The Hammer Museum's new biennial promoting local artists, is the perfect occasion to explore the West Coast culture capital.
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"Made in L.A. 2012," the inaugural edition of a Los Angeles biennial showcasing new work from (mostly up-and-coming) local artists, is just the latest expression of a SoCal art scene alive with self-confidence—and the perfect occasion for a visit to the West Coast culture capital. (June 2–September 2 at the Hammer Museum; Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Park (LAMAG); and LAXART.)
Hotel Bel-Air
This Old Hollywood icon vaulted back onto the A-list when it unveiled its two-year, $100-million facelift in October of last year. The design team (Alexandra Champalimaud working with the Rockwell Group) preserved the 103-room hotel's signature pink-stucco Spanish Colonial–style architecture as well as the glamorous oval swimming pool. Flashy new features include a La Prairie Spa and a restaurant from chef Wolfgang Puck (701 Stone Canyon Rd.; 310-472-1211; guest rooms from $515).
Mr. C Beverly Hills
The C stands for Cipriani, and this 137-room tower, opened just one year ago, marks the restaurant dynasty's first foray into the hotel business. There are design nods to both Europe and Los Angeles (Italian furniture and bedding and film stills as wall art), while service reflects the family's culinary legacy. Bellinis and baked tagliolini can be delivered to the rooms or poolside (1224 Beverwil Dr.; 310-277-2800; guest rooms from $349).
Palihotel Melrose Avenue
Opened in February 2012, the Palihotel hits the mark for on-the go guests seeking mod style at moderate prices. Prospective guests should note that this 32-room boutique is light on amenities, though Melrose's bustling lineup of shops and restaurants is right outside (7950 Melrose Ave.; 323-272-4588; guest rooms from $185).
Osteria Mozza
Is five years long enough to be considered a standby? This Nancy Silverton–Mario Batali–Joe Bastianich Italian venture was never lacking in pedigree. Now that chef Matt Molina snagged the 2012 James Beard award for best chef: Pacific (pastry chef Dahlia Narvaez made do with a nomination), Osteria Mozza has serious street cred as well (6602 Melrose Ave.; 323-297-0100).
The Spice Table
Chef-owner Bryant Ng literally mans the wood-burning hearth at this unpretentious Little Tokyo restaurant. Headcheese, bone marrow, and pig's tail appear on the nose-to-tail Southeast Asian–inspired menu; squeamish eaters may feel more courageous knowing Food & Wine dubbed Ng one of its best new chefs of 2012 (114 S. Central Ave.; 213-620-1840).
Picca
Peru gave us potatoes, tomatoes, and chef Ricardo Zarate, a Lima native who has helped create the buzz currently surrounding Peruvian cuisine. Picca's family-style menu lets diners sample ceviche, causa (a take on sushi, using potato instead of rice), anticucho (grilled kebabs), and still have room for vanilla-bean pisco flan (9575 W. Pico Blvd.; 310-277-0133).
Ink
While Michael Voltaggio (winner of Top Chef season six) chose the name of his restaurant to evoke permanence (as in tattoos), the food—sturgeon with mushroom oatmeal and mushroom hay or pork belly with charcoal oil, barbecue flavor, and macaroni and cheese, for example—is all about invention (8360 Melrose Ave.; 323-651-5866).
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Transporting a 340-ton granite megalith more than 100 miles was an impressive performance piece in its own right, but the show's not over: Michael Heizer's Levitated Mass (featuring the stone suspended over a 456-foot-long concrete slot) opened in June (5905 Wilshire Blvd.; 323-857-6000).
The Museum of Contemporary Art
On view at the Geffen Contemporary through September 3, "Ends of the Earth: Land Art to 1974," emphasizes social and political aspects of the movement's early years in the work of more than 80 artists (152 N. Central Ave.; 213-626-6222).
The Getty Center
"Gustav Klimt: The Magic of Line," presented by the J. Paul Getty Museum July 3 through September 23, is the first Klimt retrospective of its kind. More than 100 drawings will be assembled to celebrate the painter's draftsmanship as well as the 150th anniversary of his birth (1200 Getty Center Dr.; 310-440-7300).
NK Shop
Like the interiors Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe create for their celebrity clients, the design duo's new retail digs contain a well-edited selection of housewares, private-label furniture, and vintage finds (7221 Beverly Blvd.; 323-954-9300).
Kelly Wearstler
Opened last November, Wearstler's eponymous flagship (and first standalone boutique) is a one-stop shop for the multitasking designer's clothing, accessories, and home decor (8440 Melrose Ave.; 323-895-7880).
Just One Eye
A unique location (the former home of Howard Hughes) and an appointment-only policy add intrigue to the brick-and-mortar incarnation of the avant-garde online fashion playground of the same name (7000 Romaine St.; 888-563-6858).
Art Platform—Los Angeles
Following its 2011 debut, this contemporary and modern art fair will return September 28 through 30 for a second engagement at a new location: Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar (213-763-5890).