Los Angeles Itineraries

The Los Angeles Art Scene: A Taste of Art in LA

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 09:52:56 -0500

From the progressive Arts District to the mountaintop Getty Center, LA’s art scene is hotter than Hollywood.

Los Angeles is rich with creative excellence. Its nearness to the Pacific Ocean inspires free-spirited minds, while its mansion-covered hills encourage big dreams. Artists from all walks of life are drawn to this legendary city, making its culture all the more dynamic.

Institutions old and new

LA has no shortage of contemporary art museums—and with two new additions over the past decade, its collection continues to attract visitors from around the world. Most recently, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (6067 Wilshire Boulevard) opened on Museum Row, showcasing the history, science, and art of filmmaking. Before that, it was The Broad (221 South Grand Avenue) that made headlines with its honeycomb-like facade and fantastical mirror rooms by Yayoi Kusama

Welcoming these two newcomers to the area is the mighty Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA; 5905 Wilshire Boulevard), where visitors can take photos of Chris Burden’s permanent outdoor exhibit Urban Light and marvel at the works of Diego Rivera and Pablo Picasso, among others. The UCLA-managed Hammer Museum (10899 Wilshire Boulevard) is a must-visit for its bold and provocative exhibits.

Downtown LA’s dynamic Arts District

Starting in the ’70s as a gritty expanse of former warehouses and factories, the Arts District has blossomed into a street-art and gallery hub. Located near Little Tokyo and the LA River, it’s a rich cultural center that sees most of its action by Third and Traction avenues.

Take time to wander past the industrial buildings splashed with vibrant colors—you might even see a mural in the making. These temporary artworks were once banned from the city, but their undeniable beauty helped lift the ban in 2013.

As for the galleries, Art Share L.A. (801 East Fourth Place) is a sight to behold. One of the city’s finest places to discover cutting-edge work, it also provides housing, studios, and classrooms for up-and-coming artists. Hauser & Wirth’s LA outpost (901 East Third Street), on the other hand, is your go-to for exhibitions of contemporary masters. For a bit of neon-drenched innovation, check out Lili Lakich Studio (704 Traction Avenue), but be sure to call ahead to secure a spot.

It’s a Getty affair

If any name turns heads in LA’s art scene, it’s Getty. Known mostly as a supplier of stock and editorial images, Getty also represents the height of prestigious art collections.

J. Paul Getty, an oil tycoon and art lover, established the Getty Villa (17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades) in 1974. The luxurious villa—modeled after Villa dei Papiri—houses Getty’s oldest treasures, including Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities.

And seated high up in the Santa Monica Mountains—about a 13-mile drive from the villa—is the Getty Center (1200 Getty Center Drive). Spread across six buildings, the expansive collection features works from Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Cézanne, and many others. But don’t limit yourself to the indoors; outside, you’ll find four stunning gardens, including a lovely sculpture garden and the sweeping Central Garden created by California artist Robert Irwin.

The information provided herein is sponsored by Diners Club International®. It is intended for informational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Content on this website may contain information from third parties and/or links to third-party websites. Diners Club International bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of this information.

A Taste of LA

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:14:40 -0500

Los Angeles County is one of the world’s most diverse places, and nowhere is that more evident than in its dining scene.

Across Los Angeles, alongside multi-course, multi-hour, and multi-cultural feasts by chefs from Michelin-starred establishments, you can find food-truck trailblazers, street food artisans, and unexpected gourmet spots in strip malls. Whether your taste runs to authentic regional cuisine, comfort food, or mind-bending fusion fare that the rest of the world will be eating five years from now, the hardest part of LA dining is narrowing down your choices.

A taste of many cultures

For centuries, Los Angeles has been a magnet for immigrants, and its cuisine continues to reflect the myriad cultures that have made it their home.

And more than embracing that diversity, Angelenos have internalized it. It’s not uncommon to find locals starting the day with a breakfast burrito, ordering sushi for lunch, sipping boba tea in the afternoon, and ending the day with an Armenian roast chicken for dinner.

That should come as no surprise when you consider the hundreds of restaurants in Koreatown, the Mexican specialties of Boyle Heights in East LA, the heady aromas of Thai Town, adventures in Chinese cooking in the San Gabriel Valley, the historically Jewish Fairfax district, the 140-year-old Little Tokyo area, and Little Saigon in neighboring Orange County. And no sporting event or street fair is complete without trucks and carts selling everything from Korean tacos to Mexican-style bacon-wrapped hot dogs and elote (street corn).

With all of these culinary traditions finding a home in one city, it’s no wonder chefs have been able to turn LA into one of the world capitals of fusion cooking.

Tip: At LA’s farmers’ markets, chefs of every caliber shop for the best of California’s agricultural bounty. The biggest are in Hollywood and Santa Monica, but on any given day there’s probably one near you.

Five must-try dishes

In a city as diverse as LA, it’s hard to choose just five, but these creations, by some of the city’s signature chefs, have withstood the test of time.

Smoked salmon pizza, Spago Beverly Hills

Arguably, no chef has done more to popularize LA cuisine than Wolfgang Puck. His crust topped with crème fraîche, lox, and caviar is nothing short of Italian-Scandinavian-Jewish alchemy that defines decadence even 40 years after its invention. (wolfgangpuck.com/dining/spago; 176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills)

Kouign Amann, Republique

It’s hard to summarize everything that’s good in Walter and Margarita Manzke’s culinary showplace, but these seasonal pastries are emblematic of the wide-ranging, artful, all-day menu of modern takes on the classics. (republiquela.com; 624 South La Brea Avenue, LA)

Big Mec, Petit Trois

A French twist on an all-American standard. Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s San Fernando Valley bistro enhances its double cheeseburger with bordelaise and its own special sauce, alongside garlic and parsley frites. (valley.petittrois.com; 13705 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks)

Marinara-braised meatballs, Jon & Vinny’s Italian

James Beard Foundation award winners Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo have built a small empire around 21st century Italian-American comfort food. Come for pizzas and salads but order their delectable meatballs with garlic bread and ricotta. (jonandvinnys.com; 412 North Fairfax Avenue, LA)

Cavatelli alla Norcina with ricotta dumplings, black truffle, pork sausage, and grana Padano, Bestia

Choosing the most tempting dish from the menu of this LA institution is a near-impossible task, but the silky, truffle-flecked sauce that wraps around the chewy homemade cavatelli pasta and chunks of deeply seasoned sausage (also made in-house) will be remembered well after you’ve finished your plate. There’s a reason it’s been on the menu since the restaurant opened. (bestiala.com; 2121 Seventh Place, LA)

Where LA restaurants are going next

The stars aren’t just relegated to the silver screen in this town. Some 27 restaurants have received them, courtesy of the good folks at Michelin. Among them: chef Josiah Citrin’s refined tasting menus at 14-seat Mélisse (melisse.com; 1104 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica); chef Josef Centeno’s omakase experience of Orsa & Winston (orsaandwinston.com; 122 West Fourth Street, LA ); and chef Michael Cimarusti’s standard-setting seafood at Providence (providencela.com; 5955 Melrose Avenue, LA).

Modern Italian restaurant Bestia (bestiala.com; 2121 Seventh Place, LA) was a trendsetter when it opened in the downtown Arts District a decade ago, and it continues to embody the spirit of LA’s restaurant future. Husband-and-wife (and chef-and-pastry-chef) team Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis’s open, post-industrial space is the backdrop for dishes such as roasted marrow bone, saffron gnocchi, and cavatelli with black truffles and sausage. It’s been joined by high-profile neighbors, including the Mexican fusion cuisine of Damian (damiandtla.com; 2132 East Seventh Place, LA) and the contemporary Middle Eastern fare of Menashe and Gergis’s sister restaurant, Bavel (baveldtla.com; 500 Mateo Street, LA).

As LA’s food scene diversifies, neighborhoods that might have been a culinary blip a decade ago have taken center stage. Take Highland Park, where Hippo (hipporestaurant.com; 5916 1/2 North Figueroa Street, LA) has made a splash with its California-Mediterranean menu (crudos, farmers’ market produce, and hat-shaped cappellacci pasta in seasonal presentations), and Otoño (otonorestaurant.com; 5715 North Figueroa Street, LA) serves creative tapas and Catalan specialties with 21st century flair and Californian ingredients (such as Santa Barbara uni in paella, if you choose). Or hit Venice Beach for award-winning pastas made before your eyes at Felix (felixla.com; 1023 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice).

Tip: If you’re expecting European or New York dining hours, California may come as a bit of a shock. Most LA restaurant kitchens close by 10:00 p.m. For tough-to-get reservations, try to stop in during lunchtime or early/late in the evening.

Outdoor Adventures In and Around LA

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:13:29 -0500

With its golden beaches, surf breaks, hillwalking trails, and city parks, the LA area offers a host of outdoor activities to enjoy under the sunny Californian sky.

Home to roughly 10 million people, Los Angeles County is by far the United States’ most populous county, and one of the largest in area. At 4,000 square miles, it’s larger than multiple states, which means plenty of space for outdoor activities. Add in some of the most perfect weather the US has to offer, and you have the perfect environment for adventures—from hiking the Hollywood Hills to surfing the waves off Malibu. But be sure to take a page from the locals and bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

Take a sunset hike to see the Hollywood Sign

Hiking may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of LA, but locals are really into it. Runyon Canyon, in the Hollywood Hills, is 130 acres of see-and-be-seen hikers, from folks walking pooches to celebrities in ballcap-and-sunglass “disguises”. Eastward, Griffith Park is seven square miles (five times as big as New York’s Central Park) and 53 miles of hiking trails and inspirational views of the Hollywood Sign and the vast expanse of the LA basin, from Downtown to the shores of the Pacific.

Insider tip: Go at sunset. As daylight dims, city lights below illuminate like a magic carpet, and LA’s pull is palpable. After dark, stargaze through telescopes at the Griffith Observatory.

Bike the beach, baby!

Locals call it “The Strand” or just “the bike path,” but no matter what you call it, it’s an essential part of LA coastal culture with 22 miles linking the Pacific Palisades in the north with Torrance in the south. Not only does it offer legendary ocean views, it’s also a low-key, eco-friendly way to experience each town while getting your cardio in.

Insider tip: Santa Monica has many bike rental shops but it’s best to avoid them on weekends when the bike path is at its most crowded. South of Torrance, serious bikers might continue uphill to the majestic, oceanview clifftops of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Catch sweet, sweet waves in Malibu

Malibu, where the Pacific Coast Highway parallels the shore for almost 30 miles, is storied for celebrity mansions, star-studded eateries, and some of Southern California’s best surf breaks. Even if you aren’t looking to hang ten, surfing is one of the most mesmerizing sports to watch. Closest to LA, Topanga State Beach gets south-facing swells. Surfrider Beach, near Malibu Pier, is credited as the birthplace of California surf culture, and its three breaks provide three different conditions. There’s also Zuma Beach which has Hollywood pedigree as the filming location for Baywatch (it’s also quieter, making it a welcome retreat for families).

Insider tip: Never surfed before? Multiple outfits can get you geared up and out on the water, but you’ll want a wetsuit—even in summer. The currents carry California’s waters down from Alaska, causing the temperature to drop lower than you might expect.

Spike it at Manhattan Beach

Beach volleyball is now an Olympic sport, and you can thank Manhattan Beach for that. No less than the AVP Manhattan Beach Open tournament got its start here way back in 1960 and is still going strong – winners are commemorated with plaques on the Manhattan Beach Pier. The beaches may not be as wide as in Santa Monica or Venice, but the hard-bodied volleyballers that seem to fill every court don’t seem to mind. The city even offers classes for kids, teens, and adults.

Insider tips: Get here early, especially at peak times. Courts are first-come, first-serve—literally. Afterwards, stop for sushi, fish tacos, or ice cream in Manhattan Beach’s lively downtown.

Live island time on Catalina

“Twenty-six miles across the sea,” as The Four Preps song about Santa Catalina Island goes, Catalina is a well-traveled day trip from LA’s southern ports and a world away from the city’s bustle. Nearly 88% of its 76 square miles is nature preserve and best explored through guided hikes (a hiking pass is required if you go on your own). Keep watch for local fauna: tiny foxes, giant squirrels and a bison herd are still thriving after being imported nearly 100 years ago for a film shoot. Adventures in the port town of Avalon include snorkeling, e-bike riding, kayaking, and zip-lining.

Insider tip: Tiny Avalon is a picturesque spot to put your feet up after your outdoor adventure. It’s filled with local restaurants and treat shops for you to enjoy. After all, you’re on vacation, right?

A Sense of Place: The Best Hotels in Los Angeles

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:12:16 -0500

The movie center’s finest hotels capture both its star-studded past and the latest trends coming out of California.

Long synonymous with Hollywood magic, Los Angeles is a city where dreams come true, filled with palm tree-lined streets paved with glittering stars and golden beaches with sapphire waves.

From the laid-back shores of Santa Monica to the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles is a kaleidoscope of alcoves to uncover. Soak up the city’s storied past and trendsetting present in ideally located digs that epitomize the City of Angels’ free spirit and undeniable beauty.

Revitalized vibes at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

Renowned for injecting fresh energy into stale high-rises, the Ace Hotel group has waved its magic wand over downtown Los Angeles, transforming a historic 1927 Spanish Gothic-style tower into one of the city’s hippest locations. The 13-story hotel packs a punch, letting guests live out their LA dreams, whether it’s hobnobbing at the star-studded rooftop bar or watching their musical heroes at the hotel’s 1,600-seat art deco theater.

LOAM, the hotel’s recently opened all-day restaurant, embodies the city’s penchant for healthy eating through an enticing vegetarian-friendly menu. And after touring the sprawling metropolis’s key sights, there’s no better respite than a dip in the rooftop pool, where cinematic cityscapes and signature cocktails abound.

Insider tip: An excursion to the Broad, a contemporary art museum featuring pieces by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Roy Lichtenstein, is well worth the one-mile walk from the hotel’s front door – plus, general admission is free.

929 S Broadway; acehotel.com/los-angeles/

Stylish, sexy stays at the SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills

Step inside the surreal world of Philippe Starck’s masterful designs, where quirky, mismatched chandeliers illuminate cozy, leather-clad seating areas and walls lined with larger-than-life mirrors. The whimsical touches continue at the rooftop pool, where a gallery of empty, oversized picture frames reveal sun-kissed LA views, and a black porcine statue majestically wades in the shallow water.

Perfectly planted between La Cienega’s famed restaurant row and the Beverly Center’s fashion-filled shops, the SLS Hotel offers a true Southern California sojourn, complete with top-notch service and amenities. Break away from the hustle and bustle with a visit to Ciel Spa, where expert technicians perform an array of soul-nourishing treatments, including the celebrity-vetted Red Carpet Le Grande facial, which uses LED light therapy and Biologique Recherche serums to flawlessly tighten and brighten your complexion.

Insider tip: If you crave an extra dose of vitamin D during your travels, consider booking one of the Terrace Rooms, which come with their own patch of outdoor space, adorned with a shaded seating area and native vegetation.

465 S La Cienega Boulevard; sbe.com/hotels/sls-hotels/beverly-hills

Ivy League prep meets West Coast cool at Palihotel Melrose Avenue

Once the birthplace of Southern California’s punk scene, Melrose Avenue still celebrates the unconventional through many boutique shops selling everything from vintage goods to healing crystals. As the two-mile-long shopping district continues west, upscale designers take over, featuring fashion powerhouses such as The Row, Chloé, and Bottega Veneta. Between the offbeat and ultra-elite storefronts is where you’ll find Palihotel Melrose Avenue, an intimate 33-room hotel.

The ambience exudes a private residence, with front desk associates ensuring guest are made to feel right at home. The guest rooms feature comforting tartan textiles and an understated color scheme—ideal for winding down. Otherwise, the homey lobby lounge and outdoor patio, offering a variety of private and communal seating areas, is where guests are urged to relax and recharge during their stay.

Insider tip: Pets are treated like royalty through the hotel’s Pawlisociety program, which delights four-legged friends with a bevy of custom luxuries: organic treats and toys, custom food and water bowls, a plush bed, and a guidebook packed with dog-friendly activities.

7950 Melrose Avenue; palisociety.com/hotels/melrose

A well-positioned pad at Kimpton Hotel Wilshire

In the 1920s, a central strip of Wilshire Boulevard was built with cutting-edge development plans. The traffic lights and dedicated left-turn lanes were ahead of their time, recognizing that automobiles were the way of the future. Since then, this swath of road has continued growing to include Museum Row, where the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and La Brea Tar Pits and Museum all stand in a row, mere steps from the Kimpton Hotel Wilshire.

While LA is notorious for its dependency on cars, the Kimpton is within walking distance of a remarkable lineup of attractions, and its complimentary hotel bicycles allow guests to travel even further afield, while remaining car-free. After the day’s adventures, the crystalline rooftop pool and al fresco bar await with inspirational views and tropical elixirs.

Insider tip: With LACMA’s eye-catching streetlamp display as the backdrop, catch the city’s top jazz musicians perform as part of the museum’s complimentary concert series, taking place every Friday evening, April through November.

6317 Wilshire Boulevard; hotelwilshire.com

An urban wellness retreat at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Wellness is a way of life in LA, as seen in the athleisure-donning, green juice-toting locals, ready to catch the next wave of health-forward rituals. Weaving well-being throughout its five-star resort, the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills takes a holistic approach to wellness, providing guests with state-of-the-art amenities aimed at enhancing their physical and mental health.

Boasting a guided meditation by New Age guru Deepak Chopra, a selection of Alo yoga equipment, and specialized eco-friendly bath amenities by LATHER, these ultra-refined accommodations were designed by certified wellness specialists. Select rooms additionally feature The Restorative Bed™ by Bryte, a smart bed with numerous tricks up its sleeve to whisk guests into a sound slumber, and a Peloton bike—ideal for quick in-room workouts.

Insider tip: With overhead string lights, lush vegetation, and a sleek firepit anchoring the cozy nook, the hotel’s Culina Ristorante’s outdoor patio is a sublime spot to savor a pleasant California evening.
300 Doheny Drive; fourseasons.com/losangeles/

Top 10 Essential Dining Spots in Venice Beach

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 14:43:38 -0500

Point your rollerblades to this culinary crew to find the oceanfront neighborhood’s most delicious hangouts.

Venice Beach: bodybuilders preen at an outdoor gym, skateboarders pop oceanfront ollies, and the boardwalk feels like a never-ending street fair meets carnival side show. Locals are proud of this vibe, inspired by generations of beatniks, hippies, rockers, artists, and New Agers of old Venice.

These days, Venice is the fulcrum of LA’s tech hub, Silicon Beach. As money started pouring in, much of old Venice was cast aside, changing the area from funky dory to lofty. Whatever you think of that transformation, it’s left Venice with a culinary scene that’s second to none.

Wallflower

The creative cocktail menu, replete with Asian accents such as tamarind, Sichuan pepper, kumquat, lemongrass, and yuzu, is your first indication that something is different here. Intimate Wallflower salutes Indonesia with street food plates (like sate, duck lumpia, blue crab rendang) and family style dishes like fried whole fish, fish steamed in banana leaves, and nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice). Go on Sundays for the special “drunken” chicken, and finish with English date cake with banana toffee sauce.

609 Rose Avenue; wallflowervenice.com

Gjusta

Playing it cool, Gjusta calls itself a “California deli, bakery, café, and market.” Sure, its counter service (with outdoor seating) and the comfort food menu sounds humble enough with everything from egg sandwiches and smoked brisket to pastrami and banana cream pie. But look closer and you’ll find luscious flatbreads, bánh mì sandwiches, soups (like chicken dumpling to pozole verde). They also serve elegantly prepared vegetarian dishes, all seasonal and locally sourced. It’s easy to see why Gjusta’s been a foodie favorite for breakfast through dinner since 2014.

320 Sunset Avenue; gjusta.com

Dudley Market

The catch is the catch in this neighborhoody, modern farmhouse-style space, only a few steps from the beach. Your meal may have been swimming in the Pacific mere hours before you eat it, but you can expect whole fried fish or a seafood tower alongside sashimi, crudos, oysters, conservas, and fish tacos, as well as burgers, fried chicken, and veggie dishes for landlubbers. The staff are all friendly and accommodating, and the impressively well-curated wine list deserves a shout out.

9 Dudley Street; www.dudleymarketvenice.com

Felix

Since 2017, chef Evan Funke’s corner spot has been one of LA’s toughest-to-get reservations. Its James Beard Award nomination for America’s Best New Restaurant may have had something to do with that, but we credit the pasta. You can watch it being made, and whether it’s served all’Amatriciana, cacio e pepe, or with old-school ragù Bolognese, the results are top notch. Round out your dinner with pizzas and plates of meatballs, garlicky shrimp, and focaccia-style sfincione, and the obsession makes total sense.

1023 Abbot Kinney Boulevard; felixla.com

De Buena Planta

Meatless Mexican? Sí! The team behind the Butcher’s Daughter, the ironically named vegetarian restaurant across Abbot Kinney Boulevard, opened this colorful garden space to give the same treatment to south-of-the-border cuisine. Think plates of beet tostadas and jackfruit tacos, and “chicharrones” made from rice paper instead of pork skin. It’s all meant to accompany the buenas tequila and mezcal in your buenos cócteles. Speaking of drinks, happy hour is from 3pm to 5pm on weekdays and features bargain prices.

1118 Abbot Kinney Boulevard; debuenaplanta.us

Gran Blanco

In the shadow of the landmark, illuminated Venice sign, Gran Blanco has an airy, hipster lounge vibe fronted by comfy couches, all welcoming you to sample the California-Mediterranean menu. Weekend brunches span avocado toast and egg white frittatas to kampachi ceviche, while dinners bring pastas, salads, and a dry-aged rib-eye with chimichurri. You can order the buffalo cauliflower and tremendous burger any time of day, and it’s also a popular spot for afternoon drinks.

80 Windward Avenue; granblanco.com

Winston House

A short walk from the beach, Winston House is an unexpected retreat: part supper club, part live music venue that’s hosted some big names (including Dua Lipa, Janelle Monáe, and Weezer), as well as a host of up-and-comers. Come for dinner Thursday through Saturday (from small plate items like shrimp toast, spareribs, and tuna tacos, to shared plate favorites like lobster fried rice and Peking duck) and stay for the show, afterparty, and more cocktails, naturally. Be sure to ask about the dress code when booking.

23 Windward Avenue; winstonhouse.com

Ospi

Chef Jackson Kalb, a Top Chef contestant and alum of the iconic Melisse, opened this corner restaurant with his wife Melissa Saka in 2020, and their crackly-crust pizzas, rigatoni in vodka sauce, meatballs, and veggie-forward sides (Japanese eggplant, anyone?) became instant hits. The dining room has big windows for watching the scene, and the friendly staff keep it all running smoothly with a smile. Lunchtime two-course menus of chef Kalb’s favorites (plus drinks specials) are great value options.

2025 Pacific Avenue; ospivenice.com

Barrique

An unassuming, two-story yellow house on a nondescript stretch of Main Street seems like an unlikely place for one of Venice’s top tables, but this Italian dinner spot defies expectations. Here’s what you can look forward to: pan-seared scallops with shaved black truffle; grilled octopus over smoked potatoes, green beans, and aioli; red beet tagliotini with Marsala quail ragu; and grilled branzino – all reflecting chef Antonio Murè’s upbringing in Emilia-Romagna. Pair your meal with curated wines by the glass.

796 Main Street; barriquevenice.com

American Beauty

Almond wood-grilled steaks take center stage in the open kitchen at this something-for-everyone steakhouse such as veggies (try the hash browns), craft cocktails, a 200-bottle-strong wine list, and burnt cheesecake for dessert. Indoors, the action revolves around the horseshoe-shaped bar, but American Beauty also deserves kudos for its transformed outdoor space, fencing in the pre-pandemic parking lot and building a wooden deck around an olive tree. During the day, The Win-Dow takeout counter serves smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and an oh-so-LA weekend breakfast burrito.

425 Rose Avenue; americanbeauty.la