Here Now January
Flavors of Florence
From the team behind L’antica Pizzeria da Michele comes Florence Osteria & Piano Bar, a new Tuscan-inspired restaurant set in a 1980s building with new-world charm. The eatery’s dining room has an exposed brick wall and an electric piano intended for live performances several nights a week. An out-door skylit patio, anchored by an 85-year-old olive tree, accommodates 60 seats. The dishes highlight fresh ingredients andTuscany’s rustic cuisine, such as artisan cheeses and cured meats, house-made pasta, wood-fired seafood and meat dishes, and other delectable Italian small bites. Standout items include the tortello filled with braised oxtail, the fettuccine al tartufo tossed tableside in a Parmesan wheel, and branzino cooked in a wood-burning oven. 8265 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, florenceosteria.com
Chicken satay and sour sambal at Rasarumah
House of Flavor
Years of travel through Malaysia and Singapore serve as inspiration for chef Johnny Lee’s latest venture, Rasarumah. The new spot in Historic Filipinotown brings Malaysian and Southeast Asian dishes to a beautifully renovated 1930s-era brassiere factory building. The checkerboard floors, maple and orange booths, and exposed brick are reminiscent of cafes and restaurants in Penang, and the walls are lined with Lee’s travel photography. For a savory dish order the ayam berempah, Malaysian-style fried chicken with sweet chili sauce. For a bit of sweetness, try the rojak, a fruit salad with sour mango and tamarind. Pair any of the umami-rich dishes on the unique menu with a bottle from the curated wine list, and you’ll see that Rasarumah lives up to its name’s literal translation: flavor house. 3107 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, rasarumah.com
Beverly Hills Bites
At lunchtime, Beverly Hills restaurants are packed with deal-making suited business professionals, but at night, those power players turn into trendset-ters who are ready to blow off steam. At the new Novikov, a globally recognized restaurant with locations in Ibiza, London, Miami, and other outposts, the bar is always buzzing and open until 1 a.m. Fresh seafood is on display in front of the open kitchen and provides a good indicator of where to focus your attention on the extensive menu. But there is something for every palate, including pasta and meat dishes. Most dishes are large enough to share family-style. Check out the $35 pre-fixe lunch menu for a great value. 257 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.300.0090; novikovbeverly.com
Distilled to Perfection
Immerse yourself in the creative world of mixology at The Obscure, a downtown bar and distillery in the Arts District, which offers the Distillery & Cocktail Experience. Guests are encouraged to dress in all black to match the mysterious, candlelit atmosphere with bayou-inspired decor. Bartenders guide you on a two-hour journey through six drinks: three house spirit tastings and three handcrafted cocktails. Each drink in the spirit collection includes a story: Four Thieves Gin, Dichotomy Brandy, Harbinger Jakarta Rum, Seven Spheres Rye, Three Fates Genépi Liqueur, and their latest addition, Rites of Fall Rye. Non-alcohol drinkers can choose from a list of mocktails. The immersive storytelling make this a popular cocktail experience in the city. 1356 Palmetto St., Los Angeles, experience.theobscure.com
Buzzing with Wellness
The 167-room Regent Santa Monica Beach is the newest addition to the lineup of oceanside hotels in Santa Monica. The hotel’s street-level spa is helmed by Guerlain, the French fragrance and wellness brand, featuring a sauna, steam room, and 12 treatment rooms to unwind after a day of city adventures. Look out for the signature bee logo throughout the spa—an ode to the brand’s commitment to bee conservation. To improve wrinkles and restore firmness, try the signature Royal Honey, Repair & Renew treatment that uses the Abeille Royale formula made with Ouessant black bee honey or Skin Perfection, which combines lymphatic drainage and a hydrafacial. Whatever you choose, you’ll leave with radiant skin. 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310.458.6700
From the pages of ARRIVED Magazine, January 2025 .
Main Photo: Florence Osteria & Piano Bar by Nicola Foti; Rasarumah by Johnny Lee; Novikov, Obscure Distillary and Guerlain spa courtesy images.