Radically alive
Cento Raw Bar, North of Montana listings, Divine Vintage, Seoul, OMA Natural Food, best international restaurant imports, MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Word
Raw energy
The Skinny: Just a few steps from his cult-favorite pasta bar, Chef Avner Levi just unveiled Cento Raw Bar, which already feels like the place to be. Where Cento Pasta Bar is all comfort, its younger sibling is sleek and stylish, a shimmering seafood spot designed to the hilt.
The Vibe: The interiors read oceanic hideaway: wavy plaster walls, a seafoam green bar, rose napkin folds, snail-shell high chairs, and handmade Ukrainian light fixtures that cast a moody, underwater glow. Designed by Brandon Miradi, every inch of the space makes for a theatrical experience — whether you’re in heels or sneakers, perched at a standing table or curled up on the bouclé couch.
The Food: The seafood tower (offered in two or three tiers) is the main event, layered with oysters, scallops, uni, crab, and prawns, all served on a modular glass sculpture custom-made for the restaurant. But the two best bites on the menu are the hamachi crudo with halved cherries and Thai basil, and the Peruvian scallops on the shell topped with coriander flowers and grapefruit supremes. There’s also cold squid ink pasta with uni, and a decadent lobster melt pressed with yellow cheese.
The Drink: Heavily biodynamic wines, cocktails that feel straight out of the ’90s, as well as NA darling Ghia served on shaved ice.
The Verdict: It’s walk-ins only, loud in the best way, and every corner is photo-ready: from the colorful plateware to the bathrooms, which might just out-Instagram the Paul Smith pink wall. Whether you come for the food, the crowd, or the vibe, Cento Raw Bar makes raw feel radically alive. –Victoire Loup
→ Cento Raw Bar (West Adams) • 4919 W Adams Blvd • Wed-Sun 5p-late • Walk-ins only.
Photo: Kort Havens
LA RESTAURANT LINKS: Evan Funke strikes again, opens Bar Avoja in former Mars space in Hollywood • NYC’s Superiority Burger popping up at Chi Spacca for lunch this Sunday • After 40-year run, Chin Chin closing WeHo location on 07/27 • A deep appreciation of the steak at Dunsmoor • Gen Z’s anti-bar tab ethos • White wine is back.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
Three properties in Santa Monica’s North of Montana neighborhood that have come to market in the past 30 days.
→ 369 23rd St (Santa Monica) • 4BR/4BA, 8690 SF • Ask: $7.25M • traditional 2-story residence, built 1936, with detached guest cottage, pool, and landscaped grounds • Annual taxes: $47,994 • Days on market: 3 • Agent: Elisabeth Halsted, Berkshire Hathaway.
→ 621 21st Pl (Santa Monica) • 4BR/5BA, 4420 SF • Ask: $8.495M • recently renovated traditional with 1BR/1BA guest house • Annual taxes: $54,014 • Days on market: 6 • Agent: Juliette Hohnen, Douglas Elliman.
→ 622 24th St (Santa Monica, above) • 6BR/5.1BA, 8350 SF • Ask: $13.495M • Bauhaus-style residence designed by architect Irving Tobocman, his only residential project in California • Annual taxes: $26,394 • Days on market: 23 • Agents: Cynthia Ambuehl and Luca Diamont, Christie’s.
WORK & PLAY LINKS: Rent climbing fastest in areas nearest Palisades and Eaton fires • How a Whittier Hills mansion became LA’s hottest club (and how the city shut it down) • Visiting artist Elliott Hundley in his kaleidoscopic Chinatown loft • Appreciating LA’s purple season • Every CEO is writing the same AI memo • Do you have Ozempic hair?
CULTURE & LEISURE • Blow That Horn
Leon Bridges • Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood Hills) • tonight @ 730p • GARDN7, $286 per
WWE Money In The Bank • Intuit Dome (Inglewood) • Sat @ 330p • Section C24, $524 per
Trombone Shorty • Greek Theater (Los Feliz) • Sun @ 630p • Section A center, $164 per
GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Shop
Divine calling
Like discovering a secret portal to another world, there’s something magical about Divine Vintage. With Kreation’s large patio next door pulling focus, you could easily walk by and miss it. But once you notice the forest green patio lined with bistro chairs, flagged by a bright pink “wine bar” sign, it’s suddenly in-your-face obvious. But maybe that’s because visiting this curated vintage-store-turned-wine-bar leaves a distinct and lasting impression.
Black-and-white marbled floors and a massive crystal chandelier shaped like a historic ship welcome you in. The clothing and jewelry are curated from the world travels of owner Jenny Rush (of Blue Plate Restaurant Group). Her partner and the shop’s wine director, Nick Dumergue, brings equally worldly experience in wine, from which he draws when selecting each bottle of wine, sake, and beer stocked in the shop. The two of them are reason alone to visit — they’re as welcoming as they are knowledgeable. (If the words “regenerative viticulture” make your eyes cross, just let Dumergue explain it to you.)
Visitors can order wines by the glass or sample a wine flight paired with cheese boards featuring truffle- and garlic-infused cheeses from World’s Best Cheese. Wine flows daily, starting at noon.
Stop by any night of the week and you may stumble upon a tarot and wine night on the back patio, or a pick-up party for the shop’s wine members. A sense of community is palpable, with wine club members returning monthly to collect their wines or have a glass on site. Membership includes two bottles monthly, chosen with a monthly theme in mind (one recent one: Zinfandel Renaissance). –Dyana Lederman
→ Divine Vintage (Santa Monica) • 1025 Montana Ave • Daily 12-8p.
WORK • Thursday Routine
In the weeds
YONDJÉ CHOI • CEO and founder • OMA Natural Food
Neighborhood you work & live in: Manhattan Beach
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Breakfast is ready — scrambled eggs and fruit, the usual. As I eat, I start thinking about which OMA seaweed soup with bone broth recipe to try next week. Our seaweed “cubes” are super versatile, and people always ask for new ways to enjoy them with extra protein or veggies with the bone broth. I’m brainstorming a fresh twist that’s still quick, comforting, and packed with nourishing ingredients.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Today's focus is our partnership with our favorite pilates and yoga club, to participate in a wellness event as we prepare the launch of our new flavor. We’re finalizing our postcard and sample to make it extra special!
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Tonight, I'm heading to Funke for a drink on its beautiful rooftop — they make Cognac-based cocktails that are surprisingly good — followed by dinner at Pizzeria Mozza. I'm obsessed with the pizza there, my end-of-week treat.
During weekends, I always do a workout at StudioMorph Pilates — honestly, the hardest and best I've ever done. I’ll go there with my girlfriends who are also addicted to this place. Another combo I like is to end my day with a yoga session at Open in Venice and dinner at RVR.
How about a little leisure or culture?
For the past few years, I've been attending Poetry in the Garden at The Getty. I just like to sit on the lawn and listen to the words flowing. I’m excited for the villa to reopen.
Any weekend getaways?
When I have time to visit my friend in Santa Barbara, we'll go for a little hike at Inspiration Point and grab a tea at Dart Coffee, where they have an amazing carrot tea (yes, you read that right). We’ll then have dinner at Barbareño — a farm-to-table restaurant with an extensive wine list (which makes me extra happy).
What was your last great vacation?
I just came back from Korea, where I was meeting with our seaweed suppliers. I ended up doing a temple stay in the Seoraksan Mountains — completely randomly, after meeting a monk (true story!).
My top 3 spots in Seoul:
ChaegBar: A hidden speakeasy where every cocktail is inspired by a book.
Dobu: An intimate chef’s table experience at a very affordable price. It’s my go-to every time I’m in town.
Teokkochi street food: My ultimate childhood snack, grilled rice cakes served by ajummas — crispy, chewy, spicy!
What store or service do you always recommend?
Den Mother wellness spa in Venice Beach. I absolutely love their little spa garden with the ritual foot bath, while sipping my favorite OMA seaweed soup.
GETAWAYS LINKS: Wine country report: A16 opens outpost in Healdsburg… as does seafood spot Bistro Lagniappe… Le Cheve spin-off Con Amor Botanas y Tequila coming to Napa • An off-grid home on 500 acres in Paso Robles • In Yucca Valley, live music venue/restaurant/bar Mojave Gold opens • The story behind the house in Mountainhead • Haggling for that European five-star hotel deal.
ASK FOUND
Today, one FOUND subscriber PROMPT for which we seek intel:
What’s your Restaurant of the Summer?
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RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Restaurants, international imports
The Nines are FOUND's distilled lists of LA’s best. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@itsfoundla.com. For the full archives, click here.
L’antica Pizzeria da Michele (Hollywood, Belmont Shores, Santa Barbara), via Naples, chewy-crusted pizzas, handmade pastas, “la bella figura” attitude, reserve