Elegant interiors complement the flavors of three new restaurants across the Los Angeles “Southland.”
CONRAD LOS ANGELES RESTAURANTS INSIDE ARCHITECT FRANK GEHRY’S BUILDING
With interiors by Tara Bernerd & Partners, a new hotel has opened at the Grand LA, Frank Gehry’s long-awaited, mixed-use building in DTLA. The Conrad Los Angeles boasts two new dining concepts by famed chef and humanitarian José Andrés in collaboration with ThinkFoodGroup. On the 10th floor, San Laurel is open for breakfast and dinner and finds its culinary roots in Spain—but Andrés gives it a California twist with an emphasis on local ingredients. And just across from the restaurant is Agua Viva, an all-day terrace spot where the chef shifts to Latin and Asian flavors. Both settings offer sweeping vistas of the city’s ever-growing skyline.
PHOTO: COURTESY CONRAD LOS ANGELES
BEHIND THE DESIGN OF PORTA VIA PALM DESERT
The latest iteration of popular Californian bistro Porta Via has opened on the western end of shopping street El Paseo. Sophie Goineau, a native of Quebec who now calls L.A. home, took her design cues from the greats of Desert Modernism such as John Lautner, Harold Levitt and Paul R. Williams. The terrazzo floors with built-in planters, banquette seating and concrete breeze-block screens found at myriad local landmarks also fed her inspiration, while a fresh green palette, organic textures and gold notes add contemporary accents. And countering the moody vibe of the walnut-paneled interiors are three surrounding patios with a decidedly Slim Aarons feel.
PHOTO: MICHAEL CLIFFORD
STEP FOOT INTO SOLSTICE, INSIDE A GENSLER-DESIGNED BUSINESS COMPLEX
Set within The Boardwalk—Irvine’s Gensler-designed business complex—is Solstice, a modern American restaurant by chef Demetrio Zavala of Food Network fame, with interiors by Alexis Readinger of hospitality design firm Preen, Inc. The latter, who is also behind Alimento in Silver Lake and Tesse in West Hollywood, created interiors that act as a subtle backdrop to the seasonal menu. Four different dining locations within the space reference the seasons—from spring greens to more autumnal hues—while floor-to-ceiling interior windows let guests watch the hubbub of kitchen activity. A private dining room that welcomes 24 guests, a trellised patio and an outdoor lounge round out the eatery’s options.
