Author: Rodeo Realty Media Team

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L.A. Eats: New Bites to Try This Fall!

One of the great joys in L.A. is the bevy of dining options. And since there are always new choices sprouting up, we thought we’d narrow down the selection. From savory Mediterranean to spicy wings and everything in between, check out some new bites this fall! Your taste buds will thank you!!

Twozone Chicken

 

Location: 3516 W 8th St., Los Angeles, Koreatown

South Korea’s Twozone Chicken opened its first stateside location in Koreatown. The fried chicken specialist is best known for its plethora of flavors. These tasty options include cajun, wasabi, and honey butter. The hotspot encourages patrons to mix and match flavors according to taste preferences.

Azay

Location: 226 E 1st St., Los Angeles-Little Tokyo

Fans of the now-closed Maison Akira in Pasadena can experience chef Akira Hirose’s cooking once again at Azay. A casual eatery, Azay serves French and Japanese breakfast and lunch. Come in before 11 a.m. for a traditional Japanese breakfast of broiled fish, rice, miso soup, pickles, and an omelette.

Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen

Location: Lake Balboa—7600 Balboa Blvd., Los Angeles.

Saffron serves up fast-casual Mediterranean fare. Diners can build their own pita sandwiches, tacos, or salad bowls with chicken, beef, or falafel. For a meal experience that is sure to invigorate the senses, Saffron is worth the trek to Lake Balboa.

Roji Bakery

Location: Mid-City—807 S La Brea Ave., Los Angeles.

Roji originated in Kumamoto, Japan, but found an equal amount if success in Mid City. With loaves of milk bread, lovely pastries, and plenty of coffee on offer, this place is perfect for mornings and afternoon pick-me-ups.

What The Cluck

Location: West Hollywood— 807 S La Brea Ave., Los Angeles.

Poached chicken is served alongside broth-cooked rice at What The Cluck.  A staple in many Asian countries this spot shares the Thai tradition of khao man gai with WeHo denizens. The first location opened in San Francisco. Hone in on the skin-on organic chicken, livers, and poached egg served with rice and plenty of the restaurant’s signature sauce.

Bianca Bakery

Location: Culver City—8850 Washington Blvd.

Bianca Bakery has transformed the Platform into an inviting spot to gather, caffeinate, and luxuriate. Find freshly baked bread, carefully made cakes, sweet and savory pastries. Or chose a smattering of savories like open-faced sandwiches on hand.

Hot Motha Clucker

Location: Hollywood— 1708 N. Las Palmas, Los Angeles

The Nashville hot chicken trend shows no sign of slowing down. New to the touristy district is Hot Motha Clucker, which promises an “extreme chicken experience.” One of the restaurant’s best-sellers are cheesy fries topped with chopped chicken tenders.

Vox Burger

Location: Fairfax—519 N Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles.

Vow Burger is a socially conscious restaurant venture. There mission is to make a positive impact by serving an entirely meat-free menu. The result of your visit is a donation of a meal for every meal purchased.

Mon Petit Poulet

Location: Downtown—541 South Spring St., Los Angeles.

Mon Petit Poulet keeps its menu simple, offering only organic roasted chickens and a handful of sides including rice, potatoes, and a baguette. Chicken flavor “profiles” include thyme, rosemary, oranges, figs, and olives.

Pillow Talk

Location: Pasadena—526 S Lake Ave.

Check out Pillow Talk for coffee, pastries, and fanciful fruity trifles served in metal tins on South Lake Avenue. Signature beverages include a pineapple Americano and an ice tiramisu.

Ela Greek Eats

Location: Venice—307 Lincoln Blvd.

Ela Greek Eats serves fast-casual fare in a brightly lit room on Lincoln Boulevard. The menu is easy to navigate with salads, gyros, dips, as well as more traditional Greek offerings like moussaka. Most dishes are served with a choice of lamb, chicken, steak, salmon, or tuna, which means there’s something for everyone.  

KoJa Kitchen

Location: Downtown—611 West 7th St., Los Angeles.

San Francisco-based KoJa Kitchen brings its Korean-Japanese burgers to the city of stars.  Served with crispy garlic rice buns is a foodie dream in the heart of downtown. This is the 15th location for Alan Tsai and Hiep Lien, and the first in LA proper.  

Rice Guy

Location: Larchmont—615 N. Western Ave., Los Angeles.

The Filipino food movement shows no sign of slowing down. Rice Guys serves up rice bowls gussied up with an array of Pinoy proteins including grilled pork belly, coconut-poached chicken thighs, and glazed adobo chicken wings.

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Early Haunts for Fall

You’ve likely noticed the festive displays at the store. You may have a neighbor whose already decorated their lawn. If these things have happened to you, you know what that means. It’s almost the best time of the year! We’re talking about fall of course! From terrifying frights to not so scary haunts, L.A. kicks off scare season early. So why shouldn’t you? Check out our round-up of ghoulish attractions taking place now through October. Just don’t wait too long, Halloween will creep up on you before you know it!

Halloween Horror Nights

Location: Universal Studios Hollywood – 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City 91608

Face your darkest fears in Southern California’s scariest, most intense event – Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. The movie studio that invented the horror genre dares you to enter all-new immersive worlds of living, breathing icons from the most twisted imaginations in film and television. Halloween Horror Nights will be open on select nights from September 13 to November 2.

Fright Fest

Location: Six Flags Magic Mountain – 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia 91355

Taking place on select nights from September 14 – November 3, Fright Fest offers terrifying haunted mazes, roaming zombies, the scariest clowns on the planet and spooky shows – leaving no tombstone unturned to bring the ultimate sensory overload for every range of fear. As if that weren’t enough, Six Flags has added a “twisted” element to some of their monster coasters by turning off the lights, leaving riders to face their fears in the dark.

HAUS OF CREEP

Location: Row DTLA – 777 S. Alameda Street, Los Angeles 90021

Presented by Just Fix It Productions, Creep L.A. returns to Row DTLA this Halloween season, welcoming all into the dark heart of Downtown LA with their fifth installment: HAUS OF CREEP. The 75-minute multi-sensory exhibit brings guests into the world of Creep L.A., a darkly satirical and terrifying send-up of social media-driven culture. HAUS OF CREEP sets out to remind us that art is alive, and it can’t be restricted to a little square photo without dangerous consequences. Sept 13-Nov. 3

Paramount Pictures After Dark

Location: Paramount Pictures Studios – 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles 90038

One of Paramount Pictures popular Studio Tours, the After Dark Tour gets a seasonal twist with Tales from the Other Side, a 2.5-hour walking tour that takes guests through the legendary backlot and cavernous soundstages. The tour includes a welcome champagne toast, exclusive access to Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and gourmet popcorn and movie candy hosted in an eerie location. No through Nov. 3

Dark Harbor

 

Location: Queen Mary – 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach 90802

It’s all hands on deck for Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary – 23 select nights featuring the Captain, Scary Mary and over 200 monsters haunting six terrifying mazes, nightly live entertainment, secret bars and exciting rides. A monstrous freak wave has hit the legendary Queen Mary, causing the ship to nearly capsize. The Captain and the crew are hard at work trying to salvage the ship after the Rogue wave…Or are they? Sept 26-Nov. 2

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

Location: Griffith Park Old Zoo – 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles 90027

Taking place on Saturday, September 28 to Saturday, November 2, the 11th annual Haunted Hayride features a completely reimagined experience, including an expanded lineup of attractions and a unified theme for the very first time. This year’s Haunted Hayride will transform the Griffith Park grounds into Midnight Falls, an eerie and mysterious village set in 1985, where time stands still and it is always Halloween.

Halloween Time

Location: Disneyland and California Adventure

Spirit away for a frightfully delightful good time—from costumed Character encounters to themed attractions, creepy eats, bewitching entertainment and more! September 6 through October 31, 2019. Enjoy ghoulish fun like the Happiest Haunts tour and your time at the happiest place on earth spooktacular!

Knott’s Scary Farm

Location: Knott’s Berry Farm Amusement Park

Knott’s Scary Farm is the largest and most haunting Halloween experience in Southern California. Experience unimaginable scares and innovative thrills that can’t be found anywhere else. The fully transformed theme park features uniquely haunted mazes and attractions. That along with sinister shows and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in every corner of the park. This Halloween event has all the ingredients of a truly terrifying nightmare. But unlike most dreams, Knott’s Scary Farm is a nightmare you can’t wake up from — which makes it the thing to do for this Scare Season. Taking place Sept 19 through Nov. 2, go if you dare!

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Jimmy Heckenberg’s Donald Simon Estate Listing Featured in Real Deal

The Son of famed philanthropist Norton Simon List his BH Home and Real Deal gives an inside scoop.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (September 17, 2019)

As reported previously, Jimmy Heckenberg hold’s the listing to the lavish estate of Donald Simon, son of famed philanthropist Norton Simon. Real Deal featured the estate in a recent article highlighting the $42 million dollar home.

Designed by Peter Choate, the property is around 2-1/2 acres and sits nestled on the grounds of the L.A. Country Club. A once in a generation chance to own a home at this location or of this caliber. The 10,6000 square foot mansion is an entertainers dream with features like a tennis court and sprawling resort style pool.

The interior of the home brims with beautiful wood high-beamed ceilings, designer wall coverings and wrought iron chandeliers. The style of the estate comes as no surprise to those familiar with Choate’s work. As noted by Real Deal, Peter Choate has “worked for celebrities like Sharon Stone and Mel Brooks”.

Donald Simon has been the longtime owner of the luxury digs, designed in 1987. His father, Industrialist and Philanthropist Norton Simon,, was the driving force behind LACMA, among other things known to L.A.

To view this listing, click here.

To read the Real Deal’s Feature on the Donald Simon Estate, click here.

About Jimmy Heckenberg

Jimmy Heckenberg is well recognized in Beverly Hills and the entire Westside for his top producing Heckenberg Realty Group Sales Team. Jimmy will make the buying and selling of real estate as cost effective as possible while maintaining the highest level of service. This applies whether you are a first-time home buyer, existing home buyer or investor. He will provide you with accurate and up-to-date real estate market information, skilled analysis and sound real estate advice. He continually explores new ideas and technology in order to make the selling and buying of real estate faster, less costly, stress free and simple.

 

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Out & About: San Fernando Valley

Whether you call the Valley home or you reside just over the hill, SFV has a lot to offer. The area is bustling with hidden gems and things to do! Rather than opt for you usual routine, why not take sometime to discover something new? Read through the round-up of ways to enjoy your time in SFV from food to fun and discover your inner Angeleno!

Asanebo

11941 Ventura Blvd., Studio City 91604-2607

Like most sushi restaurants in Studio City, Asanebo is located in a nondescript strip mall on Ventura Boulevard. Inside the warm, comforting dining room, you’ll find both traditional and innovative, fusion-style Japanese cuisine, where the omakase, or chef’s choice, is recommended. Thankfully, there are three different tiers so there’s some flexibility. Named the 2014 Zagat Guide’s top food pick in Los Angeles, Asanebo is a dining gem that’s not to be missed.

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The Brady Bunch House

The Brady Kids reunite for a renovation of their famous TV house | Instagram: @hgtv

11217 Dilling St., Los Angeles 91602

One of the most famous houses in television history can be found at 11217 Dilling Street in Studio City – with civilians living inside. The Brady Bunch began shooting in 1969, and exterior shots of the house were used for 115 episodes. A newly widowed Louise Weddington Carson lived in the house at the time, and set designers attached a phony window to make it look like the two-story structure to match the interior set design. The house was revisited for a couple sequel projects, such as A Very Brady Christmas and The Bradys, a dramatic series on CBS. A fence and new shrubbery somewhat masks its immortalized TV image, but the house will forever live on in reruns of The Brady Bunch.

Eclectica Vintage

Eclectica Vintage | Instagram: @livinonluv
5663 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood 91601

There are some great vintage shops in the San Fernando Valley, but Eclectica Vintage is your go-to whether you’re looking for a bike, furniture, clothing, camera or other classic decorative items. With past experience at local studios as set designers, owners Mike Lis and Ron Lis will help you find anything you might need. Just be sure to bring cash for your purchases.

The Great Wall of Los Angeles

The Great Wall of Los Angeles | Photo courtesy of The City Project, Flickr
12920 W Oxnard St, Valley Glen 91401

At 2,754 feet, The Great Wall of Los Angeles is one of the longest murals in the world, located on Coldwater Canyon between Burbank Boulevard and Oxnard Street. The half-mile-long mural is regarded as one of the city’s most successful depictions and examples of ethnic and cultural cooperation, conceived by Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) founder, Judith Baca as part of a beautification project in the area. The Great Wall of Los Angeles was begun in 1974 and completed five summers later, involving over 400 employed youth and their families from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, as well as artists, oral historians, ethnologists, scholars and community members. Each year was dedicated to depicting a different decade in California history from the viewpoint of different ethnic minorities. Ongoing maintenance efforts are made through donations and grant funding.

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Iliad Bookshop

Photo: Iliad Bookshop, Facebook
5400 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood 91601

So-named because the original location was next to Odyssey Video, the Iliad Bookshop offers over 125,000 titles at its home on Cahuenga Boulevard in North Hollywood, where the 20-year-old bookstore has been located since 2006. Specializing in used books, Iliad Bookshop buys and sells hundreds of books daily and even has a table of bargain books for less than $2 each. There are also rare books for sale, and autographed first editions can run for hundreds – sometimes thousands – of dollars. Regulars are often found scouring its shelves for hidden treasures. The hardest part of a visit to the Iliad is leaving without spending several hours there.

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Japanese Garden

SuihoEn (“Garden of Water and Fragrance”) | Photo: Yuri Hasegawa
6100 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys 91406

Constructed over a three-year period and dedicated in 1984, the Japanese Garden at Woodley Park in Van Nuys is an oasis of serenity designed by Dr. Koichi Kawana. Ranked tenth out of 300 public Japanese gardens by the Journal of Japanese Gardening, it’s a treasure of the San Fernando Valley complete with a Zen meditation garden, Three Buddhas arrangement of stones, chisen (wet strolling garden with waterfalls), Shoin Building, Crane Island and a Weeping Willow Tree.

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Lake Balboa

Cherry blossoms at Lake Balboa | Photo: City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks
6300 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys 91406

In 2007, a large part of Van Nuys was renamed the Lake Balboa district. Shortly after, in 2008, the district’s 80-acre Anthony C. Beilenson Park, formerly Balboa Park, received a million-dollar revamp in the form of a Maritime-themed Universally Accessible Playground, interactive drum play area, and more. Lifeguards are on-site at Lake Balboa, which is located in the park, making it an attractive place for boating and fishing. There are also barbecue pits and picnic tables, ensuring your entire family a whole day of activities. And if you’re visiting at the right time of year, you’ll get to enjoy a stroll around the lake with cherry blossom trees in full bloom. But at all times, don’t forget to enjoy the miles of trails that line the park, which branch off from the trail around the lake. Keep an eye out for nearby bike rentals.

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Sako’s Mediterranean Cuisine

Doner platter | Photo courtesy of Sako’s Mediterranean Cuisine, Facebook
6736 Corbin Ave, Reseda 91335

You don’t visit Sako’s Mediterranean Cuisine in Reseda for the decor, but for their outstanding Armenian dishes. Open since 2002, Sako’s has the same name as it did upon opening, although its current owners, John and Ani Panosian, have owned the restaurant since about 2006. The kebabs are quite special and luscious, and if you go with Sako’s Special, the Iskender Kebab, you’ll be treated to a wonderfully seasoned ground beef sirloin sliced straight from the spit. Thick yogurt, browned butter and fresh tomato sauce accent the dish beautifully. Of course, you’ll also find standbys like hummus, baba ghanouj and tabouleh on the menu – all served with warm pitas – but adventurers will love the Mediterranean spice treasure hunt all the way down the menu.

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Tonga Hut

“The Loyal Order of the Drooling Bastard” | Photo: Tonga Hut Tiki Lounge, Facebook
12808 Victory Blvd, North Hollywood 91606

Part of the unmatched charm of this Tiki Bar is that this little hideaway – and much of the current decor – dates all the way back to 1958, when it was opened by brothers Ace and Ed Libby at the height of the mid-century Tiki craze. After a period of being run down, the bar was thankfully restored to its former Tiki glory in 2005. Now, the original fountains are running, there’s new, period-appropriate artwork, and vintage, eclectic tunes in the jukebox. If you’re a local barfly, you can join The Loyal Order of the Drooling Bastard by ordering every drink in the Grog Log (which runs over 80 drinks deep) within a year. Whether you want a $2 PBR or a classic 1934 Zombie made according to Don the Beachcomber’s original recipe, the Tonga Hut is your Valley watering hole.

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Vitello’s

Photo: Vitello’s, Facebook
4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City

The restaurant known as Vitello’s has changed hands a couple times since Sal Vitello, a baker from New York, opened the restaurant in Tujunga Village. The Rat Pack was known to hang out here, with many industry types swinging by for a plate of pasta and a drink, thanks to its proximity to the CBS Studios Radford Studios Lot and the Universal City soundstages. You’ll have good reason to stop by too, thanks to the contemporary food and drink menu. Gone are the canned tomato sauces and overcooked pasta, and here to stay are fresh seasonal ingredients and al dente pasta. Check the Upstairs at Vitello’s calendar for live performances on select nights, including jazz and stand-up comedy by special guests like Dana Carvey and Arsenio Hall.

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Rodeo Agents Land on LABJ’s Who’s Brokering L.A. List

The LABJ list their annual pick of the Top Brokering Agents throughout L.A. for 2019

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (September 13, 2019)- Recently the Los Angeles Business Journal unveiled their picks for the top agents brokering throughout Los Angeles. The list showcased the Real Estate All-Stars that lead the way in the past year. From Rodeo Ben Bacal, Josh Flagg, Jimmy Heckenberg, Jordana Leigh, Adi Livyatan, Peter Maurice and Tregg Rustad al made the cut for this year’s honoree’s.

LABJ bases the decision on the total average sales volume for the year making it a tough call when selected nominees.

The residential real estate market in Los Angeles is a complex landscape to say the least. Whether you are buying or selling, having the right broker in your corner can be the difference-maker in terms of getting a good deal, landing in the right location for your specific needs, and navigating the process painlessly. In an attempt to shine a light on those hardworking brokers who have the knowledge, skills and dedication to go the extra mile for their clients, we welcome you to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s first ever “Who’s Brokering LA” special section focusing on residential real estate professionals, where we recognize the most dynamic brokers.

To read the full article, click here.

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Weekend Events: Sept. 13-15

The last official weekend of summer is here and California already knows it. With the swift change into fall wind and foliage decor, so comes the fun for fall! Grab your Pumpkin Spiced everything and jump into the weekend with our round up of fun things to do throughout L.A. in and the Valley.

Friday, September 13
Mid-Autumn Festival

Location: WP24 by Wolfgang Puck- 900 West Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles

Join us for an evening of happiness and prosperity in the harvest season. Enjoy a reception with interactive food stations helmed by chefs from WP24, Spago, CUT and Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel Air, along with live entertainment. Admission includes unlimited access to food stations plus one signature cocktail. Currently all Table reservations and Ultimate Experience reservations have been booked.

Friday The 13th at Scum and Villainy Cantina

Location: Scum and Villainy Cantina

Kick off Halloween season with horror trivia, themed drinks and more. Stop in for a night that is sure to get you in the fall spirit. Costumes are encouraged. No cover just genuine enthusiasm for all things ghoulish!

86th Annual Simi Valley Days Parade and Carnival 

Location: Simi Valley Town Center

The Simi Valley Days Parade and Carnival is produced by the Simi Valley Days Foundation. In store is carnival games, contests and prizes, live music, shopping, arts and crafts, great food, family entertainment, car show, rides and much more!

Saturday, September 14
17th Annual TARFEST Music & Arts Festival

Location: La Brea Tar Pits & Museum

The La Brea Tar Pits will be hosting the 17th annual TARFEST music and arts festival. Attendees can enjoy art installations, live painting, DJ’s, food trucks, kid’s activities, and much more. The event is free for all! The iconic Serpentine Pavilion at Second Home can be experienced by all for free along with TARFEST’s partner The Natural History Museum of L.A. County.

Taste of Japan in Long Beach

Location: The Pike Outlets

The first-ever Taste of Japan festival comes to The Pike Outlets in Long Beach showcasing Japanese culture and cuisine. The family-friendly festival takes place September 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features culinary creations, Japanese pop culture and entertainment, shopping, anime, martial arts, and more. Food experience range from sushi, fresh baked goods, BBQ, and soups and noodles.

Colors by the Sea Summer Art Walk and Craft Fest

Location: Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theatre

Surfside Drive Port Hueneme is proud to present Colors by the Sea Summer Art Walk and Craft Fest Saturday Sept 14, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. FREE admission. This free event will feature talented Local Artist’s and Vendors from Ventura County, Food Trucks and much more! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to meet local vendors and Artists.

For additional information call Oceanview Pavilion at (805) 986-4818

Sunday, September 15
Santa Monica’s 4th Annual COAST Open Streets

Location: Ocean Avenue, Colorado Esplanade, and Main Street, Santa Monica

On Sunday, two miles of Santa Monica streets will close in celebration of a more people-powered and sustainable Santa Monica. Guests will be able to bike, skate, run, and walk the sections of Ocean Avenue, Colorado Esplanade, and Main Street. There will be roaming musicians, hands-on activities, and free artist-led workshops where attendees can create and decorate costumes. A COAST Contest will take place where judges will look for creativity and innovation in various mediums such as floats, costumes, headpieces, people-powered conveyance, and more. This is a family event that is free to all!

UNIDENTIFIED LANDED OBJECT

Location: The Row, DTLA

“ULO” opens at ROW DTLA for an otherworldly experience. The Art Pop-Up will feature  an adaptation of the installation Light Leaks by technology artist Kyle McDonald and Jonas Jongejan, Creative Technologist at Google Creative Lab can be experienced. Visitors will be pulled into an optical illusion of millions of flickering reflections that dance off of mirror balls hitting every inch of the space. ULO will run Tuesdays through Sunday until September 28.

San Fernando Valley Audubon Bird Walk at Malibu Creek State Park

Location: Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek State Park

Considered the recreational crown jewel of the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek State Park has over 8,000 acres of rolling tall grass plains, oak savannahs and dramatic peaks. It’s no wonder many call it “The Yosemite of Southern California.” Seasoned birders and beginners alike will enjoy good bird watching and a beautiful, easy hike. Meet at the second (lower) day-use parking lot.

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Home Tips: Designer Approved Kitchen Backsplash Trends

When remodeling your kitchen, so many of the decisions you’ll have to make involve the overall function of the space. Your appliances are the perfect example. The color and finish of your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher are important, but it’s even more crucial to consider how these elements fit the layout of your space and your lifestyle. That’s why choosing the finer details, like your kitchen backsplash, feels so liberating. Though you should always keep your budget and the amount of effort you want to spend on upkeep in mind, a backsplash is your opportunity to have some fun in the kitchen.

In fact, the backsplash is one of the key features that define the style of the space, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association 2019 Design Trends Report. The report—which polls 583 leading designers, remodelers, architects, and manufactures to identify the styles that will be popular in the next three years—confirmed that kitchens with distinct backsplash designs are here to stay.

Check out these designer favorites!

Luxurious Marble

According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association 2019 Design Trends Report, slab backsplashes were the top choice for contemporary designs. “A marble slab is a modern and luxurious detail to incorporate in your kitchen design,” says Nadia Subaran, co-founder of Aidan Design. “It can create a dramatic and bold statement and can help a small kitchen feel larger.”

Playful Mosaic

For an eye-catching look that isn’t too distracting, choose tiles in the same color palette as your kitchen, then opt for a standout pattern. “After settling on a navy and white color scheme, we really wanted to inject a sense of fun and whimsy into the space,” says Allie Mann, Case Architects and Remodelers designer.

Sleek Slabs

“Slab marble backsplash that bleeds into the countertop creates a sleek look in the kitchen,” says designer Jessica Gersten of Jessica Gersten Interiors. “It eliminates the “choppiness” of backsplash tile, and lends itself to a more calm, streamlined feeling.”

Elegant Arabesque

Can’t decide on making a statement or keeping it subtle? Choosing a shapely tile in a light color gives you the best of both worlds. “The arabesque shape is a design motif that has timeless attributes,” says Subaran. “We are seeing the arabesque—along with other geometric shapes return—as more homeowners are looking for unique shapes in backsplash materials, like ceramics.”

High-Contrast Marble

For a new twist on marble slab backsplashes, opt for marble with high-contrast veining. “Dramatic black and white marble brings contrast and movement on the counter and backsplash to the otherwise balanced design,”says Shannon Kadwell, kitchen/project designer at Anthony Wilder Design/Build. “The swirl of black and white marble mimics a drift of smoke.”

Space Saving Mosaic

Smaller tiles help solve a common kitchen problem: They’re a great way to cover awkward-sized areas. “For kitchens where we wrap tile around windows with limited space in between, finding a small mosaic is the most balanced and practical option,” says Subaran.

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Out & About: L.A. After Dark

With so many things to do throughout L.A., the only limit comes down to the time of day. Luckily in the city of stars, even after the sun sets, there is still plenty of fun. Read through our picks of the best Out and About activities after dark and discover your inner Angeleno!

Roll a strike and eat some pizza

Various locations

Bowling alleys have come a long way since our childhood outings filled with Formica, frozen pizza, and on-screen scoring graphics leftover from the early Atari era.

For a retro-cool evening at the lanes, try Highland Park Bowl; the venue dates back to the Prohibition era, and Hospitality outfit 1933 Group brought it back to its glory days a few years ago. Enjoy a menu centered around wood-fired pizzas and classic cocktails, along with a California-heavy beer list.

The longstanding Pinz in Studio City — a massive, always-jamming space with 32 lanes — is always good for celebrity spotting and popular with groups and birthday parties.

LA’s four Bowlero-branded alleys scattered around the Westside and South Bay boast lit-up lanes, a big menu of bar food, fun tunes, and league nights.

 

Watch LeBron in action

Downtown 

Basketball season is almost upon us, so time to get your tickets to a game, nearly all which take place after dark. OK, so it’s not going to be a cheap outing, but catching a Lakers game at Staples Center is an energy-infused, celebrity-filled, kiss cam-crazy LA evening you’ve got to experience at least once. Clippers tix are usually cheaper since the team has historically played second fiddle in this Lakers-loving city, but this could be their year: Clipper Nation is currently the odds-on favorite to take the title at the NBA Finals in 2020.

School yourself in the world of cheese

Beverly Hills

If you’re looking for a new excuse to eat cheese and drink wine (and who isn’t, really?), here you go: Every month (other than December and January) the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills hosts three back-to-back cheese-and-wine tasting nights. To get the monthly invite, email info@cheesestorebh.com.

 

Get cultured at a museum after-hours

Various locations

Many of LA’s most magnificent museums stay open late at least one night a week, so you can swap your usual after-work happy hour for something actually educational.

UCLA’s art and cultural center Hammer Museum remains open until 8pm Tuesday through Friday, is free to everyone, and has a pretty robust schedule of programming, including many evening options.

Contemporary art headquarters LACMA welcomes visitors until 8pm on Friday nights, and also hosts its Friday night live-on-the-plaza music series Jazz at LACMA starting at 6pm every Friday from April through November.

With tons of outdoor space, amazing views, and 110-acres, The Getty is a great spot to let a Saturday afternoon roll into evening. It stays open until 9pm on Saturday nights and puts on its free monthly outdoor concert series Off the 405 in the summer, along with some shows inside its auditorium come winter.

Downtown’s architectural masterpiece The Broad (home of the oft-Instagrammed Infinity Mirror Rooms) remains open until 8pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays; while admission is free, it’s best to reserve a ticket ahead of time, if you can.

Cheer on the badass ladies of roller derby

Vernon  

Shake up your Saturday night as a spectator of Derby Dolls: a non-profit all-female, banked roller derby league comprised of 150 junior and adult members spread out among multiple teams with don’t-mess-with-us monikers.

Beat writers’ block with booze

Beverly Hills

We all know the repercussions of drinking and texting, but imbibing while thoughtfully writing a letter the old-fashioned way is a totally different story. An organization called Pen2Paper Project, which holds social workshops on the art of letter-writing and journaling, just launched the series A Nourished Spirit at the Hotel Palomar. Each workshop will have a theme and multiple cocktail pairings meant to give you a little inspiration and liquid courage to start writing.

See a puppet show (seriously)

Highland Park 

Founded in the ‘60s by late puppeteer and marionette maker Bob Baker, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, unveiled its new home in Highland Park in 2018 after decades spent at its original Downtown theater. Before you scroll right on by and insist that puppet shows are for children, know this: The kitschy shows, costumed puppeteers, and 2,000+ handmade marionettes really do equal fun for all ages. Saturday evening shows are even geared towards adults.

 

Hike by moonlight

Hollywood

We Angelenos love our bright-and-early hikes — just try to find parking at 8am on a weekend at Runyon Canyon. Even if you’re a serious morning person, though, it’s worth giving a post-twilight trek a go; you can make the hike up Griffith Park’s Mt. Hollywood since the park is open to the public until 10pm. Better yet, hook up with the Sierra Club’s Angeles Chapter which leads evening hikes on Tuesdays and Thursdays with multiple hikes running around two hours targeted at different skill levels.

Have a tech-heavy carnival game night

Downtown

Whether you’re an old-school arcade fan or all about the latest and greatest gaming technology, the Arts District’s 38,000-square-foot “micro amusement park” Two Bit Circus will be able to keep you entertained with its wild wonderland of interactive action. The place is filled with competition games like Skee-Ball and balloon pop (real ball, virtual balloons), along with classic video games. Entrance is free, and you pay to play. If you’ve got a crew in tow you can go in on a private gaming cabana rented in 90-minute blocks.

Catch a concert under the stars (while you still can)

Hollywood Hills

Few amphitheaters are more magical than The Hollywood Bowl nestled in the Hollywood Hills. Yes, getting in and out is never fun, but once you get there as the sun is setting, indulge in a gourmet picnic and a few bottles of wine, and then catch an amazing act, you’ll have forgotten all about that LA traffic… until it’s time to head home, at least. Though the Bowl is synonymous with summer around here, the season runs all the way through October.

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