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romance in historic places
Downtown's Primal Guide for Romance this Valentine's Season
Love is in the air this Valentine’s season, and downtown Los Angeles is ready to ignite the spark with a range of romantic experiences. From the historic grandeur of Hotel Per LA and the Biltmore to the culinary delights of Settecento the city offers something for every couple. Here’s a list of romantic places that are sure to sweep any couple off their feet.
Romance From Top to Bottom at Hotel Per LA
This Valentine’s season, explore Hotel Per La from its captivating depths to its breathtaking heights. This iconic downtown LA gem, in the Finance District, is housed in the beautifully restored Giannini building of 1922, offering an unforgettable romantic experience for anyone seeking a dash of history with the spice of modern elegance.
The romantic journey begins within the elegant mahogany and Tiffany lamps of Ristorante Per L’Ora. Formerly the Bank of Italy, its soaring pillars rise to 20foot ceilings, adorned with intricate gold detailing, making Ristorante Per L’Ora a feast for all the senses.
There’s even a one hundred-year-old vault in the basement upon which to store your love.
Beginning Thursday, Feb 13th, expect a specially curated four-course prix fixed menu with delectable plates of fine Italian cuisine, including Squid Ink Lobster Agnolotti en Brodo, Fennel, confit tomato, herb pesto followed by two days of handmade pastas, seafood, and sultry poultry like Sicilian Duck served with turnips, apple celery root puree, aceto balsamico, duck jus, butternut squash, brown butter sage, pepitas, and parmesan, followed by a decadent dessert, all perfectly paired with fine Italian wines.
The soft lighting and the murmur of conversation create an intimate ambiance, perfect for sneaking kisses across the table.
Ascend to Bar Clara, the hotel’s rooftop oasis.
As the sun sets, relax under a canopy of stars in a private cabana. On Saturday, February 15th, until 10pm, alongside its regular menu, Bar Clara will serve Carrot ginger soup, Winter vegetable tempura, Steak and frites and Flourless chocolate cake.
Bar Clara’s heated pool shimmers under the moonlight, surrounded by panoramic city views. Be sure to ask for the Gods’ blessing—no Cupid here, just Orcus, the Roman God of the underworld, to make sure to keep those promises, or else.
@hotelperladtla
SETTOCENTO Downtown's newest italian restaurant
It was 1993 when the Tom Bradley Wing of the Los Angeles Central Library opened its doors, a gleaming architectural marvel overlooking the historic Maguire Gardens and a regal restoration project of the LA Library’s iconic location dating back to 1925.
Just two years later, just outside the west wing, Joachim Splichal’s Cafe Pinot would offer diners the warm ambiance of delicious French-California cuisine within its indoor and outdoor patios, becoming a community favorite for business class lunches and romantic date nights.
Since Cafe Pinot has closed its doors, leaving the space to anticipation since August 2019.
Settecento bar, (rendering 2023) made with imported Italian marble, decorated with antique books, Italian Renaissance artwork, and a chandelier of instruments –photos provided by Settocento DTLA.
However, with the new year, a new beginning as Global Dining Inc., the group that brought 1212 Santa Monica and La Boheme to West Hollywood brings Settecento DTLA, a bold new look (and menu), downtown’s newest Italian restaurant promising to bring fresh energy to this historic garden.
“The new, thoughtfully curated menu by Executive Chef Francesco Angri and Pizzaiolo Mario Orsini is an ode to Italy’s vast culinary heritage, with each dish rooted in original recipes that have been refined through the ages,” says a spokesperson for the group.
Settocento’s soft opening already has guests praising their robust truffle and mushroom pastas, seafood linguine, and wood-fired pizzas, with restaurantgoers leaving room for Filet Mignon, Pollo Arrosto, and Settecento Pesce, among other menu delights.
At the bar, guests can experience a vibrant showcase of Italian mixology, where classic cocktails such as the Venetian Spritz and Tuscany-inspired Negroni are reimagined with Settocento’s magic touch.
Blending indoor and outdoor seating, creating a timeless atmosphere, Settecento proudly offers outdoor live music at night—the only restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles to do so—serenading diners with Italian classics.
Popping the Question at Settocento Ristorante
Romance is on the menu. A leisurely walk through the labyrinth of Maguire Gardens leads to Settecento, where guests are greeted by an atmosphere that is both elegant and welcoming.
Imported Italian marble, antique books, Italian Renaissance artwork, and a chandelier of wind instruments contribute to the restaurant’s unique timeless charm.
Begin with fine wines, imported beers, or expertly crafted cocktails perfect for building up the nerves. Menu highlights include Fiorentina, a porterhouse steak served with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables; Pollo Arrosto, a wood-fired 24-hour marinated whole chicken with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables, perfect for sharing; and Spaghetti alla Chitarra alle Vongole, with parsley, oil, garlic, chili pepper, and wine sauce, where pasta strings meet at the lips.
The setting is perfect for sharing whispers and stolen glances. The live music serenades diners with classic Italian melodies, creating moments so ripe for popping the question. Settecento provides an exceptional setting, ideal for a proposal that will be treasured for a lifetime. @settecentodtla
LA ART SHOW CELEBRATES 30 YEARS
LA
Art Show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center marking their pioneering role in the city’s emergence as a global epicenter of art.
From February 19th through February 23rd, the LA Convention Center’s main exhibit hall will echo with a fusion of artists and collectors, as visitors navigate its artistic landscape, discovering hidden gems, mystic knowledge, and potentially life-changing networking opportunities with the who’s who of the Los Angeles art scene.
This year, in the wake of the fires, LA Art Show is full support of LA’s creative community showcasing misplaced artists and benefiting first responders effected by the wild fires.
“As LA’s longest-running art fair, our mission is unequivocal: to champion the artists and galleries that constitute our cultural landscape,” says director and producer, Kassandra Voyagis. “This decision stemmed from a resolute commitment to aid in the healing and rebuilding efforts while offering muchneeded community support and reprieve.”
Opening Night Gala
For three decades, LA Art Show has worked to democratize art, offering a range of mediums and price points to ensure accessibility to the next generation of enthusiasts while also catering to established art collectors.
Opening night’s red carpet leads to dozens of traveling exhibits by individual artists along with prestigious galleries and museums from all across the globe.
A-list celebrities and long time art officiados, critics, and collectors, partake in a slew of popular food and spirit vendors, including regulars Tito’s Vodka and many others.
LA-based Building Bridges Art Exchange will showcase art from artists who have lost their homes and studios in the fires with all proceeds going to support them.
Symbols of hope and perseverance, reflecting Los Angeles’ unwavering spirit in overcoming adversity, LA Art Show will feature live art as a heartfelt tribute to the first responders who continue to heroically serve the city.
Continuing into the weekend, notable art installations include…
DIVERSEartLA: The show’s noncommercial platform, curated by Marisa Caichiolo, is back with a compelling retrospective, reflecting its transformative eight-year journey. Born out of a necessity to amplify marginalized perspectives, the upcoming exhibition features eight famed art institutions.
LICHT
FELD GALLERY (SWITZERLAND): Multidisciplinary artist and bestselling poet, Arch Hades – named the highest-paid living poet in the world in 2021 – presents her sculpture the “Isle,” a tribute to the island of San Michele in Veneto.
COLUMBIA ROAD GALLERY
(LONDON, UK): The gallery brings the pulse of East London’s vibrant art scene to LA Art Show, presenting works by four notable artists: Kate Boxer, Thomas Gosebruch, Hannah Ludnow and Jonathan Schofield.
SNISARENKO GALLERY (UKRAINE):
“She, Unbroken” brings together Ukrainian-born female artists who have lived through the horrifying experience of
war. Through each piece, the artists share their resilience and strength.
CORAL GALLERY (MIAMI): Roberto
Vivo’s sculptural workswill be showcased, including his highlight piece “The Human Tribe Totem,” a large-scale bronze sculpture, which debuted at the 2024 Venice Biennale.
CASTERLINE|GOODMAN GALLERY
(ASPEN): Young American artist
Daniel Yocum has gained recognition for his unique approach to figurative abstract expressionism infused with hip-hop aesthetics. His distinctive style is characterized by vivid colors and lurking marks of black, often incorporatingimagery of cars and flowers.
ART IN DONGSAN (SOUTH KOREA)
:
Sculptural works from Steel Che (Youngkwan Choi) repurpose industrial materials into artistic forms with the exhibition’s centerpiece, “Steam Robot,” demonstrating his mastery of traditional craftsmanship along with his ability to transform industrial materials into largescale and thought-provoking art.
DANUBIANA MUSESUM (SLOVAKIA):
Viktor Freso’s breathtaking 30-foot “Bear Sculpture” will be in the lobby as a symbol of power and resilience, setting the tone for the event as bigger, braver and more ambitious than ever before.
Free entry to the fair (Feb 20-23) will be given to firefighters and their families as a thank-you for their tireless efforts on behalf of all Angelenos.
@LAArtShow
hosted by celebrity actress & producer Jenna dewan
Earth, Wind, Fire and Dinner?
New Immersive Dining Experience Opens in the Social District
Part fine dining, part cocktail bar, part dramatic immersive experience, there’s a groundbreaking new entertainment venue in the Social District, and it’s set to become one of downtown’s most sophisticated bar and restaurant destinations.
Offering an extensive menu of wines, artfully crafted cocktails, and seasonal dishes, The Gallery is brought to downtown by visionaries Daren Ulmer and Chuck Fawcett, creators of Allureum, a joint venture that will own and operate location-based entertainment and immersive hospitality destinations across the country.
Spanning nearly 8,000 square feet, once inside, the facility offers two flagship experiences: The Gallery Theater, which debuted its inaugural signature dining show on February 6th, and Elementa, a culinary and visual exploration of nature’s essential forces coming February 28th.
The venue’s one-of-a-kind restaurant-bar, Horizon, features a dynamic and everchanging 3D cityscape brought to life with dramatic lighting and media vignettes. The section will offer an extensive selection of wines, spirits, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages alongside a seasonal menu of snacks, sharables, and entrées crafted by Chef Phillip Martin.
Chef Martin has honed his craft at some of Los Angeles’ most celebrated dining destinations, including the four-star Bazaar by José Andrés and Alma, and
with a decade of experience in the Patina Group, including executive chef roles at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
“Our vision for The Gallery is to be a cornerstone of the neighborhood, blending world-class dining and entertainment under one roof,” said Chuck Fawcett, CEO of Allureum. “Having helped create unforgettable experiences worldwide, I can confidently say there’s nothing quite like this in Los Angeles.”
Coming soon…. Earth, Wind & Fire and… Dinner?
Yes. For close to $200, guests can partake in the two-hour, five-course entertainment dining experience, Elementa, that’s set to take guests on a multi-sensory journey exploring the five classical elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Aether.
Developed in partnership with Mousetrappe Media, the cutting-edge technology behind Elementa is guided by The Curator, an enigmatic master of
sights, sounds, and tastes, while guests will marvel as their surroundings—from tabletops to walls to window views— transform the room into a showcase of visual and musical artistry.
“With Elementa, we wanted to create a culinary experience that transcends traditional dining and immerses guests in a world of wonder and creativity,” said Daren Ulmer, President and Creative Executive of Allureum. “From the dramatic musical score to the visually stunning environments, Elementa is designed to delight all the senses.”
The Elementa menu will be crafted by Chef Joshua Whigham, a worldrenowned culinary master, known for his tenure as Chef de Cuisine at José Andrés’ acclaimed ThinkFoodGroup restaurants, including The Bazaar in Los Angeles and Minibar in Washington, D.C. Outside of Elementa show hours, The Gallery Theater will offer a variety of themed and live entertainment experiences, including special brunches, tastings with guest chefs and live music performances, and private events. @thegallerydining
romance in historic places
Downtown's Primal Guide for Romance this Valentine's Season (continued....)
The Magic of David Minkin and the Supernatural at the Biltmore
Love is timeless, isn’t it? Like stepping back in time, hand-in-hand, into the grandeur of the Biltmore, a downtown landmark hotel that has witnessed countless love stories unfold within its walls.
From its elegant ballrooms to its hidden corners, the Biltmore exudes an aura of old-world charm, setting the stage for a truly enchanting evening.
It’s enchanting, alright! Built in 1923, legend has it century-old whispers can be heard from its gilded walls. Perhaps those whispers will add a thrilling chill to your romantic evening.
The legendary Gallery Bar, where the spirits (and we do mean spirits) of generations past mingle with the present, where clinking glasses and hushed conversations create a vibrant buzz, is a perfect prelude to a night of magic and enchantment to come.
Then, with a poof of smoke (and two front-row tickets), enter David Minkin’s Victorian parlor, a world of wonder taking place almost nightly within the Biltmore’s historic Corinthian Room.
David Minkin is an International Champion of Close-Up Magic. He doesn’t just perform tricks; he weaves narratives, sharing personal stories that resonate with the human experience. His magic isn’t just about illusion; it’s about connection. Creating an atmosphere of intimacy and awe, where the impossible seems, for a moment, within reach, dates will find themselves leaning closer, drawn into his world of mystery.
From mind-bending card tricks to illusions that defy explanation, Minkin’s performance, like love itself, is a journey into the realm of the supernatural. @davinminkin
Raw Love & Tribal Bites at Sama Handroll & Grill
Downtown Arts District has a vibrant history etched into every brick, steel, and wooden beam. From its industrial beginnings to its current status as a thriving community hub, the district that has constantly evolved adds yet another layer to its rich industrial tapestry: the newly opened culinary sensation, Sama Handroll & Grill.
Founded by Chef Lester Lai, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate originating from San Gabriel, Sama showcases a menu where passion meets precision. From signature hand rolls to Robata-Grilled delicacies like the succulent 48-hour Wagyu Short Rib and the delicate Miso Cod, each bite is a special opportunity to delve deeper and deeper into primal instinct.
Ooh baby, we like it raw! Take Sama’s Ikura Don, for instance, which features three varieties of salmon roe, topped with a raw egg (egg: now considered a rare delicacy).
This dish, like many others, ventures off the beaten path. The same goes for Sama’s Seared Toro, topped with grated cured egg yolk and green onion.
To top it off, the restaurant’s design by Kamus + Keller offers a 14-seat hand roll bar with a front row seating. Sitting side by side what greater opportunity for whispering sweet nothings or nibbling an ear?
Sama could just become the place where the primal, unbridled intensity of new love and sushi mastery collide. @samahandroll.la
ITS ON! FIRECRACKER 10k Gets a new DATE
Postponed because of the LA Wild Fires - Gong Hei Fat Choy!! It’s Back on With Two New Days
Celebrating 47 years, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is one of the largest and oldest running races in the U.S. With the Year of the Snake its upcoming Lunar New Year run, walk, cycling and dog walk events had been postponed because of the LA Wild Fires but Gong hei fat choy!! It’s Back on with two new days of festivities coming March 8-9th.
The Firecracker 10K is more than just a run, it’s a two-day expo including exhibitors, beer garden, vendors, activities for children, plenty of live entertainment, and free to the public.
Each registered participant receives a commemorative 2025 Firecracker race bib, exclusive collectible finisher’s medal, limited edition t-shirt (even for registered kids and dogs), goody bag, and much more.
Registration can also be transferred to another person, or deferred to the 2026 Year of the Horse event. Contact the event organizers or visit the registration portal for instructions on how to make changes.
For participants who registered before the LA Fires caused the event dates be pushed back there are certain steps to take to redeem registration stays.
Firstly, registration is $28 – $65. All previously registered participants will automatically be transferred to the new dates and no further action is required on your part.
Second, registrants needing to adjust their registration have several options. A current virtual registration can be transferred to the in-person event. Inperson registrants may be able to transfer to the virtual event (check for availability).
Lastly, participants and their guests will enjoy an opening ceremony in the heart of historic Chinatown with an opening ceremony filled with lion dancers and the traditional lighting of 100,000 firecrackers on both days.
The 47th Annual L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is produced by the nonprofit L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee (LACFRC), a group of volunteers who donate their time and energy to organize and stage events and programs promoting healthy lifestyles, fitness, cultural awareness, supports education and encourages community participation. LACFRC continues to give back with proceeds reinvested in the community providing service and programs benefiting elementary schools and local nonprofit organizations.
Downtown Weekly LA is Official Media Partners of the Firecracker10K Run. Pick up a copy at our booth for a chance to play fun games and win amazing prizes!
personalized disaster relief plan anyone?
Mayor Bass Launches Disaster Relief Navigator
There’s a new online tool to help those affected by the recent wildfires is now available thanks to Mayor Bass and the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles The newly released LA Disaster Relief Navigator, gives an organized database of resources and plans for recovery.
The LA Disaster Relief Navigator asks personalized questions to create individual Disaster Action Plans including government programs, insurance assistance, home damage remediation, temporary and permanent housing solutions, cash grants and valuable local community services.
The new app is in partnership with Better Angels, a nonprofit organization on a mission to end the epidemic of homelessness; Imagine LA, a social impact organization specializing in helping individuals and families maximize public benefits and chart permanent pathways out of homelessness and poverty; and the Mayor’s Fund, which focuses on preventing homeless as well.
“Angelenos are continuing to navigate grief and shock. My commitment is to do
everything we can to get people the help they need as conveniently as possible,” Mayor Bass said. “The Disaster Recovery Centers have already helped more than 5,000 families get help in person, and now the LA Disaster Relief Navigator will help Angelenos get help wherever they are. Thank you to Better Angels and Imagine LA for partnering with the Mayor’s Fund and my office to make this resource a reality, and to the Annenberg Foundation and the R&S Kayne Foundation for their generous support and partnership.”
“The navigator exists because of the hard work and expertise of Better Angels and Imagine LA, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office and the Mayor’s Fund,” said Conway Collis, President and CEO of the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles. “This important online tool helps Angelenos impacted by the wildfires, including people who are now facing job and income losses, access the many services available to them.”
The LA Disaster Relief Navigator is available at lacity.gov or accessible directly at wildfires.betterangels.la.
