City Guide: Los Angeles
In the 1960s, architecture critic Reyner Banham described the city of Los Angeles as a scrambled egg — everything mixed together and spread out over its landscape. Earlier this fall, some of the FRAMA team got to spend time in the city and get to know this organization firsthand: still mixed together and spread out; with new spaces redefining California design on the one hand, and historic preservations that show a reverence for West Coast design history on the other.
Shaped by its famous sprawl and its famous inhabitants, the city can come across as scripted at first glance. On a practical level, for example, getting between destinations can require advance planning more so than in other cities similar to it. But taken as an important part of the city itself, this transit between stops becomes an experience in its own right.
As we settled into the California city this fall, a new landscape came into view; with essential time for reflection as we travelled from one place to the next.
1. Eat & Drink
An infamous American restaurant in Hollywood that has had the same red booths and cold martinis since 1919.
Bub & Grandma’s
Bub & Grandma’s (mostly known as just Bub’s) is a breakfast and lunch restaurant in northeast Los Angeles that also sells its baked goods to restaurants around the city — and to farmer’s markets, in case taking some home becomes a necessity.
Canyon Coffee
A corner coffee shop in Echo Park that is so beloved we heard it referred to as “Club Canyon.” And we can see why — run by couple Ally and Casey, their light wood-panneled and sun-soaked space is simple but warm, and always filled with the sounds of a record playing from their in-house collection.
Courage Bagels
Another community favorite, this time between East Hollywood and Silver Lake and open since 2020, serving wild-fermented bagels that have added a new character to the competition surrounding bagels between New York and Montreal (Courage Bagels are closer to the smaller, sweeter Montreal variety).
The Capri
Red-sauce Italian in a warm, inviting room with great cocktails and no pretense.
Seco
A cafe by day and wine bar by night that feels as though it’s part of a new guard of LA dining — fresh, light, and bringing California Cuisine into the contemporary.
El Prado
A dimly-lit, unpretentious wine bar that is an industry favorite. Known for their vinyl selection and hot dogs in addition to a great wine list.
Café Triste
A warm, instant-classic wine bar — but serving substantial, home-cooking inspired plates.
Sunset Tower Bar
Go for drinks only in the storied, stunning hotel space.
Chateau Marmont
Still a must-visit bar in a setting unto itself, where you will undoubtedly be joined by someone recognizable from a bigger screen.
Stir Crazy
A fairly new restaurant that led a reviewer to ask, “aren’t tiny restaurants the best restaurants?” Both the food and wine programs are ingredient-led and committed to sustainability, which results in there always being something new and exciting to taste.
Maru Coffee
Now with several locations, Maru coffee offers locally roasted coffees and teas that appeal to purists in both their menu offerings and their beautifully-designed, minimal interiors.
Cookbook
A dream grocery store at a small scale, with three locations to date.
Sqirl
Sqirl is a vibrant bakery, featuring house-made jams, signature brioche toasts, and seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
2. Shop & View
Seventh House
This gallery is housed in a building designed by Frank Gehry, and their selection of vintage and contemporary furniture is truly inspiring.
Galerie Half
Somehow connected to Seventh House (same owners I believe), but a great place to see furniture, and really nice interior design.
Tortoise General Store
Great place to buy Japanese home goods. They also put on great exhibitions, and produce their own furniture and objects. The owners are amazing people.
Rose Bowl Flee Market
(1 Sunday per month)
Moth Food
By appointment only. The owner has an amazing selection of vintage garments.
The Good Liver
Aptly named shop with a beautiful, simple selection of home goods.
3. See & Do
Hollyhock House
An inspiring house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and LA’s first UNESCO Heritage Site. Preserved in Barnsdall Art Park, the house is famous for its open-plan design, integration with nature, and use of concrete, stone, and wood — filled with unbelievable detailing and custom designs, and even a lock to the main entrance designed by Rudolph Schindler.
Gamble House
Full of handcrafted woodwork, intricate joinery, and textbook examples of the Arts and Crafts movement.
Schindler House
Architect Rudolph Schindler’s work has been an important inspiration for the FRAMA team, and his own house (built in 1922) is worth a visit. Straight-forward solutions, simple materials, and the balance between indoor/outdoor and work/life continue to feel relevant today.
Eames House
The Eames Case Study House #8 is a non-negotiable visit. Although visitors aren’t allowed to tour the interior of the home, the large windows allow you to study the details from outside. The house was built on a tight budget, so the material choices and design solutions had to be creative — the design balances industrial materials with a warm, livable interior, and integrates beautifully into the natural landscape of the property.
Vista Theatre
The historic Vista Theatre was bought by Quentin Tarantino in 2021, and is currently only showing 35mm films. Everything has been preserved — from the candy store to the architecture — and is so thoughtfully done that there may be no going back to modern cinema-going after a visit.
Hollywood Farmers
One of many incredible farmer’s markets throughout the city, with the most flavorful California produce straight from the farms.
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