R-23 Japanese Cuinse & Gallery
By Carole Dixon
For dineLA.com
January has been officially claimed as “arts month” in Los Angeles. While the Convention Center is holding court with the LA Art Show, the entire city will be showcasing exhibits and events. But where can you head for an inspiring cultural experience and great food in the city?
The Restaurant at The Getty Center seems to be garnering as much attention as the rare 20th Century paintings. With stunning panoramic views of the Santa Monica Mountains, having a meal here is actually listed in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.
Overseen by Executive Chef Helene Kennan, the menu focuses on California cuisine with local, organic ingredients and sustainable seafood. According to Chef Kennan, “It’s an integrated part of the museum experience. For twelve years we have been doing all farmers market driven, regional food. We have a wide berth with so many types of cuisines available to us. One week we might have a hamachi or sweet potato gnocchi. We also do great mussels in a chipotle sauce, cobb salad with cider dressing, rosemary scented pecans, and a free range chicken. It’s approachable fine dining.” Sunday brunch is a hot ticket and dinners are more adventurous with Texas wild boar or an interesting rabbit dish on the menu.
Kennan is also overseeing their sister property The Café at The Getty Villa in Malibu which not only has a stunning collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, but the cuisine is a result of her extensive research of epicurean writings. Kennan explains the “ancient food made modern” concept: “We found a recipe for a Roman burger where they cured their meats with fish sauce and used green peppercorns. We make it that way and then just change the topping seasonally. In winter its wild mushrooms and spinach. For summer it’s tomato and basil.” The Café has a Mediterranean feel with a Pacific Ocean view. Kennan and her team are also working on pairing wine selections with select pieces of art.
More bohemian Bergamot station in Santa Monica features more than 30 galleries and the Gallery Café. Owner Jeff Stuppler feels that they are clearly filling a void in the community, “One third of the business is actually coming from within (the complex) and the remainder from local and surrounding businesses.” Part of the appeal could be that everything is made from scratch. “We roast our own meats, make our own salad dressing, homemade soups. It’s an alternative setting and you wouldn’t expect to find this quality of food but with casual prices, everything is under $10.”
Well known for their mint lemonade (they serve 4-5 gallons a day), black bean and corn veggie burger melt, fresh mozzarella and tapenade sandwich, and Caesar taco salad, they are reeling in the Saturday crowds. “It’s a hang-out. People will just stop in for a glass of lemonade and a bite to eat,” says Stuppler.
The art displayed at Hal's Bar & Grill in Venice is the perfect neighborhood place for a trio of good American comfort food, a glass of wine and seeing what’s new with the famous local painters. Hal’s has been nurturing artists for 23 years and Executive Chef Manuel Mares has been behind the stove for the last 12 years.
Ed Mosses, Laddie John Dill, Michael Murphy — even Joni Mitchell — all have paintings gracing the walls. Co-owner Don Novak explains the connection, “We have an artist following with rotating art work and we attract a lot of locals. We get a fair amount of art tours that come through — and we support the Venice Art Walk each year — but it’s mostly word of mouth. Hal (Frederick, owner) watches the art. He picks it and makes recommendations, but we also have artists bringing stuff in to us.”
Another example of not messing with a good thing is the 15-year-old R-23, a Downtown sushi restaurant with Frank Gehry-designed chairs and an art gallery. The main dining room features paintings by Japanese artist Zhiho and the adjacent gallery, hallways and even bathrooms showcases assorted paintings from local artists.
Truly an original creation, the Dungeness crab salad with house dressing is the restaurant’s most popular dish according to General Manager Alex Huang. “We do not do dragon or rainbow rolls, and you’re not going to see mayonnaise paste on anything.”
For the past five years, an evening at The Disney Concert Hall is usually synonymous with dining at the adjacent and highly praised Patina. On Thursday’s evenings when MOCA is open late, patrons are walking down Grand to another long-standing staple, The Water Grill, while Kendall’s Brasserie takes care of the ravenous crowds when they pour out of The Music Center. The latest addition to the area is The Nokia Theatre which offers eight restaurants at L.A. Live to satisfy every palate.
For a full day of culture and a memorable dining spot where children are welcome, The Rose Garden Tea Room at The Huntington in Pasadena offers one of the best traditional English high teas to be found this side of the pond. Stroll the botanical gardens, gallery and peruse the rare “Treasures of the Library” collection including rare books and manuscripts such as Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and view featured art exhibits during your visit.
The latest development in West Hollywood is the former “riot Hyatt” on Sunset morphing into the Andaz hotel — the first North American high-end boutique hotel of the chain. The lobby-lounge area will support rotating art exhibits. A permanent installation by Jacob Hashimoto will grace the front entrance as you walk into the bar and restaurant titled RH (for Riot House). Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault, whose pedigree includes working with Guy Savoy and Alain Ducasse, whips up California-Mediterranean inspired cuisine in the open-air kitchen.
RH, Andaz West Hollywood, 8401 Sunset Blvd., 323.656.1234
Gallery Café at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., A3, Santa Monica, 310.828.4001
Getty Center/Restaurant, 1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, 310.440.6810
Getty Villa/Café, Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu
Hal's Bar & Grill, 1349 Abbot Kinney Blvd; Venice, 310.396.3105
Kendall’s Brasserie, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, 213.972.7322
Patina, 141 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, 213.972.3331
R-23, 923 E. 2nd St. (E. of Alameda), Los Angeles, 213.687.7178
Rose Garden Tea Room, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, 626.405.2100
The Water Grill, 544 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, 213.891.0900
