Double fried
Firstborn in Chinatown, Palm Springs listings, Your Stylist Says, Encinitas getaway, plant-based friendly restaurants, MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Word
Hot hot heat
The Skinny: One of LA’s restaurants of the summer, Firstborn is a modern Chinese-American spot with innovative takes on classic dishes from chef/owner Anthony Wang (formerly of Destroyer, Auburn, and Ink). It opened in March right in the heart of Chinatown.
The Vibe: Luxurious and lively. In the long-vacant former Pok Pok space in Mandarin Plaza, the warm dining room is decked out in jade green tilework, curved wooden arches, rattan-backed chairs, and custom banquettes. While the room can sometimes get a little loud, service is polished and cool. The cozy, glowing, marble-topped bar and nearby nook/waiting room with primo ‘70s vibes are excellent places to wait for a table, or just pop in for a drink. There’s also outdoor seating in the plaza.
The Food: Chinese-American with a French accent, of the shareable dishes stripe, like homemade duck sausage wrapped in a delicate tofu skin, served in a light but savory onion brodo. Other favorites include charred BBQ cabbage (served with a leek vinaigrette) and umami-heavy, tender tofu dumplings — with artichokes, shiitake, and haricots vert — sort of a cross between gnudi and matzoh balls with big grandma comfort energy.
The standout dish on nearly every table is the fried Chongqing chicken that riffs on the Szechuan classic. Here, glamorously crispy double fried chicken pieces are tossed in a smoky housemade chile crisp infused with Sichuan spice and morita chiles, a brilliantly LA flavor combo. Exercise caution as the fried chicken can certainly be a messy experience, but it’s worth it.
The Drink: As inventive as the food. Bar director Kenzo Han (The Varnish, Steep) put together an impressive cocktail menu, with drinks like the herbaceous and bright house martini (made with a carrot eau de vie and celery oil), a paloma with Szechuan peppercorns, an old-fashioned with sesame oil, and a pu-erh tea and baiju negroni. There are highballs with hand-cut ice and elaborate nonalcoholic options like a lacto-fermented blueberry fizz and a hojicha orange milk punch.
FOUND Pro: Firstborn makes for a great dinner spot before a stop at a nearby bar like General Lee's, Cafe Tondo, or Café Triste down the block.
The Verdict: A work in progress since opening (RIP the mapo tofu tartare and the sweet and sour sweetbreads), Firstborn is now hitting its stride, with food that’s fun, smart, and most importantly, sensationally delicious. Bring a crew and order the whole menu. –Raphael Brion
→ Firstborn (Chinatown) • 978 N Broadway • Wed-Thu 5-930p, Fri-Sat 5-10p, Sun 5-9:30p • Reserve.
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LA RESTAURANT LINKS: Renovation at Anajak Thai uncovers relics ahead of reopening • Dan Tana, founder of eponymous L.A. restaurant, dead at 90 • Inside downtown’s Uncle Ollie’s Penthouse • The long, lazy, boozy lunch renaissance.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
Three properties for sale in Palm Springs that have come to market in the past 20 days, two back on the market following recent price reductions.
→ 1106 N Paseo Dero (Palm Springs, CA) • 4BR/3BA, 2234 SF • Ask: $2.65M (reduced from $2.79M) • Charles Dubois-designed midcentury house in Vista Las Palmas • Annual taxes: $20,867 • Days on market: 18 (and previous) • Agent: Bryan Boomershine, California Properties.
→ 2290 S Yosemite Dr (Palm Springs, above) • 3BR/3.1BA, 2848 SF • Ask: $3.495M (reduced from $3.649M) • former celeb residence adjacent to the 13th fairway in Indian Canyons • Annual taxes: $9578 • Days on market: 15 (and previous) • Agent: Jesse Huskey and David Whitworth, Compass.
→ 783 Rose Ave (Palm Springs) • 5BR/4BA, 3386 SF • Ask: $4.186M • classic renovated midcentury house in Vista Las Palmas, with furnishings • Annual taxes: $15,611 • Days on market: 12 • Agent: Louise Hampton, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
WORK & PLAY LINKS: In Venice Beach, VEJA opens first west coast storefront • Downtown skyscrapers could ease housing crisis • Malibu’s post-wildfire market ramps up • LA's underground clown scene is no joke • What to do when your work coffee shop bans work.
CULTURE & LEISURE • Band camp
Men I Trust • Greek Theatre (Los Feliz) • tonight @ 8p • sec A, $115 per
Japanese Breakfast • Greek Theatre (Los Feliz) • Fri @ 730p • GA Pit, $97 per
Dave Matthews Band • The Kia Forum (Inglewood) • Fri @ 730p • section L, $268 per
WORK • Thursday Routine
À la mode
ABBY ARAD • founder • Your Stylist Says
Neighborhood you work & live in: Hancock Park
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Thursdays start a little bit later for me. I try to squeeze in a workout first with Dan Adair at Campaign and then shower, change, and head down to my office (which is actually in my basement). We prep for fittings there and review samples of anything we’re working on for Your Stylist Says. Everyone on my team has a desk in there, so it’s a little cozy, but we also get so much done when we’re all together.
What’s on the agenda for today?
We’re reviewing samples for a new fall jacket we’re working on, and color swatches for a shirt we’re doing. We’re also reviewing sketches for a client’s Emmys look which is SO EXCITING! We also try to shoot a little content every day, whether it’s a TikTok or some outfit pics for the Substack. We have to keep the creative juices flowing!
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Etra is currently my absolute favorite. The vibe is unbeatable and the chicken is 10/10. During the day I like to stop by Telegrama, the coffee shop in the front, for a little pick-me-up if I have time.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I’m the biggest Dodgers fan, and — truly — my favorite way to spend an afternoon is at Dodger Stadium with my kids.
Any weekend getaways?
We’re heading to Del Mar in a few weeks. Just a day at the racetrack. It's a great beach town that’s far enough away that you feel like you really went somewhere.
What was your last great vacation?
Aspen! It’s a quick flight but be sure to take an early one before the winds kick up and it gets a little hairy. We stayed at Mollie — it’s so cute and right in town. We keep going back to Clark’s Oyster Bar because it’s just so good. And make sure to stop at Paradise Bakery for cookies and gelato. The shopping is also insane — I like Max for seasonal bests from Loewe, Tibi, and The Row.
What store or service do you always recommend?
The Grapevine Agency for hiring. Whether it’s for business or for your family, they nail it every time.
Where are you donating your time or money?
The LAFD because they are true heroes. And Children’s Hospital Los Angeles — also heroes!
GETAWAYS • Encinitas
From the gods
Atelier Manna, part of the small beach community of Leucadia in Encinitas, was opened in 2023 by chef Andrew Bachelier — formerly of Carlsbad’s Jeune et Jolie — and his wife and designer Larah. It’s an intimate, creative space, with an open kitchen and imaginative menu.
All the seating at Atelier Manna is outdoors, leaving the inside for the chefs. Guests are encouraged to pop inside and say hi. Local produce, beautiful ceramics, and well-loved cookbooks line the walls.
Menu options change weekly, but there are a few staples, including torrija French toast, a dreamy luxury, thick and rich. Turkish eggs are creamy, garlicky, and braced with a handful of fresh herbs. The coffee program, in partnership with Steady State Roasting, is strong, as is the inventive tonic menu.
FOUND Pro: The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but there’s an online waitlist and you can give them a call if you’re not sure about your timing. –Kelsey Jackson
→ Atelier Manna (Encinitas) • 1076 N Coast Hwy 101 • Wed-Fri 10a-3p, Sat-Sun 9a-2p • Book.
GETAWAYS LINKS: In Ojai, Hotel El Roblar debuts two chic restaurants • The scene at Thomas Keller’s new burger joint in Yountville • Explaining Vice Versa’s $250 Napa wine tasting • At airport libraries, books fly off the shelves • Alaska Airlines adding Starlink service next year.
ASK FOUND
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What’s your go-to LA spot for oysters?
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RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Plant-based friendly
The Nines are FOUND’s distilled lists of the best. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@itsfoundla.com. For the full archives, click here.
Kismet Rotisserie (multiple locations), plenty of vegan mezze-style sides like tahini-drenched cauliflower, citrusy carrots, and roasted beets with dill