Flora Mirabilis face oil FLORA MIRABILIS PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
From a nonalcoholic bottle shop to an apothecary-infused new spa, the City of Angels’ latest offerings will keep you refreshed and inspired all year long.
Founder Jordan LaFragola offers facials at her dreamy home studio. FLORA MIRABILIS PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
GIDDYUP“The restaurants we cherish the most are always a mix of old and new,” says chef Liz Johnson of Horses, her new venture with chef Will Aghajanian in West Hollywood’s former Ye Coach & Horses space—most recently filled by The Pikey. The pair—who worked together at New York’s MIMI and Nashville’s The Catbird Seat—sought to create something festive while preserving the millwork and Spanish-style columns of the historic Hollywood hangout. (The authentic red booths are where Quentin Tarantino and Tim Roth met.) Sophisticated but unfussy small bites and mains, like côte de porc and a classic burger, accompany minimally garnished cocktails—which can be enjoyed in three rooms. Johnson, of L.A.’s Jewish deli-inspired Freedman’s, and Aghajanian, of New York’s Per Se, gleaned from iconic institutions like San Francisco’s Stars and Harry’s Bar in Venice. “I’d like to imagine whoever designed [Ye Coach & Horses] treated it like a Hollywood set—someone’s imagination of a pub staged on the Sunset Strip,” says Johnson of the local watering hole. “All we did was add a little color and natural light to enhance what was already there.” West Hollywood, horsesla.com–Jasmin Rosemberg
Horses chefs and managing partners Liz Johnson and Will Aghajanian HORSES PHOTO BY LUCKY TENNYSON
Horses’ chips and herbs, marinated olives and other small bites. HORSES PHOTO BY LUCKY TENNYSON
FRESH FACED There’s no shortage of excellent facial options in Los Angeles, but an appointment with Flora Mirabilis founder Jordan LaFragola stands out as a truly special experience. Located on the ground floor of LaFragola’s residence—a fairy tale-esque oasis built by Charlie Chaplin in 1923, where Chaplin himself, Judy Garland and Douglas Fairbanks once lived—the peaceful plant-and light-filled studio bursts with history and charm. LaFragola’s deeply relaxing 90-minute facials include a generous amount of sculpting massage with her Flora Mirabilis face oil—a rich, beautifully scented concoction made from sacha inchi, apricot kernel and pomegranate seed oil, along with vanilla, saffron, sandalwood, frankincense, lavender, rose and oud. “We pay careful attention to all the details in curating the environment and the treatments to be the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation experience,” says LaFragola, who creates custom skincare upon request and is working on bottling her next product, an exfoliating clay-based cleanser. “From the space itself, from music to lighting to the jungle of plants, people feel completely transported when they come here.” Hollywood, floramirabilis.com–Laura Eckstein Jones
Bestselling self-help author Kimberly Snyder releases her anticipated sixth book. KIMBERLY SNYDER PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUBJECT
JUST BREATHE Your happiest life is a few pages away. Join New York Times bestselling self-help author Kimberly Snyder on a journey to unlock your “true self” with her sixth book, You Are More Than You Think You Are: Practical Enlightenment for Everyday Life (Hay House), released Jan. 25. The L.A.-based spiritual guide and meditation teacher’s latest work—which has garnered praise from followers including Drew Barrymore and Deepak Chopra—includes wisdom from yoga practitioner Paramahansa Yogananda, scientific research and personal anecdotes. With these breathing and meditation tactics, journaling exercises and ancient practices that aided Snyder in finding success, you too can free up negative energy and find love, peace and confidence. “This information is needed in the world now more than ever: There is more anxiety, confusion, unrest, separation, discontent and depression,” says Snyder. “My heart and ability to love and feel compassion was blown open. And through this writing, my idea of service and passion of helping others has intensified and become the full focus and guiding light of my life, versus a side part.” mysolluna.com–Hannah George
The Last Line’s bright new Party tabletop collection of festive plates, bowls, glassware, place mats, linens and more THE LAST LINE PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRAND
TABLE TALK See what L.A.-based designer Shelley Sanders—who founded The Last Line with her husband aft er working for luxury jewelry houses—is dishing up. Following the success of The Last Line’s accessible and colorful fine jewelry collection, Sanders is venturing into the home decor market with Party: a tabletop collection of bright, festive plates, bowls, glassware, place mats, candlestick holders and more. “When we opened our first pop-up in L.A., we started getting questions about where people could buy the custom pieces we made for the space,” says Sanders. “I quickly realized how similar home decor and tabletop really are to jewelry, and then it was an immediate must-do: They’re heirlooms, they’re investments, they’re also an expression of individuality.” Sanders incorporated popular jewelry details, like bold color and floral and zodiac elements, into her handmade tabletop items—envisioned as showstoppers and “the last line” of home decor you’ll need. thisisthelast.com–HG
ALMA COCINA DE MEXICO PHOTO COURTESY OF BREAD&BUTTER
Grupo Hunan brings a taste of Mexico to The Grove with Alma Cocina de Mexico, a bilevel concept by the fountain. ALMA COCINA DE MEXICO PHOTO COURTESY OF BREAD&BUTTER
MEXICAN HEAT Mexico City-based Grupo Hunan, the family-owned restaurant group behind 26 fine dining spots in Mexico, brings some spice to The Grove with Alma Cocina de Mexico, its American debut. “Our family, the Cuaiks, spend a lot of time in Southern California and have always planned on launching a concept in L.A.,” says Grupo Hunan’s Teresa Cuaik, whose family seized the opportunity when a space opened up. The bustling city streets and serene coastlines of L.A. and Mexico influenced Cuaik Architects’ design of the split-level concept. Alma’s second floor houses a high-end Mexican restaurant boasting signatures such as tacos al pastor, birria and escamoles. Says Cuaik, “We describe it as ingredients that sing.” The ground level serves as a casual taqueria and cocktail bar with a shopping element. “The taqueria will feature an authentic Mexican market where we will not only offer imported Mexican novelties, but also a seasonal rotation of Alma’s signature ingredients, such as salsas, moles and handpressed corn tortillas. With both levels, we’ve created a truly immersive Mexican culinary experience.” The Grove, alma.mx–JR
Power Peace Furbabies creates healing necklaces for pets BY AMY GRAVES
HIGH VIBRATIONS Angelenos love their crystals and their pets, so it’s only natural that Power Peace Furbabies—a spiritually charged necklace line for dogs and cats—recently launched. The brainchild of jewelry designer Andrea Groussman and crystal healing expert Sat Devbir of Power Peace Jewels, the company creates pieces based on pets’ energy and needs. “We are both animal lovers in awe of the love and joy these companions bring,” says Devbir. After consulting with Devbir—when he picks up on each animal’s vibrations—he and Groussman customize a piece from handselected reiki energy-blessed stones. “We want to honor them with these meaningful pendants and necklaces,” says Devbir, “while also supporting them... through the healing powers of crystals so they can keep on living their best lives.” powerpeacefurbabies.com; powerpeacejewels.com–LEJ
Soft Spirits, L.A.’s first nonalcoholic bottle shop, carries alcohol-free spirits, wines and beers from brands including Three Spirit and Casamara Club. BY DONAVAN FREBERG
Soft Spirits, L.A.’s first nonalcoholic bottle shop, carries alcohol-free spirits, wines and beers from brands including Three Spirit and Casamara Club. PHOTO: BY HEIDI’S BRIDGE
BOTTOMS UP Calling all nondrinkers! Soft Spirits is aiming to become the one-stop shop in L.A. for alcohol-free spirits. Founder Jillian Barkley started Soft Spirits as an Instagram page where she could share her favorite nonalcoholic drinks, but knew the project could become something more. “The nonalcoholic world has grown rapidly the last several years, however, it’s tragically underrepresented in traditional wine and liquor stores,” says Barkley. Tired of ordering online or searching around, Barkley opened her Silver Lake store. Inside, there’s a variety of nonalcoholic spirits, wines and beers, including Ritual Tequila Alternative, Monday Gin and Surely wine. As well, Soft Spirits has teamed up with Three Spirit, a brand that creates plantbased alcohol alternatives from a team of U.K.-based bartenders and scientists, and recently debuted a plant-based trio of social elixirs. By introducing patrons to nonalcoholic brands and hosting interactive events, Soft Spirits hopes to carve out a niche for the sober community—and anyone who needs a break from alcohol. Silver Lake, softspirits.club–Noah Segoria
The new Style Union Home showroom in COURTESY OF POWER PEACE FURBABIES
The brand’s founder, Kym Gold. COURTESY OF THREE SPIRIT
CERAMICS SANCTUARY When designer Kym Gold launched her ceramic line Style Union Home in late 2020, she proved that true style defies categorization. After experiencing almost immediate success with her handmade serving pieces and decor, Gold—co-founder of iconic early aughts denim brand True Religion—opened a multipurpose space in DTLA to showcase her wares. “The look and the feel of the showroom is very New York loft,” says Gold of the vintage brick walls, concrete floors and slatted wooden ceilings. Located across the street from Soho Warehouse, the brand’s spacious headquarters contains a retail and showroom area in the front and a production area in the back. “My role in fashion factors into everything I do for Style Union Home,” says Gold. “I treat this company like I would any fashion brand. We deliver by season, go to trade shows and work on collaborations.” For spring, look out for pieces—like Gold’s favorite, the statement-making Jill Raw candle—in fresh new shades. “These colors and textures are reminiscent of growing up with the waves and sand in Malibu,” she explains. DTLA, styleunionhome.com–LEJ
Taylor Made Cuisine’s balsamic steak with Brussels sprouts and dairy-free mashed potatoes PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
MEAL TICKET
These three popular meal delivery services bring healthy, ready-made options right to your doorstep. BY CLAIRE BARNETT
Clockwise from far left: Rigatoni Bolognese with broccoli from Simple Feast PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
GOOP KITCHEN
With the March 2021 opening of Goop Kitchen in Santa Monica, Gwyneth Paltrow’s hip, 13-year-old lifestyle brand began delivering clean, nutrient-rich food to Goop fans. By adding a new Studio City outpost in November, Goop Kitchen has expanded its delivery zone to service L.A. neighborhoods including Studio City, Universal City, Toluca Lake, North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks and Burbank. Helmed by Kim Floresca of New York’s Per Se, Goop Kitchen’s entire menu is gluten-free and offers many plant-based options. Favorites like the Brentwood Chinese chicken salad accompany newer options such as a salmon bowl and DIY cauliflower tortillas. goopkitchen.com
Goop Kitchen’s fall salmon bowl. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
SIMPLE FEAST
This 100% organic, plant-based meal delivery service strives to save the planet by making the journey into whole-food, plant-based eating easy and delicious through innovative dishes prepared by Michelin-starred chefs. Established in Copenhagen five years ago and now run out of a kitchen and event space in Santa Barbara, Simple Feast is here to show humanity the benefits of a plant-based diet, including a healthy gut, more energy and a positive impact on our ecosystem. Dinner kits for dishes like butternut squash Thai curry, rigatoni Bolognese and potato tacos come ready to prep and serve in 15 minutes, and the brand’s full line of plant-based products—plus new sustainable packaging—will soon launch in the U.S. simplefeast.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
TAYLOR MADE CUISINE
After working as a private chef and caterer in Orange County for celebrities and athletes including Kobe Bryant, Taylor DeCosta founded this Irvine-based catering and prepared meal delivery service with her husband in 2016. Specializing in healthy, fully cooked meals deliverable to O.C. and L.A., Taylor Made offers a customizable meal plan to accommodate a broad range of diets, such as paleo, keto, low FODMAP and vegan. All dishes—from pan-seared scallops to chicken mole to keto peanut butter cups—are prepared from scratch by chefs, and the menu features 160 rotating items to ensure new, flavorful options. taylormadecuisine.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
TO MARKET
There are countless healthy markets in L.A., but none as iconic as Erewhon. Founded in 1968, the scene-y store has expanded at a more rapid pace in the past 10 years, with outposts popping up from Silver Lake to the Palisades and beyond. Now, a new location at The Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge has opened in Studio City, making it easier than ever to pick up carefully curated organic sundries. “[This]... was always known as the party hot spot in the valley,” says Vice President Jason Widener of the storied scene. “And now that’s changed. The culture has shifted from being a party spot to the healthy spot, which makes me really happy. It makes Erewhon happy because this is what we love to do. We love to inspire people and inspire communities; it’s just a perfect match.” Studio City, erewhonmarket.com–LEJ
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