WHERE GuestBook Los Angeles 2014

LOS ANGELES

where GUESTBOOK

LOS ANGELES

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WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES

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GALERIE

MICHAEL

Bui ld i ng M u s e u m Q u al ity C o l l e c tio n s O n e Wo rk a t a Tim e

Salvador Dalí (1904-1989). BOCETO PARA EL CARTEL DE DON JUAN TENORIO, 1949. Gouache, watercolor, pen and ink on card.

(Detail). Signed 'Dali' 6 times in various places, inscribed 'Zorilla Escobar Tenorio Dali' upper center. 11 x 14 inches.

Established 1980

224 North Rodeo Drive | Via Rodeo | Beverly Hills Tel: 310.273.3377 facebook.com/galeriemichael twitter.com/galeriemichael ww w. ga l e r i e m i c ha e l . c o m Rembrandt Durer Degas Corot

Pissarro Picasso Miró Chagall

Dalí Renoir Cassatt Raffaelli

Breton Daubigny L’Hermitte Diaz de la Peña

And Representing an Important Group of Contemporary Artists

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Pyrrha W

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8315 West 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048

323-424-4807 pyrrha.com

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L.A. ESSENCE 28 L.A. ROCK CITY SEEN ON THE SCENE In her striking portraits of L.A.’s musicians, photographer Kathleen Clark captures the collision of big talent and big dreams.

44 IT'S IN THE JEANS

54 A CENTURY OF STYLE

MADE IN L.A. More than just movies are produced in L.A.: It's the capital of designer denim. We go inside the Citizens of Humanity factory.

BEVERLY HILLS TURNS 100 On the occasion of Beverly Hills' big birthday, we offer a history of the city with the world’s most famous ZIP code.

BY JOSEPH LEMOYNE

BY SUZANNE ENNIS

36 SETTING THE STAGE “THE WALLIS” DEBUTS It’s curtains up for Beverly Hills’ long-anticipated performing arts center.

BY LIBBY SLATE

38 LOOKING EAST EASTERN COLUMBIA LOFTS Downtown’s Art Deco jewel reflects Broadway's former grandeur and its recent revival.

BY ROGER GRODY

48 TRUE TALENT DEBORAH ANN WOLL The L.A.-based True Blood star sinks her teeth into new challenges.

BY JESSICA RADLOFF

50 A TOAST TO MALIBU GRAPE EXPECTATIONS Surf culture, celebrity culture and ... viticulture? The glamorous enclave is gaining a reputation for producing great wine.

BY DANIELA GALARZA

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58 CATCHING ON SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS Despite its picturesque coastline and hot dining scene, L.A. has never been known for its seafood—until now.

BY ROGER GRODY

COVER: PACIFIC PARK IN SANTA MONICA, EDWIN SANTIAGO. OPENING SPREAD: SANTA MONICA PIER, EDWIN SANTIAGO. THIS PAGE, FROM LEFT: TAKAHIRO OGAWA; WYNN RUJI; DALE BERMAN

CONTENTS

WHERE GUESTBOOK

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CONTENTS

L.A. ESSENTIALS

MUST-SEE SPOTS Get glimpses of the city-defining destinations that captivate locals and visitors alike.

64 NEIGHBORHOODS

CITY GUIDES Los Angeles County comprises many cities and communities, from Santa Monica to Silver Lake, from the San Fernando Valley to South Bay.

73 SPENDING TIME

97 CHOW TIME

SHOPPING 74 LOOK BOOK See what’s in store at some of the area’s finest retailers.

80 RETAIL DETAILS Here’s a look at the region’s major shopping destinations and a selection of stores, boutiques and galleries.

DINING Hungry? Check out our guide to the best restaurants in the county.

113 PLAY TIME ATTRACTIONS Get out! The best things to do and see in L.A.: studio tours, theme parks, the arts, sports, nightlife and more.

»EXPLORE L.A. WITH THE FREE WHERE USA APP

LEFT: KATHLEEN CLARK

12 FIRST LOOK

8 W H E R E G U E S T B O O K

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where GUESTBOOK

LOS ANGELES ON THE WEB: WHERELA.COM

PUBLISHER Jeff Levy EDITOR Katie McCarthy ART DIRECTOR Carol Wakano ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Danielle Dolen MARKETING DIRECTOR Audrey Nimura CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER PRODUCTION ARTIST ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Heidi Schwindt Ryan Furuya

Suzanne Ennis

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Riley Carter, Daniela Galarza, Roger Grody, Kelsey Kloss, Joseph LeMoyne, Lesley McKenzie, Jessica Radloff, Libby Slate CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dale Berman, Kathleen Clark, Idris Erba, Sarah Hadley, Matt Hartman, Edwin Santiago, Ashok Sinha, Christopher Ian Smith, Ian White ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Brandee Leonard, Jessica Levin, Mali Mochow, Kerry Brewer, Heather Howard-Heintz, Natalie Johnson, Joanna McLean

WITH AN

SENIOR CIRCULATION AND SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER Christine PRODUCTION MANAGER Dawn Kiko Cheng WEB EDITOR 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 ADVERTISING Danielle.Dolen@SoCalMedia.com EDITORIAL Katie.McCarthy@SoCalMedia.com ART Art@SoCalMedia.com PRODUCTION Ads@SoCalMedia.com CIRCULATION Christine.Noriega@SoCalMedia.com 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.

SUNSET STRIP VEGAS STRIP SUNSET & LA CIENEGA FASHION SHOW WEST HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS 323-650-0475 702-632-0848 www.bootstaronline.com 10

Copyright© 2014 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 Alliance for Audited Media.

GET THE BUZZ ON THE GO WITH THE WHERE USA APP USA

WHERE GUESTBOOK

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CONTRIBUTORS ROGER GRODY

ss DALE BERMAN

ss DANIELA GALARZA

• Photos in It’s in the Jeans, page 44, and elsewhere While studying photography at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Berman discovered a talent for making subjects feel at ease in front of the lens, including the factory employees he shadowed for It’s in the Jeans. Berman’s work has appeared in People and the Los Angeles Times Magazine and on NBC.

• A Toast to Malibu, page 50 A Cornell University grad and French Culinary Institutetrained pastry chef, Galarza has cooked in the kitchens of L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Troisgros and Georges Blanc in France and for restaurateurs David Burke and Michael White in New York. Galarza writes about food and restaurants for outlets including Los Angeles magazine.

s s

GRODY, VLADIMIR PERLOVICH; GALARZA, LIZ DODDER

• Looking East, page 38 • Catching On, page 58 Pasadena-based Roger Grody writes for Westways, Fodor’s travel guides and GuestBook’s sister magazine, Where. You might find this foodie at an off-the-radar sushi bar or hunting down a taco truck. The former city planner also documents L.A.’s architecture.

OSKA 9693 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills 310 271 2806 oska-beverlyhills.com OSKA 13 Douglas Alley Pasadena 626 432 1729 oska-pasadena.com

KATHLEEN CLARK

• L.A. Rock City, page 28 Photographer Kathleen Clark has exhibited her work at galleries including CoCA in Seattle and LACE in Los Angeles. Clark is also a photography editor for Los Angeles, LA Weekly and other publications. She served as an adjunct faculty member at Art Center College of Design and the University of Southern California.

Beverly Hills / Calgary / Chicago / Edina / Lake Forest / Mill Valley / Montclair / New York / Pasadena / Seattle/ London / Paris / Munich / Amsterdam / Kopenhagen / www.oska.de

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firstlook FROM ICONIC BEACHES TO WORLD-CLASS ARTS VENUES TO CUTTING-EDGE BOUTIQUES, LOS ANGELES HAS IT ALL. WE CHERRY-PICK THE TOP ATTRACTIONS FROM THE COUNTY’S DIVERSE BOUNTY.

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The Huntington

There’s more to Los Angeles than mountains and beaches; thanks to San Marino’s Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, the county boasts rainforest and jungle, too. Get lost in 120 landscaped acres of this urban oasis, featuring more than a dozen themed gardens and one of the world’s most extensive collections of cacti. The on-site art collection is equally impressive, housed in the Beaux-Arts-style Huntington Art Gallery (former residence of the center’s founders, railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington and his wife, Arabella) and the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art. And bookworms, rejoice! The Huntington Library is home to more than 6 million rare scripts, books, photos and other works, including the double elephant folio edition of John James Audubon’s The Birds of America. Now that’s worth tweeting about.

1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, 626.405.2100, huntington.org

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Walt Disney Concert Hall

Ten years after its dynamic debut downtown, the Frank Gehrydesigned Walt Disney Concert Hall continues to make a vivid sensory impact, even when shrouded in silence. The exterior’s stainless-steel-clad, soaring curvilinear forms strike a dazzling pose against the city’s blue skies and add a contemporary element to the Music Center complex, which also includes the Ahmanson Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Of course, music is the hall’s raison d’être, and, accordingly, its hardwood-paneled main auditorium is an acoustically sophisticated complement to the iconic exterior as well as the talents of the resident orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and its vibrant young conductor, Gustavo Dudamel.

Universal Studios Hollywood & Universal CityWalk

What’s most thrilling: spotting a celebrity on the back lot of a working movie studio, indoor skydiving in a vertical wind tunnel, or riding a mechanical bull? At Universal Studios Hollywood and neighboring Universal CityWalk, you can experience all three.

The tour through the world’s largest working movie studio 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. Attractions include the mindbending Transformers: the Ride 3-D, the indoor coaster Revenge of the Mummy—the Ride and Jurassic Park—the Ride, featuring a heart-racing face-to-face with a T-Rex. At admission-free Universal CityWalk, enjoy shopping and dining, a cinema and nine nightlife destinations, including Saddle Ranch Chop House (of the aforementioned bull) and Jillians Hi Life Lanes. Universal Studios Hollywood, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 818.622.3801, universalstudioshollywood.com; Universal CityWalk, 818.622.4455, citywalkhollywood.com

PREVIOUS SPREAD: LISA ROMEREIN. THIS PAGE: EDWIN SANTIAGO

111 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 323.850.2000, laphil.com

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oyster perpe tual cosmog r aph day tona in pl atinum

rolex

oyster perpetual, cosmograph and daytona are trademarks.

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Griffith Observatory

Hollywood’s best stargazing happens at Mount Hollywood’s Griffith Observatory, which commands both expansive views of the L.A. Basin and the heavens above. Visitors can tour the grounds and observatory, go on an astronomical adventure via a live show at the state-of-the-art Samuel Oschin Planetarium Theater and search the sky through a telescope at a public “star party,” held monthly.

The iconic dome-topped observatory is the main draw of the 4,210-acre Griffith Park, also home to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, a merry-go-round, Travel Town, pony rides, the Greek Theatre and miles of popular hiking trails.

2800 E. Observatory Road, Griffith Park,

The Grove & Farmers Market

The Grove shopping and outdoor entertainment center, a hit with locals and tourists alike, features an extensive selection of boutiques and dining options along its quaint cobblestone streets. Enjoy dancing fountains and free concerts while you shop at places such as Barneys New York, American Girl Place and Topshop Topman. Refuel at eateries including Umami Burger, Morels French Steakhouse and Gordon Ramsay’s the Fat Cow. Or hop on the electric trolley to adjacent historical Farmers Market, an L.A. institution packed with more than 100 stalls, boutiques and restaurants, including the not-to-miss Short Order for burgers and shakes.

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.com

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FROM TOP: COURTESY OF FRIENDS OF THE OBSERVATORY; DALE BERMAN

213.473.0800, griffithobs.org

WHERE GUESTBOOK

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ON RODEO DRIVE: AGENT PROVOCATEUR CH CAROLINA HERRERA DAMIANI JIMMY CHOO LALIQUE LANVIN STEFANO RICCI TIFFANY & CO.

ON VIA RODEO: 208 RODEO RESTAURANT BREGUET DAVID ORGELL G HAUTE COUTURE GALERIE MICHAEL JUDITH RIPKA M C CORMICK & SCHMICK’S PERSOL EYEWEAR PETER MARCO PORSCHE DESIGN RICHARD MILLE STEPHEN WEBSTER URASAWA VERSACE VERTU WESTIME

ON WILSHIRE BLVD: BUCCELLATI ETRO VILEBREQUIN

the crown jewel in the heart of beverly hills a shopping paradise on rodeo drive two hours free valet parking from 10 am to 6 pm. the corner of rodeo drive & wilshire boulevard leasing: jay luchs 310.407.6585 • kazuko morgan 415.773.3546 managed by • 310.247.7040

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T woRodeo.com facebook.com/TwoRodeoDrive twitter.com/TwoRodeoDr

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Rodeo Drive

The world’s most luxurious brands converge on Beverly Hills’ legendary Rodeo Drive, creating a gravitational pull that attracts shoppers and sightseers alike.

Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch and Hermès are just a few of the names that call the celebrated street home. Find Herve Leger and G-Star Raw at Rodeo Collection, and stroll up the cobblestoned Via Rodeo to Richard Mille, Agent Provocateur and gifting authority David Orgell. At the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way, a 14-foot-tall Robert Graham sculpture stands proud, honoring the fashion and entertainment luminaries inducted into the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style. They include Fred Hayman, often referred to as the godfather of Rodeo Drive. Rodeo Drive between Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards, Beverly Hills, 323.769.3600,

Ocean Front Walk

The mile-and-a-half-long concrete boardwalk along Venice Beach from Marine Street to the Venice Pier, known as Ocean Front Walk, is prime people-watching territory. Here, you see street performers, ragtag pianists, pumped-up bodybuilders fresh from Muscle Beach, scantily clad inline skaters, souvenir hawkers and tourists with mouths agape, taking in the scene. Not in the mood to dance with the drum circle? Step onto the beach, where volleyball nets, a bike path and wide swaths of sand offer more conventional delights.

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rodeodrive-bh.com

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Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Located halfway between the ocean and downtown, LACMA houses 100,000 objects, from ancient Japanese works in the Pavilion for Japanese Art to contemporary pieces by Richard Serra and Sherrie Levine in the 60,000-square-foot Broad Contemporary Art Museum. In 2010, the Renzo Piano-designed Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion was added to the 20-acre campus to host special exhibitions and showcase more of LACMA’s deep permanent collection. Other offerings include the Art of the Americas Building, LACMA West and the Bing Theater. Outdoors, visit Chris Burden’s Instagram-worthy installation Urban Light and Levitated Mass by Michael Heizer, which consists of a 340-ton granite megalith perched atop a passable “slot” built on the Resnick North Lawn. Film buffs take delight in screenings of Hollywood classics, as part of the institution’s extensive film program. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6000, lacma.org

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The Beaches

Conjure Gidget riding the waves off Malibu, Baywatch lifeguards on patrol or the dramatic final scene of Planet of the Apes and you notice that some of pop culture’s most indelible images are set against a backdrop of L.A.’s sandy shores. That celebrated coastline stretches 72 miles from the rugged Malibu/Ventura border down to Long Beach, with more than 25 miles of beaches in between offering volleyball, swimming, windsurfing and more. Hop on a bike and cruise between Venice Beach and Santa Monica State Beach, home to the Annenberg Community Beach House and a historic attractionpacked pier—best taken in atop the iconic Ferris wheel at night.

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The legacy of philanthropist and arts advocate J. Paul Getty, the Getty Center and Getty Villa have played a vital role in cementing Los Angeles’ place as a world-class cultural destination. Perched atop a hill in Brentwood and accessible via tram, the Getty Center is a modernist Richard Meier-designed complex featuring expansive views, gardens and light-filled buildings clad in 1.2 million square feet of travertine. The art collection features European paintings, drawings, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts and European and American photographs. The coastal Getty Villa is modeled after a first-century Roman country house and bedecked with classical architectural details and a prominent collection of Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities. Visitors also enjoy cafe dining and performances in the villa’s 450-seat outdoor classical theater.

Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A., 310.440.7300; Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades, 310.440.7300. getty.edu

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PREVIOUS PAGE: ASHOK SINHA. THIS PAGE, FROM LEFT: GETTY VILLA, EDWIN SANTIAGO; GETTY CENTER, DALE BERMAN

Getty Center & Getty Villa

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Westime

Third Street Promenade & Santa Monica Place

Just steps from the Santa Monica Pier, the three city blocks that comprise the pedestrian-only Third Street Promenade offer entertainment, dining and shopping aplenty. Street performers and vendors ply their trades while visitors and locals filter in and out of the bars, theaters, restaurants and shops packing the promenade and surrounding streets. Many of the stores, which run from A/X Armani Exchange to Zara, stay open late. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, don’t miss the city’s largest and most famous farmers market, where you can rub shoulders with top chefs as they peruse the Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom, dozens of upscale boutiques and a rooftop Dining Deck. 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

DALE BERMAN

goods. Anchoring the promenade at Broadway is Santa Monica Place, a glittering open-air shopping center that boasts

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Westime LA Guestbook_. 11/6/13 7:14 PM Page 1

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L.A. ROCK A trip to Hollywood’s Musicians Institute—where big dreams and big talent frequently collide—inspired photographer Kathleen Clark to shoot young artists in the school as well as the city beyond. “I wanted to capture a sense of musicians in the broader world of Los Angeles to show something of the magnetic quality of this city, as young people are drawn here from all over the world to study and pursue their careers,” she says. From 2010 to 2013, Clark shadowed these budding artists in the the studio, on the stage, even rocking out on the street, and documented the details “that so elementally [make] up the visual texture of musical lives.”

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CITY OPPOSITE: GUITARIST PIOU PAM OF RIVERSIDE IN FRONT OF THE FORMER GEISHA HOUSE, HOLLYWOOD THIS PAGE: “A WHO’S WHO OF BACKSTAGE PASSES,” SAYS CLARK, ON DISPLAY IN THE STAGE MANAGER’S OFFICE AT THE WILTERN THEATER, MIRACLE MILE DISTRICT

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OPPOSITE: IN LINE AT THE NAMM SHOW, A MUSIC CONVENTION IN ANAHEIM ABOVE, FROM LEFT: AN ENGINEER IN STUDIO AT THE MUSICIANS INSTITUTE; THE VENERABLE WHISKY A GO GO ROCK CLUB ON WEST HOLLYWOOD’S SUNSET STRIP FROM NEAR RIGHT: THE EL REY THEATRE, MIRACLE MILE DISTRICT. “THE ORIGINAL 1936 EL REY BOX OFFICE AND MARQUEE ARE BEAUTIES,” SAYS CLARK; A GUITAR PLAYER WARMS UP AT THE MUSICIANS INSTITUTE CONCERT HALL.

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THIS PAGE: “AMOEBA [MUSIC] IS THE VINYL CAPITAL OF HOLLYWOOD AND YOU KNOW IT AS SOON AS YOU HIT THE STAIRWELL,” CLARK SAYS. OPPOSITE: SINGER LADY RHO “CAME TO HOLLYWOOD TO MORE FULLY DEVELOP HER BLEND OF SOUTHERN HIP-HOP, R&B AND ROCK,” CLARK EXPLAINS.

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FROM FAR LEFT: “A GREAT BLUES KEYBOARD PLAYER,” TONY LANDER, PLAYS A VINTAGE HAMMOND ORGAN; MUSICIANS PRACTICE IN AN ALLEY OFF HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD BELOW, FROM LEFT: CABLES ON A VINTAGE FENDER AMPLIFIER IN THE MIRACLE MILE DISTRICT; FRANCISCO MELA, DRUMMER FOR ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ TRIO, AT THE FORMER JAZZ BAKERY, CULVER CITY OPPOSITE: VOCALIST AND GUITAR PLAYER MICHELLE STAFFIERI, SANTA MONICA STATE BEACH

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BEVERLY HILLS’ NEW LANDMARK IS A LOVE LETTER TO THE PERFORMING ARTS.

BY LIBBY SLATE

THE STAGE

SETTING

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OPPOSITE: COURTESY OF WALLIS ANNENBERG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

For months, passersby saw the fanciful murals adorning the barrier walls of the construction site at Santa Monica Boulevard and Cañon Drive in Beverly Hills: “Today construction, tomorrow concertos,” read one. “Today bulldozers, tomorrow ballet,” announced another. ¶ The signs portended the creation of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, which transforms a former U.S. post office, enhancing the site of that historic 1933 Italianate-style structure with the addition of a brand-new building.

The murals are down, and the building is up: The Annenberg Center opened its doors with a gala celebration chaired by Jamie Tisch and co-chaired by Robert Redford and Brad Pitt; its inaugural public performances were courtesy of the Martha Graham Dance Company.

With two theaters—the 500-seat Goldsmith Theater and the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater—a children’s theater school and a diverse array of programming, the center is a welcome addition not just to Beverly Hills. “We’re a performing arts center for all of Los Angeles,” says executive director Lou Moore, formerly the founding managing director of the Geffen Playhouse.

“Beverly Hills is very important and near and dear to us, but the programming is open to all.”

Some of the first-season programming pays homage to the post office, Moore says: Martha Graham’s Chronicle was created in Los Angeles during the time the structure was being built, and the Miklós László play Parfumerie is about sparring employees who unknowingly are writing love letters to each other.

Other offerings include the Kneehigh Theatre’s production of Noël Coward’s Brief Encounter (Feb. 15-March 23); Baseball Swing, a show with music, video and images produced in conjunction with the National Baseball Hall of Fame (April 4-6); the West Coast premiere of the Ricky Ian Gordon-Leonard Foglia chamber opera A Coffin in Egypt, starring Frederica von Stade (April 23-27); and family programming including E.B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan, with music by Jason Robert Brown (May 2-4).

The performing arts center has been a long time coming. Moore left the Geffen in 2000 to become involved, and in 2004, the Annenberg Foundation made a $15 million grant to establish

what was then known as the Wallis Annenberg Cultural Center.

At the time, philanthropist Annenberg said of her father, late publisher and diplomat Walter Annenberg, that his “greatest legacy to me is a love for the arts and an appreciation for their impact and value in each of our lives.” After various delays, the project broke ground in March 2010, and construction on the new theater space began in April 2011.

Presiding over it all is chief architect Zoltan E. Pali, a Los Angeles native who, with Renzo Piano, is also designing the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures; his previous projects include the renovations of the Pantages and Greek theaters.

Before he came onboard, Pali recalls, the vision was to use the post office as the main stage.

“My feeling was, you have to absolutely do the exact opposite—use the post office for small items, and build a state-of-the-art theater,” he says. “Connect the two underground, but do not touch the historic post office.

You’d have to rip the building apart and compromise the architecture.”

Accordingly, with the assistance of design consultant Peyton Hall and his Historic Resources Group, the post office was renovated and restored.

Some 24,000 terra cotta roof tiles had to be removed and reinstalled because of the waterproofing of the roof, and the area where customers once bought stamps now serves as the box office.

The building is also home to the Studio Theater,

a gift shop and cafe, and children’s classrooms for the school planned for summer. The Studio Theater is used for smaller productions, cabaret, workshops, rehearsals, special events and rentals.

Though the Goldsmith Theater looks up-to-theminute new, with its exterior walls of Swisspearl cement composite and its expansive window wall, that building, too, pays homage to the post office.

The coppery color of the intriguingly shaped design panels that clad the walls corresponds to the terra cotta accents on the post office.

And the building’s panels represent Pali’s “interpretation and abstraction of the cultural history” of the site, referencing the delivery and sorting of mail.

“I thought of the handwritten mail, the handwritten envelopes—I really got into the tactility of all that,” he explains.

“What if all the envelopes came back and clad the building? We started with a 4-by-9 envelope and turned it, sliced and diced it, and cut it into a subtle, beautiful pattern. We call it ‘the return of the envelopes.’ ” The Annenberg complex also includes a sculpture garden, courtyard, promenade and subterranean parking garage. Inside the post office building, above the three windows of what is now the grand entrance, are three words that will be illuminated at night: “Enlightenment,” “Cooperation” and “Communication.”

“They were engraved in 1934,” Moore says, “and they still resonate today. They resonate perfectly for a performing arts center.”

The building’s panels represent Pali’s “interpretation and abstraction of the cultural history” of the site, referencing the delivery and sorting of mail.

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looking

EAST

THE EASTERN COLUMBIA BUILDING REFLECTS BROADWAY’S FORMER GRANDEUR AS WELL AS ITS EXCITING REVIVAL. BY ROGER GRODY

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was constructed in 1930, Broadway was among the most fashionable streets in Los Angeles. The building contributed to Broadway’s glory days, only to witness the neighborhood’s heartbreaking decline. Now that Broadway is playing a pivotal role in the renaissance of downtown, the Eastern Columbia has been reborn as the epitome of chic, modern loft living, attracting some of L.A.’s most stylish homeowners. And more developments are on the way.

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Shielded beneath a soaring terra cotta-covered canopy with extensive gilded ornamentation, the Broadway entrance to the building is undeniably grand, and a stunning sunburst is centered over the doors. The structure’s vertical rise steps back several times, a practice employed for both aesthetic and structural purposes in that era, and dark-blue accents and decorative gilt were applied at each successive roofline. “Art Deco buildings like the Eastern Columbia seem to thrust upwards, with setbacks and towers that make the buildings appear even taller than they are,” observes Dishman.

Despite its downtown location, the split-level rooftop is pure Hollywood, with its glistening pool—the feature was added when the building was converted to condominiums in 2006—beneath a four-sided clock tower capped with an ornamental pinnacle. With its unique copperlike patina, the building is markedly distinct from the nondescript steel-and-glass monoliths that now dominate the city’s skyline. This boldly colored building, almost bordering on garishness, exhibits the kind of in-your-face architecture never fully reprised on the streets of downtown, at least not until the arrival of Frank Gehry.

Eastern Columbia anchors the southern end of the Broadway Theater District, once home to a collection of flashy movie palaces with a collective capacity of more than 17,000 seats. Some of these theaters, like the neighboring Orpheum, have been lovingly restored, while others have been abandoned or neglected. Many have been repurposed for retail space, churches or warehouses. As the district began to be rediscovered, buildings such as the Eastern Columbia were retrofitted with chic lofts while bistros and boutiques began filling longvacant storefronts. The entire Theater District, with 60 structures identified as historic, is listed on the National Register. Its glory days may be gone, but Broadway is suddenly relevant again, and the Eastern Columbia Building is the best address on the street.

In 2004, the Kor Group, which owns boutique hotels such as the Avalon and Maison 140 in Beverly Hills, acquired the Eastern Columbia. The company converted it into a 143-loft condominium project, opening after two years and $80 million of intensive, meticulous renovation. The award-winning transformation into a residential building was undertaken by Santa Monicabased Killefer Flammang Architects, which found the 1930 landmark in a severe state of neglect, its signature clock no longer ticking.

OPENING SPREAD AND THIS PAGE, BOTTOM: WYNN RUJI

But first, some history. “The Eastern Columbia Building epitomized the height of opulence when it opened in 1930,” says Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy. The original owner, Adolph Sieroty, erected the building as a symbol of hope and optimism after the stock market crash of 1929. When it was completed after just nine months of construction, it was the city’s largest department store and was one of its tallest commercial structures.

Dishman explains that development came to a halt in many cities following the stock market crash but continued relatively undeterred in L.A., fueled by robust population growth in the 1930s. Because Art Deco was the prevailing style during this period, L.A. became rich in this architecture, and the Eastern Columbia is among the finest remaining examples. Dishman says that until 1957, the city had a building height limit of 150 feet, with City Hall being the sole exception. The Eastern Columbia is 264 feet tall, thanks to a loophole in the ordinance that allowed the decorative housings for mechanical systems—in this case, the building’s monumental clock tower—to exceed the height limit.

Even for those who’ve never ventured onto Broadway, the Eastern Columbia Building’s polished blue-green terra cotta façade is familiar. It was designed by Claud Beelman, an L.A. architect well represented on the National Register of Historic Places. Since the 1969 demolition of the black-and-gold Richfield Tower, the Eastern Columbia remains one of the most colorful examples of the city’s rich Art Deco portfolio, a heritage also reflected in the Sunset Tower Hotel, the former Bullocks Wilshire, downtown’s Oviatt Building and the similarly hued Wiltern Theater.

Dishman, whose organization conducts regular Art Deco walking tours, emphasizes the significance of the Eastern Columbia. “It is certainly one of the greatest Art Deco buildings in Los Angeles,” noting that its size, shape and color distinguish it from its peers. Its terra cotta tiles could be described as aqua, turquoise or seafoam green, depending on your perspective. Royal blue stripes, running vertically and intermittently, add dimension and accentuate the building’s height. A generous amount of gilded ornamentation provides additional embellishment in the forms of sunburst patterns, zigzags and chevrons. The zigzag motif, popular during the period—there’s an offshoot of Art Deco referred to as Zigzag Moderne—is found all over the structure, from the elaborate front entrance to the clock tower rising above a rooftop swimming pool.

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According to firm principal Wade Killefer, the building was structurally sound but had lost its luster.

Remarkably, all of the delicate terra cotta tiles were able to be salvaged, and the architects worked closely with the preservation community to ensure the integrity of the original design was retained. “One of the most difficult challenges was getting light into the center of the building,” says Killefer, noting that its original use as a department store was hardly conducive to residential occupancy. The solution was creating long, thin loft units, allowing them to benefit from existing windows. The north and west elevations were devoid of any windows, so the architects consulted with preservationists to create new ones, ushering in some welcome light. On the west

elevation, the architects created small balconies overlooking a newly created courtyard, a zenlike space with water cascading over a glass-tile-covered wall. According to Killefer, the addition of a rooftop pool created fewer structural challenges than might be anticipated, since the sturdy building was engineered to support the weight of a considerable amount of merchandise. The conversion and adaptive reuse of historic structures has become a specialty of Killefer Flamming Architects; the firm recently undertook another Broadway landmark, the 1927 building housing the Gothic-style United Artists Theatre. He says of the success of the Eastern Columbia project, “It serves as an example that this kind of work can be done and should be done.”

OPENING SPREAD, FROM LEFT: A GLIMPSE OF GREG SALMERI’S LOFT IN THE EASTERN COLUMBIA BUILDING; THE EASTERN COLUMBIA’S ROOFTOP POOL AND CLOCK TOWER OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: A SPLASHY WALLPAPER IN SALMERI’S ECLECTIC LOFT; WATER CASCADES OVER A TILE MOSAIC IN THE COURTYARD. THIS PAGE: AN IRIDESCENT PAINTING

BY ARTIST JIM GLEASON AND A RUG FROM ISTANBUL ARE FOCAL POINTS IN SALMERI’S LIVING ROOM.

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Unfortunately, very few original details of the Eastern Columbia’s lobby remain, as it was altered in the 1950s, again in the 1980s and finally in 2006 when the Kor Group renovated the property. The current lobby of the Eastern Columbia, along with all of the building’s common areas, features the Hollywood Regency style of celebrity designer Kelly Wearstler, whose work includes trendy hotels and swanky penthouses.

The multicolored terrazzo floor, which originally was part of a shopping arcade, looks relatively pristine after nearly 85 years of foot traffic. Leather porter’s chairs, whose backs soar from behind to envelop the heads of their occupants, line white marble walls that are adorned with circular mirrors. On one side lies a lounge with dark taupe walls, modern art and more furniture that hints of glamour, just not the Deco glamour one expects.

After its dramatic makeover, the building attracted buyers eager to participate in the downtown renaissance.

About three-quarters of the units were presold, and buyers reportedly included celebrities such as Johnny Depp, as well as prominent attorneys and Fortune 500 executives looking for a fashionable pied-à-terre or crash pad

near the office. Eric Teves, who manages the building for the homeowners assocation, reports that residents range from twenty-something entrepreneurs to artsy baby boomers downsizing from suburban homes. “It’s truly a wonderful mix of people from all walks of life. The common thread they all share is the love of the building’s architecture,” says Teves. “They also are energized by the exciting things that are happening with the revitalization of downtown.” When inventory exists, which is rare, prices range from approximately $400,000 for a 1,600-square-foot loft to $2.5 million for a four-level, 3,200-square-foot penthouse. As for the future, the manager suggests, “There’s a promise the run-down shops will all be replaced with high-end retailers and restaurants and that the streetscape will be greatly improved.

I think Eastern will continue to attract a diverse group of sophisticated people excited about the building and what’s happening downtown.”

One of those initial buyers was Greg Salmeri, who must possess one of the Eastern Columbia’s most distinctive lofts. Salmeri was attracted by the history and architecture of the building, as well as the burgeoning

WYNN RUJI

“Art Deco buildings like the Eastern Columbia seem to thrust upwards, with setbacks and towers that make the buildings appear even taller than they are.”

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energy of the neighborhood. The successful entrepreneur and designer founded Rolling Greens home and garden showrooms, with locations in Culver City, Hollywood and Costa Mesa. Although his primary residence is in Laguna Beach, he finds himself spending weekends at the loft, as well as weeknights if his work runs late and he’s too weary to confront the long drive to Orange County.

“I liked the idea of living downtown and always loved the building,” says Salmeri. “I wanted something typical of an earlier time in Los Angeles.” Many of the other downtown buildings renovated for loft living didn’t inspire him, he recalls, lamenting their lack of character.

“But this building told the story of the city, and that was important to me,” says Salmeri, who enjoys his views of the Orpheum Theatre and says of the Eastern Columbia, “At night it’s spectacular.... It’s like a jewel.” Although Broadway’s revival stalled during the recession, the designer was convinced that the street and its historic yet underappreciated buildings would become an important part of contemporary downtown L.A. Salmeri didn’t attempt to replicate the building’s Art Deco features in his own unit, insisting, “The building has such a presence, you don’t need to mimic that on the interior.” Reflecting Salmeri’s eclectic style, his nearly 2,000-square-foot unit showcases both vintage and modern elements, and incorporates items collected from his travels around the globe. “I wanted something that spoke to present-day Los Angeles and that was lighthearted, not too serious,” says Salmeri. The master bedroom, for instance, features an abstract from up-and-

coming L.A. artist Oliver Arms and a pair of midcentury pendants plucked from a Palm Springs thrift store ($40 apiece), which illuminate a joyful-looking Buddha the homeowner brought from China. It’s a multicultural approach that speaks to L.A.’s history and future.

Further making the case that Broadway has finally arrived is the amount of retail and hospitality activity occurring inside the Eastern Columbia Building. Angelo: Home, a chic home accessories store from HGTV personality Angelo Surmelis, occupies a retail space on the ground floor; Surmelis lives in the building, too. “I fell in love with [downtown] more than 20 years ago,” remembers Surmelis. “The Eastern Columbia Building was one of the first places I visited.... It is hands-down my favorite building in Los Angeles. When I decided to open my first boutique, my first choice was the Eastern Columbia.”

At the time of publication another storefront was being readied for the first L.A. clothing boutique of Stockholm-based Acne Studios. The company reportedly passed on Melrose Avenue in favor of this location, which will be its largest store to date and will even include a cafe. Further adding to Broadway’s accelerating nightlife scene is soon-to-arrive Kinfolk Studios, a branch of a trendy Brooklyn bar, moving into the building’s basement.

“After languishing for decades, the building was transformed into condominiums in an outstanding project that earned a Conservancy Preservation Award in 2008,” says Dishman. “It is an absolute gem that has reclaimed its rightful place among the architectural treasures of Los Angeles.”

OPPOSITE: THE EASTERN COLUMBIA’S DISTINCTIVE FAÇADE FEATURES POLISHED BLUE-GREEN TERRA COTTA TILES AND GILDED ORNAMENTATION. THIS PAGE, FROM LEFT: A COZY READING ROOM IN THE LOFT; SALMERI’S MASTER BEDROOM IS DECORATED WITH TREASURES HE’S GATHERED AROUND THE GLOBE.

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it’s in the

JEANS JEA MORE THAN JUST MOVIES ARE PRODUCED IN THE CITY OF ANGELS.

BY JOSEPH L E MOYNE / PHOTOGRAPHY BY DALE BERMAN

“Nothing’s made in America anymore!” Whether

echoed from the mouths of politicians railing against free-trade agreements or unemployed factory workers resentful of jobs shipped overseas, this has become a popular assertion. It’s also a myth. No doubt we’ve shifted away from a manufacturing-based economy, but plenty of merchandise is still manufactured in the U.S., including some of the most iconic American products.

The economy of the Los Angeles metropolitan area is larger than all but about a dozen nations in the world, and its industrial output is diverse, from sausages to electric sports cars. Los Angeles has also retained its position as one of the world’s premier fashion capitals, and most of the designer jeans hugging the hips of starlets are produced in L.A., not Third World sweatshops. Among the hot brands of jeans produced locally is Citizens of Humanity, sold in chic boutiques around the globe and spotted on luminaries including Beyoncé and the Kardashian of your choice.

Nothing is more American than denim, not even Chevrolets or Coca-Cola. Jeans, which began as blue-collar working clothes, aren’t just a garment but the unofficial American uniform—a 44

uniform that has now gone global. Not long ago, scoping for jeans was the quickest way to identify fellow American tourists overseas, before people in Mumbai and Moscow started buying them as fast as San Fernando Valley teenagers. Although the manufacturing of most mass-market jeans has been shipped abroad, a dominant portion of the high-end designer market has remained in L.A., including brands such as Joe’s Jeans, Lucky Brand and AG. From a factory in Huntington Park, a predominantly Latino community in a heavily industrialized area south of downtown, more than a million pairs of Citizens of Humanity jeans get shipped to market every year. Also manufactured there are two labels that are collaborations with legendary jean-maker Adriano Goldschmied of AG: Goldsign and the recently introduced A Gold E. Eric Kweon, president of the factory and a veteran of the denim industry, says that higher-volume brands adhere to more standardized, mass-production practices. “Other factories may have the same construction, but not nearly as many unique designs and details, which are labor-intensive and still done by hand.” The 52,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is just steps from the

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OPPOSITE: AT CITIZENS OF HUMANITY’S FACTORY IN HUNTINGTON PARK, THE BRAND’S LOGO IS BURNED INTO DENIM WITH A LASER. THIS PAGE: TAGS UNDERLINE THE LOCAL HERITAGE OF CITIZENS OF HUMANITY’S PRODUCT LINE.

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THIS PAGE: FACTORY EMPLOYEES CUT BULK FABRIC ACCORDING TO VARIOUS PATTERNS. OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: FINISHED PRODUCTS, READY FOR SHIPMENT; A RACK OF STRETCH SKINNY JEANS, WHICH ARE DOUBLE-COATED FOR A LEATHERLIKE SHEEN; EMPLOYEES STITCH THE DENIM TOGETHER

BY MACHINE.

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company’s design studio, creating a fully integrated concept in which manufacturing—what the company’s CEO characterizes as a combination of artisan craftsmanship and technology—is almost an extension of the design process.

Founder and CEO Jerome Dahan, a pioneering force in the denim industry, debuted Citizens of Humanity in 2003. “My start in denim was in Los Angeles, and I feel a sense of being at home here,” says the native Parisian. “I love the fact that we are able to employ more than 500 people and produce a made-in-America product.” Dahan insists that manufacturing in its own facilities allows the company to control the quality and shorten the production process. Acknowledging the expenses incurred by remaining in L.A., he says, “The benefits, we believe, outweigh the additional cost.... America needs to keep its tradition of craftsmanship and quality. We can only maintain this reputation if we are willing to pay a price to do so,” says Dahan. “It doesn’t come without some sacrifice, but it is modest enough to make it an easy decision for us.” Noting that some brands have moved production to Mexico, China or Turkey, he says, “I believe a brand has to have a standard, and I have found that denim made in L.A. is at a higher level.”

Inside the cavernous, brightly illuminated factory across the street from Dahan’s office, approximately 300 workers busy themselves at tasks that range from old-school handstitching to operating a massive computer-programmed cutting machine that Kweon points out costs as much as a Ferrari. Row upon row of sewing machines hum along, and different pieces of jeans are stitched together on a machine nicknamed the “caballo” (Spanish for “horse”) because of

its shape. Promotions from within are de rigueur at Citizens of Humanity. Manager Alonso Lima, for instance, has been with the organization for more than a decade, working his way from the sewing machine to a supervisory position.

Lima now manages 116 people. He also takes pride in creating goods in America, saying, “What we do here is important to the country.”

Dahan is not quite ready to pronounce Los Angeles a premier international fashion capital, but is quick to assert that “Los Angeles is certainly the fashion capital of denim.”

The chief executive cites the casual, open environment—the basis for creative industries such as music and film—as being well-suited to denim designers and manufacturers. “I think the freedom and more relaxed environment that exists in Los Angeles contributes to the creative process. Even before denim was such a fashion item, the Los Angeles lifestyle was a perfect fit for the denim business,” says Dahan. With an estimated 75 percent of all premium denim products manufactured in greater L.A., he is hardly alone in making that assessment.

Having been associated with several trendsetting jeans labels, from pioneering Guess to the industry-changing 7 for All Mankind, Dahan is uniquely positioned to explain what contributes to a successful designer brand. “First, second and third, it is the product—innovation and quality,” he says. “All the PR and marketing that you do should be directed towards the audience you’ve defined for your products.” But he cautions that even the best public-relations team can’t sustain a brand, saying, “There is no substitute for a good product.”

“We control quality at each step in the process,” says Dahan. “We don’t ever manufacture large quantities. We always reduce the manufacturing process to a level that ensures producing a product we are proud to offer.” When asked how Citizens of Humanity jeans are distinguished from other premium brands, a seemingly modest Dahan demurs, “That is probably a better question directed to our customers, both the retailers and consumers.” But he argues that Citizens of Humanity uses the best fabrics, processes them in innovative and appealing ways and is constantly dedicated to making them fit properly.

“In a few words, it is about quality,” says Dahan. About half of the denim used by Citizens of Humanity is imported from Japan, a nation famous for its premium selvage denim created on old-fashioned looms, and the other half is mostly from Italy. Some women’s styles use fabrics with built-in stretch, so effective and comfortable that a pair of skinny jeans with a double-coated finish not only has the sheen of leather but nearly the elasticity of leggings.

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Keeping things fresh, ensuring that consumers don’t move on to the next hot brand, is a constant challenge in the fickle denim industry. Dahan addresses it by maintaining excitement in the company’s design department, which recently added two new directors. “There is nothing like younger, highly talented people that energize and challenge the creative process,” says the middle-aged entrepreneur. Citizens of Humanity’s design studio—a modern space that feels eerily hushed compared with the cacophony of the factory—is constantly devel-

fittings, is an imposing machine that applies some high-tech art to the company’s clothing. Any computer-programmed image, logo or pattern—floral and animal prints are currently trendy—can be burned into denim or leather by a laser that generates subtle flames and smoke as it progresses from hip to hem. In the company’s laundry facility, about 10 miles from the factory, four laser machines burn patterns into as many as 1,200 pieces of apparel per day. At that same site, 200 employees contribute a variety of finishing touches—washes creating the perfect shade, sanding or grinding for that coveted well-worn look, and dyeing for brilliant colors—that transform ordinary blue jeans into garments with attitude.

“Our customers appreciate a beautifully designed product, quality and a sophisticated, chic aesthetic,” Dahan says. “They appreciate fashion and what is current, but also have their own style and like wearing a product that makes them feel and look good.” The benefits of manufacturing in L.A. extend well beyond maintaining a constant connection to this trendy clientele. “There is no [other] place that I’ve been that allows you the creative freedom and rewards talent without regard to where you were born or who your family is,” Dahan says.

The Citizens of Humanity experience confirms that products are not simply made in L.A., but also created in L.A.

“We don’t ever manufacture large quantities. We always reduce the manufacturing process to a level that ensures producing a product we are proud to offer.” oping new ideas its designers hope will become hot trends.

Inspiration boards set the moods; fabric boards present the colors and patterns consumers will crave two seasons from now. Workers in a fabrication shop (a miniature version of the factory used for the production of samples) are busy tweaking the construction while a parade of models zip up for designers to assess that elusive perfect fit.

A constant variation of styles is appealing to women, who, according to Marina Morrison-Keiler, the company’s director of global PR and communications, are more easily seduced by fashion trends. “Women are more enticed by new designs and fabrics, while men tend to be more brandloyal,” she explains. Male customers, says her boss, Dahan, are attracted to the brand largely based on craftsmanship, and suggests they admire the products as they would a welldesigned watch or car. At prices ranging from about $190 to $260 for women’s jeans, Citizens of Humanity products are competitively priced, despite being manufactured in highcost California.

Jeans may be quintessentially American, but they’re now exported to every corner of the globe, and their appeal transcends generations and cultures. According to Dahan, jeans are unique in the sense that they bring style to something inherently comfortable and durable. “They can be worn with a T-shirt and tennis shoes or with a blazer and the highest-quality accessories, and they always look good,” he says. “Jeans can be the star of the outfit or play a great supporting role.”

A wall outside the Citizens of Humanity warehouse is covered by an aqua-hued mural by noted L.A. graffiti artists Retna and Risk, with geometric patterns that might be interpreted as an abstract expression of a textile loom. Inside, convenient to the small workshop turning out samples for

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Q&A

True Talent As the final season of True Blood comes to a close, L.A.-based actress Deborah Ann Woll sinks her teeth into new challenges. BY JESSICA RADLOFF

OPPOSITE: TAKAHIRO OGAWA, TAKAHIROOGAWA.COM

T

I could, and took classes every single second. There was something about this that I instantly connected to.

rue Blood’s flamehaired vampiress, Deborah Ann Woll, has a brochure to thank for bringing her to La-La Land. After flipping through a pamphlet on the University of Southern California’s theater program in 2002, she was motivated to move to the City of Angels and dedicate herself to the craft.

Now, the 29-year-old (who goes

by Deb, Deborah or Deborah Ann—never Debbie) is preparing for the final season of HBO’s cult-hit drama, which premieres in summer. Aside from True Blood, Woll is dedicating her time to film (forthcoming projects include Meet Me in Montenegro), theater and a philanthropic endeavor close to her heart. Woll took a break from final rehearsals for Parfumerie, a limited-run play at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, to talk vampires, fan encounters and bringing a bit of New York to L.A.

I do enjoy that genre. I can’t say that I knew a lot about the more modern incarnations of those stories, but I did love the old Universal classics like The Wolf Man, Dracula, Frankenstein.

When we were doing the first season of True Blood, it was before Twilight had come out, so the [strong interest] was a surprise to us.

When did you realize you wanted to be an actor?

What do fans say when they meet you?

I just always knew. I played dressup from a young age and sang and danced in front of the mirror.

I auditioned for plays as soon as

A lot of them are fans of the books, so they have a lot to say about changes we’ve made from that. People tell me they hated

At what point did you notice your life change, thanks to the popularity of True Blood?

Once the second season started airing. It was a bigger phenomenon than we thought it was going to be. I mean, we thought it was good, but you never know! I realized, “Wow, I really jumped on a train here.”

Were you always fascinated by vampires and the supernatural?

Jessica in the beginning but have now grown to like her. A little part of me is always sad that they hated Jessica when she first came on because I think it was some of the most interesting stuff I’ve ever gotten to do.

Outside of acting, you’ve dedicated your time to a special cause: choroideremia, a genetic disease that causes blindness and affects your boyfriend, E.J. Scott.

It is a devastating condition, but for the most part, we live very happy, normal lives. Things just take a little longer. Sometimes when [we] are with people that have physical or visual challenges, we think, “Oh, if I do it, it will just go faster,” but I’ve learned it’s better to do the opposite. If it takes more time, that’s fine. It’s just having patience, and that has made it workable to me.

E.J. ran 12 marathons last year to raise money for the disease.

He did, and he raised over $150,000 doing it! I ran one halfmarathon, but I am not a very good runner! He trained for it and got guys to run with him. We also made a documentary about it, Running Blind. I helped put it together, finance it and show it at

some festivals, so we’re hoping to get it out there more.

How do you like to relax in your off time?

We are kind of indoor cats because E.J. has a sensitivity to light, so we don’t tend to leave home very often. And I get very nervous in crowds, so I tend to be a homebody. But when we want to get away, I love Big Bear for a weekend.

When you do venture out, what are some of your favorite spots?

I love Cheebo because they have gluten-free pasta. I love a good steak, and Ruth’s Chris is amazing! I also love seeing plays at the Geffen and the Wallis Annenberg Center. I can’t recommend our theater in L.A. enough. We spend a significant amount of time at LACMA, too.

Any favorite shopping spots?

I love J. Crew and Crate and Barrel at the Grove, especially since we live not too far from there, in the Miracle Mile area.

Being New Yorkers, we wanted to be able to walk to all of our amenities—the post office, the grocery store, et cetera—and we’re able to do that in our neighborhood.

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AToast to

MALIBU SURF CULTURE. CELEBRITY CULTURE AND ... VITICULTURE? THE ENCLAVE

ASSOCIATED WITH SUN, SAND AND STARLETS IS GETTING NOTICED FOR SOMETHING ELSE: PRODUCING GREAT WINES. BY DANIELA GALARZA

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MALIBU’S RUGGED CANYONS have a lot to hide.

Behind colorful, craggy rock formations, evergreens and cacti, you might catch a glimpse of a famous face behind big sunglasses, a mountain lion in repose or, in the right season, a vineyard bursting with fruit.

The 21-mile coastline that has made Malibu famous is more than just a breathtaking beach or a place to scope out celebrities. Many Angelenos don’t know that Malibu is also home to nearly 70 private and commercial vineyards.

Malibu’s modern viticulture began in a backyard.

The grapevines that thrive in L.A. County today are barely a generation old. In 1959, a Mr. Tom Jones— not the singer, but an aeronautical engineer and onetime chief executive of the former Northrop Corp.— purchased the Moraga Estate in Bel-Air from Victor

Fleming, the director best known for The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind. When, in the early 1970s, Jones learned that his property included areas with deep gravel soil, he began to explore the notion of making wine. In 1919, Prohibition essentially squashed L.A.’s robust winemaking industry; only a few wineries, including San Antonio Winery, survived. Remarkably, Jones was the first to open a commercial winery in the city since the Volstead Act’s 1933 repeal. In 1978, he planted cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot grapes in the area behind his home. By 1989, he’d released the first Moraga vintage. For those growing grapes on the hillsides near the ocean, north of L.A., Jones is considered a trailblazer, one of the first to understand the area’s microclimate.

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MICHAEL MCCARTY GROWS EXCLUSIVELY PINOT NOIR GRAPES AT HIS ESTATE, CALLED THE MALIBU VINEYARD. THIS PAGE: THE PRIVATE ROSENTHAL ESTATE WINERY

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About 30 miles west of Bel-Air, with views of the ocean, lies the city of Malibu. In 1892, Frederick Hastings Rindge and his wife, Rhoda May Rindge, purchased the coastline. After the stock market crash in 1929, the widowed Rhoda May Rindge was forced to subdivide and sell parts of her well-protected land. Soon, properties were being snapped up by Hollywood stars and other industry types. Around the time that Tom Jones started growing grapes in Bel-Air, these well-off Malibu dwellers began dabbling in viticulture, spurred on by Northern California’s young new growth industry.

Malibu has come a long way since those early days.

A professional sommelier, founder of LearnAboutWine, and wine curator at downtown’s Urban Radish Market, Ian Blackburn notes that a proposal to consider Malibu Coast its own appellation is pending. If it is approved, this would mean that vintners can label their wine as originating from Malibu, rather than having to cite California or Los Angeles County as a bottle’s place of origin. “It’s a big step,” says Blackburn. “This is a distinguishing moment in Malibu’s growth as a wine region.”

Malibu has also benefited from its wealthy, winethirsty population. Many of the smaller wineries subsist on direct sales, meaning they don’t need alcohol distributors to sell their bottles; the local demand for their wine is enough to keep production and profits steady.

Blackburn explains, “Malibu is creating the infrastructure to support its own wine industry.” When he hosts

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tastings and classes, Blackburn focuses on Malibu’s cabernet and chardonnay varietals. “The climate is ideal for those grapes, and Malibu chardonnays are some of the most fruit-forward I’ve ever tasted.”

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills carries several wines made in Malibu. The shop’s wine buyer, winemaker and sommelier, Tony Princiotta, says Malibu produces some of the state’s best cabernet blends. “Some people like to write the region off as a playground for the rich and famous, but what we’re seeing now is that wines in Malibu can be very good. It’s just that the region is still young. Growers are just now really starting to learn what grapes to plant where.”

Plenty of menus around town claim to use locally grown ingredients; increasingly, this is becoming true for restaurant wine lists as well. In Santa Monica, chef-owner Stefano De Lorenzo of La Botte carries very few domestic wines; his list is filled with barberas, sangioveses and harder-to-find Italian varietals. “The philosophy of La Botte is to be as local as possible, and wine from Malibu and the surrounding areas is as local as we can get,” says De Lorenzo. At his restaurant, he pairs Malibu’s reds with his Wagyu beef ravioli with porcini mushrooms.

Chef Michael McCarty, owner of Michael’s in Santa Monica and New York, has been making wine at his Malibu estate, the Malibu Vineyard, since he planted vines there in 1985. “It all started with Dick Graff,” McCarty recalls. The late Richard Graff is widely thought to be one of the pioneers in California winemaking. He took helm of Chalone Vineyards in 1965, long before wineries in Napa and Sonoma became household names. In the late ’70s, Chalone placed third in a blind tasting competition in France at a time when American wines were still thought to be inherently inferior to European varietals.

“We had our house in Malibu,” McCarty continues, “and every year the city sends you notices to clear the brush.... I start complaining to Graff about how I have to clear the brush so often, and this and that. And he says, ‘Why don’t you plant some vines?’ ” McCarty goes on, “So we looked into it and found that the soil and climate were right. After a few trips up north to get some cuttings, we planted chardonnay, a bit of pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc in 1985. Our first vintage was 1989. Through 1993, we produced those blends of red and white. Everything was great. Then the great Malibu fire happened.”

On Nov. 3, 1993, a small fire broke out near a water

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COURTESY OF MORAGA ESTATE

tower on Old Topanga Road. Over the next three days, nearly 19,000 acres burned. Undaunted, McCarty replanted vines, but he sensed a change in the microclimate and revised his grape-growing strategy. “So when we replanted, in 1999, we planted all pinot noir.”

Today, the Malibu Vineyard produces 200 cases a year, much of which is sold at McCarty’s restaurants and at top Malibu dining destinations such as Nobu and Geoffrey’s. Those who want just a taste can find it at the Cornell Winery and Tasting Room, a quaint shop just off Mulholland Drive that’s a must-stop for visitors.

Owners Tim and Denise Skogstrom also offer some of Malibu’s other major producers on their tasting list.

Piero Selvaggio, who runs Santa Monica’s premier Italian destination, Valentino, carries a number of wines made from grapes grown in Malibu. Selvaggio, who lives in Malibu, has seen tremendous growth in the industry. “The producers, like Michael McCarty and others, are serious,” he says, “and understand the microclimate they have to work with. They’re blessed with excellent terroir.” Among the bigger producers he sells at Valentino are those from Rosenthal Estate Winery. “They were the pioneers,” he explains.

Indeed, Rosenthal is one of the more recognizable names to come out of Malibu. Though the estate itself is not open to the public, groups of 30 or larger may reserve private tours and tastings that cost $50 per person. Rosenthal’s tasting room, just off Pacific Coast

Highway, makes its wine some of the most accessible for locals and visitors alike. It’s also open late, making it a hip hangout for coastal residents. The pours are generous and the atmosphere convivial. Also on offer are wines from Rosenthal’s Surfrider label, proceeds from which support the Surfrider Foundation’s mission to preserve oceans and coasts.

Another well-known label using grapes grown in Malibu is Semler Wines, of the Malibu Family Wines group, which also produces the somewhat lesser-known Saddlerock Ranch label. Selvaggio and others credit Semler with establishing excellent cabernets in the region. Though Semler’s wines are, like most in Malibu, produced about two hours north of the area, they’re made exclusively from grapes grown in a 65-acre valley just off Mulholland.

Visitors who drive through Saddlerock Ranch, across the way from the tasting bar, might be surprised to see more than just grapevines crawling through the property. Exotic animals, including zebras and llamas, stare at oncoming cars nonchalantly. In the right season, visitors can even take a “safari” tour of the private property and see baby buffalo and ostriches. Across the way, at the outdoor tasting room, there are tables and seats for nearly 200 people. Locals pack picnics and meet at Semler’s tasting park in the afternoon and early evenings to enjoy the most perfect pairing of all: a flight of Malibu wines and a Malibu sunset.

CASKS AND VIEWS OF THE VINEYARD AT THE MORAGA ESTATE IN BEL-AIR, A PIONEERING FORCE IN WINEMAKING ON L.A.’S WESTSIDE

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A CENTURY OF STYLE STRIKE UP THE BAND: BEVERLY HILLS IS 100.

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n a weekday afternoon so clement as to be cliché, a chrome-wrapped Lamborghini revs its engine at the entrance of the Beverly Wilshire.

On Rodeo Drive, tourists snap selfies with a yellow-and-black Bugatti Veyron stationed outside the House of Bijan. Meanwhile, Maybachs cruise for parking, and Escalades idle, black-suited chauffeurs at the ready. Subtle? Hardly. Glamorous? Always. This is Beverly Hills. As celebrations unfurl for its 100th anniversary, one thing’s for sure: The city’s still got it.

A century ago, the founders of Beverly Hills must have dreamed of a scene such as this for their nascent city. From the very beginning, the community’s development was conceived with grand ambition and on the eve of incorporation was poised to fulfill caviar dreams. With the developers’ 1912 opening of the expansive, no-expensespared Beverly Hills Hotel, initially slow real estate sales had taken off, and along with them Beverly Hills’ reputation. The hotel, under the management of the well-connected Margaret J. Anderson of Hollywood Hotel fame, helped transform the then-subdivision of Beverly Hills from being a lima bean supplier for downtown hotels to a destination of international renown.

The 12-acre oasis in the wilderness, complete with bungalows where the rich could live while their mansions were built nearby, attracted just the elite clientele that Beverly Hills’ founders envisioned. They may not have had a place to shop, but for the first time, there was a sizable influx of residents—enough so that two years later, in January 1914, with barely enough signatures to fill the petition, the city of Beverly Hills incorporated. The visionaries of Beverly Hills had managed to cultivate it—that elusive, magical quality.

Enticed by the wealthy lifestyle and privacy that the Beverly Hills Hotel afforded, coupled with Hollywood’s studio boom, movie stars were soon to follow. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were among the first celebrities to set down roots in Beverly Hills, holding court from their world-famous Wallace Neff-designed mansion, Pickfair. More early celebrity residents included Will Rogers (the honorary first mayor of Beverly Hills), Charlie Chaplin, John Barrymore, Buster Keaton and Rudolph Valentino. And others were flocking as well: From 1922 to 1930, the population of Beverly Hills increased 2,486 percent. Schools, churches, parks, a newspaper, airmail service, shops, a bridle path along Rodeo and a wooden race track sprang up to serve the new residents and visitors, along with a luxury “apartment hotel,” the Beverly Wilshire, at the end of Rodeo Drive. There, fashion shows featuring designs by names such as Chanel and Lanvin—the first for the burgeoning

Rodeo Drive/Wilshire Avenue retail corridor—entertained the monied clientele. Even then, celebrity sightseers and reporters were enthralled by the stars’ exploits and excesses. By extension, as the rest of the world learned about the Hollywood stars’ glamorous lifestyles, Beverly Hills’ own star continued to rise.

Despite America’s ups and downs in the decades that followed, Beverly Hills prevailed, as did its celebrity luster. At the Beverly Hills Hotel, Marlene Dietrich dined at the newly named Polo Lounge, Howard Hughes hid out in the bungalows, Katharine Hepburn backflipped from the diving board, and Elizabeth Taylor—whose father once had an art gallery in the hotel—embarked on a series of honeymoons.

Restaurants and watering holes along Rodeo including the Brown Derby, Café Tropics, the Swiss Cafe and Romanoff’s were packed nightly with Hollywood men-about-town such as Spencer Tracy and Clark Gable. The drive was emerging as a shopping destination as well: Fine jewelers, furriers and some 40 beauty salons inhabited the strip, and men’s clothiers such as Carroll and Co., Y’vel and Alfred Dunhill of London dressed dapper stars including Cary Grant. Lingerie designer Juel Park and couturier Don Loper, meanwhile, did a brisk business outfitting the leading ladies of the day. Still, while certainly tony and star-studded, the heart of Beverly Hills was more “main street” than “hot spot.”

Fred Hayman’s Giorgio Beverly Hills helped to change all that in the 1960s.

Much like the Beverly Hills Hotel was a harbinger of the celebrity influx to the city, Giorgio heralded the transformation of Rodeo Drive into the legendary shopping and tourist destination that it is today. Hayman plied shoppers such as Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra with personal notes and with cocktails from an in-house oak bar, then dressed them in trendsetting European fashions. (In the 1980s, the perfume Giorgio Beverly Hills would make the shop a household name.) The ultra-expensive, appointment-only House of Bijan opened in 1967 and began courting a clientele composed of celebrities, royalty and heads of state. Then Gucci opened its doors in 1968, leading the charge of international designers on the strip. By the label-obsessed 1980s, Rodeo was such a coveted address that Chanel opened its first flagship boutique in North America there in 1985, even before New York. Meanwhile, pre-stylists, the boutiques were swimming in celebrity, which increasingly drew visitors who wanted a taste (and a designer handbag) for themselves.

With each decade, pop culture drove Beverly Hills and its glamorous lifestyle deeper into America’s consciousness: From The Jack Benny Program and The Beverly Hillbillies in the 1950s and ’60s, to Judith Krantz’s novel

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space and attracted millions of visitors. The Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel arrived, and the Beverly Hills Hotel underwent a $100 million restoration—although Don Loper’s iconic 1940s banana-leaf wallpaper stayed intact.

Two years ago, the Pink Palace rang in its 100th anniversary, and Warren Beatty and Mary J. Blige pitched in to celebrate with dozens of the insiders who still consider the Beverly Hills Hotel their home away from home. All the while, power lunches among industry insiders continued unabated at the Polo Lounge (est. 1941), the Grill on the Alley (est. 1984) and Spago Beverly Hills (est. 1997), and luxury brands such as Prada unveiled stunning flagship boutiques designed by star-chitects.

Today, no doubt, Beverly Hills faces stiff competition in the luxury-brand arena. When a consumer can peruse a Tiffany & Co. at a suburban mall, order European designer clothes with the click of a mouse and send a stylist to do her shopping, what is the value of a grand brickand-mortar flagship? Millions upon millions of dollars, according to the major luxury brands that continue to invest on Rodeo Drive. In the last two years, Hermès— one of the first European labels to arrive on Rodeo in the 1970s—bought a new flagship at 434 Rodeo for a reported $75 million, then proceeded to spend $20 million more overhauling it. LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton bought 319 Rodeo for $85 million, and

100 YEARS, ROBERT S. ANDERSON

Scruples in the late ’70s, Beverly Hills was the glamorous backdrop and Rodeo Drive a starring character.

The trend continued into the ’80s with the film Beverly Hills Cop, then the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210 in the 1990s. Perhaps the most iconic Rodeo moment, however, took place in 1990, when Julia Roberts’ call-girl character in Pretty Woman was snubbed by boutique salespeople, only to return to Rodeo the next day to go on a now-legendary shopping spree. The real Beverly Hills was showing signs of change at this point; many of the classic restaurants and independent shops were edged out, lower-budget labels such as Guess began popping up, big money arrived from overseas and tour buses outnumbered the camera-shy celebrities and locals about town. Still, Pretty Woman only enhanced Beverly Hills’ legendary status worldwide.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, new additions and a few nips and tucks kept Beverly Hills ready for its close-up despite turbulent financial times. True, even Rodeo had to work to stay relevant: Snooty salespeople got “sensitivity training,” and more mall brands were welcomed alongside luxury labels. But through it all, Beverly Hills held tightly to its glamorous reputation and storied history. In 1990, the faux-European, cobblestoned Two Rodeo at Wilshire and Rodeo boulevards, with Tiffany & Co. as its anchor, increased luxury retail

IDRIS ERBA. SECOND FROM LEFT AND FAR RIGHT: COURTESY OF THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL: THE FIRST

Pop culture drove Beverly Hills and its glamorous lifestyle deeper into America’s consciousness: From The Jack Benny Program and The Beverly Hillbillies in the 1950s and ’60s, to Judith Krantz’s novel Scruples in the late ’70s, Beverly Hills was the glamorous backdrop and Rodeo Drive a starring character.

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Chanel bought 408 N. Rodeo for a whopping $117 million. This year, other respected luxury brands such as Vera Wang, Ermenegildo Zegna and Burberry recently opened boutiques, moved to larger digs or are scheduled to do so on Rodeo. By the end of 2014, each of the 10 most valuable luxury brands in the world will have a storefront on Rodeo Drive. Meanwhile, each opening and reopening is marked with a celebrity-studded extravaganza breathlessly reported in media outlets around the world. The math is simple: Beverly Hills flagship, $100 million; a viral photo of a shopping-bag-wielding A-list celebrity in front of your flagship, priceless.

Residential real estate also continues to attract A-listers. Although no longer would it be said that Beverly Hills has the corner on celebrity residents, the hot-again, paparazzi-unfriendly hills are home to Hollywood fixtures such as Sylvester Stallone and Denzel Washington and younger stars including Ryan Seacrest and fashion royalty Hedi Slimane. Along with them, genuine royals and billionaire businessmen keep Beverly Hills on top of the market for “megahomes” priced at $10 million or more. Plus, major investments in Beverly Hills’ cultural capital reveal the city’s desire for prominence in other arenas. The most noteworthy is the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, whose spectacular opening gala last year was sponsored by Salvatore Ferragamo,

catered by Wolfgang Puck and attended by luminaries including Charlize Theron and Sidney Poitier. It’s hard to quantify it, but if real estate investment, cultural cachet and celebrity headcount are any measure, Beverly Hills still has it in spades.

With 100 storied years under its belt and a firm foundation for the future, Beverly Hills has much to celebrate. Fittingly, in honor of the city’s centennial year, the city is awash with events and initiatives from the quaint to the spectacular. Perhaps the most decadent and nostalgic of them all—and the one most befitting Beverly Hills—is the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau’s Suite 100 promotion, for which five of Beverly Hills’ top hotels each redecorated a hotel room to capture a “moment in time.” In honor of one of its most famous guests, the Beverly Hills Hotel offers Marilyn Monroe-themed services and amenities with its “Golden Age Inspired by Marilyn Monroe” Suite 100 package and additional “Norma Jean Experience.”

Guests who book both can enjoy, among other luxuries, champagne bubble baths, a bottle of Chanel No. 5 and diamonds (though these sparklers are in body treatments in the hotel’s spa). In Beverly Hills as in life’s pleasures, the adage “the more things change, the more things stay the same” rings true—and things are very glamorous, indeed.

PREVIOUS SPREAD, LEFT: THE OPENING OF THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL HELPED THE CITY SHED ITS REPUTATION AS AN AGRICULTURAL CENTER TO BECOME A PLAYGROUND FOR THE WEALTHY. RIGHT: THE ICONIC BEVERLY HILLS “SHIELD” THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE, FROM LEFT: CHANEL BOUTIQUE ON RODEO DRIVE, PRESENT DAY; THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL POOL, CIRCA 1950s; SHOPPERS AND THE VERSACE BOUTIQUE AT TWO RODEO, PRESENT DAY; MARLENE DIETRICH AT THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL’S POLO LOUNGE, CIRCA 1940s

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catching

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DESPITE ITS RENOWNED BEACH CULTURE, L.A.’S COASTAL SETTING NEVER SEEMED TO FULLY TRANSLATE INTO GREAT SEAFOOD—BUT THAT’S CHANGING. BY ROGER GRODY

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PREVIOUS SPREAD: WHOLE FRIED RED SNAPPER WITH PICKLED FRESNO CHILIS AND LIME AT SALT AIR IN VENICE THIS PAGE: OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL AT THE LOBSTER IN SANTA MONICA OPPOSITE: DAVID LEFEVRE’S FISHING WITH DYNAMITE IN MANHATTAN BEACH

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is one of the most popular cuisines in town, there’s been a natural spillover effect.” Although sushi bars are not popping up as quickly as they were a decade ago, their presence has fostered among Angelenos a greater appreciation for fresh seafood.

He believes, however, that the city still lacks the kind of seafood culture found in Seattle or Boston. “In L.A., there’s a disconnect with where the seafood on the plate comes from, which is different in cities closer to productive fishing grounds,” he explains. Committed to forging that connection, Cimarusti says, “I try to be very clear about where and how a fish is caught. I think you have a responsibility to be as transparent as possible.” Among his favorite products are Santa Barbara spot prawns, appreciated for their sweetness and sustainability.

Critics first noticed Cimarusti’s mastery of seafood at downtown’s Water Grill, at the time the city’s most prominent and expensive seafood restaurant. A few years ago, the restaurant stripped down to a more approachable style and price, and last year opened an inviting branch on Santa Monica’s Ocean Avenue. The new Santa Monica location offers a view of Palisades Park and the blue Pacific Ocean beyond from a clubby dining room with an oversized central bar. These days, the menus at both locations feature seafood caught in familiar and exotic waters, including Nantucket and the Ecuadorian coast. The raw bar, offering more than a dozen daily oyster varieties, is the restaurant’s pièce de résistance, and the kitchen handles high-quality products with finesse.

Something on the lunch menu that guests can’t seem to get enough of is the sensational uni toast, showcasing succulent Santa Barbara sea urchin topped with tobiko caviar or scallions.

When Cimarusti left Water Grill in 2004 to open Providence, David LeFevre, a Charlie Trotter protégé, took his place. After six years, LeFevre’s entrepreneurial spirit resulted in the casual-chic M.B. Post, followed by a seafood restaurant, Fishing With Dynamite, a couple of doors away. Like Cimarusti’s, LeFevre’s sensibilities as a chef were shaped by childhood experiences—in this case, summers fishing for blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay with his grandfather. “Most importantly, those summers ingrained a standard of quality and freshness,” he says.

“I learned how to identify great quality [and] fresh seafood and learned that the simplest way to cook is more ... often the best way to cook.”

Fishing With Dynamite keeps those treasured memories alive. Seating fewer than 35 guests, the place isn’t

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lurping down fresh oysters shucked in front of you at a counter with an ocean view used to be the kind of experience reserved for Boston or Seattle, but suddenly it’s become a part of life on the Southern California coast. Long preoccupied with California cuisine, a movement that eventually swept the country, L.A. chefs never fully exploited the abundant resources lying just beyond the city’s famous beaches. They celebrated local farms, ranches and even vineyards, sometimes to the exclusion of the more conspicuous ocean. But as chefs have migrated from San Francisco and the East Coast, a greater seafood consciousness has begun developing here, extending from pricey dining rooms to casual clam shacks.

Still only in his early 40s, the dean of L.A. seafood is Michael Cimarusti, a classically trained chef whose résumé includes stints at Le Cirque, Spago and Alain Passard’s Parisian temple of gastronomy, L’Arpège. But behind all the Michelin stars is a down-to-earth New Englander whose childhood fishing excursions gave him a profound respect for superb ingredients that he showcases in two very different L.A. restaurants. At Providence, his technique and presentation demonstrate the kind of refinement Passard would appreciate. But at his newest venture, Connie & Ted’s, he turns out homey Rhode Island fare that’s less cerebral and more soulful.

Cimarusti is so dedicated to sourcing the finest ingredients that he’s known to communicate with fishermen thousands of miles away, placing dibs on the best catch before it even arrives at port. Menus at Providence reflect that obsessive attention to quality in dishes such as Santa Barbara sea urchin nestled beneath soft scrambled eggs, served with champagne beurre blanc and brioche; live scallop sashimi with sea lettuce, toasted sesame, caviar and lemon crème fraîche; or wild Alaskan halibut with parsley-jalapeño pistou. A caviar- and truffle-studded tasting menu at Providence is one of the most extravagant gastronomic blowouts remaining in L.A. Connie & Ted’s, named after Cimarusti’s Rhode Island grandparents, is as down to earth as Providence is sophisticated, its menu a hit parade of blue-collar New England favorites: clam chowder, oysters Rockefeller, fried clams and lobster rolls. The setting may possess a sleek L.A. aesthetic, but the materials and colors pay homage to clam shacks on the Eastern seaboard.

Assessing L.A.’s development into a highly respected seafood city, Cimarusti says, “I chalk it up to people being interested in eating healthier. Also, because sushi

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much bigger than a Maryland crab shack—an oyster bar and live-shellfish tank have been squeezed in—and the interior hints of a nostalgic beachfront cottage. LeFevre turns out some innovative dishes such as Thai shellfishcoconut soup or grilled octopus with date-tomato ragoût, but an entire section of the menu is devoted to East Coast comfort foods including New England-style clam chowder with Nueske’s bacon, and blue crab cakes with housemade pickles and remoulade. Convinced Angelenos are becoming serious about seafood, LeFevre opines, “I think people are more conscious about the quality of their food and where it comes from and are demanding responsible, sustainable and fresh seafood.”

One might assume a street named Ocean Avenue in beachy Santa Monica would offer reliable seafood, and places such as Water Grill support those expectations.

The Lobster, with its prominent location at the base of Santa Monica Pier and postcard views, has the look of a tourist trap. And although it’s a frequent concierge recommendation for visitors, the Lobster is also a serious seafood restaurant that treats its signature ingredient with respect. It’s served in many forms: lobster bisque, lobster cocktail, lobster ravioli and whole Maine lobster.

One of the best spots on Ocean Avenue is one of the smallest but a generous slice of heaven for transplanted New Englanders. Blue Plate Oysterette has an endearing quality, and strangers are graciously treated, even at the counter. After consuming a bowl of chowder that could impress a Gloucester grandmother, you’ll find it hard to believe the expanse of blue outside the window is the Pacific Ocean instead of the Atlantic. This place also serves a great lobster roll, that street food from Wiscasset that has become a hot culinary trend in L.A. Blue Plate has wisely dodged the eternal, often contentious debate between “dressed” (tossed in mayo) and “undressed” (drawn butter only) by offering both versions on a brioche bun. California influences—fish tacos, an ahi sandwich with tarragon aïoli and ceviche-style oysters—share the menu with the East Coast fare.

The crowds lining up outside of Blue Plate Oysterette prove that Angelenos appreciate an old-fashioned oyster bar, where a plate of briny shellfish and a cold glass of beer are all the company one needs. Recently, the owners of L&E Oyster Bar—far from the coast, in Silver Lake— had to create a new upstairs bar to accommodate overflow demand. The laid-back establishment offers raw, steamed, smoked, grilled and fried seafood, everything from warm squid salad to beet-cured king salmon with

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“To be so close to the beach on a daily basis and have nowhere nearby to get a great fish sandwich seems like a crime!”

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Meyer lemon crème fraîche. The Pacific and Atlantic receive equal billing here and the spirit of New Orleans makes an occasional appearance in dishes such as oysters Rockefeller or po’boy sandwiches.

Top Chef runner-up Brooke Williamson and husband Nick Roberts recently opened Playa Provisions in Playa del Rey, part of what has been dubbed “Silicon Beach” thanks to its popularity with tech giants and startups alike. The couple, who also operate a pair of endearing gastropubs, have created a four-in-one concept that includes a gourmet ice cream shop, country market counter, back-room whiskey bar and a dining room celebrating underrated local seafood.

Williamson and Roberts are eager to advance the evolution of L.A. into a competitive seafood city. “To be so close to the beach on a daily basis and have nowhere nearby to get a great fish sandwich seems like a crime!” says native Angeleno Williamson, who has fished since childhood. “I always loved the feeling of being out by the water all day and eating your catch that night for dinner.”

“Growing up with opportunities to go deep-sea and shoreline fishing definitely shaped how I look at and respect the sea and what comes out of it,” says Roberts, who hails from seafood-crazy Monterey. “I think Los Angeles, which has access to such a bounty of incredible seafood and is home to inspired, talented chefs, has the potential to become a serious seafood city.”

Chefs Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook, a pair of Floridians with their fingers on the pulse of L.A. culinary trends, founded Son of a Gun after their initial success with noseto-tail fare at Animal, a carnivores’ hangout. Son of a Gun is all about small plates of seafood, and although it’s presented in a totally unpretentious manner, everything is prepared with top ingredients and sophisticated technique. After some cleverly tweaked amberjack sashimi, guests might tuck into a mini lobster roll, shrimp toast with spicy mayo or smoked steelhead roe with maple cream on pumpernickel.

Jason Travi is another acclaimed L.A. chef who grew up around icy New England waters, and his menu at Hollywood’s Littlefork features fresh oysters with a cider mignonette, an overstuffed lobster roll (on a Parker House bun, no less) with housemade malt-and-vinegar chips, and house-smoked brook trout or bluefish pâté.

Clams casino is so retro it was a classic before the Dodgers left Brooklyn, but this dish with Rhode Island roots is now prepared by a hip Hollywood chef for seafood-savvy millennials.

It’s no mystery what Cousins Maine Lobster, a truck that evolved into a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Old Pasadena, specializes in. And it’s all served within 24 hours of being plucked from the chilly waters off the coast of Maine. Two versions of the superhot lobster roll are available: a chilled Maine roll with mayonnaise, and a warm Connecticut version dressed only with butter and lemon. Cousins also ladles out respectable chowder and lobster bisque and on occasion even serves lobster ice cream.

Speaking of relatives, the recently introduced Salt Air in coastal Venice is a cousin (from the same restaurant family, that is) of Littlefork. Chef Greg Daniels, a transport from Buffalo, N.Y., presents intriguing multicultural offerings such as fried oysters with pretzel batter, coconut-curry mussels and fish-skin chips—a seafaring take on Cajun cracklings—served with smoked onion dip and harissa. Both the cuisine and the environment display a delightful blend of funk and refinement, which is just what seafood in the City of Angels is all about.

David LeFevre isn’t the only L.A. chef with childhood memories of blue-crab fishing on Chesapeake Bay. David Lentz grew up in Maryland, and his menu at the Hungry Cat offers his home state’s prized crustacean in several forms. At brunch, Lentz uses crab cakes to improve on a traditional eggs Benedict recipe, and crab or Ipswich clam rolls are a welcome departure from the now-ubiquitous lobster roll. The Hungry Cat, located in Hollywood and Santa Monica, also has one of the best raw bars in town, on par with those of Water Grill and Bouchon. Consider a triple-tiered platter loaded up with Maine lobster, littleneck or cherrystone clams, green-lipped mussels from New Zealand and king crab legs from Alaska.

Santa Monica Seafood is among L.A.’s most prominent seafood distributors and counts Ritz-Carlton and Joël Robuchon among its clients. An informal restaurant adjoins the family-run business’s retail outlet on Wilshire Boulevard, serving fresh oysters on the half shell, San Francisco-style cioppino and more. A smaller but equally notable fish purveyor is Glendale’s Fish King, which some discriminating sushi chefs keep on speeddial. After picking out pristine Copper River salmon or giant diver scallops, customers often drop into the adjoining Galley cafe to snack on spicy octopus salad or charbroiled red snapper. And those cynics who insist that nothing lasts in L.A. should be reminded that Santa Monica Seafood and Fish King have been in business for 75 and 65 years, respectively.

OPPOSITE: NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER WITH NUESKE’S BACON AND HOUSEMADE OYSTER CRACKERS AT FISHING WITH DYNAMITE THIS PAGE: WATER GRILL IN SANTA MONICA

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NEIGHBORHOODS

EVERLY HILLS B A hundred years after its incorporation, the city of Beverly Hills is still an epicenter of star power and luxury. Tory Burch, CH Carolina Herrera and Charlotte Olympia recently joined grandes dames such as Cartier and Chanel on Rodeo Drive. Barneys, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue on Wilshire Boulevard anchor the retail district’s south end.

Old-school celebrities descend from manses north of Sunset Boulevard or in adjacent Bel-Air and Holmby Hills to dine with their agents at the Polo Lounge or the remodeled Spago, and they get their cultural fix at the new Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Neighboring Westwood is home to UCLA and the Geffen Playhouse, while to the south, Culver City offers a hip art and design scene, plus access to downtown via Metro’s Expo Line.

OWNTOWN D From Gustavo Dudamel’s conducting to hot restaurants such as Alma, Orsa & Winston and Terroni, downtown’s attractions have multiplied. The relatively new Grand Park stretches east from the Music Center, home to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum. The Museum of Contemporary Art is nearby.

L.A. Live, featuring Nokia Theatre and Staples Center, offers stylish casual eateries, as does the renovated Figat7th complex. Olvera Street, Chinatown and Little Tokyo showcase L.A.’s ethnic history, while the jewelry, flower, art and fashion districts attract savvy shoppers. The Expo Line connects downtown to Exposition Park, where the California Science Center’s latest addition, space shuttle Endeavour, is on display.

MALIBU From its world-famous surf breaks across its iconic beaches and up to its rugged coastal bluffs, Malibu is a nature lover’s and outdoor enthusiast’s playground. It’s a shopper’s playground, too, boasting such destinations as Malibu Country Mart, with Cali-cool shops including Michael Stars and Babakul, and the adjacent Malibu Lumber Yard, home to Intermix and James Perse.

These wild spaces and shopping centers alike are ripe for spotting the celebrities who inhabit coastal and hillside estates hidden nearby.

Pacific Coast Highway is lined with restaurants such as Nobu Malibu, which commands one of the best coastal views and serves some of the finest fare in the ’Bu. Also enticing are the nearby bohemian enclave of Topanga and tony Pacific Palisades, home of Will Rogers State Historic Park and the splendid art, architecture and gardens of the Getty Villa.

ONG BEACH & SAN PEDRO L Twenty-five miles south of downtown, Long Beach features an airport and a busy seaport as well as splashy tourist destinations.

Among them are the Queen Mary Ship & Seaport, the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, the Pike at Rainbow Harbor dining, shopping and entertainment complex, and the family-friendly Aquarium of the Pacific. Trendy dining and nightlife spots beckon along Pine Avenue and 2nd Street in Belmont Shore, while vintage shops pack East 4th Street’s “Retro Row.” In neighboring San Pedro, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium at Cabrillo Beach offers hands-on attractions, Ports O’ Call Village features shops and restaurants, and the decommissioned USS Iowa welcomes museum-goers aboard at the Port of Los Angeles.

FROM LEFT: COURTESY OF BHCVB; EDWIN SANTIAGO; COURTESY OF JAMES PERSE; EDWIN SANTIAGO

OS ANGELES COUNTY L COMPRISES MANY CITIES AND COMMUNITIES. HERE ARE THE MOST VISITED.

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80 yeArs of stroLLing & shopping cAn Work up quite An Appetite.

Thankfully, the Original Farmers Market has over 40 eateries to replenish your body, revive your soles and rejuvenate your tastesbuds. Since 1934, the Original Farmers Market has been one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, featuring an open-air ambiance and an ecletic mix of over 100 specialty shops, artisan grocers, and an international selection of world-class restaurants. We invite you to visit an 80-year-old Angeleno who can still whip up a terrific meal and show you a good time. “Meet Me at third & FairFax” 6333 West third street • Los AngeLes • 323.933.9211 • fArmersmArketLA.com •

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VENICE The countercultural vibe and grittiness that define Ocean Front Walk and Muscle Beach dominate many people’s conceptions of Venice.

But the “other” Venice is a freespirited, wickedly stylish, boho-chic neighborhood dotted with don’tmiss galleries, shops, bars and eateries—and let’s not forget those romantic, century-old Italianesque canals. Abbot Kinney Boulevard is lined with increasingly high-end shops including A. Kinney Court, Jack Spade and Satine, plus trendy restaurants such as Salt Air and Willie Jane. Nearby Rose Avenue is coming up, too, thanks to some acclaimed new restaurants, swanky lofts and a gaggle of independent boutiques. Along Main Street, which parallels the beach and extends into Santa Monica, more boutiques including Planet Blue alternate with bars and restaurants such as Chaya Venice and Ado.

SANTA MONICA Whether you’re after a beach day or an urban fix, Santa Monica has you covered. Draws along the 3.5 miles of sandy coastline include Santa Monica Pier with its attraction-packed Pacific Park, the Annenberg Community Beach House and historic Marion Davies Guest House. Inland, enjoy upscale shopping and dining at independent boutiques and cafes on swanky Montana Avenue and laid-back Main Street. More boutiques and eateries, plus your favorite trendy chains, populate Third Street Promenade downtown, whose three-block pedestrian stretch terminates at the open-air Santa Monica Place shopping center. For fine dining, hot newcomers include Taberna Arros y Vi, Lotería Grill and Water Grill downtown.

SILVER LAKE & LOS FELIZ Although Forbes magazine crowned Silver Lake “America’s best hipster neighborhood,” you needn’t sport ironic facial hair to appreciate its high density of food trucks, coffeehouses, farmers markets, midcentury-modern architecture and locally owned bars, restaurants and boutiques. Sunset Junction in Silver Lake is the epicenter of cool, featuring Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, charming boutiques such as ReForm School and the Silver Lake Conservatory of Music. A similarly eclectic vibe reverberates along Vermont and Hillhurst avenues in neighboring Los Feliz, where hot spot MessHall and 24-hour diner Fred 62 serve casual eats. To the north, Griffith Park offers miles of trails, Travel Town, the L.A. Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Greek Theatre and iconic Griffith Observatory.

WEST HOLLYWOOD The triumvirate of shopping, dining and nightlife reign in the trend-setting city of West Hollywood. The Left Shoe Co. and Joie recently joined favorites Marc by Marc Jacobs and Vivienne Westwood on Melrose Avenue, and Equipment is new to Melrose Place. To the south, West 3rd Street hosts indie boutiques and cafes. Nearby, the retail, entertainment and dining options at the Grove and the adjacent Farmers Market make the complex an all-in-one destination. The Pacific Design Center at San Vicente Boulevard and Melrose Avenue anchors the West Hollywood Design District, bounded by Beverly Boulevard to the south.

To the north, the fabled Sunset Strip buzzes after dark with clubs, bars and restaurants including notable newcomers Pearl’s Liquor Bar and the Church Key.

FROM LEFT: DALE BERMAN; EDWIN SANTIAGO; MATT HARTMAN; EDWIN SANTIAGO

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PASADENA From the annual Tournament of Roses to the historic Arts and Crafts-style Gamble House, the city of Pasadena—the “Crown of the Valley”—offers myriad and diverse cultural attractions. Art lovers can visit local institutions such as the Norton Simon Museum, the Pasadena Museum of California Art and the Pacific Asia Museum, while families can get hands-on at the Kidspace Children’s Museum. The Rose Bowl flea market lures treasure hunters, and the science-minded can tour Caltech and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge. Downtown, historic Old Pasadena bustles with charming boutiques and dining spots such as the beer-centric Haven Gastropub + Brewery. In nearby San Marino, the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens encompasses 120 acres.

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SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Nicknamed the “Valley of the Stars,” thanks to famous residents of yore including Bob Hope and John Wayne, the San Fernando Valley today is home to the entertainment industry’s biggest studios, with more than 100 sound stages producing hit movies and television shows. Free TV audience tickets and back-lot tours at studios including Warner Bros. offer a behind-the-scenes look at the film industry, and Universal CityWalk and adjacent Universal Studios Hollywood draw visitors with tours, thrill rides, restaurants, nightclubs, novelty stores and other venues. Shopping and fine-dining options abound in downtown Burbank, the NoHo Arts District in North Hollywood and along Ventura Boulevard.

HOLLYWOOD The iconic 45-foot-high Hollywood sign presides over this district, which is world-famous for being the heart of the motion picture industry.

Visitors flock to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and restored movie theaters such as El Capitan Theatre and TCL Chinese Theatre to get a piece of the (lights, camera) action.

The Hollywood & Highland Center provides even more opportunities to tap into the Hollywood experience past and present, offering shopping, dining and the Dolby Theatre, site of the Academy Awards. Meanwhile, locals hit the club scene along Hollywood and Cahuenga boulevards, enjoy new releases at ArcLight Cinemas and take in live music alfresco at the beloved Hollywood Bowl, whose regular season runs from June to September.

FOR MORE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY, SEE WHERE LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE AND DOWNLOAD THE WHERE USA APP

SOUTH BAY The South Bay cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach deliver laid-back beach living along with destination-worthy shopping and dining.

Miles of waves, white sand and an oceanfront bike/pedestrian path beckon surfers, volleyball players and other fitness buffs, while stylish boutiques such as Cami in Manhattan and Gum Tree in Hermosa entice discerning shoppers. Top-notch restaurants including Manhattan’s Little Sister and M.B. Post, plus a lively bar and club scene near Hermosa and Redondo’s piers, keep the “Beach Cities” humming at night. Farther south, Terranea Resort and Trump National Golf Club perch on Palos Verdes Peninsula’s rugged ocean bluffs, and to the east, Plaza El Segundo offers prime retail and dining in the shadow of LAX.

FROM LEFT: EDWIN SANTIAGO; IAN WHITE; SARAH HADLEY; EDWIN SANTIAGO

NEIGHBORHOODS

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607 South Hill Street Suite 204, Los Angeles, CA 90014 | 213.892.0772 | singlestone.com 2527 Mission Street, San Marino, CA 91108 | 626.799.3109 | singlestonemissionstreet.com

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DECADES BOUTIQUE, SARAH HADLEY

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 HOME-GROWN SHOPS COMPLETES THE L.A. STORY.

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LOOK BOOK NORDSTROM GOGOSHA OPTIQUE

Los Angeles’ diverse array of shopping venues sparkles with the best and brightest in fashion, beauty and gifts.

Frame fanatic Julia Gogosha’s Silver Lake eyewear emporium is a destination unto itself for fellow specs lovers. Gogosha Optique’s offerings feature a wide variety of handmade and hard-to-find glasses from brands including Cutler and Gross, Orgreen, and Mykita, whose Grant frame is shown. 323.660.1122, gogosha.com Founded by L.A.-based Christina Zilber, Jouer cosmetics offer a rich array of modern and classic hues available at Santa Monica Place’s Nordstrom. Equally impressive is the interlocking packaging, which allows users to build customizable palettes.

310.752.2701, nordstrom.com

APOLIS

GARDE

Scotti Sitz cut her teeth at Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani before opening her sleek home décor and jewelry boutique, Garde, on Beverly Boulevard. There, Mr. Brainwash– designed ceramics complement vintage Ben Ourani Moroccan rugs and jewelry from Naomi Maslon, whose Four Line gold ring is seen here.

323.424.4667, gardeshop.com George Esquivel’s shoe line Esquivel is coveted by Hollywood and throughout the world, and for good reason. Handmade in his West 3rd Street workshop, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund nominee’s bespoke footwear boasts a rock ’n’ roll edge, influenced by his SoCal upbringing.

714.670.2200, esquivelshoes.com

ESQUIVEL

Everyone loves a reusable bag, and even more so when its sale benefits artisans across the globe—part of L.A. lifestyle brand Apolis’ mission to create social change through commerce.

Made in Bangladesh and California, the tote shown here is available at Apolis’ space downtown, as are locally tailored menswear pieces and Israeli-crafted sandals. 213.613.9626, apolisglobal.com

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Barneys New York • Topshop Topman • J.Crew Mens Shop • Michael Kors • Crate & Barrel The Fat Cow • La Piazza Ristorante Italiano • Maggiano’s Little Italy • Morels French Steakhouse Nordstrom • Vince • American Girl Place • Madewell • Apple • Anthropologie Lucy Zahran & Co. • Bar Verde • Kiehl’s Since 1851 • Stylehaüs• J.Crew • See’s Candies Umami Burger • Sprinkles Cupcakes • thegrovela.com

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LOOK BOOK Bling king Martin Katz’s jewels have been bedazzling red carpets for more than 25 years; his timeless, vintageinspired pieces have been spotted on celebs including Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. Enjoy a Tinseltown moment with these white diamond Toby studs, available at Katz’s Beverly Hills boutique. 310.276.7200, martinkatz.com

M A R T I N K AT Z

CITIZENS OF HUMANIT Y

Get lost amid the treasures of Max & Moritz, a West Hollywood general store with a dizzying array of wares.

Founders Nino Mier, Esther Linsmayer and Ashley Bell have a knack for making midcentury furniture finds look right at home alongside pet accessories and kids’ bath essentials. The only thing you’ll leave here wishing for is a more spacious pad.

323.851.2200, maxandmoritz-la.com

B L O O M I N G DA L E ’ S

Get your kicks in Beverly Hills, where Charlotte Olympia has debuted its long-awaited heel heaven. Check out the U.K.-based designer’s coveted embroidered loafers and whimsical skyscraper platforms and stilettos, destined to become classics in any shoe addict’s closet. 310.276.1111, charlotteolympia.com

C H A R L O T T E O LY M P I A

MAX & MORITZ

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A quintessential Los Angeles denim line, Citizens of Humanity has extended its reach beyond the world of jeans, thanks to its Beverly Boulevard concept store. Peruse a handpicked selection of worldly goods including MCM perfumes and Sugar Paper stationery alongside the line’s latest offerings, including the Boho jacket seen here. 310.432.4540, citizensofhumanity.com

Time is on your side with a wristwatch from the Rapp, influenced by disco fashion and culture. Founder Ricardo Antonio Perez draws upon his love of nightlife, traveling, youth and diversity to infuse his line with a rainbow of colors and unique shapes.

The Angry Dragon timepiece in classic black, pictured, is available at Bloomingdale’s in the Beverly Center.

310.360.2700, bloomingdales.com

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Robin’s Jean Rocks Beverly Hills Located in the heart of luxurious Beverly Hills, premium denim brand, Robin’s Jean opened its first flagship store in September 2010. The 2,400 square foot space reflects Founder and Designer Robin Chretien’s love of music, and his passion for motorcycles. A vintage guitar collection is showcased along with motorcycles and various American heritage collectable pieces. This high end store features unique denim styles for men, women and kids as well as leather jackets, t-shirts, and accessories.

Robin’s Jean Beverly Hills Flagship store is located at 313 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210; Phone 1.310.786.7813 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Robin’s Jean Coming to America Robin arrived in Los Angeles in 1996. His skills and talent caught the eye of the city’s premier denim companies. At a time when most denim was designed around basic styles, Robin’s attention to fabrics, washes and detail made him a rising star.

Denim Pioneer After arriving in Los Angeles in 1996 and catching the eye of the best denim companies, Robin decided in 2005 to create his own line, combining his passions for designing clothes and riding motorcycles and vintage cars with his fascination of the Native American spirit.

Robin’s Jean features a unique collection of jeans, jackets, tops, hats and belts for men and women, designed by Robin Chretien.

The Birth of Robin’s Jean In 2005, eager to produce high-end jeans that were truly his own, he founded Robin’s Jean, symbolized by a gold-wings logo that represents his dream of freedom and flight.

“Wearing a pair of our jeans makes you feel alive, free, spontaneous and able to do anything you put your heart and soul into,” he says.

Experience Robin’s Jean at our three stores, in Soho in New York at 60 Grand St., 212.226.2191; in Beverly Hills at 313 N. Beverly Drive, 310.786.7813; and in Laguna Beach at 264 Forest Ave., 949.371.8918. Or shop online at robinsjean.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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SHOPPING

FRAGRANCES AT LE LABO ON VENICE'S ABBOT KINNEY BOULEVARD

NEW ON THE BOULEVARD The Abbot Kinney Boulevard known for its quirky momand-pop shops is more or less a distant memory as increasingly upscale boutiques from all around the globe are moving to Venice's most happening street.

Recent additions include Le Labo, the high-end, New Yorkbased perfumery where every fragrance is hand-blended to order. (Get a whiff of Musc 25, an "angelic" and "sensual" musk inspired by the City of Angels and exclusive to the L.A. store.)

Another highlight is Chariots on Fire, the San Francisco-based shop selling new and antique jewelry and objets d'art. But there are plenty of homegrown boutiques setting up shop, too.

One new kid on the block is Burning Torch, where merch includes upcycled and new accessories, women's sportswear and home décor. Brand new to the store is a fine-jewelry line inspired by organic forms.

★ THE AMERICANA AT BRANDCL9000006279 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 Pacific Theatres. Shops include the Art of Shaving, Madewell and Vera Bradley. Nordstrom is new. 889 Americana Way, Glendale, 818.637.8982, americanaatbrand.com ★ BEVERLY CENTERCL0000022205 This trendsetting 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 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 BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART The collection of cool boutiques at this barn-styled shopping center makes it a no-brainer stop for the celebs who live in nearby mansions.

Among winning picks are delicate jewelry from Broken English, minidresses at Calypso and denim at Unionmade. 225 26th St., Santa Monica, brentwoodcountrymart.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

★ CITADEL OUTLETSCL9000400133 Located in a former factory inspired by an ornate Assyrian palace, the Citadel is the only outlet center in L.A. Its 115 premium stores include Guess, H&M, Calvin Klein, Coach and Juicy Couture, offering 30 percent to 70 percent off retail prices. 100 Citadel Drive, L.A., 323.888.1724, citadeloutlets.com ★ THE GROVECL0000022207 Inspired by a grand old downtown complete with a trolley, this wildly popular outdoor center has more than 50 shops and 10 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 Dolby Theatre and the Academy Awards, this Tinseltown-themed 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 Louis Vuitton and Sephora. 6801 Hollywood Blvd., 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 dozens of 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 80 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 Olive Street and Broadway from 6th to 8th streets, downtown, jewelry-los-angeles.com 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 rock 'n' roll jewelry at Chrome Hearts. Malibu Lumber Yard is adjacent. 3835 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, malibucountrymart.com ★ ONE COLORADO0133 This Old Pasadena destination offers a charming shopping and dining experience amid a collection of 17 historic buildings featuring cobblestone walkways and wrought-iron details. Equally beguiling is One Colorado’s mix of independently owned and top national retailers, from local treasure Gold Bug to perennial favorite J.Crew. 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena, 626.564.1066, onecolorado.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 Factory Store, DKNY and Tommy Hilfiger Company Store, as well as anchors Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack and Last Call by

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SHOPPING DESTINATIONS

★ STARRED LISTINGS ARE FEATURED GUESTBOOK ADVERTISERS. 80

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Neiman Marcus—plus a 30-screen cineplex. One Mills Circle, Ontario, 909.484.8300, ontariomills.com H 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, restaurants and a gourmet marketplace. 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, 310.260.8333, santamonicaplace.com H SOUTH COAST PLAZACL0000022212 International destination South Coast Plaza is a mecca of designer retail, from more affordable stores—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

H SUNSET PLAZACL0000022212 “Chic” is the word at this upscale row of designer boutiques, sidewalk cafes and specialty shops. Browse high-end stores such as Calleen Cordero, 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 THIRD STREET PROMENADECL0000022203 The cobblestone pedestrian-only shopping zone spans three blocks, from Broadway to Wilshire Boulevard.

Among stores are Zara, Lululemon Athletica, Urban Outfitters and Sephora.

Watch street artists performing all manner of talents. Street-side restaurants include Barney’s Beanery and Trastevere Trattoria Italiana. 3rd Street between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, downtownsm.com H 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, Agent Provocateur and Vertu. Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, 310.247.7040, 2rodeo.com

Apodaca (hence “A plus R”), the store offers internationally sourced home products, gifts and objets d’art, often high concept and always superstylish. 1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 800.913.0071; 171 S. La Brea Ave., L.A., 323.692.0086. aplusrstore.com

WESTFIELD CENTURY CITYCL0000022215 This pleasant open-air mall features more than 135 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 fine dining sites with skyline views. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, 310.277.3898, westfield.com/centurycity

H ABUNDANCECL0000022217 This feminine, upscale boutique for women size 12 and up carries classic clothing with flair. Citron, Parsley & Sage, Astarte 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

WEST HOLLYWOOD DESIGN DISTRICT 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 15 art galleries, 100 antique and contemporary furniture stores, 25 restaurants and cafes, and 30 high-end fashion and lifestyle boutiques line the boulevards.

Melrose Avenue and Robertson and Beverly boulevards, West Hollywood, westhollywooddesigndistrict.com 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 films, plus special 21-and-over movie screenings with cocktails. 10800 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., 310.470.8752, westsidepavilion.com

SHOPS+BOUTIQUES 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

G

H THE ADDRESS BOUTIQUECL0000333721 A tasteful gray façade gives way to the Address Boutique’s sleek, airy white interior with mirrored walls and floral arrangements, complementing racks of elegant clothing. The latest and greatest resale fashions include labels such as Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Dior, Prada and Christian Louboutin. 1116 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.394.1406, theaddressboutique.com ALEXIS BITTARCL0000333532 Alexis Bittar’s jewelry designs always make a splash, whether the statement is colorful and whimsical (see the Rigel lapis necklace) 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

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mesmerizing. Adjoining Maison features French home decor, 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, peekabooback minidresses and even earrings.

1644 N. Cherokee Ave., Hollywood, 213.840.5624, artstringboutique.com A.SWEET BOUTIQUE00007062 Strewn throughout this shop is a collection of hip contemporary clothing, such as silk dresses from Rory Beca and skinny jeans from Jet. The store also carries dozens of kinds of tempting confections, from chocolate-covered potato chips to gumballs. 253 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.860.9265, asweetonline.com BECKLEYCL9000006284 This feminine boutique features ready-to-wear, evening wear, accessories and shoes, and its roster of designers includes American Retro, Clare Vivier, Haute Hippie and Herve Leger. 8128 W. 3rd St., L.A., 310.652.3500, beckleyboutique.com BEDHEAD PAJAMASCL0000022222 Want to play pajama games? Check out the BedHead store, where the upscale nighttime line displays its latest designs along with slippers, bedding and other accessories. You can find Phillip Lim and Opening Ceremony fashions, too.

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BONPOINT Maman has Chanel and Christian Dior. For bébé, nothing less than Bonpoint will do. The nearly 4-decade-old French fashion house is known for its heirloom-

quality craftsmanship, preppymeets-bohemian flair and exclusive prints (with correspondingly exclusive prices). 9521 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, 310.278.1161, bonpoint.com H BOOT STAR 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.CL0000333545 Fashionistas appreciate the high-end casual and evening wear at this contemporary boutique. Alice + Olivia, J Brand and Vivienne Westwood are just a few of the trendsetting labels featured at this boutique that brings a slice of the hip Robertson Boulevard fashion scene to downtown’s historic core. 510 W. 7th St., downtown, 213.623.0013, brigadela.com BROKEN ENGLISHCL9000006286 A refreshing alternative to massmarket competition, this gem boasts jewelry from cutting-edge designers including Dana Rebecca, Pamela Froman and Loriann Stevenson, joined by one-of-a-kind vintage finds. Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., L.A., 310.458.2724, brokenenglishjewelry.com BURNING TORCH The Los Angeles-based lifestyle brand known for its bohemian-luxe clothes and accessories, many of which feature recycled vintage elements, looks right at home in its new flagship boutique on hip Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Find washed leather jackets and cozy cashmere alongside antique and vintage home goods. 1627 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.399.1920, burningtorchinc.com

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to a fun, high-energy and personalized shopping experience. 111 E. Union St., Pasadena, 626.440.0929, clothesheaven.com H CRAIG EVAN SMALLCL0000333546 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

PAUL SMITH FOR LEICA X2 CAMERA FROM LEICA STORE IN WEST HOLLYWOOD

CHANEL This concept store from the legendary French design house has an abbreviated retail selection that homes in on the season’s trends and the house’s more affordable offerings—perfect for fashion fanatics who buy and wear on a whim. Find two stories of ready-towear, jewelry, accessories and cosmetics. 125 N. Robertson Blvd., L.A., 310.278.5505, chanel.com CHARIOTS ON FIRE Embracing “modern as an attitude rather than a style,” this lovely specialty shop boasts jewelry from Satomi Kawakita, ceramics from Adam Silverman, solid perfumes from In Fiore and much more. Looking for a made-in-L.A. gift? Many makers and artists represented here are locals.

13421/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.450.3088, chariotsonfire.com CHARLOTTE OLYMPIACL0000022222 Watch the red carpet closely and you’ll notice the shoe-savviest of celebrities stepping out in vertiginous

pumps with distinctive spiderwebstamped soles. Thanks to a brandnew, 1,250-square-foot Beverly Hills boutique, you can find all of Charlotte Olympia Dellal's shoe and handbag collections in one glamorous spot.

474 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.276.1111, charlotteolympia.com CLARE VIVIER Clare Vivier's first flagship boutique features her line of brightly colored, minimalist handbags, accessories and gadget cases, made locally since 2008.

Also on offer are accessories from Steven Alan, Caran d’Ache pens and Leanne Shapton hand-painted book covers. Want to customize your bag?

The shop offers a monogramming program. 3339 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, 323.665.2476, clarevivier.com H CLOTHES HEAVENCL9000400127 Specializing in new and gently worn designer resale merchandise, Clothes Heaven offers pieces from such highend names as Gucci, Chanel, Versace and Prada. Savvy stylists contribute

CURVE Discover inspiring new clothing lines in Curve’s well-curated collection.

Pleasing creations by local designers hang alongside such international favorites as Isabel Marant and Raquel Allegra. The airy boutique is a favorite of starlets who roam Robertson, then lunch at neighboring hot spots. 154 N. Robertson Blvd., L.A., 310.360.8008, shopcurve.com 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 Decades, which sells the best of recent years’ fashions from Gucci, Prada and more. 8214 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.655.0223, decadesinc.com ESTINATION: SAMACL0000022229 D Sama Eyewear was founded in 1998 by designer Sheila Vance. Her approach to designing, manufacturing and distributing ultra-premium eyewear has established Sama as one of the world’s finest eyewear companies. In addition to the signature collection, the boutiques offer Loree Rodkin Eye Couture by Sama and L'Agence. 9530 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, 310.271.1734; 8460 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, 323.822.3955. samaeyewear.net

EGGYCL0000333537 There’s a fine line between cute and cutesy; luckily, children’s boutique Eggy skews to the former. Owner Jenny An selects pieces that look like teeny versions of pieces a kid’s hip parents might wear: bubble coats and “jeggings” for girls, and military jackets and blazers for boys. 8365 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.658.8882, shopeggy.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 interconnected boutiques. The denim selection is top-notch, with stalwarts AG Jeans, Current/Elliot, Acne and J Brand. 8100 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.655.9500; 420 Broadway, Santa Monica, 310.458.2800. fredsegal.com H FREY WILLECL0000333547 Founded in Vienna, Austria, 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, freywille.com GARDE "Gift shop” seems far too pedestrian a label for Garde, which exudes an earthy sophistication and gallerylike air. Yet each item here, from Mad et Len and Tom Dixon candles and

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MQuan hanging ceramic bells to diamond-flecked Satomi Kawakita jewelry, limited-edition Rebecca Atwood shibori pillows and Hedgehouse Throw Beds, is perfect for giving and getting. 7418 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.424.4667, gardeshop.com H GOLD BUGCL0000333549 Offering distinctive jewelry 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 a standout. 22 E. Union St., Pasadena, 626.744.9963, goldbugpasadena.com

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 Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Cavalli, Dior, Manola Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and more. Elegant, new and barely worn resale designer fashions are up to 80 percent off original prices.

1116 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica 310.394.1406 theaddressboutique.com M-Sa 10am–6pm, Su noon–5pm. est. 1986 88

GRATUS Owner Meredith Kaplan offers a skillfully edited selection of women’s ready-to-wear along with accessories, shoes and handbags from designers such as Gregory Parkinson, Marni and Suno. On top of some way-cool merch, Kaplan offers an innovative consumer-accessible database that stores all of your purchases.

426 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.276.8200, gratus.com GUM TREECL9000006294 Housed in a quaint, bright little bungalow, this boutique is as refreshing as a sea breeze. In addition to an adjoining cafe and tons of cute housewares is a pitch-perfect selection of accessories; think delicate drop earrings, silver sand dollar necklaces and fun printed scarves. 238 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, 310.376.8744, gumtreela.com HAMMER AND SPEAR In the Arts District, interior designer and lifestyle expert Kristan Cunningham (of HGTV’s Design on a Dime) and husband Scott Jarrell make vintage-chic look easy. Their brick-andmortar retail shop peddles new and vintage furniture, plus home décor, kitchenware, apothecary items, gifts, stationery and cards. 255 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown, 213.928.0997, hammerandspear.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 H. LORENZOCL0000022236 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 Ailefan and Comme des Garçons. 8646, 8660 Sunset Blvd., L.A., 310.659.1432, hlorenzo.com H. MENCL0000022237 It’s finally happening—men are starting to look at shopping as a sport, not a chore. They can exercise their impulses at H. Men, part of the H. Lorenzo empire, with clothes by Damir Doma and Comme des Garçons Hommes Plus. And they can even accessorize with eyewear and sterling silver rings. Sunset Plaza, 8646 Sunset Blvd., L.A., 310.652.7039, hlorenzo.com HUSETCL0000333543 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 decor and kitchenware—brightly printed Almedahls tea towels, Iittala Essence wine and drinking glasses and Swedese Ivy shelving—plus an array of bohemian clothing. 1316 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 424.268.4213, huset-shop.com JENNI KAYNE Fans of contemporary designer and L.A. native Kayne include Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez and Mary-Kate Olsen. Crisp silhouettes and a dash of edgy details characterize her clothing.

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The boutiques also carry other picks from the designer in shoes, accessories and more. 614 N. Almont Drive, West Hollywood, 310.860.0123; Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., L.A., 424.268.4765. jennikayne.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!

H KING BABY STUDIOL0000333708 An on-site jewelry factory (available for tours), in a cool industrial space featuring reclaimed Venice Pier planks, makes this boutique no ordinary shopping experience. Here, skilled craftsmen create a variety of sterling silver jewelry designs that have been worn by celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna. 1621 12th St., Santa Monica, 310.828.4438, kingbabystudio.com

A Plus-Size Boutique 13604 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks 818.990.6128 www.AbundancePlusSizes.com

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KITSONCL0000022243 Kitson boutique continues its role as a celebrity magnet. Nearby the Robertson Boulevard location are Kitson Men and Kitson Studio, which features high-end shoes, handbags and clothes. Additional stores include the Americana at Brand and West Hollywood. 115 S. Robertson Blvd., L.A., 310.859.2652; Malibu Lumber Yard, 12:01 PM 3939 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, 310.317.1421. shopkitson.com LANVIN 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, Malibu, 310.456.6808; 260 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.402.0580. lanvin.com THE LEFT SHOE CO. Podiatric relief meets luxurious, handmade, individually customized style. A 3-D scanner analyzes your precise foot measurements, then saves the data in a “membership profile” for use in-store or online. Then,

select your shoe style, color and sole, and even opt for a unique personal inscription. 8473D Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.944.0764, leftshoecompany.com LEICA STORE This store carries the entire range of Leica products and accessories, which have been favored by photographers since the company produced one of the earliest small-format 35mm cameras. It also offers photography books and printing, and houses a library and an art gallery with exhibitions of established and rising photographers.

8783 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, 424.777.0341, leicastorela.com LE LABO The parfumerie’s hand-blended fragrances, developed from essences from Grasse, France, enjoy a cult following; now you can enjoy finding your signature scent. Black-andwhite labels on the brand’s candles, lotions and perfumes share the boutique’s apothecary-chic aesthetic.

8385 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.782.0411; 11381/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.581.2233. lelabofragrances.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 THE LOVED ONE Channel the doe-eyed, softly-lit vixens of 1960's B-movies in this boutique's vintage-inspired lingerie styles, which are well-suited to underpinning the exquisite vintage attire also sold here. New pieces from indie designers including Frances Baker and Dear Creatures round out the selection. 2 E. Holly St., Pasadena, 626.304.0009, thelovedone.net

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LULA MAECL9000007023 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 THE MARKETCL0000333535 Santa Monica Place shopping center offers a cornucopia of artisanal foodstuffs and products reminiscent of San Francisco’s Ferry Building Marketplace. Several boutiques and food purveyors include Groundwork Coffee Co., Röckenwagner Bakery, Norcino Salumeria Cheese Bar and Chocolate Opulence. Santa Monica Place, 315 Colorado Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.260.8300, themarketsmp.com MAXFIELDCL0000022249 Asked to pick his favorite stores in the world, Chanel designer Karl 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, Céline, Saint Laurent and Libertine.

8825 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310.274.8800; Malibu Lumber Yard, 3939 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, 310.270.9009. maxfieldla.com MOHAWK MAN Husband-and-wife owners Kevin and Bo Carney offer dapper men’s collections and a contemporary art gallery.

The top-tier and emerging designers include Dries Van Noten, Tellason, Hamilton Shirt Co., Engineered Garments, MHL by Margaret Howell and Kevin's own labels, the Generic Man and Generic Surplus. 4017 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, 323.669.1602, mohawkgeneralstore.com NEIL LANE JEWELRYCL9000006297 All that glitters is gold, white gold, platinum or even diamond pavé

at Neil Lane Jewelry. The upscale jeweler most often cited on awards ceremony red carpets showcases these stunners at his flagship boutique off Melrose Place. His engagement rings and diamond-dotted cuffs are pricey, but those with recession-proof bank accounts appreciate their panache.

708 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.275.5015, neillanejewelry.com NO. A This Little Tokyo gem is among the most ambitious of the boutiques to hit downtown. It showcases an international cast of designers for clothing, shoes and jewelry from hard-tofind 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: Tej Kothari gold earrings, Rodin luxury beauty products and Comme des Garçons wallets.

8303 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.653.3501; 1716 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake, 323.666.1868. okstore.la

Designer Resale at its Finest!

Chanel, Hermès, LV, Prada, Gucci, Louboutin, Escada & more!

Clothes Heaven

Since 1983 111 E. Union St. Old Pasadena 626.440.0929 clothesheaven.com

H OMEGACL0000333572 Visitors entering the Omega boutique are warmly greeted by staff who specialize in the products of this renowned Swiss watchmaker.

Omega’s entire product line is carried here, including the four iconic collections—Speedmaster, Seamaster, Constellation and De Ville—as well as the company’s fine jewelry and leather goods. Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 310.854.0003, omegawatches.com OPENING CEREMONYCL9000006298 Referring to the Olympics opening ceremony, this store pits American clothing designers against those from a selected country. Lines include Rodarte, MGSM and Doraine

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Turquoise bracelet circa 1930's, Zuni Tribe with silver bead necklace.

can Overeem. Sister store the Little House of Accessories is next door.

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H OSKACL0000333708 Minimalist shapes meet choice materials in the signature designs of this Germany-based womenswear company, with two area locations serving the modern L.A. woman. The Oska look is understated and elegant, featuring easy, flattering cuts, an earthy palette and casual, fashionable comfort, all with a unique flair. 13 Douglas Alley, Pasadena, 626.432.1729, oska-pasadena.com; 9693 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.271.2806, oska-beverlyhills.com H PARIS DESIGNS For 47 years, downtown jeweler Paris Designs has attracted an international and celebrity clientele with its extensive collection of vintage watches, pearls, diamonds and other precious gems. Choose from ready-to-wear designs or have a custom piece expertly crafted in the company’s jewelry district location overlooking Pershing Square.

607 S. Hill St., Ste. 214, downtown, 213.627.1595 POLKADOTS & MOONBEAMS Owner Wendy Freedman Borsuk knows her business. She opened a vintage store in 1982 and added the modern in 1989. The lineup features many L.A.-based designers including Splendid, Ella Moss, Rachel Pally, Hudson Jeans and VaVa by Joy Han. 8367 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.651.1746, polkadotsandmoonbeams.com PRADA The Beverly Hills Prada flagship is not only an important fashion destination, but its interior is a masterpiece by Rem Koolhaas. Shoes, clothes and handbags parade down a swooping set of wooden stairs. Don’t be intimidated—it’s free to look.

343 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.278.8661, prada.com

H PYRRHACL9000400166 This celebrity-favored boutique offers a collection of handcrafted jewelry cast from 19th-century wax seals, plus one-of-a-kind pieces rich in imagination and imagery. The whitewashed space is decorated with an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary furniture and accessories.

8315 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.424.4807, pyrrha.com H ROBIN’S JEANCL0000333553 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 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. An additional store is in Brentwood. 8100 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.651.4129; 3900 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, 310.317.6705. 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; 1508 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.450.6218. satineboutique.com SELF-EDGE In need of jean therapy? Call on the denim doctors at San Francisco–based Self-Edge. The carefully curated selection of denim here pays particular

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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 SUSAN FOSTER JEWELRY0000022279 Boutique owner and jewelry designer Susan Foster offers a thoughtful selection of fine, designer and vintage jewels in her Brentwood boutique. Foster’s own exquisite designs, handmade with colored diamonds and rare gemstones, have graced Hollywood’s elite. 11695 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, 310.820.4244, susanfosterjewelry.com WARBY PARKER AT THE STANDARD, HOLLYWOOD

attention to prized selvage denim.

Look for pairs by Nudie Jeans and Flat Head plus flannels, button-downs and T-shirts, jewelry and accessories. 144 N. La Brea Ave., L.A., 323.933.3000, selfedge.com

Single Stone’s own designs plus vintage and estate pieces. 607 S. Hill St., #204, downtown, 213.892.0772, singlestone.com; 2527 Mission St., San Marino, 626.799.3109, singlestonemissionstreet.com

SERAFINA6310 Located in San Marino’s Mission Village, Serafina offers contemporary women’s apparel from it-girl faves such as Nili Lotan, Helmut Lang, Alexander Wang, Sea NY, Tibi and Clare Vivier. Meanwhile, an in-store children’s boutique boasts equally on-trend mini looks from the likes of Ella Moss and Superga. 2670 Mission St., San Marino, 626.799.9899, shopserafina.com

SPACE NK 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., L.A., 310.451.7284, spacenk.com

H SINGLE STONE 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

TELLA McCARTNEY S The height of fashion design is on show at this beautiful flagship boutique.

McCartney’s modern sensibility and the relaxed lines of her designs contribute to the comfortable beauty of her clothes. 8823 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 310.273.7051, stellamccartney.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 and VPL. 8425 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.330.9355, tenover6.com H VILEBREQUINCL0000022261 Created in Saint-Tropez in 1971, Vilebrequin sets the standard for luxury resortwear and swimwear, offering unbeatable quality and unmistakable

style to jet-setting men on holiday.

The originator of the “Father & Son” matching swimwear concept now offers styles for women and girls, too.

Additional locations include those in Malibu and Canoga Park. Two Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.205.9087; 2231 Glendale Galleria, Glendale, 818.545.1515. vilebrequin.com ARBY PARKER W Eyewear retailer to hipsters, preps and stars Warby Parker has checked into the lobby of the Standard, Hollywood, and their fashionable frames will renew your interest in prescription specs. After trying on the collection for size, customers order online using in-store tablets. Prices start at a mere $95 a pop. 8300 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A., 323.370.6690, warbyparker.com H WESTIMECL0000022266 Westime specializes in top-of-the-line 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 and Breitling. Its West Hollywood location employs a full-time watchmaker.

8569 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.289.0808; 254 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.271.0000. westime.com WILL LEATHER GOODS A family-owned company, Will Leather Goods peddles perfectly distressed U.S. Postal Service bags and rugged scrap-leather cuffs, among other “found,” upcycled and recycled items. The products reflect a thoughtful approach to leathergoods production—not to mention a keen sense of what looks smokin' with denim and boots. 1360 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.399.8700, willleathergoods.com WITTMORE It’s a good time to be a fashionable man in Los Angeles. Witness: Wittmore, a bright new brick-and-mortar

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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 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 Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.273.3377, galeriemichael.com G2 GALLERY At the award-winning G2 Gallery, proceeds from sales of wildlife art and photography support environmental groups. Founders Susan and Daniel Gottlieb have made donations to the tune of nearly $1 million since the gallery opened in 2008. Don’t miss the gift shop downstairs for recycled jewelry, eco-friendly crayons, organic

PARIS DESIGNS

BLUM & POE GALLERYCL0000022267 Within the neon-orange walls of the Culver City Art District’s original settler and flagship gallery hang works by art scene all-stars Sam Durant, Sharon Lockhart, Jim Shaw 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

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, welcometolace.org L.A. LOUVERCL0000022275 Located a block from Venice’s eccentric boardwalk, the gallery counterbalances the funk with sophisticated, museumquality 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 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 STEPHEN COHEN GALLERYCL0000022279 Specializing in vintage and contemporary photography (and photo-based art) from the Americas and Europe, the Stephen Cohen Gallery opened in 1992. Proprietor Cohen also founded Artfairs Inc., which stages major fairs around the country including Photo L.A. and Art L.A. 7354 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.937.5525, stephencohengallery.com

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chocolates and upcycled children’s toys. 1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.452.2842, theg2gallery.com

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Levi’s Vintage Clothing, Ian Velardi, Mollusk Surf and Universal Works are just a few of the two dozen top-notch lines stocked. 8236 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.782.9791, shopwittmore.com

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The Penthouse 246 NORTH CANON DR. BEVERLy HiLLS, CA 310.888.8782

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COURTESY OF PATINA

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 CHEF LUDO LEFEBVRE AT TROIS MEC

MULTIPLE VISION L.A.'s top toques are forming mini-empires, opening multiple restaurant concepts to showcase the spectrum of their talents.

Recent culinary sequels include Fishing With Dynamite, the Manhattan Beach seafood restaurant from M.B. Post chef David LeFevre. Comme Ça's David Myers lately expanded with Hinoki & the Bird, his stunning Asianinflected eatery on the ground floor of a swanky residential tower in Century City. Josef Centeno recently opened Orsa & Winston downtown, his third restaurant in as many years, while the Mozza team—Mario Batali, Nancy Silverton and Joseph Bastianich— introduced Chi Spacca adjacent to their Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza. In Hollywood, the

BEVERLY BOULEVARD/3RD STREET/MELROSE AVENUE 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), L, D (daily).

8700 W. 3rd St., L.A., 310.859.9859, aocwinebar.com CECCONI’SCL9000006247 Italian. This London-based restaurant caters to a well-heeled clientele that comes 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 (M–F), Br (Sa– Su), L, D (daily). 8764 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310.432.2000, cecconiswesthollywood.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 flambé, escargot, coq au vin, bouillabaisse and duck confit. Br (Sa– Su), D (Tu–Su). 8479 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.782.1104, commecarestaurant.com

arrival of Trois Mec represents the union of three empire-builders: Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun) and Ludo Lefebvre of the famed LudoBites pop-up restaurant.

COOKS COUNTYCL9000400884 California. Cooks County showcases ingredients from a lengthy roster of farms, orchards and ranches printed on the daily-changing menu. Among entrees you might encounter are

grilled Columbia River salmon with artichoke puree and Meyer lemon relish or a beautifully prepared pork loin. Pastry chef Roxana Jullapat’s soft “spretzel” is a signature dish.

Br (Sa–Su), L (M–F), D (nightly). 8009 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.653.8009, cookscountyrestaurant.com GUSTOCL9000400885 Italian. Former Culina chef Victor Casanova opens an intimate neighborhood ristorante with a look and feel reminiscent of his native Bronx.

Dishes such as polpette (pork meatballs) plated over chilled whipped ricotta, braised baby octopus and fresh-made pastas deserve praise.

D (nightly). 8432 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.782.1778, gusto-la.com HATFIELD’SCL0000022146 American. 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 INKCL9000400886 American. Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio showcases daring, cerebral molecular gastronomy at his first restaurant. Get a fivecourse tasting menu or explore the constantly changing à la carte small plates such as tuna with dashi “sponge,” poutine with lamb neck gravy and chickpea fries, and Brussels sprouts with pig ears and cuttlefish. D (nightly). 8360 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.651.5866, mvink.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 (M–Sa). 8225 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.655.6566, thejar.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 the pollo en mole poblano. Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 8155 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.655.5009, redorestaurant.com

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PRIME STEAKS. LEGENDARY SERVICE. Fine Wine • Private Dining • Exquisite Menu

Spectacular Waterfront Dining Seafood Steaks Prime Rib SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills | 435 S. La Cienega Blvd.

310-246-1501 Burbank | 3400 West Olive Ave. 818-238-0424 Los Angeles | 735 South Figueroa St. 213-553- 4566 Woodland Hills | 6250 Canoga Ave. 818-703-7272 mortons.com

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Chart House has built its reputation on delighting guests with spectacular views, outstanding cuisine and impeccable service.

Fantastic Happy Hour in the Bar & Lounge

Marina del Rey 13950 Panay Way 310.822.4144

Malibu 18412 Pacific Coast Hwy. 310.454.9321

Redondo Beach 231 Yacht Club Way 310.372.3464

Online reservations at chart-house.com

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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). 113 N. Robertson Blvd., L.A., 310.274.8303; Ivy at the Shore, 1535 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310.393.3113. ivyrestaurantgroup.com

BEEF TARTARE AT INK ON MELROSE AVENUE

BEVERLY HILLS 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 porc, steak frites or a croque madame. Don’t forget oysters from the raw bar or a TKO (Thomas Keller Oreo) from Bouchon Bakery, downstairs. 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. L (M–F), D (nightly). 8741 Alden Drive, L.A., 310.859.8833; 110 Navy St., Venice, 310.396.1179; 525 S. Flower St., downtown, 213.236.9577. thechaya.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. B (daily), L (M–Sa), D (nightly), Br (Sa–Su). Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, 300 S. Doheny Drive, L.A., 310.860.4000, culinarestaurant.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 ($150-plus) or dry-aged 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 THE GRILL ON THE ALLEYCL0000022144 American. The Grill is a venerable industry hangout, where the maître d’ juggles Hollywood heavyweights,

★ MASTRO’S STEAKHOUSECL0000022161 Steak. Mastro’s serves USDA Prime steaks in an atmosphere as sizzling as its 400-degree plates. Look for the 2-foot-tall seafood-tower appetizer, sides such as lobster mashed potatoes and a melt-in-your-mouth warm butter cake for dessert. The third-floor Penthouse at Mastro’s is new in Beverly Hills. D (nightly). 246 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.888.8782; 2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 805.418.1811. mastrosrestaurants.com

for dishes such as porcini-and-Tallegio ravioli with truffles as well as a simple, unbeatable spaghetti with tomato and basil. D (M–Sa). Montage Beverly Hills, 225 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.860.7970, montagebeverlyhills.com/beverly-hillsrestaurants.php SPAGOCL0000022190 California. Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant is reimagined on the heels of its 30th anniversary. Among changes are an airy, more modern dining room and small-plate offerings including barbecued stingray with spicy sambal, and Santa Barbara spot prawns with suckling pig and hachiya persimmons.

Glimpse some of the 30,000 wine bottles on offer in a glass-ensconced “wine wall.” L (Tu–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 cypress 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–W, F). 218 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.247.8939

RED MEDICINECL0000333514 Eclectic. 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 and molecular gastronomy tricks come into play frequently.

Open late. D (nightly). 8400 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 323.651.5500, redmedicinela.com

★ VIBRATO GRILL JAZZCL0000022197 Steak. Veteran restaurateurs Bob and Gregg Smith (Pasadena’s Parkway Grill) teamed up with music legend Herb Alpert to create a contemporary steakhouse where every seat offers unobstructed views of a stage hosting the nation’s top jazz artists. Food is not an afterthought. Dishes include John Dory in citrus-fennel emulsion, coffee-rubbed Kurobuta pork chop and USDA Prime steaks. D (Tu–Su).

2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel-Air, 310.474.9400, vibratogrilljazz.com

SCARPETTACL9000007740 Italian. Scott Conant’s much-lauded NYC-based concept is replicated at the Montage Beverly Hills hotel. Conant is deservedly famous

WOLFGANG PUCK AT HOTEL BEL-AIRCL9000400889 Various. A favorite hideaway of Hollywood elite, the Hotel Bel-Air offers an indoor-outdoor retreat

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helmed by the father of California cuisine, Wolfgang Puck. Cantonese roasted duck gets an L.A. twist with figs and fresh pea tendrils, while his take on wiener schnitzel, served with a marinated fingerling potato salad, reminds diners of his Austrian roots. B, D (daily), Br (Su), tea (F–Sa). 701 Stone Canyon Road, Bel-Air, 310.909.1644, hotelbelair.com/wolfgang-puck-bel-air

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 SUGARFISHCL9000006267 Japanese. Kazunori Nozawa— aka the “Sushi Nazi,” chef/owner of the former Sushi Nozawa—opens casual spots offering preset menus.

Tips are included, but prices are about half those at the original. Additional locations include those in Santa Monica and Studio City. 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 globally influenced comfortfood menu (beer-can chicken, furikake kettle corn) enjoyed at long 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 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 red crab fritters with chili jam—a twist on Singaporean chili crab—or whole seasonal fish with black bean ghee and a Far East–inspired cocktail.

L (Tu–F), D (Tu–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 Indian butter chicken and mushrooms with truffle oil, and spoton cocktails. It’s certainly some of L.A.’s most sophisticated pub grub.

D (nightly). 12517 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, 310.391.4222, waterlooandcity.com

Winner Top 10 Best Italian Restaurant in L.A.! -Citysearch

EST. 1978

DOWNTOWN BÄCO MERCATCL9000400890 Eclectic. Sizzling-hot chef Josef Centeno has drawn international praise for his uniquely inspired creations. His bäco, a flatbread sandwich filled with ingredients such as oxtail hash or chicken escabeche, is a signature dish. Other selections on the diverse menu include buttermilk-fried quail and spicy hamachi crudo. L, D (daily). 408 S. Main St., downtown, 213.687.8808, bacomercat.com

PRIX FIXE MENU Start your week off right with a delicious, 3-course dinner at a great price.

Monday-Wednesday | 4:00-Close | $16 per person

WINE-DOWN WEEKENDS Enjoy a special price on select wines all day Friday through Sunday!

Wine-Down and relax at Louise’s…

RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE YOUR SERVER FOR DETAILS.

WEST LOS ANGELES | LARCHMONT | SANTA MONICA | BRENTWOOD

(877) LOUISES

DINE-IN • TAKE OUT • DELIVERY

LOUISES.COM

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IMPERIAL CHOCOLATE DESSERT AT WOLFGANG PUCK AT THE HOTEL BEL-AIR

pressive classical music offerings and fine dining at its in-house restaurant.

Patina might be the best game in town when it comes to game dishes, including an entree of roasted venison with yams, celeriac and pear. D (Tu– Sa). 141 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.3331, patinagroup.com

lights include "angry" two-pound lobster and steamed bao filled with pork belly. Dim sum (Su), D (M–Sa). RitzCarlton, Los Angeles, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.743.8824, ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/ losangeles

EASTSIDE 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

BESTIA Italian. Tucked into an old factory in the burgeoning downtown Arts District, Bestia has overcome its location to become one of the city's hottest restaurants. Chef Ori Menashe, a Gino Angelini protégé, cooks with an assertive rustic style and is known for his housemade pastas. Menashe's wife/pastry chef, Genevieve Gergis, turns out treats such as chestnut zeppole and seasonal fruit crostata. D (nightly). 2121 7th Place, downtown, 213.514.5724, bestiala.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 jamón serrano. Don't miss the patisserie's macarons. B, L, D (daily). 700 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.802.1470, bottegalouie.com

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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 ORSA & WINSTON Eclectic. Chef/owner Josef Centeno draws on Japanese and Italian traditions at his third restaurant. Diners can select a five- or nine-course tasting menu, family-style prix fixe or “super omakase” menu of more than 20 courses. On the beverage list, wines from the Old World mingle with a selection of beers and sakes. D (Tu–Sa). 122 W. 4th St., downtown, 213.687.0300, orsaandwinston.com PATINACL0000022178 French. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a lovely composition of im-

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 WATER GRILLCL0000022198 Seafood. L.A.’s premier seafood restaurant, newly remodeled and hipper than ever, is famed for its huge platters of fruits de mer from the oyster bar. Low-temperature cooking methods are used in dishes such as pan-roasted Chilean sea bass with tomato jam and succotash, yielding sensational results. There’s no corkage fee, so why not BYOB? L, D (daily). 544 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.891.0900; 1401 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310.394.5669. watergrill.com WP24CL9000007076 Pan-Asian. From its 24th-floor roost, WP24 proves that Wolfgang Puck, who pioneered Asian fusion, still has the goods. The restaurant might offer downtown’s best skyline views. High-

ALLUMETTE American. In his mid 20s, Miles Thompson, who honed his craft as sous chef at Son of a Gun, is one of L.A.'s most exciting young culinary talents. He doles out small plates of "avant-garde comfort food," such as a luscious cavatelli with uni ragù and Jerusalem artichoke panna cotta.

With so many petite plates, it's all too easy to rack up a big bill. D (Tu– Su). 1320 Echo Park Ave., Echo Park, 213.935.8787, allumettela.com 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 is pappardelle with guinea hen ragù.

Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 2442 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake, 323.662.2442, barbrix.com

HOLLYWOOD ACABAR Eclectic. Octavio Becerra's menu is influenced French fare and the cuisines along the "spice trail." Savory braised lamb is added to the crispy risotto in the arancini, and the addictive "porn bread" (housemade cornbread) is packed with bits of bacon and served with a side of almond-honey butter. D (Tu–Su).

1510 N. Stanley Ave., Hollywood, 323.876.1400, acabar-la.com CHI SPACCA Italian. At the latest addition to the Mozza complex, owned by Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, chef Chad Colby serves a

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family-style, beef-centric menu. The meat portions are mammoth, most notably a 42-ounce bistecca fiorentina that takes nearly an hour to cook and can stuff a party of four. D (nightly). 6610 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.297.1133, chispacca.com 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 sautéed 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 (M–F), D (nightly). Santa Monica: Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 1535 Vine St., Hollywood, 323.462.2155; 100 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica, 310.459.3337. thehungrycat.com LITTLEFORK Seafood. Chef Jason Travi came to prominence cooking nuanced Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, but at Littlefork he shows off his East Coast heritage. Travi makes his clams

casino with bacon and Ritz Crackers instead of breadcrumbs, and pairs his lobster roll with housemade salt-andvinegar chips. Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 1600 Wilcox Ave., Hollywood, 323.465.3675, littleforkla.com

Tony P's serves up the finest in steaks, seafood, pastas and more in a comfortable setting overlooking beautiful Marina del Rey.

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 to experience the repertory of these great transcontinental talents. D (nightly). 6602 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.297.0100, osteriamozza.com

Open for breakfast every weekend at 9:00 am. Voted “Favorite Breakfast” and the “Best Bloody Mary” on the Westside. Also join us for our “Happiest of Happy Hours!”

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, pizzeriamozza.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 grits. Br (Su), L (M–F), D (nightly).

7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.466.7000, thompsonhotels.com TROIS MEC Eclectic. The holy foodie triumvirate of Ludo Lefebvre (LudoBites) and Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook (Animal, Son of a Gun), helm the city's hottest restaurant in a 24seat former pizzeria. Diners must purchase advance tickets via the restaurant's website to enjoy Lefebvre's prix-fixe, five-course meal, which changes nightly. D (M–F).

716 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, troismec.com

RESTAURANT



NIGHTLIFE



PRIVATE DINING

101 W. Green Street, Pasadena TwinPalmsRL.com 626.577.4555

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MALIBU ★ 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 (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 18412 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, 310.454.9321; 13950 Panay Way, Marina del Rey, 310.822.4144. chart-house.com

CHI SPACCA ON MELROSE AVENUE

YAMASHIROCL9000006275 Pan-Asian. This restaurant occupies a replica of a Kyoto palace with a garden court and city views, making it special before you even look at the menu. CalAsian fare includes miso salmon with lemon mashed potatoes, and avocado prawns and scallops with bacon butter. D (nightly). 1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Hollywood, 323.466.5125, yamashirorestaurant.com

LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD/ RESTAURANT ROW THE BAZAAR BY JOSÉ ANDRÉS Spanish. Star chef José Andrés brings a whimsical set of Spanishstyle 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

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MATSUHISACL0000022162 Japanese. Superchef Nobu Matsuhisa’s more modest original restaurant, Matsuhisa, incorporates luxurious Western ingredients and Latin American spices. Sashimi tacos, monkfish liver with caviar, 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 NOBUCL9000006261 Japanese. The glitzy restaurant of Nobu Matsuhisa attracts celebrities as well as serious foodies. An extensive menu of traditional and avantgarde sushi includes many dishes with beguiling Peruvian accents. Sakes and omakase feasts result in soaring tabs, but the cuisine measures up. West Hollywood: D (nightly). Malibu: L, D (daily). 903 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.657.5711; Nobu Malibu, 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, 310.317.9140. noburestaurants.com

★ TWIN PALMS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE California. Enjoy contemporary seasonal cuisine, fine wines and handcrafted cocktails and music and live entertainment at this Old Pasadena dining destination. An expansive, white sail-covered patio creates winning ambiance for outdoor dining, including a popular Sunday brunch. Br (Su), L, D (Tu–Su). 101 W. Green St., Pasadena, 626.577.4555, twinpalmsrl.com

DUKE’S MALIBUCL0000022134 Seafood. Named after the father of international surfing, Duke Kahanamoku, this oceanfront restaurant captures the spirit of aloha. Not to be 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

VERTICAL WINE BISTROCL0000333692 American. Up a flight of stairs overlooking Old Pasadena, sip on 70 wines by the glass, or choose a bottle from more than 400 on the list. Mingle in the bar and lounge area or sit in the dining rooms. The New American menu features signature dishes such as oxtail papardelle and salmon with lobster sauce, in addition to fun small plates, cheeses and charcuterie. D (Tu-Su). 70 N. Raymond Ave., (upstairs), Pasadena, 626.795.3999, verticalwinebistro.com

PASADENA

SANTA MONICA

HAVEN GASTROPUB + BREWERYCL9000400892 American. L.A. importing an Orange County restaurant is rare, and so are the animals and exotic parts on Chef Greg Daniels’ menu, a love letter to meat. Begin with an appetizer of roasted pork belly, move on to a lamb burger with onion jam and end with apple crumble with honey lavender ice cream. Many ingredients are housemade—even the truffle salt! L, D (daily). 42 S. De Lacey Ave., Pasadena, 626.768.9555, havengastropub.com

BORDER GRILLCL900624 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

★ PARKWAY GRILLCL0000333530 California. The handsome, brickclad dining room offers some of Pasadena’s best meals. The diverse, globally inspired dinner menu includes ginger fried catfish with cucumber-mint relish and prosciutto-and-arugula pizza. L (M–F), D (nightly). 510 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena, 626.795.1001, theparkwaygrill.com

CATCHCL0000022123 Seafood. Minimalist Catch’s centerpiece is a beautiful, mother-ofpearl sushi bar, but raw fish is just the beginning. Try exquisite cooked preparations such as grilled Spanish octopus and pork belly with onion marmalade 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

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FARMSHOPCL0000333509 California. Chef-owner Jeff Cerciello was formerly culinary director at Bouchon, and the bistro’s influence 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 (M–F), Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly).

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—duck breast with yam puree, buffalo burger, wood-grilled quail—are renowned. Other options include “campfire trout,” cooked in a cast-iron skillet. D (Tu–Su). 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 espresso sauce 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 THE LOBSTERCL0000022157 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 ★ LOUISE’S TRATTORIACL0000022159 Italian. An L.A. favorite since 1978, Louise’s Trattoria delivers Italian cooking with a whimsical California flair. Its four locations are in Larch-

mont Village, Brentwood, Santa Monica and West L.A. L, D (daily).

1008 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, 310.394.8888; 232 N. Larchmont Blvd., L.A., 323.962.9510. louises.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 a bit of tender Wagyu beef flavored with a smoked tomato emulsion before superb game dishes and selections from a nonpareil cheese cart. D (Tu–Su). 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.395.0881, melisse.com RUSTIC CANYONCL9000006265 California. Discover boutique wines while sampling small plates of market-driven, Cal-Med dishes. Executive chef Jeremy Fox (of the former Ubuntu in Napa) has breathed new life into the venue. Whipped goat cheese salad, papardelle with beetpeanut marmalade and wheatberry stew are just a few of the winners.

D (nightly). 1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.393.7050, rusticcanyonwinebar.com

meet our other rock stars.

fresh creations, legendary burgers & more, cooked up live by some of the best in the business.

TAR & ROSESCL9000400893 American. Ex-Wilshire Restaurant chef Andrew Kirschner’s first restaurant focuses on small, rustic shareable plates cooked in his wood-burning oven, but with a few days’ notice he can also whip up large, lavish familystyle suppers of Moroccan-spiced goat or standing rib rack. D (nightly).

602 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.587.0700, tarandroses.com VALENTINOCL0000022196 Italian. For more than 40 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 30,000

hollywood ®

hollywood blvd. at hollywood & highland center • +1-323-464-7625 universal citywalk • +1-818-622-7625 hardrock.com facebook: /hardrockcafehollywoodblvd • /hardrockcafecitywalk twitter: @hrchollywood • @hrccitywalk ©2012 Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. All rights reserved.

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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 wild-boar sausage pizza and pork chop with cranberries. Caramel doughnuts end the meal with a bang. Br (Sa–Su), L (Tu–F), D (Tu–Su). 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, 310.545.7470, thestrandhousemb.com

VALLEY

CITIZEN KANE COCKTAIL AT COMME ÇA IN WEST HOLLYWOOD

bottles. L (F), D (Tu–Su). 3115 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.829.4313, valentinosantamonica.com WILSHIRE RESTAURANTCL9000006273 California. The woodsy, romantic deck is a coveted spot to hang out at; 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

SOUTH BAY FISHING WITH DYNAMITE Seafood. Chef David LeFevre's 36-seat eatery has the nostalgic ambience of a beachfront cottage, and the menu is loaded with East Coast inspirations as well as some innovative dishes. Among the oldschool options are New Englandstyle clam chowder and Maryland blue crab cakes. L, D (daily). 1148 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, 310.893.6299, eatfwd.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 truffle honey fried chicken arrives with lemonrosemary ranch dressing. Br (F–Su), D (nightly). 1142 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, 310.545.5405, eatmbpost.com MAR’SELCL0000333528 California. Set above sparkling Palos Verdes Peninsula, Mar’sel at the Terranea Resort captures an incredible ocean vista. Chef Rebecca Merhej is serious about sustainability in her fresh, flavor-packed cuisine, cooking with citrus fruits and herbs plucked from own on-site garden.

Br (Su), D (nightly). Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, 310.265.2701, terranea.com/ marsel/

GIRASOL California. Against a stunning Gulla Jonsdottir–designed backdrop “hyperseasonal” California fare takes center stage. Former Top Chef contestant CJ Jacobson serves his octopus salad with long roasted eggplant and sweet-and-sour chili; an entree of whole fried red snapper—served head on, naturally—makes a splash.

Br (Su), D (nightly). 11334 Moorpark St., Studio City, 818.924.2323, girasolrestaurant.com 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 buffalo with creamed kale.

Br (Su), D (W–Su). 419 Cold Canyon Road, Calabasas, 818.222.3888, saddlepeaklodge.com

VENICE 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 most lively patio. Br (Sa–Su), L (M–F), D (nightly). 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.450.1429, gjelina.com

SUPERBA SNACK BARCL9000400895 Italian. At Jason Neroni and Paul Hibler’s pastaria, house-made noodles are given the most attention, occasionally smoked and infused for maximum flavor. The wine list emphasizes California labels, and a selection of beer- and wine-based cocktails is available.

Br (Sa–Su), L (F), D (nightly). 533 Rose Ave., Venice, 310.399.6400, superbasnackbar.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

WEST HOLLYWOOD/ MIDTOWN EVELEIGHCL9000400897 American. With a menu chockablock with farm-fresh veggies and meats and a country-chic space, Eveleigh projects an image of cool rusticity. The kitchen endeavors to use house-made ingredients right down to the apple gomme syrup in your cocktail and the brioche toast slices with your rabbit pâté. Br (Sa–Su), D (nightly). 8752 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 424.239.1630, theeveleigh.com GORDON RAMSAY AT THE LONDON WEST HOLLYWOOD6252 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 cod croquettes and moules frites.

D (nightly). The London West Hollywood, 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.358.7788, thelondonwesthollywood.com

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PETROSSIANCL0000333694 French. Chef Giselle Wellman works with the brand’s signature caviar in creative ways. Highlights include caviar- and roe-topped blinis, vanilla panna cotta with espresso caviar (actually tapioca). An on-site boutique offers caviar, smoked fish, chocolates and wines. B (daily), L, D (M-Sa).

321 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.271.6300, petrossian.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— Manila clams with coconut curry, truffle rice-stuffed pasta—augmented with produce and herbs from an adjacent garden. L, D (Th–Tu). 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6180, raysandstarkbar.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 smoked steelhead trout roe with maple cream, miniature lobster rolls and shrimp toast sandwiches with Srirachaspiked mayo in a nautically themed space. L (M–F), D (nightly). 8370 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.782.9033, sonofagunrestaurant.com

his signature concept to L.A. Craft delivers an endless, contemporary American à la carte menu, with fun, shareable dishes including roasted octopus with romesco and Jerusalem artichoke. L (M–F), D (M–Sa). 10100 Constellation Blvd. Century City, 310.279.4180, craftrestaurant.com HINOKI & THE BIRD Eclectic. Chef David Myers shows his admiration of Japanese and Southeast Asian flavors in a decidedly hip environment inside luxury residential tower the Century. His lobster roll is infused with green curry and accented with Thai basil, while an entree of black cod is scented with the smoke of the namesake hinoki wood. L (Tu–F), D (Tu–Sa). 10 W. Century Drive, Century City, 310.552.1200, hinokiandthebird.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 (sashimi-grade raw dishes) to squid-ink pasta with sea urchin sauce, and some dishes are made using produce from a garden behind the restaurant.

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

WESTSIDE

DYLAN + JENI

HINOKI-SCENTED SALMON AT HINOKI & THE BIRD IN CENTURY CITY

CAFE DEL REYCL9000400896 Mediterranean. Ogle impressive pleasure boats in the marina at this waterfront restaurant with a plentiful array of fresh catch. Sample platters of fruits de mer, Dungeness crab cakes or salmon with butternut squash and sage. Br (Sa–Su), L (M–F), D (nightly). 4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, 310.823.6395, cafedelreymarina.com

NINETHIRTY022148 American. The vibe at this stylish indoor-outdoor restaurant is that of pastoral homestead injected with urban energy. Start your meal with deviled eggs with smoked ancho chile mignonette, then munch on kabocha squash polenta tamales.

B (daily), D (Tu–Sa). W Los Angeles, 930 Hilgard Ave., Westwood, 310.443.8211, ninethirtyw.com

CRAFTCL0000022129 American. New York chef Tom Colicchio of TV’s Top Chef brings

★ PAPARAZZI RISTORANTE93 Italian. Enjoy classic Italian cuisine with Sicilian flair at this sophisticated

ristorante and chophouse just blocks from LAX at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel. The menu boasts organic ingredients, fresh seafood and authentic Italian gelato and desserts, while the décor serves up a contemporary twist on ’50s Hollywood glamour. D (M–Sa). 6101 W. Century Blvd., L.A., 310.642.4820, sheraton lax.com/paparazzi PICCACL0000333515 Peruvian. Ricardo Zarate’s second Peruvian restaurant has grand ambitions and a Japanese twist, with a more dressed-up dining room than Mo-Chica and larger menu featuring small plates of ceviches, tiraditos, anticuchos and Peruvian-style sushi. The mezzanine bar serves pisco cocktails. D (nightly). 9575 W. Pico Blvd., L.A., 310.277.0133, piccaperu.com SOTTOCL9000400899 Italian. Co-chef/owners Zach Pollack and Steve Samson dish up beautifully executed pizzas and rustic trattoria

specialties. Great ingredients elevate a traditional margherita pie, and the guanciale pizza is layered with house-cured pork cheek, ricotta and scallions, and topped with a soft egg if you desire. Intriguing pastas include squid-ink-infused rigatoncini with pistachios and bottarga.

L (W–F), D (Tu–Su). 9575 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., 310.277.0210, sottorestaurant.com ★ 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

FOR MORE DINING DESTINATIONS, SEE WHERE LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE AND DOWNLOAD THE WHERE USA APP

WHERE GUESTBOOK

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PAPARAZZI RISTORANTE

MENU HIGHLIGHTS

Ranked one of the top 10 Italian restaurants in Southern California by Gayot, Paparazzi Ristorante is a hidden gem in the heart of L.A. Executive chef Orazio Parisi inspires the senses with his simple, classic Italian cuisine with a nod to Southern Italy, which earned him the title of Chef of the Year from the Southern California Food Writer Association in 2011. Paparazzi Ristorante delights diners with fresh pastas in authentic sauces as well as skillfully prepared seafood, steaks and poultry. House specialties include Il Cioppino dei Paparazzi, an enticing combination of seafood in a fennel pomodoro broth served with classic garlic ciabatta, as well as lasagna al brasato, fresh pasta layered with braised short ribs, rich cream, garlic sauteed spinach and mozzarella. Other favorites include garganelli alla salsiccia, spaghetti alla chitarra, ossobuco and pizzetta boscaiola. All feature robust flavors and beautiful wine pairings. Want to throw a party? The elegant private dining room can accommodate up to 40 people and is equipped with audio-visual needs for your entertainment. It’s the perfect setting for you and your friends to have a great evening and enjoy chef Parisi’s creations. Your taste buds will thank you. D (M–Sa).

6101 W. Century Blvd., Westchester

310.642.4820 sheratonlax.com/paparazzi

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Starters Burrata Lattughe miste Cavoletto Toscano Little Gem “Caesar” Melanzane Gamberoni al guanciale Cinghiale Polipo Crostini Calamari Formaggi Salumi Pizzetta al prosciutto Pizzetta boscaiola Pizzetta Margherita Pastas Bolognese Lasagna al brasato Pappardelle Mezzaluna Garganelli Chitarra Kobe beef ravioli Entrees Cioppino Salmone Branzino Vaccaro Filetto Bistecca Ossobuco Pollo Abbacchio Maiale

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L.A. PRIME Located on the 35th floor of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, the award-winning L.A. Prime invites diners to experience a culinary adventure in a relaxed atmosphere with refined service. Known for its innovative and edgy cuisine, L.A. Prime offers prime beef steaks, wet and dry-aged, as well as beautiful lamb chops, veal Oscar, and fresh fish and shellfish.

Dishes are enhanced with local produce and paired with wines from an award-winning list recognized by Wine Spectator.

Executive chef Andreas Nieto has created a masterful menu of artfully presented dishes made with fresh ingredients to please the palate. Stars wink through floor-to-ceiling windows as diners sit back, relax and enjoy all that downtown has to offer. D (nightly).

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 worldclass 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. 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. Reservations suggested. Live jazz nightly.

D (Tu–Su).

404 S. Figueroa St., downtown

2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel-Air

213.624.1000

310.474.9400

thebonaventure.com

vibratogrilljazz.com

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CHEVAL BISTRO

SMITTY’S GRILL

The Smith Brothers’ Cheval Bistro, has introduced the unique beauty of traditional French Bistro fare to the Old Pasadena scene. The sprawling antique bar offers cocktails, single-malt scotches and a wide selection of French and California wines by the bottle and glass. With a broad menu consisting of classic bistro fare such as steak frites, duck confit, and coq au vin, Cheval Bistro brings an authentic French comfortfood experience that guests new to French cuisine, as well as seasoned gastronomical Francophiles, will appreciate. Cheval Bistro is also open for brunch every Sunday from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. brioche French toast, blue crab and shrimp souflee and croque madame are some of the delicious items on the brunch menu. The full dinner menu, as well as a selection of smaller plates are served in the bar and lounge. Reservations suggested. D (W-Su), Br (Su).

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).

41 S. De Lacey Ave., Pasadena

110 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena

626.577.4141

626.792.9999

chevalbistro.com

smittysgrill.com

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ARROYO CHOP HOUSE

PARKWAY GRILL

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 and 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 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).

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 30 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).

536 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena

510 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena

626.577.7463

626.795.1001

arroyochophouse.com

theparkwaygrill.com

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play time

DODGER STADIUM, MATT HARTMAN

ATTRACTIONS THEME PARKS, STUDIO TOURS, RECREATIONAL PURSUITS, MUSEUMS, CONCERT HALLS, STARGAZING AND SPOTS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST: THEY’RE ALL HERE.

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ATTRACTIONS ATTRACTIONS

VALERIE AT GRAND CENTRAL MARKET

TO MARKET, TO MARKET Recent efforts to spiff up downtown’s beloved Grand Central Market (est. 1917) aim to preserve the market’s legacy and celebrate the city’s diversity while attracting downtown’s burgeoning discerning palates. Newcomers, no doubt, are duly impressed: Recently installed and incoming vendors include some of the area’s hottest purveyors, such as Valerie, G&B Coffee, EggSlut, Belcampo Meat Co., DTLA Cheese, Press Brothers Juicery, Oyster Gourmet and Wexler’s Deli . Longtime customers can still find grocery staples and bargain lunch plates from old-school vendors such as China Cafe and Jose Chiquito. On a busy weekday, the 30,000-square-foot arcade

H AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFICCL0000022306 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 greet tuxedoed birds in the June Keyes Penguin Habitat. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, 562.590.3100, aquariumofpacific.org AUTRY NATIONAL CENTER The merger of the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of the American West and the Women of the West Museum has created the Autry National Center, named for performer Gene Autry. Programs explore the stories of cultures and examine how their interaction has affected the history of the American West. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, L.A., 323.667.2000, theautry.org H CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUMCL0000022308 This institution celebrating African American art, culture and history includes exhibition galleries plus a courtyard, conference center and research library. In addition to ongoing exhibitions, see rotating special exhibitions such as Soul Stirring: African American Self-Taught Artists From the South. 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, 213.744.7432, caamuseum.org

is packed with old and new eating, shopping and rubbing shoulders—a promising sign that Grand Central Market’s updates will bring their vision of a “shared gathering space” for downtown to fruition. Wouldn’t it be grand?

H CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER Fun, informative, interactive exhibits showcase innovation and invention, biology and air and space engineering. The Imax theater offers education with thrills. The science center is the new permanent

home of retired NASA space shuttle Endeavour. 700 Exposition Park Drive, downtown, 323.724.3623, californiasciencecenter.org CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS The cathedral, opened in 2002, was designed by Spanish architect José Rafael Moreno. The late Robert Graham sculpted the luminous doorway with the statue of Our Lady of the Angels; inside, sunlight glows through translucent alabaster panels. Mass is daily; special events are scheduled throughout the year. 555 W. Temple St., downtown, 213.680.5200, olacathedral.org CHINATOWN The neighborhood is composed of distinctive shops, markets and restaurants. For weekend brunch, have an authentic dim sum experience at Ocean Seafood. 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 DESCANSO GARDENS North America’s largest camellia collection includes 34,000 plants amid 20 acres of oaks. The rest of the 150 acres include the renovated Boddy House estate, the Carriage House Art Gallery, a bird observatory, the Lilac Garden and the Japanese Garden. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 818.949.4200, descansogardens.org DISNEYLAND “The happiest place on Earth,” which celebrates its 59th 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, the Little Mermaid—Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and the Pixar-film-inspired Cars Land. 1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, 714.781.4565, disneyland.com DODGER STADIUMC 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 DOLBY THEATRECL0000022328 This home of the Academy Awards, formerly the Kodak Theatre, has also been host to a range of artists and notable TV and awards events.

Guided tours, offered daily, give visitors architectural and historical highlights and an insider’s look at the Oscars ceremony. 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.308.6300, dolbytheatre.com EL CAPITAN THEATRECL0000022316 The venue debuted in 1926 as a theatrical stage, graced by such stars as Clark Gable. In 1941, Citizen Kane

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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 open-air Mexican marketplace with restaurants and shops. 130 Paseo de la Plaza, downtown, 213.628.1274, elpueblo.lacity.org 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, 213.763.3466, expositionpark.org H FARMERS MARKET 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

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is home to more than 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered. Our beautiful 113 acres also offer a carousel, play park, and Safari Shuttle. Conveniently located in Griffith Park where the I-5 and 134 freeways meet.

Plan your visit at www.LAZoo.org.

FLOWER DISTRICT The largest flower market in the U.S. is a spectacle, a feast for the eyes and nose. Buyers for the flower shops procure their flowers, available at wholesale prices, before the sun rises, so get there early (it opens to the public at 6 am on some days).

700 block of Wall Street, downtown, laflowerdistrict.com

*Except Christmas Day

GRAND CENTRAL MARKET See and taste L.A.’s international influences at the city’s oldest and larg-

est open-air market, in business since 1917. Some 40 merchants offer delicacies from around the world. Stands offer pupusas, Cuban sandwiches, tacos and other global choices. Chichi new vendors include Valerie Confections and Press Brothers Juicery. 317 S. Broadway, downtown, 213.624.2378, grandcentralmarket.com

© TRACIE SPENCE PHOTOGRAPHY

had its world premiere at 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, elcapitan.go.com

TCL 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, 323.461.3331, tclchinesetheatres.com GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY 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 Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater seats 200. 2800 E. Observatory Road, L.A., 213.473.0800, griffithobservatory.org GRIFFITH PARK 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, Travel Town, 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 HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME 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. 2014

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Join us at Exposition Park, the crossroads of the Los Angeles community!

Š TRACIE SPENCE PHOTOGRAPHY

California Science Center Embark on a journey of discovery as you explore over 150 interactive exhibits in our galleries including the newest addition to our collection of space artifacts – the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Your Science Center journey will take you into space, below the oceans, into the processes of all living things and lastly an exploration of the world we built. Admission to our permanent galleries is FREE not including IMAX and specially ticketed exhibitions. We are located in beautiful Exposition Park, just south of downtown. For information visit californiasciencecenter.org

700 Exposition Park Drive Los Angeles, CA 90037 323.SCIENCE (724.3623) californiasciencecenter.org

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 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.

900 Exposition Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90007 213.763.DINO (3466) nhm.org

California African American Museum CAAM is where art, history and culture come alive! Enjoy the visual experience of contemporary art and historical exhibitions, and participate in discussions, workshops and programs for all ages. Be sure to visit CAAM this year where you will find an array of exhibitions, including The Legacy of The Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company: More Than a Business, A Memoir in Four Movements: Carmen de Lavallade & Geoffrey Holder, Soul Stirring: African American Self-Taught Artists from the South; Diverted Destruction 6; and The March on Washington: A Tribute, 50 Years Later. CAAM also hosts the popular series of live performances with Target Sundays at CAAM and remember CAAM is always FREE! At CAAM you can interpret yesterday, explore today, and envision the future!

600 State Drive Los Angeles, CA 90037 213.744.7432 caamuseum.org

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honorees include Orlando Bloom, Sally Field, Rick Springfield, Claire Danes and Katy Perry. Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, 323.469.8311, hollywoodchamber.net KNOTT’S BERRY FARM A top-notch collection of roller coasters at “America’s first theme park” includes Boomerang, Silver Bullet, Sierra Sidewinder and Pony Express.

Camp Snoopy is for the younger kids.

During Halloween season, the park is transformed into Knott’s Scary Farm.

Adjacent Soak City Water Park is open in summer. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200, knotts.com L.A. COUNTY ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDEN The 127-acre gardens represent an extremely diverse world of plant life; it's known for its peafowl, which 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

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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

MUSEUM OF TOLERANCE www.museumoftolerance.com

9786 west pico boulevard los angeles, ca 90035 t: 310.772.2506

H 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 find ways to promote natural behaviors in animals.

The zoo is home to more than 1,100 animals and 7,000-plus plants. 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A., 323.644.4200, lazoo.org

H MALIBU DISCOVERY TOURSCL9000007020 Experience the beauty and diversity of Malibu though unique tours of this legendary enclave for the rich and famous. Offerings include wine tours, hiking and horseback riding trails, and celebrity home tours. Options exploring neighboring Santa Monica, California’s most cosmopolitan seaside village, are also available. Tours daily.

1112 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, 310.393.6555, malibudiscovery.com H MUSEUM OF TOLERANCECL0000022332 The Museum of Tolerance hosts powerful exhibits on the Holocaust and such subjects as human rights, intolerance, immigration and family. Recent exhibitions have included Anne, about the life and legacy of Anne Frank.

Simon Wiesenthal Plaza, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., 310.553.8403, museumoftolerance.com MUSIC CENTER Four of the city’s most revered performing-arts venues are here: the Ahmanson Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Resident companies present theater, opera, philharmonic and choral music. A free audio tour of the concert hall is available, as are tours of all of the venues. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7211, musiccenter.org H NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY00022308 The largest natural and historical museum in the western United States safeguards more than 35 million diverse specimens and artifacts. The historic building holds the largest collection of gold in the U.S., a kidfriendly Discovery Center and a Dinosaur Hall. 900 Exposition Blvd., downtown, 213.763.3466, nhm.org CEAN FRONT WALK O You will see dancers, musicians, skaters, preachers, artists in virtually every medium and, of course, beautiful bikini-clad women. This bustling boardwalk lining Venice Beach teems

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with souvenir vendors and cheap eats.

The famed Muscle Beach is also here.

Between Marine Street and Grand Boulevard, Venice OLVERA STREET The colorful village features 27 historic buildings with a traditional Mexican-style plaza. Shop for souvenirs including handcrafted wares typical of old Mexico. Stop for taquitos or tacos at the outdoor cafes, or enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine such as enchiladas and mole. On weekends, strolling mariachis serenade the masses.

Free tours are led by Las Angelitas docents. 845 N. Alameda St., downtown, olvera-street.com QUEEN MARY SHIP AND 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. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 562.435.351, queenmary.com 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, reaganfoundation.org H SAN ANTONIO WINERYCL9000007020 Reminiscent of a time when vineyards carpeted large portions of Los Angeles, a visit to this family-run winery— a 97-year-old 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

SAN FERNANDO MISSIONCL0000022343 The 17th of California’s 21 missions, Mission San Fernando Rey de España, was founded in 1797 and first produced soap and cloth; gold was purportedly found there years before California’s Gold Rush. The museum, archives and gardens are open to the public daily. 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Mission Hills, 818.361.0186, missiontour.org/sanfernando SANTA ANITA PARKCL0000022345 Box-ticket holders at the historic horse track have included Fred Astaire, Walt Disney and Cecil B. De Mille. Old Hollywood elegance lives on at its clubs, which have a dress code and require an entry fee. Race season is from December to April.

285 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, 626.574.7223, santaanita.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 departingWhereLAGuestbook_SDZSafariPark_2014.indd from Long Beach and San Pedro.

310.510.1520, catalina.com

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SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATIONAL AREA Flowers bloom on the hillsides here year-round, and the climate and topography help create a diversity of vegetation that provides the habitat for 50 mammal, 400 bird and nearly a score of reptile and amphibian species. It’s a great place for hikers, horseback riders and bird watchers.

401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, 805.370.2301, nps.gov/samo SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN This popular theme park has 18 roller coasters, including Green Lantern: First Flight and the world’s tallest, fastest and longest flying coaster, Tatsu. A revitalized children's area opens this year. The Hurricane Harbor water park, open seasonally,

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DESCANSO GARDENS IN LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE

is adjacent. 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia, 661.255.4111, sixflags.com/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 beloved L.A. 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 Miley Cyrus, Cher and Justin Timberlake. 1111 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 213.742.7340, 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 H TMZ HOLLYWOOD TOUR Starline Tours’ fasting growing option, the TMZ Hollywood Tour, hits celebrity-related landmarks and sites of scandals, from the club where TMZ met Kim Kardashian, to the the fast-food joint where Brad Pitt once worked. The tour regularly encounters celebrities, all too happy to interact with guests. Tours daily.

6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 855.486.9868, tmztour.com UNIVERSAL CITYWALKCL0000022351 The dining and shopping promenade adjacent to Universal Studios features

H UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOODCL0000022350 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 The 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 Award-winning shows including Mary Poppins and Next to Normal and world premieres such as Minsky’s. Highlights in 2014 include Harmony and The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772, centertheatregroup.org THE BROAD STAGEC Santa Monica College’s state-of-theart theater features several monthly shows of dance, theater, voice, chamber music or film productions. Visi-

tors might see a seven-person circus act or a performance by Chita Rivera.

A 99-seat theater, the Edye, features more experimental works. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, 310.434.3200, thebroadstage.com 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, 213.972.7211, musiccenter.org GEFFEN PLAYHOUSECL0000022285 Constructed in 1929, the building that houses the Geffen Playhouse, now in its 19th 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 April-through-October schedule has offered headliners such as Regina Spektor and Bonnie Raitt. 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.com

MATT HARTMAN

more than 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

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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 What the Butler Saw, Buyer & Cellar and Marjorie Prime.

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 PANTAGES THEATRECL0000022291 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 The Book of Mormon and Once. 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770, hollywoodpantages.com 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 THE WALLIS ANNENBERG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTSCL0000022348 Aka "the Wallis," this new venue transforms the historic Beverly Hills Post Office into the Lovelace Studio Theater, a theater school, cafe and gift shop. The 500-seat Goldsmith Theater is housed in a second state-ofthe-art facility. 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000, thewallis.org WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL The 2003 opening of the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall was 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., downWhereLAGuestbook_SDZoo_2014.indd town, 323.850.2000, laphil.com

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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 more than 86 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 GETTY CENTERCL0000022297 The magnificent hilltop art institution welcomes more than a million visitors a year. It houses stunning collections of paintings, drawings, antiquities, photographs and decorative arts, as well as a beautiful central garden designed by Richard Meier with city views. The Getty Center hosts talks

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ARTCL0000022301 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., 323.857.6000; LACMA West, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6000. lacma.org

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and tours, performances and films, lectures and conferences. 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A., 310.440.7300, getty.edu

teractive experiences awaiting visitors. 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite A245, downtown, 213.765.6800, grammymuseum.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 offers reinterpretations of classical theater in its Villa Theater Lab. 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 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

H GRAMMY MUSEUM Explore 166-plus music genres and see artifacts such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” jacket at this 30,000-square-foot, one-of-a-kind museum in downtown’s L.A. Live entertainment district. You can even learn to produce, master, songwrite and remix “In the Studio”—just one of the cutting-edge exhibits and in-

HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, ART COLLECTIONS, AND BOTANICAL GARDENSCL0000022300 More than a dozen gardens amid 120 acres of rolling lawns include the recently renovated Japanese Garden, Children’s Garden and century-old Rose Garden. Find Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy in the renovated gallery.

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 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 wellknown 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 BLIND BARBER Behind a door simply marked "barber shop," hipsters get haircuts and oldfashioned towel shaves while sipping complimentary cocktails. Come 6 pm, those in the know proceed through a door hidden behind a towel closet and into a chic parlor where mixologists at a patinated-brass bar serve handcrafted cocktails. 10797 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 310.841.6679, blindbarber.com THE BUNGALOW This venue envisioned by Brent Bolthouse was designed with a more relaxed vibe than the nightlife guru's previous Hollywood hot spots. The interior design is inspired by Baja California and seaside cottages; its exterior offers expansive ocean views, lush gardens, patio and deck space and a game room. Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.899.8530, thebungalowsm.com A DESCARGACL9000007758 L 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

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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

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band and dancer entertain the crowd; an open-air cigar lounge is hidden in back. 1159 Western Ave., Hollywood, 323.466.1324, ladescargala.com NE-EYED GYPSYCL0000333561 O Patrons are transported to the 1930s when they step into this sumptuous downtown cocktail bar. Vintage carnival games fill the space, dispensing tickets redeemable for food and drinks, such as the OneEyed Hooch, at the bar. 901 E. 1st St., downtown, 626.340.3529, one-eyedgypsy.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 ROGER ROOM With its stained-glass windows, cozy booths and retro wall murals, this cocktail bar looks like the kind of place where flappers would have gotten a little wild back in the day. Cocktail lovers come for the drinks, concocted by preeminent L.A. mixologist Damian Windsor. 370 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.854.1300 SKYBARCL0000022363 This beautiful, open-air bar at the Mondrian hotel remains as chic today as when it opened. The bougainvillea-covered exterior hovers over the pool. Inside it’s all white and wood with panoramas of the city.

Evening reservations are required.

8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.848.6025, mondrianhotel.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. Ev-

ery 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 HE TROUBADOURCL9000006384 T 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 THE VARNISHCL9000006385 Inconspicuously tucked behind Cole’s diner and steeped in an intimate, retro vibe, the Varnish is a tiny, speak-easystyle bar that prides itself on its purist approach to classic cocktails. Its Prohibition-era and pre-Prohibition-era drinks are painstakingly crafted. 118 E. 6th St., downtown, 213.622.9999, thevarnishbar.com

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WHISKY A GO GOCL0000022367 Channel the soul of rock at this Sunset Strip music club and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. It continues to welcome local and touring bands mostly playing hard rock and metal. Headbanging and hard liquor are musts at this landmark. 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.652.4202, whiskyagogo.com WURSTKÜCHECL9000007757 Just forget about trying to pronounce the name, but do pop into these convivial neighborhood bars for an exotic sausage, microbrew and thick-cut Belgian fries. It’s raucous fun sitting elbow-to-elbow with patrons at packed communal tables. 625 Lincoln Blvd., Venice; 800 E. 3rd St., downtown.

213.687.4444, wurstkuche.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 penguins play. Over 11,000 animals await you.

aquariumofpacific.org 562 . 590 . 3100 100 AQUARIUM WAY, LONG BEACH, CA 90802

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