FOUND LA

FOUND LA

High tea

Berenjak, Dunsmoor, best afternoon tea spots, Hayato, Healdsburg real estate, Marc Maron, The Royal Lahaina, MORE

Jan 22, 2026
∙ Paid

RESTAURANTS • First Word

Enchanted garden

The Skinny: Each location of Berenjak comes with a name and enigmatic theme, usually something sonorous and cryptic, like a poem written by a sphinx. The theme at Berenjak’s ninth outpost — and first in the US open to the public — is “A Persian Garden in the Arts District.” Some might call it a gimmick, but (gimmick or not), it works. Since opening Berenjak in 2018, chef-founder Kian Samyani has expanded his London hole-in-the-wall Persian restaurant into a global mini-empire, with outposts in Dubai, Qatar, and Brooklyn (although that last one’s reserved for Soho House members). Dua Lipa calls Berenjak one of her favorite restaurants, and (do with this what you will) it’s not difficult to imagine why.

The Vibe: Located inside Soho Warehouse and designed to emulate King Cyrus the Great’s famous royal gardens at Pasagadae, the indoor-outdoor space is among Los Angeles’ most enchanting. Handsomely pruned trees sprout between tables, acting like privacy curtains. Lamps and candles provide light and warmth — even bathrooms are stylishly lit — and the servingware feels hand-picked and deliberate. It’s as close to the ancient world as one can find in the Arts District, and despite its worldwide footprint, Berenjak comes across as an intimate, special experience, rather than carbon-copied. Strategy, or compromise, is required when booking reservations.

The Food: Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian population outside the country, and accordingly, palates here expect a high standard of Persian food. In a landscape that includes Taste of Tehran and Azizam, Berenjak carves out a niche for a sophisticated, upscale rendition of the cuisine. Any combination of dishes will feel like a feast, but all should include sangak, the sesame seed-spotted pouf of flatbread, alongside juicy kababs. Glistening boneless chicken kababs arrive marinated in saffron, lemon, and tomato. The tikkeh masti kebab made with beef fillet is a winner, too.

The Drinks: Lovely options are available for both drinkers and teetotalers alike. The black lime sharbat is a tart, funky iteration of traditional Persian soda, where dehydrated citrus meets seltzer and fresh mint. Wines hail from Greece, Armenia, Georgia, and Lebanon. The cocktail list is a grand time, an eclectic arrangement including a highball graced with jasmine, a sparkling watermelon shampine that mixes unfermented grape juice with vodka and rose petal tea, and a delightfully floral Earl Grey martini.

The Verdict: Berenjak is a well-oiled machine: scalable and adaptable to any market, while retaining a strong sense of self. It’s clear that the Berenjak team did their homework before opening in LA, and it’s easy to relax in such capable, confident hands. –Kat Hong

→ Berenjak (Arts District) • 1010 S Santa Fe Ave • Tue-Sat 530-11p • Reserve.

Nothing carbon copied here. Upgrade to paid for the full FOUND experience.


LA RESTAURANT LINKS: Plot twist(s): The Original Saugus Café, oldest restaurant in LA County, is back open under new management, and previous owner is suing • Grand Central Market’s legendary Roast to Go quietly shutters as owner retires • Socalo to close after service on 02/14 • Cult Taiwanese bagel chain Miopane opens in Pasadena • Little Room, fresh cocktail concept in West Adams, opened last week.


WORK • Thursday Routine

High life

SAM GRAVES • wine director • Dunsmoor
Neighborhood you work:
Glassell Park
Neighborhood you live in: Cypress Park

It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Well, I work in a restaurant, so my mornings start at home. I’ve been making matcha recently and I’m loving it. It’s my closest thing to meditation, a whole two minutes. Despite the recent matcha endeavor, I am a coffee lover at heart. I like to get out of the house as soon as possible, so I’ll walk to Loquat for a cappuccino.

I head into work around noon, and the kitchen is already in full swing. Dunsmoor has no electronics in the kitchen (blenders, mixers, etc.), so it’s peaceful — most kitchens are louder. I normally have tastings, emails, and admin until we sit down for family meal at 4p.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
There are WAY too many places I love to list here (honorable mentions: Golden Deli, Hama Sushi, Ruen Pair, Musso’s for the chicken parm…) but Lanzhou Beef Noodle in Arcadia is always one of my first and favorite meals when I come back into LA. If you want to experience something totally and utterly insane, go to Hayato. I don’t even know how to talk about it (kind of like explaining a dream?), but it’s absolutely worth it.

How about a little leisure or culture?
I love jazz — I’m still missing ETA in Highland Park (shoutout Jeff Parker & Friends) — but I’m so excited for the Blue Note and The Blue Whale V2! Also, I love the Hollywood Farmers’ Market: the amazing farms, the people watching, the crowds. It’s one of those few places in LA where you really remember that you live in a huge city full of people who care.

Any weekend getaways?
Two Bunch Palms, full stop. Once Al Capone’s hideaway, it was one of the first wellness resorts in the world (started in the ‘20s…) and it’s quite literally perfect. In order to relax, I sometimes need to go somewhere where there is actually NOTHING to do besides soak and eat and nap.


REAL ESTATE • First Mover

Three properties that came to market in Healdsburg in the last 30 days.

→ 511 Hidden Acres Rd (Healdsburg, above) • 3BR/4BA, 2003 SF • Ask: $4.95M • new construction on private half-acre • Days on market: 15 • Agent: Kellie Larson, Luxe Places International.

→ 991 Grove St (Healdsburg) • 5BR/4.1BA, 5629 SF • Ask: $5.7M • two-level 2021 build w/ ADU • Days on market: 6 • Agent: Sheri Morgensen, Sotheby’s.

→ 9110 Chalk Hill Rd (Healdsburg) • 6BR/5.1BA, 5132 SF • Ask: $6.495M • gated estate w/ Mt. St. Helena • Days on market: 19 • Agent: Brooklyn Nordby, Sotheby’s.


WORK & PLAY LINKS: LA sees 16% drop in film and TV shoot days compared to 2024 • The LA landlord who selects tenants based on their astrological signs • Richard Neutra’s Sale House lists for $5.3M • Out: Corner offices • In: ‘choiceful’ consumers • Success and chaos on TikTok Shop • The Row as a reference point • The inevitability of a $1 million SUV • Your clothes are always sending a message.


CULTURE & LEISURE • In Season

  • Monster Rally • The Lodge Room (Highland Park) • Thu @ 8p • GA, $28

  • Northwestern Wildcats at UCLA Bruins • Pauley Pavilion (Westwood) • Sat @ 3p • Sec 125, Row 11 $104 per ($13 lowest avail)

  • Marc Maron – Stand-Up Show • Largo at the Coronet (Mid-Wilshire)• Sun @ 7:30p • GA, $50 per


GETAWAYS • Hawaii

Royal treatment

I liked The Royal Lahaina when I arrived; by the time I left, I was in love. The hotel is the second oldest on the Ka’anapali Coast of Maui, built in the ’60s. While it still retains the vintage charm of that era, the hotel recently underwent updates and renovations throughout the property.

I stayed in one of the oceanfront bungalows. The little time I spent in my room, I spent on my lanai. Every morning, still in pajamas, I’d walk barefoot onto the lawn and down to the beach. For those four days, I became a firm believer in grounding.

Aside from their 127 bungalows, the main tower holds traditional hotel rooms. I was able to take a peek at one of their two-bedroom suites on the 12th floor, and the view onto the ocean from the rounded balconies was breathtaking.

I particularly enjoyed dining at their new restaurant, Lahaina Noon, helmed by local chef Vanessa Castillo. I ate all three meals there, and every dish was one I’d order again. Beyond the food’s appeal is the setting: the restaurant seamlessly flows from indoors to out, with direct views of the pool and ocean. The two pools, comically close to one another, are surrounded by ’60’s-inspired bright yellow umbrellas and cabanas.

During the Lahaina fires in 2023, the hotel closed to take in the people of Maui. Upon reopening, they debuted Branches, an outdoor music venue where wicker lanterns hang from a massive ficus tree and local musicians have a new place to share their craft. In addition, the resort offers a collection of weekly cultural options like Hawaiian language classes and lei making. I also helped plant trees with Treecovery, a local nonprofit the hotel partners with to help replace trees for homeowners who lost theirs in the fires.

A new spa debuted this summer. I received my treatment in an open-aired room that looked like it was meant to be a bridal suite. Even so, the massage was noteworthy. The masseuse used techniques from Lomi Lomi (a traditional Hawaiian massage), hot stones, and Swedish, along with aromatherapy oils of my choosing.

The Royal Lahaina is unpretentious, but full of beauty. Once you’re there, it’s hard not to get it. –Dyana Lederman

→ The Royal Lahaina (Maui) • 2780 Kekaa Dr • Bungalow rooms from $460/night.

Unpretentious, but full of beauty.


GETAWAYS LINKS: Jean-Charles Boisset shutters Napa, Yountville tasting rooms • With Yosemite ditching reservations for firefall, will it be a mess? • Brightline West now targeting late 2029 opening.


ASK FOUND

Three PROMPTS for which we seek your immediate attention:

  • Which new restaurant opening are you most excited about?

  • What gym are you joining this month (or returning to)?

  • Where are you booking a ski trip this winter?

Hit reply or email found@itsfoundla.com with more answers or questions.


RESTAURANTS • The Nines

Afternoon tea

  • The Maybourne Beverly Hills (Beverly Hills), elegant trays of pastries served amid greenery in European-inspired terrace tea room

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