Summer residence
Marthas X Sushi | Bar, Loreto pop-up, Mt. Washington listings, Dunsmoor burger, Rosso di Montalcino, best power breakfast, MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Word
Counter service
The Skinny: Famed omakase Sushi | Bar has taken up residence in the most unlikely and delightful space, Hermosa Beach’s brunch spot Martha’s. A (raw) fish out of water in this beach town, the pop-up was welcomed with open arms, and responded by extending its planned summer stay through September.
The Vibe: Martha’s breakfast counter is transformed into an intimate 12-person omakase bar. Lights are dimmed to a mood-setting low, and a sign made to look like a green chalkboard lists the meal’s 16 courses. Ignore the linens thrown over the kitchen where short-order cooks shout in daylight, and focus on chef Francis Arguilla and team, who provide intricate details of the sushi’s preparation and sourcing of its ingredients.
The Food: The journey begins with a bluefin tuna tartar in a crunchy seaweed shell, followed by 15 pieces of nigiri. Not one disappoints. The chefs pack a variety of flavors into each bite using ingredients to enhance the fish’s taste as well as add texture. There is a focus on sustainably sourced fish, mostly from Japan, some from New Zealand. Hamachi with black garlic jam, lime, and cilantro exemplifies the chef’s ability to balance flavors, and a wagyu nigiri with walnut béarnaise shows the out-of-the-box thinking that somehow works. The meal finishes with a banana ice cream topped with a rice pudding foam.
The Drink: Sake pairings are available for an additional $95 (signature) or $165 (exclusive), featuring sakes curated from throughout Japan. The wine pairing, priced at $125 per, focuses primarily on French wines, and à la carte options are also available. There’s also bubbly, non-alcoholic sparkling tea, created by the former sommelier at Noma in Copenhagen. Comprised of jasmine tea and Darjeeling, it’s just the right amount of sweet to complement the meal without overpowering it.
FOUND Pro: Reservations open a month in advance.
The Verdict: Locals are familiar with Martha’s, but it’s worth the trek from all corners of LA. Try it now, or keep your fingers crossed that the hospitality group opens a brick-and-mortar in the area (as management is currently on the lookout for a space). –Dyana Lederman
→ Marthas X Sushi | Bar (Hermosa Beach) • 25 22nd St • Wed-Sun, seatings at 530p & 745p • $195 per • Reserve.
RESTAURANTS • Intel
SEAFOOD SUMMER: Frogtown’s Loreto is bringing its mariscos and cocktails to a summer-long weekend pop-up to the Calabra Terrace and Lounge at Santa Monica’s Proper Hotel. The pop-up kicked off last weekend and runs through September 1 with offerings including crudos, ceviches/aguachiles, tostadas, and a seafood tower. Thu-Sun, 11a-6p, Reserve.
LA RESTAURANT LINKS: After 16-year run, Brentwood outpost of A.O.C. set to close 08/01 • Aperitivo bar Bar Bacetti opening in former Tilda space in Echo Park • In Santa Monica, Diner Antonette opens in former Ingo’s space • The pizza-flavored cocktail remains elusive.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
Three properties for sale in Mt. Washington that have come to market in the past 30 days.
→ 633 Sunnyhill Dr (Mt. Washington) • 4BR/3BA, 2161 SF • Ask: $2.19M • Mediterranean-style residence with sweeping views • Annual taxes: NA • Days on market: 28 • Agent: Craig Martin, Pinnacle Estate Properties.
→ 1407 Randall Ct (Mt. Washington, above) • 3BR/2BA, 1823 SF • Ask: $2.2M • 1964 residence with fireplace, plus cedar hot tub with mountain views • Annual taxes: $10,260 • Days on market: 22 • Agent: Adam Pergament, Keller Williams.
→ 732 Crane Blvd (Mt. Washington) • 5BR/5.1BA, 3980 SF • Ask: $5.58M • 1.3 acre hilltop compound with main house, studio, and guest house • Annual taxes: $11,689 • Days on market: 22 • Agent: Michael Robleto, Compass.
WORK & PLAY LINKS: SoCal home prices dipped in May • How Wall St hedge funds are gambling millions on Eaton fire insurance claims • Tinder co-founder buys Walk of Fame property in Hollywood • Storied movie studio Occidental Studios hits market for $45M • Forthcoming jazz club Blue Note LA reveals opening calendar • Inside a Laurel Canyon green (like the color!) house.
CULTURE & LEISURE • Hit ’em High
The Weeknd • SoFi Stadium (Inglewood) • tonight @ 7p • Section C116, $274 per
Lake Street Dive • Great Park Live (Irvine) • Fri @ 7p • Pit, $112 per
Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr – Ramirez vs Dorticos • Honda Center (Anaheim) • Sat @ 12p • Section 210, $123 per
WORK • Thursday Routine
Good hair day
MARA ROSZAK • founder & CEO • RŌZ
Neighborhood you work in: Silver Lake
Neighborhood you live in: La Cañada Flintridge
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Usually, I’ll take a couple of calls from home in the morning, then come into the office where the team is sitting around a table, going over marketing calendars and ideas for upcoming activations.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I had a marketing call and dove into product development — we’re refining marketing ideas for our summer and fall product launches. Later, I’ll be styling a client doing an on-camera interview for press on an upcoming film, followed by a flight to NY for an investor presentation.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I try to have a weekly night out, although I had a baby three months ago, and it’s been harder to carve out the time. But when I do, there are so many amazing restaurants on the East Side of LA. The other night I went to Dunsmoor, and they have a burger that’s served at the bar only — my girlfriends and I got the last three. Other go-tos for me are Saffy’s and All Time, where the pastries are to die for.
How about a little leisure or culture?
We live in an amazing hiking area, so we take lots of walks and hikes in the hills nearby. Descanso Gardens is right near our home and really beautiful to walk through, especially this time of year.
What story or service do you always recommend?
I am a huge fan of Mohawk General Store and Ozma for great simple quality clothes.
Where are you donating your time or money?
We just launched the RŌZ Foundation Fund, partnering with Paul Mitchell the School at Costa Mesa to provide scholarships for Cosmetology students. This is something I’m super excited and passionate about, as I went to cosmetology school myself and know how far a little support can go. We’re providing funding as well as a mentorship opportunity with myself so I can help guide students along the way before graduation.
GETAWAYS LINKS: Checking into the remade Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe at Northstar • SF rocker fave Phoenix Hotel to shutter in Dec • On the Big Island, Fairmont Orchid gets a makeover • On vacation in France, finding pleasure in the good-enough.
GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Bottle
Baby face
Brunello di Montalcino has long been regarded as one of Italy’s great reds, though for many, these powerhouse bottles don’t always make for daily drinking. A more approachable, easy-drinking solution can be found in the area’s more youthful expression, Rosso di Montalcino. Think of it like Brunello’s little brother, a bit more fun and playful in spirit.
The great thing about Rosso di Montalcino is that nearly every great Brunello estate makes one, including Caprili, one of the region’s OG estates. I popped the cork on this bottle last week while enjoying a pasta night at home with friends, and like the rigatoni pomodoro on our plates, the wine overdelivered. Sangiovese, the grape used to produce Rosso di Montalcino, is a staple for pairing with red sauce, as the bright acidity and savory undertones found in the wine perfectly complement the sauce’s zestiness and earthy flavors.
Punchy and juicy, the wine’s medium-bodied palate offered ample notes of cherry and earth, with a hint of pleasant leathery undertones. The Caprili estate is situated in the village of Tavernelle, one of the warmer areas in the Montalcino appellation, and comprises 21 hectares of organically farmed vines. In the winery, the estate maintains a more traditional approach to vinification: long macerations and aging times, with emphasis on structure, well-integrated tannins, and refreshing acidity. I planned on having only one glass, but ended up somewhere closer to three. Hey, that’s what dinners with friends are all about, right? –Vicki Denig
Grape: Sangiovese • Region: Tuscany • Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation and 3 weeks maceration in steel followed by aging for 9 months in large Slavonian oak barrels • Tasting notes: Juicy and bright with notes of ripe cherry, damp earth, and a kiss of used leather.
→ Shop: Caprilli Rosso di Montalcino • Wine.com ($31.99) • Wine Transit ($25.99).
Additional bottle recommendations:
→ Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Rosso di Montalcino 2023 • Morton Williams Wine & Spirits ($27.99) • Wine.com ($29.99).
→ Il Paradiso di Manfredi Rosso di Montalcino • Crush Wine & Spirits ($54.95) • Somm Cellars ($54.95).
RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Power breakfast
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Chateau Marmont (West Hollywood), see and be seen over eggs any style, reserve