REGEN PROJECTS A Hollywood gallery mainstay since its 1989 founding, Regen Projects exhibits sculptures, paintings, installations, and prints from some of the world’s most renowned contemporary artists, including Doug Aitken, Anish Kapoor, and Richard Prince. 6750 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, 310-276-5424; regenprojects.com
NEW
SPRÜTH MAGERS
The renowned German gallery debuted its only US outpost in LA last year, making a kunst mark on Miracle Mile (across the street from LACMA) with its roster of more than 60 German and American modern and contemporary artists, including David Ostrowski, Analia Saban, Ryan Trecartin, Frank Stella, and Bernd & Hilla Becher. 5900 Wilshire Blvd., LA, 323-634-0600; spruethmagers.com
VENUS OVER LOS ANGELES While Venus’s NYC exhibition space focuses on established artists, its 14,500square-foot DTLA gallery trains its eye ahead (naturally) on the lesser-known, more emerging artists influencing the cultural zeitgeist of LA and beyond. INSIDER TIP: Look out for the gallery’s
outstanding exhibition publications. 601 S. Anderson St., LA, 323-9809000; venusovermanhattan.com
for its handcrafted pastas and extensive wine list. 1710 Silver Lake Blvd., LA, 323-928-2888; alimentola.com
WALLIS ANNENBERG
ANIMAL
Nestled in the heart of Beverly Hills, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts offers first-rate theater, dance, and music in a magnificent 70,000-square-foot venue. 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-246-3800; thewallis.org
Helmed by the forerunners of contemporary/minimalist LA dining, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, Animal specializes in snout-to-tail tapas and exotic meats, offal, and charcuterie in a trendy, sparsely decorated room. Don’t forget to check out the famous chicken liver toast, signature roasted marrowbone, and quirky desserts. 435 N. Fairfax Ave., LA, 323-7829225; animalrestaurant.com
WILDING CRAN GALLERY Across the street from Soho House, in a Downtown Arts District saturated with galleries, Wilding Cran sets itself apart by featuring two exhibition spaces: a main gallery representing its core group artists, and a second, called Unit B, that serves as a creative project space, often hosting residencies for experimental (and non-Angeleno) artists. 939 S. Santa Fe Ave., LA, 213-553-9190; wildingcran.com
BESTIA Head downtown to Bestia, a multiregional Italian dining destination helmed by the husband-and-wife team of chef Ori Menashe and pastry chef Genevieve Gergis. 2121 E. Seventh Pl., LA, 213-514-5724; bestiala.com
BOUCHON
DINING ALIMENTO A soulful Italian restaurant with small and large plates, Alimento is also known
Nestled in the heart of Beverly Hills, Bouchon offers authentic bistro fare and exceptional service in a vibrant yet intimate setting that seems lifted straight out of Paris. Expect French classics, a commanding raw bar, and a
masterful (and local) wine list that would be at home in chef Thomas Keller’s three-Michelin-star French Laundry. 235 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-271-9910; thomaskeller.com
NEW CAFE GRATITUDE V EGA N With three LA locations already, this SoCal classic is debuting a Beverly Hills venue on Canon Drive this spring. With inventive plant-based dishes and the famous “gratitude mantra” service from the waitstaff, CG is an only-in-LA experience for the stomach—and spirit. INSIDER TIP: Get “bountiful” with the yummy blackened tempeh bolognese. 639 N. Larchmont Blvd., LA, 323-580-6383; 300 S. Santa Fe Ave., LA, 213-929-5580; 512 Rose Ave., Venice, 424-231-8000; cafegratitude.com
CECCONI’S Internationally renowned, celeb-fave Cecconi’s serves Northern Italian dishes in a modern-chic setting on the buzzy corner of Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard. 8764 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310-432-2000; cecconiswesthollywood.com
CHURCH & STATE An Arts District gem with industrial digs and expressive cocktails, Church & State is known for its traditional French bistro fare, including steak frites, tarte flambée, and profiteroles with chocolate sauce. Don’t miss the escargot—baked in butter, herbs, and plenty of garlic, and nestled in individual pastry-topped pots. It’s refined bistro cooking at its best. INSIDER TIP: The only place to get great cassoulet in LA! 1850 Industrial St., LA, 213-405-1434; churchand statebistro.com
CRAIG’S
Feed your body... and spirit... at LA vegan institution Cafe Gratitude, which is famous for its macrobiotic bowls (left) and inventive cocktails, including the Stoney Negroni and Sour T-iesel. A Beverly Hills outpost debuts this spring.
Known for its honey-truffle chicken, this elegant West Hollywood eatery is also a hot spot for celebrity sightings. 8826 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310-276-1900; craigs.la
CROSSROADS KITCHEN
V EGA N Celebrity chef Tal Ronnen serves up
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