W E S T H O L LY W O O D M A G A Z I N E
2019 DISCOVERY AND DISCOVERY SPORT
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For more information on the All-New Discovery, visit Hornburg Land Rover Los Angeles 9176 W Sunset Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.HornburgLandRoverLA.com Vehicles shown: 2019 Discovery HSE Luxury with optional equipment and 2019 Discovery Sport HSE with optional equipment. *All prices shown are Base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes destination/handling, tax, title, license, retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your participating Land Rover Retailer. © 2018 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
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LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF LA BREA AVE & SANTA MONICA BLVD
7100 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood
www.westhollywoodgateway.com
Thank YOU for voting us as best hotel bar in WeHo! As a token of our appreciation, we would like to offer you 15% off your Cattle & Claw bill. Just mention “WeHo Magazine” to your server and they will apply the promotion. Continue to visit Riviera 31 Lounge for weekly entertainment, craft cocktails and bar bites. Visit our website to see our full calendar listings including our legendary Jazz Eclectic on Monday nights and our new Salsa Night on Wednesday’s.
SOFITEL LOS ANGELES AT BEVERLY HILLS | 8555 BEVERLY BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90048 | 310-278-5444 WWW.RIVIERA31.COM | WWW.CATTLEANDCLAW.COM
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1. CCTV InSTallaTIon 3 2. FaCE RECognITIon TERmInal. 2 3. aCCESS ConTRol SYSTEmS. VIdEo SURVEIllanCE SYSTEmS ThaT SUppoRT 4. IndooR STaTIon. wITh REmoTE InTERnET VIEwIng 5. SoUnd SYSTEmS pRoFESSIonal SERVICES
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photograph by Jon Viscott
come celebrate with us.
thank you WEHO! buy one burger receive a second burger half off! mention the WHM Best Burger Joint Contest (offer valid through November 30th, 2018)
W E S T H O L LY W O O D : 8 5 7 5 S A N TA M O N I C A B LV D
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H O L LY W O O D : 1 6 0 8 N C A H U E N G A B LV D
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THE BACK STORY: CULT CANTINA
Here is the definitive list of West Hollywood’s pet services and supplies as rated by the community. Want to see who made the cut?
BEST OF: PET SUPPLIES & PET SERVICES
What makes for a great salon in West Hollywood? A spa, or barber shop? Voters narrowed it down and they won’t disappoint.
BEST OF: BEAUTY & GROOMING
No place takes fitness quite as seriously as West Hollywood. Check out the best destinations currently shaping our community.
BEST OF: FITNESS
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West Hollywood has perfected the art of going out and there’s always a party happening in this city-within-a-city.
BEST OF: NIGHTLIFE
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Wondering where you should be eating in West Hollywood? You’re in the right place.
The building now occupied by Cabo Cantina on Sunset Boulevard was built in 1946 and has had its share of interesting owners...
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BEST OF: DINING
2 018 FA L L I S SU E : B E S T O F W E H O
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BEST OF: FINANCIAL
Wondering if your local bank branch is amongst the favorite in town? Votes are in. It’s maybe the perfect time to make a change.
As a nonprofit organization, it is important to be engaged and relevant to the community that you are located in. So who’s doing it best according to to the WeHo community?
BEST OF: NON PROFITS
Why is Sunset Tower decorated with plants, animals and planes?
THE BACK STORY: SUNSET TOWER
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But wait, there’s more! From your local dry cleaners and florists to the best cannabis dispensaries in WeHo.
BEST OF: AND MORE!
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Obsessed with those sagging cheeks? Looking to upgrade that beautiful smile? How about some new specs? We’ve got you covered.
BEST OF: MEDICAL
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k s A We o Y and PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN- CHIEF Henry E. (Hank) Scott Henry@WEHOville.com C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R Allana Johnson allana@yokcreative.com SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Doug Stichler Doug@WeHoMediaCo.com ADVERTISING (323) 454-7707 advertising@westhollywoodmag.net FOLLOW US westhollywoodmag.net facebook.com/westhollywoodmag.net instagram @westhollywoodmagazine
WHMC, 1138 Hacienda Place, No. 211, West Hollywood, CA 90069. 323.454.7707. 12
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, d e k ! d e r e w s n A u o T H E B E S T O F W E S T H O L LY WO O D C H O S E N BY T H E E XPERTS – ITS RESIDENTS We know it isn’t easy choosing the “best of” West Hollywood. And this time we’ve made it a bit more difficult by adding a lot of new categories to our annual “Best Of” survey. However, that’s only fair because we in West Hollywood have the best of many businesses and service providers in greater Los Angeles – businesses and service providers who are more likely than elsewhere to remember your name and give you a smile. So search this time for the optometrist or dentist, or bank branch or dry cleaner (to name just a few of the new categories you’ll find this year) that you want to all out for great service.
For your reading pleasure in this issue we include several stories by Gus Heully, a local architect and frequent contributor to West Hollywood Magazine and WEHOville. Gus has a passion for the architecture of West Hollywood and the stories behind it. He’s the one who found the conclusive evidence that the round green building on the Sunset Strip was designed by famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. In this issue of West Hollywood Magazine he’ll tell stories about several local buildings that are likely to make you see them in a different way.
By Henry E. (Hank) Scott Hank Scott is editor and publisher of WEHOville. com and West Hollywood Magazine.
And by the way, if you have ideas for other categories that we should include in next year’s “Best Of” voting, please let me know by emailing me at Henry@ WEHOville.com.
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BEST OF WEHO
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Best Burger Joint NO. 1 KITCHEN 24
8575 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.KITCHEN24.INFO/ (424) 777-0959
It’s open 24/7, surrounded by parking and staffed with some real charmers. And the burgers are delicious. Kitchen 24 is a popular hangout both for tourists – you’ll see the Aussies from the Ramada Inn next door dining at 5 a.m. PDT– and for locals – who vary by type according to the time of day. Its menu offers a wide range of burgers. There’s the Caprese Turkey Burger, made from a house made turkey patty with fresh mozzarella, pesto mayo, spinach and tomato. And there’s the Barbecue Smokehouse Burger, constructed with angus beef, bacon, cheddar and bbq sauce and served with
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beer battered onion rings. Given that this is Southern California, there’s also the K24 Veggie, with a house made vegan patty, organic greens, tomato, red onion, pickles and mayo. There’s also the eye candy, which comes free of charge if you wrangle a table on the patio outside. The street walkers are quite distracting. So much so that you might find yourself ignoring the screen on that iPhone while you’re munching that burger and talking with your bestie.
NO. 2 SHAKE SHACK 8520 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.SHAKESHACK.COM/LOCATION/WESTHOLLYWOOD/ (323) 488-3010
NO. 3 IRV’S BURGER
7998 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.IRVSBURGERS.COM (323) 650-2456
Best Chinese Restaurant NO. 1 CHIN CHIN 8618 SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.CHINCHIN.COM (310) 652-1818
Chin Chin’s story is as engaging as its menu. Its website explains that the restaurant “made its debut in Los Angeles in 1983, introducing dim sum and other Chinese favorites prepared fresh to order, without adding any MSG, and served in a contemporary environment with friendly and efficient service. “For more than 30 years, Chin Chin has firmly established itself as one of the most iconic restaurant brands in Los Angeles, with four locations through-
NO. 2 K U N G PAO B I S TRO 7853 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.KUNGPAOBISTRO.COM (323) 848-9888
NO. 3 ASAKUMA RICE 848 NORTH LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES WWW.ASAKUMARICE.COM (310) 652-7780
Best Mexican Restaurant
NO. 1 TORTILLA REPUBLIC
out the city and one in the New YorkNew York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.” Its menu includes popular traditional dishes from across China such as sweet and sour pork and General Tso’s chicken, Hunan chicken, Mongolian beef and Szechuan string beans.
616 NORTH ROBERTSON BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD, WWW.TORTILLAREPUBLIC.COM (310) 657-9888
But as attention grabbing as the food is the décor and the staff. “Each piece of furniture and fixture is custom-made in Mexico and hanging on the walls is contemporary Mexican inspired artwork,” it notes on its website. Tortilla Republic’s website doesn’t call out its servers, but you’ll notice and appreciate them as much for their looks as their service.
NO. 2 MARIX TEX MEX 1108 NORTH FLORES STREET WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.MARIXTEXMEX.COM (323) 656-8800
NO. 3 GUISADOS 8935 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.GUISADOS.CO (310) 777-0310
Yes, it’s the food – contemporary Mexican cuisine. Tortilla Republic boasts signature dishes like Tacos de Jicama and Duck Confit Enchiladas. It has a gluten free menu (this is WeHo, after all). And the outdoor patio is lovely
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Best Pizza
Best Japanese Restaurant NO. 1 NORI SUSHI
8730 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 HTTP://WWW.NORIAZ.COM/ (310) 854-6212
Nori Sushi, which also has locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Ariz., says that it “emphasizes heavily on the art of sushi construction” and offers “art that you can eat.” So art aficionados can enjoy the carefully crafted look of their Nori meals as well as the taste. Its fans call out Nori Sushi for the staff’s service as well as the food. And then there are those who say they find it easy to find parking, and note that it’s dog-friendly.
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NO. 1 VITO’ S PIZZ A
But if you’re nervous about parking, you should know that Nori offers delivery.
NO. 2 NICO NICO SHUSHI 8457 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.NIKOSUSHIWEHO.COM/ (323) 654-6200
NO. 3 NOBU 903 LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES WWW.NOBURESTAURANTS.COM (310) 657-5711
846 LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES WWW.VITOPIZZA.COM (310) 652-6859
Both the Huffington Post and the L.A. Times have called out Vito’s for the authentic New York style of its pizza. Its menu offers 16 versions.
Apparently Hallie Berry and Sylvester Stallone are among the fans of Vito’s pizza. Or maybe their primary attraction is to the engaging Vito di Donato, the former Jersey boy who is its owner. Di Donato ran his pizzeria in Silver Lake for a decade before packing up and moving to La Cienega, which he saw as more accessible. Edison Mellor-Goldman, writing a few years ago as a then-16-year-old for LA Youth, the independent teen newspaper, called out another interesting aspect of Vito’s. “A friend said something about Vito’s that is memorable and true: ‘You go out for pizza, and you come back with a family’.”
NO. 2 FRESH BROTHERS 8613 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.FRESHBROTHERS.COM (310) 652-5252
Best Coffee Shop NO. 1 THE BUTCHER , THE BAKER , THE CAPPUCCINO MAKER 8653 WEST SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.BBCMCAFE.COM (310) 360-6900
Yes, it’s a mouthful. No, not the coffee. The coffee shop’s name. That’s why its fans call it BBCM.
modern California cuisine with European influences for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plus tempting fresh baked goods, speciality coffee beverages, and, don’t worry, handcrafted cocktails and a comprehensive wine list.” And there are those patio tables, which let you soak up the vibe of the Sunset Strip without having to negotiate your way through the middle of it.
NO. 2 S TA R B U C K S 8595 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.STARBUCKS.COM (310) 659-1856
NO. 3 S TA R B U C K S 8951 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.STARBUCKS.COM (858) 472-9420
As much as its fans rave about the coffee, BBCM is more than that. It “offers
NO. 3 MARCO’S 8200 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.MARCOSWESTHOLLYWOOD.COM (323) 650-1060
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N I T N A C T L CU The Back Story
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WHEN CABO CANTINA W A S C U LT C A N T I N A - By Gus Heully
The building now occupied by Cabo Cantina on Sunset Boulevard was built in 1946 and has had its share of interesting owners, Ever wonder what other lives it has had? Long a restaurant, this spot has offered hamburgers, Cajun and Mexican food, but is most famous for its life as The Source, a restaurant that mixed vegetarian cuisine with spirituality, psychedelic music and a cult commune. The Source Restaurant was opened in 1969 by Father Yod (aka Jim Baker) patriarch of The Source Family. A cultlike commune of about 140, The Source Family shared a Los Feliz mansion, promoted a natural vegetarian diet, apparently abstained from drugs and alcohol and prepared to create a utopia following what was seen (understandably in the 1970s) as an inevitable nuclear apocalypse. The Source Family had official nonprofit religious organization status and was financially self-sufficient, thanks to the success of the restaurant and other business
endeavors which included a graphic design agency called Source Arts and the sale of albums by their improvisational psychedelic band YaHoWa13, which often performed at the restaurant.
The Source Restaurant was sold at the end of 1974, at which time The Family moved to Hawaii. The inimitable Father Yod would die the following year (in rock star fashion) crashing a hangglider head first into an Oahu beach.
Father Yod, in his crisp white suits, full snowy beard, gleaming Rolls Royce and surrounded by young girls, was as much a rock star and fashion icon as he was a restauranteur and spiritual leader.
Today, with every surface of the restaurant painted with tromp l’oeil tramps and bamboo shoots, little remains of the white robed hippies that served up sprouts to the likes of Marlon Brando and John Lennon.
A highly charismatic man of varied talents, Yod is reported to have been a Marine, jiujitsu master, Hollywood stuntman and killer. His record includes a 1955 justifiable homicide and 1963 manslaughter conviction; stemming from arguments over a dog and another man’s wife respectively.
But, above the restaurant there once existed a low-ceilinged sanctum, a loft accessible only by ladder, lined in billowing brocade and clouded with incense, where Father Yod would meditate with his wives.
What is more, The Source was not Father Yod’s first health centric restaurant. He was responsible for the Aware Inn which opened in 1957, making it one of the first (if not the first) organic restaurants as well as The Old World restaurant — famous for its veggie burgers. All three restaurants were on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, making our city a birthplace of the organic, vegetarian and health-food movements.
Does this room still exist? A secret retreat of hippy scented contemplation above the sombrero wearing, shot slamming sports bar scene below? Just the idea of this juxtaposition, surreal and secretive, is delicious enough.
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BEST
T H G I N OF WEHO:
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LIV E PE RFORMANCE,
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Best Gay Bar NO. 1 TRUNKS
8809 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.TRUNKSBAR.COM (310) 652-1015
“Where the spirits are high and the prices are low!” That’s Trunk’s slogan, and it pretty much says it all. You’re not going to encounter much pretension or fabulousness at this gay bar, which proudly is open to all. “Gay, straight, curious – who gives a hell?” it proclaims.
Best Dive Bar NO. 1 T H E B AY O U
8939 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 HTTP://WWW.THEBAYOUWEHO.COM/ (310) 273-3303
Let me “bayou” a drink! That would be a lovely (and inexpensive) offer at The Bayou, where well drinks were only $2 this summer and still are pretty cheap now that we’re into fall. The Bayou, whose website calls it a “certified dive bar,” also offers a crazy fun menu of appetizers to soak up some of that alcohol. (Try those “Drunk in Love Mac & Cheese Bites.) You won’t find guys here flashing their abs (the six-pack of choice involves beer). You will find a happy crowd jammed into a small space that, as
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This gayborhood bar “is here for the pool tables, sports on the multiple TVs and the all-day well-drink specials.”
the night goes on, gets friendlier and friendlier, which is what a bar night out should be is all about.
NO. 2
Trunks also caters to the early drinking crowd. It’s open from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. every day but Sunday, when it opens at noon. Check out those 1 to 8 p.m. drink specials.
MOTHER LODE
NO. 2
8944 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MOTHERLODEWESTHOLLYWOOD (310) 659-9700
T H E B AY O U
NO. 3
8939 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 HTTP://WWW.THEBAYOUWEHO.COM/ (310) 273-3303
TRUNKS
NO. 3
8809 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.TRUNKSBAR.COM (310) 652-1015
THE ABBEY 692 NORTH ROBERTSON BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 HTTPS://WWW.THEABBEYWEHO.COM/ (310) 289-8410
Best Go Go Dancer BAR NO. 1 MICKY’S
8857 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.MICKYS.COM/ (310) 657-1176
Yes, you can stand outside on the sidewalk to check out those go go boys at Micky’s (although the ones at the back of the bar are hard to see), but if you really want to experience the crazy vibe you’ve got to walk in that door and order a drink. Micky’s is the landing spot for the latest great go go dancers in West Hollywood. If you’re a dancer and you find yourself on the Micky’s stage, you know you have arrived. Micky’s also is West Hollywood’s most open bar, in the literal sense of the word. Its large outdoor patio is packed most nights. Micky’s is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday and on Sunday. On Fridays and Saturdays it’s open until 4 a.m.
NO. 2 FLAMING SADDLES 8811 SANTA MONICA BLVD, WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTP://FLAMINGSADDLES.COM/WEHO/ (310) 855-7501
NO. 3 FUBAR 7994 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD (323) 654-0396
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Best hotel bar NO. 1 RIVIER A 31 SOFITEL
8555 BEVERLY BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES 90048 WWW.ESTERELRESTAURANT.COM/RIVIERA-31 (310) 278-5444
It’s 5,650 miles away. But if you close your eyes and relax and sip that Opium Sour (which actually is made with gin) you can fantasize that you’re sitting in a bar on the banks of the real Riviera – that one in Paris. Then there are those Wednesday Salsa Nights, hosted by Gabriella Lopez, which will take you to another part of the world.
If it’s simply been an exhausting day at work, consider the apéro, that French evening ritual where one gathers with friends after work for pre-dinner drinks (which can stretch long into the night).
NO. 2 THE TOWER BAR 8358 SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.SUNSETTOWERHOTEL. COM/RESTAURANTS-ANDBAR/TOWER-BAR/ (323) 654-7100
NO. 3 T H E S TA N D A R D POOL DECK 8300 SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 HTTP://WWW.STANDARDHOTELS.COM/LA (323) 822-3111
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Best Live Performance NO. 1 MICKY’S
8857 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.MICKYS.COM/ (310) 657-1176
Why wouldn’t the bar chosen as having the best go go dancers also be chosen as the one with the best live performances? Micky’s is No. 1 in both categories according to Best Of voters. The performances are indeed live. This isn’t a bar where go go boys shuffle from one foot to another, looking bored while they wait for that $1 jock strap tip. The dancers at Micky’s clearly enjoy what they’re doing, and are engaged with their audience.
West Hollywood is where go go dancing originated (with female dancers on the Sunset Strip). Micky’s keeps that history alive with guys.
NO. 2 THE TROUBADOUR
9081 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.TROUBADOUR.COM
NO. 3 TH E CO M E DY S TO R E 8433 SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.THECOMEDYSTORE.COM (323) 650-6268
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BEST OF WEHO
SUPPLIES SERVICES
Best PET gro om e r NO. 1 R O C K S TA R ROVE R S
7701 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ROCKSTARROVER/ (323) 656-7625
Best PET BOAR DING NO. 1 POSH PET CARE 8218 WEST SUNSET BOULEVARD, WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.POSHPETCARE.COM (323) 655-7674
The votes came from the pet owners (in West Hollywood we call them “guardians”). But a large majority voted Posh Pet Care their place of choice when it comes to leaving the pooch in someone else’s hands while working or traveling. There are two locations, one to the north and one to the south of West Hollywood. Posh Pet Care is open every day of the year (holidays included) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
NO. 2 H E A LT H Y S P O T 8525 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.HEALTHYSPOT.COM (310) 657-2400
Whose Rover isn’t a rock star? And where would you go if you wanted your Rover to be treated like one (and to get a faux hawk)? Rock Star Rover is called out on Yelp for its “stylists,” which suggests it adds some glam to dog grooming. And cats? Of course.
NO. 3 W E S T H O L LY W O O D A N I M A L H O S P I TA L 9000 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.WH-AH.COM (310) 275-0055
Rock Star Rovers is open Wednesdays and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
NO. 2 POSH PET CARE 8218 WEST SUNSET BOULEVARD, WEST HOLLYWOOD 705 NORTH HARPER AVENUE, LOS ANGELES WWW.POSHPETCARE.COM (323) 655-7674
NO. 3 H E A LT H Y S P O T 8525 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.HEALTHYSPOT.COM (310) 657-2400
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Best PET SUPPLIES
Best VETERIN ARIANS
NO. 1 H E A LT H Y S P O T
NO. 1 W E S T H O L LY W O O D A N I M A L H O S P I TA L
8525 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.HEALTHYSPOT.COM (310) 657-2400
Healthy Spot says it uses a “mind, body and bowl” approach to figure out what to offer you and your pet. That means making sure that “every stocked product contains premium-quality ingredients and is procured and manufactured safely and ethically.” The approach comes from the personal experience of Healthy Spot founders Andrew Kim and Mark Boonnark, whom started the company in 2008 in response to the 2007 pet food recalls. Andrew had recently adopted his pup Maya and found it hard to find a safe food option for her. Mark lost his pup Biscuit to cancer.
9000 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.WH-AH.COM (310) 275-0055
“Your pet is our passion,” is the slogan of West Hollywood Veterinary Hospital, which is owned and operated by Dr. Monica Revel. There isn’t really a service that the hospital doesn’t offer. They include an indoor dog park for weekday doggy day care and issuance of international and domestic health certificates if you plan to take your pet on a trip. The hospital hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, which makes it easy to get to if you’re working a nine-to-five job.
NO. 2
NO. 2
URBAN PET
FOX CO M PA N I O N C A R E
1128 NORTH LA BREA AVENUE WEST HOLLYWOOD 90038 HTTP://WWW.THEURBANPET.NET/ (323) 952-6088
NO. 3 COLLAR & LEASH 8555 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.COLLARANDLEASHLA.COM (310) 657-6638
(MOBILE VETERINARY SERVICE) FOXCOMPANIONCARE.COM/ (310) 854-5933
NO. 3 L A U R E L P E T H O S P I TA L 7970 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD HTTP://WWW.LAURELPETHOSPITAL.COM/ (323) 654-7060
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BEST OF WEHO
& Y T U A BE ING M O RO
Best B A R B E RSH O P NO. 1 SHORTY’S BARBER SHOP
755 NORTH FAIRFAX AVENUE WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SHORTYSBARBERSHOPLA (323) 297-0554
The name calls to mind an old-fashioned barber shop from the 1950s. But Shorty’s isn’t so traditional. “Traditional barber shops tend to cater to mostly male clientele,” Shorty’s website says. “But Shorty’s has re-envisioned the barber shop as an all-inclusive experience whether you’re a man or a women, regardless of hair texture or style. Looking for color or a brazilian blowout? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with specialists in these areas too!”
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Best D A Y S PA You don’t need an appointment with Shorty’s first come-first serve system. Although you can book one with a senior stylist if, Shorty’s says, “you’re a little old school.”
NO. 2 IZZY’S 7910 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90046 WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/IZZYSBARBERSHOPWEHO (323) 848-4442
NO. 3 BARCODE 8860 SUNSET BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.BARCODEBARBERSHOP.COM (323) 999-5549
NO. 1 VO DA S PA
7700 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.VODASPA.COM (323) 654-4411
“More than a spa. A social club.” That’s how Voda Spa describes itself. The spa on the West Hollywood’s Eastside is that, with a cafe that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and a lounge with martinis and speciality cocktails. And then there are the traditional spa services – massages, facials, scrubs and waxing. Voda calls out its location in WeHo’s Russian-speaking community with an offer of a “Russian Bear” massage on Tuesdays and a “Russian Opulence” facial on Thursdays.
Best H AIR SALON NO. 1 TRUST
8968 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.TRUSTHAIRSALON.COM/ 310) 859-7447
The hours are 10 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to midnight on weekends. There’s a co-ed sauna and pool open every day. First-time guests are asked to go to Voda Spa’s website to fill out a form to speed their admission.
NO. 2 G R EG O RY DY L A N S K I N C A R E AND BEAUT Y
Trust isn’t one of those salons hidden away in a large glass building on a busy boulevard. No, it inhabits an eye catching little building on Santa Monica Boulevard -- eye catching both because of a small and intimate size and the numerous reflective gold plates on its exterior. Trust offers haircuts for men, women and children along with services like blow drying, hair extensions and up do styling.
NO. 2 SALON REPUBLIC 8000 SUNSET BOULEVARD, B-200 LOS ANGELES 90046 WWW.SALONREPUBLIC.COM/WEST-HOLLYWOOD/ (323) 654-6500
801 LARRABEE STREET, SUITE 11 WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.GREGORYDYLANBEAUTY.COM/ (310) 467-8186
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8910 MELROSE AVENUE WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.BENJAMINSALON.COM (424) 249-3296
S PA R A D I S E
SALON BENJAMIN
8505 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, SUITE 3 WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.SPARADISEWEHO.COM (323) 643-9988
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Best GYM OR FITNESS STUDIO NO. 1 TR AINING MATE L A 7825 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.TRAININGMATELA.COM (323) 380-5492
Best PILATES
Looking for a gym or fitness studio in West Hollywood? Who isn’t? And the good news is it’s not hard to find one. But what’s the best? Training Mate got its start in 2009 in Sydney, Australia. Founder Luke Milton drew on his professional rugby background and the power of positivity to work with his clients. In 2013, he brought Training Mate to the United States. Training Mate offers circuit-based, 45-minute high intensity interval training. You mix it up as no class is the same. “It’s become a community - a place where you can meet new mates and feel at home away from home - all while getting amazing physical results,” says Training Mates (and by the way, “mates” means buddies in the Land of Oz.) Schedules for Training Mate’s variety of classes are available on its website.
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NO. 1 HARMONY STUDIOS NO. 2 STUDIO 10 FITNESS 745 SAN VICENTE BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.STUDIO10FIT.COM (323) 515-9667
NO. 2 (IT’S A TIE) HARMONY STUDIOS 8440 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.HARMONYSTUDIOSLA.COM (323) 822-9584
8440 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.HARMONYSTUDIOSLA.COM (323) 822-9584
At Harmony Studios it’s all about Pilates, a form of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates nearly a century ago that focuses on core muscles, your abs, your back and your butt. Think of it as a very physically active philosophy class where you learn the correct use of muscles, joints, and breath during basic life movement. Harmony offers a variety of classes at different times each day that you must register for online.
NO. 2 J E N N Y TAT E P I L AT E S 650 LA PEER DRIVE WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.JENNYTATEPILATES.COM (310) 564-6070
NO. 3 CL AUDIA MARTIN STUDIO 7603 MELROSE AVENUE LOS ANGELES 90046 WWW.CLAUDIAMARTINSTUDIO.COM (310) 430-8592
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h H h H a A y sSa Best DENTAL CLINICS
NO. 1 WEST HOLLYWOOD HOLISTIC & COSMETIC DENTISTRY 7865 SANTA MONICA BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD 90046 WWW.HOLISTICSMILECARE.COM (323) 654-2840
We all admire a beautiful smile. But a smile is about more than projecting your happiness to those around you. Research has shown that smiling has significant mental and physical health benefits. Erin Coleman, R.D., L.D., who writes about health, has noted the following effects: 1. Improved Mood 2. Lower Blood Pressure 3. Stress Relief 4. Better Relationships 5. Stronger Immune Function 6. Pain Relief 7. Longer Life In addition to general dentistry procedures such as pediatric dentistry, root canal work and dental fillings, West Hollywood Holistic Cosmetic Dental Center offers a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services ranging from teeth whitening to improving the look of your smile. 42
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The team includes orthodontist Dr. Yoram Kohanadeh, anesthesiologist Dr. David Khandabi and cosmetic dentist Bruce Vafa DDS.
NO. 2 V I P D E N TA L S P A 8747 SANTA MONICA BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.VIPDENTALSPAS.COM (310) 659-0120
NO. 3 S U N S E T D E N TA L S T U D I O 9201 SUNSET BOULEVARD, SUITE 718 WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.SUNSETDENTALSTUDIO.COM (310) 499-4534
Best Chiropractic C e nt e r s NO. 1 BACK TO TOTAL HE ALTH
1106 NORTH LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD #203 WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.BACKTOTOTALHEALTH.COM (310) 659-8500
Cracked your back? Feeling the pain from that shoulder press at the gym? A chiropractor might be the solution. Chiropractic services are just one of many offered by Back to Total Health Wellness Center. The Center also provides acupuncture, massage, and pilates for rehabilitation. The services can be purchased as part of monthly packages at attractive rates. “Even though we deal with many different types of musculoskeletal related problems including sciatica, rotator cuff injuries, lower back pain, neck stiffness and tightness, headaches, pinched nerves etc… many of our patients also come to us to stay well adjusted,” says the Center. “We offer regular chiropractic adjustments to help the body’s biomechanics function properly so you can perform a sport or exercise. We also provide massage therapy to ease soreness or acupuncture to ba lance t he body’s energ y.
There are many ways to obtai n wellness at Back to Total Health… be better than well!”
And if you’re still feeling pain? There’s always massage.
NO. 2 NO. 2
OAK TREE HEALERS
UNITY HOLISTIC
8961 SUNSET BOULEVARD, SUITE 2E WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 (310) 365-6855 WWW.OAKTREEHEALERS.COM
8805 SANTA MONICA BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.UNITY-HOLISTIC.COM/ (310) 888-2582
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UNITY HOLISTIC
TH E H U M B LE A B O D E S PA
8805 SANTA MONICA BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.UNITY-HOLISTIC.COM/ (310) 888-2582
519 N. LA CIENEGA BLVD. #9 WEST HOLLYWOOD 90048 WWW.THEHUMBLEABODESPA.COM (310) 360-9300
Best Acu punctu rists NO. 1 BACK TO TOTAL HE ALTH
1106 NORTH LA CIENEGA BOULEVARD #203 WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.BACKTOTOTALHEALTH.COM (310) 659-8500
When it comes to acupuncture, one of many services offered by the Back to Total Health Center, you don’t have to believe in it to benefit from it. As the Center notes on its website: “Acupuncture has been used successfully to treat animals who do not understand or ‘believe’ that it will make them better.” That includes homo sapiens. It’s not painful either. The needles involved are as thin as a human hair. They are used on parts of the body where they can influence internal organs or relieve pain. 43
Best Plastic Su r g e o n NO. 1 ROGER TSAI , MD - PL A STIC & RECONSTRUC TIVE SURGERY 9201 W. SUNSET BLVD., SUITE GF-1A WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.DRTSAIPLASTICSURGERY.COM (310) 276-1190
Obsessed with those sagging cheeks? How about that skin flap on your neck? As we grow older, our bodies change faster than our spirits and our minds and sometimes don’t really represent who we are. That’s where doctors like Roger Tsai can help. You can start by downloading on Dr. Tsai’s website a free guide to cosmetic surgery. The website also offers detailed instructions about what a face lift or other surgery entails. Dr. Tsai clearly has fans. Online reviewers make claims like “My boobs are all I could have ever dreamed of” and “Best plastic surgeon ever! Look no further.” Dr. Tsai not only promotes health and nutrition, he also practices it, his website says. “An avid athlete, he was
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involved in competitive swimming and tennis as a youth, and continues to this day with devoted bodybuilding and rigorous exercise. ... Dr. Tsai also has an affiliation with the performing arts; skilled at playing piano, violin and saxophone.”
NO. 2 GARY MOT YKIE MD (M OT Y K I E M E D S PA ) 8538 SUNSET BOULEVARD, SUITE 16 WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.SUNSETPLAZADENTAL.COM (310) 855-2434
NO. 3 C O S M E T I C R E J U V E N AT I O N MEDICAL CENTER 7901 SANTA MONICA BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD 90046 WWW.CRMCLASER.COM (323) 650-9949
Best Optometrists NO. 1 SVETLANA FISHER, OD 7976 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90046 WWW.SPECSAPPEALONLINE.COM (323) 650-0988
Specs appeal? Doesn’t Dr. Fisher’s website url say it all? “With a strong emphasis on pathology and contact lens wear, Dr. Fisher is a very well regarded expert in the field,” says that website. “Both her peers and patients praise her consultations in these areas of optometric care. In addition to the medical knowledge, Dr. Fisher bring to her practice a solid reputation as a warm and caring practitioner. She strongly believes in taking the time to speak with and understand the specific needs of her patients.
“When asked about her professional philosophy, Dr. Fisher says, ‘It has always been my goal to offer patients the respect they deserve when they come into my office.’ Ensuring this attitude on an everyday basis, Dr. Fisher makes sure that her highly qualified staff of managers and opticians offer patients nothing but the best in care and hospitality. And then there’s that “specs appeal.”
NO. 2 L A OPTOMETRIC 8801 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.DRROBWELLNESS.COM (310) 659-8584
NO. 3 BENJAMIN EYE INSTITUTE 9201 SUNSET BOULEVARD, NO 709 WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 HTTPS://WWW.BENJAMINEYE.COM/ (310) 507-7988
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Best Local B a n k B r a n ch NO. 1 CHA SE
8951 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.CHASE.COM (310) 275-3158
West Hollywood has a population of roughly 37,000 people, and it’s home to 16 bank branches. That’s a branch for every 2,312 of us -- meaning banks appear to be more popular in WeHo than 7-Elevens (which do have ATMs, for simple banking tasks). This branch is one of 5,100 operated by Chase in the United States and is one of the country’s Big Four banks. It has a history going back to 1799, when Aaron Burr founded the Manhattan Company, one of multiple entities that were bought and merged over decades to make Chase the big bank it is today. The 8951 branch is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. It is located on the northwest corner of Santa Monica and Robertson boulevards in the Pavilion’s plaza, which means there’s plenty of parking available. And after getting some cash in your pocket you can always stop at the Starbucks next door for a coffee.
The bank is relatively empty of customers during the day. And while some customers have complained on Yelp about slow service, others have praised what they’ve experienced as a quick and helpful response. And remember, there’s parking available! In West Hollywood that’s a factor likely to lure anyone to move his or her bank account.
NO. 2 W E LL S FA R G O 8571 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.WELLSFARGO.COM (31 0) 855-7140
NO. 3 BANK OF AMERICA 8921 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.BANKOFAMERICA.COM (424) 204-4941
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NO. 1 AIDS HE ALTHC ARE FOUNDATION 6255 SUNSET BOULEVARD, 21ST FLOOR LOS ANGELES 90028 WWW.AIDSHEALTH.ORG (323) 860-5200
AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation) is a Los Angeles-based global nonprofit provider of HIV prevention services, testing, and healthcare for HIV patients. AHF provides medical care and services to more than 600,000 individuals in 15 U.S. states and 36 countries worldwide. That includes residents of Greater Los Angeles, for whom AHF offers an array of medical services and access to HIV medications that otherwise would be unavailable to many because of their cost. AHF operates the Out of the Closet thrift store chain and the AHF Pharmacy. AHF got its start in 1987 when activists Chris Brownlie, Mina Meyer, Sharon Raphael and Michael Weinstein worked with others to create the Los Angeles AIDS Hospice Committee.
They were in planning and negotiating the opening of Chris Brownlie Hospice on the grounds of the Barlow Respiratory Hospital. That organization gave rise to the AIDS Hospice Foundation and, ultimately, to today’s AIDS Healthcare Foundation. AHF currently serves 600,407 people in 36 countries through global clinics offering HIV testing, antiretroviral and other HIV/AIDS prevention, and treatment services. AHF’s worldwide clinics span Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the U.S. and Latin America. AHF’s activity in Africa, where the HIV epidemic has been especially deadly, includes the opening of its first treatment center outside the U.S. with the establishment in South Africa of a clinic in 2002 through a partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. A second site was opened in 2008 in Eastern Cape Province.
NO. 2 F R I E N D S O F W E S T H O L LY W O O D E L E M E N TA R Y 970 HAMMOND ST. WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FRIENDSOFWESTHOLLYWOODELEMENTARY (310) 274-5313
NO. 3 PROJEC T ANGEL FOOD 922 VINE ST. LOS ANGELES 90038 WWW.ANGELFOOD.ORG (323) 845-1800
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Exhibitions have included art by innovative artists such as David Yarrow, Russell Young, Flore, Nick Veasey and Mike Dargas. Arts Angeles also exhibits the work of established artists such as Banksy and Andy Warhol. Art Angels works with a team of art specialists who help collectors, designers, developers and corporations find art appropriate to their needs and tastes.
Best Dry Cl e a n e r s NO. 1 PETER’ S MAGNOLIA CLE ANERS 8305 SANTA MONICA BLVD WEST HOLLYWOOD WWW.PETERSMAGNOLIACLEANERS.COM/ (213) 654-1383
They’ve been at it for more than 50 years, so you know Peter’s Magnolia Cleaners knows what they’re doing. They started out as two separate businesses. Peter’s is known in the entertainment industry. “We service major movie and television studios for their costume cleaning requirements. In addition to regular dry cleaning and laundry service, we specialize in handling vintage costumes and delicate fabrics,” the Peter’s Magnolia website explains. Magnolia Cleaners not only takes care of your clothes, but it offers cleaning services for “your fine garments but also for all your household items, drapes, roman shades, window treatments, upholstery, carpets, rugs and lamp shades.” The two merged in 2001 and still get great reviews for their customer service and for their pricing.
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NO. 2 VILL AGE CLEANERS WEST
“We firmly believe that every acquisition should be a marriage of aesthetic appreciation and wise investment and we make it our business to offer both the beginner and experienced investor the perfect marriage of an enriching and sophisticated appreciation of contemporary art and the financial satisfaction of investment performance.”
H O L LY W O O D 8265 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90046 (323) 654-6811
NO. 3 H O L LY W AY C L E A N E R S 8359 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.HOLLYWAYCLEANERS.COM (323) 654-1271
Best art g a ll e r y NO. 1 ART ANGEL S
9020 BEVERLY BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD 90048 WWW.ARTANGELS.NET (310) 693-5500
The Angels behind Art Angels are Jacquelin Napal and Kat Emery, who founded the studio in 2013 and have locations in West Hollywood and Miami and are planning for more.
Works from Arts Angeles have been shown in an number of locations such as the Doheny Room and the SoHo House. Art Angels’ contemporary and provocative style has attracted collectors from around the world. Exhibiting a selection of both established and emerging artists, Art Angels offer a truly eclectic mix for their clientele with an ever growing number of innovative artists joining the Art Angels family.
NO. 2 MORRISON HOTEL GALLERY / SUNSET MARQUIS 1200 ALTA LOMA ROAD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 HTTPS://WWW.MORRISONHOTELGALLERY.COM (310) 881-6025
NO. 3 LOUIS STERN FINE ARTS 9002 MELROSE AVENUE WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 HTTPS://WWW.LOUISSTERNFINEARTS.COM/ (310) 276-0147
Today it’s still full of customers, but it has a staff that assists them quickly and efficiently. Still, it might take some time to shop there because of the variety of products. But when you’ve made your selection and walk out of the shop, remember MedMen’s advice: Smile. Because it’s legal!
NO. 2 ZEN HEALING 8464 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.ZENWEHO.COM
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Best Cann abis Dispensaries NO. 1 MEDMEN WEST HOLLY WOOD 8208 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90046 WWW.MEDMENSHOP.COM (323) 848-7981
MedMen has shops in California, Nevada and New York. Its West Hollywood shop stands out for its presentation of cannabis in a radically different way. Instead of the sort of dark and grungy space maybe oldtime cannabis buyers are used to, MedMen WeHo looks like a sleek Apple store. That’s part of MedMen’s effort to reposition cannabis. Now that recreational cannabis can legally be sold in California and many other states, MedMen is working to education consumers that it’s not a rad underground product but something that any and all can enjoy for reasons of health and well being. MedMen’s Santa Monica Boulevard shop was one of four that opened in West Hollywood right after New Year’s Day this year, drawing long lines of customers.
L O S A N G E L E S P AT I E N T S A N D CAREGIVERS GROUP (LAPCG) 7213 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90046 HTTPS://WWW.LAMEDICALMARIJUANA.COM/ (323) 882-6033
Best florist NO. 1 EMPT Y VA SE FLORIST 9033 SANTA MONICA BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD 90069 WWW.EMPTYVASE.COM (310) 278-1988
clients learning the basics of flower design in one of our signature classes, and sales staff helping customers browse our bloom bar to curate their custom bouquets,” says Empty Vase’s website. Babaeean also is proud of the services Empty Vase provides for individuals and families. “For decades, we have curated celebrations for families, seeing them through from the birth of their children to their bar mitzvahs, weddings, and everything in between. The Empty Vase is not just another florist – we are custodians of the poetry of flowers, who help us share our emotions and celebrate the beauty of life.”
NO. 2 FLOWERS WHOLESALE 8032 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90046 WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PAGES/FLOWERS-WHOLESALE (323) 656-3077
NO. 3 W E S T H O L LY W O O D F L O R I S T 8205 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD WEST HOLLYWOOD 90046 HTTP://WWW.WESTHOLLYWOODFLORIST.COM/ (323) 656-8833
Saeed Babaeean founded the Empty Vase in West Hollywood in 1988 as a simple flower shop. Over time it has expanded and now is known for its floral sculpture, its home décor work and its event design services. Floral Vase also offers floral design services for beginners. “On any given day at the Empty Vase, there are metalworkers welding custom frames for larger-than-life topiaries, event designers dreaming up celebrations out of a fantasy novel,
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o t t e s n su The Back Story
ed Why Is Sunset Tower Decor at ? es n a Pl d n a ls a im n A , ts n a Pl with - By Gus Heully
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their actual construction. Art Deco styling soaked up as much exoticism as it could, particularly the sensationalized and eroticized portrayal of Asia and the Middle East in Hollywood films. Stepped pyramids, lush foliage, mystic animals, stylized nudes and geometric arabesques made their way into every corner of this designed world. Sunset Tower was a contemporary of some of L.A’.s most treasured examples of Art Deco architecture, like the Bullocks Wilshire department store,
Sunset Tower Hotel is renowned for the celebrities who have lived or stayed there, but ever wonder why it has such unusual ornamentation. Designed in 1929, the Sunset Tower Apartments (as the building originally was named) was the tallest apartment building in Los Angeles when it opened in 1931 and seemed even taller because of its perch on Sunset Boulevard in the hills. At 8358 Sunset Boulevard near Kings, it was built outside the Los Angeles city limits to avoid that city’s height restrictions. Besides its unrivaled views, the tower, designed by Los Angeles architect Leland A. Bryant, attracted residents with modern conveniences. It was the first fully electric residential building in Los Angeles and advertised an outlet for electric shavers in every bathroom. Its owners made an unsuccessful effort to convert the apartments into condominiums in the late 1970s, and it was reborn as a luxury hotel in 1985. Initially renamed the St. James Club, it
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later became the Argyle. Hotelier Jeff Klein acquired it in 2004, renamed it the Sunset Tower Hotel and undertook a major restoration of the building. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Celebrities who have stayed at the hotel include John Wayne, Howard Hughes, Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Quincy Jones, Roger Moore, Truman Capote and Bugsy Siegel. Bryant designed the building in the Art Deco style, which was still quite new in 1929. Developed in the interwar years, it was a forward-looking style. Its imagery and materials were inspired by the industrial machine age and new mass production and media technologies — especially in theatre and film — as opposed to historical precedents. Those technologies gave people a view of the world that, in 1929, was a rare luxury. Traveling to Europe or Asia was a costly, time-consuming endeavor. Still photography and film technology were not yet portable or affordable for the average person. That being the case, exposure to far away places was predominantly through exotic set designs for film and theatre and through books. Film was particularly pertinent to those in Los Angeles who not only saw the sets in the movies but also
the Wiltern Theatre on Wilshire and the Eastern Columbia building downtown. On close inspection though, Sunset Tower may be a more intriguing example of the Art Deco style’s inspirations than some of those better known buildings. While little literature exists on Bryant or his inspiration for Sunset Tower’s ornamentation, the tower’s images suggest he was a movie-goer. A film like D.W. Griffith’s “Intolerance” may have been his inspiration. “Intolerance,” an epic of the silent era, spanned a period close to 2,500 years and ran three and a half hours. Its most famous and ambitious sequence was the depiction of ancient Babylon, accomplished with gigantic sets filled with thousands of extras. The original Babylon set was built, full size, on a lot where Hollywood and Sunset boulevards intersect and the Vista Theatre now stands. It was partially recreated, for better or worse, with the film’s signature rearing elephants at the Hollywood and Highland complex. More important than the huge sets was the image of a faraway place brought to the screen and streets of L.A. Bryant likely saw this set both in person and on screen and many of the decorative elements on Sunset Tower have distinct similarities to the Babylon set.
Flourishes of foliage, foreign animals and stacked pagodas pepper the entire building. Starting at the bottom, the front face on Sunset Boulevard has a large relief above the main entry. Stacked pagodas rise out of ocean waves and pierce swirls of cloud and wind. A zeppelin breaks through a cloud bank on the left side and a modern ship (possibly a German U-Boat) enters from the right. Fighter planes dive from above, completing the most mechanical of the tower’s images. On its back side, near the entrance to the parking garage, gates and bars are made to look like the grilles of cars, complete with headlights. One tier up, a bundle of wheat flanked by stags, curling leaves, small goats, stars and tiered towers face Sunset in a horizontal plaster frieze. On the east and west sides, splaying foliage and layered towers are punctuated by goats and centrally by a large elephant, the style of which is very reminiscent of those in the Babylon sets. The main trunk of the building is mostly unadorned, with chevronpatterned opaque glass breaking up curved corners of floor-to-ceiling windows. At the tower’s top, the ornamentation is the same on the structure’s front
and back. Front and center are a male and female figure (some guess Adam and Eve) each with a hand on a gargoyle-like figure between them — a creature that could be Bryant’s take on a mythic Babylonian god. To each side, ram-headed creatures with air-like wings and spiraling serpent bodies keep watch. Their bodies created with the same curling leaf and cloud shape used elsewhere. The east and west sides of the building at this level feature the same ram-headed creatures and a single, centered female figure. The next band up belongs to the birds. Eagles nest among flowers and vines of grapes. To the sides, peacocks perch on sinewy vines framed by palm-like fronds. The east and west sides of the building still have peacocks, but longlegged cranes stand in for the palms. A narrow band of small palm trees, pineapple poufs and stylized birds ring the next step of the crown. At the top-most band, a ringed planet, surrounded by starlight, floats between a
sun and moon. Sunset Tower’s ziggurat-like tower is topped with a large layered pagoda. Sunset Tower, with its decoration more figural than abstract, is an excellent example of the ability of the Art Deco style to knead together architecture, film, ancient history and the most advanced technology of the day. The design motifs used on Sunset Tower are multiple levels of disconnection and interpretation from their source material — a frieze made from a film of a set designed to reflect a historic era thousands of years old. But, that the material travelled so far and could be seen at all (thanks to the latest film technologies) made what would have otherwise been historic decoration part of an extremely modern turn in design.
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