Los Angeles
Interview with Adam Malkin
I’ve shared many fond memories in Los Angeles with my dear friend, Adam (@eatprayadam). He’s one of the most unique curators I know in every sense of the word—someone with precise taste and a strong perspective on all things from art, design, fashion, food, to architecture. If you’re seeking refined recommendations across galleries, eateries, and shops from a Los Angeles inhabitant with impeccable taste… look no further!
photos provided by Adam Malkin
what’s your relationship to Los Angeles?
Initially, I came to LA begrudgingly, and with preconceived notions of the city’s culture. But very soon after moving, I fell in love with LA and instinctively felt a sense of belonging here. The pace of the city, the balance of the city, and the energy of the city all really resonated with me.
I lost my job seven months ago, and during this transition, I feel like I’ve evolved my relationship to the city because I’ve sought out more in-person connection than I did before. And not only has this made me fall in love with LA again, but it has also confirmed my belief that LA is a bastion of creativity. I’ve had the great privilege of meeting and befriending a lot of people who are very creative, working across disciplines. They’re artists, storytellers, and people with big dreams – many of whom are transplants. I will say that you do need to seek out connection here. It’s not New York where you can very easily stumble onto something and meet people wherever. The city takes effort, but I’ve enjoyed making that effort.
what kind of traveler are you?
I typically gravitate towards more metropolitan areas when I travel. When I go somewhere, I love to have a hit list of museums, restaurants, boutiques, and the like. More than anything, though, I love to explore neighborhoods by foot. So, I go in with my list but leave myself open to surprises along the way. I feel as though I’ve replicated that experience living in LA. Because I don’t have a car, I’ve stumbled across a lot by walking.
what kind of traveler would like Los Angeles? what type of person are you curating your recommendations for?
I recommend LA to someone who has an appreciation of both nature and city life. There’s a nice balance between the two in LA, and at a scale unlike that of many other cities.
I am curating these recommendations for someone who travels like me, who likes to explore different neighborhoods and happen upon cultural hotspots. Someone who likes good restaurants, art, and culture – whether that’s fashion, film, or design. It’s all in LA. You just need to know where to look.
where to stroll & stay
Larchmont - I live in Larchmont, a neighborhood with a very strong sense of community. It’s centrally located and very walkable, which is important to me. The primary commercial area is only 2-3 blocks, but it’s packed with a lot of coffee shops, a fantastic independent bookstore called Chevalier's, and more ice cream than you could ever know what to do with. My favorite is the gelato spot Bacio di Latte.
Hancock Park - Larchmont is surrounded by Hancock Park, one of the older, more affluent neighborhoods in LA. With that comes beautiful, stately homes with character and history. It’s a wonderful area for people like me who are into architecture and design. I love to get lost on long walks through Hancock Park’s winding streets.
Beverly Boulevard - Nearby is a stretch of Beverly Boulevard, between La Brea Ave. and The Grove Dr. It has such beautiful design stores, like Nickey Kehoe and Garde. Many are out of my budget, but they’re fun to peek into. There’s also great stuff like a stationery store (Jonathan Wright & Co.), ceramics store (Heath Ceramics), and plant store (Rolling Greens). It’s all so nicely curated and crafted.
Melrose Ave Between Highland and La Brea - There’s also a stretch near me that I’ve only recently discovered. It has one of my favorite galleries (Vardan Gallery), beautiful design stores & showrooms (The Window), and a calmer, more curated atmosphere than a lot of Melrose. It’s close to La Brea where there are more galleries to explore.
Vermont Ave and Hillhurst Ave in Los Feliz - Lots of good shopping (BellJar and Skylight Books) and restaurants (All Time). There’s also a great movie theater, the Los Feliz 3.
The Arts District - An industrial part of town where warehouses have been converted into galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bookstores. For me, the gallery Hauser & Wirth and Dover Street Market are two of the biggest draws. One of the more walkable pockets of the city with special places to check out, though it’s a pain to get there if you’re not already on that side of town.
Kimpton La Peer Hotel - I used to work at a coffee shop next door but since it got really loud, I ended up doing a lot of work in the lobby of this hotel. It’s on Melrose in a slightly quieter pocket but still close to all the action. It’s a nice hotel if your parents are coming to visit.
where to eat
I love that, in LA, you can get really good food in a place with an unfussy ambience. Even at a nice restaurant, by and large, there’s very much a come-as-you-are spirit.
Angelini Osteria - Very classic Italian. Nothing over the top, nice and traditional. It has a family-run, elegant vibe.
All Time - One of my faves. It takes farm-to-table to another level in terms of the freshness of the ingredients and how the restaurant modifies the menu based on what’s in season. The ambiance is homey. It almost feels like you’re at a dinner party with the staff – who are all really hot, by the way. There’s warm lighting, a nice din in the background, and a liveliness to eating there that’s a lot of fun. Very infrequently do you go and not see a famous person, but it’s not overly scene-y.
République - Most people know it for dinner. Their dinner is quite good but it’s unfathomably expensive. I find their brunch more consistent quality-wise and so significantly cheaper. I think people are sleeping on République for brunch.
Mazal - The most pillowy pita and yummy spreads. It’s vegetarian. I’m not vegetarian, but I’ve never noticed or cared.
Tsubaki - Really, really good Japanese food – not sushi. Interesting flavors, elevated, and refined.
Loreto - A relatively new seafood spot with a really fun, vibey atmosphere (but not in an off-putting way). Some of the more unique spicy tuna on crispy rice I’ve had.
Jinpachi - I love Jinpachi for sushi. It’s just high-quality fish on high-quality rice. It’s also such a cozy spot – pretty compact with exposed brick walls.
Blair’s – A new fave in Silver Lake with really yummy pasta that comes in bigger portions than it needs to – and I mean that as a compliment. Low-lit, elegant, and casual.
where to drink
Bar Next Door - A cocktail bar in West Hollywood with great drinks and really bad acoustics.
Café Stella - Evidently Café Stella also has food, but I know it as a bar. Can get pretty packed, but it’s a fun vibe in Silver Lake.
Melody Wine Bar - In East Hollywood. One of my favorite places in the city, featuring a rotating cast of restaurant pop-ups.
Tilda - Another lovely wine bar, this one’s in Echo Park next to a solid Italian restaurant called Bacetti.
where to shop
+COOP - Another great home goods store on Beverly Boulevard.
Book Soup - If you aren’t going to Chevalier’s in Larchmont or Skylight in Los Feliz, check out this indie bookstore in West Hollywood.
OK - In Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and Silverlake. Beautiful home goods, accessories, books, and jewelry. I saw Heidi Klum there once, which was a dream come true.
Mohawk General Store - In Silverlake. Separate women’s and men’s boutiques, though I shop in both.
The Platform - In Culver City. Nice outdoor mall with boutiques you won’t find elsewhere in the city.
what to do
Beachwood Canyon to Hollywood Sign Hike - I’ve only been on one hike since I skinned my knee on a downhill and ended up in the Cedars Sinai emergency room. But my favorite hike is up through Beachwood Canyon to the Hollywood Sign. It’s more like a walk on an incline. Slightly touristy but not overrun. You can come down the way you came or through the streets of Beachwood Canyon, where there are pretty houses. You can also take the same trail to the Griffith Observatory.
Point Dume - Gorgeous. We love her. If you want to go to the beach, go to Malibu. I don’t love going to the beach but that’s just my damage.
LACMA - Probably the most well-known art museum in the city, and rightly so. It has a vast collection and solid exhibitions.
The Getty Center - In West LA. Great exhibitions from a variety of periods. I’ve loved the Cy Twombly and Tim Walker shows in particular.
The Broad - Preeminent contemporary art museum. The permanent collection is fantastic and has all the hits.
MOCA - Next door to the Broad. With the museums, don’t just go to the museum because it’s the museum you’re supposed to go to. Look ahead of time for what exhibits are up.
what to do - galleries
My favorite pastime is visiting galleries. There’s no shortage of art to see in LA, and it’s nice to go to a smaller gallery when you don’t feel like going to a whole museum. I had been to LACMA so many times and decided I wanted to experience life outside of it. Some of my favorite galleries are below, but you should always check to see what shows are up ahead of time.
any other tips?
I think you need at least a week in LA to appreciate all the neighborhoods. You can do it directionally, like going from West to East or East to West. Rent a car, or know that you’re going to spend time in a car to go between neighborhoods. It’s worth it. But take time to walk around, too. I might have recommended a place that you don’t end up liking, but the store next door might be a favorite. And I’ll still take credit for flagging that area for you.
Finally, when you’re traveling, talk to people. When you go to a gallery, talk to whoever’s working and ask them what other shows are up that they’re excited about. When you’re in a shop, talk to the shopkeeper and sales associates to see where else they love.
XX Thank You Adam!
