In honor of March being Women’s History Month, we thought it appropriate to raise a glass to Fanny’s, the signature restaurant and café of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, named for the original "Funny Girl" Fanny Brice.
Born Fania Borach in 1891, Brice was a prolific comedian, vaudeville star, illustrated song model, singer, and theater and film actor.
“Fanny began her show business career in her teens, and was known for her special brand of humor, charisma, and tireless work,” said her grand daughter and philanthropist, Wendy Stark. “Defying all expectations, she became one of her era’s most prolific entertainers, defining herself, for herself. She was the first woman to star in a sound motion picture and paved a path for countless others.”
Brice was posthumously inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame with two stars and famously portrayed by Barbra Streisand in the 1964 Broadway musical "Funny Girl," the 1968 movie of the same name, and its 1975 sequel Funny Lady. All three were produced by Brice’s son-in-law, Ray Stark (Wendy’s late father).
Juxtaposing the futuristic architecture of the Renzo Piano-designed main Museum building, to which it connects, Fanny’s incorporates warm natural materials: maple wall paneling, marble, zinc, and leather and mohair upholstery, perfecting the power lunch experience with a bank of booths that run through the center of the room. A specially commissioned wraparound mural by L.A.-based Greek artist Konstantin Kakanias celebrates film and music legends from classical Hollywood to present day. One wall of Fanny’s is dedicated to fascinating family photos from Stark’s collection, showing Fanny Brice growing up, her family, and places they lived. Another displays hand-drawn sketches of colorful costumes that were presented to Barbra Streisand for her role in "Funny Girl."
By day Fanny’s Café and Bar is a casual eatery and coffee pitstop for visitors to the museum; the menu includes quick-serve small plates and prepared food options including an exceptional selection of pastries, ultra-fresh salads, its chicken club sandwich, salmon crudo, and vegan beetroot tartine.
By night, Fanny’s Restaurant is an old-school, elegant dinner spot replete with reservations, captain-based service, and valet parking. the food is decidedly more formal, with luxuriant offerings like a 12-ounce dry-aged New York strip, the table side ceasar salad and citrus crème brûlée. A DJ adds ambiance and a nice contemporary twist to Fanny’s sense of tradition and Hollywood heritage.
The impressive movie-themed cocktail menu is the work of acclaimed mixologist Julian Cox. It includes imaginative creations like the Easy Rider (Fords Gin, kumquat, lime, almond), All About Eve (Lo-Fi aperitif, red plum lime, shiso granita), Black Panther (blackcurrant, Avua cachaça, whey, Byrrh, seasonal spices/fruit, Meyer lemon “air”), and what it boldly dubs the “World’s Best Martini.”
Fanny's Restaurant & Cafe
6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles 90036
(323) 930-3080
www.fannysla.com
