Los Angeles Magazine - Let's Go LA! 2022

Let’s Go L.A. L.A. MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL EXPLORATION GUIDE

ALL THE PLACES TO BE

> NEW & NOTABLE RESTAURANTS > CAN’T MISS MUSEUMS > STYLISH BOUTIQUES

MY FAVORITE THINGS

CELEBS DISH ON WHERE TO GO IN L.A. NOW

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Inside

PRESENTED BY

WHERE TO EAT

› New and notable res-

taurants; fine dining that happens to be at a museum; SoCal’s pizza scene; and Cantonese food makes a comeback.

PAGE 4

MY FAVORITE THINGS

› Molly Shannon’s happy

places; Sunset Tower’s majordomo opens up his little black book; an aspiring TV vampire takes a bite out of the city; and Rumer Willis’s love for oldschool L.A. PAGE 10

CULTURAL AGENDA

› From iconic music venues to Instagram-friendly installations, world-class Chicano art to rooftop movies, L.A. is a yearround artistic destination.

PAGE 18

SHOP

› The fabulously chic bou-

tiques leading L.A.’s retail scene.

PAGE 20

BEST OF L.A.: 2020-2022

› Our unbiased list of the

city’s finest fare over the past three years including the best places to eat, play, and shop.

PAGE 22

Ask Chris › What was on the land

GRAND CENTRAL MARKET

G&B Coffee is a popular stop.

that’s now the Grove before the mall was built?

Why is that restaurant at the airport called the Theme Building? Our resident historian answers all your burning questions.

PAGE 36

Let’s Go L.A. L.A. MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL EXPLORATION GUIDE

N AT H A N D U M L A O

ALL THE PLACES TO BE

Let’s Go L.A.

› Our annual exploration guide for adventurous visitors, novice newcomers, and longtime locals.

> NEW & NOTABLE RESTAURANTS > CAN’T MISS MUSEUMS > STYLISH BOUTIQUES

MY FAVORITE THINGS

CELEBS DISH ON WHERE TO GO IN L.A. NOW

BEST OF L.A. PLAY EAT SHOP HEALTH & BEAUTY KIDS PETS PRESENTED BY

ON THE COVER Photographed by Dane Deaner L E T ’S G O L.A. 2022 1

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A CUL I NARY A DVE N TUR E I S O N T H E H O RIZ ON Resting directly on the sand in Santa Monica, Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar are home to six memorable culinary destinations. Endless ocean views complemented by seasonal menus, craft cocktails, and live music nightly.

A luxuriant day-to-night space serving morning coffee, light meals, afternoon tea, or a night cap. Linger by the fireplace or enjoy breathtaking Santa Monica sunsets from the best seat in town.

One of Southern California’s premier beachfront dining destinations. Experience Coastal California Cuisine at its finest when you dine under the stars in the 1 Pico Courtyard.

Relax and enjoy California inspired dishes from Chef Vittorio Lucariello at Coast, a family friendly, casual environment to enjoy great food and picturesque views of the Pacific.

From simply-grilled catches to Black Angus steaks and house made pastas, Santa Monica’s preeminent ocean view restaurant is as vibrant as the California Coast it overlooks.

Taking a front row beachside seat at the foot of the iconic Hotel Casa del Mar is our new al fresco bistro, Patio del Mar. Steps from the beach, it is the perfect place for a summer lunch or sunset dinner with friends.

AND LOUNGE

Seaside restaurant serving coastal fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The lounge offers semi-private cabanas for intimate gatherings. Live music with breathtaking sunsets.

Let’s Go L.A.

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DINE

New & Notable Bacetti Trattoria E C H O PA R K

● Chef Joel Stovall,

C L A I M T O FA M E

Fanny’s is named for vaudeville star Fanny Brice, whom Barbra Streisand portrayed in Funny Girl. The salmon crudo (below) is an early favorite.

Night at the Museum AT FANNY’S, THE ACADEMY MUSEUM’S NEW RESTAURANT, DINING IS TRULY A TECHNICOLOR EXPERIENCE B Y H E A T H E R P L A T T

4 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

1509 Echo Park Ave., bacetti-la.com.

De la Nonna A RT S D I S T R I C T

Hollywood haunt that is, in many ways, the inspiration for the atmosphere of Fanny’s.

“The booths were just like the ones we have. They’re clamshells,” Chait gushes. “They almost merchandise the people sitting in them as much as the restaurant.”

But there are also plenty of modern touches. Instead of a live band, Fanny’s has a different DJ spinning records every night, providing an upbeat soundtrack for cocktails from acclaimed mixologist Julian Cox. Chef Raphael Francois (Le Cirque, Tesse) sends out perfect twists on a Caesar salad and plays around with menu items that are more 2022 than old Hollywood, like hamachi crudo on a bed of sweet pickled grapes and jicama with brown butter and cilantro.

While the museum closes at 6 p.m. most nights, the two-story, 10,000-square-foot, 270-seat dining room is open until 10 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

“At night, it’s certainly not a museum restaurant,” says Chait. “It’s a restaurant that happens to be at a museum.”

● This pop-up-turned-

brick-and-mortar is a destination for its delicious, crunchy rectangular pizzas alone.

But there’ s also a lovely, sprawling patio, warm service, and a substantial selection of natural wines.

710 E. 4th Pl., delanonna.com.

Yangban Society

A RT S D I S T R I C T

● Two alums of the great Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa have opened a 5,000-square-foot Korean American deli and market. Whether you’re craving hot smoked trout or a rice bowl with banchan, you’ll be satisfied.

712 S. Santa Fe Ave., yangbanla.com.

6067 Wilshire Blvd., Mid Wilshire, fannysla.com.

P H O T O G R A P H E D BY WO N H O F R A N K L E E

YA N G B A N S O C I E T Y: DY L A N + J E N I

W

H E N R E N Z O P I A N O met with Bill Chait about the design for Fanny’s at the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the famed Italian architect’s vision was to have the restaurant be completely open to and visible from the museum’s exhibits.

“One side of the whole restaurant is glass,” says Chait. “Renzo’s idea originally was to not even have the glass, until we explained to him there’s no way to do that in the Los Angeles permitting world. But the idea was to make it so you could feel like you’re walking right into the restaurant and kitchen and see the waiters bustling around— almost like a set.”

Even with the glass wall, Piano succeeded in creating an eatery that feels quite cinematic. While by day, Fanny’s is a café that serves salads and sandwiches to museumgoers, by night, it’s a glam, modern vision of an old-school Hollywood hangout.

Captains in suits push carts of gooey, French, washed-rind cow’s milk cheeses and carve thick bloody slices of côte de boeuf tableside.

“It’s definitely in some sense ‘finer’ dining, but it’s more about the theater of how the service used to work,” says Chait, who refers frequently to the Brown Derby—a bygone-era

formerly of Orsa & Winston, uses California produce in his odeto-Rome menu at this upscale neighborhood stunner. Sunchokes tossed with dates, sunflower seeds, and za’atar surprise, while the al dente rigatoni all’amatriciana comforts.

Go East

ONCE OVERSHADOWED BY SPICY SICHUAN FARE, NUANCED CANTONESE FOOD IS SUDDENLY ENJOYING A CITYWIDE REVIVAL B Y J O S H UA L U R I E

IN THE ’70S AND ’80S,

Cantonese-style dim sum service, siu mei (roasted meats), and seafoodfueled banquets dominated L.A.’s Chinese food scene. Given immigration history, most Californians associated Chinese food with culinary traditions from Hong Kong and neighboring Guangdong, the southeastern province whose capital, Guangzhou, is known as Canton in the West. Regional cuisines from provinces like Sichuan had yet to explode in popularity as they have in recent decades. Now Cantonese food is back, with Hong Kong-style cafés and next-level noodle joints opening.

Have a look—and a bite.

1

L ONGT E N CA F E

> Junshi Weng grew up in Guangdong and recently opened this stylish family-run eatery. Tender eggplant strips join salted fish and diced chicken in a sumptuous clay pot. A steamed pork patty with salted fish is a homestyle triumph.

220 W. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park, longtencafe.com.

3

N E W H AOJ I NG

4

PEARL RIVER DELI

> Taishan native Wei Wen Wu derived his sprawling menu from the Cantonese and Hong Kong canons. The restaurant excels at dishes like fried rice with charred chicken and salted fish, or with scrambled egg whites and dried scallops; puffy Japanese egg tofu with stir-fried mushrooms; and a juicy fried pork chop with spicy salt.

> Johnny Lee has moved his acclaimed Chinatown spot to a larger space with table seating. He’s also added breakfast and hired Largwa pastry chef Laura Hoang, who bakes a memorable passion-fruit cream cake and a milk bread that stars in a French toast bursting with salted-egg custard.

500 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra, newhaojingalhambra.com.

935 Mei Ling Way, Chinatown, @prd_la.

I L LU S T R AT E D BY TA E L G O M E S

2

NEEDLE

> Trois Mec alum Ryan Wong and his wife, Karen, first opened this spot in 2019. Their concept has evolved to offer a tasting menu of refined takes on dishes from Hong Kong’s night markets. Skewers of savory zucchini, curry-stained octopus, and rich pork jowl dressed with black bean sauce are grilled to perfection over binchotan charcoal.

3827 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, needlela.com.

5

TA M ’S N O O D L E HOUSE

> Hong Kong native Chun Fai Tam has made noodles for 30 years and it shows.

Delicate, house-made, flat egg noodles showcase everything from wontons to fluffy fish paste.

120 N. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel, tamsnoodlehouse. wixsite.com/home.

LET’S G O L.A. 5

Let’s Go L.A.

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DINE

Any Way You Slice It

8. DA N N Y B O Y ’S FA M O U S O R I G I N A L P I Z Z A

» Daniel Holzman’s ultrawide, perfectly foldable, tangy-crusted slices nail it. The pizza shop even smells like a place in NYC. The menu keeps things delightfully simple: the must-order is a pizza topped with Holzman’s excellent meatballs.

330 S. Hope St., downtown, dannyboysfamousoriginalpizza.com.

8

SOCAL’S PIZZA SCENE IS GETTING HOTTER AND GREASIER. TURN THE PAGE FOR EIGHT NEW YORK-STYLE PIES THAT RIVAL BROOKLYN’S BEST B Y H E AT H E R P L AT T

F O R DA N I E L H O L Z M A N ,

it all comes down to the water temperature. When the native New Yorker makes the dough at his recently opened Danny Boy’s Famous Original Pizza in downtown Los Angeles, he uses water that is precisely 41 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the temperature that water comes out of the tap in New York City, he says, and using the same water temp helps to make authentic NYC-style pizzas on the West Coast. “The length of fermentation based on the temperature of the dough after you mix it gives it a specific kind of tang,” says Holzman, who notes that tap water temperature in Los Angeles is more variable because the pipes aren’t buried as deeply as they are in the Big Apple.

Holzman spent decades working at top New York City fine-dining restaurants like Le Bernardin and then went on to launch a phenomenally successful casual concept there, the Meatball Shop. Now he’s focused on bringing authentic versions of his hometown pies to Angelenos.

It’s not just the flavor of the dough that’s important. He also has precise ideas about a pizza slice’s structure. “You should be able to pick it up, and it should not fall, and when you fold it, it should crack but not break,” he says.

“That’s kind of what defines a New York slice.”

Danny Boy’s is the latest among a growing number of New York-style pizzerias invading Los Angeles.

Work up an appetite and order up.

6 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

7. P R I M E P I Z Z A

7

» First opened in 2014 on Fairfax, Prime dominates the NYCstyle game in L.A. with four locations.

No-frills slices have a slightly lighter crust and an ideal cheesesauce-dough ratio, vividly conjuring a latenight spot you might drunkenly stumble into in the East Village.

Multiple locations, primepizza.la.

6. T O M AT O P I E PIZZA JOINT

» At its locations in Silver Lake, South Pasadena, and Woodland Hills, this local chainlet serves big, foldable, crowd-pleasing slices. It’s not pizza you’d endure a long, smelly subway ride for, but if it’s in your neighborhood, consider yourself lucky.

Multiple locations, tomatopiepizzajoint.com.

6

5. V I T O ’S P I Z Z A

» New Jersey native Vito di Donato’s eponymous spot captures the old-school vibe of an East Coast pizzeria that hasn’t changed its decor since the Dodgers were in Brooklyn. Aficionados might claim that the crust is a touch too thin, but the pizza zis inarguably delicious.

846 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, vitopizza.com.

5

P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y KYLE MORE NO

1. L I T T L E C OYO T E

1

» The joint quickly distinguished itself when it debuted last year, and it just opened a second location. Chef Jack Leahy went to culinary school in New York and spent the early part of the pandemic obsessing over pizza crust. The result is a dreamy pie that tastes so New York, you practically have to pay a ridiculous broker’s fee for the pleasure of consuming it.

2118 E. 4th St., Long Beach, and 3500 Los Coyotes Diagonal, Long Beach, littlecoyotelbc.com.

2

2. L B K

» When this outpost of Luzzo’s Brooklyn opened in 2018, it had water shipped in from New York to make its Neapolitan-meets-NYCstyle pizzas. It now uses a filtration system that replicates New York water. (Delicious!) Pies are cooked in a traditional coal oven and topped with the same cheese and sauces used at the New York location. This pizza is your bicoastal friend who can’t decide where he wants to live.

4359 Tujunga Ave., Studio City, lbkpizzala.com.

3. F U L L P R O O F P I Z Z A AT L O D G E B R E A D C O.

3

» Full Proof now has stand-alone locations in Beverly Hills and Culver City. The dough is made with wholegrain flour and a natural sourdough starter, making for a darker crust and more of a Cali vibe.

This pizza is essentially a Brentwood gal who went to NYU. 11918 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, and 371 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills, fullproofpizza.com.

4. U ST R E E T PI Z Z A

4

» This crispy-crust newcomer, which debuted last spring, liberally interprets the idea of New York style. Chef Chris Keyser finishes pies with shredded Fiscalini cheddar from California, and the menu’s standout is an unconventional-but-amazing pizza topped with pepperoni and a splatter of creamy vodka sauce.

33 E. Union St., Pasadena, ustreetpizza.com.

LET’S G O L.A. 7

Let’s Go L.A.

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DINE

New & Notable Horses

H O L LY WO O D

● Acclaimed young chefs Liz Johnson and Will Aghajanian have brought fresh life—and a buzzy $27 burger —to the old Ye Coach & Horses space.

7617 W. Sunset Blvd., horsesla.com.

Pocha

H I G H L A N D PA R K

Chef Rodrigo Oliveira has brought the cheesy tapioca fries he’s known for São Paolo to L.A.

Southern Exposure AT DTLA'S CABOCO, A STAR CHEF TAKES BRAZILIAN FOOD TO DELICIOUS NEW PLACES B Y H A I L E Y E B E R

C

A B O C O I S A Brazilian restau-

rant, but that doesn’t mean it’s an all-you-can-eat, meat-on-skewers situation. The chefs are quick to note it’s not a churrascaria.

“We want to present a new Brazilian cuisine,” says Rodrigo Oliveira, one of South America’s most acclaimed toques. “Our desire is to show how diverse our culture and ingredients are.”

Sure, there is some grilled meat on the menu, but you’ll also find a take on the Brazilian couscous casserole known as cuscuz paulista, elevated with uni and quail eggs. A vegan version of the fish stew moqueca is surprisingly rich and complex, made with cashew fruit, hearts of palm, and plantains. All the food pairs well with cachaça, the Brazilian

8 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

liquor distilled from sugarcane. The restaurant plans to have the largest collection of the spirit in North America.

“Like wine, there are tons of flavor profiles and regions,” enthuses Oliveira’s business partner and fellow chef, Victor Vasconcellos.

Both men are natives of São Paulo. Oliveira rose to acclaim after he took over his family’s modest store in a working-class neighborhood in 2002. He transformed it into Mocotó, a vibrant culinary destination that has garnered a Michelin Bib Gourmand award and a place on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list. He’s eschewed offers to open in fancier parts of his hometown, instead focusing on community efforts. He recently created an organization that provided 80,000 meals to the hungry during the pandemic.

Caboco has been in the works for several years, and it was originally planned for West Hollywood or Hollywood, but Oliveira is thrilled that it ultimately landed amid the gritty beauty of downtown L.A. “It’s not the first place investors would think of, just like our places in São Paulo,” he says. “It’s big, chaotic, diverse, and cosmopolitan.”

Loam

FA S H I O N D I S T R I C T

● The Ace Hotel’s new all-day restaurant offers up vegetableforward fare—pea pancakes with coconut yogurt, carrot halvah, cocktails made with a beet shrub—but you can also grab a steak.

927 S. Broadway, loamdtla.com.

1850 Industrial St., Arts District, cabocola.com.

P H O T O G R A P H E D BY DY L A N + J E N I

B E E T CO C KTA I L : C A M E R O N ST R A N D

PERFECT S Q UA R E S

● Opened by two native Angelenos, this modern Mexican eatery has a welcoming vibe, easy parking, plenty of margaritas, and vibrant dishes, some with unexpected twists. A memorable shrimp ceviche features habaneros in toasted sesame oil, while a deconstructed burrito swaps in a crepe for a tortilla.

6101 York Blvd., pochala.com.

A BLISSFUL

STATE OF MIND IS JUST A

SHORT DRIVE AWAY.

You don’t have to venture far to experience a retreat that’s far from ordinary. With an award-winning spa, eight sparkling pools, championship golf and tennis, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa offers endless opportunities for laughter and rejuvenation.

SAVE 25% WHEN YOU BOOK 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE

2100 COSTA DEL MAR ROAD, CARLSBAD, CA 92009 • (760) 438-9111 • OMNILACOSTA.COM

Let’s Go L.A.

|

M Y FAVO R I T E T H I N G S

THE A-LIST

From left: Mírame restaurant, the Carpinteria Surf Shop, and Klein before brunch at Sunset Tower.

Favorite place for authentic Mexican food? > I love Mírame.

All the ingredients are fresh, the chef is actually Mexican, and it’s always a really good time.

1 0 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

Favorite museum?

LACMA. Their permanent collection is so fabulous, and their exhibitions are so spot-on.

It’s also the

perfect size for me. It never feels overwhelming.

Guilty pleasure tourist activity?

The Ivy. I love the red velvet cake and the apple tarte tatin.

Favorite LACMA exhibition? > David Hockney portraits and a VR exhibition

by Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

Best neighborhood for bar-hopping? > Silver Lake.

Favorite gay bar? > I don’t really go to gay bars because I’m married 17 years.

(But I do like Rocco’s!)

Favorite in-city escape? > Grabbing a chicken parm sandwich at Gjusta in Venice

Favorite spa? > Joanna Vargas in Sunset Tower.

Favorite concert venue? > Hollywood Bowl. How can you beat the outdoors?

Favorite barber? > It’s all about Alex at Alma Salon in Beverly Hills.

Favorite tailor? > Isaia. They have the most beautiful

fabrics for shirts.

They make them especially comfortable with a spectacular fit.

Favorite neighborhood? > My life and work is in West Hollywood, so I have the most going on there.

Favorite Fridaynight activity? > Before COVID, I used to love to go to the movies. I love watching with an audience and then maybe grabbing dinner.

Best place for a dinner date? > Tower Bar, of course! Because it’s beautiful and the food is delicious. It’s also romantic, and you feel a connection to Hollywood.

And I run a very tight shop!

—J U L I U S M I L L E R

M I R A M E : R I C H M A R C H E W K A ; C A R P I N T E R I A : L A N T E R N P R E S S ; J E F F K L E I N : CO U R T E SY J E F F K L E I N / I A N M A D D OX ; T H U N D E R B O LT: I N STAG R A M .CO M / T H U N D E R B O LT L A ; L AC M A : P H OTO BY M I K E N E L S O N /A F P V I A G E T T Y I M AG E S ; T H E I VY: P H OTO BY F R A Z E R H A R R I S O N /G E T T Y I M AG E S

Restaurant with the best service? > The Polo Lounge. Their service is a bit old-fashioned; they really go out of their way to remember your name and your favorite dish, which is why everyone keeps going back again and again.

Best drink there? > La Frutera— tequila with mango and tamarind.

It’s a bit spicy and a little bit sweet.

Favorite beach? > It’s not in L.A., but I’m obsessed with driving to Carpinteria.

It’s such a charming, authentic California beach town with surfers and little stores and restaurants.

It’s like a threehour vacation.

>

Favorite weekend brunch? > San Vincente Bungalows!

Favorite place for a cocktail?

Thunderbolt in Filipinotown.

>

Best weekday breakfast? > Croft Alley.

Everything’s really fresh, and the chef is incredibly talented.

The avocado toasts and tuna wraps are the best.

and then taking a leisurely stroll on the beach.

>

JEFF KLEIN, THE IRREPRESSIBLE IMPRESARIO OF SUNSET TOWER AND THE SAN VICENTE BUNGALOWS, OPENS UP HIS LITTLE BLACK BOOK

Come relax a little smarter in LA’s college & arts town

STAY ● DINE ● EXPLORE

5 hotel choices, from economy to boutique A “food neighborhood” of over 70 locally owned restaurants and bakeries Local craft beers & spirits 17 museums, galleries and gardens 8 theaters, unique boutiques, and the nearby San Gabriel Mountains Home to the Midsummer Shakespeare Festival and the Village Venture street fair

Plan your itinerary and find dining and shopping choices on the Discover Claremont app

Photo courtesy of Gus’s BBQ

Find hotel specials and information at DiscoverClaremont.com

Photo courtesy of Hotel Casa 425

Photo courtesy of The Back Abbey

Photo courtesy of I Like Pie

Let’s Go L.A.

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M Y FAVO R I T E T H I N G S

G U I L L Ė N ’S GO-TO

The actor especially loves to visit La Placita Olvera on Día de Los Muertos.

Placita is full of it. My favorite time to visit is during Día de Los Muertos.

Favorite flea market? > The Rose Bowl.

It happens every month. There’s always some cool vintage finds.

Favorite L.A.based movie? > 500 Days of Summer, easy.

Favorite place to go for inspiration? > The beach at sunset. I find it very calming.

Favorite record/ music store? > Amoeba. Huge selection and fun to explore.

Favorite concert venue?

The Hollywood Bowl. It’s an outdoor venue, so you get plenty of fresh air. Especially nice during the summertime.

>

Favorite sushi?

I don’t really eat sushi, but my favorite Thai food place is Jitlada.

Matt Groening left a signed Homer Simpson drawing on a receipt that now hangs on their wall—pretty

Favorite gay bar? > Akbar. Nice and cozy while still having a great dance floor.

I’ve never had a dull experience.

Favorite massage place? > Burke Williams, hands down!

Favorite place to grab a cheap dinner? > Street tacos, yum! You really can’t go wrong

1 2 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

with a solid carne asada taco. I saw a Twitter thread the other day debating the red and green salsa— I’m Team Green all the way.

Favorite spot to take out-of-town friends? > Disneyland

or the beach. I love the ocean, and I’m a pretty great swimmer.

Have you ever seen me and Michael Phelps in the same room? Probably not; he did get that restraining order because I kept saying I was Michael Phelps.

Ideal place for a second date?

La Placita Olvera. I love teaching people about Mexican culture, and the >

epic! I’m a huge Simpsons fan.

Favorite spot for margaritas? > 208 Rodeo in Beverly Hills.

The strawberry margarita is incredible!

Favorite pizza joint?

Jon & Vinny’s.

My favorite is the Ham & Yeezy.

I tell everyone I know to try it or I won’t be their friend.

>

HARVEY GUILLÉN, THE ASPIRING VAMPIRE ON THE FX HIT WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, TAKES A BITE OUT OF L.A.

Favorite Chinese restaurant? > Yang Chow in Chinatown.

10/10 would recommend.

Favorite hike? > Griffith Park is a fun one. You gotta check out the observatory before you head

Favorite neighborhood? > Echo Park. I love the atmosphere there.

Favorite coffee shop? > Tierra Mia. Anything horchata-flavored is enough to get me in the door.

I’m hooked.

—J U L I U S M I L L E R

CO U R T E SY H A RV E Y G U I L L É N : L A N E D O R S E Y; J I T L A DA : PA N U M A S J O E S U N G K M A E E ; L A P L AC I TA O LV E R A : JA S P E R D E J E S U S ; CO U R T E SY J O N & V I N N Y ’ S ; H O L LYWO O D B OW L : P H OTO BY C H R I STO P H E R P O L K /G E T T Y I M AG E S FO R C B S R A D I O I N C .

>

Favorite barber? > Manly & Sons on Alvarado.

They do men’s grooming, and the aesthetic is very old-timey.

out—one of my favorite views in L.A.

Thu Sep 22 | 8pm REDMAN • MEHLDAU • MCBRIDE • BLADE A MoodSwing Reunion Celebrated tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman introduced his first band with his 1994 album MoodSwing, an astonishing collection by four precociously talented musicians who would rapidly establish themselves as creative beacons. After years of individual triumphs, the original group reunites— with Redman, pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Brian Blade.

Sat Oct 1 | 8pm Aida Cuevas 45th Anniversary - Yo Creo Que Es Tiempo Thu Oct 13 | 8pm Malpaso Dance Company with Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble Sat Oct 22 | 8pm Luis Enrique + C4 Trio with special guest Nella Sat Oct 29 | 8pm Soweto Gospel Choir HOPE—It’s Been a Long Time Coming

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Aida Cuevas

Malpaso Dance Company

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Soweto Gospel Choir

Let’s Go L.A.

|

M Y FAVO R I T E T H I N G S

FUNNY GIRL

In her new memoir, Shannon talks about both tragedy and success.

>

Favorite department store? > We dress up our

dog in a shirt and tie and bring her to Nordstrom.

They have a great return policy, and if you go there a lot, they call you a “Nordy Girl.”

Best Thai food? > Sanamluang Cafe is in a strip mall on Hollywood Boulevard, and it’s fantastic with real, legit food from Thailand. It’s open until

1 4 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

Favorite spa?

Olympic Spa is just for women and unbelievable.

They have a rock-salt room, a steam room, and an infrared sauna. It’s a great place to meet a girlfriend.

Favorite place to celebrate your birthday? > Craig’s feels like a place in New York City. It feels so homey to me. Amazing cocktails and delicious honey fried chicken.

Supermarket? > I love Bristol Farms in Santa Monica.

It's huge, and the staff is really friendly. I used to give out samples at a market, so I know it's not always easy.

Best shoe repair? > I take all my purses and shoes to Arturo’s Shoe Fixx in Beverly

Best swim?

Annenberg Community Beach House.

Marion Davies was William Randolph Hearst’s mistress, and I like swimming in a mistress’s pool. It has a really deep end.

Sometimes, we bring a little picnic and have

>

Favorite getaway?

I just want to go sit in Descanso Gardens and do creative visualizations. I’m dreaming about going back there.

I always want to be in nature.

4 o’clock in the morning, and it’s simple and delicious. They have great chicken with peanut sauce, the service is fast, and it’s cheap.

>

Favorite breakfast? > It’s like a different world when I go to Farmshop.

I feel like I’m in a Nora Ephron movie—it’s so Westside fancy.

Last time I was there, I was like “Omigod, there’s Jim Carrey!”

a nice dinner on the beach after.

Beauty shop? > Larchmont Beauty Center has the greatest shampoo, conditioner, nail polish, and barrettes.

You just want to buy everything.

Favorite amusement park ? > There are never long lines at Knott’s Berry Farm. It’s so fun and mellow—I prefer it mellow.

Favorite latenight dinner? > Everything closes so early.

HMS Bounty turned out to be the best place after a book reading. I love the fish and chips.

Jewish deli ? > Who doesn’t love a good pastrami sandwich from Canter’s?

Their matzo ball soup is my go-to when I’m sick.

—CHRIS NICHOLS

P H O T O G R A P H BY C O R E Y N I C KO L S

B O O K I N S E T: CO U R T E SY M O L LY S H A N N O N ; I N STAG R A M .CO M / D E S C A N S O G A R D E N S ; I N STAG R A M .CO M /O LY M P I C S PA _ O F F I C I A L ; I N STAG R A M .CO M /A N N E N B E R G CO M M U N I T Y B E AC H H O U S E

THE SNL STAR AND COMEDIAN MOLLY SHANNON ON THE L.A. HAUNTS THAT MAKE HER HAPPY

Hills. It’s a family business. If you have a gorgeous purse or spent a lot of money on shoes, they will make them look new again.

They’re the best in the biz. It’s cash only, so I walked in there like, “I got a lotta cash and I’m ready!” They’re nice, and they call me Shannon.

Pismo Beach, Your Wine and Waves Destination.

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Pismo Beach offers you the ideal getaway and is just a few hours away.

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Let’s Go L.A.

|

M Y FAVO R I T E T H I N G S

L . A . S T O RY

Willis in 2021; the actress has Converse sneakers in several colors; Willis hits the farmers market early.

Favorite music venue? > The Troubadour. It feels so intimate.

I saw Prince and one of my favorite bands, My Brightest Diamond. I like how they have a lot of up-andcoming people and then some bigger names—I like the variety.

Favorite record store? > The Record Collector. I love jazz and blues, and they have a really great selection.

Favorite bookstore? > Book Soup. I like places that have different

types of titles than you would normally see. I like an alternative selection.

Place for a second date? > Cinespia. It’s a drive-in , but they play movies at the Hollywood Forever cemetery in the summer.

They have a photo booth that’s on theme; it’s super cool.

Place to break up? > Griffith Park.

I feel like it would

1 6 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

be OK on a hike because there’s nice foliage to look at when you deliver the blow.

It’s maybe a little bit gentler; you can be like, “Listen, this isn’t working, but look at the beautiful view!”

Favorite movie theater? > The movie theater at Universal CityWalk, because there’s not as many seats, and they recline. Honestly,

I have fallen asleep a couple of times. It’s real cozy.

Favorite Friday night activity? > I’ve really been digging Moonlight Rollerway. I went two nights ago on Rainbow Skate Night—it was great music, and I wore a big rainbow skirt.

Guilty pleasure? > I sometimes love watching Survivor. I like thinking whether or not I could do it; sleeping outside with the bugs and not eating food would be a lot for me. It seems like

the white-whale thing I would do.

Place to clear your mind? > The original farmers market because I get up really early. A few of the vendors know me, and I’ve got all my spots laid out.

Weekend brunch spot? > I would say my house, but I like going to San Vicente Bungalows.

I am a huge berries-wafflesand-pancakes person.

Shoe store? > Converse, because I just love them. I have them in a bunch of different colors, so they’re perfect when I’m trying to do color-coordinated outfits.

Plus they make

your legs look nice, and if you needed to run away from a zombie attack, they would be perfect.

Favorite museum? > LACMA. I just like seeing it all once in a while.

Favorite neighborhood? > You know, I don’t discriminate. I will literally make a trip of going to Venice for smoothies and a grocery store in Echo Park. I’m on this treasure hunt to find and discover places.

—J U L I U S M I L L E R

P H O T O G R A P H BY D I L L O N BU S S

FAVO R I T E P L AC E S : G E T T Y I M AG E S

FROM THE TROUBADOUR TO THE FARMERS MARKET AND BOOK SOUP, RUMER WILLIS LOVES HER SOME OLD-SCHOOL L.A.

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Incoming

|

HAPPENINGS

THE TO-DO LIST CAN’T MISS, YEAR-ROUND CULTURE

H O L LY WO O D B OW L

› 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood,

hollywoodbowl.com In 1920, two women equipped with a grand piano and a makeshift stage made from a barn door performed the first-ever concert in what would become the Hollywood Bowl.

At the time it was a popular picnic spot that went by Daisy Dell or Bolton Canyon; over 100 years, one name change, and five band shells later, one of the world’s largest natural amphitheaters may also be its most famous, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer.

› Happening Now

Duran Duran (Sept. 9-11, 2022)

T H E B R OA D

› 221 S. Grand Ave.,

downtown, thebroad.org.

Located just steps from Disney Concert Hall, another architecture masterpiece on Grand Avenue, The Broad’s beehive facade may be just as impressive as the contemporary art inside. › Happening Now Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow (through Sept.

25, 2022)

L O S A NG E L E S COUNTY MUSE UM OF A RT ( L AC M A )

› 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile, lacma.org.

The largest art museum in the western U.S. boasts more than 147,000 artworks, including two epic, Instagram-friendly 1 8 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

TA KA S H I M U R A KA M I A R T WO R K

H O L LYWO O D B OW L : C H R I STO P H E R P O L K /G E T T Y I M AG E S FO R C B S R A D I O I N C . ; L AC M A : © M U S E U M A S S O C I AT E S / L AC M A ; T H E B R OA D : TA K A S H I M U R A K A M I ; M A R C I A N O A R T FO U N DAT I O N . © 1 9 9 6 TA K A S H I M U R A K A M I / K A I K A I K I K I CO. , LT D. A L L R I G H TS R E S E RV E D

F I R E WO R K S AT T H E H O L LYWO O D B OW L

› 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood, hammer.ucla.edu Founded in 1990 by business magnate Dr. Armand Hammer, the museum is managed by neighboring UCLA, showcasing contemporary exhibitions, public programs, and collections from emerging artists. One hidden gem: the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden, located on the north end of UCLA’s main campus. › Happening Now Andrea Bowers (through Sept. 4, 2022)

THE MUSIC CENTER

S O F I STA D I U M : CO U R T E SY S O F I STA D I U M ; M O N TA L B A N T H E AT E R : STA R FO R E M A N ; C H E E C H : CO U R T E SY T H E RIVERSIDE ART MUSEUM

H O L LYWO O D B OW L : C H R I STO P H E R P O L K /G E T T Y I M AG E S FO R C B S R A D I O I N C . ; L AC M A : © M U S E U M A S S O C I AT E S / L AC M A ; T H E B R OA D : TA K A S H I M U R A K A M I ; M A R C I A N O A R T FO U N DAT I O N . © 1 9 9 6 TA K A S H I M U R A K A M I / K A I K A I K I K I CO. , LT D. A L L R I G H TS R E S E RV E D

HAMMER MUSE UM

installations: Chris Burden’s Urban Light, comprising 202 vintage L.A. streetlamps; and Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass, a 340-ton granite boulder balanced above a concrete trench. › Happening Now Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse (through Oct. 9, 2022)

RIVERSIDE A RT M U S E U M

› 3581 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, riversideartmuseum.org.

Yes, he’s best known for being half of the world’s most famous pothead duo, but Cheech Marin is also a world-class aficionado of Chicano art.

And now his massive collection is finding a new home: the Riverside Art Museum has just turned

the Riverside Public Library into a new space, appropriately named The Cheech, dedicated to the works Marin has accumulated over 40 years. › Happening Now Cheech Collects (through June 18, 2023)

FRANK ROMERO A R T WO R K

› 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown, musiccenter.org Since the mid-1960s the Los Angeles Music Center has been a temple of high culture downtown. Its three original buildings (the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theatre, and the Mark Taper Forum) embody the New Formalism of the time, and they, like the sunken plaza they surround, were all about exclusivity.

“Temples were always raised up above the ground,” says architect Bob Hale. “It’s a space that’s theoretically more sacred, but I think that kind of metaphor is not so meaningful anymore.” › Happening Now Ahmanson Theatre: Oklahoma! (Sept. 13 Oct. 16, 2022); Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: L.A. Opera (year-round); Mark

SOFI STA D I U M

Taper Forum: The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (Sept.

21 - Oct. 23, 2022)

S O F I S TA D I U M

› 1001 S. Stadium Dr.,

Inglewood, rams.com and chargers.com.

The Super Bowl

champion L.A. Rams kick off the NFL regular season on Thursday, September 8 against the Buffalo Bills in the city’s shiny $5.5 billion sports venue. Three days later, the L.A. Chargers host the rival Las Vegas Raiders.

SCREENING O F D I RT Y DA N C I N G

T H E M O N TA L BA N T H E AT E R’S R O O F T O P M OV I E S › 1615 Vine St., Hollywood, themontalban.com/rooftopmovies.

Still feeling jittery about returning to indoor movie theaters? The solution is this seasonal outdoor movie screen that, every weekend from April to November, plays a mix of classic and contemporary pictures running the gamut from Clueless to The Godfather. Snack offerings come from the delicious Village Pizzeria, and, with two hours of games before the movie starts, we find it both safe and fun to sit back with 199 new friends, sip a glass of Ramos Sangria, put on the ultra-comfortable headphones, and experience a cinematic treasure without once feeling weird about going maskless.

CONTRIBUTORS: CHRIS NICHOLS, Z O I E M AT T H E W L E T ’ S G O L . A . 2 022 1 9

Let’s Go L.A.

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SHOP

What’s In Store LOOKING FOR SOME IN-PERSON, RETAIL THERAPY? CHECK OUT THESE STYLISH SHOPS TO REFRESH YOUR WARDROBE, YOUR HOME, YOUR MEDICINE CABINET… AND YOUR SOUL.

BY MERLE GINSBERG

the WEBSTER

Andine

DES KOHAN

Owner-designer Elizabeth Weinstock’s leather goods and furniture shop has morphed into a tres femme Paris apartment to house her new Andine line of French-inspired loungewear and lingerie. The richly imagined residence of “a modern Frenchwoman” houses cotton and pointelles briefs, boxers, bralettes, chemises, and pajama sets for that bed-to-breakfast-to-bar life.

8159 W. Third St, Beverly Grove, shopandine.com.

Colette Jewelry

Celebrity fine jeweler Colette Steckel (Madonna, Rihanna, Kate Hudson) threw open her doors this summer, just as the French-Mexican designer celebrates 26 years in business.

2 0 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

The boutique carries her eponymous collection of cross and charm necklaces, signet rings, and deco initial bracelets, plus a myriad of accessory brands from Paris and Mexico City.

250 26th St., Brentwood, colettejewelry.com.

Dermalogica

The flagship of one of the world’s most effective skincare brands offers a full line of products, including the Oprahapproved Daily Microfoliant, plus luxe treatments.

605 W. Knoll Dr., West Hollywood, dermalogica.com.

Des Kohan

Fans of the architectural clothing Desiree Kohan curated for 16 years at her Cloverdale store will be happy with her 5,000-square-foot Fairfax gallery space

P H O T O G R A P H E D BY WAY NE NAT H AN

TK HEDDER

| Incoming

ESQUIVEL

COLETTE

TER

where every bit is Des-handpicked: women’s clothes by Belgian Christian Wijnants, Dusan’s draped pieces, plus vintage and modern jewelry, artwork, and Kohan’s own, new furniture and candle lines.

914 N. Fairfax Ave., Fairfax District, deskohan.com.

Esquivel House

Designer George Esquivel has handcrafted shoes for the Rock, Laura Dern, and Janelle Monáe.

His 6,500-squarefoot atelier, Esquivel House, features a lounge, showroom, and workshop where you can watch the goods being made.

820 S. Sante Fe Ave., downtown, esquivelshoes.com.

Free Market

Free Market is an evolving one-stopshop collective, with

21,000 square feet of rotating fashion, food, flowers, hats, stationery, skin care, candles, and cultural installations.

12751 W. Millennium Dr., Playa Vista; 821 Traction Ave., Arts District, freemrkt.co.

Hammitt

The SoCal company makes sleek, well-crafted leather handbags at an excellent price point: $200 to $500. The most popular style, the VIP, comes in a range of sizes and handily converts from a crossbody bag to a clutch.

227 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, hammitt.com.

John Lobb

The 150-year-old British label is considered the world’s finest maker of bespoke shoes.

Even ready-to-wear

brogues and boots go through a 190-step manufacturing process.

9530 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills; Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, johnlobb.com.

Maje at the Grove

Fans of the French It-Girl brand can visit a 1,287-square-foot Grove store in which to find whimsical short skirts, collared blouses, pastel jackets, and youthful dresses. 189 The Grove Dr., Fairfax District, us.maje.com.

Moncler

French brand Moncler, one of the first to use down feathers in outerwear for men, women, and children, is now mega-luxurious, adding a second floor for personal shopping.

340 N. Rodeo Dr.,

Beverly Hills, moncler.com/en-us.

Studs

This piercing studio landed in L.A. with two locales in time for the newest incarnation of the multiple piercing trend called earscaping. They work with needles and sell a variety of tiny gold studs. 8478-A Melrose Pl., West Hollywood; 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., #9194, Century City, studs.com.

Swarovski Wonderlab

A new concept from the brand behind the crystal bling, “Wonderlab” is the reinvention of the company’s shiny jewels into more fantastical and bold pieces. That goes for the stores, too.

10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, swarovski.com.

Tried and True Vintage

Down at the Row, Tried and True specializes in classic ’80s, ’90s, and early aughts pieces like track jackets, sports jerseys, and, of course, Air Jordans.

Fans include the Strokes and Daft Punk.

777 Alameda, downtown, triedandtrueco.com.

The Webster

The giant pink building in the former Hard Rock space at the Beverly Center is designed by famed British architect Sir David Adjaye.

The design of the clothes is pretty great, too—there are selections from Chanel, Dior, Celine, Paco Ra-banne, and Givenchy, plus a hip and helpful staff.

8500 Beverly Blvd., Beverly Grove, thewebster.us.

LET’S G O L.A. 21

|

BOLA

without attracting sideways glances. And when the city is sweltering, the glens of coast live oaks, redwoods, cherry trees, ginkgos, azaleas, and camellias stay cool, which means fewer meltdowns for all visitors.

1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, descansogardens.org.

Gay Bar

• You don’t have to

Best of L.A.: 2020-2022 KEEPING THE ADVENTURER TOP OF MIND, WE COLLECTED OUR FAVORITE SPOTS TO PLAY, SHOP, AND EAT IN L.A. OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS

Play Bike Shop

• With 11,000 square

feet of space, HELEN’S CYCLES is the largest cycling shop in the city— and it’s also the best.

Whether you’re looking to drop a four-digit sum on a Pinarello or get a shiny cruiser for under $400, Helen’s staff of expert enthusiasts will get you fitted and make thoughtful recommendations for accessories. An able, fairly priced, repair 2 2 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

department offers four levels of tune-ups.

2501 Broadway, Santa Monica, helenscycles.com.

venture into West Hollywood to find a great gay bar—further east on Santa Monica Boulevard near Silver Lake, there’s the EAGLE L.A., a rocking, raunchy, Levi’s-and-leather spot that proves niche can also be nice. There’s cheap beer, nightly events (like Meat Rack Saturdays), and a bootblack to keep your shoes (and other leather goods) clean and shiny. Sadly, leather bars like this one are rapidly vanishing these days, so this Tom of Finland wonderland (packed with a diverse crowd dancing, playing pool, and generally having a good time) is a treasure worth plundering. 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, eaglela.com.

Botanical Garden

• The Huntington gets a

lot of love, but DESCANSO GARDENS distinguished itself as a verdant MVP after it stayed open throughout most of the pandemic. On the uniquely child-friendly 150-acre grounds, children can frolic around a koi-filled stream, chase squirrels, collect sticks, and follow coyote tracks

Late-Night Cocktail

• Practically unchanged

since its 1953 debut, with its gorgeous neon signage, old-fashioned orange-leather booths, and faux-stained-glass ceiling, CANTER’S DELI has been an after-hours hotspot since your grandparents were staying up all night. While the diner is open 24 hours, the

EXPERT PICK

Comedy Club THE COMEDY STORE 8433 Sunset Blvd., thecomedystore.com.

> “The Comedy Store is definitely the best comedy club in L.A., if not the world. It’s the only one I work at. It’s an authentic place. It’s the original comedy club. The rooms feel well-worn and magical.

Everyone who works there is a professional.

The vibe is great right now because the darkness is long gone, as are the bullies and thugs. My soul lives there.”

—MARC MARON, HOST OF WTF WITH MARC MARON

Kibitz Room—famous for its yummy Bloody Marys—closes just shy of 2 a.m. Still, it’s long been a favorite of insomniacs and late-night revelers, including Axl Rose and his bandmates. 419 N. Fairfax Ave., Fairfax District, cantersdeli.com.

Music Venue

• There are simple plea-

sures that many concert venues in the city can’t promise, but if you’re anywhere inside the TERAGRAM BALLROOM, you can see without craning your neck, hear without being pressed up against the stage, and get a drink without getting served an unwanted elbow sandwich. Pre-COVID, the atmospheric 650-personcapacity club enjoyed the pick of the rock crop,

D E S C A N S O : W K ; M A R O N : A R AYA D O H E N Y/G E T T Y I M AG E S

Let’s Go L.A.

playing host to everyone from Industrial legend Ministry to Brit-punk upstart IDLES. 1234 W. 7th St., Westlake, teragramballroom.com.

Place to Take a Hike

• MALIBU CREEK STATE

PARK is just 25 minutes

from downtown but a world away in atmosphere. Take a short jaunt to Rock Pool, or a more ambitious stroll along the 6.6-mile Malibu Lake Trail. Better yet, practice your Charlton Heston impersonation in the exact spot where Planet of the Apes filmed that scene with a half-buried Statue of Liberty (“Damn you all to hell!”). But weekends can be crowded, so arrive early. 1925 Las Virgenes Rd., Calabasas, 805-488-1827, parks.ca.gov.

Sack Lunch

• The LOS ANGELES ZOO is practically deserted on weekdays, parking is free, and, even if it wasn’t, it’s the perfect place for a picnic. Grab a sack, a sandwich, and a sense of wonder, and sit in the aviary to revel in the quiet, punctuated by

chirping birds. Or find some other animals to eat with. With 133 acres filled with 1,400 beasts, you’re sure to find the perfect picnic companion. 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Feliz, lazoo.org.

Urban Garden

• The third-floor aerie at

the Walt Disney Concert Hall, known as the BLUE RIBBON GARDEN, is a public space that’s so divine.

Take a stroll and feel the Zen-ness of naked coral trees, Chinese rain balls, and Madagascar trees with heart-shaped leaves. Disney Hall architect Frank Gehry conceived the garden’s Lillian Disney Memorial Fountain as a tribute to the benefactor’s love of roses and Dutch earthenware; the blossom decorating the fountain is comprised of Royal Delft pottery that Gehry ordered from Holland and artfully smashed into thousands of shards. 111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown.

Surf Schools

• If you want to learn to

surf in Malibu—and who doesn’t?—hit up Zuma Beach’s MALIBU MAKOS

SURF CLUB, the only school licensed to teach in the wealthy enclave.

Founded by a lifeguard in 1991, safety has always been a part of Makos’s ethos—its instructors are all CPR- and first aid certified. Group lessons have a wonderfully low student-teacher ratio, or you can splurge on individual instruction.

luggage; shoes; handbags; men’s, women’s, and kid’s clothing; and more. Sure, some of the wares are knockoffs and most items aren’t made to last, but if you’re looking for cheap and cheerful trendy updates, this is a great source.

Wear comfortable shoes and come ready to haggle. 210 E. Olympic Blvd.,

Lifeguard Tower #16, 30600 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, malibumakos.com.

Fashion District, fashiondistrict.org/santee-alley.

Zip Lines for GrownUps

• There’s nothing that

gets the adrenaline pumping quite like dangling by a slender cable hundreds of feet above a spiky, boulder-filled forest in the mountains.

If that’s your thing, try ZIPLINE AT PACIFIC CREST, a company that organizes day-trip adventures at the Angeles National Forest on the edge of the Mojave. The all-day experience con-sists of six ziplines—one of which is 300 feet high and sends you zooming at 55 miles per hour—as well as two free-fall rap-pels and three relatively sanesounding hikes. 6014 Park Dr., Wrightwood, 760-705-1003, ziplinespc.com.

Shop Bargain Shopping

OX A N A M E L I S

• If you’re looking

for deals, downtown’s SANTEE ALLEY is hard to beat. The outdoor flea market is open daily and has some 150 vendors hawking electronics;

Eyewear

• Giant. Frameless.

Triangular. Aviator-style.

Eyewear comes in all shapes and sizes, riding the roller coaster of trends. But the chic acetate or metal frames from GARRETT LEIGHT (son of Oliver Peoples’s founder Larry Leight) are for the classicist: they’re timeless, flattering, subtle, intellectual-looking, light with a retro touch— like Willem Dafoe in Mississippi Burning or something John Lennon might have worn.

Whether they’re untinted glasses or sunnies, these specs are more flattering than faddish, bringing a softness to the face. And in case you find them too refined, you can get frames in bright colors (red, pink, violet) with lenses to match. 165 S. La Brea Ave., Fairfax District, garrettleight.com.

Hats

• GLADYS TAMEZ has been

topping fashionable heads—Lady Gaga, Cher, Lil Nas X—for more than a decade. She uses the L E T ’ S G O L . A . 2 022 2 3

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Secondhand Handbags

• In 2018, the e-tail

best straw from Ecuador and the highest quality felt and takes inspiration from her travels to Spain, Mexico, Paris, and Santa Fe. One of the biggest parts of her busi-ness is collaborating on custom hats with clients. “It’s all about you wearing the hat—the hat does not wear you.” 2347 E. 8th St., downtown, gladystamez.com.

Outlet Mall

• You can score Levi’s

jeans, Armani Exchange suits and dresses, and Coach totes (and more) for up to 70 percent off at the CITADEL OUTLETS. Located just minutes from downtown, the center has established itself as the premier discount shopping destination. Be prepared for a full day of traipsing the sprawling 700,000-square-foot mall as you bargain hunt.

If you get peckish, pop into one of the dozens of

2 4 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

on-site restaurants. 100

site REBAG opened as a brick-and-mortar store on Melrose Place, where the floor-to-ceiling windows were filled with rare bags from Hermès, Chanel, and Fendi. Prices can be high, but Rebag has choice collectibles

by Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chloe, and Valentino as well as good deals on large totes, “lady” handle bags, and those crazypopular mini bags for evening—which will be fabulous when we all finally have someplace to go. Westfield Santa Anita, 400 S. Baldwin Ave.,

Citadel Dr., Commerce, citadeloutlets.com.

Arcadia, and 9619 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, rebag.com.

Retro Tees

Summer Dresses and Jumpsuits

• After you’ve checked

out the nostalgic neon signs and pinball machines at the VALLEY RELICS MUSEUM, you’re obviously going to want a T-shirt. Luckily, there happens to be a museum gift shop on the premises, filled with scores of tees with some incredibly cool old logos, like Pup ‘n’ Taco and Love’s Wood Pit Barbecue. The museum acquired the abandoned trademarks for dozens of defunct brands and created a line of apparel showcasing the Valley’s vanished landmarks. Yes, that’s right, you can now rock out in your shirt from Licorice Pizza while watching Licorice Pizza.

7900 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, valleyrelicsmuseum.org.

• Every item at this

vintage-focused Venice boutique is made using recycled dead stock—unused fabric discarded by other fashion lines. And the company’s namesake founder, CHRISTY DAWN, works alongside her small crew in the downtown L.A. factory. Plus, the clothes are, quite simply, stunning. Move over, Reformation—there’s a new ethical-fashion boss in town. 1930 Lincoln Blvd.,

Venice, christydawn.com.

Surf Shop

• With California’s

official state sport still growing in popularity, finding the right gear is key. That’s why everyone

EXPERT PICK

Place To Eat THE ORIGINAL FARMERS MARKET

6333 W. 3rd St., Fairfax, farmersmarketla.com.

> When I first moved here from New York, I didn’t really get L.A. until I went to the Farmers Market on Third. I was charmed by its history, the layout, the people-watching.

I’m still there once a week for a breakfast or lunch—sometimes dinner. It’s L.A.’s center for me.”

—PHIL ROSENTHAL, STAR OF SOMEBODY FEED PHIL AND I’LL HAVE WHAT PHIL’S HAVING

heads to MOLLUSK in Venice. Family-owned, the shop prides itself on being user-friendly.

“We try to keep the store stocked with everything from someone’s first surfboard to someone’s 20th board,” Mollusk manager Beau DiFiore says. Most of Mollusk’s surf craft is sourced locally in small batches from artisan shapers, and the selection reflects the shop’s nostalgic aesthetic. 1600 Pacific Ave., Venice, mollusksurfshop.com.

Shopping Mall

• After a $1 billion,

two-year renovation, Westfield debuted its revamped CENTURY CITY MALL in 2017.

Leave the Grove to the tourists. This is a 400,000-square-foot

C I TA D E L : L E V I M E I R C L A N C Y; R O S E N T H A L : M I C H A E L B E Z J I A N / W I R E I M AG E FO R T H E A R T I STS P R OJ E C T

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wonderland for serious open-air shopping, with Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Tiffany, and Peloton, plus beautiful gardens, and outdoor furniture design by Kelly Wearstler. Nearly a quarter of the space is devoted to food retail, with L.A.’s only Eataly offering up delicacies you can’t get anywhere else. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., westfield.com.

Mod Design

• There’s a reason design

guru Emily Henderson says SUNBEAM VINTAGE is one of her favorite spots in L.A. Chock-full of stylish vintage, modern, and handmade decor, the showroom is a midcentury-modern lover’s dream. Owner Ebee Martinez has described the store’s aesthetic as “Mad Men meets ‘Oh, joy!’” Anyone with a hankering for funky and affordable finds is sure to appreciate its trove of hidden gems. Not convinced? A quick glance at the store’s gorgeous Instagram feed might do the trick. 106 S. Ave. 58, Highland Park, sunbeamvintage.com.

Specialty Bookstore

• The only shop on the West Coast dedicated to romance novels, the RIPPED BODICE is a unique literary haven for lovers of the genre—both Jane Austen traditionalists as well as fans of contemporary romance. There’s even an expansive gay and lesbian romance section located near the 2 6 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

front of the store. “We want people to find it without needing to ask,” says Leah Koch, who owns the store with her sister, Bea, and goes to great lengths to stock a diverse array of writers.

3806 Main St., Culver City, therippedbodicela.com.

Eat Brewpub

• With picnic tables

and a stunning view of downtown, Chinatown’s

HIGHLAND PARK BREWERY

is the perfect spot to wind down while sampling an unparalleled variety of original golden lagers, pilsners, IPAs, ales, and stouts. Try exotic brews like the Lazy Susan—a sour wheat ale made with Masumoto peaches and nectarines—or the Banana Buzz Crunch, an imperial stout derived from hazelnuts, Trystero coffee, and banana puree.

Sounds kooky, but adventurous brew dogs will lap it up. There’s also a menu of tasty food to help avoid a hangover. 1220 N. Spring St., Chinatown, hpb.la.

but the fluffy scrambled eggs, old-school Kraft white American cheese, sausage, or thick slab of charred Nueske’s bacon, and housemade strawberry jam don’t hurt. It’s the best of both breakfast-food worlds— a savory/sweet stunner that’s equally satisfying when eaten at a table outside the restaurant or taken to go. 3200 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, alldaybabyla.com.

Beach Picnic

• Poke’s popularity has

made for a tidal wave of mediocre spots whose only ambition is to not make you ill. But ALI’I FISH COMPANY swims against the tide. The unassuming shack, about a mile from the shore, serves up gorgeous, shoyu-glossed cubes of line-cut ahi flown in fresh from Hawaii every morning. Grab a poke bowl—along with the housemade potato chips and smoked ahi dip—and pretend you’re headed to Honolulu, not Huntington Beach. 409 E. Grand Ave., El Segundo, aliifishco.com.

Boba Tea

• In a city with boba

shops seemingly on every corner, standing out can be difficult. However, BOPOMOFO CAFÉ, created by friends Eric Wang and Philip Wang, has risen to that challenge. The restaurant’s tea options showcase unique combinations of perfectly balancedharmonious flavors and delicious not-too-soft, not-too-chewy boba.

Featuring an expansive tea collection ranging from the Carrot Matcha Latte to Strawberry Corn Milk, there is a delightfully refreshing option for everyone. Plus, food options, like Mapo Tots, put tasty twists on comfort fare. 841 W Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel, bopomofocafe.com.

Chinese (NewSchool)

• At NEEDLE, their tiny spot near Sunset Junction, Ryan and Karen Wong balance familiar Cantonese dishes with exciting new iterations of the beloved cuisine. Their pork-chop

Breakfast Sandwich

• At ALL DAY BABY,

Jonathan Whitener’s sunny new sister restaurant to the lauded Here’s Looking At You, the kitchen slings 1,200 of these morning glories in a typical week. The gargantuan sandwich owes much of its popularity to pastry director Thessa Diadem’s impossibly buttery and flaky biscuits,

CO U R T E SY O F A L L DAY B A BY/O R I A N A KO R E N

Let’s Go L.A.

ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE RICHARD ARCHULETA | EXECUTIVE CHEF

Alexander’s Steakhouse is a fine dining interpretation of the classic American steakhouse with hints of a Japanese influence and focus on wagyu.

Chef Richard Archuleta has honed his craft with hard work and professional training, under the tutelage of influential mentors like JeanGeorges, Joel Robuchon, and Josiah Citrin. He has a passion for cooking meat over wood and charcoal and for the relationships he has built with local farmers and foragers who guide him through the cornucopia of fruits and vegetables at the height of each season. Chef Richard is a certified level-one sommelier and has risen through the ranks of several Michelin rated restaurants.

Alexander’s Steakhouse Pasadena is opened for dinner service Monday through Thursday 5 to 9:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 5 to 10 p.m. with a special Social Hour menu offered in the bar Sunday through Thursday 5 to 6:30 p.m.

111 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101 | 626.486.1111 | alexanderssteakhouse.com/pasadena

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bun and eight-spice youtiao (Chinese doughnuts) are testaments to their innovation, while an elevated shrimp-andegg dish is a pristinely sourced classic. The recently launched Dinner at Needle—an ambitious banquet menu including lobster and snow crab and served on the patio— is a great reason to eat out again. 3827 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, needlela.com.

Chinese (Old-School)

• NEW HAOJING opened

in early 2021—and has “new” in its name—but its wide-ranging menu of Hong Kong–style dishes is all about traditional favorites done really well. The thrills sneak up quietly as servers bring out plates piled with fried pork chops tossed in spicy salt, minced-chicken-andsalted-fish fried rice, and mushrooms tossed with crisp-coated “Japanese egg tofu”. With more than 200 dishes on offer, it’s the sort of place you want to return to again and again. 500 W. Valley

Blvd., Alhambra, newhaojing.com.

Doughnuts

• Even when compared

to excellent local titans like Sidecar, DK’s, and the Donut Man, OUI MELROSE stands out with made-from-scratch doughnuts that taste like fancy pastries while satisfying nostalgic cravings.

Chef Armen Piskoulian’s vanilla-glazed doughnuts 2 8 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

are simply perfect: soft and airy but substantial, with a nice chewiness and just the right amount of mellow sweetness.

They’re also wonderfully fresh: Piskoulian makes doughnuts in the morning and the afternoon because he correctly believes that they should be an all-day indulgence.

Oui also excels at specialty flavors such as birthday-cake buttermilk bars and Boston-cream, strawberry-shortcake, and guava doughnuts.

6909 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, ouimelrose.com

Food Hall

• Few dining destina-

tions in the city hold as much history as GRAND CENTRAL MARKET. The 40-stall food mecca has been a downtown staple for over a century.

Eclecticism is key to its enduring success, as is a lively cross-section of old and new L.A. Unctuous vegan broths are ladled out at Ramen Hood, adjacent to plump links of German-inspired sausage at Berlin Currywurst. Savor the spicy Filipino fare of Sari Sari Store while contemplating a bite of sustainably sourced shellfish from the Oyster Gourmet. Shiku is the latest crowd-pleaser, conveniently formatting Korean comfort staples for those on the go. And cultural expression here extends far beyond the culinary space. The market now features a bazaar highlighting local independent artists and

rooftop comedy showcasing top talent against the evening skyline. 317 S. Broadway, Downtown, grandcentralmarket.com.

Fried Chicken Sandwich

• L.A. has no shortage

of crispy poultry sammies, but DAYBIRD flies the highest. The stripmall spot from Top Chef winner Mei Lin finally opened in March, and it was worth the wait.

A hulking, flattened chicken thigh is brined in buttermilk for 12 hours, then dredged in a blend of flour, Sichuan peppercorns, cumin, star anise, fennel, mushroom powder, and cinnamon, and twice fried in rice bran oil. Stuffed in a Martin’s potato roll and topped with a bright, chile-laced slaw, it’s a perfectly balanced, crave-worthy sandwich. Half of the thigh sticks out from the bun, the better for dipping in Lin’s excellent sauce options. 240 N. Virgil Ave., Ste. 5, Westlake, daybirdla.com.

Handcrafted Chocolates

• See’s is a SoCal clas-

sic, and esoteric flavors abound at various haute bon bon boutiques. But

JOHN KELLY CHOCOLATES

takes the top spot, thanks to its sophisticatedbut-accessible varieties (oftentimes, a girl just wants an elevated peanut butter cup) and culinary ingenuity. The chocolatier’s signature dark chocolate truffle fudge bites are made from a secret recipe that creates an incredibly smooth texture—the sweet spot between fudge and ganache. Plus, the handcrafted treats are massive and satisfying, with most pieces weighing in at almost one ounce. John Kelson and Kelly Green opened their first store inside their Hollywood factory back in 2010, and they launched a flagship shop in Beverly Hills’s Golden Triangle. With it, JKC is rightfully poised to become L.A.’s go-to cacao dealer. Locations at

johnkellychocolates.com.

JERMAINE EE

Let’s Go L.A.

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Jewish Deli

• Let’s face it: most

delis have the exact same menu, but, since 1947, LANGER’S DELICATESSEN has distinguished itself with the best pastrami in town, along with a perfectly anachronistic ambience.

Steamed to perfection and hand-sliced, the thick strips of peppery, smoky beef almost melt on the tongue. When they’re enjoyed in the famous No. 19 sandwich with coleslaw, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing, it’s easy to understand why this is a deli worthy of two James Beard Awards. 704 S. Alvarado St., Westlake, langersdeli.com.

Kitschy Italian Deli

• Bay Cities in Santa

Monica is older, Mario’s in Glendale might make a better meatball, but we’re going with CLARO’S for the overall sensazione at this third-generation family deli. The aroma of anise when you enter through the bakery, the stack of Italian newspapers, and the Kiss Me, I’m Italian kitsch on the shelves won us over. The stuffed cold-cut sandwiches are ginormous, and you can even pick up an 18-pound lasagna (or gluten-free, vegan ravioli) to go. The original location (there are now six) opened in 1948, and mama Claro’s cookbooks on the shelves make you feel like part of the family. 1003 E. Valley Blvd., San

Gabriel, claros.com.

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Korean Dish Not in K-Town

• K-Town has the highest

concentration of Korean food in the U.S., but it doesn’t get all the hits.

JIN COOK works wonders with “authentic Korean soul food” in Glendale.

This homey restaurant, with a dining room that resembles a Korean village, brings sparkle to dishes like spicy pork.

Thinly sliced, marinated pork-neck meat arrives sizzling in a stone bowl.

The meat gets crusty and caramelized and reaches hyperdrive when showered with supplemental shredded mozzarella, which magically melds with the spicy meat and enables cheese pulls galore. 310 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, jincooks.com.

Margarita and Mezcal

• While the ingredients

are essential—tequila, lemon, lime, naranja, triple sec, azucar, and hibiscus salt—it’s the blend that makes this potent potable go down so easy. Opened in 2012 as a pop-up speakeasy called Sip and offering live music and killer cocktails, this enterprise frequently changed locations until arriving at its current Echo Park home as BAR FLORES. Yes, the margaritas are grand, but so are the mezcal and the micheladas. 1542 W. Sunset Blvd., Echo Park, barflores.com.

Omakase

• When you order the

“modern omakase” from

Mark Okuda, a former Asanebo chef who took over and dramatically remade THE BROTHERS SUSHI in 2018, you get much more than nigiri.

Beyond his expertise at cutting and seasoning pristine raw seafood like toro and live Santa Barbara spot prawns, Okuda excels at seasonal cooking. The seven-toten-course meal might start with sashimi and tofu before transitioning to creative hot dishes like Hokkaido scallops with brussels sprouts and truffles, followed by soup, sushi, and dessert.

If you’re not up for dining in, Okuda offers a similarly elegant takeout omakase for two. 21418 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, thebrotherssushi.com.

Pasta

• Encino empire-builder Phillip Frankland Lee is a wildly enterprising chef and restaurateur, so naturally he opened a tasting-menu spot in the middle of a pandemic.

PASTA BAR serves seasonal 12-plus-course menus, headlined by four to five next-level pasta dishes. Lead chef Nathan Tauer, whose fine-dining bona fides include stints at Coi and Petit Crenn, makes pastas—sunflower agnolotti with duck, cavatelli with lobster and peas—that are among the most smartly composed in the city. The restaurant’s ambitious offerings clearly distinguish it from à la carte pasta counters and casual noodle samplers. Don’t be surprised if your final pasta course is accompanied by a few slices of Wagyu ribeye.

16101 Ventura Blvd., Encino, pastabarencino.com.

With one foot in Bologna and the other in L.A., ROSSOBLU chef-owner Steve Samson is a man who knows his pasta.

Irregularly cut maltagliati with octopus, red wine, arugula, and Calabrian chili is tasty enough to make a sister drop her rosary. But the

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tagliatelle tossed with ragù Bolognese and nutty Parmesan will make you a true convert. It’s no wonder this labor of love is the winner of Michelin’s Bib Gourmand Award. 1124 San Julian St., downtown, rossoblula.com.

Texas-Style BBQ

• Pitmaster Andrew Muñoz’s beautifully fatty 14-hour brisket and eight-hour short ribs cooked over white oak in offset smokers, are the closest thing to Central Texas barbecue that L.A. has ever encountered. Andrew and his wife, Michelle, did their first pop-up in their East L.A. backyard in 2017, and MOO’S CRAFT BARBECUE has since become a sensation at brewery pop-ups and Smorgasburg and via takeout, which they regularly offer from Crafted Kitchen in the Arts District. The couple are also on the hunt for their own restaurant space.

No matter where you get their ’cue, make sure you add some of Andrew’s jalapeño-cheddar beef sausages and Michelle’s verde pork sausages to your platter.

astonishingly pleasant for adults and children alike. The outdoor Arroyo Adventure is an homage in miniature to Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco and includes a tended mud kitchen and a clay station. The Robert & Mary Galvin Physics Forest, also alfresco, is hands-on educational wonderment, the perfect cure for all those months spent quarantined indoors, attached to a tiny screen. 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, kidspacemuseum.org.

Spot To Get Splattered

•

The fields at WARPED PAINTBALL PARK near

Castaic Lake stretch for 40 fun-filled acres, so there’s plenty of room for friendly firefights.

This place tends to attract novice players, so you won’t be bothered by camo-clad adults taking the game too seriously. On the contrary, it’s designed to be kidfriendly; there’s child-size equipment, referees, and special programs for children ages seven and up. 34481 Ridge Route Rd., Castaic, warpedpaintballpark.com.

mooscraftbarbecue.com.

Kids Kids’ Museum

• While most children’s

museums are cloying and loud (the dues you pay for procreation), KIDSPACE, nestled in the same canyon as the Rose Bowl, is

3 2 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

Toy Store

eco-friendly children’s clothing. From traditional Holztiger horses from Germany, a rosycheeked Moulin Roty rag doll from France, or buoyant Kitpas bath crayons from Japan, you’ll find them here.

Shop owners Caroline and Jason Rodrigues have traveled the world in search of unique, hard-to-find toys. These are items you can’t just order on Amazon, though if you prefer to shop online, Merci Milo has a great website. 6017 Echo St., Highland Park, shopmercimilo.com.

Health & Beauty Luxe Spa

• Only at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

LA PRAIRIE SPA can

you get the Diamond Day—five-plus hours in paradise that include the Diamond Perfection body treatment and Signature La Prairie facial as well as a champagne lunch at the rooftop restaurant.

The Swiss Bliss offers three hours of heaven, including scalp shiatsu and a caviar facial, just two of the many rea-sons

La Prairie was rated five stars by Forbes Travel Guide. Arrive craving solace, depart a goddess.

9850 Wilshire Blvd., waldorfastoriabeverlyhills. com/spa-wellness.

Makeup

• Since its 2004 launch,

Venice-based HOURGLASS COSMETICS has con-

tinuously updated its products while remaining true to founder Carisa Janes’s cruelty-free ethos.

Its makeup leaves you feeling good and looking great—no small feat in a world of virtuous cosmetics that don’t quite get either job done. The line’s Unlocked Instant Extensions mascara is the best around, while the Immaculate Liquid Powder foundation, is a non-drying, just-enoughcoverage miracle that gives a polished look for hours. Multiple locations, hourglasscosmetics.com.

Nail Art

• The Russian mani-

cure—a technique in which an electronic file is used to remove excess skin around the nail bed—is invasive and controversial, but there’s no question that

• On a quiet side street

in a stable built in 1910, MERCI MILO is an easy-to-miss oasis. The thoughtfully organized shop is packed with ethically made wooden figurines, beautifully illustrated books, soft stuffed giraffes, and

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“Eat like a local” Lunetta is a fine dining, rustic California destination, serving an inventive breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Menus for Lunetta are locally sourced using seasonal ingredients. The bar features classic as well as craft cocktails using the finest in artisan spirits. Their wine list highlights small California producers and worldly artisan winemakers.

Outdoor seating is available at our three cozy garden patios. In these side-by-side restaurants, Chef Lunetta & Chef Cuyuch continue to craft what they are best known for: bringing people together while creating warm, comfortable settings where clean flavors, and local ingredients take center stage.

Lunetta Restaurant & Bar 2420 Pico Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405 310.581.9888 LunettaSM.com

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it achieves a uniquely smooth canvas. Only a handful of manicurists are trained in the technique, and among them Russia native Lisa Kon has established herself as the go-to gal for celebs like Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber. With its own line of polishes and nail-art supplies, her LISA KON LAB is the place for next-level nails whether you’re looking for a subtle French manicure, blinged-out talons with ombre elements, zebra-inspired designs, or three-dimensional effects. 4444 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, lisakon.com

Skin-Care Products

• Beauty gurus have been buzzing

about the L.A.-based, Black-owned, and all-natural skin-care brand BENEATH YOUR MASK, founded by Dana Jackson in 2016. Jackson wanted to repair the damage that a long and debilitating battle with lupus had done to her skin and hair, but many of the products on the market were packed with harsh chemicals. So she created her own.

Beneath Your Mask stocks a select collection of luxurious vegan products for pampering your body’s largest organ, all micro-batched by hand in Southern California.

We suggest starting with the ultra-popular Heal: Whipped Skin Soufflé. 8327 W. 3rd St., Beverly Grove, beneathyourmask.com.

NUDE

Pets

Cat House

• At CRUMBS & WHISKERS cat and kitten café, you can help save cats from the streets and high-kill shelters while lapping up a purrfect cappuccino. Since opening in 2015, the café has helped spare thousands of felines by showcasing them in an interactive, Instagram-worthy setting. Wear comfy lounge gear, slip off your shoes, and wander the open, neon-lit space before plopping down on a poofy cushion—next to a new furry friend and his favorite toy. All the cats are adoptable through the Cat’s Meow.

Reservations are recommended.

7924 Melrose Ave., Beverly Grove, crumbsandwhiskers.com.

Dog Parks & Walks

• Nobody is ever stuck in the dog-

house at ROSIE’S DOG BEACH. As the only off-leash canine beach in L.A., this 2.8-acre stretch of surf and sand welcomes dogs of all breeds and sizes. Plentiful parking and a skyline dotted with kite surfers from the adjacent beach make this an idyllic day trip for you and your best friend. Come on a weekday morning or evening and have the beach to yourselves or stop by on a weekend and let your buddy make friends. 5000 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, longbeach.gov.

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The grass is always greener at Playa Vista’s BLU CREEK DOG PARK. The realistic- looking Astroturf meanders around concrete paths, while a tiny stream provides clean drinking water for your pooch, or a chance to take a cool dip. playavista.com On the fourth Sunday of every month, the SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN opens most of its lush, 87-acre grounds to on-leash dog walking, allowing for some thrilling new sights and sounds for Fido.

Explore the mammoth Moreton Bay fig trees in the banyan grove or wander through the shady fuchsia garden with your best friend.

No wonder the dog days often sell out and require advance tickets.

Pamper your pooch further by arranging for a bespoke picnic with both people food and puppy treats, along with blankets. 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, southcoastbotanicgarden.org.

2020 CONTRIBUTORS:

Steven Blum, Heidi Siegmund Cuda, Hailey Eber, Merle Ginsberg, Sarah Horne Grose, Maureen Harrington, Kennedy Hill, Linda Immediato, Brad Japhe, Jason Kessler, Schuyler Mitchell, Olivia Novato, Heather Platt, Jordan Riefe, Alex Scordelis, Jean Trinh, and Andy Wang 2021 CONTRIBUTORS:

Alexandria Abramian, Will Bahr, Leigh Anne Bowles, Sue Campos, Lauren Castro, Hailey Eber, Claire Fausett, Merle Ginsberg, Marissa Gluck, Maureen Harrington, Brad Japhe, Jason Kessler, Dakota Kim, Josh Lurie, Chris Nichols, Liz Ohanesian, Oren Peleg, Heather Platt, Jordan Riefe, Paul Schrodt, Melissa Seley, Michael Slenske, Andy Wang, Valerie Wu 2022 CONTRIBUTORS:

Laurenz Busch, Susan Campos, Lenora Claire, Heidi Siegmund Cuda, A. J. Daulerio, Sean Fitz-Gerald, Sarah Fones, Star Foreman, Merle Ginsberg, Sandi Hemmerlein, Josh Lurie, Eric Mercado, Julius Miller, Chris Nichols, Jordan Riefe, Michael Slenske, Jeptha Storm, Benjamin Svetkey.

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Q

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ASK CHRIS

What was on the land that’s now the Grove before the mall was built

CHRIS’S PICK

Starry Nights

THE OBSERVATORY GETS GLITZY ● Before he was the ad hoc cultural director of the Mount Wilson Observatory, Dan Kohne was creating special effects for the U.S.S. Enterprise— “whenever they needed something kind of trippy at the end of the universe,” he says.

Since 2017, though, Kohne has been making a new kind of magic at the observatory, with a concert series called “Sunday Afternoon in the Dome.” The first show was snowed out (the building sits more than a mile above Pasadena), and later engagements were canceled by nearby fires and COVID. So this season, the observatory is going all out with top jazz and classical performers inside the telescope’s dome, with wine and cheese served before and after each show. mtwilson.edu.

DIGGING L.A.

A:

The Gilmore family moved its cattle herd to that land 150 years ago. When it drilled for water and found oil, the business plan shifted.

The last well was at the northern edge of the Grove’s parking structure.

Mayoral candidate Rick Caruso leased the 17 acres when it was mostly open parking and a plant farm for Mordigan’s Nursery and opened the Grove 20 years ago. He replaced a midcentury Gilmore Bank with auditorium #14 of the AMC Theatre. A Michael Kors store is where the market’s laundry once stood, and the projection booth of the Gilmore Drive-In was about where the Apple store is today. In there, the screen fits in your pocket. thegrovela.com.

Q: Why is that restaurant at the airport called the Theme Building?

A: Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 570, the swirly landmark at the heart of LAX, was at the center of a vast airport modernization in 1961 that transformed the landing strip for propeller planes into America’s first airport designed for modern jets.

The Jet Age theme of the airport 3 6 L O S A N G E L E S M AGA Z I N E

was distilled into that one building.

Experts tell me that theme buildings have long been part of classical design, with whole cities built around major monuments. “Beaux Arts planning,” says architect Alan Hess, “uses a center of power—a capitol or cathedral—as a focal point.” Victor Cusack, an architect with Pereira & Luckman, who crafted the complex with Welton

Becket and Paul R. Williams, claimed in his book A Symbol of Los Angeles that LAX’s theme building also had “meta-physical qualities” that were loved by LAX brass (and me). flylax.com.

Q: Is it true that only half of the Huntington Gardens are open to the public?

A: More than half the acreage at Henry Huntington’s

estate is filled with themed gardens— desert, jungle, Japanese—where 16,000 plant species take up 130 of the 207 acres.

That leaves a Disneyland-sized hole, which is mostly buffer space to keep neighbors happy. Beside the research library, the “backstage” area also includes staff residences, a research lab and seed bank, an apiary for bees, and a working orange grove (buy the marmalade at the gift shop). At night, a transient population of coyotes, bobcats, owls, and other creatures sip from the manmade lakes. huntington.org.

G I L M O R E P H OTO G R A P H E D BY J I M H E I M A N N

The projection room of the Gilmore Drive-In was situated where the Apple store is now.

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