Real beaut
American Beauty at The Grove, Pacific Palisades listings, Pace, Sunset Marquis, Floyd luggage, NYE reservations, MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Word
The mall, the merrier
From traffic jams in the parking garage to children weaving in and out of crowds to couples trying to capture the perfect Santa selfie, The Grove around the holidays is not for the faint of heart.
In the middle of this madness, Venice steakhouse American Beauty opened its second location in late November. It’s a gift to the adults braving the mall, a relaxing grown-up refuge with a crowd-pleasing menu and a big wine list.
The dinner menu follows the same formula as the first location, with pass-around appetizers like salty fried Brussels sprouts, an assortment of steaks (add the horseradish-heavy steak sauce), grilled lamb chops with tzatziki, and one of LA’s most delicious potato dishes, a giant hash brown pancake stuffed with sour cream and caramelized onions.
New at The Grove outpost: lunch, featuring steak frites, big salads, and American Beauty’s upscale takes on drive-thru sandwiches, like the Win-Dow double cheeseburger with aioli and pickle and the Phil A. Ofish with halibut, yellow cheese, and slaw.
Wine refrigerators line one of the restaurant’s walls, and there are good cocktails, classic and otherwise, like the tropical Because Mother Said So with rum, lime, pineapple, coconut, and falernum. A big, central curved bar anchors the ’90s hip-hop soundtracked space, which is coated in forest green and outfitted with booths both big and small. There’s a bevy of heat lamp-adjacent patio seating as well. Service is still rounding into form, but the vibe is a welcome shift from the Disneyland-esque environs just outside.
If there’s no time for a seated meal while you check everyone off your gifting list this season, American Beauty also just opened its popular burger stand The Win-dow at The Grove. Dipped cones for the whole family. –Karen Palmer
→ American Beauty at The Grove (Fairfax) • 189 The Grove Dr, Unit Y-80 • Mon-Thurs 10a-10p, Fri & Sat 10a-11p, Sun 10a-9p • Reserve.
LA RESTAURANT LINKS: Dark since 2020, noted fine dining restaurant Somni has reopened in new WeHo space • José Andrés opens LA branch of Zeytinya in Culver City • PDX’s Voodoo Donuts planning Venice, La Brea expansion next year • LA’s cinnamon rolls, ranked • Christmas bars make the spirit bright • What drink trends should we leave behind in 2024?
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
In Pacific Palisades, three notable listings that have come to market in the past 30 days.
→ 641 Swarthmore Ave (Pacific Palisades) • 2BR/1BA, 1040 SF • Ask: $2.78M • tiny, storybook English cottage (with the greenery to match) with guest studio • Days on market: 12 • Agents: Betty-Jo Tilley and Jasmin Reichle, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
→ 513 Beirut Ave (Pacific Palisades) • 3BR/3BA, 2520 SF • Ask: $3.295M • recently renovated with fire pit and outdoor shower • Days on market: 23 • Agent: Nicole Contreras, Christie’s.
→ 654 Erksine Dr (Palisades Bluffs, above) • 5BR/5.1BA, 4209 SF • Ask: $4.699M (reduced from $4.99M) • sizable modern residence with four-car garage and views of Temescal Canyon • Days on market: 15 (and previous) • Agents: Bjorn Farrugia and Alphonso Lascano, Carolwood Estates.
LA WORK & PLAY LINKS: Is LA America’s fashion capital now? • Southern California real estate market slowed in November • Are coastal real estate prices worth it? • A tiny Ikea has opened in Arcadia • ‘Perks culture’ is under siege • The (mostly losing) case for holiday party plus-ones • How the internet broke gift guides.
WORK • Thursday Routine
Gone Hollywood
TADD SCHWARTZ • president & founder • Schwartz Media Strategies
Neighborhood you work in: West Hollywood & Brickell
Neighborhood you live in: Laurel Canyon & Coral Gables
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I love Thursdays. The weekend vibe is in the air, and as a company, we’re firing on all fronts. We’re in the storytelling business. I run Schwartz Media Strategies, a Miami-based integrated communications and public affairs firm, specializing in media relations, digital media, and content marketing on behalf of clients with a stake in Florida.
I spend half my time here in Los Angeles, and the other half in Miami. In LA, we live in Laurel Canyon, way up in the hills, so it’s a cool vibe that lends itself to a laidback lifestyle filled with rock 'n roll, coyotes, long hikes, slow runs, cool mornings, and breezy evenings. Today, like most days, I’m in Miami-mode. That means I’ve been up since 5a starting with my morning routine of reading the news, running or hiking around the canyon, and getting the kids fired up for the day.
What’s on the agenda for today?
We’re working on a public referendum that will transform Watson Island, an underutilized destination in Miami. One of our banking clients is about to announce a partnership with a major university. Another client, a real estate developer, is delivering a mixed-use project that will change the face of Downtown Miami. We also have the privilege of doing pro bono work for Lotus House, a homeless shelter for women and children in Miami, and we’re getting ready to open a new building that will be centered around the needs of kids.
Any bar or restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
In LA, I like to hang at the Sunset Tower for an old Hollywood vibe, or hit the bar at the Sunset Marquis for after dinner kicks with friends. Our family spot is the Italian restaurant located in the heart of Laurel Canyon, Pace. It’s underneath the Canyon Country Store, which my wife and I found 15 years ago on a hike to Jim Morrison’s house (the City recently named the street leading from the Canyon to the Store after a Doors song, “Love Street”). So it fits with our lifestyle.
When I’m in Miami, my go-to spot is River Oyster Bar on Brickell. The draft beer is always ice cold, the seafood is fresh, and the bar scene is cool with an open air vibe.
Any weekend getaways?
I’m a beach guy, so when I’m in Miami, you can usually find me on South Beach or Hollywood Beach. My wife and I love The Keys. Thanks to my parents, I spent my childhood on trips there. We’ve driven down to Key West many times, and love to escape to Islamorada for a weekend at Casa Morada. Happy hour at Lorelei helps you ease on into the evening with a sunset that drips right off that oceanic cliff.
What was your last great vacation?
We just got back from Costa Rica. Our client Gencom owns Peninsula Papagayo. Miles and miles of beaches. Our kids said it was the greatest vacation under the sun — a bold statement. Skiing in Colorado (Breckenridge and Beaver Creek) is also up there. We’re easy. Mountains and beaches.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I just bought a baby blue and white Ford Bronco 1960s Heritage edition. The ultimate beach and canyon cruiser for the family and our Labrador, Cali.
CULTURE & LEISURE • I’m on a Boat
Chargers vs. Broncos • Sofi Stadium (Inglewood) • Thurs @ 515p • section C243, $256 per
Yachtly Crew • Whiskey A Go Go (Hollywood) • Thurs @ 8p • GA, $49 per
Kaskade Christmas • United Theater (Downtown) • Fri @ 8p • orchestra C, $172 per
GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Object
Wheels up
A new luggage brand out of Munich, Floyd offers colorful, well-engineered suitcases, each with signature orange wheels. The name was inspired by iconic rock band Pink Floyd, and the design by the scene in 1960s Venice Beach. The company offers a range of sizes and colors with conventional latch technology, as well as practical clothing and device compartments.
The statement luggage company is entering the market in stores across Europe and will soon be available in Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. In the meantime, order online (they’re currently shipping for free to the U.S.). Vanity luggage is the rage, and airports offer the perfect runways, whether you’re Tony Hawk or not. –Brad Inman
→ Shop: Floyd • prices starting at €395.
GETAWAYS LINKS: New tequila and mezcal bar Jaguar Moon opens in Ventura • Big Bear adds new high-speed chairlift, debuting today • Gjelina Las Vegas plans to open in the Venetian on Dec 26 • Sonoma’s Cafe La Haye changes hands • The inside track on Siargao • JetBlue plans new ‘Mini-Mint’ first class starting next year • American’s AAdvantage changes for 2025: nothing bad is good! • Why family-owned hotels are the height of luxury.
ASK FOUND
Today, three FOUND subscriber PROMPTS for which we seek intel:
What new fitness/wellness trend/class will you take on in the New Year?
What’s your new winter bar?
Tell us a secret about your favorite ski mountain!
Got answers or more questions? Hit reply or email found@itsfoundla.com.
RESTAURANTS • The Nines
New Year’s Eve, bookable
The Nines are FOUND's distilled lists of LA’s best. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@itsfoundla.com.
Dante (Beverly Hills), stunning views, open bar with award-winning cocktails; passed canapés and food stations, $295 per, reserve