioneer Michael McCarty in 1979, mixologist Jason Robey not only promotes a garden-to-glass philosophy, but is personally responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a rooftop garden that supplies both his well-stocked bar and the kitchen of promising young chef John-Carlos Kuramoto. It’s not exactly an unwelcome chore, since Robey is a passionate gardener who touts the hobby’s meditative qualities. This is not even the first rooftop garden the green-thumbed barman has nurtured, previously tending to his own garden above his Manhattan apartment. In Santa Monica, he grows four types of basil, three varieties of thyme and 10 kinds of peppers. “You can’t get any fresher than literally picking something two
minutes before it goes into a glass,” Robey notes. Red O, a chic restaurant showcasing a “tequila tunnel” and recipes from celebrity chef/Mexican culinary authority Rick Bayless, is another place where the green cuisine movement extends to the bar. Like Robey, Red O mixologist Steve Calabro makes all of his own syrups and gastriques—no jars or cans are opened on his watch—and incorporates fresh produce from his own garden in Toluca Lake. His repertoire includes rosemary, lemon thyme, shallots, garlic, pumpkins, cucumbers, beets and various varieties of mint that he muddles into refreshing mojitos. Regulars fully appreciate the seasonal transitions that shape Calabro’s garden-to-glass cocktail menu. He says proudly, “When I cut open a fresh passion fruit and scoop out the bright pulp and seeds in front of a customer, or if they see me squeeze a fresh orange or muddle cucumber, it’s a sign that we care just as much about what they’re drinking as what they’re eating.”
OppOSiTE: AT MicHAEl’S in SAnTA MOnicA, A SpRiG Of cHARREd ROSEMARy, picKEd fROM THE ROOfTOp GARdEn, iS AddEd TO THE MARy ROSE cOcKTAil. THiS pAGE: pARKWAy GRill in pASAdEnA cUlTiVATES An ORGAnic GARdEn THAT SUppliES THE RESTAURAnT WiTH All iTS TOMATOES, USEd in diSHES SUcH AS An HEiRlOOM TOMATO SAlAd.
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Some of Los Angeles’ most compelling examples of contemporary handcrafted design signal experimentation, reinvention, innovation and opportunity, all things that helped to catapult California craft and design to the world stage during the midcentury period. Meet three locally based, internationally renowned designers whose carefully considered, beautifully executed designs draw on that rich legacy while breaking fresh ground. BY suzanne ennis
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JOE CARIATI Joe Cariati’s featherweight and downright sexy mouthblown glass vessels grace the shelves of major high-end retailers such as Neiman Marcus, so it’s a surprise that his El Segundo studio runs on the steam of only four people. How does Cariati meet the exploding demand for his designs, approaching 2,000 pieces per year? “I am so close to being a little factory.... I make [a shape] over and over and over again and I can do it with joy. And that is something that is not for every glassmaker, that’s for damn sure,” says Cariati with a laugh. If “a little factory” jars against your idea of craft, note that Cariati does not call his glass “craft,” nor “art,” for that matter. Certainly not “art glass.” “I don’t even know what that is,” says Cariati, who has taught glass blowing at prestigious locales in the U.S. and abroad, “[and] I am not interested. I’m interested in design. I’m interested in utilitarian. I’m interested in creating a landscape with my work to accessorize and beautify space.” Counting Philippe Starck and Eero Saarinen among his influences, Cariati produces a rainbow of decanters, bottles and domes that appear in glossy shelter magazines, complementing contemporary and midcentury furniture designs. Ten years ago, Cariati was in San Francisco, realizing other glass blowers’ visions, painting and teaching, and shopping around the precursor of his Angelic collection from the trunk of his car. It took returning to L.A., his childhood home, to put his name in the forefront of design. Why L.A.? “People are on the gas here.… I was met with so many yesses I didn’t know what to do with them,” Cariati says of his homecoming. And his L.A. attitude, born of fighting for surf in Malibu, put the pedal to the metal. “There’s a really good energy to L.A. that’s edgy: It’s competitive, it’s healthy and people are thinking.” Today, Cariati is scouting out a new studio for Joe Cariati Glass, with space for all of that creative energy, plus room to grow. He muses, “[My life is] about generating for others. Whether that means generating an object that beautifies the home, or generating some sort of conversation inside of education or business, or getting [people] turned on to glass.… I think that’s why I’m here.”
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PREVIOUS SPREAD: VENETIAN DECANTER COLLECTION FROM GLASS BLOWER JOE CARIATI (PREVIOUS PAGE). FROM LEFT: OVALE, ALTO, BREVE (IN IVORY), ALTO AND BREVE (IN BLACK). THIS PAGE: MOD FLORAL MOSAIC HAND-PAINTED TEXTILE BY ALEXANDRA BECKET (ABOVE). OPPOSITE: LACMA EDITION POT BY CERAMICIST ADAM SILVERMAN (INSET).
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In a city where “hyphenate” is a common career choice, artist-designer-interior stylist Alexandra Becket nonetheless stands out as a multitalented creative force. The granddaughter of architect Welton Becket, who designed many of L.A.’s iconic midcentury buildings, Becket awoke to her artistic vocation painting at an easel in elementary school. Today, her designs influence fashion and home design while paying homage to her hometown, L.A. Nurtured by a craftsman father and a mother who decorated their home with woven and batik textiles, Becket studied painting in college, but migrated from canvas to linen, cotton and silk during study abroad in Italy. “I created large wall hangings, which was a practical decision because I was able to roll up the artwork to bring home at the end of the year rather than having to ship large canvases!” she recalls. That practical move proved prescient: Today, Becket hand-paints vibrant, one-of-a-kind silk wall hangings that appear in L.A.-area galleries and shops including Design Within Reach; prints her unique designs by the yard for custom use on pillows and other home accessories; and through her company, Unico Studio, creates graphic, clean-lined prints for home décor and fashion industry style-setters such as Trina Turk and Anthropologie.
Like many contemporary L.A. designers and their midcentury forebears, Becket eschews strict delineations between disciplines and materials. “I’ve always had a desire to blend the lines between art and craft,” Becket explains. “Since childhood I’ve enjoyed making utilitarian objects. There is more enjoyment in being able to use artwork for practical purposes rather than being hung on the wall.” Further integrating her passions and influences, Becket oversees styling for ModOp Design, a home-renovation company she started with her husband. Their homes’ staged interiors feature vintage pieces mixed with Becket’s own accessories and artwork, which are heavily influenced by L.A.’s flora and natural palette. The city’s architecture is another recurring theme in her work, with structures such as the Capitol Records building, Welton Becket’s famous design, captured on silk. “As I learned [about my grandfather’s work], I developed an appreciation of the midcentury buildings of L.A., many of which are threatened by development and demolition.… I want to capture the beauty of these iconic buildings and many others that are often underappreciated,” Becket says. Preservation and experimentation, legacy and reinvention, craft and art, function and beauty, all rolled into one? Now that’s the L.A. spirit of design.
PREVIOUS SPREAD: SEAN P. COSTELLO; CARIATI, CHARLIE GROSSO. THIS PAGE: COURTESY ALEXANDRA BECKET; BECKET, MARK HANAUER
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COURTESY ADAM SILVERMAN; silverman, katrina dickson
ADAM SILVERMAN Anyone standing at a professional crossroads might find inspiration in potter Adam Silverman, who, following careers in architecture and fashion, threw his “physical and intellectual heft” into his longtime hobby and emerged as one of the leading ceramicists of his generation. Today, Silverman is a partner in, and studio director of, the revitalized midcentury California tableware and tile company Heath Ceramics. Heath’s Beverly Boulevard showroom and gallery also houses Silverman’s studio, where he throws small-run and custom ceramic vessels and produces his signature organic, heavily textured forms under the Atwater Pottery mark. Silverman’s work is exhibited throughout the U.S. and Japan; recently, he produced a limited-edition series of pots for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art exhibit California Design (1930-1965): “Living in a Modern Way,” which features vintage Heath pieces. LACMA is a long way from Silverman’s New York garage studio, where a decade ago he faced a choice to make pottery professionally or get off the proverbial wheel. With a self-imposed year to succeed, back he came to L.A., where he had mostly resided since 1988, finding inspiration in the city’s modern architecture and strong legacy of ceramics—plus a receptive audience. Silverman reflects, “People were paying attention to design in a way that they weren’t before … combined with an interest in the handmade stuff, I was kind of in the right place at the right time, because my aesthetic is design-driven.” Also not to be underestimated, Silverman notes, is “the Hollywood thing.” “The money is essentially being made by a somewhat creative industry” he explains, “and it’s very young money, so I think … people here [are] much more willing to take chances on things [and] spend their money on something interesting or creative.” Support from the interior-design community that caters to that clientele keeps Silverman busy doing commissioned work, often to complement Heath’s midcentury designs, which he believes share a similar “aesthetic DNA.” In addition to throwing pots, running the studio and shuttling his four kids around L.A., Silverman’s working on an intriguing new project: excavating clay from a construction site at the Kimbell Art Museum in Texas. How Silverman will shape that clay remains to be seen, but his meditations on place and legacy are sure to take his multiinfluenced designs down exciting new paths. W H E R E G UES T B O O K 5 7
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Behind the Scenes
OF CIRQUE HOW DOES A PERFORMANCE ARTIST GET TO CIRQUE DU SOLEIL? PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. AND THE PRACTICING NEVER STOPS FOR THE DISCIPLINED STARS OF L.A.’S NEW RESIDENT PRODUCTION, IRIS. BY SUZANNE ENNIS
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he air is thick with suspense during a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Iris, whether the artists on stage are twisting into spine-defying knots or soaring from the scaffolding of the Kodak Theatre. But no moment is more fraught with tension than when a performer’s arm quivers, or foot lands slightly askew, and the audience is reminded of the flesh and bones behind the magical façade. Who are these artists, we wonder, who day after day perform such preternatural feats of skill, artistry and daring? One of Iris’ most elegant, awe-inspiring acts is the solo trapeze performance by Uuve Hanna Jansson. Jansson—also one of the many performers who portrays Scarlett, the show’s romantic heroine—began her career vaulting at her father’s circus for children in Stockholm. At 16, Jansson entered Sweden’s Cirkus Cirkör, where she spent four years learning the swinging trapeze before being accepted by the prestigious National Circus School in Montreal. With strong family support, she worked toward a singular goal: “To join Cirque du Soleil was my dream!” recalls Jansson. “Every day while I was training, I was thinking about Cirque du Soleil.” On her graduation day in 2008, Jansson’s dream was fulfilled: She was hired by Cirque, joining Dralion (with her brother, Hampus) and Alegría before moving to Iris with her boyfriend, a Cirque rigger. Meanwhile, in 2011, Jansson earned top honors at a Paris competition considered to be the “Olympics of circus” (just
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two years after Iris’ other solo trapeze artist, Australian Emma Henshall, brought home the gold). Jansson’s successes illustrate that the amazing physical feats seen in Iris come from dedication, not just inborn talent. “I challenge myself every day in training—and you have to push yourself so hard in order to improve, learn new tricks and become stronger,” Jansson says. “As I continue to work, I find that I can do things with my body that I never dreamt about before!” That intense work ethic is shared by all of the performers in Iris: 44 Cirque “house troupe” artists, including gymnasts and acrobats, plus two camera operators, four actors, 13 dancers, eight musicians and two clowns. To succeed in Cirque, Jansson says, “You [have] to train hard—and you need to have passion!” For months, the Iris cast rehearsed together at Cirque’s headquarters in Montreal before moving to L.A. last year, where they now perform six to eight shows per week and train up to two additional hours per day. Together, they bring Iris’ ode to cinema to life, making it feel fresh each time—despite the fact that, between performances, makeup, warm-ups and practice, they work up to eight hours per day and are scheduled to perform 368 shows each year. Ensuring the show’s integrity and overseeing the 73 performers is Denise Biggi, who was a ballet dancer in her native France and then Montreal before becoming a teacher, choreographer, and ultimately, artistic director of Cirque du Soleil. As an artist and a manager, Biggi says with
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authority, “Cirque du Soleil’s performers are the most amazing, hard-working, dedicated artists I know of.” By other measures, Iris’ performers are an eclectic bunch. “Most of them have gone through a circus school in the country they come from,” Biggi reports. Several others, including Andrew and Kevin Atherton, British identical twins who perform a death-defying, high-flying strap act, and Raj Bhavsar, a former U.S. Olympian, were competitive gymnasts. However, says Biggi,“There [are] no common paths; our artists are recruited all over the world and come from very different backgrounds.” They hail from 15 countries stretching from Canada to Kazakhstan to China. Each performer was selected from Cirque’s talent pool of 5,000 artists, found and auditioned by Cirque’s globe-trotting casting department. Their ages span decades: The youngest artist is only 15 and performs in the Icarian Games act “Kiriki.” That diversity is a plus, says Biggi: “Working with people from so many different places [is] one of the big attraction to my job. I feel that with every interaction with people from different culture[s], I learn and I grow.” Echoing Biggi’s sentiment is Iris acrobat Matias Plaul, the show’s “Shadow Tamer” and a performer in the rooftop act. “My life is richer from the experiences provided by meeting so many different people,” he says. Plaul grew up in Buenos Aires, where—ironically, given his vertiginous stunts—he says a lack of bravery turned him from acting classes to circus school. After six months studying acrobatics, he joined a circus, but with a less-than-glamorous beginning. “I was working doing a show as permanent staff in a shopping mall,” he recalls. “They fired all the artists in the show because they had no more money. The fired artists decided to do a show together; we put on a very simple performance that ended up being a success. When we finished this show, I was hired by La Arena [an Argentine circus] and never stopped work-
ing after that.” Plaul spent 10 years with La Arena, then four with Cirque’s Zed in Tokyo, before joining Iris to work for acclaimed director Philippe Decouflé. Now 35, Plaul has been performing for 15 years. Living far from family and friends, Plaul concedes, means circus life can take a toll. Fortunately, Plaul’s girlfriend works for Iris, and he has found an “extended family” within the circus community. He enthuses, “You have two shows: one in front of the audience, another one backstage with your friends.” So how does an aspiring artist get to Cirque du Soleil? As the old joke about Carnegie Hall goes, practice, practice, practice—or, as Biggi says, “Train, train, train and [when] you are done training … start training.” Given Cirque du Soleil’s international reputation, roles in its productions are considered plum within the industry. But, Biggi acknowledges, even for Cirque du Soleil, recruiting rare “profile” acts such as the Atherton twins is a challenge. “There is not an abundance of top-class performers,” she asserts. Luckily for gifted artists, career opportunities beckon. And luckily for audiences, any shortage of available talent is not evident in Iris.
Opposite and this page: performers from cirque du soleil’s Iris, including uuve hanna jansson (far left), a trapeze artist who also appears as the show’s romantic heroine, scarlett.
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Getting Crafty ent husiasm for c r a ft b e e r is ov e r flowin g i n l . a.
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A few years ago, a wine-bar boom had Angelenos buzzing. Then we had a mixology moment with the rise of the artisan cocktail. But now, something else is brewing. Although the demand for craft beer has been building for some time, it’s bubbling over now as a slew of hip pubs and award-winning microbreweries set up shop, packing in discerning, suds-loving patrons ready to leave Miller time in the past. Herewith, a bar crawl to some of the county’s most promising spots for craft beer. B y k at i e m c c a r t h y
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AROUND THE BEND pREviOUS pAGE: AN ARRAy Of micROBREWS AT ciTy TAvERN iN cUlvER ciTy. THiS SpREAD: ciTy TAvERN pATRONS SiT AT THE BAR AND AT “TABlE TAp” BOOTHS WiTH SElf-SERvE DRAfT-BEER SySTEmS. OppOSiTE: ciTy TAvERN’S BEER SElEcTiON EmpHASizES SmAll-BATcH BEERS BREWED iN cAlifORNiA.
Upon first glance of the exterior, you might not know what to make of Echo Park’s Mohawk Bend, located on an unpolished strip of Sunset Boulevard in the shell of an old movie house. But after you enter under the art deco marquee, you’ll see that you’re in a bar and restaurant packed to the brim with the Eastside’s trendiest. The huge, fashionably outfitted space offers a variety of settings in which to sip and savor: a covered patio, an interior “quad” with plush leather banquettes, and the atriumlike Ramona Room, filled with live trees and with a roaring fireplace at its center. But the majority of the patrons are congregated near the bar in the middle,
where “Chief Beer Officer” Paige Reilly keeps the 72 beer taps loaded with small-batch selections. A zeal for craft beer—loosely defined as beer produced in limited production by a small brewing company, and also known as microbrews—brought Reilly and owner Tony Yanow together when they worked together at Yanow’s successful Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank. “I’ve been a craft-beer fanatic for more than two decades,” says Yanow, and adds slyly, “Paige has been passionately dedicated since she was almost old enough to drink.” Concocting the beer list for Tony’s proved to be a valuable education that they carried
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San Diego stalwart Ballast Point Brewing Company and the rich Chocolate Porter from Hangar 24 Craft Brewery in Redlands. The fresh brews are made even more satisfying with dishes from a thoughtfully created food menu that includes numerous vegetarian and vegan options; try the addicting squash ‘n’ chips (Kabocha squash tempura) or build-your-own s’mores. Yanow reports that Mohawk Bend’s customers range from the “uninitiated” to “die-hard, serious craft-beer aficionados who can come into our bars and talk about hop varietals and IBU [international bittering units] count.” But he really delights in converting the beeravoidant by ferreting out the perfect brews to change their minds. Yanow says proudly, “I even got my mom to drink beer, and she hated that stuff.” The bar also serves wines, boutique distilled spirits and handcrafted cocktails, but if you chat with Yanow, Reilly or one of their beer-obsessed servers, don’t be surprised if they coax you toward an esoteric brew. “For us, beer is a lot more than a beverage and a craft,” Yanow says. “It’s a community, a passion and our livelihood.”
Mohawk Bend owner Tony Yanow delights in converting the beer-avoidant: “I even got my mom to drink beer, and she hated that stuff.”
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ALL IN THE FAMILY
over to Mohawk Bend, which opened last fall. “[Paige] and I have visited almost every brewery in the state and have spent considerable time learning about the beers, the breweries and the people involved,“ Yanow says. Reilly and Yanow chose to focus on Californiabrewed beers, of which there are usually 65 on tap, at Mohawk Bend. “We are incredibly fortunate to have some of the best breweries within the state. The idea is that we can do it,” Yanow proclaims. The daily changing list has included selections such as the fruity Heavenly Hef Hefeweizen from Pasadena’s Craftsman Brewing Company, the Sculpin IPA (India Pale Ale) by
Jeremy Raub doesn’t mince words about the results of his early home-brewing experiments with his father, Steve, when they picked up the hobby nearly 20 years ago. “Some of those first beers were pretty terrible!” he remembers. For years Jeremy and Steve tinkered with their brewing methods, poring over books, taking copious notes and occasionally surprising friends, family and themselves with a winning batch of beer. They even talked of opening their own microbrewery. “Then on my birthday in 2005, [my wife] Ting [Su] surprised me by registering the business name. She said, ‘If you’re really serious about this, it’s time to stop talking and start doing,’ ” Jeremy says. Thanks to that gentle shove, Eagle Rock Brewery was born at the end of 2009, and co-owners Steve, Jeremy and Su have made the brewery a major player in the local craft-beer scene. Not only can the brewery’s beers be found in dozens of L.A.’s restaurants and bars, but they’ve also helped turn the sleepy bedroom community of Glassell Park (contrary to the name, the brewery isn’t located in Eagle Rock) into a destination. Roll up to the brewery on a Saturday night and you’ll find a bustling taproom with few frills—a glossy gran-
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ite bar illuminated by pendant lamps and a half-dozen wooden tables that are claimed early in the evening. Patrons toast one another with frosty glasses of Eagle Rock Brewery’s finest, including the fruity Populist IPA, the hoppy Revolution extra pale ale and Manifesto, a feather-light Belgian-style white ale. Jeremy is particularly proud of the English mild ale Solidarity— ”it’s dark in color, but very light in flavor”—as well as the labor-intensive Yearling, a seasonal Flanders red ale aged for a year in wine barrels. If one glass isn’t enough to satiate you, take home a “growler,” an attractivelooking jug that holds 64 ounces of fresh-brewed beer. As the beer movement has gotten bigger, Jeremy finds himself increasingly impressed by the knowledge of his customers. “When we first opened, it seemed like there were only a couple handfuls of people that already knew what was going on in the world of craft beer,” he says. But now, he reports, “So many of our customers are not only accustomed to drinking a wide range of beer styles, they are also really adventurous as to trying new styles of beer that they’ve never experienced.” Jeremy notes, “The craft-beer scene in L.A. is at a very exciting time right now.” While he points out that there is “fear of the bubble bursting” due to the rapid growth of the local industry, he acknowledges that there’s a definite upside to the boom in craft-beer bars and microbreweries. “It’s a great time to be a beer lover in L.A.! Within the next few years, we all have the chance to actually establish Los Angeles as a legitimate beer city.”
DOWNTOWN AND ON THE WAY UP Michael Bowe, president, founder and self-dubbed “brew master” of downtown’s Angel City Brewing, has more in common with Jeremy Raub than just owning a microbrewery: He, too, was inspired to get serious about brewing beer by his wife. “I read an ad in a contractor magazine for a mail-order home-brew kit in 1989, and bought the kit,” he remembers. “I made it for my pregnant wife, and after our first son was born, she started drinking it and loved it!” Bowe might have started brewing for love, but he kept at it for the love of brewing, joining the Maltose Falcons homebrewing club and scooping up awards for his creations. “My first blue ribbon was for an IPA in 1990,” he recalls. “I was a fanatic and brought 10 to 15 gallons
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THiS paGE, BOTTOm: cOURTESy EaGlE ROcK BREWERy
to every meeting. I was very popular!” he jokes. Later, he says, “I got to go to Sierra Navada Brewing Co. and watch and learn what they did. I started Angel City Brewing on St. [Patrick’s] Day 1997 and never looked back.” The brewery was founded in Culver City before moving to Torrance’s Alpine Village. Last year it moved again to a sprawling, bare-bones space in the historic John A. Roebling Building in downtown’s emerging Arts District. “It feels great to be in downtown L.A.—such an up-and-coming, vibrant scene!” Bowe exclaims. He calls his business a “brewery/art gallery,” and the rough, bare-bones, industrial look of the space is enlivened by changing art shows. Angel City’s space is still evolving—Bowe has ambitious plans to include stages for live music, a gift shop, even a full-service restaurant—but for now, the taproom offers a spare, relaxed setting for tasting in view of impressive stainless-steel brewing tanks. It also serves au courant grilled Italian sausages topped with grilled onions and peppers, the perfect savory complement to an ice-cold beer. The scene at Angel City is even more festive when it hosts frequent special events with beer tastings, bands, food trucks and barbecue cooked by Bowe’s brother Michael. And then there are those tasty, nuanced, creatively named beers, the main attractions of Angel City, which continue to win awards, such as the nine medals Bowe took home from the L.A. County Fair’s last two beer competitions. Consider the “revolutionary” Che pale lager, the “bright and edgy” Charlie Parker Pale Ale and the “mellow” Lester Young Porkpie Hat Dark Lager. (Bowe is a jazz musician.) Soon to come on tap are newer creations such as the Angel City Whitey, Scorpion Sour and several barrel-aged beers. The local media have been abuzz over the arrival of a microbrewery not confined to L.A. County’s outskirts, but no one is a bigger believer in Angel City Brewing than its own brew master. Bowe says confidently, “Our new location is phenomenal and Angel City Brewing will emerge as the dominant craft brewery in Los Angeles within a year.”
FUN ON Tap Since its opening in 2008, Rush Street has been a locus of activity in Culver City, a restaurant and bar in the
middle of the city’s downtown where patrons spill out onto the sidewalk. Walk west on Culver Boulevard, and you’re likely to see people buzzing around another patio—that of new City Tavern. Rush Street partners Ken Kaufman and Brian McKeaney came together with its executive chef, Dave Northrup, to mastermind a modern tavern that would copy Rush Street’s successful formula of a solid food menu and casually stylish looks—see the distressed-brick walls, exposed wood ceiling beams and reclaimed-wood floors. And they added to the equation a selection of outstanding microbrews. “One of the big focuses we had in creating City Tavern was that great craft beer can be paired with upscale food,” says Northrup, who leaves the kitchen duties to chef Jessica Christensen while he works with Kaufman and McKeaney on the business end. Northrup confesses that though he’s “not a big beer drinker,” he’s drawn to “the idea that a couple of guys who start out just home brewing can follow their passion and create a business out of it. Beer can be a truly local product.” There are 22 handles of California-made microbrews at City Tavern’s main bar, many of them from the L.A. area; featured breweries have included Port Brewing Co., Bear Republic Brewery and Iron Fist Brewing Co. Northrup emphasizes that, since City Tavern’s opening last year, the team has constantly searched for new brewers and beers to include in the rotating tap selection; he estimates that in the first five months alone City Tavern offered more than 250 types of beer. Artisan cocktails and wines are also available, but another unique gadget keeps the focus on beer: the Table Tap, a computerized draft-beer system built into three of City Tavern’s booths that allows customers to pour their own drinks. Come happy hour, they’re snapped up by a cool after-work crowd that hangs out to sample new brews and share plates of sweet-andspicy meatballs, curry-roasted cauliflower and “cheesy poofs” with buttermilk dressing. Says Northrup of the fun-to-use Table Taps, “It really adds to the communal feel of the place.” Northrup sees a mix of “craft-beer-educated people” and those who are new to microbrews, but says that no matter the level of experience, most are eager to learn more. “It’s exciting to see folks appreciating a new experience in the beer universe.”
OppOSiTE: THE RamONa ROOm iNSidE mOHaWK BENd iN EcHO paRK, WHicH HaS 72 micROBREWS ON Tap. THiS paGE, FROm TOp: aWaRd-WiNNiNG l.a.-BREWEd BEERS aRE SERvEd iN aNGEl ciTy BREWiNG’S iNdUSTRial TapROOm; a SElEcTiON OF BEERS FROm GlaSSEll paRK’S EaGlE ROcK BREWERy.
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Bright Ideas
bold prints, brilliant hues and the big city: fashion goes downtown. photography by priscilla iezzi
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previous page: Blouse, supertrash (supertrash.us). this page: Jumpsuit, trina turk (Trina turk, 323.651.1382); vest, love token (lovetokenus.com); sandals, charles david (charles david, 310.393.0506); rings, alberto parada (Readers fine jewelers, 310.451.1349).
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suit, supertrash; bag, ventidue (Kitson, 310.859.2652).
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this page: blouse, yana K (Ron Herman, 323.651.4129); earrings, wickett ophelia (wickettophelia.com). opposite: dress and sandals, yotam solomon (Church boutique, 323.876.8887); jacket, love token; bracelets, haute betts (Fred Segal, 310.394.8186).
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model: markÉta kaZdovÁ, hollywood model management. photo assistants: george campos, yesenia macias. wardroBe: annie funn. wardroBe assistant: stephanie mittelBuscher. makeup: anthony merante. hair: shane craig, stacie costello. manicurist: sreynin peng. retouching: lulie talmor.
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nEiGHBORHOOdS
EvERlY HillS B Luxury and wealth join forces in Beverly Hills, a city with a glamorous reputation and a storied past. Countless celebrities reside in the stately mansions north of Santa Monica and adjacent Bel-Air and Holmby Hills; they shop and dine in the tony Golden Triangle retail district. Rodeo Drive attracts the most coveted labels in retail, including Gucci, Herve Leger, Valentino and newly opened Badgley Mischka and Stephen Webster. Wilshire Boulevard, at the triangle’s southern end, features juggernauts Barneys, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. To the west is Westwood, home to UCLA and the Geffen Playhouse. Culver City to the south has a burgeoning arts, food and culture scene, with the historic Helms Bakery anchoring a stretch of design shops in the arts district along Washington Boulevard.
OWnTOWn d High-profile arts destinations, attractions, shopping, nightlife and multicultural pride collide in L.A.’s urban center. The Frank Gehrydesigned Walt Disney Concert Hall—home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its charismatic conductor, Gustavo Dudamel— neighbors the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theatre and the Mark Taper Forum along Grand Avenue to form the Music Center. Nearby is the Museum of Contemporary Art. Olvera Street, Chinatown and Little Tokyo showcase L.A.’s history, diversity and fine ethnic cuisine, while the jewelry, flower and fashion districts attract bargain hunters. At L.A. Live, the burgeoning entertainment mecca, Lakers fans and music lovers flock to sporting events and concerts at the Staples Center, and hungry masses find an array of restaurants.
MaliBU An escape from L.A.’s abundance of neon and glitz lies west in Malibu, where natural beauty runs wild. From the legendary beaches along the city’s 21 miles of coastline to the winding canyons and rugged bluffs overlooking the Santa Monica Bay, “the ’Bu” is a surfer’s, hiker’s and birdwatcher’s paradise. Of course, it wouldn’t be L.A. without a little glamour and celebrity; luxury seaside and hillside estates occupy some of the most expensive real estate in the country. Star sightings are frequent at Malibu Country Mart and the adjacent Malibu Lumber Yard, home to fun and fabulous boutiques such as Kitson and Beach Bunny Swimwear. Eateries range from the very casual (the roadside Neptune’s Net) to upscale (Charlie’s and Nobu Malibu). South of Malibu are earthy enclave Topanga and upscale Pacific Palisades.
OnG BEacH & San PEdRO l Long Beach is a destination in its own right, with top draws including the legendary Queen Mary Ship & Seaport and the outstanding Aquarium of the Pacific. The harborside city, located 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, offers fine dining along Pine Avenue and in trendy Belmont Shore and funky vintage shops along East 4th Street’s “Retro Row.” Other attractions include the Long Beach Performing Arts Center and several art museums. The Long Beach Airport is here, too. Farther north, in the working port city of San Pedro, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium at Cabrillo Beach offers visitors a chance to get hands-on with local sea creatures, and the Ports O’ Call Village features shops and restaurants along cobblestone streets.
EdWin SanTiaGO
OS anGElES cOUnTY l cOMPRiSES ManY ciTiES and cOMMUniTiES. HERE aRE THE MOST viSiTEd.
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VENICE The Venice of today—known as the “Playland of the Pacific”—has veered from its Italian namesake to create an identity of its own. Where gondolas and a miniature railroad were once the main attractions are now an eclectic and bohemian mix of galleries, shops, bars and more. East of the beach, Abbot Kinney Boulevard is lined with boutiques including Alexis Bittar, Firefly and Kendall Conrad and restaurants such as the Tasting Kitchen. Main Street parallels the beach and extends into Santa Monica; along with bars such as Basement Tavern and Finn McCool’s Irish Pub, find shops such as Free People, Paris 1900 and Hip’tique. Street performers, belly dancers, and bodybuilders fresh from adjacent Muscle Beach congregate with other members of the counterculture to make Venice’s Ocean Front Walk a prime people-watching site.
SANTA MONICA In Santa Monica, urban and beach attractions beckon. Take a ride on the carousel at Santa Monica Pier, splash in the pool at the Annenberg Community Beach House or surf in Santa Monica’s beginner waves. Back on dry land, swanky Montana Avenue and laid-back Main Street offer chic retail and solid dining options, too. Third Street Promenade features shopping, restaurants and people watching along a three-block pedestrian stretch; it’s anchored at one end by Santa Monica Place, which recently reopened after a massive renovation. The shopping center’s open-air design features name boutiques and a top-floor Dining Deck. Nearby, art destination Bergamot Station is home to 33 galleries and shops. Choose from more than 100 finedining options downtown.
SILVER LAKE & LOS FELIZ Don’t expect to find chain stores and restaurants playing top 40 tunes in Silver Lake and Los Feliz; the hipsterati tend to favor vintage shops and indie rock. Sunset Junction in Silver Lake captures the zeitgeist of these communities, featuring artisan coffeehouse Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, cool boutiques and the Silver Lake Conservatory of Music, founded by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. Along Vermont and Hillhurst avenues in Los Feliz, you’ll find a similarly eclectic mix of independent shops and eateries including Rockwell and hip 24-hour diner Fred 62. To the north, the largest urban park in America, Griffith Park, offers miles of trails, the L.A. Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Greek Theatre and iconic Griffith Observatory, immortalized in Rebel Without a Cause.
WEST HOLLYWOOD Proving it isn’t size that counts, trends that start in tiny West Hollywood reverberate throughout the world. A stroll down Melrose Avenue showcases storefronts filled with such fashion-forward labels as Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs, while West 3rd Street and Beverly Boulevard host a plethora of independent boutiques and cafes. Nearby, the Grove retaildining-entertainment center is set amid dancing fountains; the adjacent Farmers Market offers openair stalls and restaurants. The city’s design district, aka the Avenues, anchored by the Pacific Design Center at San Vicente Boulevard and Melrose Avenue, is home to some 300 galleries and showrooms. After dark, the Sunset Strip comes alive with fabled clubs such as Trousdale and Hyde. Dining destinations include Fig & Olive and BOA Steakhouse.
venice/silver lake, edwin santiago; SANTA MONICA, ASHOK SINHA; WEST HOLLYWOOD, IAN WHITE
Neighborhoods
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Beverly Center (310) 659-8611 Santa Monica Place (424) 238-0322 Century City (310) 282-7160 Glendale Galleria (818) 334-8511 Santa Anita (626) 254-0600 www.solsticesunglasses.com
Mention this ad and receive $50 off your purchase of $195 or more.* *Exclusions Apply
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PASADENA The idyllic suburb of Pasadena, just minutes from downtown, may be nationally recognized as the host of the Rose Bowl and the Rose Parade, but some may not know that the Crown of the Valley was a center of the Arts and Crafts movement. This architectural legacy is evident in the meticulously restored Gamble House and residences designed by Wallace Neff and Frank Lloyd Wright. Historic Old Pasadena is bustling with charming boutiques and alfresco dining spots. Caltech and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in nearby La Cañada Flintridge up the IQ average, and arts venues include the Pacific Asia Museum, the Pasadena Museum of California Art and Boston Court Theatre. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino is a treasured landmark.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY The celebration of TV and film at Universal Studios and adjacent Universal CityWalk is a solid introduction to the “other side of the hill,” home to countless TV shows and films from Hollywood’s biggest studios. In Burbank, studios such as Warner Bros. and NBC offer back-lot tours, giving a behind-the-scenes look at popular sitcoms and talk shows. Burbank also boasts a hip and vibrant downtown. The NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood boasts some 20 theaters, while palm-lined Ventura Boulevard hosts shops, top sushi restaurants, bistros and laid-back trattorias. To the north rests the Valley’s namesake, historic Mission San Fernando Rey de España.
HOLLYWOOD The name alone inspires images of glitz and glamour, of picture-perfect movie stars, dramatic awards shows and shiny gold trophies. The district east of Beverly Hills is full of restored movie theaters, upscale eateries, boutiques and nightspots in addition to visitor draws such as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Catch a Disney film at El Capitan Theatre or a new release at ArcLight Cinemas. The Hollywood & Highland Center features shopping, dining and the Kodak Theatre, site of the Academy Awards and new resident Cirque du Soleil production Iris, a high-flying tribute to the city’s history in film. The clubs along Hollywood and Cahuenga boulevards are always hopping. During the summer, make like a local and head to the Hollywood Bowl to hear music under the stars. FOR MORE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN L.A., SEE where Los angeLes MAGAzINE
SOUTH BAY Laid-back and affluent, the beach communities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach seem to have struck the perfect balance between work and play. The Strand in Manhattan Beach bustles with cyclists and in-line skaters whizzing past beachfront villas. The wide, sandy beaches and surf breaks have spawned SoCal royalty: The Beach Boys surfed Manhattan Beach’s waves, and beach volleyball champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh trounced competitors on its courts. Off the sand, upscale boutiques such as Cisco Home and Dawn Baker populate downtown Manhattan Beach, while fine restaurants including the Strand House and M.B. Post rank among L.A. County’s best. After dark, head to Hermosa for a lively bar scene on Pier Plaza and laughs at the Comedy & Magic Club.
PASADENA/HOLLYWOOD, IAN WHITE; VALLEY, EDWIN SANTIAGO; SOUTH BAY, ISTOcK PHOTO/DANIEL SOFER
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luxur y· lifestyle a p p a r e l · fi n e j ewe l r y· s hoe s · handbags · gi fts Single Stone 607 South Hill Street, Suite 204, Los Angeles, CA 90014, t 213.892.0772 www.singlestone.com
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spending time
HUSET, DANIEL SAXLID
SHOPPING What seduces Hollywood seduces the world, a fact not lost on the world’s great fashion houses; Designers want to dress the stars, so they all have a presence in L.A. The global influence of the city’s homegrown shops completes the L.A. story.
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Look Book
B o T T e G a V e N e Ta
Los Angeles’ diverse and exciting array of shopping venues sparkles with the best and brightest in fashion, beauty and accessories. Sisters Leah and Allison Moss stock their Studio City gift boutique Mimi & hy with life’s little luxuries. Indulge with Voluspa candles, Eberjey loungewear, Gorjana jewelry and cozy-chic scarves such as this one from Chan Luu, woven from lightweight cashmere and silk. 818.761.2202, mimiandhy.com
MiMi & hy
D i a N e Vo N F u R S T e N B e R G
The Italian luxury brand Bottega Veneta epitomizes refinement and elegance, from its signature woven leather bags to its fragrances. Detect the essence of the Venetian countryside in its women’s eau de parfum, available at Bottega Veneta’s boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. 310.858.6533, bottegaveneta.com Can anyone flatter a woman’s curves more expertly than Diane von Furstenberg? Women look and feel feminine in the designer’s creations, whether they don her iconic jersey wrap dress or a waist-defining belt such as this one, available at Diane von Furstenberg in West Hollywood. 323.951.1947, dvf.com
PReTTy BalleRiNaS
RoN heRMaN
Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn and pair skinny pants with flats from Pretty Ballerinas. The 94-year-old Spanish footwear company’s Beverly Hills flagship offers a cornucopia of high-style, low-heeled pumps and flats, all handmade, including this smart leopard-print pair. 310.550.2424, prettyballerinas.us Ron herman’s celebrity-heavy clientele relies on the retailer to get the hottest designer looks before they explode on the fashion scene. The ivy-covered Melrose Avenue location brims with cutting-edge, casual-luxe picks for men and women, including this sleek Maison Martin Margiela brass-and-leather cuff. 323.651.4129, ronherman.com
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Look Book Keeping up with the trendiest looks is a snap at Dash Boutique in Calabasas. Although it’s recognizable as the Kardashian sisters’ store, this first outpost of the minichain doesn’t rest on its reality-TV laurels, carrying coveted lines such as Ella Moss and Eugenia Kim, whose jaunty, feathertrimmed “Craig” topper is seen here. 818.222.4122, shopdashonline.com Beverly Hills’ “Department Store Row” is home to the juggernauts of high-end retail, including luxury titan Neiman Marcus. Ascend to the fourth floor to find a hip bar with a killer view, plus the expansive, expertly tended men’s department, stocked with dapper finds such as this Halston men’s blazer. 310.550.5900, neimanmarcus.com
da s h b o u t i q u e
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Rebecca Taylor’s first L.A. boutique, on Robertson Boulevard, adds a sweet touch to an already fabulous shopping street. This West Coast flagship carries the brand’s entire flirty-fresh clothing collection, plus the designer’s picks from other favorite labels, and accessories with a feminine twist, such as this statement-making chartreuse handbag. 310.734.0599, rebeccataylor.com For every pair of Toms Eyewear sold, the company helps give sight to a person in need, a noble enterprise that requires no sacrifice of style, as evidenced by these handsome silver-and-orange aviators. Find these and other Toms styles for men and women at Nordstrom at retail fantasyland the Grove. 323.930.2230, nordstrom.com Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Suzanne Felsen’s streamlined pieces often pop with brilliant color from exquisitely cut gemstones, but these equally arresting gem-inspired cufflinks in black rhodium let the sculptural form take center stage. See the complete collection, as well as oneof-a-kind pieces, at Felsen’s boutique in Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station. 310.315.1972, suzannefelsen.com
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SHOPPING AT ITS FINEST Find the latest styles and hottest trends at your favorite shops. Enjoy one of 10 restaurants or dine al fresco at the Dining Terrace with 16 express eateries. Pick up a VIP Visitor Card filled with special offers for our out-of town guests at the Westfield Concierge.
10250 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90067 310.277.3898 Westfield.com
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Flagship Store located at 313 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
After Establishing a Flagship Store in Beverly Hills, Robinʼs Jean expands its horizon to Soho, NY. The 2,500 square foot raw space was designed with an industrial feel to embody Robin’s rock-and-roll vintage aesthetic. The space personifies the brand’s deeply rooted American heritage and biker culture with a modern twist. The store features all of the men, women, kids, and accessory categories of Robin’s Jean. The brand has made its mark worldwide with flattering cuts, exquisite washes, intricate details, interesting stitching, embroidery, and novel allure. Robin’s Jean unique signature, a set of wings, are a reflection of the designer’s playful, warm energy and his childhood dreams. With high demand, Robin’s Jean has quickly grown a celebrity and fashion insider’s fan base. The brand overrides the need for pomp and circumstance, placing value on comfort, construction and distinction.
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Robinʼs Jean
Coming to America...
The Denim Pioneer, The Visionary,The Father and The Leader... Robin loves living in America. He is fascinated with the American Indian, the warrior spirit, and the fight for freedom. A lover at heart, his soul lives for the freedom of the open road and the big sky. His passion for motorcycles, vintage cars and old school cinema became the inspiration for the new brand. Today Robin lives in L.A. with his wife Isabelle, twin girls Chloe and MarieLou, and son Cheyenn. They are the center of his life and inspiration.
Robin arrived in Los Angeles in 1996. His talents, youth and good looks caught the eye of the best denim companies in Los Angeles. At the time when most denim was designed around basic styles, Robin’s attention to fabrics, washes and detail made him the man with the Midas touch and it was not long before his reputation began to soar.
The Birth Of Robinʼs Jean... In 2005, eager to produce high-end jeans that were truly his own and that would reflect the passions of his childhood dreams, he founded Robin’s Jean. Symbolized by gold wings, Robin’s Jean captures Robin’s dream of freedom and flight. Wearing a pair of Robin’s Jean makes you feel alive, free, spontaneous, and able to do anything you put your heart and soul into,” says Robin. The essence of Robin’s Jean can be captured at: 313 North Beverly Drive in the heart of Beverly Hills, California 90210
(310) 786-7813 and our new
location 60 Grand Street in Soho, New York 10013 (212) 226-2191 or online at www.robinsjean.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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SHOPPING SHOPPING DESTINATIONS
OWNER EMILIE ODEILE AT ARTSTRING BOUTIQUE IN HOLLYWOOD
HIPPER, HOTTER HOLLYWOOD Long overshadowed by neighbors Beverly Hills and West Hollywood when it came to retail, Hollywood is stepping out as designers and tastemakers seek out the side streets and make Tinseltown a shopping destination. Geren Lockhart, the designer of Geren Ford, a feminine line loved by Rachel McAdams and Lauren Conrad, opened the Annex, a showroom, store and gallery on Seward Street. Emilie Odeile of Artstring Boutique on Cherokee Avenue creates fantasy knits. Part of a new wave of knitters who think edgy, not cozy, with their designs, she crafts pieces such as strapless dresses with yarn rosettes. The heart of the new Hollywood wardrobe continues to be the warren of shops at Space 15 Twenty; top tenants include Hennessey + Ingalls, an art and design bookstore where no movement, trend or pioneer is too obscure to earn its own volume.
★ THE AMERICANA AT BRAND The Americana, from the creators of the Grove and inspired by a 1930s downtown, comprises some 40 retailers, more than a dozen restaurants and the 18-screen Pacifi c Theatres. Shops include a concept store from Tiffany & Co., True Religion and Crewcuts. 889 Americana Way, Glendale, 877.897.2097, americanaatbrand.com THE AVENUESCL9000006280 The epicenter of the West Coast’s design industry, this lively district boasts more than 1.5 million square feet of showrooms, shops and galleries. More than 30 art galleries, 100 antique and contemporary furniture stores, 30 restaurants and cafes, and 50 high-end fashion and lifestyle boutiques line the Avenues. Melrose Avenue and Robertson and Beverly boulevards, West Hollywood, avenuesartdesign.com ★ BEVERLY CENTERCL0000022205 Trend-setting marketplace at the edge of Beverly Hills and Hollywood features 160 specialty boutiques and restaurants. Retailers such as Traffic, Ben Sherman and Desigual mingle with luxury brands including Yves Saint Laurent and Jimmy Choo. The center is anchored by Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s Men’s Store. 8500 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 310.854.0070, beverlycenter.com CHINATOWNCL0000022206 The bustling, historic 16-block area just north of Olvera Street features ornate architecture and a wealth of restaurants, herb and tea shops, galleries, food markets and jewelers. Check out the art and antique shops on Chung King Road. Bordered by César E.
Chavez Avenue and Bernard Street, Yale and Spring streets, downtown, chinatownla.com ★ THE GROVECL0000022207 Inspired by a grand old downtown complete with a trolley, this wildly popular outdoor center has more than 50 shops and nine restaurants set in art deco, Spanish colonial revival, mission and modern buildings. Historic Farmers Market is adjacent. 189 The Grove Drive, L.A., 323.900.8080, thegrovela.com ★ HOLLYWOOD & HIGHLAND CENTER Home of the Kodak Theatre and the Academy Awards, this Tinseltownthemed retail, dining and entertainment center features dozens of specialty shops, high-tech bowling, nine restaurants and state-of-the-art cinemas. Shop stores such as Lucky Brand Jeans, Louis Vuitton and Sephora. Hollywood Boulevard at Highland Avenue, Hollywood, 323.467.6412, hollywoodandhighland.com JAPANESE VILLAGE PLAZACL0000022209 Nestled among attractions such as the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, the Japanese American National Museum and Little Tokyo Square, the plaza features some 40 shops selling Japanese books, art, gifts and sundry specialty products. Consider mochi ice cream at Mikawaya pastry shop. 335 E. 2nd St., downtown, japanesevillageplaza.net JEWELRY DISTRICTCL0000022210 Renowned for wholesale prices on precious gems, watches and all types of fine jewelry, the jewelry district lets the shopper take advantage of savings, ranging from 50 percent to 70 percent, by purchasing directly from the source
and avoiding the middleman. At St. Vincent Jewelry Center (640–650 S. Hill St.), find 500 merchants. Between Hill Street and Broadway from 5th to 8th streets, downtown, lajd.net MALIBU COUNTRY MARTCL9000006282 The mart has been around for ages, but new shops are constantly being added to the list of nearly 40 boutique tenants. Pick up shades at Oliver Peoples, maxidresses at Planet Blue or design-your-own denim at the Earnest Sewn Co. Malibu Lumber Yard is adjacent. 3895, 3890 and 3900 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, malibucountrymart.com ★ ONTARIO MILLS With its 1.7 million square feet, this is California’s largest outlet shopping destination. Among its 200-plus stores are Polo Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, as well as anchors Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth, Nordstrom Rack and Last Call by Neiman Marcus, opening in spring—plus a 30-screen cineplex. One Mills Circle, Ontario, 909.484.8300, ontariomills.com SANTA MONICA PLACECL9000006920 A glittering three-level, open-air center anchors Third Street Promenade. A youth-skewed Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom join some 50 specialty boutiques, such as L.A.based Juicy Couture and Kitson. The rooftop Dining Deck features a food court, six restaurants and a gourmet marketplace. 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, 310.394.1049, santamonicaplace.com ★ SOUTH COAST PLAZACL0000022212 International destination South Coast Plaza is a mecca of designer retail, from more affordable stores—
★ STARRED LISTINGS ARE FEATURED GUESTBOOK ADVERTISERS. 88
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MAYU, ref. 321.503-005. 18K rose gold. Large pocket watch second. Hand-wound movement cal. HMC 321.503. Min. 3 days power reserve.
www.h-moser.com
Power reserve indication on movement side. See-through back.
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WESTSIDE PAVILIONCL0000022216 The family-friendly center, anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s, includes more than 100 specialty shops such as Nine West and Build-A-Bear Workshop. State-of-the-art Landmark Theatre shows indie, foreignlanguage and documentary fi lm s, plus special 21-and-over movie screenings with cocktails. 10800 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., 310.474.6255, westsidepavilion.com
SHOPS & BOUTIQUES
A + R IN VENICE
Tory Burch, Lacoste, J. Crew—to some of the most exclusive brands: Gucci, Hermès, Chanel, Burberry, Harry Winston and Balenciaga, to name a few. Amenities include personal shopper/stylist services. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 800.782.8888, southcoastplaza.com
of gimmicks. Street-side restaurants include Barney’s Beanery, Trastevere Trattoria Italiana and Monsoon Cafe. 3rd Street between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, downtownsm.com
SUNSET PLAZACL0000022213 “Chic” is the word at this upscale row of designer boutiques, sidewalk cafes and specialty shops. Browse high-end stores such as Code C, Claudio Milano, Oliver Peoples and hip H. Lorenzo and H. Men. Get pampered at Ole Henriksen Face/Body Spa and Jessica Nail Clinic. 8600–8700 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, sunsetplaza.com
★ TWO RODEOCL0000022214 In the heart of Beverly Hills’ worldrenowned shopping district is Two Rodeo, an ensemble of restaurants and boutiques offering distinctive dining, luxury-life wares and haute fashion. Luxury brands include Lanvin, Versace, Tiffany & Co., Jimmy Choo, Judith Ripka and Gianfranco Ferre. Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, 310.247.7040, tworodeo.com
THIRD STREET PROMENADECL0000022203 The cobblestone pedestrian-only shopping zone spans three blocks, from Broadway to Wilshire Boulevard. Among stores are Zara International, French Connection, Urban Outfitters and Z Gallerie. Watch street artists performing all manner
★ WESTFIELD CENTURY CITYCL0000022215 This pleasant open-air mall features more than 175 stores, including Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Tiffany & Co. The AMC multiplex features stadium seating and floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall screens. Inside the atrium and out on the terrace are casual and
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THE ANNEXCL9000007062 Geren Lockhart, designer of Geren Ford, opens a boutique peddling her own pieces—such as tops, minidresses and skirts in jewel-toned silks and trendy cuts—plus vintage home décor and accessories from her favorite designers, including Hermès, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. By appointment only. 1034 Seward St., Hollywood, 213.689.9500, www.gerenford.com/annex/ ★ A + RCL9000006283 Design products at A + R are functional, artful and heavy on wit. Owned by former film editor Andy Griffith and fashion journalist Rose Apodaca (hence “A plus R”), the store offers internationally sourced home products, gifts and objets d’art, often high concept and always superstylish. 1121-1 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 800.913.0071, aplusrstore.com ★ ABUNDANCECL0000022217 This feminine, upscale boutique for women size 12 and up carries classic clothing with flair. Citron, Flax, Blanque and Tianello are among the featured designers. For dressy occasions, look for gowns and evening wear from brands such as Damianou and Tadashi. 13604 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818.990.6128, abundanceplussizes.com
ALEXIS BITTARCL0000333532 Alexis Bittar’s costume-jewelry designs always make an impact, whether the statement is colorful and whimsical (see the Alexandria necklace with peacock-feather-printed lucite) or minimal and practical (the metal cuffs in his Miss Havisham line). Two boutiques, opened simultaneously in L.A., illustrate his dichotomous design sense. 8383 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.951.9803; 1612 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.452.6901. alexisbittar.com AMERICAN RAG CIECL0000022219 This legendary one-stop shop fully outfits men and women in complete L.A.chic ensembles. Clothing ranges from a carefully chosen vintage section to brand-new Comme des Garçons. The wide range of designer denim, bags and sunglasses can be mesmerizing. Adjoining Maison features French home décor, books and CDs. 150 S. La Brea Ave., L.A., 323.935.3154, amrag.com ARTSTRING BOUTIQUECL0000333533 Designer/owner Emilie Odeile is known to toil in the rear of her Cherokee Avenue shop weaving, knitting and crocheting her own elaborate clothing and accessories. This isn’t your grandma’s knitwear: Think slouchy tank tops, men’s ties, peekaboo-back minidresses and even earrings and headbands. 1644 N. Cherokee Ave., Hollywood, 213.840.5624, artstringboutique.com AVA + ALIRIACL9000007062 Marissa Cancellieri and Consuelo Chozas fuse vintage accents with contemporary style at this women’s boutique. In addition to featuring their own line of leather jackets, the proprietors carry the flirty, eclectic creations of Argentine designer Carolina Aubele and L.A.-based brands Myne and Ever. 912-B Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, 424.206.1884, avaandaliria.com BECKLEYCL9000006284 This feminine Melrose Heights boutique features ready-to-wear, evening wear, accessories and shoes, and its
RAMONA ROSALES FOR A+R
fine dining sites with skyline views. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, 310.277.3898, westfield.com/ centurycity
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THE AMERICANA AT BRAND Shopping. Dining. Entertainment.
SHOPPING American Eagle Outfitters Anthropologie Apple A|X Armani Exchange Barnes & Noble Barneys New York CO-OP
DINING & MOVIES Calvin Klein H&M J.Crew Kiehl’s Since 1851 Lacoste Madewell
Puma Sephora Sony Tiffany & Co. True Religion Urban Outfitters
Frida Mexican Cuisine Trattoria Amici Granville Café Jewel City Diner Katsuya Deluca’s Italian Deli
Chi Dynasty Crumbs Bake Shop The Cheesecake Factory Pinkberry Pacific Theatres 18-Plex Partial Listings
OFF BRAND BOULEVARD IN GLENDALE AMERICANAATBRAND.COM 818.637.8982
Two-hour free parking from participating retailers. The Americana at Brand
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special advertising section
Bell & Ross and the evolution of military timepieces
PW1
WW1
Vintage Original
BR 02
BR 01
F RO M TH E
PO CKET W RI ST TO TH E
WW1
For Bell & Ross, the Swiss watchmaker, watch design is always about paying tribute to the military. 2011 brings yet another reimagining of the brand’s original source of inspiration. Bell & Ross designers went all the way back to the origins of military timepieces to design new watches for its Vintage collection that reflect the beginnings of the wristwatch while retaining the brand’s signature style.
This same elegant and classic design is present in the Vintage collection that features a smaller 41 mm dial and draws its inspiration from the pilot watches of the1940’s. All of these models share the brand’s founding principles: reliability, functionality, precision and legibility.
For the first time ever, Bell & Ross is introducing a pocket watch to their collection: the PW1, also known as Pocket Watch 1. This watch is an elegant interpretation of the first timepieces that were used in the early 1900’s by the military. The arrival of the first airplanes and the beginnings of modern aeronautics necessitated the development of pilot watches that were both functional and legible during flight. This led to a turning point in the history of timepieces. Pilots took their pocket watches and secured them to their wrists.This simple act would forever change the direction of timepiece design and is represented in the new collection by the WW1, also known as Wrist Watch 1, a 45 mm mechanical watch that combines the elegant details of a bygone era with the brand’s classic and functional design.
Just like the WW1 and Vintage Original, the iconic BR01 takes its inspiration from the military, particularly from the instruments found in military aircraft cockpits. The unique round-in-square design also has a functional and legible dial with a Swiss made manufacturing.
WW1
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BR 01
Watches of the 20th century reimagined and reintroduced into the 21st century, the latest collection emphasizes the brand’s passion and admiration of extreme professions and the past. We can only imagine what the future may bring.
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AVIATION BR 03-92 Automatic V I N TA G E BR 126 Chronograph Westime 10800 West Pico Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90064 路 (310) 470 1388 Bell & Ross Inc. +1.888.307.7887 . information@bellrossusa.com . e-Boutique: www.bellross.com
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dECadESCL0000022229 Decades is a vintage shrine where everything is for sale, such as Hermès bags and Yves Saint Laurent dresses. Even designer junkies get tired of their clothes, and they bring them to adjacent Decades Two, which sells the best of recent years’ fashions from Gucci, Prada and more. 82141/2 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.655.0223; Decades Two, 8214 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.655.1960. decadesinc.com Lost & Found in hoLLywood
roster of designers includes Chris Benz, LaRok, Made in Heaven and Lauren Merkin. An idyllic garden in the back of the boutique makes a nice respite from retail therapy. 8620 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310.652.3500, beckleyla.com H BOOT STaRCL0000022225 Where the young and hip shop for cowboy boots. Boot Star’s collection ranges from basic to exotic, including many fresh urban influences. In stock are cowboy boots made of leather, alligator, ostrich, snakeskin and stingray, plus lines from Rios of Mercedes, Lucchese and Liberty Boot Co. 8493 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.650.0475, bootstaronline.com H BRiGadE L.a. Fashionistas appreciate the high-end casual and evening wear at this contemporary boutique. Alice + Olivia, Isabel Marant, J Brand and Vivienne Westwood are just a few of the trendsetting labels featured at this boutique that brings a slice of the hip Robert-
son Boulevard fashion scene to downtown’s historic core. 510 W. 7th St., L.A., 213.623.0013, brigadela.com COnfEdERaCyCL9000006289 Co-owned by a Hollywood stylist and actor Danny Masterson of That ’70s Show, this store is split into two halves. One offers well-tailored men’s clothing by labels such as Shipley & Halmos, the other a store-in-store from women's ready-to-wear and accessories designer Rebecca Minkoff. 4661 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz, 323.913.3040, shopconfederacy.com H CRaiG Evan SmaLL Craig Evan Small, an authority on antique jewelry, showcases exceptional retro, Victorian and art deco estate jewelry in his eponymous elegant shop. Antique watches from Gucci, Rolex and Patek Philippe are available, as well as an extensive collection of vintage engagement rings and unique pieces from Tiffany, Bulgari and Cartier. 731 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.550.7895, craigevansmall.com
fEaTURECL9000006291 In a tony neighborhood northeast of Santa Monica, this chic boutique stands out on San Vicente Boulevard. Feature’s offerings such as simple Lerario Beatriz tank dresses, Tsesay sweaters, Jenni Kayne camisoles and Wayne silk shorts fit the bill for fashionistas in search of effortless chic. 11958 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, 310.826.6600, featureboutique.com fLiGHT 001CL0000333542 This one-stop shop offers luggage, toiletry bags, electrical adapters, gadget and passport cases and all manner of essentials for the stylish yet practical traveler. A transporting retail experience, the space is designed to resemble a sleek airport lounge. 8321 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.966.0001, flight001.com fREd SEGaLCL0000022234 A multitude of international trends began in what may be L.A.’s most famous store. Established on Melrose Avenue in 1968, the emporium is a collection of individually owned and intercon-
nected boutiques. The denim selection is top-notch, with stalwarts Rock & Republic, Current/Elliot, Acne and J Brand. 8100 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.655.3734; 420 Broadway, Santa Monica, 310.458.2800. fredsegal.com H fREy WiLLE Founded in Vienna in 1951, Frey Wille has emerged as one of the most exclusive names in jewelry, famous for a vibrantly colored artisan enameling technique that balances classic and contemporary styling. A men’s collection is also offered, as well as distinctive watches and writing instruments. 441 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.777.0009, frey-wille.com H GEmma A marble-clad art deco space showcases exclusive women’s fashions from established world-class designers as well as up-and-coming names from Europe and the U.S.—including some local L.A. talent. The racks are filled with the latest styles from Genetic Denim, Tracy Reese, T Los Angeles and others. 9401 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, 310.858.2258, gemmabeverlyhills.com H GOLd BUG Offering distinctive jewelry, ladies’ apparel and unique objets d’art, Gold Bug is an Old Pasadena favorite. Find bold pieces at an array of prices from an eclectic selection of talented designers. Unique, provocative collections from acclaimed artists make Gold Bug far more than just a jewelry store. 22 E. Union St., Pasadena, 626.744.9963, goldbugpasadena.com H. LOREnzO H. mEnCL0000022236 Two stores on Sunset, just a few feet from each other, offer one of L.A.’s most comprehensive shopping experiences while maintaining a boutique atmosphere. Gowns, suits and casual shirts are by such designers as Ann Demeulemeester, Emilio Pucci
daniEL SaxLid
H david ORGELL David Orgell caters to royalty, Hollywood celebrities and anybody with impeccable taste. The elegantly appointed shop carries legendary brands of crystal, silverware, fine jewelry and watches. Select from names such as Baccarat, Lalique, Piaget, Fendi, Hermès and Christofle. 262 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.273.6660, davidorgell.com
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More than 400 wines and an array of intriguing flight options, to be paired with seasonal American bistro fare.
Vertical Wine Bistro
A contemporary cabinet of curiosities with a museum perspective on current artists, jewelers, and designers.
Gold Bug
70 N. Raymond Ave. 626.795.3999 verticalwinebistro.com
22 E. Union St. 626.744.9963 goldbugpasadena.com
Delicious all-natural soaps and scrubs handmade from scratch in the on-site kitchen, using refined, age-old methods.
The Modern Steakhouse and Raw Oyster Bar of Executive Chef Rahm Fama of the Food Network show Meat and Potatoes.
Dine and drink in Old Pasadena’s favorite gastropub, a brick-clad historic landmark with a full bar and beer garden.
Culture 22
Kings Row Gastropub
45 S. Fair Oaks Ave. 626.585.8888 culture22.net
20 E. Colorado Blvd. 626.793.3010 kingsrowpub.com
J
ust 15 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, and conveniently situated along the Metro Gold Line, Old Pasadena is a vibrant hub of world-class shopping, dining, arts, and entertainment. Comprising 22 blocks of nationally registered historic architecture, Old Pasadena is widely recognized as a premier destination and one of the few truly walkable urban districts in California. Come explore more than 300 specialty boutiques, exclusive retailers, sidewalk cafĂŠs, and fine restaurants in this authentic main street experience.
The Soap Kitchen 43 N. Fair Oaks Ave. 626.396.9996 thesoapkitchen.com
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LA’s brightest boulevard in the heart of Venice Beach
Gossamer
huset
koLu
1410 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Suite 101 310 399 3988 gossamershop.com Mother/daughter-owned boutique with a variety of women’s contemporary clothing collections and accessories.
13161/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 424 268 4213 huset-shop.com A one-of-a-kind boutique with expertly curated goods from more than 60 Scandinavian designers.
1653B Abbot Kinney Blvd. 310 452 4900 koluclothing.com Hand-picked footwear, clothing and accessories from the worldwide stage of fashion.
Heist
Undiscovered
Robert Graham
1100 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 310 450 6531 shopheist.com A beautifully curated selection of women’s clothing by highly coveted designers from around the globe.
1104 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 310 450 6431 A constant evolution of unique objects for the home, and an impressively well-edited selection of lingerie and lounge wear.
1326 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 310 396 1100 robertgraham.us A complete American lifestyle collection of sophisticated, eclectic men’s and women’s fashions.
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shop • dine • explore
ABBOT KINNEY
Made In Earth
Hoff Optometry & Eyewear
Kamofie and Company
1627 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 310 396 3838 mieusa.com A collection of f ine handcrafted jewelry encompassing over 100 gem stones from all over the world.
1636 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 310 452 4633 hoffoptometry.com Comprehensive eye exams and edited lines of luxury eyewear featuring Barton Perreira, Lindberg and Moscot.
1350 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Suite 102 310 310 3998 kamof ie.com Unique. Feminine. Alluring. A treasure trove of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted jewels and other delectable gifts.
Pamela Barish
Guild
A+R
13271/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 310 314 4490 pamelabarish.com East and West Coast A-listers rush to her Venice atelier. Refined but never stuffy, effortless and always appropriate.
13351/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 310 396 8300 guildla.com An edited selection of world-renowned and obscure designers of men’s and women’s fashion, accessories and art.
1121-1 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 310 392 9128 aplusrstore.com Global design. Edited. That credo drives this hand-selected showcase for modern lifestyle product design.
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WITH AN
and Yohji Yamamoto. 8646, 8660 Sunset Blvd., L.A., 310.659.1432, hlorenzo.com
Malibu, 310.456.6808; 260 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.402.0580. lanvin.com
HEnnESSEy + InGallSCL9000007065 This way-too-cool art and architecture book shop goes deep—a section is devoted solely to vacation homes. From a monograph on Johnny Depp to a guide on Fifty Chairs That Changed the World, these books appeal beyond coffee-table duty. 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, 323.466.1256; 214 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.458.9074. hennesseyingalls.com
lOST & FOUndCL9000007066 This Hollywood boutique is actually six little storefronts under one roof. Stop at the women’s outpost for Nil Lotan tuxedo shirts and Il Bisonte’s Florence-made leather accessories or the home store for Liberty print cloth napkins. Also find clothing for men and children, and accessories. 6314–6324 Yucca St., Hollywood, 323.856.5872, lostandfoundshop.com
H HUSETCL003543 If you’ve OD’d on Ikea, gain a fresh perspective on Scandinavian design at Venice’s Huset. It showcases a range of furniture, home décor and kitchenware—brightly printed Almedahls tea towels, Giarimi Stockholm etched drinking glasses and ladderlike Libri shelves—plus an array of bohemian clothing. 13161/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 424.268.4213, huset-shop.com KITSOnCL0000022243 Kitson boutique continues its role as a celebrity and paparazzi magnet. Nearby the Robertson Boulevard location are Kitson Men and Kitson Studio, which features high-end shoes, handbags and clothes; Kitson Kids is the newest addition. Additional stores are at the Americana at Brand and in West Hollywood. 115 S. Robertson Blvd., L.A., 310.859.2652; Malibu Lumber Yard, 3939 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, 310.317.1421. shopkitson.com
SUNSET STRIP VEGAS STRIP SUNSET & LA CIENEGA FASHION SHOW WEST HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS 323-650-0475 702-632-0848 www.bootstaronline.com
lanvInCL0000333544 Sunbathers can catch rays in style in beach-ready clothing and accessories from the newest Lanvin boutique in Malibu. Selling items with a beachy twist, the boutique channels the L.A. lifestyle with silk charmeuse dresses, breezy caftans, sandals and beach totes. The more traditional flagship location is in Beverly Hills. Malibu Village, 3826 Cross Creek Road,
H lUla MaE At this nostalgic boutique in Old Pasadena, beautifully packaged lotions, letter-press stationery, classic children’s books and pretty accessories beckon with a whimsical wink. The boutique carries small and local lines as well as familiar favorites such as Hobo wallets and cheeky Anne Taintor notepads. 100 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, 626.304.9996, lulamae.com H ManRIcO caSHMERE One of nature’s softest fibers, traditionally reserved for luxurious sweaters or coats, is transformed for new, innovative uses at Manrico. Here, the coveted textile is integrated into sportswear, jeans, bed sheets and opulently upholstered furniture; the possibilities are endless. 9497 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.860.9866, manricocashmere.com H MaTTHEW’S JEWElRy STORE With an intimate, classic elegance, this Ventura Boulevard shop has been a favorite of celebrities, socialites and style-conscious Angelenos for 40 years. Specializing in bridal and fashion jewelry from prestigious lines and hot designers such as Michael B., the store’s inventory ranges from traditional to avant-garde. 12220 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818.769.7765
F
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MaxFIEldCL0000022249 Asked to name his favorite stores in the world, Chanel designer Karl
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Freak Diavolo Flying Carrousel-Tourbillon with second flying tourbillon. 8-Day power reserve. Manual winding. Escapement in silicium. 18 ct white gold case. W W W . U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M
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PASADENA
13 Douglas Alley CA 91103
626 720 2147 www.OSKA-Pasadena.com
COLUMBUS AVENUE 311 Columbus Ave NY 10023
MILL VALLEY 153 Throckmorton Ave CA 94941
MONTCLAIR 5 Church Street NJ 07042
COPENHAGEN Illum Ostergade 52
LONDON 70 Duke of York Square SW3 4LY
PARIS 133 Rue vielle du temple
VIENNA Baurnmark 11-13
BERLIN Oranienburger StraBe 84
FRANKFURT Oppenheimer LandstraBe34
HAMBURG Gansemarkt 24
MUNICH Funf Hofe MaffeistraBe 6
Lagerfeld named the exclusive Maxfield, a Melrose Avenue standout with a newer outpost in Malibu. This boutique is a legend, hosting names such as Yohji Yamamoto, Gucci, Rick Owens and Libertine. 8825 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310.274.8800; Malibu Lumber Yard, 3939 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, 310.270.9009 MissoniCL9000007024 Missoni’s architecturally impressive flagship store features the women’s and men’s collections plus accessories, sunglasses and Missoni Mare swimwear. A room is devoted to Missoni Home products, including furniture, bedding and home décor. The boutique façade, constructed of bands of painted aluminum, evokes Missoni’s signature stripes and zigzags. 469 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, missoni.com Mohawk General StoreCL9000006296 This Silver Lake standout contains all the essentials for an artsy-cool wardrobe. In addition to co-owner Kevin Carney’s footwear label, the Generic Man, is a carefully curated selection of clothing by designers such as S.N.S. Herning, accessories and home décor items. 4011 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, 323.669.1601, mohawkgeneralstore.net No. ACL9000007026 This Little Tokyo gem is the most ambitious of the new shops to hit downtown. It showcases an international cast of designers for clothing, shoes and jewelry from hard-to-find names including Sweden’s Cheap Monday and France’s Qhuit. 374 E. 2nd St., Little Tokyo, 213.626.6155, number-a.com OKCL9000007022 Owner Larry Schaffer’s love of modern and Japanese design shines in a diverse but aesthetically harmonious assortment of ceramics, tableware, jewelry, art books and more. Some great finds: earthy-chic Pippa Small knuckle dusters, Joe Cariati glass vessels and
Barry Rothstein’s 3-D nature photography book. 8303 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.653.3501; 17241/2 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake, 323.666.1868. okstore.la Opening CeremonyCL9000006298 Referring to the Olympics opening ceremony, this store pits American clothing designers against those from a selected country. Chloe Sevigny dresses and vests by Moonchild might compete with Swedish label Velour. Sister store the Little House of Accessories is next door. 451 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.652.1120, openingceremony.us H Panerai Founded in Florence, Italy, in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai, this familyoperated business specializes in fine historical timepieces, manufactured to meticulous standards in the company’s factory in Switzerland. The engineering, craftsmanship and design that go into limited-edition Panerai timepieces appeals to an exclusive clientele. 9490 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, 310.228.1515, panerai.com Revolve ClothingCL9000006306 The popular online retailer has opened a sprawling WeHo boutique: The first level is women’s clothing, featuring mostly indie designers such as Samantha Pleet, RealityStudio and Designers Remix, and the second is devoted to shoes and handbags by designers such as Treesje. 8452 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.944.0311, revolveclothing.com H Robin’s Jean With a celebrity clientele that includes Alicia Keys and Kim Kardashian, Robin’s Jean combines comfort and sex appeal. Its collections—Marilyn, Bardot and Rita—pay homage to old-school cinema chic with flattering cuts, unique washes and intricate details. Also featured are leather jackets and clothing for men and kids. 313 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.786.7813, robinsjean.com
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Great Brand Names. Terrific Low Prices. California’s Largest Outlet Shopping Destination Ontario Mills means more of what you love for less than you’d expect. With more stores, restaurants and entertainment places to choose from, you might want to make some room in your closet.
Mention this ad at Simon Guest Services and you’ll receive a FREE Coupon Book worth hundreds of dollars in savings! ®
LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF INTERSTATES 10 & 15 IN ONTARIO, CA. 909.484.8300
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Ron HermanCL0000022256 This minichain has outposts all over L.A. County, each store offering a snapshot of casual, chic style. Browse for fetching dresses by Elizabeth & James, men’s denim from Simon Miller and jewelry by Linea Pelle and Chan Luu. Additional stores are in Malibu and Brentwood. 8100 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.651.4129; 325 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.550.0910. ronherman.com SatineCL0000022257 This is one sweet boutique, with sexy and funky fashions from European designers not often seen in L.A. stores. Well-chosen pieces from Rachel Comey and Chinti & Parker are present, as are the season’s most coveted shoes, including the store’s own line. 8134 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.655.2142, satineboutique.com
Original Works of Native American Indian Jewelry and Art
Visitors from around the world seek out Taos Indian Trading Co. for unique, quality jewelry, pottery, sculptures, paintings and a variety of other artifacts representing 57 tribes.
Mon-Sat 11am-7pm Sun 12pm-5pm
310.395.3652
403 Santa Monica Blvd. TaosIndianTrading.com
H SerafinaCL0000333571 A fusion of rustic and romantic design elements create an atmosphere of “urban glamour” in this shop featuring women’s apparel, fine jewelry, home/gift items and an adorable children’s selection. Among the fashion and luxury lifestyle brands offered are Golden Goose, Loeffler Randal, AG, Jenni Kayne and Ever/ After. 2670 Mission St., San Marino, 626.799.9899, shopserafina.com H Single StoneCL9000006310 Fine-jewelry purveyor Single Stone offers items with contemporary flair as well as romantic vintage pieces. The San Marino location offers contemporary looks by Single Stone, Temple St. Clair and Irene Neuwirth; the downtown location offers Single Stone’s own designs plus vintage and estate pieces. 607 S. Hill St., #204, downtown, 213.892.0772; 2527 Mission St., San Marino, 626.799.3109. singlestone.com H The Soap Kitchen Old Pasadena shoppers are drawn into the Soap Kitchen by its inviting
aromas. Inside, they discover unique, all-natural bath and body products, handmade from scratch in an on-site kitchen from the finest essential oils and herbs. Merchandise includes olive oil soaps, salt scrubs and ultra-rich lip balms. One Colorado, 43 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, 626.396.9996, thesoapkitchen.com Solange AzaguryPartridgE The British designer’s eponymous line proves that fine jewelry can be fun, quirky and even witty while still being drop-dead glamorous. In her outlandishly decorated Rodeo Drive boutique with a rainbowpatterned floor and blue-sky ceiling, baubles feature stones and glossy lacquers (check out the Hotlips rings) in every color. 340 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.276.4500, solangeazagurypartridge.com H Solstice SUnglass boutiquE These inviting shops offer a larger selection of designer, luxury and sport-performance sunglasses than any other retailer in the nation. Select from prestigious brands including Ray-Ban, Hugo Boss, Jimmy Choo, Tom Ford, Armani and Prada. Additional stores are in the Beverly Center and at Santa Monica Place. Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, 310.282.7160; Glendale Galleria, 2157 Glendale Galleria, Glendale, 818.334.8511. solsticesunglasses.com Space NKCL0000333538 Beauty geeks meet their match in Nicky Kinnaird, self-professed product junkie and owner of this Britishbased apothecary. Like a better, more tightly curated Sephora, Space NK stocks cult lines and boutique brands that a diva can’t live without, from Acqua di Parma perfumes to Oribe hair products to Zelens skin cream. Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., Santa Monica, 310.451.7284, spacenk.com
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Strange Invisible PerfumeS At her one-of-a-kind earthy botanical perfumery, Alexandra Balahoutis helps you customize a fragrance, or “aromatic portrait,” via a personality test, floral water tasting and assessment of your body chemistry. Premade products include body wash and lotion, parfum and eau de parfum. 1138 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.314.1505, siperfumes.com H Tala JewelryCL9000007751 This charming boutique carries an eclectic collection of fine jewelry, from more casual bangles and earrings to ornate diamonds. Among the featured artisans are Italian designers Fope and Piero Milano, Turkish brand Gurhan and an array of American designers that includes Aaron Basha, Pandora, Bochic and Chad Allison. 1302 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, 310.319.0407, talajewelry.com H Taos Indian Trading Co.CL0000022261 These fourth-generation Native American art dealers have amassed arts and crafts from artisans representing more than 57 tribes in North America. Nothing is mass-produced or commonly available—the store carries only one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings, rugs and sculptures. 403 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.395.3652, taosindiantradingco.com TenOverSixCL9000006313 Merchandise here is focused almost exclusively on those special little extras: shoes, handbags, scarves, sunglasses, lingerie, hats, jewelry, belts, ties and just about any adornment you can imagine. TenOverSix stocks pieces from some 70 independent and emerging designers including Alexander Wang, Band of Outsiders and VPL. 8425 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.330.9355, tenover6.com
Italian leather bags and clutches; Kathryn Bentley for her handmade, antique-inspired fine and costume jewelry line, Dream Collective. Together the friends opened this studio-cum-boutique that appeals to lovers of indie design. 1404 Micheltorena St., Silver Lake, 323.665.2476, vivierandbentley.com H Wanna Buy a Watch?CL0000022265 This classy shop has catered to wellheeled shoppers for more than 25 years. The store’s superfine collection emphasizes fashionable vintage and pre-owned Rolex and Patek Philippe watches, antique Edwardian, moderne and art deco-style diamond rings, and other estate pieces. 8465 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.653.0467, wannabuyawatch.com H WestimeCL0000022266 Westime specializes in top-of-theline timepieces and offers its clientele a range of classic mechanical watches, including rare and limited-edition styles. Luxury brands offered include Bell & Ross, Harry Winston, Chanel and Breitling. Its Westside Pavilion location employs a full-time watchmaker. Westside Pavilion, 10800 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., 310.470.1388; 254 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.271.0000. westime.com ZimmermannCL00359 Though the Robertson Boulevard boutique also contains the extensive collection of Zimmermann ready-to-wear, including resortready cocktail dresses and casual daywear, it’s those superchic swimsuits that distinguish the Australian brand. Bikinis and a very chic variety of one-pieces look ready for the rooftop pool catwalk. 110 S. Robertson Blvd., L.A., 310.285.9680, zimmermannwear.com
Galleries Vivier & BentleyCL0000333540 Clare Vivier is known for her eponymous line of locally manufactured
Blum & Poe GalleryCL0000022267 Within the neon orange walls of the Culver City Art District’s original set-
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tler and flagship gallery hang works by art scene all-stars Sam Durant and Takashi Murakami. The gallery celebrates art rather than entombs it and is famed for its festive openings. 2727 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.836.2062, blumandpoe.com
is the only upscale boutique in greater Los Angeles for women size 12 and up. From classic clothing – with a flair – to the unusual, fun and funky. From comfortable business to casual or dressy special occasion: Abundance has it all!
Gagosian GalleryCL0000022271 The Los Angeles Times calls the venerated Gagosian Gallery, designed by architect Richard Meier, “a Mount Olympus of the Los Angeles art world.” Blue-chip artists include Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly and Maya Lin, known for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. 456 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.271.9400, gagosian.com
A plus-size Boutique 13604 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks 818.990.6128 www.AbundancePlusSizes.com
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Elite Adventure Tours Capture a “Forever Memory” of Los Angeles on a Custom Private Tour
EliteAdventureTours.com 888.328.6871
H Galerie MichaelCL0000022272 Galerie Michael specializes in European paintings, drawings and original prints from the 17th century to the present, including works by Marc Chagall, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Joan Miró. The gallery also carries works by significant painters of the Barbizon school. 224 N. Rodeo 9:22 AM Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.273.3377, galeriemichael.com L.A. LouverCL0000022275 Located a block from Venice’s eccentric boardwalk, the gallery counterbalances the funk with sophisticated, museum-quality shows of major contemporary American and European artists. Deborah Butterfield, Peter Shelton and Dale Chihuly are just a few of the many marquee artists. 45 N. Venice Blvd., Venice, 310.822.4955, lalouver.com L.A.C.E.CL0000022274 For nearly two decades, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions has exhibited and supported innovative art. It also offers lectures, workshops, performances and screenings. Contemporary Editions Los Angeles produces prints and other graphics by art stars such as John Baldessari and Laura Owens. 6522 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.957.1777, artleak.org
La Luz de Jesus GalleryCL0000022276 La Luz de Jesus, spearheaded by visionary Billy Shire, is a vibrant space that has showcased outsider art for 20 years, weaving diverse strands of comic-book illustration, tattoo ink, primitive and deviant painting, and folk iconography into the phenomenon known as lowbrow art. 4633 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.666.7667, laluzdejesus.com Patricia Correia Gallery The Chicano art movement of the late 1960s spawned an outpouring of painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and conceptual art. Generally presenting vibrantly colorful, politically potent images, artists further expressed themselves via a cross-cultural visual vocabulary. This gallery features Mexican American artists including Gronk, Frank Romero and Elsa Flores. Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, 310.455.0515, correiagallery.com Royal/TCL9000006318 Inspired by the edginess of urban Japan, Susan Hancock’s bright gallery features contemporary art stars amid a “maid cafe” (a costume-play concept from Tokyo’s geek culture) and a gift shop offering prints, art books, magazines, toys, clothing and accessories. 8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 310.559.6300, royal-t.org Stephen Cohen GalleryCL0000022279 Specializing in vintage and contemporary photography (and photobased art) from the Americas and Europe, the Stephen Cohen Gallery opened in 1992. Proprietor Cohen also founded Artfairs Inc., which stages major photography fairs around the country, including Photo L.A., and Art L.A. 7358 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.937.5525, stephencohengallery.com
For more OF what's happening today, see where los angeles magazine
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
LULA MAE Gifts of style, wit and whimsy. Voted one of the Top 25 Most Gifted Retailers in the United States by Gifts and Decorative Accessories magazine, Lula Mae will exceed all of your expectations. Whether shopping for yourself, your family, or your best friend, you’ll discover an exquisite medley of whimsical, authentic and nostalgic treasures. Lula Mae’s collection of bath, body, home, garden, baby and paper goods plus books, handbags, jewelry, accessories, candles and special holiday items is not to be missed. T-Sa 11am-7pm, Su-M 12pm-5pm.
THE ADDRESS BOUTIQUE
DOGGIE STYLES
So where do those stunning designer outfits and gorgeous gowns go after the awards shows? To The AdDress Boutique, a small, intimate shop where some of Hollywood’s most glamorous, fashionable women sell their gowns, suits, shoes, furs and accessories—and you buy at affordable prices. You’ll find Armani, Prada, Chanel, Gucci, Hermès, Cavalli, Dior, Manolo Blahnik and more. Elegant, new and barely worn resale designer fashions are up to 80 percent off original prices. M-Sa 10am–6pm, Su noon–5pm.
Style has gone to the dogs at this boutique, a favorite of such celebrities as Jessica Alba and Christina Aguilera. You’ll find everything you need to pamper your pooch: airline-approved carriers, sweaters, T-shirts, dresses, leashes, beds, bowls, treats, harnesses and more than 1,000 collars to fit dogs from one pound to 280 pounds. There’s even a full bakery offering the best in canine cuisine. Each month a different breed of dog is honored with a “pooch party.” Past events have included a Yorkie high tea, Hug-a-Pug and a Frenchie soiree for French bulldogs. M–Sa 10am–6pm, Su 11am–4pm.
100 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Old Pasadena
1116 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
9467 Charleville Blvd., Beverly Hills
626.304.9996
310.394.1406
310.278.0031
lulamae.com
theaddressboutique.com
doggiestylesonline.com
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Mr. C,
as in C for Cipriani. From the fourth generation of the Cipriani family comes a restaurant that honors the traditional values of food and service. Offering classic Italian pastas, pizzas, and grilled specialties, Mr. C is the perfect spot for business lunches, after-work gatherings or everyday dining, from day until night. Enjoy al fresco dining on the patio, or take a seat in the European style dining room, complete with rosewood bar and European finishes. All with the impeccable service and authentic cuisine that has made the Cipriani name a legend for over eighty years.
For reservations call 310-226-6245 or visit MrChotels.com
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1224 Beverwil Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90035
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chow time
courtesy the royce
DINING L.A.’s dining scene, ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING IN THE WORLD, OFFERS CALIFORNIA, ETHNIC AND GLOBAL CUISINES. SINCE THE CITY IS THE CENTER OF POPULAR CULTURE IN AMERICA, ITS DINING SCENE REFLECTS the most current trends.
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DINING BEVERLY BOULEVARD/ 3RD STREET/ MELROSE AVENUE
M.B. POST IN MANHATTAN BEACH
DESTINATION: DELICIOUS Not all of the great restaurants are in Beverly Hills. Consider exploring one of L.A. County's more unfamiliar neighborhoods as their renaissances take shape, thanks to some exciting new restaurant entries. In Little Tokyo, Lazy Ox Canteen offers dishes such as tomatillo-accented braised rabbit leg and a terrific burger courtesy of acclaimed chef Josef Centeno. Lazy Ox's owners also debuted a funky izakaya, Aburiya Toranoko, next door. One of the recent developments to hit Studio City is Ombra, where chef/owner Michael Young has created a warm, contemporary space for his progressive brand of Italian cuisine, which incorporates some Spanish themes. Manhattan Beach's M.B. Post is spearheaded
ANGELINI OSTERIACL0000022113 Italian. Hardly elegant or romantic, this is nonetheless one of L.A.’s premier Italian restaurants. Chefowner Gino Angelini demonstrates remarkable range and finesse, from sea-salt-crusted whole branzino to the heavenly lasagna in béchamel sauce he inherited from his grandmother. L (Tu–F), D (Tu–Su). 7313 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.297.0070, angeliniosteria.com AOCCL0000022114 Mediterranean. Explore a Mediterranean-inspired menu at the eatery that pioneered two L.A. culinary trends: the small-plates format and the wine bar. Chef-owner Suzanne Goin offers addictive Parmesanstuffed dates and a selection of cheeses and cured meats from a charcuterie bar. Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 8022 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.653.6359, aocwinebar.com
flambé, escargot, coq au vin, bouillabaisse and duck confit. Br (Sa–Su), L (W–F), D (nightly). 8479 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.782.1104, commecarestaurant.com THE FOUNDRY ON MELROSE= American. Gregarious chef Eric Greenspan is constantly on the move, interacting with guests and getting feedback on dishes including his glorious stuffed grilled cheese and burger on sweet Hawaiian bread. The art deco-inspired restaurant has a lively bar and music. D (M–Su). 7465 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.651.0915, thefoundryonmelrose.com HATFIELD’SCL0000022146 California. Husband-and-wife chef team Quinn and Karen Hatfield combine their talents in the savory and sweet departments, respectively. Guests might dine on Quinn’s reinvented croque madame with yellowtail sashimi, prosciutto and quail egg, or Karen’s heavenly sugar-andspice beignets. D (nightly). 6703 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.935.2977, hatfieldsrestaurant.com
CECCONI’SCL9000006247 Italian. This London-based restaurant caters to a well-heeled clientele who come to schmooze over bellinis and ciccheti (small plates). Pastas including a butternut squash and goat-cheese tortelli and seafood such as grilled octopus with capers are well executed. B, L, D (daily), Br (Sa–Su). 8764 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310.432.2000, cecconiswesthollywood.com
JARCL0000022151 American. Chef Suzanne Tracht presents an L.A. take on traditional, comforting American fare in a chic interpretation of an old-school chophouse. Diners might begin with crab deviled eggs before moving on to the signature pot roast. Br (Su), D (nightly). 8225 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.655.6566, thejar.com
COMME ÇACL0000022128 French. Chef David Myers has turned his attention to more casual French fare at this inviting brasserie with a sophisticated modern aesthetic. All the classics are here, including tarte
THE LITTLE DOORCL9000006257 Mediterranean. For a candlelit dinner in an elegant setting, the Little Door is the reservation ne plus ultra. Dine on rustic dishes under the stars or by a crackling fireplace in one of
by chef David LeFevre, formerly of downtown's Michelin-recognized Water Grill. LeFevre's buttermilk fried chicken with lemonrosemary ranch dressing proves that his talents transcend seafood.
four intimate, romantic dining areas. D (nightly). 8164 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.951.1210, thelittledoor.com LUCQUESCL0000022160 Mediterranean. Chef-owner Suzanne Goin delivers the next generation of California cuisine, which includes dishes such as fried squid salad with lipstick peppers and Thai basil, and braised short ribs with Swiss chard and horseradish cream. Nowhere do vegetables taste as good! L (Tu–Sa), D (nightly). 8474 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.655.6277, lucques.com PROVIDENCECL0000022181 Seafood. Chef-owner Michael Cimarusti transforms seafood from the world’s most pristine waters into inventive dishes such as kampachi with miso, buttermilk and green grapes, and striped bass with bacon and Bordelaise sauce. Outstanding cocktails complement Michelin-recognized cuisine. L (F), D (nightly). 5955 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.460.4170, providencela.com RED OCL9000007073 Mexican. Rick Bayless, one of the leading authorities on Mexican cuisine in America, is consulting chef at this sexy, transporting Melrose eatery. Many of his thoughtful dishes are grounded in tradition, such as Pacific sole and Mazatlan blue shrimp ceviches and cochinita pibil. Br (Su), D (nightly). 8155 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.655.5009, redorestaurant.com SIMON L.A.CL0000022186 American. Kerry Simon, Las Vegas’ acclaimed “rock ’n’ roll” chef, brings his fun-loving global cuisine to the Sofitel Los Angeles. Fare ranges from exotic to comfort, and it’s all innovative. Celebrate dessert with Simon’s
★ STARRED LISTINGS ARE FEATURED GUESTBOOK ADVERTISERS. 108
WHERE GUESTBOOK
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fine dining
piano lounge
live entertainment
private events
Beverly Hills
Thousand Oaks
246 north canon drive, beverly hills, ca 90210 | 310.888.8782
2087 east thousand oaks blvd, thousand oaks, ca 91367 | 805.418.1811
www.mastrosrestaurants.com
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CRUSTaCEanCL0000022130 vietnamese. A glass-covered koifilled stream meanders under the bar at this Cal-Vietnamese eatery, and diners indulge in items from a “secret kitchen” in which only the owners’ family members are allowed. The garlic noodles are a signature. L (M–F), D (nightly). 9646 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.205.8990, anfamily.com CUlinaCL9000007069 italian. A contemporary take on regional Italian cuisine is the theme at Culina, where ample coastal inspirations are evident on the menu. The modern design includes a sleek crudo bar and an impressive 25-foot chandelier. B, L (M–Sa), D (nightly), Br (Su). Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, 300 S. Doheny Drive, L.A., 310.860.4000, culinarestaurant.com bellini from mr. C restaurant in beverly hills
signature “junk food platter.” B, L, D (daily), Br (Sa–Su). 8555 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 310.358.3979, sofitella.com SOfiCL0000022188 Greek. Sofi offers a casually sophisticated dining room and a secluded patio that captures the romance of Greek culture and cuisine. Enjoy a Greek wine along with classics such as spanakopita, moussaka, pastitsio and lamb souvlaki, all generously portioned and graciously presented. D (nightly). 80303/4 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.651.0346, sofisrestaurant.com
BEvERly HillS THE BElvEdERE CL0000022118 California. This elegant dining room offers entertainment-industry deal makers a soothing setting with gracious service. Dinners lean toward smoked salmon crêpes, Peking duck and prime Angus beef filet mignon. B, L, D (daily), Br (Su). Peninsula Beverly Hills, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.788.2306, peninsula.com
BOUCHOnCL9000006246 french. The Bouchon bistros from chef Thomas Keller (the French Laundry, Per Se) have become popular for their authentic good looks and superbly executed cuisine. One might begin with salmon rillettes followed by côte de boeuf, steak frites or a croque madame. Don't forget oysters or crab legs from the raw bar. Br (Sa–Su), L, D (daily). 235 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.271.9910, bouchonbistro.com CHayaCL0000022125 international. The original Chaya in Japan remains open after 385 years, and Chaya’s popularity endures in Los Angeles, too. The Japanese-accented French/Italian menus are accomplished and innovative. Downtown: L (M–F), D (nightly). Beverly Hills, Venice: L (M–F), D (nightly). 8741 Alden Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.859.8833; 110 Navy St., Venice, 310.396.1179; 525 S. Flower St., downtown, 213.236.9577. thechaya.com
CUTCL0000022131 Steak. A collaboration between Getty Center architect Richard Meier and celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, Cut is the place to savor genuine Wagyu beef steaks ($120-plus) or dryaged Nebraska beef. Puck’s menu is short on nostalgia but long on flavor. D (M–Sa). Beverly Wilshire Hotel, 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.276.8500, wolfgangpuck.com EnOTECa dRaGOCL0000022135 italian. Sicilian chef Celestino Drago, whose family has built an Italian dining dynasty in L.A., offers an enoteca menu and wine bar dispensing 50 by the glass. Dishes include ravioli in foie grastruffle sauce and whole striped bass in salmoriglio sauce. L (M–Sa), D (daily). 410 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.786.8236, celestinodrago.com THE GRill On THE allEyCL0000022144 american. The Grill is a venerable industry hangout, where the maître d’ juggles Hollywood heavyweights, each demanding his favorite table for deal-making lunches. Polished waiters deliver steaks, Cobb salads and chicken pot pies in a dining room
with classic good looks. L (M–Sa), D (nightly). 9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, 310.276.0615, thegrill.com ivy RESTaURanTCL0000022150 american. This is one of the entertainment industry’s favorite gathering spots; if your face isn’t well known, be prepared for a cool reception. American comfort food is often deconstructed to suit the celebrity clientele. B, L, D (daily), Br (Su). 113 N. Robertson Blvd., L.A., 310.274.8303; Ivy at the Shore, 1535 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310.393.3113 H MaSTRO’S STEaKHOUSECL0000022161 Steak. Mastro’s serves USDA Prime steaks in an atmosphere as sizzling as its 400-degree plates. Look for the 2-foottall seafood-tower appetizer, sides such as lobster mashed potatoes and a melt-in-your-mouth warm butter cake for dessert. D (nightly). 246 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.888.8782; 2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 805.418.1811. mastrosrestaurants.com H MR. C RESTaURanT italian. From the Cipriani family, who founded Venice’s legendary Harry’s Bar, Mr. C. Restaurant features a timeless, sophisticated setting with Venetian chandeliers, travertine floors and rich rosewood. The menu offers classic Cipriani dishes such as beef carpaccio and baked tagliolini, plus the bellini made famous at Harry’s. B, L, D (daily). 1224 S. Beverwil Drive, L.A., 310.226.6245, mrchotels.com REd MEdiCinECL0000333514 vietnamese. The progressive Vietnamese-inspired restaurant doesn’t hew to traditions, but the results are intriguing, and aesthetics are paramount—dishes are carefully plated with herbs and flowers, resembling tiny landscapes. International influences come into play in dishes such as chicken dumplings and green papaya salad. Open late. D (nightly). 8400 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 323.651.5500, redmedicinela.com
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TWO FANTASTIC RESTAURANTS AT ONE SUPERB LOCATION
PARKERS’ LIGHTHOUSE where fresh grilled fish and perfectly prepared sushi compete with stunning views of the Queen Mary. On Parkers’ third floor is the new QUEENSVIEW STEAKHOUSE, where great steaks, live music and fine wines make for a magic evening. For more information, go to www.parkerslighthouse.com. For reservations, call 562.432.6500. 435 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach
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RUTH’S CHRiS STEaK HOUSEC Steak. Ruth’s Chris Steak House serves superfine Midwestern corn-fed beef, broiled in 1,800-degree ovens and served sizzling on 500-degree plates. Although steak is king, the menu also includes expertly executed seafood, lamb, pork and poultry dishes. Additional location in Pasadena. L (varies), D (nightly). 224 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.859.8744; 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, 818.227.9505. ruthschris.com SCaRpETTaCL9000007740 italian. Scott Conant’s much-lauded NYC-based concept is replicated at the Montage Beverly Hills hotel. Conant is deservedly famous for dishes such as duck-and-foie-gras ravioli as well as a simple, unbeatable spaghetti with tomato and basil. Br (Su), L, D (daily). Montage Beverly Hills, 225 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.860.7970, montagebeverlyhills. com/beverly-hills-restaurants.php SpaGOCL0000022190 California. Whether you go for pizza and stargazing or for a multicourse feast, dining at Wolfgang Puck’s flagship is always a treat. White truffle-topped pizza might precede Cantonese-style roasted duck, capped off with Austrian kaiserschmarrn for dessert. L (M–Sa), D (nightly). 176 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.385.0880, wolfgangpuck.com URaSaWaCL0000022195 Japanese. If you’re serious about sushi, make a date to sit at the maple bar of Urasawa. Here you’ll be treated to an incredible omakase dinner—don’t even ask about price—that features the freshest, most artfully presented sushi, sashimi and shabu-shabu dishes. D (Tu–Sa). 218 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.247.8939
BREnTWOOd KaTSUyaCL0000022153 Japanese. Sushi chef Katsuya Uechi turns out exotic delicacies in sultry spaces by designer Philippe Starck.
From signature cocktails to king crab cooked over the robata grill to exotically flavored crème brûlées, Katsuya is never boring. Additional locations downtown and in Glendale. L (M–F), D (nightly). 11777 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, 310.207.8744; 6300 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.871.8777, sbeent.com/katsuya pECORinOCL0000022179 italian. On a stretch of San Vicente Boulevard that is saturated with upscale trattorias, Pecorino is among the best. The menu includes an Abruzzo-style lamb casserole and a plate of pecorino cheeses from every region of Italy. L (M–F), D (nightly). 11604 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, 310.571.3800, pecorinorestaurant.com SUGaRfiSHCL9000006267 Japanese. Kazunori Nozawa—aka the “Sushi Nazi,” chef/owner of Studio City’s famed Sushi Nozawa—opens a cheery, casual spot offering preset menus. Tips are included, but prices are about half those at the original. Additional location downtown and in Santa Monica. L, D (daily). 11640 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, 310.820.4477; Waterside at the Marina, 47221/4 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, 310.306.6300. sugarfishsushi.com TavERnCL9000006270 California. Chef Suzanne Goin’s third L.A. restaurant explores rustic Cal fare in chic environs, including a popular sunlit indoor patio. The frequently changing menu might include “devil’s chicken” with leeks and mustard breadcrumbs or grilled halibut with wild chanterelles. B, L, D (daily), Br (Sa–Su). 11648 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, 310.806.6464, tavernla.com
CUlvER CiTy a-fRamECL0000333500 Eclectic. Roy Choi, whose Kogi launched a thousand food trucks, offers a Korean-influenced comfortfood menu (beer-can chicken, furikake kettle corn) enjoyed at long
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communal “picnic” tables or around a firepit. Cocktails are concocted with house-made infusions and fresh juices. L (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 12565 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 310.398.7700, aframela.com AkashaCL9000006238 California. Chef-owner Akasha Richmond takes ecoconsciousness to new heights with sustainable décor and organic food ingredients “whenever possible.” The menu of comfort food includes humanely raised meats (e.g. Niman Ranch burgers), but Richmond also does intriguing vegetarian plates. B (M–Sa), L (M–Sa), D (nightly). 9543 Culver Blvd., Culver City,. 310.845.1700, akasharestaurant.com Ford’s Filling StationCL0000022137 American. Rather than following his father, Harrison, into the movie business, Benjamin Ford went to culinary school. Entree choices emphasize comfort pub fare: fish and chips, leg of lamb and a popular Maytag blue-cheese-topped burger. Br (Sa–Su), L, D (daily). 9531 Culver Blvd., Culver City, 310.202.1470, fordsfillingstation.net FraîcheCL0000022139 Italian. The Culver City culinary phenomenon was accelerated with the addition of stylish Fraîche. The menu offers rustic flavors from the French and Italian countrysides, such as handcrafted salumi and charcuterie and passatelli in brodo with chanterelles. Culver City: Br (Sa–Su), L (M–Sa), D (nightly); Santa Monica: L (M–F), D (nightly). 9411 Culver Blvd., Culver City, 310.839.6800; 312 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.451.7482. fraicherestaurantla.com LukshonCL0000333510 Pan-Asian. Sang Yoon, creator of one of L.A.’s best burgers at Father’s Office, changed directions by opening this slick Southeast Asian eatery. Try foie gras ganache sprinkled with carob and puffed rice or whole seasonal fish
with black bean ghee and a Far Eastinspired cocktail. D (M–Sa). Helms Bakery, 3239 Helms Ave., Culver City, 310.202.6808, lukshon.com Waterloo & CityCL9000007075 British. Located on an unremarkable strip in Culver City is this surprisingly hip English gastropub dishing out house-made charcuterie, gourmet pizzas topped with Moroccan spiced lamb and slow-braised short rib, and spot-on cocktails. It’s certainly L.A.’s most sophisticated pub grub. D (nightly). 12517 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, 310.391.4222, waterlooandcity.com
Downtown Aburiya ToranokoCL0000333564 Japanese. This izakaya (the Japanese version of a gastropub) offers jellyfish, natto, fried chicken and tempura shrimp on a wide-ranging menu that pleases Japanese expats and Westerners who weren’t sure they liked sushi. An artsy, graffititagged interior makes hipsters feel at home. L, D (daily). 243 S. San Pedro St., Little Tokyo, 213.621.9500, aburiyatoranoko.com Bottega LouieCL9000006245 Italian. This palatial Italian restaurant, decked out in minimalist white marble, is a hip, noisy hall where young professionals and downtown hipsters convene over brick-ovencooked pizzas and share small plates of shaved fennel with sweet onions or jambón serrano. B, L, D (daily). 700 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.802.1470, bottegalouie.com Church & StateCL9000006248 French. Located in the historic Biscuit Co. Lofts, this downtown eatery has a hip clientele—downtown residents and commuters waiting out rush hour—who crowd the dining room or linger on the patio to soak up the vibe of an authentic French brasserie. L (M–F), D (nightly). 1850 Industrial St., downtown, 213.405.1434, churchandstatebistro.com
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chef Josef Centeno’s gyro/taco, the bäco. Br (Sa–Su), L (M–F), D (nightly). 241 S. San Pedro St., Little Tokyo, 213.626.5299, lazyoxcanteen.com H MáS MalO CL9000007764 Mexican. Más Malo combines architectural splendor—it’s in a restored 1920s building—with 21st-century, Mexico City-meetsL.A. décor and cuisine. Try the signature “chewy chips” or groundbeef-and-pickle tacos. Br (Sa-Su), L (M–F), D (nightly). 515 W. 7th St., downtown, 213.985.4332, masmalorestaurant.com
"BABY BAO" frOm wp24 dOwntOwn
CiCadaCL0000022127 italian. This art deco jewel is a perfect special-occasion spot. Diners enter through magnificent Lalique doors into a room with gold-leaf ceilings and a grand staircase. The modern Italian cooking includes creations such as lamb chops with minipillows and rosemary mirin sauce. D (varies). 617 S. Olive St., downtown, 213.488.9488, cicadarestaurant.com FiRST & HOpECL9000007070 american. This midcentury-inspired supper club is a favorite for theatergoers and opera lovers who dine before performances at the Music Center, across the street. The menu is American with a Southern touch— think chicken pot pie and crab hushpuppies. Br (Su), L (Tu–F), D (nightly). 710 W. 1st St., downtown, 213.617.8555, firstandhope.com KEndall’S BRaSSERiE & BaR French. Located at the Music Center, Kendall’s is a convenient spot before or after a performance. In addition to
dishes with a contemporary flair, all the brasserie favorites are here: fruits de mer, moules frites and braised lamb shank. B, L (daily), D (Tu–Su; M varies). Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7322, patinagroup.com/kendallsbrasserie la SEREnaTa dE GaRiBaldi Mexican. La Serenata is an eyeopener for diners used to consuming clichéd Tex-Mex cooking. Discover the sophistication of Mexican cuisine with dishes such as scallops with Mexican mustard sauce and black beans. West L.A.: B (Sa–Su), L, D (daily); East L.A.: B (Su), L, D (daily). 1842 E. 1st St., L.A., 323.265.2887; 10924 W. Pico Blvd., L.A., 310.441.9667. laserenataonline.com lazy Ox CanTEEnCL9000007067 Eclectic. With winning dishes such as crispy pig-ear chicarrónes, and ricotta fritters drizzled with saffron honey, Lazy Ox’s gastropub-style offerings are always interesting. Myriad daily specials might include
H nOé RESTaURanT & BaRCL0000022169 american. Visitors heading to the Museum of Contemporary Art or Walt Disney Concert Hall find Noé a convenient spot for a classy repaste. Noé executive chef Glen Ishii serves “neo-bistro” menu with a Japanese spin such as calamari with yuzu crème fraîche and chicken katsu sliders. D (nightly). Omni Los Angeles Hotel, 251 S. Olive St., downtown, 213.356.4100, noerestaurant.com paTinaCL0000022178 French. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a lovely composition of impressive classical music offerings and fine dining at its in-house restaurant, Patina. Chef Tony Esnault has injected new life into the restaurant, and has a way with rich game dishes. D (Tu–Su). 141 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.3331, patinagroup.com RivERaCL9000006264 latin. Chef John Sedlar showcases his flair for pan-Latin flavors and attention to detail; consider the housemade nixtamal tortillas inlaid with edible flowers or plates with designs stenciled in spices. A pioneer of the cocktail movement, Rivera has an unbeatable tequila bar. L (M–F), D (nightly). 1050 S. Flower St., downtown, 213.749.1460, riverarestaurant.com
ROy’SCL0000022182 Hawaiian. Chef Roy Yamaguchi began cooking his innovative Pacific Rim cuisine in L.A. many years ago, well ahead of his time. He returns as a superstar, with a chain of contemporary Hawaiian-inspired restaurants. Additional location in Pasadena. Woodland Hills: D (nightly). Downtown: L (M–F), D (nightly). 800 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 213.488.4994; 6363 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, 818.888.4801. roysrestaurant.com TaKaMi SUSHi & ROBaTaCL9000006269 Japanese. Takami occupies the 21st floor of a downtown high-rise, and its wraparound veranda enhances the illusion of floating in air. Dine at the sushi bar or the robata bar, where skewers of seafood, vegetables and meats are grilled. L (M–F), D (nightly). 811 Wilshire Blvd., downtown, 213.236.9600, takamisushi.com H TRadER viC’SCL9000006271 pan-asian. Trader Vic’s at L.A. Live continues 75 years of tiki tradition, offering an exotic menu that blends Polynesian, Asian, French and California cuisine in a festive, South Pacific-inspired dining room. Trader Vic’s founder Victor J. Bergeron invented the famous Mai Tai. L (M–Sa), D (nightly). L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.785.3330, tradervicsla.com TRaxxCL0000022194 California. Chef-owner Tara Thomas has given train commuters a reason to linger downtown, in her diminutive art deco dining room or on a hidden jacaranda-shaded patio. Her contemporary fare includes pan-roasted halibut with bacon-scented corn chowder. L (M–F), D (M–Sa). Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., downtown, 213.625.1999, traxxrestaurant.com WaTER GRillCL0000022198 Seafood. Downtown’s premier seafood restaurant is famed for its huge platters of fruits de mer from the
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oyster bar. Low-temperature cooking methods are used in dishes such as sauteed Columbia River sturgeon, yielding sensational results. There’s no corkage fee, so why not BYOB? L (M–F), D (nightly). 544 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.891.0900, watergrill.com WP24CL9000007076 Pan-Asian. From its 24th-floor roost, WP24 proves that Wolfgang Puck, who pioneered Asian fusion, still has got the goods. The restaurant might offer downtown’s best skyline views. Highlights include “Not Too Classic” hot and sour soup and steamed bao filled with foie gras. D (M–Sa). The RitzCarlton, Los Angeles, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.743.8824, r itzc arlton . c o m /e n / p rope r ti e s / losangeles
EASTSidE BARBRixCL9000007071 Mediterranean. Of the new smallplate eateries, this restaurant, in a converted schoolhouse, is one of the best. Solo diners perch at the bar while couples relax on a charming patio and revelers toast by an exhibition kitchen. Among the standouts are pappardelle with guinea hen ragù. D (nightly). 2442 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake, 323.662.2442, barbrix.com LAMiLL COffEE BOUTiqUECL9000006256 American. With its retro-chic design, unique coffee service and affordable menu created by acclaimed Providence chef Michael Cimarusti, this is a laid-back, versatile eatery. Tasmanian sea trout with wasabi crème fraîche and hanger steak with watercress velouté are followed by exquisitely presented desserts. B, L, D (daily). 1636 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake, 323.663.4441, lamillcoffee.com H MALOCL9000007763 Mexican. A Silver Lake favorite, this dark and edgy eatery is famous for its selection of offbeat tacos as well as some of the best margaritas in town.
Weekend brunches are legendary, with chilaquiles and mango-and-banana French toast. Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 4326 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, 323.664.1011, malorestaurant.com
HOLLyWOOd CLEOCL9000007078 Mediterranean. The SBE group’s noisy mezze bar is an unquestionable high point of the Hollywood dining scene. Chef Daniel Elmaleh’s eastern and southern Mediterranean small plates include kebabs of pork belly and blood sausage, wood-burned flatbreads and crispy Brussels sprouts. Cocktails are expensive but irresistible. D (nightly). The Redbury, 1717 Vine St., Hollywood, 323.962.1711, cleorestaurant.com dELPHinECL9000007077 french. Just off the soaring lobby of the chic W Hollywood Hotel & Residences, demure Delphine establishes a laid-back ambience with vintage photo murals and wood barreled ceilings. Chef Sascha Lyon’s entrees include trout meunière with sauteed shrimp and steak frites. B, L, D (daily), Br (Sa–Su). 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.798.1355, restaurantdelphine.com THE HUnGRy CATCL0000333563 Seafood. East Coast fare—Dungeness crab benedict, a lobster roll, you-peel or they-peel shrimp—is offered in hip little spots. The Santa Monica restaurant has an ocean view. Cocktails are among the best in town. Hollywood: Br (Sa–Su), L (Tu–F), D (nightly); Santa Monica: D (nightly). 1535 Vine St., Hollywood, 323.462.2155; 100 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica, 310.459.3337. thehungrycat.com OSTERiA MOzzACL0000022174 italian. Famed L.A.-based bread maker Nancy Silverton teamed up with affable Mario Batali on Mozza’s duo of contemporary Italian restaurants. Osteria Mozza is a more sophisticated dining room in which
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ing it special before you even look at the menu. Cal-Asian fare includes miso salmon with lemon mashed potatoes and sweet-and-spicy shrimp. D (nightly). 1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Hollywood, 323.466.5125, yamashirorestaurant.com
Latin American spices. Foie gras sushi, gold-leaf-wrapped monkfish liver, and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño are just a few of his dazzling creations. L (M–F), D (nightly). 129 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.659.9639, nobumatsuhisa.com
la ciEnEGa BOUlEvaRd/ RESTaURanT ROW
nOBUCL9000006261 Japanese. The glitzy flagship of Nobu Matsuhisa attracts celebrities as well as serious foodies. An extensive menu of traditional and avant-garde sushi includes many dishes with beguiling Peruvian accents. Sakes and omakase feasts result in soaring tabs, but the cuisine measures up. D (nightly). 903 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.657.5711; Nobu Malibu, 3835 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, 310.317.9140. noburestaurants.com
THE BazaaR BY JOSé andRéS Spanish. Star chef José Andrés brings whimsical set of Spanish-style dining experiences to the eminently stylish SLS Hotel. Cuisine ranges from rustic fare to the molecular gastronomy creations that have made Spain a culinary leader. Tasting room Saam offers an unforgettable 22-course prix fixe menu. D (nightly). SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.246.5555, thebazaar.com pizza from pizzeria mozza in hollywood
to experience the repertory of these great transcontinental talents. D (nightly). 6602 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.297.0100, mozza-la.com PalmS THaiCL0000022175 Thai. This spot near the Pantages Theater is more known for its entertainment than its cooking, but both are worth the trip. Kavee Thongprecha, “the Thai Elvis,” does campy interpretations of the King’s repertory. Unusual menu items include frog legs with chili and basil. L, D (daily). 5900 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.462.5073, palmsthai.com PizzERia mOzzaCL0000333473 italian. The other half of Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali’s Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza is a more relaxed dining experience, and it’s far easier to get a table than at its cousin, Osteria Mozza, next door. It features pizzas, cheeses and salumi plates, and rustic daily specials. L, D (daily). 641 N. Highland Ave., L.A., 323.297.0101, mozza-la.com
PUBlic KiTcHEn & BaRCL0000333508 american. Veteran chef/restaurateur Tim Goodell strikes an attractive balance between the spirit of a pub and fine dining. Pork is a major theme here—for instance, chicharrónes accented with lime, and pork belly over soft polenta. Br (Sa–Su), L (M–F), D (nightly). 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.466.7000, thompsonhotels.com SUSan FEniGER’S STREETCL9000006268 Eclectic. Feniger’s passion for the bold, unexpected flavors of global street food is the central concept at Street. Saag paneer, kaya toast and a brioche cheeseburger, perfect for sharing around the outdoor fire pit, have a place on the diverse menu. Br (Su), L, D (daily). 742 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, 323.203.0500, eatatstreet.com YamaSHiROCL9000006275 Pan-asian. This restaurant occupies a replica of a Kyoto palace with a garden court and city views, mak-
FOGO dE cHãOCL0000022136 Steak. The city’s best churrascaria— Brazilian steakhouse-barbecue restaurant—is this restaurant with muraled walls and soaring ceilings. After a trip to a massive salad-appetizer bar, guests are treated to an endless procession of meats carved right onto their plates. L (M–F), D (nightly). 133 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.289.7755, fogodechao.com
TanzORECL0000022192 indian. This sleek, modern restaurant takes Indian cuisine to a whole new level, with lighter technique, seasonal California ingredients and modern presentation in a dramatic dining room. The fare includes items such as seared tuna with toasted coriander atop avocado raita. Br (Su), L, D (daily). 50 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.652.3838, tanzore.com
maliBU
GOnPacHiCL0000022142 Japanese. Gonpachi is one of L.A.’s most elaborate Japanese restaurants, its structure composed of pieces from centuries-old Japanese homes and an exquisite garden with a stone bridge and meandering stream. Dine on sushi or sumiyaki, skewers of seafood, vegetables and meats cooked over an open flame. D (nightly). 134 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.659.8887, globaldiningca.com
H cHaRT HOUSECL0000022124 Seafood. These restaurants offer seafood and chophouse fare in seaside settings. In addition to newer menu items—such as a crab, avocado and mango stack—are old favorites including slow-roasted prime rib and chocolate lava cake. Other locations include Redondo Beach. L (call for hours), D (nightly). 18412 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, 310.454.9321; 13950 Panay Way, Marina del Rey, 310.822.4144. chart-house.com
maTSUHiSaCL0000022162 Japanese. Superchef Nobu Matsuhisa’s more modest original restaurant, Matsuhisa, incorporates luxurious Western ingredients and
dUKE’S maliBUCL0000022134 Seafood. Named after the father of international surfing, Duke Kahanamoku, this oceanfront restaurant captures the spirit of aloha. Not to be
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outshone by the spectacular views is the cuisine, which features a daily selection of fresh fish and tropical cocktails. Br (Su), L (Tu–Sa), D (nightly). 21150 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, 310.317.0777, dukesmalibu.com
paSadEna H lOUiSE’S TRaTTORiaCL0000022159 italian. An L.A. favorite since 1978, Louise’s Trattoria delivers Italian cooking with a whimsical California flair. Its six locations are in Hancock Park, Los Feliz, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Old Pasadena and West L.A. L, D (daily). 2 Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 626.568.3030; 232 N. Larchmont Blvd., L.A., 323.962.9510. louises.com H paRKWay GRillCL0000333530 California. The handsome, brickclad dining room offers some of Pasadena’s best meals. The diverse, globally inspired dinner menu includes Hawaiian ahi poke and prosciuttoand-arugula pizza. L (M–F), D (nightly). 510 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena, 626.795.1001, theparkwaygrill.com HE ROyCECL0000333506 T american. The Langham Huntington Hotel’s restaurant has a contemporary look with tufted white banquettes and glass-ensconced wine storage. Guy Savoy-trained chef David Feau does molecular gastronomy with a keen sense of aesthetics. Among dishes is a slow-poached lobster topped with an icy pomegranate powder. D (Tu–Sa). 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, 626.585.6410, roycela.com
SanTa MOniCa ORdER GRillCL9000006244 B Mexican. At Border Grill, chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger combine their unabashed love for Mexico’s market vendors and taco stands. The result: bold, fresh and innovative Mexican cuisine that makes this colorful cantina a perennial favorite. Br (Sa–Su), L, D (daily). 1445 4th St., Santa Monica, 310.451.1655; 445 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 213.486.5171. bordergrill.com
OPENING AUTUMN 2012 AT PALISADES PROMENADE SEASONALLY INSPIRED DINING CHOICES CASUALLY SOPHISTICATED AMBIANCE AWARD-WINNING WINE LIST LIVE MUSIC IN THE PIANO BAR NIGHTLY AT PALISADES PROMENADE 120 BROADWAY SANTA MONICA, CA 90401 ALSO LOCATED AT SOUTH COAST PLAZA 714.437.5252 For details on group and event dining, visit www.Seasons52.com
aTCHCL0000022123 C Seafood. Minimalist Catch’s centerpiece is a beautiful, motherof-pearl sushi bar, but raw fish is just 12446_S52_LAGuestBook_SantaMonica_Jan.indd the beginning. Try exquisite cooked preparations such as skate wing and braised pork cheeks with an extraordinary view of the Pacific Ocean. B, L, D (daily). Hotel Casa del Mar, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, 310.581.7714, hotelcasadelmar.com CHinOiS On MainCL0000022126 California. The Asian-French cuisine at Chinois on Main, arguably Wolfgang Puck’s most exciting restaurant, still impresses. The design is loud—ditto the decibel level—but the relative discomfort hardly detracts from dishes such as Cantonese duck and whole ginger-stuffed catfish. L (W–F), D (nightly). 2709 Main St., Santa Monica, 310.392.9025, wolfgangpuck.com faRMSHOpCL0000333509 California. Chef-owner Jeff Cerciello was formerly culinary director at Bouchon, and the bistro’s influ-
© 2011 Darden Concepts Inc., 12446
SavORyCL0000333565 american. Probably Malibu’s most serious fine-dining destination, Savory is spearheaded by Paul Shoemaker, a chef who knows a thing or two about classic technique from leading the kitchen at Bastide. Locally grown produce enhances dishes such as quincesweetened crab cakes and pork belly pizza. Br (Su), L (M–F), D (nightly). 29169 Heathercliff Road, Malibu, 310.589.8997, savorymalibu.com
SHiROCL0000022185 international. Chef/owner Hideo Yamashiro fuses French and Asian flavors and techniques. A big-city restaurant in the suburbs, the pastelhued dining room is a contemporary backdrop to signature dishes such as shrimp mousse ravioli and whole fried catfish. D (W–Su). 1505 Mission St., South Pasadena, 626.799.4774, restaurantshiro.com
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TRY OUR FABULOUS FOOD AND MAI TAIS! Downtown Los Angeles at L.A. Live 800 West Olympic., #A120 Los Angeles, Ca 90015 213.785.3330 • tradervicsla.com RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED
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ence shows in his simple, comforting cuisine. Brunch is tops; dinners, served family-style, might feature smoked trout salad, roasted organic chicken and artisan cheeses. B, L (daily), Br (Sa–Su), D (W–Su). Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., Santa Monica, 310.566.2400, farmshopla.com JOSiECL0000022152 american. This inviting restaurant is dignified without being pretentious. Owner-chef Josie LeBalch’s talents with game—venison in pearBurgundy sauce, buffalo burger with foie gras, wild boar tenderloin—are renowned. Other options include “campfire trout,” served in a castiron skillet. D (nightly). 2424 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.581.9888, josierestaurant.com la BOTTECL9000006255 italian. Not your standard trattoria fare, La Botte offers some of L.A.’s most alluring Italian dishes, blending Old World and contemporary L.A. styles. Guests might begin with duck with Gorgonzola cream before moving on to a filet mignon in truffle-red wine sauce. D (nightly). 620 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.576.3072, labottesantamonica.com HE lOBSTERCL0000022157 T Seafood. Enjoy a view of the Pacific while indulging in superlative seafood from this Santa Monica Pier-adjacent restaurant. The outdoor patio is most coveted for sampling the eponymous crustacean in various iterations. Chef Collin Crannell does a fine job with other seafood dishes, too. L, D (daily). 1602 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310.458.9294, thelobster.com MéliSSECL0000022163 french. At Mélisse, consistently among L.A.’s highest-rated restaurants, chef-owner Josiah Citrin executes a sophisticated modern French menu filled with luxe ingredients. Start with pumpkin-and-crème-
fraîche ravioli before superb game dishes and selections from a nonpareil cheese cart. D (Tu–Sa). 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.395.0881, melisse.com MiCHaEl’SCL0000333527 California. Michael McCarty’s influential restaurant, opened in 1979, endures. Enjoy Sonoma County duck breast with Weiser Farms beet salad on the breezy patio. The minimalist white dining room is augmented with an enviable collection of contemporary art, including works by McCarty’s wife, Kim. L (M–F), D (M–Sa). 1147 3rd St., Santa Monica, 310.451.0843, michaelssantamonica.com H OCEan paRK OMElETTE paRlOR american. This charming cafe on Santa Monica’s Main Street has doled out large, hearty breakfasts for three decades. Omelets range from basic to more elaborate creations. Customers line up on weekends to dine on the outdoor patio, just a block from the beach. B, L (daily). 2732 Main St., Santa Monica, 310.399.7892, theomeletteparlor.com THE pEnTHOUSECL0000022180 american. A fashionable clientele is drawn by oceanfront views through floor-to-ceiling windows and clean California cooking. A circular bar dominates a lively ultralounge; in the dining room, a menu including tuna tartare and rack of lamb allows seasonal ingredients to shine. B, L, D (daily). Huntley Hotel, 1111 2nd St., Santa Monica, 310.393.8080, thehuntleyhotel.com RUSTiC CanyOnCL9000006265 California. Discover boutique wines while sampling small plates of market-driven, Cal-Med dishes. Farro salad with roasted quince, papardelle with braised beef cheeks and pumpkin polenta are just a few of the winners. Hide in a cozy booth or mingle at the communal
table. D (nightly). 1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.393.7050, rusticcanyonwinebar.com H SEaSOnS 52 american. Opening in fall 2012. This restaurant, with its seasonally inspired and healthful choices, adventurous international wine list and sophisticated ambience, celebrates living well. There’s always something new to discover—52 weeks a year. Specialties include cedar-plank Atlantic salmon, garlic chicken flatbread and grilled rack of New Zealand lamb. 120 Broadway, Santa Monica, seasons52.com valEnTinOCL0000022196 italian. For more than 30 years, Piero Selvaggio has maintained his flagship’s status as a preeminent temple of Italian gastronomy. A telephonebook-sized wine list—often cited as America’s best—is supported by a cellar containing more than 100,000 bottles. L (F), D (Tu–Sa). 3115 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.829.4313, valentinosantamonica.com WHiSTCL0000022199 american. In a stunning room where English themes are fused with hip L.A. sensibilities—or on the patio, with intimate poolside cabanas—you’ll enjoy a sophisticated New American cuisine. Begin with prime beef tartare, followed by glazed Colorado lamb shank with caramelized apple bread pudding. B, L, D (daily). Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310.260.7511, viceroysantamonica.com WilSHiRE RESTaURanTCL9000006273 California. The woodsy, romantic deck is a coveted spot to hang out; the candle-laden bar inside is one of the Westside’s hottest. Market-driven fare includes Jidori chicken with Yukon potatoes and miso-glazed black cod. L (M–F), D (M–Sa). 2454 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.586.1707, wilshirerestaurant.com
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M.B. POSTCL0000333507 american. David LeFevre, a Charlie Trotter protégé, left formal Water Grill to open this laid-back eatery with intelligently conceived small plates at reasonable prices. The “Eat Your Vegetables” menu makes green beans and cauliflower look downright tantalizing, and the buttermilk fried chicken arrives with lemonrosemary ranch dressing. Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 1142 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, 310.545.5405, eatmbpost.com
aBUEliTaSCL000002211 Mexican. Nestled in Topanga Canyon is this charming eatery where excellent margaritas are enjoyed on a creek-side patio. The dining room is cozy and festive, but the food—lentil spinach soup, grilled tilapia with butter cream sauce— keeps diners’ attention. Br (Su), L (F– Sa), D (M–Sa). 137 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 310.455.8788, abuelitastopanga.com
MaR’SElCL0000333528 California. Set above sparkling Palos Verdes Peninsula, Mar’sel at the Terranea Resort captures an incredible ocean vista. Chef Michael Fiorelli is serious about sustainability in his fresh, flavor-packed cuisine, cooking with citrus fruits and herbs plucked from own on-site garden. D (W–Su). Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, 310.265.2701, terranea.com/marsel/index.php H PaRKERS’ liGHTHOUSECL0000022177 Seafood. This casually elegant restaurant’s waterfront location affords 360-degree views of Long Beach Harbor. Menu offerings include a wide selection of seafood—craband-shrimp-crusted Atlantic salmon, inventive sushi—plus traditional chophouse fare such as USDA Prime steaks. L, D (daily). 435 Shoreline Village, Long Beach, 562.432.6500, parkerslighthouse.com THE STRand HOUSECL0000333505 american. This South Bay newcomer with awesome ocean views is sophisticated enough to compete with restaurants in the county’s hipper parts. House-made charcuterie precedes dishes such as Manila clam pizza and spit-roasted suckling pig. Butterscotch doughnuts end the meal with a bang. Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, 310.545.7470, thestrandhousemb.com
inn Of THE SEvEnTH RayCL0000022149 California. There’s a New Age feel here, but you don’t have to be a believer or a vegan to fall in love with this place, which boasts candlelit tables scattered along a burbling creek. Consider a Piedmontese filet mignon with a potato, artichoke and goat-cheese cake. Br (Su), L, D (daily). 128 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga, 310.455.1311, innoftheseventhray.com
“I can’t eat here, but you can!”
Half-price menu omelettes, 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Patio Open daily, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Weekends until 4:00 p.m.
2732 Main St. • Santa Monica • (310) 399-7892
vallEy OMBRaCL0000333511 italian. In the shadows of Univeroceanpark_GB12_thirdsq.indd sal Studios is this warm restaurant, a standout in its neighborhood. The casunziei (beet-stuffed pasta) is a good version of this northeastern Italian specialty, and cross-cultural influences enter into dishes such as albacore tuna kebabs drizzled in Sicilian herb vinaigrette. L (M–F), D (M–Sa). 3737 Cahuenga Blvd., Studio City, 818.985.7337, ombrala.com PinOT BiSTROCL9000006263 french. The Valley’s ultimate neighborhood restaurant, Pinot Bistro combines the casual qualities of an authentic Parisian bistro with fine dining. Find classics such as coq au vin, duck confit and roasted lamb sirloin, accompanied by a selection of more than 200 reasonably priced wines from California and France. L (Tu–F), D (Tu–Su). 12969 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818.990.0500, patinagroup.com/pinotbistro
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Tony P’s serves up the finest in steaks, seafood, pastas and more in a comfortable setting overlooking beautiful Marina del Rey.
4445 Admiralty Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292 (310) 823-4534 www.tonyps.com
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KOICL0000022154 Japanese. Koi is one of the trendiest Japanese restaurants in town; expect a beautiful clientele. The restaurant offers an exotic space, and the menu is known for crispy rice topped with spicy tuna and Kobe beef carpaccio with yuzu vinaigrette, complemented by sake and eye candy. D (nightly). 730 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.659.9449, koirestaurant.com ANTICUCHO CAMOTE AT PICCA IN WEST L.A.
SADDLE PEAK LODGECL0000022184 American. Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, this hunt-lodgethemed spot is a study in romantic rusticity, with moose heads overlooking candlelit tables. The menu focuses on game dishes such as seared New Zealand elk tenderloin or grilled Texas nilgai antelope. Br (Su), D (W–Su). 419 Cold Canyon Road, Calabasas, 818.222.3888, saddlepeaklodge.com
WEST HOLLYWOOD/ MIDTOWN BLT STEAKCL9000006243 Steak. This winning formula on the Sunset Strip proves that the French bistro and the American steakhouse can be seamlessly blended. After appetizers such as tuna tartare or the complimentary Gruyère cheese popovers, steaks are the main attraction, ranging from ultrapricey Kobe to domestic Angus beef. D (Tu–Sa). 8720 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.360.1950, bltsteak.com
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CAMPANILECL0000022122 Mediterranean. Campanile is an enduring L.A. favorite. Chef-owner Mark Peel offers such starters as crispy stuffed squash blossoms and wild mushroom risotto, followed by grilled prime rib. Go on Thursday nights for a sampling of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Br (Sa– Su), L (M–F), D (nightly). 624 S. La Brea Ave., L.A., 323.938.1447, campanilerestaurant.com ★ GORDON RAMSAY AT THE LONDON WEST HOLLYWOOD52 Eclectic. The tyrant from TV’s Hell’s Kitchen arrives in L.A. to demonstrate why he has racked up more than a dozen Michelin stars. The restaurant is a hip setting in which to enjoy eclectically inspired dishes such as duck confi t risotto and miso-glazed black cod. D (nightly). The London West Hollywood, 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.358.7788, thelondonwesthollywood.com
MEZZECL0000333529 Mediterranean. This is one of L.A.’s more progressive Mediterranean eateries, where one can find tender sea urchin over Israeli couscous or vadouvan-spiced lamb “bacon." Chef Michael Wexler also draws upon some of his Jewish grandmother’s recipes, cooking up dishes such as chopped chicken livers with miniature challah. L (Tu–F), D (nightly). 401 N. La Cienega Blvd, L.A., 310.657.4103, mezzela.com RAY’S & STARK BARCL0000333512 Mediterranean. This restaurant/ cocktail bar is almost too good to be hidden in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art campus. Kris Morningstar offers soul-warming dishes— Alaskan halibut with savory butter beans, wood-grilled young chicken— augmented with produce and herbs from an adjacent garden. L, D (Th–Tu). 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6180, raysandstarkbar.com RHCL9000007072 French. This venue shatters the traditional image of a hotel dining room. At the pair of communal tables, you
can enjoy a portobello mushroom burger with triple-fried French fries. The kitchen turns out other dishes inspired by southwest France. B, L, D (daily). Andaz West Hollywood, 8401 W. Sunset Blvd., 323.785.6090, rhrestaurant.com SON OF A GUNCL0000333513 Seafood. Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, the meat-loving chefs at Animal, turn to the sea for new inspiration. They cook up small shareable plates such as salmon collar, miniature lobster rolls and shrimp toast sandwiches with Sriracha-spiked mayo in a nautically themed space. D (nightly). 8370 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.782.9033, sonofagunrestaurant.com THE TAR PITCL9000006383 American. Reminiscent of a 1940s supper club, the Tar Pit pairs classic American dishes such as oysters Rockefeller with stiff libations served amid a swanky, streamline setting. Under the direction of Jay Perrin and chef Mark Peel of Campanile, no detail is overlooked. D (M–Sa). 609 N. La Brea Ave., L.A., 323.965.1300, tarpitbar.com
WESTSIDE CRAFTCL0000022129 American. New York chef Tom Colicchio of TV’s Top Chef brings his signature concept to L.A. Craft delivers an endless, contemporary American à la carte menu, with fun, shareable dishes including octopus with Greek yogurt and rosesyrup-drizzled foie gras. L (M–F), D (M–Sa). 10100 Constellation Blvd. Century City, 310.279.4180, craftrestaurant.com GJELINACL9000006250 California. Under the direction of talented young chef Travis Lett, hipster servers in T-shirts and newsboy caps deliver seasonal Cal-Med small plates and pizzas to chic Westsiders. It’s one of Venice’s most popular restaurants, and the neighborhood’s
CATHY CHAPLIN
THE HALLCL9000006253 French. Located in a charming boutique hotel, the Hall is a relaxed brasserie, attractive for a morning café au lait or a full supper. Guests settle in at courtyard tables, enjoying fare such as moules frites and truffle pasta. Br (Su), B, L, D (Tu–Su). Palihouse Holloway, 8465 Holloway Drive, West Hollywood, 323.656.4020, thehallbrasserie.com
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most lively patio. Br (Sa–Su), L (M–F), D (nightly). 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.450.1429, gjelina.com Il GRanOCL0000022148 Italian. Elegant Il Grano has emerged as one of L.A.’s finest Italian restaurants. Its menu emphasizes superb seafood, from crudo—sashimigrade raw dishes—to squid-ink pasta with sea urchin sauce. The wine program matches the high standards of the kitchen. L (M–F), D (M–Sa). 11359 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A., 310.477.7886, ilgrano.com MORI SUSHICL0000022167 Japanese. Morihiro Onodera is renowned as one of L.A.’s best sushi chefs, and a meal at his restaurant makes for an evening to remember. Go for the omakase, expecting a hefty bill, and Onodera delivers a parade of artistically crafted morsels. L (M–F), D (M–Sa). 11500 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., 310.479.3939, morisushi.org nInETHIRTyCL9000007755 american. The vibe at this stylish indoor-outdoor restaurant is that of pastoral homestead injected with urban energy. Start your meal with lobster-and-brie sliders, then munch on flatiron steak augmented with pasilla-barbecue sauce and truffle fries. B, D (daily), Br (Sa–Su), L (M–F). W Los Angeles, 930 Hilgard Ave., Westwood, 310.208.8765, ninethirtyw.com ORRISCL0000022172 Japanese. Acclaimed chef/ owner Hideo Yamashiro showcases a unique menu of FrenchJapanese tapas (small plates) in an intimate restaurant with a long counter and a lively outdoor patio. Specialties include albacore lettuce cups with jalapeño aïoli, shrimp mousse-stuffed ravioli and lamb loin carpaccio. D (Tu–Su). 2006 Sawtelle Blvd., West L.A., 310.268.2212, orrisrestaurant.com
PIccaCL0000333515 Peruvian. Ricardo Zarate, a Food & Wine Chef of the Year, opens a second Peruvian restaurant with grander ambitions than Mo-Chica. A more dressed-up dining room features a mezzanine bar serving pisco cocktails, and a larger menu offers small plates of ceviches, tiraditos, anticuchos and Peruvian-style sushi. D (M–Sa). 9575 W. Pico Blvd., L.A., 310.277.0133, piccaperu.com THE TaSTInG KITcHEnCL0000333516 Eclectic. Hipster foodies flock to this loud but lovely dining room for a daily changing menu of innovative yet unpretentious cuisine: small or large plates of cured meats, a dozen artisan cheeses, vegetables, seafood and pastas, including a tagliatelle laden with truffles. Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.392.6644, thetastingkitchen.com H TOny P’S DOcKSIDE GRIllCL0000022193 american. Tony P’s serves generous portions of fine steaks, seafood and pastas in a comfortable waterfront space. Alaskan king crab is among the most popular dishes. Settle into the sports bar, Tony P’s Tavern, to watch the game with a cold one. B (Sa–Su), L, D (daily). 4445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, 310.823.4534, tonyps.com WESTSIDE TavERnCL9000006272 american. Adjacent to Landmark Theatre independent cinema at Westside Pavilion mall, Westside Tavern lends a gourmet, California touch to typically heavy pub fare. Dishes such as a lamb French dip with rosemary au jus are balanced by lighter fare such as artichoke niçoise salad. Try the superfresh Pepper Smash and Passion Fruit Sour cocktails. Reservations are not accepted. L, D (daily). 10850 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., 310.470.1539, westsidetavernla.com
FOR MORE OF WHaT'S HaPPEnInG TODay, SEE where Los angeLes MaGazInE
Voted Top 10 Best Italian Restaurant in L.A.! -Citysearch
Est. 1978
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BRENTWOOD | LARCHMONT VILLAGE | LOS FELIZ PASADENA | SANTA MONICA | WEST LOS ANGELES
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SPECiAL ADvERTiSinG SECTion
CAfe 140
Arroyo Chop house
The Smith Brothers’ Cafe 140 is the place to experience great California cooking. The innovative and eclectic menu features wood-fired oven pizzas, juicy hand-formed burgers, oakwood-grilled meats, seafood and more. The fully stocked bar features hand-shaken margaritas, fresh fruit-infused vodkas and signature cocktails, along with handcrafted beers and a vast selection of premium wines. Cafe 140 remains true to its inspired California cuisine roots and places an emphasis on purity and freshness of ingredients. Guests can enjoy people watching along bustling Lake Avenue from beneath market umbrellas on the lively patio, or recharge in the warmly lit, high-energy dining room. The family-friendly environment has remained a cornerstone of the operation throughout the years. L, D (daily).
The Smith Brothers’ modern take on the classic American steakhouse, Arroyo Chop House, serves exclusively USDA Prime beef. This strikingly handsome restaurant, inspired by the “Arts & Crafts” architectural style for which Pasadena is famous, is clad in rich mahogany, and the cozy booths are bathed in seductive light. The prime steaks are aged and hand-cut daily and perfectly seared in a 1,500-degree broiler. The restaurant also offers live Maine lobster, fresh seafood, Alaskan king crab legs, fresh oysters and shrimp. Complement your meal with a bottle from the award-winning wine list (Wine Spectator Award of Excellence) or enjoy one of the many premium single-malt scotches. Reservations suggested. Piano music nightly. D (nightly).
140 s. Lake Ave., pasadena
536 s. Arroyo parkway, pasadena
626.449.9900
626.577.7463
cafe140south.com
arroyochophouse.com
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special advertising section
CHEVAL BLANC
Parkway Grill
The newest addition to the Smith Brothers Restaurants, Cheval Blanc Bistro has introduced to the Old Pasadena dining scene the unique beauty of traditional French bistro fare. The dark wood paneling sets the tone for the warmly lit, remarkably comfortable interior. The sprawling vintage bar dispenses amazing cocktails, single-malt scotches and a wide selection of French and California wines by the bottle and glass. Experience the authentic taste of France with a broad menu consisting of classic bistro fare such as steak frites, duck confit and coq au vin. Cheval Blanc brings you an authentic French comfort food experience that guests new to French cuisine, as well as seasoned gastronomical Francophiles, will appreciate. Reservations suggested. D (T–Sa).
The Smith Brothers’ trend-setter in innovative regional American cuisine, Parkway Grill specializes in a seasonal, market-driven approach to cooking that incorporates diverse influences and classic French technique. It has been acclaimed as one of “America’s Top Tables” by Gourmet magazine and one of the top 40 most popular restaurants in Southern California by Zagat. Throughout its 25 years, Parkway Grill has showcased an intriguing array of dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Demonstrating the ultimate commitment to fresh produce, Parkway Grill planted its own organic vegetable and herb garden behind the restaurant, which continues to thrive in the heart of Pasadena. Recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, the wine list features selections from many of California’s finest small producers. Reservations suggested. Piano music Monday through Saturday evenings. L (M–F), D (nightly).
41 S. De Lacey Ave., Pasadena
510 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena
626.577.4141
626.795.1001
chevalblancbistro.com
theparkwaygrill.com
BISTRO
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SMITTY’S GRILL With Smitty’s Grill, the Smith Brothers bring you American comfort food at its best. Set in a clubby grill atmosphere with vintage photos depicting Hollywood glamour, Smitty’s offers familiar all-American dishes. “Smitty’s is a fine place in which to rediscover a cuisine that many of us have forgotten: our own. It is truly America the scrumptious,” says Merrill Schindler of Zagat. The menu features iron-skillet cornbread, filet mignon, homemade chicken pot pie, barbecue baby back ribs, Smitty’s famous meatloaf and more. The dining experience also features a stocked top-shelf bar and an extensive, award-winning wine list (Wine Spectator Award of Excellence). Reservations suggested. L (M–F), D (nightly).
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HERB ALPERT’S
VIBRATO GRILL JAZZ Conceived by Grammy Award-winning musical icon Herb Alpert, Vibrato Grill Jazz is one of the city’s premier jazz clubs, and the only one that incorporates fine dining in a sophisticated setting. Guests are immersed in an elegant space with stunning visuals, including original art by Alpert. In addition to world-class jazz and unobstructed views of the stage from every seat, Vibrato offers a contemporary American menu whose items range from USDA Prime steaks to exquisite seafood delicacies to sumptuous desserts. Signatures include Shelton Farms free-range chicken, wild salmon and a juicy Kobe burger. Complement your meal with a bottle from a wine list honored with an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine, or enjoy a specialty cocktail poured by skilled mixologists. Reservation suggested. Live jazz nightly. D (Tu–Su).
110 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena
2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel-Air
626.792.9999
310.474.9400
smittysgrill.com
vibratogrilljazz.com
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SpeCIaL aDveRTISInG SeCTIon
THE STINKING ROSE “We season our garlic with food!” is the mantra at the Stinking Rose, which is heaven for hard-core garlic lovers. You might begin with garlic-steamed clams or bagna calda (garlic roasted in olive oil) before moving on to forty-clove garlic chicken, garlic-roasted prime rib or silence-of-the-lamb shank with chianti glaze and fava beans. For dessert, there’s the restaurant’s legendary garlic ice cream. If you’re garlicshy, the kitchen will season any seafood, pasta or meat dish to your taste, and you can wash it down with wine, beer or one of seven mojitos. The surreal setting is a rococo homage to the “stinking rose,” with murals of garlic and several unique dining areas each with its own distinctive atmosphere— Dracula’s Grotto, Lover’s Lane, Garlywood, the Chianti Room and the Michelangelo Room. L, D (daily).
pETROSSIaN
RESTauRaNT & BOuTIquE a branch of paris’ celebrated establishment, petrossian is a specialty boutique and fine dining venue. In addition to offering caviar, smoked fish, foie gras and other gourmet specialties for exquisite gifts or home entertaining, petrossian features a full menu in an elegant, airy dining room with striking modern art. In addition to tastings of fine caviars, shareable plates include artisan cheeses, charcuterie and smoked salmon with dill crème fraîche. appetizers include classic cold borscht, duck confit salad and steak tartare napoleon layered with caviar, followed by a selection of entrees focused on the freshest locally sourced ingredients, including Jidori chicken, fresh fish and steak. a caviar-and-Champagne brunch on the patio is a delightful experience. Dining at petrossian, or simply browsing the boutique, reveals the company’s passionate commitment to providing the finest gourmet products and cuisine. B (Sa–Su), L (daily), D (M–Sa).
55 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills
321 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood
310.652.7673
310.271.6300
thestinkingrose.com
petrossian.com
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chinatown, edwin santiago
ATTRACTIONS THEME PARKS, STUDIO TOURS, recreational pursuits, museums, concert halls, STARGAZING AND SPOTS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST: they’re ALL HERE.
W H E R E G U E S T B O O K 1 2 7
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ATTRACTIONS ATTRACTIONS
THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM'S DINOSAUR HALL
EXPOSITION PARK BLOOMS Armchair archaeologists, nature lovers, budding scientists and the plain-old intellectually curious have new reasons to visit Exposition Park. The Natural History Museum just added its Dinosaur Hall, presented in two two-story galleries. The hall's biggest boast is its Tyrannosaurus rex growth series, and it also features some 300 fossils and 20 fully articulated skeletons. There are plans to create a 3.5-acre park with a 500-seat outdoor amphitheater outside the museum this year. Starting this fall, the California Science Center is the permanent home of the retired NASA space shuttle orbiter Endeavour. A new gallery will be built to accommodate the shuttle, which completed 25 missions into space. In addition are perennial attractions such as the California African American Museum and Exposition Park Rose Garden with more than 100 varieties of the namesake flower.
★ AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC Journey through ocean climates of sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the North Pacific and the reefs of the tropical Pacific, and meet more than 12,000 marine animals. Touch the ocean’s predators in Shark Lagoon, or spread your wings at the Lorikeet Forest aviary. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, 562.590.3100, aquariumofpacific.org ★ CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUMCL9000006321 This institution celebrating African American art, culture and history includes exhibition galleries plus a courtyard, conference center and research library. In addition to the ongoing Gallery of Discovery, see rotating special exhibitions. 600 State Drive, downtown, 213.744.7432, caamuseum.org CHINATOWNCL0000022312 The neighborhood is composed of distinctive shops, markets and restaurants. For weekend brunch, have an authentic dim sum experience at Ocean Seafood or Empress Pavilion. Art galleries have sprung up over the past few years, and the bar scene has expanded. Chung King Road offers great antiques. Between César E. Chavez Avenue and Bernard Street, Yale and Spring streets, downtown, chinatownla.com DISNEYLANDCL0000022313 “The happiest place on Earth,” which celebrates its 57th anniversary this year, is home to Mickey Mouse and eight fantastic “lands.” Highlights include Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Space Mountain, Innoventions, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Fantasmic! and a fireworks
show that somehow always outdoes itself. 1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, 714.781.4565, disneyland.com DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE Disneyland’s state-themed counterpart offers lands based on Hollywood, beach culture and the Gold Rush. The World of Color is a spectacular water, light and sound attraction. Other highlights: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Little Mermaid—Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. The Pixarfilm-inspired Cars Land opens this summer. 1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, 714.781.4565, disneyland.com DODGER STADIUMCL0000022315 Since 1962, more than 125 million fans have watched the Los Angeles Dodgers play baseball at Dodger Stadium. Spectators are awed by a breathtaking view of downtown, green, tree-lined Elysian hills and the San Gabriel Mountains. 1000 Elysian Park Ave., downtown, 866.363.4377, ladodgers.com
open-air Mexican marketplace with restaurants and shops. 130 Paseo de la Plaza, downtown, 213.628.1274, ci.la.ca.us/elp/ ★ EXPOSITION PARKCL9000006321 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park is the only site to host two summer Olympics (1932 and 1984). Adjoining attractions include a renowned rose garden, the Natural History Museum, California Science Center and California African American Museum. 700 Exposition Park Drive, downtown, 213.744.7458, expositionpark.org FARMERS MARKETCL0000022318 What started in the summer of 1934 as a farmers market with produce sold from truck tailgates has become an L.A. institution, with more than 100 restaurants; produce, butcher and retail stalls; international gift shops; and even a couple of bars. 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.933.9211, farmersmarketla.com
EL CAPITAN THEATRECL0000022316 The venue debuted in 1926 as a theatrical stage, graced by such stars as Clark Gable. In 1941, Citizen Kane had its world premiere at the El Capitan. Now, as an exclusive first-run theater for Walt Disney Pictures, it hosts live stage shows and world premieres. 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.467.7674, disney.go.com/ disneypictures
GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATRE Built by master showman Sid Grauman, the theater—declared a historical landmark in 1968—is still a popular location for celebrity-packed studio premieres. The concrete handprints and footprints in the forecourt have immortalized some of Hollywood’s brightest stars. 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.464.8111, chinesetheatres.com
EL PUEBLO DE LOS ANGELES El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument is the oldest section of Los Angeles, with 27 historic buildings clustered around an old plaza. Olvera Street (Alameda Street between Main and Los Angeles streets) is a festive
GRIFFITH OBSERVATORYCL0000022322 The most visited public observatory in the world reopened in 2006 after a $93 million renovation. The Big Picture is the largest (150 feet long and 20 feet high!) astronomically accurate image ever produced; the
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Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater seats 200. 2800 E. Observatory Road, L.A., 213.473.0800, griffithobservatory.org
and Vince Gill. Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, 323.469.8311, hollywoodchamber.net
GRIFFITH PARKCL0000022323 With more than 4,210 acres of natural terrain and landscaped parkland, Griffith Park is the country’s largest municipal park. Highlights include the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, Autry National Center’s Museum of the American West, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Greek Theatre, hiking trails and horseback riding. 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, L.A., 323.913.4688, laparks.org/dos/ parks/griffithpk
KODAK THEATRECL0000022328 This home of the Academy Awards has also been host to a range of artists and notable TV and awards events. Guided tours, offered daily, offer visitors architectural and historical highlights and an insider’s look at the Oscars ceremony. Cirque du Soleil’s Iris shows Tuesday through Sunday most weeks. 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.308.6300, kodaktheatre.com
HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME5 Terrazzo and brass stars line the sidewalks and offer a history of the Hollywood entertainment industry, honoring those who have made significant contributions in radio, television, motion pictures, recording and live performance. 2012 honorees include Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson
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L.A. COUNTY ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDENCL0000022329 The 127-acre gardens represent an extremely diverse world of plant life; peafowl roam the grounds and perch in trees. The Queen Anne Cottage and “Lucky” Baldwin’s coach barn are among the historic buildings open for tours. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, 626.821.3222, arboretum.org.
LOS ANGELES ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDENS The L.A. Zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation and has created a program in which volunteers work with keepers to fi nd ways to promote natural behaviors in animals. The zoo is home to more than 1,200 animals and 7,000-plus plants. 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A., 323.644.4200, lazoo.org ★ MUSEUM OF TOLERANCECL0000022332 The Museum of Tolerance hosts powerful exhibits on the Holocaust and such subjects as human rights, intolerance, immigration and family. One of the museum's permanent exhibitions is Finding Our Families, Finding Ourselves, hosted virtually by comedian/director Billy Crystal. Simon Wiesenthal Plaza, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., 310.553.8403, museumoftolerance.com OCEAN FRONT WALKCL0000022337 You will see dancers, musicians, skaters, preachers, artists in virtually
en
QUEEN MARY SHIP & SEAPORT Guided and self-guided tours allow a view of the permanently berthed (and allegedly haunted) ocean liner and World War II troop ship, which made its final voyage in 1967. Enjoy a meal, shop and even spend the night in an original stateroom. Russian Foxtrot Submarine is adjacent. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 562.435.3511, queenmary.com
Photograph by Gene Ogami
FLAMINGO AT LOS ANGELES ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDENS
★ LEGENDS OF HOLLYWOOD TOURS During a four-hour multimedia tour, guests are comfortably transported in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van equipped with a flat-screen HDTV monitor. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Sunset Strip, Greystone Mansion & Park and Rodeo Drive are among the many sites visited. Free pickup from select hotels. 323.928.2024, legendsofhollywoodtours.com.
every medium and, of course, beautiful bikini-clad women. This bustling boardwalk lining Venice Beach teems with souvenir vendors and cheap eats. The famed Muscle Beach is also here. Between Marine Street and Grand Boulevard, Venice
RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM Galleries and media provide highlights of Ronald Wilson Reagan’s life from childhood to the opening of the library and museum that bear his name. The Air Force One Pavilion houses the world’s only “flying White House” available for public viewing. 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, 800.410.8354, reaganlibrary.com ★ SAN ANTONIO WINERYCL9000007020 Reminiscent of a time when vineyards carpeted large portions of Los Angeles, a visit to this family-run winery—a historic landmark and one of California’s largest producers—is an education in viticulture. Tour the winery, taste the latest vintages and feast on Italian specialties in its restaurant, Maddalena. 737 Lamar St., L.A., 323.223.1401, sanantoniowinery.com SANTA CATALINA ISLANDCL0000022311 Snorkel, kayak or tour the back side of this small island where buffalo run wild. Enjoy the ocean air at a number of seaside cafes and shops. The island can be reached by ferries departing from Long Beach, San Pedro and Marina del Rey. 310.510.1520, catalina.com
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★ L.A. LIVECL0000333415 A $2.5 billion project, L.A. Live is a sports, dining and entertainment center. Staples Center hosts sporting events and concerts, and Nokia Theatre L.A. Live and Club Nokia feature pop acts. You’ll also find bowling alley Lucky Strike Lanes and music and Grammy Award history at the Grammy Museum. 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.763.5483, lalive.com
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expopa
experience.
explore.
Photograph by Gene Ogami
enjoy.
Join us at Exposition Park, the crossroads of the Los Angeles community! CaliForNia aFriCaN aMeriCaN MuseuM
expositioN park
Natural History MuseuM oF los aNGeles CouNty
CAAM is where art, history and culture come alive! Enjoy the visual experience of contemporary art and historical exhibitions, discussions, workshops and programs for all ages. Be sure to visit CAAM this season where you will find an array of exhibitions, including The African Diaspora of Miguel Covarrubias: Driven by Color, Shaped by Cultures; Places of Validation, Art and Progression and our special Gallery of Discovery. Watch for first Sundays of the months for Target Sundays at CAAM. At CAAM, you can interpret yesterday, explore today and envision the future!
There is always something exciting taking place in Exposition Park. Visit beautiful Exposition Park and experience a day full of fun, adventure and relaxation. Explore our 160 acres with more than 1,400 trees from around the world, enjoy a picnic lunch and wander through the splendor of it all. The Park is a collection of historic landmarks, world-class museums and sports facilities, as well as the site of two Olympic Games and recreational areas that are visited by millions each year.
Discover 4.5 billion years of history under one roof at the largest natural history museum in the Western United States. NHM features grand mammal dioramas, rare dinosaur fossils, a spectacular gem hall and exhibits of pre-Columbian and California history. Explore natural landscapes of Africa and North America, a rainforest, distant cultures of the Aztec, Inca and Maya, and tour new permanent exhibits such as Age of Mammals and the Dinosaur Hall, one of the best dinosaur exhibits in the world. Each week find activities for children, families and adults that inspire wonder, discovery and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds.
600 State Drive Los Angeles, CA 90037 213.744.7432 caamuseum.org
700 Exposition Park Drive Los Angeles, CA 90037 213.744.7458 expositionpark.org
900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007 213.763.DINO (3466) nhm.org
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Six Flags Magic Mountain This popular theme park has 17 roller coasters, including Green Lantern: First Flight and the world’s tallest, fastest and longest flying coaster, Tatsu. Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom arrives this year. The Hurricane Harbor water park, open seasonally, is adjacent. 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia, 661.255.4111, sixflags.com/parks/magicmountain Sony Pictures StudiosCL0000022348 Sony Pictures Studios celebrates Hollywood’s glory days and offers an insider’s view of a working motion picture studio. As guides lead a walking tour through the studio lot, they illuminate the film and TV production process and share tales of Hollywood legends. 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, 310.244.8687, sonypicturesstudios.com. Staples CenterCL0000022349 This state-of-the-art sports arena is home to L.A.’s beloved sports teams: The Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Kings all play here. The venue also hosts concerts by music’s biggest touring acts, such as Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 800.745.3000, staplescenter.com H Starline ToursCL9000006387 Established in 1935, Starline offers an array of sightseeing tours to movie stars’ homes, including one focused on Malibu. Other selections include tours to beaches, theme parks, San Diego and Tijuana. Its double-decker hop-on hop-off tour has 50 stops from downtown to Santa Monica. 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 800.959.3131, starlinetours.com Universal CityWalkCL0000022351 The dining and shopping promenade adjacent to Universal Studios features 65 entertainment-themed restaurants, clubs, shops and movie theaters. Enjoy massive pasta dishes at Buca di Beppo, take in a concert at Gibson Amphitheatre or see a film
on a floor-to-ceiling screen at the AMC theater. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 818.622.4455, citywalkhollywood.com H Universal Studios Hollywood0 The world’s biggest motion picture/ TV studio features rides, shows and a behind-the-scenes studio tour. The VIP Experience gives you a private guided tour through a prop warehouse, working movie sets and soundstages, and allows you to skip lines for attractions. Entertainment promenade Universal CityWalk is adjacent. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 818.622.3801, universalstudios.com H Warner Bros. VIP Studio TourCL0000022353 Guests are transported on electric carts for a two-hour excursion through the studio responsible for such classics as Casablanca and TV shows including Big Bang Theory and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The tour changes daily, based on where the action is. 3400 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank, 818.972.8687, wbstudiotour.com
Performing Arts Ahmanson TheatreCL0000022282 The Ahmanson is at the theatrical forefront locally and nationally. It hosts engagements of Tony Awardwinning shows including Mary Poppins and Next to Normal, and world premieres such as Minsky’s. Highlights in 2012 include Green Day’s American Idiot and War Horse. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772, centertheatregroup.org The Broad StageCL9000006378 Santa Monica College’s state-of-the-art theater features several monthly shows of dance, theater, voice, chamber music or film productions. Visitors might see an improv troupe’s send-up of a Jane Austen classic or a performance by Joshua Bell. A 99-seat theater, the Edye, features more experimental works. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200, thebroadstage.com
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DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION The largest venue at the Music Center downtown is the 3,100-seat home of Los Angeles Opera and Dance at the Music Center. L.A. Opera, directed by Plácido Domingo, offers a half-dozen major productions yearly. Dance at the Music Center hosts such companies as American Ballet Theatre. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.0711, musiccenter.org GEFFEN PLAYHOUSECL0000022285 Constructed in 1929, the building that houses the Geffen Playhouse, now in its 21st season, was one of Westwood’s first 12 structures. Not only do Sam Shepard and David Mamet launch plays here, but artistic director Randall Arney also has ties to superb American actors. 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454, geffenplayhouse.com GREEK THEATRECL0000022286 Built in 1929, the Greek Theatre is part of the 3,000-acre Griffith Park. The site of this 5,700-seat outdoor amphitheater was chosen after a soprano revealed the quality of the outdoor bowl’s acoustics. The Aprilthrough-October schedule has offered headliners such as Lykke Li and Adele. 2700 N. Vermont Ave., L.A., 323.665.5857, greektheatrela.com HOLLYWOOD BOWLCL0000022287 The largest outdoor venue in the country, with 18,000 seats, offers music under the stars from spring through fall. A packed summer season features pop, jazz and rock groups, plus soloists and orchestras including the resident Los Angeles Philharmonic. Boxes in the orchestra seats have tables for picnicking. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, 323.850.2000, hollywoodbowl.org KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRECL0000022288 The Culver City sibling of the Ahmanson Theatre and the Mark Taper Forum downtown fulfills the Center Theatre Group’s twin dreams
for a Westside venue and a place to premiere adventurous works. The venue holds 317. 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772, centertheatregroup.org MARK TAPER FORUMCL0000022290 Since 1967, the Mark Taper Forum has been the socially conscious sibling on downtown’s Music Center campus. The Taper landed early productions of such landmarks as Zoot Suit and Angels in America. Plays this season include Los Otros and David Mamet’s November. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772, centertheatregroup.org NOKIA THEATRE L.A. LIVECL9000006379 The 7,100-seat venue is a centerpiece of downtown’s emerging L.A. Live, a mammoth sports, dining and entertainment destination. On the schedule at the theater are music, dance and comedy acts, as well as awards and family shows. No seat is farther than 210 feet from the stage. 777 Chick Hearn Court, downtown, 213.763.6030, nokiatheatrelalive.com
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ome to the Aquarium of the Pacific where you and your family can get in touch with nature and marine life, any time you want. Touch sharks. Feed lorikeet birds. Watch sea otters play. Over 11,000 animals await you. aquariumofpacific.org 562.590 .3100 100 AQUARIUM WAY, LONG BEACH, CA 90802
PANTAGES THEATRE The Pantages is the Southern California flagship for the Nederlander Organization and its local presenting arm. Long-run Broadway imports such as The Lion King and Wicked have enjoyed runs of up to two years here. Offerings this year include Mamma Mia! and Rock of Ages. 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770, broadwayla.org UCLA LIVECL0000022293 UCLA Live offers one of the Southland’s most consistently rewarding arts programming. Its schedule includes music, dance and theater from an international who’s who of artists and readings by bestselling authors. Most events take place in Royce Hall, with some programming in Macgowan Little Theater, Freud Playhouse or Schoenberg Hall. 340 Royce Drive, Westwood, 310.825.4401, uclalive.org
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Walt Disney Concert Hall The 2003 opening of the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of the city’s most important performing arts events. The stunning $273 million facility is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and nearly a dozen music series. Tours are offered. 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000, wdch.com
Visual Arts Academy of Motion Picture Arts and ScienceS “The academy” that those Oscar winners would like to thank is made up of some 6,000 motion-picture professionals and has been around for nearly 85 years. Its seven-story headquarters houses galleries and small theaters that host film-related exhibitions and screenings as well as lectures and seminars. 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.247.3600, oscars.org
NO WONDER IT’S WORLD FAMOUS sandiegozoo.org
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Getty CenterCL0000022297 The magnificent hilltop art institution welcomes more than a million 3:42 PM visitors a year. It houses stunning collections of paintings, drawings, antiquities, photographs and decorative arts, as well as a beautiful central garden with city views. The Getty Center hosts talks and tours, performances and films, lectures and conferences. 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A., 310.440.7300, getty.edu
sdzsafaripark.org
Getty VillaCL0000022298 The original site of the J. Paul Getty Museum, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is dedicated to the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria and houses 1,200 antiquities. Modeled after an ancient country home in Herculaneum, Italy, it reopened in 2006 after a massive renovation. 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, 310.440.7300, getty.edu Hammer MuseumCL0000022299 The prestigious permanent collection of Impressionist, post-Impressionist and European old-master paintings is
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housed alongside critically acclaimed temporary exhibitions and contemporary Hammer Projects by emerging international artists. The Billy Wilder Theater is the venue for public programs and UCLA Film & Television Archive screenings. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood, 310.443.7000, hammer.ucla.edu Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical GardensCL0000022300 More than a dozen gardens amid 120 acres of rolling lawns include the Japanese Garden, Children’s Garden and century-old Rose Garden. Find Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy in the renovated gallery. Library treasures include the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and a Gutenberg Bible. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, 626.405.2100, huntington.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the West Coast’s most comprehensive museum, housing European masterpieces, an extensive collection of American art and a pavilion for Japanese art. An effort to expand the campus has resulted in the Broad Contemporary Art Museum and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Pavilion. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; LACMA West, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6000, lacma.org Museum of Contemporary Art Committed to the collection, presentation and interpretation of work produced since 1940, MOCA holds some 5,000 objects in all visual media. The venue, designed by celebrated Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, is a gem combining pyramids, cubes and cylinders with uncommon materials. MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Ave., downtown; Geffen Contemporary, 152 N. Central Ave., downtown; MOCA Gallery at Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. 213.626.6222, moca.org
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H Norton Simon MuseumCL0000022304 The Pasadena landmark houses a prestigious collection of European paintings, sculpture and works on paper, including masterpieces by Raphael, Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. Also on view is a celebrated collection of sculpture from South and Southeast Asia. The museum’s garden was inspired by Monet’s Giverny. 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 626.449.6840, nortonsimon.org Paley Center for MediaCL0000022305 Choose from tens of thousands of programs to view at this Richard Meier-designed venue. From TV: Johnny Cash performing “Ring of Fire” on The Johnny Cash Show, the first hour of MTV and the first moon landing. Screenings bring together well-known figures in film and television. 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.786.1000, paleycenter.org
Nightlife Bar MarmontCL0000022356 Columbia Pictures founder Harry Cohn once said, “If you must get into trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.” The perpetual hot spot and dimly lit VIP playground is outfitted in richly colored wood, Chinese lanterns and signature butterflies on the ceiling. 8171 Sunset Blvd.,West Hollywood, 323.656.1010, chateaumarmont.com Copa d’OroCL9000006382 A do-it-yourself drink menu is the star at Copa d’Oro, a sumptuous yet lowkey hangout blocks from Santa Monica State Beach. Patrons can dream up their own artisanal cocktails, choosing tasty additions from a list of fresh juices and sodas and farmers-market-fresh produce. 217 Broadway, Santa Monica, 310.576.3030, copadoro.com La DescargaCL9000007758 Sipping a daiquiri in this evocative rum bar, styled as if it were plucked from the streets of midcentury Havana and dropped onto the edge of Hollywood, couldn’t be more chic. A jazz
band and dancer entertain the crowd; an open-air cigar lounge is hidden in back. 1159 Western Ave., Hollywood, 323.466.1324, ladescargala.com PerchCL0000333562 Atop downtown’s soaring Pershing Square Building sits aptly named Perch, a glass-ensconced rooftop lounge with uninterrupted views of the city. The trilevel restaurant and bar offers French cuisine plus live entertainment, including DJs and burlesque and cabaret acts, on various nights. 448 S. Hill St., downtown, 213.802.1770, perchla.com The StandardCL0000022364 At the center of the Sunset Strip is a playground that includes waterbeds by the pool, a fireplace, a dance floor and endless surfaces for lounging. Every clear night promises a crowd; the summer daytime scene is so L.A. 550 S. Flower St., downtown, 213.892.8080; 8300 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.650.9090. standardhotel.com Tropicana BarCL0000022366 The poolside bar at the gorgeous Roosevelt Hotel was dubbed the Studio 54 of Los Angeles. After taking flak for being too exclusive, Aplus is now A-list, with a still-swanky clientele. The pool area harkens to Miami Beach, palm-frond glamour. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 800.950.7667, hollywoodroosevelt.com The TroubadourCL9000006384 The legendary rock club that once saw a pre-electric Bob Dylan circa 1964 and Elton John making his stateside debut is now host to alternative bands such as Built to Spill—although it’s also a favorite stop for rockers such as Tom Petty, who come to preview new material. 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.276.1158, troubadour.com
For more OF what's happening today, see where los angeles magazine
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in overall guest satisfaction of all California Marriotts for four consecutive years.
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