East meets west
Best central restaurants, Stella, Studio City, Barra Santos, The Roosevelt's penthouses, MORE
RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Meet in the middle
Nine central dinner restaurants for your booking pleasure
Marvin (Beverly Grove), European-leaning wine bar with something for everyone
Jar (Beverly Grove), Suzanne Tracht's retro, classy chophouse
Dan Tana’s (West Hollywood, above), storied haunt for martinis, tableside Caesar, and chicken parm
Pizzeria Sei (Pico-Robertson), Neapolitan pizzeria with star-shaped crusts, Tokyo-style
Meals by Genet (Little Ethiopia), critic’s favorite for tibs and injera
Son of a Gun (Beverly Grove), Jon & Vinny’s seafood spot, known for shrimp toasts and lobster rolls
Sushi Tama (Beverly Grove), super-fresh fish and accessible prices in serene digs
Matū (Beverly Hills), Wagyu steak from New Zealand, as omakase or à la carte
Night + Market (West Hollywood), pioneer of natural wines with fiery Thai fare
Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@itsfoundla.com.
RESTAURANTS • First Word
A West Hollywood star
The Skinny: A majestic, two-story Italian spot in the former Madeo space in West Hollywood, Stella is a winning new bet from Toronto import, chef Rob Gentile.
The Vibe: Set inside a renowned mid-century modern building, the restaurant space was redone by designer Wendy Hayworth (Felix, Gracias Madre, The Jeremy Hotel) in a modern interpretation of a classic Italian kitchen. The upstairs level is light and airy, anchored by large sliding glass doors that lead to a big terrace. Downstairs, the subterranean warmth of an old world haunt, with dark, walnut-paneled walls brightened by terrazzo floors.
The Drinks: A trio of Negronis and martinis top the cocktail list, including the Oilo d’Oliva, a martini with a choice of olive oil. There’s also a Toronto, a nod to Gentile’s former stomping grounds — that’s rye, Nocino, Fernet, and toasted pecan — and about 15 wines by the glass.
The Food: Daring highlights from the (sprawling) menu include a puntarelle salad with hen yolk and crispy smelts; octopus tortellini coins, served in fish brodo, sharp with a hint of spicy ‘ndjua; and Iberico pork pluma with porchetta spices — better than wagyu, softer than any steak could be.
There are also classic pastas and pizzas — long ovals, served with scissors for personalized slicing, cooked in Madeo’s old pizza oven — as well as “Su Filindeu, the world’s rarest pasta,” cooked in bone broth and served with braised lamb neck.
The Verdict: Flawlessly executed staples and inventive specialties in a fresh take on a great space. –Caitlin White
→ Stella (West Hollywood) • 8899 Beverly Blvd • Wed-Sun 5-10p • Reserve • Image: Jakob Layman.
LA RESTAURANT LINKS: In West LA’s storied Sushi Mori space, a new master emerges • The lines at Eagle Rock bakery Fondry are getting very long… as Santa Monica gets in the haute croissant game • Briefly closed Arts District Japanese restaurant Yess reopens tomorrow with revamped offerings • The mystery of Michael Mina • Was California’s wine revolution just a mirage?
REAL ESTATE • Sold
Studio City sunsets
Yes, mid-century gems famously dot the hillsides of Studio City, but don’t overlook the robust mix of Spanish-style and modern houses among them. The median sale price in the area came in at $1.46M last month, down almost 30% year over year, per Redfin. But 32 deals got done in March alone. Here, three Studio City houses that recently sold, two over asking and quickly, and one that finally traded in mid-April after spending several years on the market.
→ 4428 Camellia Ave (Studio City) • 4BR/4BA, 2186 SF • Spanish-style built 1949 • Listed: 2/10/24 for $2.095M, sold: 3/1/24 • Sold price: $2.22M • Agent: Kristine Halverson, Compass.
→ 4302 Saint Clair Ave (Studio City) • 5BR/3.1BA, 3184 SF • Spanish Colonial near Footbridge Square, built 1938 • Listed: 2/22/24 for $2.25M, sold: 3/22/24 • Sold price: $2.835M • Agent: Michael Okun, Sotheby’s.
→ 11555 Amanda Dr (Studio City, above) • 4BR/4BA, 3001 SF • mid-century modern built 1956 with panoramic views • Listed: 6/11/22 for $3.495M, sold: 4/15/24 • Sold price: $2.975M • Agents: Jade Mills and Alexis La Montagna, Coldwell Banker.
LA WORK AND PLAY LINKS: Inside the secret poker games opening doors in LA’s art scene • Why this bag of ice at Erewhon costs $32 • How LA Chess Club is giving nerd culture a Gen Z makeover • DTLA office tower sells for 47% discount • Pasadena Showcase House of Design 2024 opens its doors • The case for ‘slow productivity’ at work.
WORK • Thursday Routine
Order, fire, pickup
GABRIEL ORNELAS • founder • Studio Ornelas
Neighborhoods you work in: Marina del Rey
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Most of my days start around 5:15 am. I do a 20–30 minute meditation, some light stretching, and yin yoga. Since we changed the clocks, it's still dark when I wake up, so I turn on all the lights in my studio to activate my brain. Then I check my WhatsApp, emails, texts, and social media, usually in that order. I work from my home studio, which doubles as an office, podcast studio, and event space for the numerous dinners I curate.
What’s on the agenda for today?
First, a pour-over or French press (depending on the day), with freshly ground Café San Alberto beans, which I discovered last year while in Cartagena. Then, several hours of client calls.
Thursday mid-mornings are usually reserved for recording the High Tea episodes of On The Pass, the weekly series we release every Monday afternoon with people who move food and beverage culture. After recording, I head to a late morning breakfast meeting, usually at Gjusta or Lodge Bread Co. I reserve lunchtime for a midday yoga class, then, it’s back into calls, planning for upcoming podcast episodes and branded experiences. I just recently hosted a collaboration dinner with chef Palak Patel, and I’m planning for my next dinner series in collaboration with Equiano Rum.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
A chef friend and I have been craving a port and tonic to reminisce about our recent trip to northern Portugal and the Douro Valley. The area’s mesmerizing blend of natural landscapes and centuries-old human creations makes it one of the most distinctive wine regions globally. So we made a reservation at Barra Santos, the tiny Portuguese restaurant in Cypress Park.
I have out-of-town friends coming in this weekend, so we’ll most likely be back on the Westside at Gjusta in the mornings for coffee and pastries. And you’ll definitely find me at Burgette, a Parisian-inspired restaurant with hamburgers, small plates, cured meats, and cheeses, just opened by my dear friend, the chef Sean MacDonald (who also owns Bar Monette in Santa Monica).
How about a little leisure or culture?
I love to go dancing whenever possible. My friend Liz Lira is a ballroom dancing champion from Bolivia, and she hosts a salsa night at The Warehouse in Marina Del Rey. All levels are welcome, and it’s just a great energy. I’m also an avid backgammon player, and on weekends, I get to catch up with friends at a coffee shop or local bar and play a few games. My friend Ben and I have a tally over the last 10 years of wins and losses. I’m up this month and feeling lucky.
Any weekend getaways?
We’re extremely lucky to live in a part of the country with access to incredible nature within an hour or two. I often head north to Ojai or the Santa Ynez Valley to take advantage of the breathtaking scenery, outdoor activities, and delicious food and wine. I tend to make Ojai Valley Inn a base or even The Funk Zone in Downtown Santa Barbara, where I stay at Palihouse. Be sure to check out all the incredible bars and restaurants from Acme Hospitality. I recently had their founder as a guest of On The Pass.
What was your last great vacation?
Ecuador with República Del Cacao. It was both a work trip and a holiday adventure. I explored the Amazon region with local indigenous communities, learned about organic dairy production in the Andes Mountains, and made new friends. The experience sparked an emotional response that I’ll never forget.
CULTURE & LEISURE • Spring Flings
Mavericks vs Clippers, game 6, Crypto.com Arena (Downtown), Fri @ 630p, section 111, $791 per
Dudamel leads Beethoven and Strauss, LA Phil, Walt Disney Concert Hall (Downtown), Sat @ 8p, orchestra, $339 per
John Mulaney, Netflix is a Joke Presents, Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood Hills), Sat @ 730p, garden, $182 per
GETAWAYS • Staycation
The suite life
A pair of recently refreshed suites crowning the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt are available for booking. Los Angeles-based firm Kevin Klein Design is responsible for the revamp, which brought the sprawling suites into the present — without straying too far from the classic design hallmarks of the hotel’s 100-year history, of course.
The larger of the two, The Johnny Grant Apartment, spans 2,875 square feet across a full marble kitchen, a living room with a six-seat bar for entertaining, a vaulted dining room with a table for ten, and an office — plus almost 800 square feet of outdoor space bestowed with a fountain and city views. The Gable Lombard Penthouse is a plush two-story, two-bedroom, also made for entertaining, with its massive, sunken living room, a built-in maroon leather couch (above), and a theater-sized screen that can be hidden or revealed behind a retractable 18th-century French tapestry. –Caitlin White
→ The Hollywood Roosevelt • 7000 Hollywood Blvd.
GETAWAYS LINKS: New (Marriott!) boutique Burton House Beverly Hills opens next week • Vineyard in Paso Robles hits the market for $7M • Taking stock of the real estate scene at The Sea Ranch • Quince vet opening Violetto, new tasting menu spot in St. Helena • Alaska Airlines adding flights, destinations from LAX • Is American Airlines losing the premium battle? • Six Senses Kyoto opens.
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LOST & FOUND • Behind the Paywall
Dispatches from the frontline, from FOUND subscribers for FOUND subscribers: