The new year kicked off with buzzy openings in Los Angeles.
And there are many more anticipated in coming months. The city awaits the return of Somni, Aitor Zabala’s Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurant, and the unveiling of Jônt, the Washington, D.C., favorite (with two Michelin stars). There’s Maydan Market, Rose Previte’s culinary destination, also coming from D.C., and Scarr’s Pizza, the popular New York City slice shop. Stella, Janet Zuccarini (of Felix fame) and Rob Gentile’s Italian eatery, is expected to take over the original Madeo space, and Daniel Boulud will make his West Coast debut with Café Boulud — to name a few.
Just coming on two months into 2024 has already brought some noteworthy hot spots. Here are the standouts:
Cipriani Beverly Hills
It was in Venice, Italy, in 1931 that Giuseppe Cipriani opened Harry’s Bar, attracting an impressive list of regulars who reportedly included Ernest Hemingway, Katherine Hepburn, Orson Welles and Charlie Chaplin. His son Arrigo Cipriani, now in his 90s, continued running the business and expanded its hospitality ventures. And it’s Arrigo’s son, the younger Giuseppe, who manages the string of operations today. The name has turned into a brand with locations globally in food and nightlife, notably opening in New York City with Cipriani in 1985. For the first time, the hot spot has come West.
“We found a wonderful property in the heart of Beverly Hills, and the timing was perfect,” Maggio Cipriani, fourth generation of the Italian family — who assists in the day-to-day operations — says of the new location. The 7,000-square-foot of space on North Camden Drive has been two years in the making.
Signatures: Harry’s Bar classics like the $31 carpaccio alla Cipriani (beef carpaccio), which was invented by Giuseppe Cipriani himself as we know it today; $36 baked tagliolini with ham; the $19 vanilla meringue cake for dessert, and the $19 Bellini to drink, also a Giuseppe original, created in 1948 using white peaches and Prosecco.
The setting: As envisioned by Florentine architect Michele Bönan, responsible for most Cipriani restaurants, the interior showcases glossy woods, terrazzo floors and Murano chandeliers. “The jazz cafe, that will open on top of the restaurant in the spring and will also be available for private events, is by Carlos Almada,” reveals Maggio. “It has an elegant, relaxed Old Hollywood vibe.”
362 N Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 866-5060
Mars
There’s a somewhat hidden spot behind Mother Wolf, Evan Funke’s popular ode to Roman cuisine. If you know, you know: Mars is a cocktail lounge accessed through an outdoor side entrance or — more swiftly — a back door inside the restaurant.
“Once guests who are dining at Mother Wolf are paying their check, they can inquire with their server about being escorted to Mars,” says Giancarlo Pagani, its co-owner and founder of Pagani Hospitality.
“We wanted to create an elevated lounge experience in Hollywood that caters to the guests traveling from all over Los Angeles to dine at Mother Wolf,” he adds of Mars, which had its grand opening late last month.
The table minimums during DJ programming start at $500 — but visitors are also free to grab a seat at the bar. Those looking to return as VIPs can inquire about Mars’ membership program, which offers priority bookings, invitations to exclusive events and access to rare spirits and wines. Members will have their own “spirits lockers,” inscribed with their monikers, and can bring, store and enjoy their own bottles from their personal collections.
Signature drink: The $22 Molino, a slightly dirty martini made with Haku vodka infused with seasoned olive oil. It’s currently the most in demand, says Pagani, among a cocktail program created by Steven LaFountain (who’s also behind the drinks at Horses).
Music: Expect a rotation of DJs playing a range of genres. “We’re featuring everything from house to disco to underground nights,” Pagani says. “We want Mars to be representative of what we think is missing in Hollywood’s Vinyl District, somewhere chic to bring a date and have a cocktail, where you can still let loose and dance.”
The setting: Lauren Borisoff of Borisoff Design Studio was tapped for the decor, inspired by a “Roman palace library,” according to Pagani, with walnut wood and marble details. The 2,000-square-foot space (with another 1,000 square feet of exterior) showcases custom furniture in red velvets, Italian chandeliers via Artemest, antique mirrors and various Roman-like accessories displayed on shelves, sourced from Etsy.
1545 Wilcox Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Guests can reserve online at www.marshollywood.com or email tables@marshollywood.com.
Norma
Alican Bayar is the man behind Norma, a spot he’s dreamed of opening since he was a kid, he says.
“Growing up, I loved the time I spent with my family in our living room and kitchen, cooking and eating amazing meals,” Bayar continues. “I have always had the desire to host friends and family at my home and cook for them. These were family traditions instilled in me, and I wanted to create a place that also represented these traditions.”
Raised in Istanbul, Bayar came to the U.S. at age 16. “I decided to invest in myself,” he says of the move. He studied restaurant management and business at UCLA before running Mama’s Secret Bakery and Cafe on West Third Street. Now comes Norma, a much bigger endeavor. “I felt like I was ready for this larger operation.”
Signatures: Courtesy of head chef Jason Fullilove (of Jason George Events), the $14 fried broccoli is a hit (made with caulini, broccolini, coconut aminos and tumie coco hot sauce), as is the $80 Australian wagyu strip loin (“it literally melts in your mouth”) and $38 dry aged sea bass. To drink, the favorites are the $20 Pornstar (Ketel One vodka, passionfruit syrup, lime juice, Tahitian vanilla syrup, with Prosecco on the side), $20 Surfer on Acid (St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Malibu Rum, pineapple juice) and $75 Eightballer (Don Julio 1942, Hennessy Cognac, Amaro Nonino, with an espresso side).
The setting: At 5,000 square feet, it’s inspired by Southern California culture of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, with warm tones and greenery throughout. Designer Erhan Sagir is behind the custom details, and Mikaela Seegers acted as concept developer. Toward the back, there’s a small lounge area and a private dining room seating 14. DJs play Thursdays through Saturdays, with bottle service available Fridays and Saturdays (when it’s open until 2 a.m.).
631 North La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 471-1700
Stay
It’s booze-free at Stay, the first non-alcoholic lounge in L.A.
Its opening was driven by the need for a welcoming space to enjoy a cocktail lounge atmosphere without alcohol, say owners Summer Phoenix and Stacey Mann.
Located in Chinatown, there are zero-proof cocktails, wine and beer — though you have to be 21 or over to enter due to the “true cocktail bar atmosphere.”
Signatures: Derek Brown of Mindful Mixology is behind the program, working with Nicholas Barberi, Marki Beth and Thomas Slovinski. They’ve created 12 specialty cocktails including The Tiger ($20), described as “lime, smoke and spice with a bite” (with a tequila alternative, lapsang souchong, pineapple juice, green tabasco and Tajin rim), The Snake ($24), which is “dry, savory, lemony,” (with Monday zero-alcohol gin, Roots Divino Aperitif Blanco, apple cider vinegar and blue cheese-stuffed olives) and The Dog ($20), “bitter hops, ginger and lemon” (with Best Day Brewing Hazy IPA, Everleaf Forest and lemongrass-ginger syrup). There is also coffee available and plant-based snacks by Kitchen Mouse.
The setting: Phoenix (of the acting family) and Mann, who have backgrounds in interior design and art direction, respectively, designed the 2,000-square-foot space. The furnishings are largely vintage finds, and the two maintained the original architecture of the Chinatown landmark, built in 1939 (formerly Hong Kong Café).
425 Gin Ling Way, Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.stayzeroproof.com
